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The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary
Offers a comprehensive and visually engaging guide to key figures, events, and themes of sixteenth-century England.
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is unique. For the first time, the Tudor Age has been brought to life in an illustrated dictionary format that is clear and easy to read. It is aimed at anyone who wants to widen and deepen their knowledge of sixteenth-century England. Cross-referencing is made easy with highlighted text and numerous, beautiful images provide further insight into this period.
All notable characters, events and themes are covered, ranging from Henry VIII, education and the Battle of Bosworth to Francis Drake, the Reformation and the Spanish Armada. Several entries also deal with lesser-known characters and aspects such as Will Somer, marriage and Parliament.
The book aims to include all of the important facts but, at the same time, provide the reader with fascinating trivia. The following questions, for example, are
Which king’s head was used as a football?
Who was the first female ambassador in European history?
Who had to be buried at midnight to prevent a riot?
Why was a leading European academic abducted, blindfolded and forced into a fishing boat?
Which ‘wizard’ claimed he could communicate with angels?
Why is a hangman’s rope displayed in a school cabinet?
Which monarch always cheated at cards?
Written in a concise and balanced style, The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is the best introduction for students and lovers of history to the heroes and villains, the saints and sinners and the glories and disasters of the Tudor Age.
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is unique. For the first time, the Tudor Age has been brought to life in an illustrated dictionary format that is clear and easy to read. It is aimed at anyone who wants to widen and deepen their knowledge of sixteenth-century England. Cross-referencing is made easy with highlighted text and numerous, beautiful images provide further insight into this period.
All notable characters, events and themes are covered, ranging from Henry VIII, education and the Battle of Bosworth to Francis Drake, the Reformation and the Spanish Armada. Several entries also deal with lesser-known characters and aspects such as Will Somer, marriage and Parliament.
The book aims to include all of the important facts but, at the same time, provide the reader with fascinating trivia. The following questions, for example, are
Which king’s head was used as a football?
Who was the first female ambassador in European history?
Who had to be buried at midnight to prevent a riot?
Why was a leading European academic abducted, blindfolded and forced into a fishing boat?
Which ‘wizard’ claimed he could communicate with angels?
Why is a hangman’s rope displayed in a school cabinet?
Which monarch always cheated at cards?
Written in a concise and balanced style, The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is the best introduction for students and lovers of history to the heroes and villains, the saints and sinners and the glories and disasters of the Tudor Age.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
Published February 13, 2025
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 16, 2025
3.5✨
As a lover of all things history, in particular the Tudor era, picking up this book was a no-brainer.
In this book you will find an abundance of topics from disease and punishment to monarchs and battles. Each entry is punctuated with gorgeous illustrations fitting the topic. With the exception of the monarchs, which span a few pages, most entries are a page or two long. The information provided is accurate and concise, it would be impossible to delve into each topic in depth or this book would be thousands of pages long. As well as the most famous Tudor individuals such as Henry 8th and Elizabeth 1st, this book also highlights a variety of lesser known individuals which I think was a nice touch. It shows that the author was thorough in their research.
I do not recommend that people read this book as I did, and by that I mean all in one go. As a history buff with a strong interest in Tudor history that was an easy thing to do, however, at times this book really reads like a textbook which is not the most interesting read. I think this would be an invaluable reference text for someone studying Tudor history.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As a lover of all things history, in particular the Tudor era, picking up this book was a no-brainer.
In this book you will find an abundance of topics from disease and punishment to monarchs and battles. Each entry is punctuated with gorgeous illustrations fitting the topic. With the exception of the monarchs, which span a few pages, most entries are a page or two long. The information provided is accurate and concise, it would be impossible to delve into each topic in depth or this book would be thousands of pages long. As well as the most famous Tudor individuals such as Henry 8th and Elizabeth 1st, this book also highlights a variety of lesser known individuals which I think was a nice touch. It shows that the author was thorough in their research.
I do not recommend that people read this book as I did, and by that I mean all in one go. As a history buff with a strong interest in Tudor history that was an easy thing to do, however, at times this book really reads like a textbook which is not the most interesting read. I think this would be an invaluable reference text for someone studying Tudor history.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2025
When reading about history - whether this may be a non-fiction or historical fiction book - many readers will come across names, places or events that may be unfamiliar to them. We may stop reading to quickly find out more, jot down a note to look it up later, or mark the page with a post-it-note. Even after immersing myself in Tudor history for the last 5 years, I undoubtedly will come across something, or someone, that I either cannot remember, or haven't heard of before. Enter, The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary by Simon Sandys-Winsch. Thanks to Pen & Sword Books and NetGalley for access to this book.
