Join us as the Tudor Trio explore some of the remarkable women of the Tudor period, each one connected in some way to Hatfield Park or the Cecil family.
Delve into the early life of Princess Elizabeth and uncover the pivotal experiences that defined her early years, including her entanglement in the notorious Thomas Seymour scandal at just 15 years old. Discover the influence, education and faith of Katherine Parr as she navigated the turbulent reign of Henry VIII and the uncertain years that followed, and learn about the often-overlooked world of Anne Boleyn’s female friendships and how her circle of friends kept her legacy alive following her tragic execution.
This event will also include a one-night-only pop-up exhibition featuring items from the Hatfield House Library and Archives. See items from the personal library of Lady Mildred Burghley, mother of the 1st Earl of Salisbury, as well as 16th and 17th-century documents penned by Tudor women connected to the Hatfield Old Palace, including Queen Elizabeth I, Katherine Parr and Kat Ashley, Elizabeth’s governess.
Why Attend
- A lecture on some of the remarkable women of the Tudor period, featuring the Tudor Trio in the Marble Hall.
- One-night-only pop-up exhibition featuring items from the Hatfield House Library and Archives, not usually on display to the public.
- A Champagne reception in the Armoury.
- A one-evening event with limited capacity.
Date and Schedule
Friday 1st May
6pm – Arrival, exhibition, and Champagne reception in the Armoury
6:30pm – Lecture begins, followed by a Q&A session, with the event concluding at 9pm
Location
Hatfield House, Hatfield Park
Panel
Dr Nicola Tallis
Dr Nicola Tallis is an independent author and historian, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She has worked as a curator, researcher, and lecturer, and specialises in the use of jewels in late medieval and Tudor England. Nicola has made numerous television and radio appearances, including on BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, Channel 5’s The Vikings and The Gunpowder Plot, and Channel 4’s Frankie Boyle’s Farewell to the Monarchy. She is the author of five books, and her latest, Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen., was named Book of the Week in The Times.
Dr Owen Emmerson
Owen Emmerson is a social and cultural historian, author, and consultant. He is part of the curatorial team at Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home. In 2024, he worked as one of the historical consultants for the BBC adaptation of Dame Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Emmerson was also part of the research teams that identified the Book of Hours depicted in Hans Holbein the Younger’s portrait of Thomas Cromwell in 2023 and a miniature portrait of Queen Mary I as Princess by Suzannah Horenbout in 2024. He is the co-author of several books and has contributed to numerous television documentaries, including The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family (2021, BBC Two) and Holbein’s The Ambassadors (2025, Arte).
Kate McCaffrey
Kate McCaffrey is the Castle Historian and Assistant Curator at Hever Castle in Kent and is also currently completing her CHASE-funded doctorate at the University of Kent. She has co-curated three exhibitions, co-authored four books, and appeared on multiple television shows, documentaries, and podcasts. In 2024, she was named by BBC History Extra as one of their ‘30 under 30’ historians to watch.
Ticket Prices
£50 per person
Free entry is available for carers if accompanying the person they care for. ID will be required.
Limited tickets are available, so please book in advance to secure your place and avoid missing out.
Disclaimer: All information was correct when the listing was prepared. Any questions about the event should be directed to the event organiser.