Dr Owen Emmerson
@drowenemmerson.bsky.social
Historian & Assistant Curator at Hever Castle. Consultant: #WolfHall (BBC, 2024). Broadcaster: Boleyns: A Scandalous Family (BBC); Blood, Sex, & Royalty (Netflix).
As much as I adore seeing our majestic Long Gallery & extraordinary 16th-century art collection beautifully lit, there is also something utterly magical about turning off all of the electricity & seeing it lit only by glorious sunlight, as those before us did. #HeverCastle #AnneBoleyn #AnneofCleves
March 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
As much as I adore seeing our majestic Long Gallery & extraordinary 16th-century art collection beautifully lit, there is also something utterly magical about turning off all of the electricity & seeing it lit only by glorious sunlight, as those before us did. #HeverCastle #AnneBoleyn #AnneofCleves
On #WorldBookDay2025, I thought I’d share one of the things I love most about #AnneBoleyn’s Books of Hours at Hever: their smell! Their ‘bibliosmia’ is a blend of cocoa, vanilla and spent fires that seep from the vellum as you turn their pages. If only I could bottle that scent.
March 6, 2025 at 9:06 AM
On #WorldBookDay2025, I thought I’d share one of the things I love most about #AnneBoleyn’s Books of Hours at Hever: their smell! Their ‘bibliosmia’ is a blend of cocoa, vanilla and spent fires that seep from the vellum as you turn their pages. If only I could bottle that scent.
We’re beyond thrilled that @alfredrjhawkins.bsky.social, Curator of Historic Buildings at the Tower of London, is part of The Katharine of Aragon Legacy Lectures! Join @onthetudortrail.bsky.social & me online (5-6 April) in support of Peterborough Cathedral! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historians...
March 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
We’re beyond thrilled that @alfredrjhawkins.bsky.social, Curator of Historic Buildings at the Tower of London, is part of The Katharine of Aragon Legacy Lectures! Join @onthetudortrail.bsky.social & me online (5-6 April) in support of Peterborough Cathedral! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historians...
Today, over on YouTube, I will be discussing why I prefer Hans #Holbein’s preparatory drawings to the final product. I think Holbein’s sketches captured the raw immediacy of his subjects, preserving the spontaneity of his first impressions: youtu.be/DmCl1GrPSVU?...
February 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Today, over on YouTube, I will be discussing why I prefer Hans #Holbein’s preparatory drawings to the final product. I think Holbein’s sketches captured the raw immediacy of his subjects, preserving the spontaneity of his first impressions: youtu.be/DmCl1GrPSVU?...
From 12th Feb to 2nd Nov, visitors to #HeverCastle can enjoy costumes from #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light! I adored working as an historical advisor on the series, so its a joy to have organised the loan of these treasures, displayed with their portraits. Do come & see!
📷 Oliver Dixon
📷 Oliver Dixon
February 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
From 12th Feb to 2nd Nov, visitors to #HeverCastle can enjoy costumes from #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light! I adored working as an historical advisor on the series, so its a joy to have organised the loan of these treasures, displayed with their portraits. Do come & see!
📷 Oliver Dixon
📷 Oliver Dixon
Casually hanging out with my absolute favorite portrait of #AnneBoleyn, hoping she’ll reveal all her secrets… #LoveMyJob
January 29, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Casually hanging out with my absolute favorite portrait of #AnneBoleyn, hoping she’ll reveal all her secrets… #LoveMyJob
A true ‘pinch me’ moment. Today, I had the incredible opportunity to hold #AnneBoleyn’s exquisite cup & cover, a remarkable treasure from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cirencester. While planning exhibitions can be stressful, experiences like this make it all worthwhile!
January 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A true ‘pinch me’ moment. Today, I had the incredible opportunity to hold #AnneBoleyn’s exquisite cup & cover, a remarkable treasure from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cirencester. While planning exhibitions can be stressful, experiences like this make it all worthwhile!
The Katharine of Aragon Legacy Lectures is an online event, raising funds for Peterborough Cathedral. Our exciting lineup of historians will be announced over the coming weeks! @onthetudortrail.bsky.social & I would love it if you could join us on 5-6 April 💜 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historians...
January 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
The Katharine of Aragon Legacy Lectures is an online event, raising funds for Peterborough Cathedral. Our exciting lineup of historians will be announced over the coming weeks! @onthetudortrail.bsky.social & I would love it if you could join us on 5-6 April 💜 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historians...
