Jim Sturgess plays dashing Dex in One Day

Jim might be a familiar face to any of you who has seen The Other Boleyn Girl as he played the supporting role of George Boleyn. Watch Jim's interview whilst on set of The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).




See behind the scenes of The Other Boleyn Girl:





If you don't know what I am going on about may I suggest you buy The Other Boleyn Girl movie:

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Great Reasons to Visit England

With an abundance of activities and interesting places to visit, England is a great choice for your next holiday. From Buckingham Palace and the renowned Harrods in central London, to the beautiful coastlines of Blackpool and Torquay; England is a fantastic place to visit and explore.

Hever Castle, home to Anne Boleyn

London

England’s capital offers great variety for tourists of all ages and tastes. Take a journey on the London Eye and take in the fabulous views of London as seen in many a movie. If you love creative art, visit the Tate Modern Gallery on the Southbank, which contains a variety of both contemporary and modern art. One of the largest stadiums in Europe is Wembley Stadium, home to amazing concerts and famous sporting events. If you enjoy history, look no further than St Paul’s Cathedral, with its 300ft dome it stands tall and proud in London’s rich skyline. The Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels; the most famous is the Imperial Crown with its thousands of diamonds. Legoland in Windsor will give hours of fun and a day to remember for all the family.

Public House in Cobham, Kent

Homely Pubs

Pubs are a big part of English culture, and most of these sell home-cooked food at reasonable prices. And, of course, they also sell a great variety of local beers and lagers! With the strict smoking ban, be sure to avoid lighting up.

Coastline

There are some great seaside resorts to visit in England. Based in Northern England, Blackpool is home to a beautiful beach and the UK’s highest rollercoaster: The Pepsi Max Big One. Other outstanding seaside resorts include Torquay and Brighton; for the most beautiful beaches, visit Devon. 

Steam Trains

There are many preserved steam train experiences situated in both North and Southern England, and these provide a scenic trip and a great day out. If you only have time to for one trip, choose Severn Valley Railway or the North York Moors.

Monsul Trail, Derbyshire

Countryside

England is home to some of the finest countryside and national parks. The Peak District, Dartmoor, Yorkshire Moors and the Lake District are scenic and peaceful; ideal for both walking and hiking. The Chiltern Hills is another great countryside with undulating hills rather than large steep peaks.

With the much anticipated London Olympic Games in 2012 British traditions are being remembered and revisited.  But there’s a lot more to see beyond London’s glamorous appeal.  Ranging from wild sites to beach resorts, explore what else the country has to offer.
If all of this sounds good then why not look at some of the places in England to visit.

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Take A Romantic Trip to the Caribbean

With the Notting Carnival over for another year I have been looking at places to go which reflect the heat of the Caribbean and it seems that romance and the Caribbean are, indeed, happy bed fellows. Fall in love all over again than with an island getaway. There are a number of package deals and all-inclusive resorts to choose from so a romantic getaway to the Caribbean may well be within your reach.

Mexico - an ideal destination?

I am currently looking into escaping to Mexico for a week or so. The following are the 3 top resorts:

Places to visit in the UK

Fancy a local holiday? Here are some options:

Blackpool

Visitors first flocked to Blackpool in Victorian times and it’s been known as the archetypal English seaside resort ever since. Bold, brash and beautiful, Blackpool is Britain's playground by the sea. It's Britain's most popular seaside resort packed with wall to wall family entertainment.   A short drive away from major cities in the north of England, it’s a great base from which to explore. Landmarks such as the Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens are fun for all the family. The Pleasure Beach theme park features everything from exhilarating rides to dancing water shows.  

Edinburgh

Edinburgh - Scotland’s capital city, and one of Britain’s most exciting tourist destinations. There are 2 sides to Edinburgh – the historic Old Town with the medieval Edinburgh Castle and cobblestone alleys, and the elegant but classic Georgian New Town. The combination of these 2 parts of the city, along with it's vibrant events and celebrations such as Hogmanay and the Festival Fringe is what gives Edinburgh its unique character. Together, they create a dynamic and fascinating city which truly captures the magical spirit of Scotland. The city is home to 4,500 listed buildings – the highest concentration in the world – and is also a modern, dynamic city of art and culture with its museums, galleries, universities and festivals.

