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Tudor History: Life as an English Woman with Dr. Elizabeth Norton
Tudor History: Life as an English Woman with Dr. Elizabeth Norton

Tudor History: Life as an English Woman with Dr. Elizabeth Norton


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Event Description

The Tudor period conjures up images of queens and noblewomen in elaborate court dress; of palace intrigue and dramatic politics. But for women, this was also a time when death during childbirth was common, marriage was usually a legal contract, not a matter of love, and the education you could hope to receive was minimal at best. Yet the Tudor century was also dominated by powerful and dynamic women in a way that no era had been before.

Led by an expert on the Tudor period, Dr. Elizabeth Norton, this Conversation will look at the lives of women in the Tudor period. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of just what daily life was like for women in the patriarchal society of Tudor England.

Series Description

The Tudor Dynasty captures the imagination like no other period in English history. This series of talks led by British historian Dr. Elizabeth Norton will examine the world of the Tudors – and the many wives of the notorious King Henry VIII – with each week’s standalone lecture looking at a particular topic or theme.

On August 22, 1485, an obscure Welsh nobleman named Henry Tudor surprised everyone by winning the throne of England on the battlefield at Bosworth Field. Taking the throne as Henry VII, he would be the first of five Tudor monarchs, who would rule England for 118 years. Following him was his son, the infamous Henry VIII with his six long-suffering wives, as well as his three grandchildren, Edward VI, ‘Bloody’ Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen.

This series of lectures will look at the lives of these key family members and their prodigy, and contextualize their stories' impact on the modern monarchy. To view our full selection of upcoming events in the series, click here

Dr Elizabeth Norton is a British historian, specialising in the Tudor period. She has degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge universities and King's College London. She is the author of twelve books, including 'The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women', 'The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor' and biographies of four of Henry VIII's wives. She regularly appears as an expert on television.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
67%
(2)
0%
(0)
33%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Janet
Very well worth the time. Excellent.

Dr. Norton's presentation covered what most do not; the lives of all classes of women, not just the aristocratic. She included good examples, showing a depth of knowledge from which I learned a great many things.

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Excellent Discussion of Women's Lives in Tudor Times

Using a life cycle approach from birth to old age, Dr Norton related key facts about facets of life for both poor and rich/regal women of this period. The photos and sketches from historic sources enhanced the content. Use of examples and stories from real women made it even more interesting. I really learned a lot about life in mainly the 16th century.

A
Anne Brennan (New York, US)
Being a woman in Tudor England was quite a challenge.

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
67%
(2)
0%
(0)
33%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Janet
Very well worth the time. Excellent.

Dr. Norton's presentation covered what most do not; the lives of all classes of women, not just the aristocratic. She included good examples, showing a depth of knowledge from which I learned a great many things.

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Excellent Discussion of Women's Lives in Tudor Times

Using a life cycle approach from birth to old age, Dr Norton related key facts about facets of life for both poor and rich/regal women of this period. The photos and sketches from historic sources enhanced the content. Use of examples and stories from real women made it even more interesting. I really learned a lot about life in mainly the 16th century.

A
Anne Brennan (New York, US)
Being a woman in Tudor England was quite a challenge.

Guest did not leave comment