It’s a catalogue writing day, and today, I will be focused on this late 17th/ early 18th-century portrait labelled #AnneBoleyn. It is one of only four known portraits in this famous pattern in which Anne is shown wearing an ‘HA’ pendant instead of a ‘B’.
January 23, 2025 at 7:47 AM
It’s a catalogue writing day, and today, I will be focused on this late 17th/ early 18th-century portrait labelled #AnneBoleyn. It is one of only four known portraits in this famous pattern in which Anne is shown wearing an ‘HA’ pendant instead of a ‘B’.
Oh, this is absolutely thrilling to see! I remember seeing this C17th painting some time ago and wondering then if the study to the right of the composition meant that there was another bust, as it seemed quite distinct from the one on the left, historically identified as Henry. Can't wait to read!
January 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Oh, this is absolutely thrilling to see! I remember seeing this C17th painting some time ago and wondering then if the study to the right of the composition meant that there was another bust, as it seemed quite distinct from the one on the left, historically identified as Henry. Can't wait to read!
Every day is an ‘Anne’ day at Hever, & today is all about the second Queen to live at the castle: #AnneofCleves! I’m digging into the opaque provenance of this gorgeous painting of Anne, after Holbein’s original - a passion project with my colleague & fellow sleuth, Kate McCaffrey🕵️♂️
January 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Every day is an ‘Anne’ day at Hever, & today is all about the second Queen to live at the castle: #AnneofCleves! I’m digging into the opaque provenance of this gorgeous painting of Anne, after Holbein’s original - a passion project with my colleague & fellow sleuth, Kate McCaffrey🕵️♂️
It’s a tough call because every day working at Hever Castle is pure magic, but I think this has been my favourite week yet. #LoveMyJob
January 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
It’s a tough call because every day working at Hever Castle is pure magic, but I think this has been my favourite week yet. #LoveMyJob
Celebrating another year at Hever with the very best of company @alfredrjhawkins.bsky.social. Do you think #AnneBoleyn would approve of our ‘dress to impress’ attire?
January 13, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Celebrating another year at Hever with the very best of company @alfredrjhawkins.bsky.social. Do you think #AnneBoleyn would approve of our ‘dress to impress’ attire?
How do we balance history with expectation when envisioning figures like #AnneBoleyn? Her face has been reimagined from a C16th sketch by Holbein to later oil portraits. Do these reflect their era’s ideals more than Anne herself? Is it even her? Excited to share my findings soon!
January 11, 2025 at 7:27 PM
How do we balance history with expectation when envisioning figures like #AnneBoleyn? Her face has been reimagined from a C16th sketch by Holbein to later oil portraits. Do these reflect their era’s ideals more than Anne herself? Is it even her? Excited to share my findings soon!
I am so excited to be teaming up with Travel Editions for a two-night ‘Anne Boleyn: Life and Legacy Tour’ from 19th May 2025. Together, we will follow Anne’s footsteps from Hever Castle to the Tower of London. Check out this link for more information: www.traveleditions.co.uk/tour/anne-bo...
January 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I am so excited to be teaming up with Travel Editions for a two-night ‘Anne Boleyn: Life and Legacy Tour’ from 19th May 2025. Together, we will follow Anne’s footsteps from Hever Castle to the Tower of London. Check out this link for more information: www.traveleditions.co.uk/tour/anne-bo...
I think I've stepped into art heaven with the OG influencers before me. Any guesses as to where these #Tudor icons are holding court? #ArtHistory
January 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I think I've stepped into art heaven with the OG influencers before me. Any guesses as to where these #Tudor icons are holding court? #ArtHistory
This C16th beheading sword forms part of the Hever Castle collection & is similar to that used to execute #AnneBoleyn. Typically, the English nobility were killed by axe, but Anne was one of the few people to be decapitated in England by the central European method of the sword. #Tudor
January 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This C16th beheading sword forms part of the Hever Castle collection & is similar to that used to execute #AnneBoleyn. Typically, the English nobility were killed by axe, but Anne was one of the few people to be decapitated in England by the central European method of the sword. #Tudor
It was a real joy to join Gordon & Eleanor on @bbc5live.bsky.social this morning to talk all about a #Tudor Christmas at #AnneBoleyn’s stunning childhood home of #HeverCastle.
December 28, 2024 at 7:31 AM
It was a real joy to join Gordon & Eleanor on @bbc5live.bsky.social this morning to talk all about a #Tudor Christmas at #AnneBoleyn’s stunning childhood home of #HeverCastle.