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary, is, as the title suggests, an illustrated dictionary of the Tudor world. Presented alphabetically, The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary encompasses a range of people, places and events throughout the span of the Tudor era (1485-1603). As such, readers will encounter many prominent Tudor figures, such as, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Hans Holbein and William Shakespeare, to some lesser known figures, such as William Allen, Edmund Bonner, John Davis and Nicholas Ridley. It covers events such as the Anglo-French Wars, the Battle of Bosworth, and the Field of Cloth of Gold. Additionally, general topics such as Parliament, Health and Medicine, and Sweating Sickness are covered. The book is also filled with images to help readers visualise the various and many people and topics covered.
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is a highly accessible book. It is easy to quickly look up a topic/person, and the writing is concise and succinct. The back of the book provides a long list of websites used as source material. Throughout reading, I did wish that in-text references had been included, with a reference list at the back, as I personally like to see where specific information has come from, and find inspiration for future reading. But, otherwise, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to readers who want an introduction to the Tudors, as it can be read from cover to cover. I would also recommend this book to readers who may be familiar with the Tudors and have read Tudor history books, but would like a quick reference book to refer to while reading Tudor non-fiction or fiction.
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary, is, as the title suggests, an illustrated dictionary of the Tudor world. Presented alphabetically, The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary encompasses a range of people, places and events throughout the span of the Tudor era (1485-1603). As such, readers will encounter many prominent Tudor figures, such as, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Hans Holbein and William Shakespeare, to some lesser known figures, such as William Allen, Edmund Bonner, John Davis and Nicholas Ridley. It covers events such as the Anglo-French Wars, the Battle of Bosworth, and the Field of Cloth of Gold. Additionally, general topics such as Parliament, Health and Medicine, and Sweating Sickness are covered. The book is also filled with images to help readers visualise the various and many people and topics covered.
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is a highly accessible book. It is easy to quickly look up a topic/person, and the writing is concise and succinct. The back of the book provides a long list of websites used as source material. Throughout reading, I did wish that in-text references had been included, with a reference list at the back, as I personally like to see where specific information has come from, and find inspiration for future reading. But, otherwise, I found this book to be an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to readers who want an introduction to the Tudors, as it can be read from cover to cover. I would also recommend this book to readers who may be familiar with the Tudors and have read Tudor history books, but would like a quick reference book to refer to while reading Tudor non-fiction or fiction.
December 9, 2024
"The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary" by Simon Sandys-Winsch is a must-have reference tool for any Tudor lover. There are hundreds of entries detailing different locations, events, people and ideas - some are more well known, while others are more obscure. The topics are not overly detailed, making this more of a reference guide. The dictionary format is ideal if one needs to quickly look up when the Battle of Bosworth Field occurred, or if you're like me and can't keep them straight, which Thomas Howard was which (there were 3 of them!).
It is well organized with many beautiful illustrations, including family trees, portraits, maps, etc. A particular favorite section of mine was on health and medicine in the Tudor age, which listed some outlandish "cures", as well as the section on marriage (the Church had some VERY interesting contraceptive advice, to say the least).
I would recommend this to both the avid history lovers/readers, as well as those who are curious about the Tudor era and just want a starting point in learning about key events and figures. The topics are organized alphabetically, with cross-references included, making it easy to find specific topics, and the details given are easy to read and understandable, as well as accurate and concise. This is definitely a beautiful addition to any Tudor lover's library and I hope to someday add a physical copy for my own collection.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book for review.
It is well organized with many beautiful illustrations, including family trees, portraits, maps, etc. A particular favorite section of mine was on health and medicine in the Tudor age, which listed some outlandish "cures", as well as the section on marriage (the Church had some VERY interesting contraceptive advice, to say the least).
I would recommend this to both the avid history lovers/readers, as well as those who are curious about the Tudor era and just want a starting point in learning about key events and figures. The topics are organized alphabetically, with cross-references included, making it easy to find specific topics, and the details given are easy to read and understandable, as well as accurate and concise. This is definitely a beautiful addition to any Tudor lover's library and I hope to someday add a physical copy for my own collection.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book for review.
January 4, 2025
This book was fantastic! Definitely more of a reference guide than sit and read cover to cover. However, I did read this cover to cover and still loved it! I have always been interested in the Tudor era and have always read what I can on the subject.
This book went over so many different aspects of the period - people, battles, etc. What I loved most was that the writing was easily digestible and didn't FEEL like I was necessarily reading a reference book. I was intrigued from start to finish and learned a lot!
