Bright Torch Communication

09/04/2015

Henry VIII voted worst and daughter Elizabeth I voted best monarch in history!

Is that why Elizabeth I's reign is called the Golden Age?

Find out at the Smithsonian on December 5!

More info here: http://bit.ly/1Kodyzi

‘Self-indulgent wife murderer and tyrant’ tops poll of historical writers, ahead of Edward VIII and Charles I

06/18/2015

Time for ! Which had the shortest reign? (Yes, possible trick question!) Let's talk on June 20 at Smithsonian!

06/16/2015

Play ! Which Tudor monarch lived the longest??

06/15/2015

Play ! Which Tudor monarch had the greatest impact on history?! Discuss June 20 at Smithsonian Associates!

More than 400 years after they held the throne, the Tudors continue to fascinate us. From the king with six wives to the queen for nine days, Tudor monarchs give their own definition to “royals behaving badly.” But in addition to their scandals and shenanigans, this is the family who took England fr…

06/11/2015

Murder, adultery, betrayal, hostile takeovers... Reality TV? No, just your average Tudor Family Reunion!

Spend a day with this group of royals behaving badly at the Smithsonian June 20.

Register here: http://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/reserve.aspx?ID=231716&utm_source=RAad&utm_content=FEauto&utm_campaign=featevent

06/08/2015

Meet the family who put the FUN in dysfunctional! Spend Saturday, June 20 with the Tudors at the Smithsonian!

Register here: http://bit.ly/1EoNpxn

05/26/2015

Tuesday Tip: develop these attributes of truly confident people.

True confidence -- as opposed to the false confidence people project to mask their insecurities -- has a look all its own.

05/21/2015

Time for a Horrible Histories fix!!!

The Mr Bean and Blackadder star channels the infamous British monarch and rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley in a new clip from the funny children's show

05/19/2015

Tuesday Tudor Trivia: The National Portrait Gallery portrait of the day is Anne Boleyn today. May 19 is the 479th anniversary of her ex*****on. Although Henry VIII tried to erase her memory completely, his relationship with her and her commitment to religious reform had a lasting impact on English history.

Want more Tudors? (And who doesn't?!) Spend a day with the Tudors on June 20 at the Smithsonian.

Details here: http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/event-root/may-2015/portrait-of-the-day-19052015.php

05/14/2015

Tudor Elizabeth I as a young woman. This is a detail of the family portrait Henry VIII had commissioned. Historical note: although Henry was married to Katherine Parr at the time, it is Jane Seymour who appears as queen. (Personal note: I took this shot myself in the hours I spent staring at this portrait while visiting Hampton Court!!)

05/12/2015

Henry VIII really did become larger than life. He started his reign at a svelte young monarch, boasting greater than average height, a 32-inch waist and a 39-inch chest. By the end of his reign, he had a 52-inch waist, making him almost as round as he was tall!

Learn more about our favorite massive monarch June 20 at the Smithsonian! http://bit.ly/1EoNpxn

05/08/2015

Royal ?? Is this Guido Mazzoni bust Henry VIII as a 7-year old boy? The piece is part of the Royal Collection and was attributed to Mazzoni by Lionel Cust in 1925. Spend some time with young Prince Henry at the Smithsonian! http://bit.ly/1EoNpxn