Edinburgh

Brighton

Brighton is more than the seaside, more than the city and the mix is more than double the fun. Fashionable, funky and loaded with style, Brighton & Hove has everything you could want from a trip to Britain - a royal palace, elegant Regency architecture, museums with more, laid-back beach life and superb shopping – all this on the south coast of England, just 49 minutes from central London. Don’t miss the Royal Pavilion, home of King George IV, and probably the most exotic, extravagant royal palace in Europe. Explore the intricate maze of twisting alleyways and hidden squares in the 17th century Brighton Lanes. The bustling criss-cross streets of the North Lane make a great hunting ground for unique retro, vintage and kitsch finds. And bargain hunters will love the weekend markets and Brighton Marina for discount shopping at factory outlet shops. 

Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, Europe’s youngest capital and one of the fastest-growing cities and tourist destinations in Britain. Cardiff's recent redevelopment has resulted in world-class sporting and entertainment venues that must be visited.  Add to this excellent shopping, diverse restaurants and plenty of art, history and culture, and Cardiff is an ideal holiday destination to keep all the family happy. Cardiff has a growing reputation for fine dining. This is down to great local chefs, and even better local produce – Welsh lamb and beef, fresh seafood and organic vegetables. In the city’s Brewery Quarter you’ll find a range of great restaurants with an endless choice of cuisine.

The Seven Sisters

The New Forest National Park is celebrated for its ancient woodland and heathland first given protection by William the Conqueror nearly 1,000 years ago. Ponies graze on wild heaths speckled with purple heather and wild deer flit beneath gnarled oak and beech trees. To the east of the New Forest lie the South Downs, an area stretching 100 miles from the edge of Winchester to Beachy Head. It’s best known for its famous rolling downlands that lead to the white, sheer cliffs at Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. The name is said to pay homage to seven sisters who individually owned a house in the area.  The sight of extensive white walls is incredible, formed by nature over millions of years.  The last scene in the film Atonement was also filmed here. 

Southampton

Southampton was once a place of pilgrimage in the C12th with it being on the route to Canterbury. King Henry II had a castle in Southampton and having landed in Southampton from France in 1170 after the murder of Thomas Becket (Archbishop of Canterbury) journeyed to Canterbury to make his own pilgrimage as atonement for his role in Becket's death. Henry II's castle survived until the C17th but the castle mound can still be seen at Castle Way. Its outer bailey wall still stands as does the magnificent castle vault and the remains of the castle hall. Read more about visiting Southampton.

Tudor House, Southampton

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Top Movie Moments in New York

Movies and New York City are a match made in Hollywood heaven. Thanks to my friends who have provided me with their best films which were filmed (in part) on location in the big apple.

King Kong (1933)

Ok, so, an enormous gorilla goes ape and scales what was then the world's tallest building. We all know the story and have seen the remake but nothing can dampen your spirits when watching this movie. Appreciate the rudimentary special effects of 1933 my, my, how things have changed. Filmed on location at: 34th St. and 5th Ave.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Now this is a real Christmas winner: A Macy's toy department Santa Claus claims to be the real Kris Kringle and slowly wins over a city of cynics—even a young, skeptical Natalie Wood learns to believe. Filmed on location at:  34th St. and 6th/7th Aves.

On the Waterfront (1954) Elia Kazan's Oscar winning tale of mob corruption on the New Jersey docks opens with a shot of the Hoboken piers across the river from Manhattan. Filmed on location at: Hudson River

The Seven-Year Itch (1955)
Marilyn Monroe performs her legendary skirt-blowing scene above a lucky subway grate at 52nd Street and Lexington in Billy Wilder's comedic romp. Filmed on location at: 52nd St. and Lexington Ave.



