Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

New DNA-testing on Romanov remains will be believed by the Russian Orthodox Church

Sunday, 2 October 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything concerning the remains of Tsarevich Alexei and his sister Grand Duchess Maria. The Russian Orthodox Church required addition DNA-testing for their reburial as they and their family are considered to be holy martyrs and passion bearers in the Russian Orthodox Church. Just yesterday a news report came [read more]

Queen Mary I’s Coronation

Saturday, 1 October 2016, 10:00 Moniek Bloks 2

On 30 September 1553 England’s first undisputed Queen regnant left the Tower of London to be crowned. She headed for the Palace of Westminster first in a procession through the city. Mary had given Elizabeth a prominent role in the proceedings. It would be an amazing event, to showcase the monarch’s magnificence and power, even [read more]

Beatrice of Falkenburg & The Ruins of Valkenburg Castle

Friday, 30 September 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

On top of a hill in the south of the Netherlands lie what remains of Castle Valkenburg. It was probably the birthplace of Beatrice of Falkenburg, who was born circa 1254 as the daughter of Theodoric II, Count of Falkenburg and Berta of Limburg. Beatrice was just 15 years old when she became the wife [read more]

Beatrice d’Este – Giving her spirit back to God

Wednesday, 28 September 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 6

“Most illustrious relative and dearest brother, My wife was taken with sudden pains at eight o’clock last night. At eleven, she gave birth to a dead son, and at half-past twelve, she gave her spirit back to God. This cruel and premature end has filled me with bitter and indescribable anguish, so much so that [read more]

Empresses of All Russia – Catherine I

Monday, 26 September 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 2

The origins of the future Catherine I of Russia are rather obscure. She was probably born as Marta Helena Skowrońska on 15 April 1684. Her parents died of the plague when she was still quite young and she was raised by a pastor, in whose household she was probably a servant. She received little education and could not [read more]

October Book News

Saturday, 24 September 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Victoria Hardcover – 11 Aug 2016 (UK) & 4 October 2016 (US) Queen of Great Britain and ruler of an empire on which the sun never set, Victoria gave her name to an age that came to represent progress, expansion and industrialization. She ruled for an unprecedented 64 years, coming to the throne in 1837 [read more]