Tag: Owen Emmerson

Book Review: “Catherine and Anne: Queens, Rivals, Mothers” by Owen Emmerson, Kate McCaffrey, and Alison Palmer

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

catherine and anneTwo women destined to be rivals for one man’s affection. One is the daughter of royalty, destined to become Queen of England since she was a baby. Her first husband died suddenly, and she married her brother-in-law, the young King Henry VIII. The other woman is the daughter of a family on the rise at court. She has been educated in courts abroad but has returned to her native England to serve the Queen of England, but King Henry VIII falls in love with this young woman. Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn; are two women destined to be rivals, but a new museum exhibit uncovers these women’s similarities. In this corresponding book, “Catherine and Anne: Queens, Rivals, Mothers,” Owen Emmerson, Kate McCaffrey, and Alison Palmer share the latest academic research to understand better these two queens who dominated the 16th century.

This is not the first book I have read that corresponds with a new exhibit at Hever Castle. Last year, I read the book connected with the “Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court” exhibit. Since I cannot visit Hever Castle in time to see this new exhibit, I wanted to read this book to support Hever Castle and the ongoing research to breathe new life into the times of the Tudors.

“Catherine and Anne: Queens, Rivals, Mothers” is a brand-new exhibit exploring the connection between Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, which is ongoing until November 10, 2023 (although the Book of Hours belonging to Catherine of Aragon will be available to view up until June 4, 2023). Emmerson, McCaffrey, and Palmer give their readers a quick overview of the lives of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, including their education, their relationships with Henry VIII, and their daughters, before diving into the piece de resistance of the entire exhibit, the two Books of Hours belonging to the two queens respectively.

Hever Castle’s Assistant Curator, Dr. Kate McCaffrey, has uncovered the remarkable similarities between the Book of Hours owned by Catherine of Aragon (owned by the Morgan Library) and the Book of Hours once owned by Anne Boleyn, which is now located at Hever Castle. Not only were they created by the workshop of Hardouyn. They may have been made in the same workshop, but the differences in the decoration style and how they were used as worship tools show how unique the two queens were.

Although I can’t visit this exhibit, the illustrations and the new research provided an unexpected window into the past. I hope Kate McCaffrey will one day write a book exploring more of her research, as I would most definitely be interested in learning more about it. An informative and delightful little book, “Catherine and Anne: Queens, Rival, Mothers” by Owen Emmerson, Kate McCaffrey, and Alison Palmer, is a book for any Tudor fan.

Book Review: “Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court” by Owen Emmerson and Kate McCaffrey

On By hmalagisiIn Book Reviews2 Comments

278021206_976866119687329_5395301118592288697_nWhen we study the past, the stories of queens often begin when they marry their prince or the king. We don’t see their formative years unless they are extraordinary. One of the more extraordinary queens in English history was Anne Boleyn, a woman who was able to capture the heart of King Henry VIII, divide her nation, and gave birth to the legendary Queen Elizabeth I. We all know how the story of Anne Boleyn ends, but how did she become the woman who would one day be Queen of England? Hever Castle currently has an exhibition about Anne Boleyn’s formative years. This corresponding book, “Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court” by Owen Emmerson and Kate McCaffrey, gives readers an in-depth look into her early years.

“Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court,” the exhibition to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Anne Boleyn’s debut at the English Court on March 4, 1522, is currently running at Hever Castle until November 9, 2022, for anyone interested in attending. For those who cannot participate in this exhibit, like me, “Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court” by Owen Emmerson and Kate McCaffrey is perfect for celebrating this momentous event in Tudor history.

We begin our exploration of Anne Boleyn’s formative years by looking at how the Boleyn family rose to a prominent position at Henry VIII’s court. Thomas Boleyn rose through the ranks and married well to Lady Elizabeth Howard. The Boleyn children were given the best possible education to secure great marriages. Anne’s education inside England and throughout Europe defined her as a captivating figure in history. Her international education included stays at the court of Margaret of Austria in Mechelen, Queen Mary Tudor, and Queen Claude in France, Louise of Savoy, and Marguerite of Angouleme.

Emmerson and McCaffrey have written a book that combines the latest in Boleyn research from the top experts, including Lauren Mackay, Elizabeth Norton, Tracy Borman, and Claire Ridgway, to name a few. For a companion book for an exhibit about Anne Boleyn, I found this book informative and was complemented by the gorgeous images that the authors included. If you want a delightfully informative and beautifully illustrated book about Anne Boleyn’s formative years, I recommend reading “Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court” by Owen Emmerson and Kate McCaffrey.

Book Review: “The Boleyns of Hever Castle” by Owen Emmerson and Claire Ridgway

On By hmalagisiIn Book Reviews1 Comment

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As history nerds, many have wondered what life might have been like during our favorite dynasties. What were castles like in their heydays? Though we might not have a time machine, we have rare chances to visit the actual castles that our favorite historical figures called home. One such place is the breathtaking home of the Boleyns, Hever Castle. Owen Emmerson and Claire Ridgway have combined their talents to create a beautiful book all about this magical place entitled “The Boleyns of Hever Castle.”

As someone who has never visited England before, Hever Castle is on my bucket list of Tudor places to visit. I have seen the gorgeous pictures and videos from those who have visited and get the exciting opportunity to work at Hever, like Owen Emmerson, the Assistant Curator and Castle historian at Hever. When I heard that Owen Emmerson and Claire Ridgway were writing this book together, I knew I had to read it.

Like any good tour guide, Emmerson and Ridgway paint a picture for their readers of what they might see when they visit the castle. As they explain, the castle has gone through a few renovations throughout the centuries, so they focus on areas that would have been familiar to the Boleyn family during their 77-year stay.

Of course, Emmerson and Ridgway take an in-depth look into the Boleyn family, how they became owners of this stately palace, and how the estate survived after the fall of the illustrious family. For those who know the story of the Boleyns, it is a delightful reminder of how important Hever was as their home when times got somewhat rocky at the court of Henry VIII. What I found most intriguing was how the castle and the legacy of the Boleyns survived because people like William Waldorf Astor and Queen Victoria had such a love for the Tudors and preserving the past.

It is not just the brilliant writing that tells the tale of Hever Castle in this clever book, and the photographs tell the other half of the story. Since Tudor fans may not have had a chance to visit, myself included, these pictures, sketches, and maps add another layer of enjoyment to this book. Full of fascinating facts, colorful photos, and rigorous research, “The Boleyns of Hever Castle” by Owen Emmerson and Claire Ridgway is an essential book for anyone who is a fan of the Boleyns and the Tudor dynasty.