An Affair to Remember (1957)The inspiration for the 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle,this older affair stars Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr as a lovestruck pair who are both engaged to be married to other people. They test their commitment to each other by meeting again at the top of the Empire State Building six months later. Filmed on location at: 34th St. and
 5th Ave.

West Side Story (1961)
Inspired by the real-life warring gangs of Hell's Kitchen and Shakespeare's story of Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria's musical tragedy begins with equally dramatic aerial views of the city. This Bernstein musical was ahead of it's time and holds a special place in my heart. Filmed on location at: Hells Kitchen


Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Who can forget a pouty Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) as she stands on the outside looking in at the famous luxury jewellery store or the handsome George Peppard? Filmed on location at: 52nd St. and Lexington Ave.


Midnight Cowboy (1969)
The once seedy streets of Times Square precipitate the unusual friendship between the greasy gimp Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) and Texas hustler-for-hire Joe Buck (Jon Voight). Filmed on location at:Times Square


The French Connection (1971)
Traffic lights? What traffic lights? Gene Hackman commits a number of moving violations as detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle when he chases thugs in a high-speed car chase down Brooklyn's 86th Street. The scene inspired countless other action sequences and numerous traffic offenses. Filmed on location at: 86th St., Brooklyn


The Godfather (1972)
Every lad has seen and appreciated this movie, perhaps saying a few memorable lines in front of the bathroom mirror.Filmed on location in Little Italy. My favourite quote "Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child." said by Luca Brasi when practising his speech.


Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
A young Al Pacino plays a Brooklyn bank robber in this Sidney Lumet film shot in Park Slope—just a few blocks from the bank where the real-life events took place. This is history people!
Filmed on location at: Park Slope, Brooklyn


Taxi Driver (1976)
The harsh lights of 42nd Street porn theaters and sidewalks littered with prostitutes and drifters act as an isolating backdrop for Robert DeNiro's ultimate catharsis in Martin Scorcese's gritty classic. Filmed on location at: Times Square


Saturday Night Fever (1977)
A well-coifed, John Travolta practices shaking his Brooklyn booty walking down Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge before steaming up the dance floor. Filmed on location at: Fourth Ave., Brooklyn


Annie Hall (1977)
In one of his most famous odes to New York, the ever-bumbling Woody Allen pulls some of his not-so-smooth moves on Diane Keaton in Washington Square Park and countless other Manhattan locations. Filmed on location at: 4th St. and Waverly Pl.
Watch the trailer of Annie Hall.

Manhattan (1978)
One year later, Allen still can't seem to get it right with Keaton. The city gets a nine-minute introductory montage of the midtown skyline, the Staten Island ferry, Park Avenue, Macy's, the Guggenheim and the Plaza Hotel. One famous scene even takes place under the Queensborough Bridge. Filmed on location at: 59th St. & FDR Dr.

Fame (1980)
I want to live forever! Dancing over Time Square and on the hoods of cars was so exciting when I saw this for the first time as a wee lass. The New York City High School of the Performing Arts, was the school on which the film was based. Filmed on location at: Times Square. See the Fame 1980 movie trailer.

Wall Street (1987)
Charlie Sheen is a fresh-faced broker learning about corruption on a lower-Manhattan trading floor from his boss (Michael Douglas). Douglas also delivers one of the most memorable messages of the 1980s: Greed is good; too much hair gel is bad. Filmed on location at: Wall Street


Coming to America (1988)
One of my favorites, from when Akeem & Semmi were in the club trying to find his future wife: "Hey, baby, I'm almost single. My husband's on death row."

When Harry Met Sally (1989)
THE most famous scene of the movie When Harry Met Sally was filmed on Location at Katz's Delicatessen at 205 E. Houston Street in New York City. If you go there you will see a sign memorialising the deli's movie moment Filmed on location at: E. Houston and Ludlow St. Did you know? The woman in the restaurant that says "I'll have what she's having" after Meg Ryan's orgasm scene is Rob Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner.

