Conor Byrne

My review of “The Afterlife of Mary, Queen of Scots”, edited by Steven Reid, is out in the Scottish Historical Review @scottishhistreview.bsky.social

Immersed in the Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis. Can’t wait to submit my PhD thesis (hopefully soon)

On 5 September 1548, Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII, died aged 36. Since then, her portraiture (images 1 and 2) has been manipulated as likenesses of her great-niece by marriage, the tragic Lady Jane Grey (image 3). This image has nothing to do with Jane sadly.

Was Mary Boleyn definitely older than her sister Anne? Not necessarily. Stuart historians suggested otherwise

Currently immersed in the Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis. The former was a fictitious conspiracy leading to numerous executions and apparently sought the assassinations of Charles II and his Catholic brother James, duke of York while the latter aimed to remove James from the succession

Congratulations Amy!

On 22 August 1485, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. Henry’s victory inaugurated the rule of the Tudors. My doctorate focuses on the executions of Henry’s daughters-in-law Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard and great-granddaughters Jane Grey and Mary, Queen of Scots

As I’m coming closer to finishing my doctorate, never in my wildest dreams, as a child, did I think that my passion for Tudor history would allow me to pursue a doctorate focused on executed queens. I grew up reading about Queen Anne Boleyn, and I wrote biographies about Queen Katherine Howard. 🌹

The penultimate chapter of my thesis has involved exhaustive research into these two fascinating monarchs, grandson and grandmother, both executed: In the 1650s, there were many links made - in Britain and in Europe - between Charles and Mary.

I am about to publish an academic article about visual representations of executed queens, including Jane, and there are several that I’m really excited to share, printed across the Continent. These span multiple languages and national traditions, to provide a wider European perspective.

Lady Jane Grey is one of the central figures in my PhD thesis and has occupied much of my time, having written a biography of her sister Katherine. I am so interested in the mythology of Jane’s legend and I have to commend Dr J. Stephan Edwards for his work on Jane’s portraiture. 🧵

This portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots narrates her tragic history in Latin and presents her as a Catholic martyr. I have an academic article coming out this year that discusses the Catholic iconography of portraits of Mary & themes of martyrdom, royalty & succession, which this image encapsulates

The current chapter of my doctoral thesis has involved these three monarchs and it’s been really fascinating! Very fitting as it’s the quartercentenary of the death of James VI of Scotland and I of England (middle), son of Mary, Queen of Scots (left) and father of Charles I (right).

Revisiting an article that I wrote some years ago: does this portrait depict (as traditionally, but provisionally… believed) Katherine Howard, or as recently suggested, her predecessor Anne of Cleves? Or another woman entirely? conorbyrnex.blogspot.com/2021/09/kath...

Hope it went well!

Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Jane Grey in the film “Lady Jane” (1986). I have recently written a piece about this which I am hoping to get published, either in an edited collection (originally the plan) or elsewhere.

My latest research has taken me into the fields of art history and visual culture. My new article explores early modern images of queens’ executions with a wide-ranging continental focus. This image isn’t early modern, but is probably the most famous artistic representation of Jane Grey’s execution.

Yesterday I presented on some of my current research at the History Doctoral Symposium, it was great to have some feedback

It was truly wonderful to visit the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery while conferencing in Lisbon #royalstudies #queenship 🇵🇹

Some very interesting papers on day 2 of #KQ14 #royalstudies

Next is a paper I have been looking forward to - @enortonhistory.bsky.social on Jane Seymour's political role as consort
#KQ14

It’s always wonderful to see the variety in papers, covering different regions, eras, and types of queenship!

En route to 🇵🇹 for #KQ14

Just a reminder that you can find my latest publications, news and other info at my website: conorbyrnex.blogspot.com

Is there more to say about Queen Katherine Howard? Yes. And in the midst of juggling a PhD and many other writing commitments, I want to share this research.

I’ve spent a lot of time researching the Protestant martyrologist John Foxe’s “Actes and Monuments” but this kind of physical memorial to three particular individuals among the hundreds recounted in his account that were executed for their beliefs is poignant and reminds us never to forget them.

It acts as a voice for those who are otherwise forgotten, who suffered and died in a horrific way for their beliefs. My doctoral research focuses a lot on martyrdom so this type of material source is of great interest.

Truly fascinating today in Salisbury, discovering that three Protestant martyrs were burned at the stake in Mary I’s reign here. I had never heard of these martyrs but a memorial plaque like this is so important. A 🧵

I’m excited to share that my current research in progress has been accepted for publication in a journal - I look forward to sharing more in due course #queenship #visualculture

This initiative eventually resulted in Edward’s overthrow and, possibly, his murder. I’ve returned to my research into Isabella’s queenship for a conference paper.