Anne Neville, the odd queen out

Anne Neville (Faye Marsay) and Richard III (Aneurin Barnard) save money by being crowned at the same time in The White Queen

To catch a king - the romance and politics behind a royal marriage have long fascinated historians and novelists alike. What is it about the women who wear a consort's crown that makes them marriage material for monarchs?  The hint of a love story is enough to send hearts racing and pens pounding paper while the heartbreak of young women left in miserable marriages because it suited the ambitions of their husbands, fathers and brothers has a poignancy all of its own.  In England, monarchs have ascended the throne with a spare consort's seat to their left with astounding regularity.  Kings complete with queens on the day they took the throne were a rarity and from 1377 until the rise of the House of Stuart in 1603, just one queen was already wed to her king on the day of his accession.  And that was Anne Neville.

Maria, the unwilling queenmaker

History is full of ifs and buts.  If, if, if....the nagging wonder of what might have happened if just one thing had been slightly different.  But, but, but...but for a tiny moment, what might have been?  So how about this if?  If one woman, born in 1491, had been slightly more interested in song, dance and storytelling might the whole history of England have been different?

The White Queen: a new mystery

This blog began as The White Queen hit TV screens so it seems quite appropriate that as I reboot and refocus, Elizabeth Woodville takes centre stage again. This still controversial queen constantly calls for re-examining and today, I'm looking back at research published just a year ago which throws a different light on how she spent her final days.

Queens of England

It's been a bit quiet here recently but all that is about to change. Firstly, thank you for sticking with the blog in its sleepy period. And secondly, let me tell you all about the changes that are coming now that spring is here.

Henry's VIII's most mysterious wife

Jane Seymour, Queen of England and only the second to die from complications of childbirth

Today is the anniversary of the death of Jane Seymour, that most elusive and mysterious of all the women who married Henry VIII - and she had some competition.  The third queen of the eighth Henry died twelve days after the birth of her only child, the legitimate son that Henry longed for to secure his kingdom and his throne.  While little Prince Edward was being tended in his nursery, his mother died of the complications of childbirth - most likely a puerperal fever that came about from an infection not treated properly after the delivery of her baby. 

Six royal roles that won Oscars

It's Oscars night and that means the eyes of the world are on Hollywood for the biggest, glitziest and most famous film awards of them all. There will be dozens of statuettes handed out this evening but the some of the most intense interest will be in who takes home the acting prizes. There are no royal roles among this year's nominations but regal parts have brought home the gold statuette in the past. Here are 6 royal roles which have won Oscars for the women and men who brought them to life on the screen.

Palaces in the Snow - Royal Palace, Stockholm

A snowy staircase fit for a fairytale at the Royal Palace, Stockholm

By Wooly Matt via Flickr

It takes a lot of snow to cover the whole of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Its famous facade hides over 600 rooms while its baroque style adds an air of dominance. And yet even this huge, striking palace can look postcard pretty in the snow. Just don't expect a blanket of flakes, this is dusting territory.