Independence Day (1996)
Sure, the thought of aliens taking over the planet is upsetting, but it's nothing compared to the disturbing view of the Statue of Liberty face down in the New York Harbor—or of the gargantuan spaceship looming entirely over Manhattan. Filmed on location at: New York Harbour. And something nothing about New York: When escaping the mother ship, Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) says "Faster, we must go faster", a line which Goldblum's character in Jurassic Park (1993)  said when in the jeep being chased by the T-rex.

Serendipity (2001)
"That's a lot of tuba" John Cusack improvises whilst filming. That line still makes me chuckle even though I have seen this film umpteen times. In the clip below can you see both of their last names at the top of the shop sign: Sara (Thomas) left and Jonathan (Traver) right. He also doesn't look at white he is writing on the note. I really do feel that the little devil boy in the lift wasn't wearing a costume. He has to be the most annoying character in any movie ever!
Filmed: Waldorf Astoria, 301 Park Avenue manhatten, Serendipity 3, 225 E 60th Str and Wollman Rink, Central Park.

Spider-Man (2002); Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Tobey McGuire plays the superhero from Forest Hills, Queens, who flounders with the girl but is able to swing between the skyscrapers of NYC. These special effects are a far cry from the beginning of our NYC movie adventure King Kong in 1933. Filmed on location at Midtown & Forest Hills in Queens.

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Take a trip to Southampton, Hampshire, England

Southampton was once a place of pilgrimage in the C12th with it being on the route to Canterbury. King Henry II had a castle in Southampton and having landed in Southampton from France in 1170 after the murder of Thomas Becket (Archbishop of Canterbury) journeyed to Canterbury to make his own pilgrimage as atonement for his role in Becket's death. Henry II's castle survived until the C17th but the castle mound can still be seen at Castle Way. Its outer bailey wall still stands as does the magnificent castle vault and the remains of the castle hall.

A little history for Tudor fans
On 20th July 1554 Southampton port was full of ships bringing the royal bridegroom Philip of Spain to marry Mary Tudor. He stayed in Southampton for three days before travelling to Winchester Cathedral where he married Mary Tudor. Unsurprisingly it rained for the full three days of the king's visit. In St Michael's church Philip of Spain's chest which was placed some 34yrs later. 


In 1588 England and Spain were at war. A mighty armada was launched against Mary's sister, Queen Elizabeth I. As part of the defence fleet Southampton provided a ship called The Angel.  The Spanish fleet was repelled off the Isle of Wight and their tight formation was finally broken when Sir Francis Drake sent in ships which had been set on fire and were sent into the midst of the wooden Spanish ships whilst they were at anchor. With fire being the biggest fear when at sea the Spanish were forced to cut their anchors and flee. One of those fire ships was The Angel. 
Many soldiers and sailors were injured and ventured to return home. Admiral Hawkins arranged for a chest to be set up in Chatham to collect alms for them. Many churches around the country followed his example. These boxes were called Philip of Spain's chests.

Tudor House & Garden, Southampton

Tudor House & Garden

Tudor House, built by John Dawtrey, is Southampton's most important historic building, covering 800 years of history on this one site. As you can see from the picture I took above, the house has a very impressive timber frame facing ST Michaels's Square and was built at the end of the C15th. 

Both the house and Westgate Hall have been renovated thanks to a £3.5million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £1.8 million from the Council.

Each room within the Tudor House is set in a different historical context, allowing the story of the house unfold as you walk through the house. In each of the rooms objects from various collections are on display and some of them are even available to handle.

After a tour of the house you can enjoy a cream tea in the cafe whilst enjoying the view of the garden which has been lovingly renovated with guidance from the original designer, Dr Sylvia Landsberg.

The cafe, garden and function room may be booked for weddings and corporate events.

