Tag: history

Book Review: “Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old” by Mary Beard

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In our education experience, we have all studied the ancient classics of Greece and Rome. To some, the subject may have seemed dry, but to others, it means so much more. But the deeper we dive into the past, the more questions arise about the subject of studying the classics.  Why do people study the classics? How has our understanding of the classics changed over time? Why do some political groups choose to use the classics to make their points? Do you need to learn Greek and Latin to understand the classics? As someone who has been a scholar and a professor of the classics, Mary Beard explores these questions in her latest book, “Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old.”

 

I would like to thank The University of Chicago Press and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. As someone who mainly reads about medieval and 16th-century history, I usually don’t dive further into the past, but this year I have decided to get outside of my comfort zone. I have been reading about medieval humanism, but I have not dived into the classics that the great humanists did. I wanted to learn more about the classics, and I heard that Mary Beard is a great place to start, so I decided to give her latest book a try.

 

This is not your typical nonfiction book about the classics. This is a book that explores themes surrounding the classics in a series of essay-like chapters. Beard begins with her own journey into antiquity when she was a young girl exploring the British Museum and found some Egyptian bread. This was the start of Beard’s exploration into thauma, or wonderment, of the ordinary. It’s by connecting to the ordinary of the past that we can better understand it, although the significant writings of Homer, Virgil, Plato, and Aristotle are important in their own ways. 

 

Beard explores questions like why we tend to focus on Greece and Rome when we think about the ancient world, as well as exploring how the art and architecture of antiquity inspired future generations. One of the bigger topics that she explores is how different political groups have used the classics to press their own agendas. Beard argues that the classics are for everyone and that they do not belong to one side or another. She also explores how the classics should be for everyone,  and that you don’t necessarily need to know Latin and Greek to appreciate and study the classics. Finally, Beard looks to the future and asks why we should continue to study the classics while leaving the field open for everyone.

 

I think Beard has a wonderfully engaging writing style, and her knowledge about the classics and antiquity is superb. I think for my first book, diving into the world of antiquity and the classics, it may not have been the best fit, but I did enjoy it. I think I will read more books by Mary Beard in the future. If you are interested in the classics and want to explore deeper questions about the subject, I would suggest you give “Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old” by Mary Beard a try.

Book Review: “Henry V: The Scourge of God” by Desmond Seward

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In English history, there have been some legendary warrior kings, but none have captured the imagination of the general public quite like Henry V. He was the King who won a great victory at Agincourt, almost captured France, but died young and never got to see his son become king of both England and France, albeit for a short time. For the English, Henry V was seen as a hero to the nation, but is his legacy much darker? Desmond Seward dives into the archives to find a much more ruthless king for his biography, “Henry V: The Scourge of God.”

I found this book in a used bookstore after I read the most recent biography of Henry V by Dan Jones. I have heard of Desmond Seward, but I have only read one of his books before this one. I decided to see how a biography that’s almost 40 years old stands up today and how it compares to the narrative-driven biographies that are being published right now.

As Seward states in his introduction, many historians who have come before him have only focused on English sources. What Seward tries to do is show a different, darker side of the titular king, the side that the French saw when he was attacking them relentlessly. To begin with, Seward looks into how Henry of Bolingbroke, Henry’s father, became Henry IV. Since his father was a usurper, his control over the throne hung by a thread, so paranoia passed on from father to son. Henry V learned how to become a military leader through his expeditions in Wales to face off against Owain Glyndwr.

When his father died, Henry V became King of England, and he immediately set his sights on France. During this period of medieval history, the Hundred Years’ War was in full swing, and Henry V wanted to do whatever it took to destroy the French. He is most known for his victory over the French at the Battle of Agincourt, but he also took cities like Caen, Rouen, Paris, and Meaux. Henry V would be named the heir of King Charles VI of France, as well as gain a bride named Catherine of Valois, through the Treaty of Troyes. Henry V’s legacy seemed secure, but alas, he died young, and his dream of a united kingdom of France and England failed to prosper under his son, Henry VI.

While I do think that it is important to read older biographies to understand how our perceptions about historical figures have changed over time, I found this one a bit dry and overtly negative. It wasn’t as balanced as I hoped it would be. I think if you want to attempt reading this, take what Seward is saying with a grain of salt and balance it with a more contemporary biography to get a better picture of who the true King Henry V was. If you want to study more about Henry V, you might want to give “Henry V: The Scourge of God” by Desmond Seward a try.

