@nathenamin.bsky.social
Fellow of the Royal Historical Society β’ HWA Book judge β’ Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor https://amzn.to/4e499k9 β’ A Chronicle of Dragon & Cats https://bit.ly/48klsaQ β’ Events & Talks https://linktr.ee/nathenamin β’ Welsh-Kashmiri
I recently gave a talk on Sir Rhys ap Thomas, the lord from West Wales who may very well have been involved in the death of Richard III. A titan who helped prop up the fledgling Tudor regime, you can watch the full talk here:
nathenamin.substack.com/p/live-talk-...
πIt was great to recently partner with @hrp-palaces.bsky.social to explore how Henry VII looked to his Welsh lineage to bolster his weak claim to the English crown, a subject I have worked on for more than a decade. You can read how Henry managed this on my newsletter Hiraeth. Links in bio.
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My review of the 'A Taste of Loyalty' film premiere, which looks to bring a different interpretation of Richard III to the big screen. The vision is ambitious, the passion infectious, and the potential enormous.
A BOAR-ILLIANT success π
nathenamin.substack.com/p/a-taste-of...
π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ When he became king of England by usurping the Plantagenets, Henry Tudor's claim to English kingship was notoriously tenuous. So he instead looked to his Welsh, to his British, lineage, to build a new narrative of unity, hope and legitimacy.
Learn how: nathenamin.substack.com/p/how-henry-...
πOn St David's Day 1537, a Yeomen of the King's Guard presented a leek to Mary Tudor (the future Queen Mary I). Though she had been declared illegitimate by her father Henry VIII and all her rights removed, she had once been regarded by many as Princess of Wales.
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Sydney Curnow Vosper's famous 1908 painting Salem features an elderly Welshwoman in traditional national costume. But where did this costume come from, and is it even traditional? And why were effigies of Welshmen hanged in London in the 1600s?
Read more:
nathenamin.substack.com/p/dydd-gwyl-...
This Sunday is St David's Day and I have collaborated with Historic Royal Palaces on Substack to explore how Henry VII, Founder of the Tudor Dynasty, mined his Welsh background to conceal weaknesses in his claim to the English crown. Follow now to read (it's free)!
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π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ ΏMeanwhile, if you want to learn about St David's Day, Welsh traditions, how we celebrate our patron saint's day both now and in the past and, of course, about Dewi Sant himself, I wrote this lengthy article last year.
nathenamin.substack.com/p/dydd-gwyl-...
This Sunday is St David's Day and I've teamed up with my friends at Hampton Court Palace to bring you something exciting - make sure you're following my newsletter to get it!
nathenamin.substack.com
This August, 'Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor' hits stores in paperback. Learn the bewildering story of the Tudors before they became THE Tudors. It's a tale of rebellion, struggle, grief, death, desire and ambition. Pre-order NOW
www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Prophecy...
On St David's Day, in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, I'll be publishing a new article looking at how Henry was able to mine his Welsh ancestry to develop and sell the Tudor brand, before, during and after he usurped the English throne from the Plantagenets. Keep tuned.
23.02.2026 10:32 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0It was a banner laden with political propaganda and dynastic symbolism designed to broadcast the Tudors' ancient British pedigree and counteract their weak claim to the English throne. They were laying claim to an older form of kingship than England's.
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#OTD 1959, following lengthy campaigns, the flag of Wales was officially recognised by the United Kingdom Parliament and recognised as the national flag of the Welsh people. The flag was inspired by the battle standard created by Henry VII in 1485.
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READ NOW: 'Arresting the King's Brother, and why it isn't Unprecedented'
nathenamin.substack.com/p/arresting-...
The Kingβs brother has been arrested, but unlike what some media commentators are saying, this isnβt exactly unprecedented in English royal history. Back in 1477, the kingβs brother found himself in a very tricky spot. Itβs a sorry tale of treason, murder, and barrels of wine.
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πBy 1485, Owenβs grandson Henry Tudor ventured so far to claim to to the heir of Lancaster. What a remarkable spin of Fortuneβs Wheel, one you can read all about in my book 'Son of Prophecy', on sale everywhere now.
17.02.2026 10:04 β π 3 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0πͺ For their leading role in the Last Welsh War of Independence, the House of Lancaster completely destroyed the House of Tudor between 1400-1412. Yet, by 1430 a bold son of this Tudor line married the widow of Henry V, the warrior who had crushed the Welsh revolt...
17.02.2026 10:04 β π 4 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Owain ap Maredudd ap Tudur (or Owen Tudor) was a great Welshman with a remarkable story to tell. Son and grandson of Welsh rebels, husband to a Queen of England, father of the Tudor dynasty and executed in his 60s. Watch my full discussion about him below
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo-B...
πDid you know the earliest known Valentine's Day message belongs to the 15th century? Read all about the lovesick Margery Brews and her 'well-beloved Valentine' who she loved βtruly over all earthly thingsβ below: π
nathenamin.substack.com/p/dud-you-kn...
Is this the face of Anne Boleyn or her daughter, Elizabeth I?
My review of the extraordinary new Hever Castle exhibition can be found below. This is not to be missed!
nathenamin.substack.com/p/is-this-th...
Who was this woman who cared for Owen Tudorβs decapitated head? Well, I have thoughtsβ¦
nathenamin.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Up today on my newsletter, I turn a look at the death of Owen Tudor, summarily executed by the Yorkists in his 60s. Son and grandson of rebels, husband of a queen, father to earls, he was remembered in death as 'a gallant and blameless man'. Followers can read now.
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I am going live in 15 minutes over on the History After Dark YouTube Channel. Link below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo-B...
Proud to see my newsletter pass 5,000 subs. I've thoroughly enjoyed producing content for my followers (120+ articles, videos, interviews, Q&As) exploring whatever interests me about our past. And I really like the community we've built over there. Coming this week I explore the death of Owen Tudorπ’
03.02.2026 18:09 β π 8 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Diolch.
29.01.2026 20:02 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0
Dr. Nicola Tallis and Nathen Aminβs Wars of the Roses event was nothing short of exceptional! From start to finish, it struck that balance between rigorous scholarship & engaging storytelling, making a complex period feel fresh & urgent again.
πΈ: @nicolatallis.bsky.social & @nathenamin.bsky.social
You can learn more about Goronwy and the Tudors of Anglesey in my book 'Son of Prophecy', a Tudor family biography spanning 1170-1485 that is on sale everywhere.
29.01.2026 19:38 β π 7 π 1 π¬ 0 π 0In March 1382, his fighting qualities were recognised when he was appointed steward of Anglesey and constable of Beaumaris Castle. But six days later, he was dead. Known as 'wine-loving leader', his death was by drowning, a 'grevious accident' brought on by 'excess of mead'.
29.01.2026 19:38 β π 8 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0
Since moustaches are back, check out Goronwy ap Tudur's 'tache on his richly-carved alabaster effigy in St Gredifael's Church, Penmynydd. It's a beauty. A seasoned military man, Goronwy was described by one poet as a 'wild boar in battle'.
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This week's podcast is on the Wilton Diptych; what it's all about and who may have painted it.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...