Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era – History… the interesting bits!

After sharing the interview with Helene Harrison a couple of weeks ago and introducing my Author Spotlight series, Wordly Women, I was surprised and grateful for the amazing response from readers and writers alike. So, I am going to carry it on, hopefully for a whole year – or at least until I run out of astounding female authors – which could take a while! In the second of my Wordly Women interviews, I welcome Amy McElroy to History…the Interesting Bits to talk about her writing journey.

Hello Amy!

Sharon: What got you into writing non-fiction?

Amy: I had started a blog as a place to jot down my thoughts on books I had read, I did not really expect people to read it, I just wanted to be able to keep track of my reading and the books I had enjoyed. I often read other peoples blogs to find recommendations so thought it would be a good way to record my own thoughts. I ended up joining NetGalley where 99% of the books I requested were non-fiction, and many were published by Pen and Sword and continued to publish my reviews on my blog. Eventually I was approached by Pen and Sword and asked if I had ever considered writing my own book. I had absolutely not thought about it at that point despite my love of history and writing so it came as a complete surprise! After working my way through many thoughts of doubt and imposter syndrome I decided to go for it, why not? I was given an incredible opportunity that I will always be grateful for.

Sharon: Tell us about your books…

Amy: My first book Educating the Tudors was published in January 2023 and looks at the education of those well-known Tudor individuals we all know and love (or dislike), including Henry and his siblings, as well as his children. It also covers the education of the general public and the different opportunities available such as apprenticeships. Finally there is a little on who the tutors of the royal household were, and what people did for fun when they weren’t learning!

My second, Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era, was published in February 2024, the title pretty much gives everything away but it essentially discusses the milestones in the lives of Tudor women; childhood, courtship and marriage, motherhood, employment, widowhood, and death. I loved researching this book, although not all women left behind a Will, those that remain are fascinating!

My most recent publication is Mary Tudor, Queen of France, which was due to be published 28 February 2025 but came out a little early on 30 January, so you and I now have a shared book birthday! Mary was the younger sister of Henry VIII, and aunt of Mary I. She began to interest me when I was researching my first book and I could not help but keep digging and rushing down rabbit-holes. I do hope I have done Mary justice as she was much more than just a sister to a king.

Sharon: What attracts you to the Tudor period?

Amy: There are so many events it is hard not to be interested! Not only are there many fascinating individuals but we have lots of marriages, executions, the Reformation, and events such as the Field of the Cloth of Gold, there is lots for people to read and research. I am also attracted to the Tudor period as it was at the centre of huge changes to education, the Renaissance was in full swing and how it impacted education in England continues to intrigue me.

Sharon: Who is your favourite Tudor and why?

Amy: Oh this is a difficult one! If we are referring to monarchs I would have to say Henry VIII. I know, I know, he was a tyrant, but he wasn’t always and he accomplished a lot as king. I am also a little biased in that I enjoy researching his education and continued learning as an adult. If we are referring to any individual in the Tudor era, then that would be Mary, I really enjoyed writing about her and found she is often overshadowed by her brother and whenever someone reads ‘Mary Tudor’ many will assume it to be Mary I. Hopefully my book and those of others will help in bringing Mary out of the shadows.

Sharon: Who is your least favourite Tudor and why?

Amy: Haha, Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, husband to Frances Brandon and father of Lady Jane, Lady Katherine, and Lady Mary Grey. I will just never understand his actions, especially once Jane was held in the Tower, you would think he would do everything he could to stay out of trouble but no!

Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

Amy: I generally write a rough chapter plan detailing what I want to cover. When I say rough, I really do mean that but it gives me a start on my research. I then look at what resources do I already have and what do I need. I live in the Midlands so I try to plan my research so that if I need to travel somewhere for a source e.g. National Archives or British Library then I have a clear plan of everything I need from there so I can try and make the most of my time there but giving myself enough time that I can go for another visit if I miss something or find something else I need. I am old school so I write most of my notes by hand which can then take me forever to type up, therefore I try to ensure I have everything I need before I start typing.

Sharon: Tell us your ‘favourite’ Tudor story.

Amy: I love the story of Thomas More and Erasmus visiting the royal children at Eltham. Erasmus did not know that was the plan so he was very surprised when they arrived at Eltham Palace and found Margaret, Henry, Mary and Edmund all there. Thomas More had prepared some writing for Henry but Erasmus had come unprepared so was not happy with More! They stayed for dinner and Henry actually challenged Erasmus to write something for him. Erasmus spent 3 days writing a poem which became Prosopopӕia Britanniӕ and praises Henry VII, the princes, and England. He dedicated the poem to Prince Henry and it was printed in the first edition of Adages in 1500. I think this was both a surprising yet memorable event for Erasmus and was the beginning of his friendship with Henry.

Sharon: Tell us your ‘least favourite’ Tudor story.

Amy: I think I would have to say that I really dislike the stories that Henry VII was a miser. The records and accounts show he more than willing to spend a great deal of money when he wished to. He made gifts to his children, spent money on building and was certainly not afraid to show his wealth when it came to impressing ambassadors and visitors to the royal court. Yes, he was very intelligent when it came to money but I think it is unfair for him to have the reputation of a miser.

Sharon: Are there any other eras you would like to write about?

Amy: I think if I were to ever write about another era it would likely be the Plantagenets but I’m not sure if I ever will!

Sharon: What are you working on now?

Amy: I am finishing up writing a book on Desiderius Erasmus which is due to be published early 2026 then I will be moving on to my 5^th book, Teaching the Tudors. This will expand on my first book and focus on some of the tutors we know so well and others that were extremely influential on education during the Tudor era but are maybe not so well known.

Sharon: And finally, what is the best thing about being a writer?

Amy: Another hard one! Firstly, getting to know so many incredible historians, I have been made to feel so welcome in the history community by historians I greatly admire such as yourself, Nathen Amin, and Estelle Paranque and others but I can’t name everyone or this may be a very long answer. I have made some wonderful friends including Rebecca Batley, Rebecca Larson, and Helene Harrison and had fantastic opportunities to appear on podcasts like Talking Tudors and Royals, Rebels, and Romantics. But overall, I love history, so I am doing something I love, does it get better than that?

About the Author:

Amy McElroy is the author of Educating the Tudors (2023), Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era (2024), and Mary Tudor, Queen of France (2025). Amy has long had an interest in history, beginning with a blog where she shared her love of books before culminating in her own book, Educating the Tudors. Amy is currently writing her fourth book, Desiderius Erasmus and has a fifth in the pipeline with many more ideas for the future. Amy co-hosts the blog, The Tudor Notebook on Substack. She has appeared on numerous podcasts including Talking Tudors, Royals, Rebels, and Romantics, and Tudors Dynasty. Amy has also spoken at events including the Wolves Literature Festival and After Hours at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Where to find Amy:

Facebook – Amy McElroy; Instagram – @amymcelroy_author; Blue Sky – AmyMcElroy; Threads – amymcelroy_books; Twitter/X – @AmyMc_Books; Substack – The Tudor Notebook; Blog – website.

To Buy Amy’s Books:

Educating the Tudors: Pen and Sword Books: Educating the Tudors – Hardback. Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era: Pen and Sword Books: Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era – Hardback, and is also available to order with a signed bookplate at Fox Lane Books. Mary Tudor, Queen of France: Pen and Sword Books: Mary Tudor – Hardback and is also available to order with a signed and dedicated bookplate at Fox Lane Books

My books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody. Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy. Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon.

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon, Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and Michael Jecks, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

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