Upcoming Books and Exhibitions for July 2014

Books

Linda Porter’s Crown of Thistles has been out in the UK for some time now (paperback link below) and will be released in the US as Tudors Versus Stewarts: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary, Queen of Scots on July 1.

And in new books this month, John Edwards’ Archibishop Pole (part of the Archbishops of Canterbury series) is due out in both the US and UK on July 28. Unfortunately this book has “academic pricing” (i.e. is quite expensive!) but that’s one of the many reasons I love libraries!

New exhibit

Just one opening in July:

The new King Richard III Visitor Centre opens on July 26 in Leicester and will feature the exhibition “King Richard III: Dynasty, Death and Discovery”. The visitor centre is built where Richard III’s skeleton was discovered and you will have an opportunity to visit the preserved gravesite as part of the exhibition.

Continuing events, exhibitions, and displays

* If you missed out on In Fine Style when it was at Buckingham Palace, you can catch it now at the Palace of Holyroodhouse from March 14 to July 20.

* The Society of Antiquaries is holding a free exhibition of some of the Society

Guest Post: Kyra Cornelius Kramer on Henry VIII myths

For Henry VIII’s birthday, I’m happy to welcome Kyra back for another guest post, this time doing a little Tudor mythbusting! – Lara

Happy Birthday to Henry VIII, who was born on this day 523 years ago!

As a gift to him, I have devoted this day to debunking a lot of bunk about his life that I had *assumed* was true until I delved deeper during researches for my own book about this infamous King. There is nothing like research to leave you both enlightened and appalled by your former state of unsuspecting belief. Of course, there are myriad myths about Henry and I cannot cover them all, so I

Sunday Short Takes

* The July issue of History Today features an article by Janet Dickson on the The Final Years of Elizabeth I’s Reign (article preview at link)

* Richard III tomb design unveiled in Leicester – The wooden coffin will be made by Michael Ibsen, a distant relative of Richard III, while the tomb will be made of Swaledale fossil stone, quarried in North Yorkshire.

And finally, a few more interesting historical houses up for sale for your “what would I do if a had a few quid to spare” dreaming…

* The Norfolk house fit for King Henry VIII – yours for just

Guest Post and Book Give Away: Our Favourite George Boleyn Sources by Clare Cherry and Claire Ridgway

I’m honored to be the next stop on Clare Cherry and Claire Ridgway’s George Boleyn Virtual Book Tour!

The authors have offered a free copy of the book, so click over to the form and leave your email address: “George Boleyn: Poet, Courtier and Diplomat” book give-away (The contest will be closed on Sunday June 15 at noon US central daylight time.) Update: The contest is now closed. More information on the book is available at GeorgeBoleyn.com

Our Favourite George Boleyn Sources by Clare Cherry and Claire Ridgway

People often assume that there is not much primary source information about George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, but that is simply not the case. George was a diplomat, an important courtier, a member of the King’s Privy Chamber and Privy Council, and brother-in-law to the King, so he is regularly mentioned in the state papers in the 1520s and 30s.

We used a whole range of primary sources in researching for George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat but today we’d like to share our favourite ones, ones that we feel give us an insight into what George was really like.

Clare

Upcoming Books and Exhibitions for June 2014

Book news

One book that has already been released in the UK is now out in the US:

John Ashdown-Hill’s book on George, Duke of Clarence will be out on June 1 in the US.

Leanda de Lisle’s Tudor: The Family Story will be out in paperback in the UK on June 5. I don’t have the US paperback release info at the moment, but I’ll update when I find out more.

And similarly, Chris Skidmore’s Bosworth: The Birth of the Tudors will be out in paperback in the UK that same day.

And for new releases, just one this month, and I’m not really sure what the status of it is. I have been tracking Queens Regnant for a while and I have that it is due out on June 1 in the US and UK, but other information has been a bit hard to find. I’ll go ahead and put links below and try to keep tabs on any additional information.

New exhibit

The Society of Antiquaries is holding a free exhibition of some of the Society

Sunday Short Takes

Sorry for the lack of round-ups lately, but here are a few links from the past couple of weeks:

* The Wonder of Birds: Norwich Castle showcases Holbein portrait – A “mysterious” painting has returned to Norfolk for the first time in more than 20 years as part of an exhibition spanning more than 4,000 years.

* Want to buy Hampton Court? No, not that one, the other one – The 15th century castle could be yours if you have

Guest Post and Book Give away: Amy Licence on Elizabeth of York

I’m delighted to be the final stop on Amy Licence’s Virtual Book Tour and to present an excerpt from her book Elizabeth of York and host a give-away for a copy of the book! Amy is the author of several books on the Wars of the Roses and Tudor period including In Bed With the Tudors and Richard III: The Road to Leicester among others. Check out Amy’s author site for more information on all of her books.

If you wish to be entered in the drawing for the book, click over to the form and leave your email address: “Elizabeth of York” book give-away (The contest will be closed on Sunday May 18 at noon US central daylight time.) [Update: the drawing is now closed.]

Married Life
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Sunday Short Takes

Quick round-up again this week since I have been out showing the sun (safely!) to visitors to the Texas State History Museum all day. 🙂

* What Does History Mean to You? – Guest post on On the Tudor Trail from a teacher who needs help from Tudor History enthusiasts and historians. I’m not really in much of a position to help, but I can at least spread the word!

* Wolf Hall TV cast to include Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance – More casting updates on the TV adaptations of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.

* No mod cons: Fitted kitchen? Chuck it. Bathroom suite? Swap it for a lead-lined tub. Meet the man whose DIY makeover took his home back 500 years – I don’t know that I would want to live in a home like this, but I would certainly love to stay a few days and nights to try it out!

And finally…

* Sir David Attenborough helps Bradgate Park campaign – (Warning – autoplay video at the link) The Leicester Rotary Club has launched a campaign to construct a visitor center for the park, which includes the ruins of Bradgate House, childhood home of Lady Jane Grey. You can find out more at the the Facebook page for the campaign.