Book Review: “The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court” by Susan Abernethy

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Throughout European history, we tend to think about the countries as a whole when it comes to the political sphere of influence. We think of the big countries like France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, and England as having the most impact, but we have to consider that during the Middle Ages, duchies held immense power. Take, for example, the Duchy of Burgundy, also known as the Burgundian Empire. It was a part of France, but that does not mean that the dukes stayed on the side of the French. The Burgundians used their influence to expand and marry into the medieval European families, affecting European history as a whole. While we tend to focus on the Dukes of Burgundy, we should be paying attention to the women of this duchy. That is why Susan Abernethy chose to focus on these women in her latest book, “The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoyed Susan Abernethy’s first book about Catherine of Braganza. When I heard that she was writing a book about medieval Burgundian women, I was intrigued. I know a little bit about historical figures connected to Burgundy, but I didn’t know much about the history of the duchy itself, so I was excited to learn more.

Abernethy begins by giving her readers a brief history of how Burgundy became a kingdom and a duchy of France. While the history of Burgundy is extensive, we are mainly focusing on the Valois Dukes of Burgundy and the women in their lives. The Valois Dukes of Burgundy were Philip the Bold, John the Fearless, Philip the Good, and Charles the Bold. While this is primarily about the women of Burgundy, it is important to understand the political and military landscape that these women had to deal with in Burgundy and other countries during this time.

The bulk of this book focuses on the women of the Burgundian empire, starting with Margaret of England, Duchess of Brabant, in the 13th century, and ending with Queen Juana of Castile, in the 16th century. We get to hear stories about duchesses and queens, countesses and diplomats, and even a saint. They had to deal with wars, international diplomacy, family drama, and husbands who were not faithful. There were some familiar figures like Mary of Guelders, Queen of Scots, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy, and Margaret of Austria, but the majority of these women were new to me, which was very exciting.

It’s a lot of ground to cover, but Abernethy has a way of telling the stories of women comprehensively. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Burgundy and these extraordinary women who made the duchy an empire. If you are someone who wants to learn about the Duchy of Burgundy, I would recommend you read “The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court” by Susan Abernethy.

Book Review: “Julian of Norwich: A Very Brief History” by Janina Ramirez

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When we think about the most impactful women authors, we often think about writers like Agatha Christie, Mary Shelley, and Jane Austen. However, when it comes to religious texts, we have to go back in time centuries. We think about nuns like Bridget of Sweden and a mother of 14 children named Margery Kempe. Yet, we must include an anchorite who stayed in her cell for almost thirty years. Her book, Revelations of Divine Love, is considered the first great work of English prose, but many people are not familiar with the author until now. Janina Ramirez tells the story of Julian of Norwich and how impactful her book was in her book, “Julian of Norwich: A Very Brief History.”

I have heard the name Julian of Norwich before in books about the 14th century and church history, but I didn’t know much about her life. I saw this book when I was preordering the latest book by Janina Ramirez, and so I decided to give it a try.

Since this is a short book, I will try to keep this review brief. Ramirez divided this biography into sections: the history and the legacy. In history, we as readers learn about Julian’s life from the limited sources that we have about her, as well as learning about how England and Europe changed during her lifetime. It was a chaotic period in the past with the Bubonic plague, the Hundred Years’ War, the Great Western Schism, the Peasants’ Revolt, and John Wycliffe. Let’s be honest, it’s a lot to deal with, but Julian was positive in her anchorite cell. Ramirez shows how complex yet hopeful and full of love Revelations of Divine Love is while showing the theological arguments Julian of Norwich makes in her work of prose. Finally, we get to see how Julian of Norwich’s story and her writing survived for centuries.

This was a delightful little nugget of a book that was extremely well researched, that shone a light on an obscure medieval woman writer. Reading this book gave me a new appreciation for medieval female authors. If you want to learn more about this remarkable woman, I suggest you read “Julian of Norwich: A Very Brief History” by Janina Ramirez.

Blog Update: 500,000 Views! Thank You All So Much!

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Hey my fellow history nerds!

I know this is not the kind of post that you normally see on the blog; it’s usually something you will see on the Facebook page, but this was such a big milestone that I felt like it warranted a blog post. 

