My holiday reading
Four books about amazing women from different eras.
Rosemary Griggs: Notes from Devon's Tudor Time Traveller
Tudor history with a special focus on Devon and the Champernowne family. Insights from the research that underpins my Daughters of Devon Historical Fiction novels and my forthcoming book about Kat Ashley, Queen Elizabeth's Childhood Governess.
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Latest posts
A visit to Holy Trinity Church, Stratford on Avon
Renewing my acquaintance with George Carew, a Devon man who probably knew William Shakespeare
In search of Katherine Swynford
Governess, mistress, Duchess of Lancaster and ancestor of royalty
John Astley, Elizabeth I’s Master of the Jewel Office (c.1507- 1 August 1596)
The quiet man at Kat Ashley’s side for twenty years
The Spanish Armada threatens Devon
This time, to mark the anniversary of the Spanish Armada’s arrival, I’m sharing an excerpt from my novel, Mistress of Dartington Hall.
The End of a Life of Loyal Service - updated
I'm sending out an updated version of this post as it seems there was a minor problem with overprinting in a couple of places when viewing in some browsers. Hopefully that's now fixed.
The End of a Life of Loyal Service
On this day, July 18th, 1565, a woman known to fans of Tudor History as ‘Kat Ashley' died. Born Katherine Champernowne, she later became John Astley’s wife. I prefer to call her ‘Kate.'
Fortunes Fold
Kat Ashley’s nephew, Sir Walter Raleigh, and his home at Sherborne
Old King Cole, a pirate fighter or just a Devon ship owner?
Myths and legends surround a relative of Kat Ashley
A wedding celebration that changed the course of history
June 1559: Henri II of France suffers a mortal wound in a jousting accident.