Places to eat in Southampton

I'd recommend heading to Holyrood Place and along East Street for the best variety of restaurants and bistros. There are two pubs vying for the title of the oldest in the city. The Red Lion on the High Street and the Duke of Wellington on Bugle Street (pictured below). The Red Lion has the longest history as a pub dating back to the C12th. However, The Duke of Wellington pub has vaults and a cellar dating back to the C12th even though the rest of the pub is C13th. Saying that though, both are certainly worth a visit. I sat outside in the sunshine at The Duke of Wellingtons. Log fires are available in both pubs during the winter months.

The Duke of Wellington Pub, Bugle Street, Southampton

Town Quay has a range of eateries in pretty historic buildings overlooking the water. The Old Town is also home to the recently refurbished Dolphin Hotel, a famous coaching inn since the C17th . This is also where I stayed.

Dolphin Hotel, High Street, Southampton

The picture of The Dolphin Hotel above looks fabulous. Unfortunately that was the view of the hotel from my window. My part of the hotel was red brick. The room was modest and the bathroom had had a basic over. 

Bathroom,The Dolphin Hotel, Southampton

Twin Room, The Dolphin Hotel, Southampton

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Princes in the Tower of London

On 17th August 1473, Richard of Shrewsbury was born in Shropshire to King Edward IV and Queen, Elizabeth Woodville. Richard of Shrewsbury was the King's second eldest son and he had one older brother, Edward, who was the heir to the throne.

An Infant Marriage
In May 1474, when he was was only 9 months old, Richard of Shrewsbury was made Duke of York. On 15th January 1478, Richard married Anne de Mowbray in St. Stephen's Chapel at Westminster Palace. He was a mere 4 years old & she was 5. 
In mid 1483, when Richard of Shrewsbury was 10 years old, he was taken from his mother at Westminster Abbey by the future Richard III and sent to the Tower of London to join his brother Edward, the legitimate, putative Edward V, who was already being held captive in the Tower, also courtesy of the future Richard III. The Tower of London wasn't known as a prison in 1483, it was usual for future kings to stay there before their coronation. This is how the future Richard III managed to take possession of Prince Edward. He also made an oath to protect the Prince and bring him to the throne. Richard declared the two Princes to be illegitimate, not Parliament and not Elizabeth their mother. 

Why were the Princes moved to the Tower of London?

The removal of both princes was essential for the success of Henry Tudor and was recognized by no one more eagerly than Henry Tudors mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort/Stanley... Rumours of the death of one or both of the princes during their captivity was rife. When Lady Margaret heard the rumours Vergil reported that she 'began to hope well of hir soones [son's] fortune, supposing that that dede wold withowt dowt proove for the profyt of the commonwealth'.[1] Since Lady Margaret and the princes' mother, the ex-queen Elizabeth Woodville, were by this time in close contact, it would be interesting to know how, and from whom, Elizabeth heard of the death of her sons, the prerequisite for her consent to the marriage of her eldest daughter Elizabeth of York with Henry Tudor.The mind boggles.

What was fate of the two Princes in the Tower?
The fates of Richard of Shrewsbury & his elder brother Edward is still unknown to this day. Was Richard III involved in the two brothers disappearance? He was in power for 2 years but never produced the boy he was sworn to protect. Was it Lady Margaret Beaufort/Stanley, who in an attempt to make way for her beloved son Henry (exiled in France) to return and become King? Perhaps Henry VII had the boys removed to speed along his assension? A discovery in the C17th may shed a little light...

The Discovery

In 1674, the skeletons of two children were discovered in a chest in the Tower of London under a staircase leading to the chapel. They were presumed to be those of the lost princes Richard & Edward. It has never been proved that the two skeletons were indeed those of the two princes. On the orders of Charles II, Sir Christopher Wren 'Surveyor General of His Majesties Workes' provided a marble urn for the the remains of the two skeletons which were moved and laid to rest in the Tudor Chapel at Westminster Abbey. In 1933 the graves were reopened and thoroughly tested by Professor William Wright, the foremost anatomist of his day, and Dr George Northcroft, President of the Dental Association. The tests confirmed that the skeletons were of two young people around ten and twelve years old. Although the possibility of sexing pre-pubertal skeletons existed in 1933, Professor Wright assumed throughout that they were those of boys, and of course there was no indication whatever of the period when they had been buried.

