Birth of the May Queen

She really was a May queen. Mary of Teck was born in May while perhaps the most significant moment of her royal career took place in its sunlit days. Those who loved her called her May for her whole life. She really was a May queen.

Anne Boleyn Day

It's amazing how history changes. Not the things that happened, but the way we tell them. Ten years ago, May 19th was a date that historians would note but that might pass unnoticed by others. Thanks to the reach of social media, for anyone interested in royalty, history or a combination of the two, it's now known as Anne Boleyn Day.

To Crown a Queen

It is one thing to watch a coronation or to look at the images that are left or the words that remain long after this most impressive of royal ceremonies has taken place. But what is the experience of those few women who have been crowned as Queen? There are written records from the women themselves though they are rare. But among those who have committed their impressions to paper is Elizabeth, later Queen Mother, whose coronation as consort took place on May 12th 1937.

Coronation of a Queen: Elizabeth, May 1937

Elizabeth, Queen and Empress, was crowned on May 12th 1937. It was the culmination of a turbulent period which had seen her go from wife of the spare to one of the most powerful women in the world in less than a year. It was a role she never sought but which she seemed born to fulfil. Here's a look back at the day Elizabeth was crowned, in pictures.

What I'm reading now: The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor

Luckily, just before the libraries closed, I managed to get hold of a book I have wanted to read for a very long time. And right now, the lockdown list has arrived at 'The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor', by Elizabeth Norton. I've only just dipped into it but already I like what I see.

#OTD: Marriage of a Queen, Berengaria of Navarre

One of England's most forgotten queens took her throne, on this day, in 1191. Berengaria of Navarre, consort of Richard I, married her king on May 12th 1191 in a romantic wedding that promised much and delivered little.

#OTD: Coronation of a Queen, Matilda of Flanders

The first post Conquest Queen of England finally got her Crown on a May day. Matilda of Flanders, the consort who helped turn William, Duke of Normandy into a King, was crowned on May 11th 1068.

#OTD Anne of Bohemia, Queen of England is born

Anne of Bohemia, Queen of England was born on this day in 1366. The first consort of Richard II arrived on May 11th 1366 in Prague.

#OTD: Mary of Teck becomes Queen of England

On this day, in 1910, Mary of Teck became Queen Consort. She took on the role on the accession of her husband as King George V. They were also now Emperor and Empress of India. They would reign for 26 years.

Did the White Queen really marry her king?

May 1st is traditionally the date given for one of the most famous and romantic royal weddings in history.  For it was on May Day 1464 that Elizabeth Woodville is said to have married Edward IV in a secret ceremony that turned her into Queen of England and altered royal history forever. But even now, five centuries and more on, the question remains - did the White Queen really marry her king?