Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII, was queen of England for only seventeen months, something which has accounted for the little interest shown in her by historians. In her lifetime, however, she was a significant political figure, while her legacy and memorialization extended beyond her early death following childbirth in October 1537. Jane Seymour: Patronage, Material Culture and Image Crafting is the first full length academic study of Jane’s life and queenship. Using extensive archival research, it pulls together all of the surviving information to provide both a biographical and a thematic account. Chapters include a consideration of Jane’s queenship and political role, her material cultural environment, her household, her financial position and her religion, before also considering her afterlife and attempts to commemorate her both officially and unofficially. In doing so, the book banishes many myths that have grown up around the queen, most notably ideas of her passivity and powerlessness and also often repeated (but unsubstantiated) claims of her conservative religious outlook. This book presents a picture of Jane as an active and highly political queen consort. The book is a valuable resource for students and established scholars since it adds considerably to knowledge of the queen and re-inserts her into the heart of the dynasty, while also drawing pertinent conclusions on sixteenth-century queenship. Out in July 😊 @routledgebooks #livesofroyalwomen #janeseymour #queenjaneseymour

Space Shuttle Atlantis, which flew 33 missions from 1985 until it was retired in 2011. Now on display in the Kennedy Space Center in Florida #spaceshuttle #spaceshuttleatlantis #kennedyspacecenter

The original service arm over which the crew of Apollo 11 walked to enter their command module on 16 July 1969 to set off for the moon. I was very excited to get the chance to walk over this today at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida #kennedyspacecenter #apollo11

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Making friends in Marvel land at Universal Orlando 😆 #drdoom #greengoblin

I’m talking about my new research into Jane Seymour over at @HRP_palaces podcast with @TracyBorman It was so wonderful to get the chance to delve into Jane’s story in the place where she died (and - possibly too much information! - some of her body is actually buried). You can find the podcast on YouTube, as well as all the places you currently find podcasts. #janeseymour #queenjaneseymour #tudor #tudors #hamptoncourt

I usually base my trips around historical sites that I wanted to visit. This trip, not so much. Today I met Duffman 😆 #universalorlando #thesimpsons #universalstudios

I won the golden mushroom #epicuniverse #universalorlando #supermario

Pumpkin picking 🎃

I took a group from @spectator around Hampton Court today. As part of the day we were invited into the clubhouse of the Royal Tennis Club for a fascinating talk on the game and an exhibition match in the historic tennis court there. Real tennis, which is fiendishly complicated, has not changed substantially since Henry VIII played at the palace #realtennis #royaltennis #henryviii #hamptoncourt

All set to spend the day guiding a tour for the Spectator around Hampton Court. I think the weather is going to brighten up later! @spectator #hamptoncourt

Spent a day on set for a very exciting project. More details to follow 🎥

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Queen Victoria were so excited to get their hands on copies of Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy, the only book to look at the global history of female kings/reigning queens. It’s out in paperback next month and available for pre order 😀 @wearefootnote #womenwhoruledtheworld

Only a few more weeks until Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years is out in paperback 🥳 The only book to look at the global history of female kings/reigning queens. It looks like Mary, Queen of Scots has already picked up her copy @wearefootnote #womenwhoruledtheworld

It was fabulous to speak at Hampton Court this evening to the @HRP_palaces members. @TudorQueenship was discussing her new book on Anne of Cleves and I was talking about mine on Jane Seymour, with the wonderful Eleri Lynn introducing us and Sarah Kilby discussing the books with us. A full audience and some great questions #livesofroyalwomen #janeseymour #anneofcleves

Tonight’s the night (and in the anniversary of the birth of Jane Seymour’s son, Edward VI, no less) @TudorQueenship and I are officially launching our books on Anne of Cleves and Jane Seymour at Hampton Court with a talk for @HRP_palaces members. Both books are part of the fabulous Lives of Royal Women series from @routledgebooks edited by @monarchyconf and Louise Wilkinson #livesofroyalwomen #janeseymour #anneofcleves

I always love it when I happen to walk past the Wayneflete Tower, which is the only substantial surviving part of Esher Palace, once occupied by Cardinal Wolsey and Henry VIII. It’s now a private house and is actually set in the middle of a rather upmarket housing estate #esherpalace #waynefletetower #cardinalwolsey #henryviii