Follow in the Footsteps of Tudor Royalty!
Discover inspiration for your next Tudor road trip based on our collection of places associated with notable Tudors.
Follow in the Footsteps of…
Follow Henry VII in this first progress of the new Tudor dynasty. As the dust settles from the brutal shift of power from York to Lancaster, England’s new king sets out to stamp his authority on the unruly North.
We follow Henry on the outward leg of the progress from St John’s Priory in London to the capital of the North: York.
In the last summer of Elizabeth’s life, this first and much-loved Tudor queen set out on progress with her husband, Henry VII. We follow the royal couple’s unusual progress to the south-west, from Woodstock in Oxfordshire to Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire and back again. Along the way, we explore the reasons behind this unique journey, which reads less like a progress and more like a trip down memory lane!
The 1535 progress is sometimes called ‘The Reformation Progress’ with Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn seeking to honour courtiers loyal to the King and his chosen wife. It also saw the consecration of three Reformist bishops and the beginning of Cromwell’s ‘visitations’ of the smaller monasteries. Prepare for an epic 3-month journey through Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
Thomas Cromwell is the Tudor character we hate and admire in equal measure. He was the architect of the Dissolution of the Monasteries and famously the principal protagonist in the downfall of the Boleyn faction. He was also a master statesman and shrewd operator. During his rise at the Henrician court, he garnered titles, status, and wealth and, as a result, came to own an impressive property portfolio. The most important of these are detailed in this section.
COMING 2025!
In the summer of 1575, Elizabeth participated in one of the most celebrated events of her reign. She spent around three weeks as the guest of her childhood friend, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, at his Warwickshire home of Kenilworth Castle.
We follow the progress and unpick the events surrounding Dudley’s last-ditch attempt to win Elizabeth’s hand in marriage in this most well-known of all Queen Elizabeth’s extensive progresses.
Mary, Queen of Scots: Crowned at six days old, she held the promise of a glorious reign over Scotland and France. But tragedy marked her life: her first husband’s early death, her tumultuous rule in Scotland marred by conflict with unruly Protestant lords, and her eventual forced abdication. Fleeing to England, she became Elizabeth I’s prisoner for 20 years, until her execution in February 1587. Click to explore the key locations of her remarkable journey.
Latest Blog Posts
Check out the latest posts on the main site.
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Tretower Castle and Court: A Journey Through Medieval and Tudor Wales
In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, I visit Tretower, a remarkable castle and court nestled in the beautiful landscape of the Welsh Marches. I explore the site with Ian Roberts, Head Custodian of Tretower Court and Castle, who shares his incredible knowledge as we uncover the stories behind its imposing tower, its powerful medieval owners and the remarkable court that followed.
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Tretower Court Cottage
Step back into the turbulent world of medieval Wales with a stay at Tretower Court Cottage, where centuries of history unfold right on your doorstep. Explore the formidable remains of Tretower Castle, discover the magnificent medieval court beside it, and uncover the Tudor connections woven into the story of this remarkable corner of Wales.
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‘Notes From Anne Boleyn’ by Geoff Proudley
In this guest blog, we find out about Geoff Proudley’s new album ‘Notes From Anne Boleyn’, and some of his inspiration and reason for composing these pieces.