As you can tell from the title of the post, Adventures of a Tudor Nerd has officially crossed over 500,000 views, which is insane to think about. Seven years ago, when I started after I was a guest author for Rebecca Larson’s blog, Tudor Dynasty. It was a lot of fun, but Rebecca said that I should try writing my own history blog. I wasn’t sure what I could write about since all I am passionate about are history and books, so I decided to give history book blogging a try and post book reviews.

And the rest was history.

I wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested in what I had to say when it came to history books, but you guys have been such an amazing community. I started with the Tudors because that was the dynasty that I felt the most comfortable discussing, but as time has gone on, I have added even more periods of the past; the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings, the Plantagenets and the wider medieval world, the Wars of the Roses, the Tudors, and most recently the Stuarts. It’s been fun to share my thoughts on books with all of you, but I also believe that authors should be able to promote their books on my blog through guest post, to bring things full circle. Finally, I enjoy talking about TV shows and movies that I have watched and want to rant about, as well as poetry that I find profound. 

I have been blown away by the amount of love and support that I have received over the years. I am just a history nerd with a love for the past and books. Thank you all so much for being part of this crazy, amazing adventure. To the publishers and authors I have worked with, thank you for allowing me to read some truly amazing books, and thank you for becoming mycolleagues and friends. 

This has been such an unbelievable journey so far, and I can’t wait to continue to embark on even more history adventures.

Keep on taking your own history adventures and never stop learning from the past.

Here’s to more history adventures!

-Heidi

Book Review: “Elizabeth of York and the Birth of the Tudor Dynasty: Uniting the Roses” by Beverley Adams

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Throughout English history, some of the most famous queens have been associated with the Tudor dynasty. We have the six wives of Henry VIII (Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr), Queen Mary I, and Queen Elizabeth I. However, one Tudor queen is often overlooked for her daughters-in-law and granddaughters, the first Tudor queen, Elizabeth of York. So who was Elizabeth of York and what role did she play in the transition between the Plantagenet dynasty and the Tudor dynasty? Beverley Adams hopes to enlighten readers about this remarkable queen in her latest book, “Elizabeth of York and the Birth of the Tudor Dynasty: Uniting the Roses.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. While I know quite a bit about Elizabeth of York, the Wars of the Roses, and the origins of the Tudor dynasty, I wanted to see how Adams would portray these topics for beginners. 

To begin with, Adams lays out the origins of the conflict that we know today as the Wars of the Roses with Edward III and his sons, John of Gaunt 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York. This led to a clash between King Henry VI and Richard Duke of York. Elizabeth of York’s father, the future King Edward IV, was the son of Richard Duke of York and he had to fight for his throne. Adams explores Elizabeth’s childhood as the eldest child of Edward IV and his wife Elizabeth Woodville during this tumultuous period of English history, which would form the foundation of what kind of queen she would be in the future.

Everything changed when Edward IV died suddenly, which meant that Elizabeth’s younger brother became Edward V and left Richard Duke of Gloucester as Lord Protector. For some reason, Richard Duke of Gloucester decided to take matters into his own hands, took control of the country, declared the children of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville illegitimate (including Elizabeth of York), and was crowned King Richard III in a matter of months. Some resisted the new king including the son of Margaret Beaufort and Edmund Tudor, Henry Tudor. Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville arranged a marriage between Henry and Elizabeth that would occur if Henry was able to defeat Richard III and become King of England, which he did at the Battle of Bosworth Field. The rest of this book is dedicated to showing how Elizabeth of York was as a wife, queen, and mother as she dealt with death, treachery from Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, and triumphs as she was able to see the start of the Tudor dynasty.

I think Adams does a decent job with a book that is an introduction to Elizabeth of York, the Wars of the Roses, and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. There are some myths that she repeats to debunk, but I feel like, in some places, Elizabeth of York was not the main focus, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, if you want a solid introductory book to the life and times of the first Tudor queen, I would recommend you read, “Elizabeth of York and the Birth of the Tudor Dynasty: Uniting the Roses” by Beverley Adams.

Book Review: “Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn” by Estelle Paranque

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A young woman catches the attention of a king already married to a princess from a faraway kingdom. The king desires the young lady and divorces his wife to marry her. However, there is a catch. The young lady spent some time in the French court of Francis I and Claude of France, whereas the king’s wife was the daughter of the Spanish King and Queen as well as the aunt of the Holy Roman Emperor. The Great Matter of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Catherine of Aragon is considered one of the messiest divorces in English history and rightfully so when you consider the diplomatic consequences that this divorce would have across Europe. Estelle Paranque highlights the connection between Anne Boleyn and the French court in her latest book, “Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn.”