Christmas as #AnneBoleyn saw it. Illuminations of The Nativity as seen in Anne’s two Books of Hours, housed at her home of Hever Castle. Merry Christmas, all 🎄
December 23, 2024 at 5:23 PM
Christmas as #AnneBoleyn saw it. Illuminations of The Nativity as seen in Anne’s two Books of Hours, housed at her home of Hever Castle. Merry Christmas, all 🎄
If, like me, you have post- #WolfHall blues, why not visit Hever Castle’s incredible art collection and stand face-to-face with breathtaking 16th-century portraits of all the main characters, from #ThomasCromwell & #CardinalWolsey to #AnneBoleyn & #ThomasMore?
December 17, 2024 at 7:12 AM
If, like me, you have post- #WolfHall blues, why not visit Hever Castle’s incredible art collection and stand face-to-face with breathtaking 16th-century portraits of all the main characters, from #ThomasCromwell & #CardinalWolsey to #AnneBoleyn & #ThomasMore?
It’s time for my annual search for this C16th miniature portrait of #ThomasCromwell, after #Holbein, stolen from Hever Castle in 2003. I’d love to see it returned to Hever. Have you seen it? Pls consider sharing!
www.arthistorynews.com/articles/562... #Tudor #WolfHall #arthistory #miniatureportrait
www.arthistorynews.com/articles/562... #Tudor #WolfHall #arthistory #miniatureportrait
December 16, 2024 at 12:29 PM
It’s time for my annual search for this C16th miniature portrait of #ThomasCromwell, after #Holbein, stolen from Hever Castle in 2003. I’d love to see it returned to Hever. Have you seen it? Pls consider sharing!
www.arthistorynews.com/articles/562... #Tudor #WolfHall #arthistory #miniatureportrait
www.arthistorynews.com/articles/562... #Tudor #WolfHall #arthistory #miniatureportrait
#ThomasCromwell gifted his protege, Ralph Sadler, the Book of Hours which had been captured in oils in Holbein’s painting of Crum. The book survives in the Wren Lib as a testament to the close bond between Master Secretary & his faithful servant, Ralph. drowenemmerson.com/thomas-cromw... #WolfHall
December 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM
#ThomasCromwell gifted his protege, Ralph Sadler, the Book of Hours which had been captured in oils in Holbein’s painting of Crum. The book survives in the Wren Lib as a testament to the close bond between Master Secretary & his faithful servant, Ralph. drowenemmerson.com/thomas-cromw... #WolfHall
“Most gracyous prynce I Crye for mercye mercye mercye”. I love this beautiful recreation of #ThomasCromwell’s ‘mercy’ letter by Rosie Carmichael. Giving historical guidance on these stunning props was a huge honour. I do so hope that you enjoy this evening's devastating finale of #WolfHall.
December 15, 2024 at 12:49 PM
“Most gracyous prynce I Crye for mercye mercye mercye”. I love this beautiful recreation of #ThomasCromwell’s ‘mercy’ letter by Rosie Carmichael. Giving historical guidance on these stunning props was a huge honour. I do so hope that you enjoy this evening's devastating finale of #WolfHall.
Tickets for ‘The Making of a Queen: #AnneBoleyn 1501-1522’ are now on sale! Join @onthetudortrail.bsky.social and me from 3-9 March 2025. This online event would make a perfect Christmas gift for a Boleyn/ #Tudor history lover! Concession rates available 🙌
drowenemmerson.com/the-making-o...
drowenemmerson.com/the-making-o...
December 13, 2024 at 5:09 PM
Tickets for ‘The Making of a Queen: #AnneBoleyn 1501-1522’ are now on sale! Join @onthetudortrail.bsky.social and me from 3-9 March 2025. This online event would make a perfect Christmas gift for a Boleyn/ #Tudor history lover! Concession rates available 🙌
drowenemmerson.com/the-making-o...
drowenemmerson.com/the-making-o...
In episode five of #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light, the incomparable Abraham tapestries in Hampton Court’s majestic Great Hall have been meticulously recoloured to show their original vibrancy. The result is stunning—so much kudos to the brilliant art department.
December 8, 2024 at 1:37 PM
In episode five of #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light, the incomparable Abraham tapestries in Hampton Court’s majestic Great Hall have been meticulously recoloured to show their original vibrancy. The result is stunning—so much kudos to the brilliant art department.