Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

Empress of the East by Leslie Peirce Book Review

Thursday, 4 January 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

In Empress of the East, historian Leslie Peirce tells the remarkable story of a Christian slave girl, Roxelana, who was abducted by slave traders from her Ruthenian homeland and brought to the harem of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in Istanbul. Suleyman became besotted with her and foreswore all other concubines. Then, in an unprecedented step, he [read more]

The Queen talks about coronation in upcoming documentary

Wednesday, 3 January 2018, 16:35 Moniek Bloks 0

The upcoming documentary The Coronation will have a small appearance by the Queen herself where she discusses her thoughts on her own coronation in 1953. She also shares some of her recollections of the coronation of her father, King George VI, who was crowned King in 1937. The Queen will review footage of the coronation [read more]

Schloss Pyrmont – A famous meeting

Wednesday, 3 January 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

This Baroque castle was the scene of one of the most famous lines in Dutch royal history. King William III of the Netherlands arrived here on 28 July 1878 to court Pauline of Waldeck and Pyrmont. Pauline rejected the elderly King, but her sister, Emma, supposedly exclaimed, “We cannot just let the poor man go [read more]

Portraits of royal women by Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Tuesday, 2 January 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 1

Portraits of royal women by Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Lost Kingdoms – Kingdom and Crown of Castile

Monday, 1 January 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 2

The Kingdom of Castile was established in 1065 under King Sancho II of León and Castile. Ferdinand I of León had been Count of Castile and he became King of León by right of his wife, Sancha of León. He became King of León and Castile in 1037 and upon his death in 1065, Castile and León were divided among his [read more]

Introducing the Year of the Last Romanovs

Monday, 1 January 2018, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 2

Although 2017 may have marked the centenary of the Russian Revolution, 2018 marks the centenary of the murder of the Last Romanovs. This includes Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, their daughters Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, their son Alexei, but also Alexandra’s sister Elizabeth Feodorovna. Join us this coming year to hear their stories.