The news cycle moves fast. It’s hard to keep up with the most important world events, much less anything you’re actually interested in. That’s why I’m here with the weekly roundup of Tudor news stories that caught my eye this week.
The fabulous Nathen Amin lists must-see castles with Tudor connections:
http://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/8-must-visit-castles-with-tudor-connections/
Start planning your summer holidays now!
Beacon Hill Fort is Britain’s least-visited tourist attraction. Only six visitors last year. The fort dates to Roman times, but the fort that’s there now is Tudor. They’re getting a makeover and restoration, and an activity center, so when you’re making those summer plans, include a side trip:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5306561/Historical-Tudor-fort-bought-bid-boost-Essex-tourism.html
Read about royal pets through the ages in this interesting article, which includes the tidbit of how Katherine Howard gave Anne of Cleves two pet dogs that Henry had given her – regifting is Tudor-chic!
http://royalcentral.co.uk/blogs/taking-a-look-at-other-royal-pets-and-animals-95083
This is a great read about Blanche Parry, who was Elizabeth I’s nursemaid – the two were so close that they spoke in code (Welsh) when they wanted to have a secret conversation.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-42805908
Property news
If you’ve got a spare £2m, this luxury home automatically comes with the title of Lord or Lady, so, you know, bonus.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/luxury/want-lord-lady-buy-2m-country-manor-title/
There’s great restoration works going on at the home of Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, William Sandys, and you can actually get up close and personal to see the repair work:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5302909/Stately-home-s-restored-chimneys-unveiled-major-conservation-work.html
Event
If you’re anywhere near Peterborough, check out the Katherine of Aragon festival this weekend!
http://www.visitpeterborough.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&feature=1347&venue=0220627
Listen to this!
The Free Download of the Week from BBC’s Classical Music Magazine is the Alamire Consort’s tribute to Katherine Parr and Thomas Tallis – sign up for their newsletter list to get the download
http://www.classical-music.com/free-download/free-download-alamires-tribute-tallis-and-katherine-parr
You can also listen to it on Spotify here
Heather Teysko is the creator, writer, and producer of The Renaissance English History Podcast,  the original Tudor history podcast, started in 2009. She's been writing about history online for over 25 years, since her first site on Colonial American history became number one in history on Yahoo in 1998. In 2019 she created Tudorcon, which is now a yearly event, in addition to writing books, and running TudorFair.com - a whimsical Tudor Merch shop.
She has been passionate about Tudor England since she first read Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII 30 years ago, and subsequently moved to London after college to spend her time immersed in Tudor history (how exciting when she got to interview Alison for the first time!). In addition to history, she is passionate about travel, and has lived in 3 countries and 4 states (not counting her perpetual state of confusion), and her family (who help her host her YouTube channel occasionally).
