@elizabethanhistory
Exploring Elizabethan History - exactly what it says on the tin! Specific focus on Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. Run by MA University of Kent alumna. All views my own. See where else you can find me here: exploringelizabethanhistory.link
This excerpt gives a bit of insight into Robert’s role in the Jane Grey Coup and how involved he actually was. I touch upon the implications this could have had for his relationship to Elizabeth, and how surprising there was even one at all given this context!
It’s been a while!! Work has reached fever pitch right now so I’m still just trying to keep my head above water, but I’ve really missed engaging with history, so here’s a new Bitesized Source.
Really illuminating stuff! Check out by blog for my full thoughts on the installation as well as what the rest of my visit was like at the castle!
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2025/07/25/w...
These wonderfully eerie ceramic statues were created by artist Lindsey Mendick who explores the nature of these festivities through the female gaze and how they can be seen as a part of Elizabeth’s struggle for control.
Part of the reason I made a last-minute decision to visit Kenilworth Castle last week was because I saw that a new art installation had been installed in the Great Hall as part of the events to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth I’s visit to the castle in 1575.
Yesterday, I finally got to catch the annual Medieval Pageant Parade in Canterbury! It was delightful fun, but this moment in particular was actually pretty awe-inspiring 🤩
One can only wonder just how much drumming this Cathedral has seen in this existence.
Honestly, it's more to do with the writing than with Fiennes' actual portrayal, so perhaps I should be kinder to him but its the only one on the list that fills me with actual fury, so it had to be done 😭 Pleased to hear, would so highly reccomend The Virgin Queen!
A while ago, I shared my personal rankings of portrayals of Elizabeth I on screen - at last, here is Robert’s version! The one I’ve put as my least favourite may be an unpopular opinion 🫣 Check it out on my blog and let me know what you think!
Do give it a listen!
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2025/06/17/p...
We discussed Elizabeth I’s reputation and legacy and how it morphed over the years depending on the context of society around her as well as who was doing the talking. It was such a fun and stimulating conversation!
Back again with another guest episode on a podcast! This time I was invited on a relatively new podcast called Historically Confused, hosted by the fantastic Chris Simpson.
Check out today’s bitesized source on my blog where I posit whether it might have been possible for Robert and Elizabeth to communicate in the rare instance their time at court during Mary’s reign might have overlapped.
Check out my website for a bit more insight into this sneak peek! And of course, as always, shout out to Andreea Homan for creating the wonderful artwork which matches this excerpt! ❤️
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2025/05/30/w...
But after that, all of Henry VIII’s weddings were either private, intimate affairs or were held inside court palaces, well away from the public eye. In White Bear Red Rose, the English public are treated to their first public royal wedding in decades.
By the reign of Edward VI, the last time England had experienced a public and lavish royal wedding was that of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon at Old St Paul’s Cathedral in November 1501.
Check out my blog to see my thoughts on this source and how it actually relates to Anne Boleyn, especially on the anniversary of her execution 💔
Foxe’s works is part history, part propaganda so care must always be taken when reading at face value, but in this case he got his basic facts correct. Where he might have embellished is on exactly what words were spoken between them all.
For my first bite-sized source, I wanted to share this excerpt from John Foxe’s “Acts and Monuments” which details the kindness shown to Elizabeth by John Williams when she was en route from the Tower to Woodstock to be out under house arrest.
I elaborate more on this here if anyone is interested!
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2025/05/17/i...
Trying something new! Been feeling a bit disconnected from the history world because so much of my time is eaten up by work and editing my book. So I’ve decided I’m going to start sharing short source excerpts with a little blurb contsining my thoughts on it. Bite-sized Sources! 😄
I posted about this on my instagram, but I got myself a physical copy of BBC’s The Virgin Queen because it seems to have been removed from all streaming services, and I am so stinkin happy right now - long live physical media!
For women’s history month, I’ve made a post where I outline about list of women who Elizabeth was close to and had positive relations with. It is not exhaustive because I’m almost certain I’ve missed some!
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2025/03/23/t...
Well, I’m here to tell you it’s complete nonsense. Elizabeth had plenty of female friends who she had positive relationships with. This myth is annoying at best and misogynistic at worst.
Have you ever heard people claim that Elizabeth I was a “man’s woman? That she never had positive relationships with other women and was constantly jealous of them? That she flew into a rage whenever any of them dared to get married?
As you can tell, this is a pretty pivotal moment for Robert and Elizabeth in the story! 😜
Fun fact, this dialogue is part of the first chapter I ever wrote for this story, long before I ever decided to make it a novel. Hope you all enjoy!
To celebrate my birthday today, I’ve decided to share a little sneak peek into my upcoming book, White Bear Red Rose, including some character art done by the incomparable @hmn.andreea and some cheeky dialogue that inspired it.
But more time will definitely be needed. Check out my latest blog post for more information.
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2025/03/03/w...
I’m really sorry to be sharing this news, but I promise it’s for the best! After speaking to my editor in January, it’s become clear to me that my novel needs a lot more work before it’s ready to be published. The good news is, I’m now armed with a solid outline so I’m feeling more confident!
