Moniek Bloks, Author at History of Royal Women

Queens Regnant – Petronilla of Aragon

Monday, 4 April 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

The circumstances surrounding Petronilla’s birth are strange. Her father, Ramiro, was the brother of Alfonso I of Aragon and the bishop of Barbastro-Roda. However, Alfonso died childless in 1134 and left the crown to the three religious and military orders. However, his wish was not respected, and the aristocracy of Navarre elected his brother as [read more]

On the Trail of the Yorks by Kristie Dean Book Review

Friday, 1 April 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

As you may have seen, we hosted a day of the blog tour for ‘On the Trail of the Yorks’, by Kristie Dean and now it’s time for the review! This book follows in the footsteps of several important people of the York family, like Richard, Duke of York, his wife Cecily Neville, Richard III, [read more]

The last will of Queen Mary I

Wednesday, 30 March 2016, 21:00 Moniek Bloks 0

On 30 March 1558, Mary was in the full belief that she would soon give birth and knowing how dangerous that could be, she dictated her will. Perhaps one of the things dearest to her was to be reunited with her mother in death, and so she requested that her mother’s remains be moved from [read more]

500th Anniversary of Completion of Henry VII’s Lady Chapel Celebrated at Westminster Abbey

Wednesday, 30 March 2016, 17:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Westminster Abbey is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the completion of the Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in style. Henry VII began lavish works on the chapel in 1503, but it wasn’t completed until 1516, nearly seven years after his death. The chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the monks of Westminster sang a [read more]

Anne Boleyn – a good French Woman

Wednesday, 30 March 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 3

When Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536, a shockwave went through Europe’s courts, and not all were convinced of Anne’s guilt. The following letter is from Mary of Hungary, who was the niece of Catherine of Aragon and was, therefore, no friend of Anne’s. Though she doesn’t seem to think Anne was guilty she, like the [read more]

Queens Regnant – Isabella II of Jerusalem

Monday, 28 March 2016, 7:00 Moniek Bloks 0

Isabella II of Jerusalem’s reign would begin tragically early. Isabella, or Yolande of Brienne as she is sometimes known, was born as the daughter of Maria of Montferrat and John of Brienne. Maria of Montferrat was the eldest daughter of Isabella I of Jerusalem. Maria was Queen of Jerusalem in her own right from 1205 [read more]