I want to thank Hachette Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I heard that Estelle Paranque was writing a new book about the 16th century, but when I heard that it dealt with Anne Boleyn’s connections with the French court, I jumped at the chance to read it. While I do know quite a bit about the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, it is her connection with the French court that I have never really explored in depth.

Paranque begins her book by examining the meeting between King Henry VIII and King Francis I with Anne Boleyn at Calais between October 25th and 27th, 1532. This was a significant meeting as it was right before Henry and Anne married in secret and they desired that Francis would support their side in the Great Matter. But how did they get to this meeting in Calais? This is where this book shines as Paranque takes the time to show her audience what life was like for Anne in the French court and the connections that she forged with women like Louise of Savoy, Claude of France, and Marguerite of Angouleme Queen of Navarre. It was fascinating to see how the Boleyns were able to use their connections to forge alliances with the French court that would prove useful in the future.

Possibly my favorite part of this book was seeing how the diplomatic channels across Europe interacted with one another during the Great Matter, the queenship of Anne Boleyn, and the fall of the Boleyns. I think we so often overlook that there were diplomats who were working on the sidelines to convey messages between kings and emperors to form or strengthen alliances. While many might consider the way Paranque wrote the correspondence and dialogue between diplomats and the monarchy as hard to get used to because she does insert emotions, I believe it adds depth to the story because they were human beings not in a vacuum. They had feelings about what was happening around them, passionate feelings in fact, and that should be displayed to readers.

While the actual events of this book were not new to me, the way that Paranque was able to present the information and show the men behind the scenes was fascinating. It presents the relationship between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in a different more complex light. If you want a different angle to the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, I recommend you read, “Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn” by Estelle Paranque.

Book Review: “Tasting History: Explore the Past through 4,000 Years of Recipes” by Max Miller

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tasting historyWhen we think of the phrase “historical recipes,” many of us would think about the recipes passed down in our families. These would be dishes you would make on special occasions and remind you of memories of loved ones. But what about recipes from so far back in the past that no one alive remembers who wrote down the recipes? The recipes that can only be found in history books and manuscripts? Max Miller has taken the arduous task of trying to bring some of these recipes back from the past to the modern age through his Youtube channel, and now this cookbook, “Tasting History: Explore the Past through 4,000 Years of Recipes.”

After watching B. Dylan Hollis’ videos, I was introduced to the Tasting History with Max Miller Youtube channel. I binged watched Miller’s videos for weeks because I enjoyed how he balanced the recipes with the historical facts surrounding the dishes and the period they came from to give his viewers a deeper understanding of the past. When I heard about this cookbook, I knew I wanted to read it to support Miller’s research into history.

Miller begins his cookbook with an explanation of how his Youtube channel began and a list of ingredients uncommon to modern cooks but prevalent in historical recipes. He then breaks his book into five sections; The Ancient World, The British Isles, Continental Europe, The Near & Far East, and The New World. Each section is organized chronologically, with the oldest recipe he has chosen to highlight to the newest (as new as 1914). Each recipe is easy to read, and instructions are easy to follow, with a touch of history that makes Tasting History so unique.

There are some recipes that I would like to try from a historical perspective, like Mead, Gingerbread, Hippocras, Rapey, Soul Cakes, Lasagne, and a Tart of Apples. Then, there are recipes I would like to try because they sound simply delicious, such as Parthian Chicken, Sally Lunn Buns, Parmesan Cheese Ice Cream, Aztec Chocolate, Precedella, and Samosas. I probably will not try the Spartan Black Broth any time soon.

This is the first time I have ever read a cookbook cover to cover, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Full of stunning photographs, fascinating history facts, and mouthwatering recipes, Max Miller has shone a new light into the taste palettes of the past. Suppose you want to explore another element of sensory history, discovering the past through taste. In that case, I highly recommend that you read and try the recipes in “Tasting History: Explore the Past through 4,000 Years of Recipes” by Max Miller.

Book Review: “Of Blood Descended” by Steven Veerapen

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60293344._SY475_The year is 1522, and London is in a jovial mood. King Henry VIII and his wife Catherine of Aragon are to play host to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V as he visits England. As one of King Henry VIII’s most loyal advisors, Cardinal Wolsey had the great honor of hosting a grand masque featuring King Arthur and the Black Knight for the distinguished company. Unfortunately, as preparations for the luxurious masque are in full swing, Wolsey’s historian is horrifically murdered. The only one who can solve the case is Anthony Blanke, the son of John Blanke, the trumpeter before the masque is ruined, and Henry VIII discovers the truth. The story of this case is told in Steven Veerapen’s latest novel, “Of Blood Descended.”

