Helene Harrison's Blog

Today I’m delighted to welcome back to the blog Beverley Adams! Beverley has previously featured as my guest to talk about her previous books on Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth of York. This time, I asked her some questions about her new book The Race for Elizabeth I’s Throne: Rival Tudor Cousins. Hi Helene, thanks […]

Publisher: Yale University Press Period: Tudors This book is an interesting take focusing more widely on England rather than specifically on the court and people. Chapters on religion, the balance of power, invention, and Europe and the wider world, as well as on reigns of monarchs, make this a fascinating read. It was well-written and […]

One of the biggest castle sites I’ve ever visited! On my trip to Kent last month, I previously wrote about visiting Rochester Castle and Cathedral and Upnor Castle, but I also visited Dover Castle. Dover is full of history, from being a palace for Henry II, besieged by King John, visited by Henry VIII and […]

Publisher: Amberley Publishing Period: Medieval Thanks to Amberley Publishing for giving me a copy of this for review. I was intrigued by this book when I first heard about it – a compendium of 50 different items from the Medieval period that are unusual, we have questions about, aren’t entirely sure what they are or […]

Publisher: Headline Review Period: Tudors I really enjoyed this story written from the point of view of Thomas Wolsey, or Tom in the narrative. He was at the centre of so many events of the early part of Henry VIII’s reign, including the ‘Great Matter’. He has proven a controversial figure – a churchman with […]

Publisher: Routledge Period: Tudors I plucked this off the shelf at the university library where I work; I thought it could be interesting and helpful to read for the book I’ve just finished writing. The focus is very much on Henry VIII as a man, statesman, and politician, and how England developed during his reign. […]

Today I’m delighted to welcome David Holland, founder of Wolf Hall Weekend (https://wolfhallweekend.com/), to my blog and Substack to delve into the upcoming 2026 event taking place beside the Tower of London. Last year’s event took place in Devon, but the location of the 2026 event promises to be an even more immersive celebration of […]

Links to Anne of Cleves and Bishop John Fisher Another visit I made on my recent trip to Kent was to Rochester, where I visited both the castle and the cathedral. It’s a beautiful place with lots of old buildings, and the castle gives spectacular views over the surrounding area and the River Medway. Anne […]

An Elizabethan castle I hadn’t heard of Anyone who follows me on Instagram will know that I’ve been away on a trip the last few days to Kent, mainly to visit Hever Castle again. But with my auntie and uncle we also visited other historical properties, including Upnor Castle on the River Medway. It isn’t […]

Having just finished writing my fourth book (a full draft anyway!), I thought it might be interesting to reflect on my writing process and practices, and how I approach starting a new project working through to publication and all the steps in between. I always start a new book by making a timeline of the […]