Samantha Wilcoxson's Blog, page 9

The Grief of Martha Washington

On 22 May 1802 Martha Washington died at Mount Vernon. She had outlived all her siblings, children, and two husbands.

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A Solemn Christmas for Cecily Neville

Guest Post by Anne O'Brien:

Cecily Neville, Dowager Duchess of York, King's Mother, made the decision in December 1461 not to celebrate Christmas and the New Year at Greenwich with her son Edward, the newly crowned King Edward IV of England. Instead she celebrated at the palace of Eltham. It was one year since she was widowed.

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Historical Scandals: The Hamilton-Reynolds Affair

Alexander Hamilton has gone down in history as a torrid adulterer, but was he really covering up a financial scheme?

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The Physical Prowess of Henry VIII

The popular modern view of Henry VIII is as a fat despot who happily murdered several of his six wives. We enjoy being scandalised by the goings-on of this long dead philandering monarch, with his stinking ulcerated legs and his penchant for young brides. But there is more to his story....

A Female Paul Revere?

Sybil is believed to have ridden approximately 40 miles announcing to each household she approached, ‘The British are burning Danbury. Join my father at Ludington’s Mill.’ But did she?

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Childhood in Tudor England

Karen Heenan is on the blog with me today talking about childhood in Tudor England, or the lack thereof....

"Bess Llewelyn is a child—just two days shy of her tenth birthday—when her father sells her to the king of England. While this is certainly an eye-catching hook for a story, it’s also true, at least for the most part."

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Lamphey Palace in Tudor Wales

It is my pleasure to welcome Tony Riches today. He is taking us on a virtual trip to Lamphey Palace, which is featured in his new novel, Essex: Tudor Rebel. At a time when many of us have been stuck at home more than we prefer, Tony's post and photos are a special treat.

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The Men of Operation Pied Piper

Guest Post-->>
"Two key events shaped the narrative through which I was going to explore my two principal themes – the nature of close male friendship and the issue of mental health in men."
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Remember the Ladies

31 March 1776 - Abigail Adams wrote her 'Remember the Ladies' letter to her husband, John. The Revolution forced John and Abigail to spend years apart and they wrote 100s of letters to each other, creating one of the best primary sources of life in the late 18th century. This letter has caused some to label Abigail a feminist, but she would be embarrassed that we are reading it at all. She regularly pleaded, 'I wish you would burn all my Letters,' which was a common practice at the time. John would not, writing once, 'The Conclusion of your Letter makes my Heart throb more than a Cannonade would. You bid me burn your letters. But I must forget you first.' Thanks to the infamous stubbornness of John Adams, we can read exactly what Abigail said when she asked him to 'Remember the Ladies.'

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Plantagenet Embers SALE

Available on Amazon!