I want to thank Steven Veerapen for sending me a copy of his latest novel. I am always in the mood for a good Tudor mystery, and when I heard that the main character was the son of John Blanke, I was intrigued to see how Veerapen would portray his story.

Veerapen begins this novel by introducing Pietro Gonzaga, Cardinal Wolsey’s historian, and his family as Gonzaga is on the cusp of revolutionary discovery. We then cut to Anthony Blanke returning to London after his father, John Blanke’s death. He is reluctant to go back to court and all of its intrigues, but it is necessary as Cardinal Wolsey himself summoned him. Wolsey is hosting a grand masque in honor of King Henry VIII and the Imperial Emperor Charles V; the theme is King Arthur and the Black Knight, and he has decided to cast Anthony as the titular Black Knight.

Progress with the masque goes smoothly until someone discovers Signor Gonzaga’s body after being brutally slain. Gonzaga’s murder sets the stage for a whirlwind chase to find the murderer, but the monster leaves a trail of blood behind him, and no one is safe. The action, intrigue, and mysteries will keep you guessing until the final pages to figure out who the mastermind was behind it all.

I loved the mystery behind the murder and how Veerapen was able to weave the Arthurian legends and prophecies with the story of the Tudors. I enjoyed the cameos from Thomas Boleyn and Anne Boleyn, but my favorite cameo was Henry VIII’s historian Polydore Vergil, who does not appear that often in Tudor historical fiction. I thought Anthony was such a fascinating protagonist as he gave a different perspective on the diversity of London life. Even though characters like Anthony Blanke, Sister Jane, Mark Byfield, and Harry Gainsford are entirely fictional characters, they feel like they would fit exceptionally well in the Tudor world.

I thoroughly enjoyed every twist and turn that Veerapen included in this novel. I hope to see more stories with Anthony, Jane, Mark, and Harry. If you enjoy Tudor murder mysteries, you will be enthralled with “Of Blood Descended” by Steven Veerapen.

Book Review: “River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Roads” by Cat Jarman

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53242328 (1)When we think of Vikings, a few images come to mind. It is either the cartoonish image of warriors with horned helmets or blood-soaked warriors from TV shows like The Vikings. They are seen as men and women who fight Christians in England and France and sometimes into North America, but we do not see them in the east. With archaeological digs and discoveries being made recently, what can the artifacts tell us about the Viking world? In “River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Roads,” Dr. Cat Jarman takes her readers on a journey of discovery, following the trail of a single carnelian bead.

I have read a few books about Vikings, and of course, I have watched historical dramas about this period, but I wanted to know more. When I heard about this particular title, I was captivated by the prospect of learning something new about these warriors that have interested us for centuries.

Dr. Cat Jarman is a bioarchaeologist and field archaeologist passionate about discovering the truth about the Viking Age. She explains how each discovery was made and what scientific processes to discover the truth. We can figure out where these people might be from and what they ate during their lives through the teeth and bones of the bodies. But what is left beside the bodies gives us clues into what the Vikings were doing during their lifetimes, giving us a better understanding of these men and women from Scandanavia.

We began our journey in 2017 when Dr. Jarman possessed a single carnelian bead. The bead was discovered in Repton, along with a mass burial that included the bodies of a father and son. This single bead takes her on a journey to discover why the Vikings had this kind of bead and what other artifacts she found along the way might tell us about this group of people. From DNA analysis to silver coins that might have been used to buy enslaved people, statues of women in armor, nails from ships used to transport the warriors across the sea and rivers, and graffiti that was left behind give us hints about the Viking lifestyle.

Before I read this book, I thought Vikings and their journeys were limited to England, France, and Scandinavia because they are the most popular stories. Still, the Vikings traveled as far as the Middle East and perhaps India and the Silk Road. The way Dr. Jarman balanced scientific and archaeological research with the historical and mythological narrative into a thrilling book to read.

“River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Roads” by Cat Jarman is a masterpiece that anyone who loves history, Vikings, or archaeology will adore. If you think you know the history of the Viking Age, I urge you to read this brilliant book. I can’t wait to hear more about Dr. Cat Jarman’s research into this age and what else will be discovered soon.