Happy New Year!
Well, 2025 certainly seems to have sped by, with work on the successful Stuart History Festival in the gorgeous and historic city of Worcester in July. It was great to reunite with people I had worked with before or admired before:
Jonathan Healey, with whom I had previously been in the BBC4 history documentary series, Charles I: Downfall of a King:
With my longtime friend, J.D. Davies, famed for his expertise in Stuart Naval history.
It was fantastic to meet with Gareth Russell, who so kindly wrote the foreword for my book, Ravenous, and whom I had long admired.
It was an honour to be in a session with Justine Brown, moderated by Gareth Russell.
Justine and I had a fabulous chat at the pub after Day 1.
It was great to finally meet Philippa Lacey Brewell of British History Tours, whom I’ve known for some years now:
And the ever-supportive Natalie from If It Ain’t Baroque podcast (which I’ve been on several times now):
And historian Mark Shearwood!
I met some new faces, too, such as Jackson van Uden:
My daughter, Juliet, and I created our own little ‘band’: Stuart Songbirds, and we sang several songs and recited poems from the 17th century at the Festival:
I made our costumes completely by hand. The only thing I hadn’t expected was that – on the Saturday when I had put my bodice on….it was too big. Oops! I had lost a lot of weight since beginning the project and hadn’t noticed (unfortunately, I had another undiagnosed disease by this point), so Gavin had to safety pin the back closed – I couldn’t believe it! Juliet’s blue dress was much better, although I’ll need to secure the bodice properly to the skirt to avoid slipping. I was largely happy with how these turned out (there’s always room for improvement), and I’m working on a new dress for myself now. She’d like an 18th century dress…
Besides the Festival, which took a great deal of time and preparation, I continued work on my writing projects, including a new biography and a children’s book. I also worked on two audiobooks set in the 17th-century: Death’s Bright Angel by J.D. Davies, which I proof-listened to narration by my husband, Gavin Orland.
The second audiobook we produced this year was the swashbuckling adventure, The Fugitive’s Sword. Produced by Orland Media Ltd, I narrated a little over 13 hours of this.
Before the year ends, I would love to thank all of the wonderful guests I had on Stuart Saturday Live, Season 2, with a look back at all 12 episodes:
Episode 1
Our January show featured guest, Heather R. Darsie, who chatted with me about her book, Stuart Spouses.
Episode 2
For February’s show, we welcomed back Gareth Russell, who conversed with me about Anna of Denmark & James I and his book, Queen James. Gareth was our keynote speaker on the Saturday of the Stuart History Festival.
Episode 3
In this episode, I spoke with Dr Daniel Jordan, who discussed Thomas Butler, the earl of Ossory, the subject of Dr Jordan’s book, ‘Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory, 1634-80: A Privileged Witness”, the Butler family, and more.
Episode 4
In April, I presented a solo episode all about Shakespeare, whose work has been so influential in my life. I talked about the life, times, and legacy of William Shakespeare, one of the most enduringly popular and beloved English writers.
Episode 5
In this episode, the Lady welcomed Justine Brown, the author of “The Private Life of James II” and ‘Mary of Modena: James II’s Dazzling Queen’, to talk about all things Restoration, including how it came about, who the major figures were (including Charles II, General Monck), and its lasting legacy. Justine was one of our speakers at the Stuart History Festival.
Episode 6
For this episode, Dr Mark Shearwood joined me to chat about 17th-century weaponry, the Stuart-era army, the Monmouth Rebellion, the Glorious Revolution, and our mutual love of Golden Retrievers. Mark was one of our speakers at the Stuart History Festival.
Episode 7
In this episode, I was joined by Dr Steven Veerapen (author of The Wisest Fool: The Lavish Life of James VI and I) to discuss King James, the early Stuart period, and more!
Episode 8
Mark Turnbull, my fellow Stuart History Festival co-founder, returned to the show (having been on in Season 1) to chat about the Stuart History Festival, the Stuart period, and the subject of Mark’s newly-released biography, Prince Rupert of the Rhine!
Episode 9
For September’s episode, I was joined by Professor Nadine Akkerman and Dr Pete Langman, the co-authors of SPYCRAFT: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, for a chat about Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, the Gunpowder Plot, She-Intelligencers and Espionage in Stuart Britain.
Episode 10
For the October show, I welcomed fellow Stuart History Festival co-founder, Dr Erica Canela, to chat about the Quakers of the Stuart period, the subject of Erica’s new book, ZEALOUS: A Darker Side of the Early Quakers. Learn about who they were, why they were so radical, George Fox, Quaker printing, and more!
Episode 11
For November’s episode, I was joined by guest historian, Susan Abernethy, to chat about Catherine of Braganza, who is the subject of Abernethy’s new biography. We also chatted about the Stuart period, Charles II, the Braganza family, the Restoration, the Bedchamber Crisis, and more!
Episode 12
In our last episode of Season 2, I welcomed guest Jennifer Morag Henderson to her salon to chat about Jean Gordon, Mary, Queen of Scots, and the infamous Earl of Bothwell, whose lives are so vividly brought to life in Henderson’s nonfiction book, ‘Daughters of the North: Jean Gordon and Mary, Queen of Scots’.
Thanks again to all my wonderful guests – and thank YOU, the readers, the listeners, the viewers, for your support throughout the year.
Our Season 3 lineup is taking shape. I’m really excited and hope you’ll join me again in 2026. Until then, I hope you all have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!
With love,
AZ
