Movie Review: Mary, Queen of Scots

*Review originally posted on TudorsDynasty.com When it was announced that there would be a film about Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I was over the moon. My hope was that it would do both women the justice they deserve. If you have not seen the trailer, here it is: How exciting does that…

Let’s Hear it for the Stuarts!

Historian and writer Linda Porter reports on a lively session with Charles Spencer at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. It was my great pleasure recently to speak at the Cheltenham Literature Festival with Charles Spencer, on the topic of ‘Charles 1: a toxic legacy’.  Charles’s latest book, To Catch a King: Charles II’s Great Escape’ is…

Stories of Bolton Castle Part 2: Mary, Queen of Scots – Fleeting Glimpse

Bolton Castle is situated in the Yorkshire Dales 54 miles to the north west of York. Permission for the castle to be built was given by Richard II, and it was complete by 1399. (I wrote more about it’s history here) Quadrangular in design, it was built with defense in mind, and the living quarters […]…

Mistresses of King Charles II: Catherine Pegge and Elizabeth Killigrew

Charles Stuart loved women…even before he became King of England. We’re going to take a look at the women who Charles bedded, had children with but didn’t wed during his lifetime (that I’m aware of). This week we’re learning about Catherine Pegge and Elizabeth Killigrew Catherine (Katherine) Pegge Catherine Pegge was the daughter of Thomas…

Mistresses of King Charles II: Barbara Villiers

Charles Stuart loved women…even before he became King of England. We’re going to take a look at the women who Charles bedded, had children with but didn’t wed during his lifetime (that I’m aware of). This week we’re learning about Barbara Villiers. Barbara Villiers: 27 November – 9 October 1709 Diarist, Sam Pepys recorded often about Barbara’s…

Mistresses of King Charles II: Lucy Walter

Charles Stuart loved women…even before he became King of England. We’re going to take a look at the women who Charles bedded, had children with but didn’t wed during his lifetime (that I’m aware of). This week we’re learning about Lucy Walter. Please keep in mind, it was rumored that they wed but there is no…

Mistresses of King Charles II: Moll Davis

Charles Stuart loved women…even before he became King of England. We’re going to take a look at the women who Charles bedded, had children with but didn’t wed during his lifetime (that I’m aware of). This week we’re learning about Moll Davis. Mary “Moll” Davis: 1648 (England) – 1708 (England) Famous diarist, Samuel Pepys said…

Mistresses of King Charles II: Louise de Kéroualle

Charles Stuart loved women…even before he became King of England. We’re going to take a look at the women who Charles bedded, had children with but didn’t wed during his lifetime (that I’m aware of). This week we’re learning about Louise de Kéroualle. Louise de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth: 6 September 1649 (France) – 14 November 1734…

Those gorgeous Stuart men – meet some 17th century hotties

What a great post – had to share it with you!

Mistresses of King Charles II: Nell Gwyn

Charles Stuart loved women…even before he became King of England. We’re going to take a look at the women who Charles bedded, had children with but didn’t wed during his lifetime (that I’m aware of). This week we’re learning about Nell Gwyn. Eleanor “Nell” Gwyn (Gwynn/Gwynne): 2 February 1650 – 14 November 1687 Nell met Charles…