The Princes in the Tower by Paul Delaroche, Courtesy of Dog Art Today

Painting a Picture

Delaroche, in 1830/1, produced an oil on canvas painting titled "Princes in the Tower". He had a passion for English history but also of theatre. He captivates the audience and tells a dramatic story, as with his painting of Lady Jane Grey, but is not historically accurate. The theme of innocent children awaiting an uncertain fate was a popular one amongst C19th painters.This painting is a great example of the dramatic nature of his work, using light and space to draw the audience in. Light seeps under the door as the two Princes huddle together for comfort on the bed. To add to the pathos of the scene their little dog's ears are pricked to the sound of approaching footsteps, the supposed inevitable fate of the two Princes. "Princes in the Tower" painting can usually be be seen in the Louvre, Paris.  Find other top things to do in Paris.

If you like this painting by Delaroche you may may enjoy my post of his other well known painting 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey'.

[1] Three Books of Polydore Vergil's English History, ed. H.Ellis, Camden Society 1844, p.185.

Other traitors in the tower:
1. Lord Hastings (1483)
2. Queen Anne Boleyn (1536)
3. Countess of Salisbury (1541)
4. Queen Katherine Howard (1542)
5. Lady Rochford (1542)
6. Lady Jane Grey (1554)

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Lady Jane Grey 1554

Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England for just Nine Days from Monday 10th July 1553 to Wednesday 19th July 1553. It would be the shortest reign in English history.

The death of Edward VI 
Edward VI, a devout Protestant and Henry VIII's only son, died of tuberculosis. His father’s will had specified that Mary should become Queen if Edward VI died without any heirs but John Dudley, the first Duke of Northumberland (1504 - 1553) had different ideas. He persuaded the dying Edward VI to agree that the claims of Mary Tudor and her sister Elizabeth (later to become Elizabeth I) should be passed over and that the crown was to be left to 'the Lady Jane and her heirs male.' Dudley's aim was simple; he wanted to remain in power and he only could do that if England had a pliable monarch. His solution was the Lady Jane Grey.

Refusing the Crown
Lady Jane Grey was a highly educated young woman and was not the meek and mild puppet he had perceived her to be. With her parents approval it was arranged for Jane to marry Dudley's son, Lord Guildford Dudley. But she would not have him as he was a spoilt and surly individual from a family of the same lack of integrity. Jane wished to stay within the comfort of her books and learnings. After being beaten by her mother she had no choice but to marry him. The marriage went ahead but it was not a happy union. Wives did not own lands nor their bodies but Jane refused to sleep with her husband Guildford. 

Long live the Queen!
Edward VI died in July 1553, Jane was brought to Syon House near to London and there was forced to agree to become Queen of England. She was led to the throne by Dudley and she began to shake with fright. To her horror Dudley stated that Edward VI had named her his heir. With that, every person in court knelt in reverence before her, Jane fainted. No one went to her aid. When she came to she got up and said "The crown is not my right. It pleases me not. Mary is rightful heir." In the end from pressure from her husband, her uncle and parents Jane gave way and accepted the crown even though it did not sit well with her "It did not become me to accept" she said.
The Protestant Queen Jane and her husband Guildford Dudley were taken in full state from Syon House to the Royal Apartments in the Tower of London to await her crown. Jane was not a popular choice for the people of England. They supported Mary Tudor and was proclaimed Queen. Dudley was taken to the Tower. He was soon to die a traitor.
On 19th July 1553, Jane was at supper that day. She had noted how quiet it was. Her father Henry Grey, Lord Dorset, ran into the room, tore down the royal arms above her chair and said "You are no longer queen". "May I go home?" Jane asked. Her father didn't answer and fled from the Tower, deserting his daughter to her fate. The guards soon arrived for her.

