Carol Ann Lloyd

New Contest this month!

Answer the question in comments. I’ll be posting another question each week this month, and the first person to get all the right answers will win a signed copy of Courting the Virgin Queen.

Several of my friends recommended Katherine by Anya Seton.

I love it! It’s the story of Katherine Swynford, mistress then wife of John of Gaunt.

Seton wrote many novels, but Katherine is considered her most famous.

Have you read Katherine? What are some of your favorites?

Thomas Wyatt served Henry VIII; he was also a famous poet.

His poetry shows the tension of changing political times: tradition versus “newfangleness” (a great word he uses in his poems.

He is credited with introducing the sonnet into English literature.

Medieval Monday

Meet Berengaria of Narvarre, Queen of England (1191-1199)

Wife of Richard I, ‘the Lionheart’

Accompanied Richard on start of the Third Crusade

Never visited England while Queen, might have visited after Richard’s death

Ever been to a Renaissance Faire and enjoyed a bit of jousting? Here are some frequent questions about the joust!

Thank you to everyone who played The Tudors by Numbers trivia! And the winner of a signed copy of The Tudors by Numbers is Amy Turner! A signed copy of The Tudors by Numbers is on the way. #TheTudorsbyNumbers #TudorTrivia

OTD in 1565, Mary Queen of Scots married Henry, Lord Darnley.
Both had a claim to the English throne, making Queen Elizabeth I a bit concerned. 😳
Darnley died in 1567, and Mary was implicated in his murder.
Complicated! 😮

St Margaret of Scotland!
Her family fled to Scotland. She married King Malcolm III & became Queen of Scotland.
She was known for all her charitable acts.
In 1250, Pope Innocent IV made her a saint.

What is true about the number 42?

a: number of progresses in Henry VIII’s reign
b: percentage of dynasty under the rule of a woman
c: number of Spanish ships destroyed during the Armada battle in 1588
d: number of days Jane Grey spent in the Tower before her execution
e: none

I’m thrilled so many people enjoyed my discussion with Annie Garthwaite on the podcast.

Don’t miss episode 225: Cecily and Other Royal Mothers with Annie Garthwaite!

Cecily deserved to have her story told!

Which other women in history need a novel about their lives?

OTD in 1536, Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, died in London.
Fitzroy’s death was part of a horrible year for Henry: Katherine of Aragon died, Anne Boleyn miscarried a male child, Anne Boleyn had been executed, and now Fitzroy was dead.

Anne Neville was born in 1456, she was the daughter of the Earl of Warwick, known as “The Kingmaker”
He arranged for her to marry Prince Edward
Henry VI’s forces were defeated and Prince Edward was killed
In July 1483, she was crowned Queen of England, wife of Richard III

a: number of progresses in Henry VIII’s reign
b: percentage of dynasty under the rule of a woman
c: number of Spanish ships destroyed during the Armada battle in 1588
d: number of days Jane Grey spent in the Tower before her execution
e: none of the above

I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Annie Garthwaite, author of wonderful books about Cecily Neville and the women around her
The women of the Wars of the Roses come into focus in Annie’s novels, and we see how they shaped the history

I’ve been reimagining my bookshelves after getting new carpet in my office
I started with my Tudor collection, of course
What do you think of my organization?
Do you spy any of your favorite Tudor books?
Am I missing anything? (Of course, there’s lots on my Kindle, but I can’t display them 🤨)

Latest #RoyalsRebelsRomantics #patron post! A sneak peek into my new book. Want to take a look? Join today. bit.ly/RRRpatreon #LoveMyPatrons ❤️

One of the most amazing women in Medieval England was Cecily
She was the daughter of Joan Beaufort
She married Richard, third Duke of York and became matriarch of the house of York
Later this week, I’ll be sharing my conversation with the amazing Annie Garthwaite, a Cecily expert

I’m excited about the entries on this month’s Tudor Trivia!
If you haven’t sent your “Kings’ Reigns” answers in, you have until July 31. Answer in the comments to enter for your chance to win a prize!
Another question is coming this month, so brush up on your Tudor Trivia!

Happy Summer! Time for reading and fun!
We’ll be having “Fun with Fiction” this month on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics
Our July Summer Specials will feature some of my favorite historic fiction authors.
What are your favorite summer reads?

In Tudor England 1553, rumours were spreading
King Edward VI was known to be very ill, and some thought he was dead
Why hadn’t his death been announced, and Mary proclaimed Queen??
Edward had created a “Devise for the Succession” naming his cousin Jane Queen

Medieval Monday
More Eleanor of Aquitaine fun facts
She had some very controversial grandparents
Her grandfather, Duke Willem IX of Aquitaine, was known as the “Troubadour Duke”
Some of his poetry was X-rated!
He is credited with the beginnings of courtly love in southern France

Happy 4th of July. Celebrate. It’s our country too.

The Declaration of Independence and Constitution still count. We all matter.

Take care of yourself, friends. History shows us what’s possible (and good can prevail—it just takes all of us working together).

Let’s play a numbers game.

Answer in the comments to enter for your chance to win a prize! Or tag me @shakeuphistory. Prizes include history fun packs, history e-books, and copies of Tudors by the Numbers! You have until July 31 to enter. Thanks for playing!

So grateful to my guests and listeners for Season 5 of Royals, Rebels, and Romantics

Now a bit of time off for summer work on my next book and new courses

What are you doing this summer?

The trial of Sir Thomas More started 1 July 1535

He was charged with treason according to Henry VIII’s Treason Act

He refused to swear to the Oath of Succession, which recognized Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England

I’m working on a project that includes Eleanor of Aquitaine
Most people I ask have heard of her but might not know much
She is unique as having been crowned Queen Consort twice:
Of France on 25 December 1137
Of England on 19 December 1154
Which do you think she enjoyed most?

Empty bookshelves! New carpet coming so everything in the office needs to be OUT! If you lost all your books, how would you restart your collection?? HUGE shout out to Lindstrom Designs for wonderful To Read Shakespeare bag!

Throw Back Thursday: some of the charming animals I met earlier this month in the gloriously beautiful Lake District! #LakeDistrict #SmithsonianJourneys

A heart full of thanks to my wonderful guests, supportive patrons, and amazing listeners as we wrap up the “official” Season 5 of #RoyalsRebelsRomantics. Watch for Summer Specials and Mini-pods in July & Aug. More great guests for Season 6 in September. See you then!

Let's look at some fun Tudor numbers!
19: days Elizabeth I spent at Kenilworth in 1575.
$68,000: Dudley spent prepping for her.
$1400: How much he spent per day of visit.
And $30 for a signed copy (shipping included to US addresses—check with me for addresses outside US) through August 31!