The illustrations were also amazing. I am one of those people that is constantly googling to see what someone looks like, or the portrait that was referenced - and this was all here!
Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for an e-arc of this book.
This book went over so many different aspects of the period - people, battles, etc. What I loved most was that the writing was easily digestible and didn't FEEL like I was necessarily reading a reference book. I was intrigued from start to finish and learned a lot!
The illustrations were also amazing. I am one of those people that is constantly googling to see what someone looks like, or the portrait that was referenced - and this was all here!
Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for an e-arc of this book.
November 17, 2024
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary by Simon Sandys-Winsch is perfect for those like me with an insatiable Tudor era curiosity. The dictionary format with photographs and illustrations is wonderful for diving and out at whim.
Plentiful historical snippets from the sixteenth century include events, locations, things, ideas and people, anything you want to learn more about. From the lesser known to the infamous, it's here. Amongst the hundreds of details are Arthur, Prince of Wales, sent to Ludlow Castle for kingship training; the Babington Letter, fascinating Margaret Beaufort, instrumental for arts, religion and women; Foxe Book of Martyrs, list of punishments for crimes; debasing coins; food (less rich and more varied than now, fewer imports); literacy and education; cruel use of the whipping boy; hygiene; "simples" remedies; death masks; philosophy; marriage; and Tyndale's King James Version of the Bible.
My only wish is for more illustrations. What a pleasure it would be to read other eras in the dictionary format. The scope is massive!
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book.
Plentiful historical snippets from the sixteenth century include events, locations, things, ideas and people, anything you want to learn more about. From the lesser known to the infamous, it's here. Amongst the hundreds of details are Arthur, Prince of Wales, sent to Ludlow Castle for kingship training; the Babington Letter, fascinating Margaret Beaufort, instrumental for arts, religion and women; Foxe Book of Martyrs, list of punishments for crimes; debasing coins; food (less rich and more varied than now, fewer imports); literacy and education; cruel use of the whipping boy; hygiene; "simples" remedies; death masks; philosophy; marriage; and Tyndale's King James Version of the Bible.
My only wish is for more illustrations. What a pleasure it would be to read other eras in the dictionary format. The scope is massive!
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book.
December 2, 2024
Simon Sandys-Winsch's The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary provided an interesting looking into the Tudor era that few have done before. Broken down indeed like a dictionary, Sandys-Winsch covers from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I and all things in between.
You will not find in depth coverage of each topic discussed; however, what information is provided is accurate and concise. Some include pictures and diagrams of what the subject is about. There are of course more famous persons of the area covered (each royal of the Tudor period is provided some extra details), but you will find lesser-known individuals as well. Additionally, it is not just limited to those who lived, but also events that occurred as well as general everyday topics.
This was an interesting read and should be a must be for any Tudor history fan's library. With its wide variety of subjects covered, from A to Z, it will be helpful for a quick reference guide.
I would like to thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.
You will not find in depth coverage of each topic discussed; however, what information is provided is accurate and concise. Some include pictures and diagrams of what the subject is about. There are of course more famous persons of the area covered (each royal of the Tudor period is provided some extra details), but you will find lesser-known individuals as well. Additionally, it is not just limited to those who lived, but also events that occurred as well as general everyday topics.
This was an interesting read and should be a must be for any Tudor history fan's library. With its wide variety of subjects covered, from A to Z, it will be helpful for a quick reference guide.
I would like to thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book.
December 6, 2024
An Invaluable Tudor Reference
*The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary* is a must-have resource for anyone delving into the fascinating world of Tudor England. Packed with well-organised entries, gorgeous illustrations, family trees, and maps, it serves as a comprehensive and accessible guide to the period's notable figures, pivotal events, and intriguing trivia.
As someone currently exploring the *Plantagenet and Tudor* series by Philippa Gregory, I found this dictionary an excellent companion, enriching my reading experience with historical context and clarity. The cross-referenced format makes it easy to dive into specific topics, and I appreciated the inclusion of lesser-known characters and fascinating anecdotes (who knew about the monarch who cheated at cards or the academic's dramatic abduction?).
Whether you're a student, history lover, or avid reader of Tudor-era fiction and nonfiction, this beautifully illustrated dictionary is both a practical reference and a joy to peruse. I will definitely be looking at acquiring a hardback edition of this book to add to the historical shelves of my personal library.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book for review. All thoughts are, as always, my own.
*The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary* is a must-have resource for anyone delving into the fascinating world of Tudor England. Packed with well-organised entries, gorgeous illustrations, family trees, and maps, it serves as a comprehensive and accessible guide to the period's notable figures, pivotal events, and intriguing trivia.