She was moved from the palace within the Tower to the house of one of the gaolers. She lived in comfort and was allowed her books. She ate her meals with the jailer and his family. She did not complain. It was probably a better life than she had with either her husband or parents even though she was still a prisoner at Her Majesty's pleasure. Queen Mary did not wish to harm Lady Jane Grey and had meant to set her free one day as soon as Mary herself has a son and heir of her own.

Justice still needed to be done and so Jane and Guildford were put on trial and sentenced to death. They were told that this was just for show. "It is believed Jane will not die," wrote a courtier.

On 12th February 1554, after 7 months of being in the Tower of London and will out being charged of an offence Lady Jane Grey was executed at the Tower of London. Lady Jane watched her husband, Guildford Dudley, walk from the Beauchamp Tower to his death on Tower Hill, a few hours before her own execution on the Green. 
Jane's death warrant was signed by Queen Mary later known as 'Bloody Mary' for her persecution of Protestants. Lady Jane Grey was just 16 years old, a puppet in the hands of her father as many women have been and many in the world still are.

Traitors in the Tower of London:

1. Lord Hastings (1483)
2. Anne Boleyn (1536)
3. Countess of Salisbury (1541)
4. Katherine Howard (1542)
5. Lady Rochford (1542)
6. Lady Jane Grey (1554)


In February a group of my girlfriends and I went to The National Gallery in London to see a special exhibition: Painting History Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey. I have a copy of Deleroche's 1833 painting 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' in my home.  Even though not historically accurate (with regards to the dress of the executioner and Lady Jane Grey herself) and the location (she was executed on the green at a private execution) I find this painting fascinating. There is such tenderness, sorrow yet vulnerability within this theatrical scene. See the painting for yourself at the National Gallery, London.

Paul Delaroche, 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey', 1833

Read my blog about the Tower of London where Lady Jane Grey was executed

Read more about Lady Jane Grey's life in Alison Weir's Innocent Traitor:

Read about the historical places to visit which are associated to Lady Jane Grey

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Top Ancient Sites in Greece

Having studied Classics at school I do find myself veering towards ancient classical sites on my holidays whether that be Pompeii in Naples, Italy, Volubilis in Meknes, Morocco or Hadrian’s wall in Northumberland, England. 
The following are my top ancient sites in Greece:
The Acropolis – Athens
Olympia – Peloponnese
Nemea – Pelponnese
Delphi – Central Greece
Palace of Knossos – Crete
Delos – Cyclades

The Acropolis – Athens

One of the most recognised ancient sites in the world is still standing after thousands of years. Even though the crowds can be a little off putting just remember that there aren’t as many people there as there would have been during religious festivals in antiquity, the reason it was built. See opening times and current prices for admission to the Acropolis. 

Buildings at the Acropolis
The Parthenon is the largest temple on the Acropolis It was originally dedicated to the goddess of the city, Athena, later converted to a church and then a mosque. It was built between 447 and 438 BCE at the height of the Classical period. Original home to what some refer to as the "Elgin Marbles", now in the British Museum, London. Even though you may have seen the Parthenon at the Acropolis many times in photos, on travel shows and on postcards, nothing can prepare you for the sheer wonderment you feel when you see it up close and personal. The marble is outstanding with colours mixing from honey to deep red to bold white.
The Temple of Athena Nike
This was the first temple on the Acropolis to be built in the Ionic style and is quite small. It is one of the few examples of an amphiprostyle temple in all of Greece. Amphiprostyle means that a building has free columns in porticoes either at both ends or at both sides of a structure. What makes the Temple of Athena Nike truly unique is the unit by which it was planned, which is the Egyptian foot of 300 mm.
The Erectheion
This building was built for the dedicated worship of the two principal gods of Attica, Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus.
The Propylea
This is the ancient monument gateway to the Acropolis.

