When I was nine or ten years old, I watched the “Six Wives of Henry VIII” starring Keith Michell as Henry VIII–and was forever hooked on the Tudors, the Stuarts and anything that had to do with the 15th and 16th Centuries in the UK.
Fast forward to 2011–my love for history and a good non-fiction or fiction book or movie is unabated. I read an overwhelming amount on the topic and this blog is my first attempt to share my views on what books/shows are well-written, interesting and helpful and what I find less, well, less factual! Because the one way to provoke my ire is to play fast and loose with known historical fact.
Not surprisingly, all this interest in history and historical fiction has led to my first attempt at an historical fiction novel of my own.
Total pun not intended on my spelling of scene (seen).
Hey Jules, Have seen it — one of my favorites. Scene/seen…I know what you meen/mean!
Looked on my Kindle, I have that book, by CW Gortner, on my wishlist already. DIdn’t remember his name at all!
She was either Catherine of Aragon’s sister or aunt, getting old, I can never remember which!
I hadn’t heard of the author you mention, I am going to have a look see!
There isn’t a lot about her actually, disappointing. I keep my eyes open looking for books about her. They are all so interesting aren’t they?
Ah! An opening in the market. Wasn’t she Catherine of Aragon’s sister? I have to believe that-though there is not much historical fiction (though there is a book by CW Gortner), there would be non-fiction articles on her — more in Spanish probably, but worth a look. She is fascinating!
Nice to find your site. I am also hooked on anything to do with the Tudors, not to mention Wm. The Conqueror, Mad Juana etc….love reading about the era.
Thank you! I don’t know much about Mad Juana–but I have this theory that most novelists have exhausted the Tudors and will start on the Spanish and French medieval queens & kings and tell their stories.
iAM 14 AND AN HISTORY NERD!!!!!!! i SPEND ALL MY TIME READING HISTORY OR TRYING TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY OF PENNYSLVANIA!!!!! love your site.
Thanks for your comment. At 14 I was the same – but balance! And good luck! – Geri
Oh, thanks for the heads up on the new AW book! I’m going to see if I can pre-order it since I have a gift cert to B&N burning a hole in my pocket. You know, the Glenda Jackson Elizabeth movie is probably the only version I haven’t seen. Must move it up in my Netflix queue!
Like you, I got hooked on the Tudors, Mary Queen of Scots, etc. at an early age. The movie? “Mary Queen of Scots” with Vanessa Redgrave. Allison Weir is one of my fave historical authors. Nice job on your blog!
I was just re-watching “Elizabeth I” on Netflix and marveling at what a fabulous Elizabeth Glenda Jackson made. Of course, she is in “Mary…” too with Vanessa Redgrave. Alison Weir is coming out with a biography of Mary Boleyn on 4 October–I think it is another must read for Tudor fans.
Agree. Ever scene the glossy “bess” by Mgm in the mid 1950s. Jean Simmons plays her and is good, the music is amazing; but the rest is pure pulp.