What is the story we think we know about the Elizabethan succession? Was it a smooth transition to the Stuarts, or was it a stolen Tudor crown?   In this first episode of our four-part series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman will talk us through why Elizabeth I never named an heir, and what repercussions that had for the end of the Tudor dynasty.   Find out more about Elizabeth’s brush with death in 1562.   Read more about the reign of Elizabeth I.    For a signed copy of Tracy Borman’s new book The Stolen Crown, visit our online shop.

The story of the end of the Tudor dynasty is well known. With the death of Elizabeth I, the accension of James VI & I saw the Stuarts take the English throne. But the truth behind the succession is much darker than a peacful transition, it's a tale full of treachery  and deceit. 

In this four-part series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman will explore the Stolen Tudor Crown. Who were the front runners to win the race to the throne after Elizabeth I’s death, and ultimately how did James Stuart win? 

What might have been different had the Tudor crown gone to another? 

Join us next Thursday for the first episode of The Stolen Tudor Crown series. 

The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace is a melting pot of architectural styles from across history, reflecting the era-spanning life of the palace itself.  

But step away from the grandeur of the Chapel’s interior, and this amazing space holds hidden evidence of how the Tudors would have experienced it, and how the palace has been renovated into what we see today.  

In this re-released episode from series two of A Space I Love, join Head of Historic Buildings Dan Jackson to take a closer look at a piece of history many of our visitors might never notice. 

Have you enjoyed this series of A Space I Love? Which historic places are you longing to be transported to? Let us know by leaving us a comment or review.  

Take a virtual tour of the Chapel Royal and other amazing Tudor spaces on Google Arts & Culture.

The Byward Tower at the Tower of London holds some of the oldest surviving treasures of the fortress, including a unique medieval masterpiece – the wall painting known as the Byward Angel. 

In this episode of A Space I Love, enter past the Tower’s formidable defenses, and follow Curator Alfred Hawkins on an exclusive tour of this remarkable space, which is usually closed to visitors. 

Explore the Byward Angel at the Tower of London — Google Arts & Culture 

Find out more about the Tower of London’s Story 

George III’s Great Pagoda in Kew Gardens is the tallest building Historic Royal Palaces looks after. With its Chinese-inspired design and fierce dragons, it is an eye-catching example of the Georgian fascination with architecture from around the world. 

Welcome back to the new series of A Space I Love, the mini-series that transports you to history where it happened. 

Join curator Lee Prosser on a dizzying climb to the top, and uncover the secrets that informed the restoration of this unique historic building. 

Learn more about George III.

Visit the Pagoda at Kew Gardens. 

Step inside the Drawing Room of the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland. Inspired by the Queen Mother, full of contemporary art, and surprisingly cozy, this is a room unlike any other across our palaces.

Welcome to a new series of A Space I Love, the mini-series that transports you to history where it happened.

In this first episode, Castle Host Carol McMullan takes us on an intimate tour of a place where state and family life have merged for generations of the royals, and where the history of Northern Ireland has been shaped by momentous negotiations.

Discover more about Hillsborough Castle Gardens on our website.

The Private Tudor Gardens of Hampton Court were lost when they were replaced by later additions. Yet small glimpses remain to us of these Privy Gardens, revealing an intriguing snapshot into the private lives of the Tudor monarchs and the people who worked for them.  

Alexandra Stevenson is Curator of Archaeology and Historic Buildings. She shares with us her latest research exploring Elizabeth I’s garden sanctuary - where herbs were grown, sweet-smelling waters were distilled, and where the Tudor queen may have bathed and relaxed away from the eyes of the court.  

Travel back to the Lost Tudor Gardens at Hampton Court and see the Wijngaerde Panorama of the Gardens from 1558.  

Hans Holbein’s Tudor masterpiece known as the Ambassadors was painted in 1533, the year when Henry VIII changed the course of history. Religious turmoil sweeps through Europe and Anne Boleyn is Queen of England.    

Two Ambassadors choose to capture this pivotal moment of religious and political upheaval, but who were they and what did they want this painting to convey?  

In today’s episode we join Tracy Borman, Chief Historian, as she explores the painting known as The Ambassadors, by Hans Holbein. 

 You can view The Ambassadors in high resolution here. 

Thank you to the National Gallery for letting us record in front of the painting. 

The Gardens of Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are the perfect place to walk and enjoy the sounds and feelings of being in nature. 

So for today’s episode, we’re collaborating with sound artist and musician Alice Boyd, who is going to lead us into these tranquil gardens to meet Claire Woods who is Head Gardener at Hillsborough Castle.  

We want you to be immersed by this episode, so take a moment to focus in on the lovely sounds and enjoy an escape to the Gardens of Hillsborough Castle.  

Find out more about the Gardens of Hillsborough Castle. 

LGBTQ+ people have always existed in the history of our palaces, yet the stories of this community have often been obscured or misunderstood.  

When we explore queer histories, we gain a much fuller picture of societies in the past, from when our palaces were first built, right on through to their more recent history.    

In this week’s episode, Curator Matthew Storey is joined by Assistant Research Curator Holly Marsden, and Dr Kit Heyam, to discuss some queer stories connected to our palaces, and how best to understand them in their historic context.   

A transcript of this episode is available on the Historic Royal Palaces website. 

 

Explore more LGBTQ+ histories from our palaces on our website. 

Read Matthew’s article about Kathleen Woodhouse.  

Read Molly McClain's article on Stuart women. 

Find Kit Heyam’s books on their website.

 

In this episode we use a range of different gender pronouns to discuss historical people, including those used in the original sources and those used by historians today. 

Content warnings:  

Homophobia, including the murder of queer people 

Transphobia  

Non-consensual medical examination  

Suicide