Read a review of the new Acropolis museum

Olympia – Peloponnese

Olympia is where the Olympic Games began.  The games were part of a religious event to celebrate the father of the Gods, Zeus. Athletic contests were one way to honour the Gods, so it made sense to hold a recurring event at an important religious temple, Olympia. Olympia was situated in a valley in Elis, in western Peloponnisos (Peloponnesus), through which runs the Alpheus River. It was not a town, but only a sanctuary with buildings associated with games and the worship of the gods. Outside the Altis, to the east, were the Stadium and the Hippodrome, where the contests took place. To the west were the Palaestra (wrestling school) and the Gymnasium where all competitors were obliged to train for at least one month. Only free Greeks could enter and all participants were male and competed in the nude.

In the Ancient Olympia Museum you will see many treasures including Dedication by Miltiades, as the inscription informs us "Miltiades dedicates to Zeus". It is the same helmet worn by the Athenian general in the battle of Marathon, where he defeated the Persians, and thus offered it to Zeus as a sign of gratitude. 
Nemea – Pelponnese

This beautiful ancient site has been carefully restored including the stadium, an impressive museum, practical picnic tables with views of the romantic Doric temple. There are three original long standing columns as well as several newly restored and re-erected ones. The archeological work at Nemea isn’t over so you may see archeologists at work lovingly reconstructing and re-erecting more columns from the north façade in their restoration plan.                   

Delphi – Central Greece
The site of Delphi is located in lower central Greece, on multiple plateaux/terraces nestled into the slope of Mount Parnassus, and includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, the site of the ancient Oracle. Over one thousand years Greeks made their pilgrimage here to seek divine directions in matters of war, worship, love or for any other matter requiring prophecy. Even Alexander the Great came here before his conquest. The pilgrims would offer their sacrifice and wait as the Pythian priestess would chant her prophecies. A priest would then interpret and relay her chants back to the pilgrim. he earliest reference to the Oracle is in Homer, whereas ancient stories say how on the side of Mount Parnassus there was a cleft where goats suddenly began crying and leaping about. When the goatherds approached, they experienced the same; man and animal acting as if possessed. Some reported visions, others foretold the future; some apparently disappeared into the cleft, overcome by the fumes, losing sense of this reality and suffering the fatal consequences. The oracle was known as the Pythia, pytho, means “to rot”, a reference to the decay of the snake’s body that Apollo killed there.
Did you know? In the film 300 the flowing effect of the Oracle dancing scene was accomplished by filming the actress under water. There are many ruins of temples, treasuries and other buildings on the site of Delphi. The most important temple on this site is the Temple of Apollo where the oracular chasm or cave entrance was supposed to be found, though none can be seen. Only the foundations and a few columns of this temple can still be seen. There is also a small museum on the site with some interesting finds. The temple of Apollo was said to have the famous motto of Delphi inscribed “Know thyself”.         

Palace of Knossos – Crete

With the well known story of the Minator the though of the Palace of Knossos conjures up images of weaving mazes on various levels, long corridors and stairs; an ancient version of the Labyrinth in the 1986 film The Labyrinth. What I hadn’t anticipated was the beautiful frescoed walls. As with many tourist sites it can be packed at peak hours but you can still feel the draw of the labyrinth. King Minos ruled over the richest and most powerful of Minoan cities. It is said that his beautiful daughter Ariadne helped the young and gallant Theseus to kill the monstrous Minotaur in the labyrinth under the palace and then escape.

Delos – Cyclades

This tiny island is a mere 2 miles (3.2km) from the shore of Mykonos. It was considered by the ancient Greeks to be both the geographical and spiritual centre of the Cyclades, many considering it to be the holiest sanctuary in all of Greece. The extensive remains leave you in no doubt of the island’s former splendour. From the islands highest point, Mount Kinthos, you can see many of the Cyclades and on a very clear day you can see the entire archipelago. Even though the island is small the allotted three hours by excursion boats from Mykonos or Tinos are hardly sufficient to explore this excitingly rich archeological treasure.

                                          Read four things you didn’t know about Greece

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