As someone currently exploring the *Plantagenet and Tudor* series by Philippa Gregory, I found this dictionary an excellent companion, enriching my reading experience with historical context and clarity. The cross-referenced format makes it easy to dive into specific topics, and I appreciated the inclusion of lesser-known characters and fascinating anecdotes (who knew about the monarch who cheated at cards or the academic's dramatic abduction?).
Whether you're a student, history lover, or avid reader of Tudor-era fiction and nonfiction, this beautifully illustrated dictionary is both a practical reference and a joy to peruse. I will definitely be looking at acquiring a hardback edition of this book to add to the historical shelves of my personal library.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book for review. All thoughts are, as always, my own.
December 17, 2024
I really appreciated this book; not knowing much about the Tudors myself, I found it approachable and interesting. As others have noted (and would be par for the course with a dictionary or encyclopedia), it's not one to read straight through, but to be used as a topical resource and flipped through as desired.
Of course, entries vary in length; some are short and others are extensive. Also of course, not everything could be included; the author was up front in noting that "a line had to be drawn somewhere!" (As with anything.)
A helpful resource, and I'll be curious to see the published copy--especially if anything is in color, or still in black and white like my review copy.
I received an eARC of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Of course, entries vary in length; some are short and others are extensive. Also of course, not everything could be included; the author was up front in noting that "a line had to be drawn somewhere!" (As with anything.)
A helpful resource, and I'll be curious to see the published copy--especially if anything is in color, or still in black and white like my review copy.
I received an eARC of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 20, 2024
This illustrated dictionary brings the Tudor Age to life. With its clear entries and highlighted cross-references, readers can easily navigate notable figures, events, and themes. Combining essential facts with engaging trivia, the book is accessible for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of sixteenth-century England.
This book is informative and easy to understand. I like that it includes mini-biographies of figures like Bishop John Fisher, whom I’ve read about multiple times in terms of his execution but not his full career. The book filled in a lot of gaps for me.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book is informative and easy to understand. I like that it includes mini-biographies of figures like Bishop John Fisher, whom I’ve read about multiple times in terms of his execution but not his full career. The book filled in a lot of gaps for me.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 14, 2024
The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is more like an Encyclopedia than a dictionary, and it doesn't disappoint. Each entry is in alphabetical order and highlights the people, places, events, diseases, and leisure activities during the reigns of Henry VII to Elizabeth I. The book is illustrated throughout, with an ending set of color photographs of famous people during the Tudor Dynasty. This book is a great addition to a Tudor enthusiast's library.
June 18, 2025
SO GORGEOUS!
I wish I could live on books for real - I would happily just chew and gnaw and munch on this book all week. From the Anglo-French War to Wyatt's Rebellion, it is stuffed full of ALL things Tudor, with many, many illustrations - some well known, such as the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, others less so, like the "comic" illustration of a wife wearing trousers and beating her husband as the battle for dominance. So much to unpack there!
A must have reference guide for any Tudor fan!
December 3, 2024
‘Welcome to the Tudor Age.’
The ideal read for anyone interested in Tudor history.
A book you can revisit again and again, learning about certain Tudors to also learning about the crimes and punishments to health and medicine that happened during the Tudor period.
I personally loved the images throughout!
Some ‘medical’ advice during these times….
‘Jaundice: swallow nine lice mixed with ale each morning for a week.’
The ideal read for anyone interested in Tudor history.
A book you can revisit again and again, learning about certain Tudors to also learning about the crimes and punishments to health and medicine that happened during the Tudor period.
I personally loved the images throughout!
Some ‘medical’ advice during these times….
‘Jaundice: swallow nine lice mixed with ale each morning for a week.’
December 29, 2024
This is a book that you might not realize you need until you have it in your hands. It features entries spanning four pages that detail various events, topics, and notable figures from 1485 to 1603. Although you may recognize some of these names and events, recalling their content from memory can be challenging.
Thanks to its alphabetical organization, the book reveals unexpected connections. For instance, there are three individuals named Thomas Howard, and they are conveniently listed next to one another.
What I appreciate most is that this isn't just a dull list of entries. Each entry is filled with engaging information, as noted in the annotation. There is something for everyone in this book. I will never forget the story of what happened to Walter Raleigh's head!
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Swords History for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.
Thanks to its alphabetical organization, the book reveals unexpected connections. For instance, there are three individuals named Thomas Howard, and they are conveniently listed next to one another.
What I appreciate most is that this isn't just a dull list of entries. Each entry is filled with engaging information, as noted in the annotation. There is something for everyone in this book. I will never forget the story of what happened to Walter Raleigh's head!
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Swords History for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews