Nicola Tallis – The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort (BMF Talk)

Summary

*A Bosworth Medieval Festival Ticket must be purchased to attend this event*

Historian and writer Dr Nicola Tallis presents her views on the incredible life and achievements of Margaret Beaufort, who was instrumental in her son’s road to the throne of England.

The first comprehensive biography in three decades on Margaret Beaufort, the mother of the Tudor Dynasty.

During the bloody and uncertain days of the Wars of the Roses, Margaret Beaufort was married to the half brother of the Lancastrian king Henry VI. A year later she endured a traumatic birth that brought her and her son close to death. She was just thirteen years old.

As the battle for royal supremacy raged between the houses of Lancaster and York, Margaret, who was descended from Edward III and thus a critical threat, was forced to give up her son – she would be separated from him for fourteen years. But few could match Margaret for her boundless determination and steely courage. Surrounded by
enemies and conspiracies in the enemy Yorkist court, Margaret remained steadfast, only just escaping the headman’s axes as she plotted to overthrow Richard III in her efforts to secure her son the throne.

Against all odds, in 1485 Henry Tudor was victorious on the battlefield at Bosworth.  Through Margaret’s royal blood Henry was crowned Henry VII, King of England, and Margaret became the most powerful woman in England – Queen in all but name. Nicola Tallis’s gripping account of Margaret’s life, one that saw the final passing of the Middle Ages, is a true thriller, revealing the life of an extraordinarily ambitious woman.

A book signing will be held after Nicola’s talk, so come and say hello! Copies of Nicola’s book will also be available for purchase, including her latest novel: Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen.

Tickets are £8 per person and can now only be purchased on site during the Festival.

*A Bosworth Medieval Festival Ticket must be purchased to attend this event*

Dr Nicola Tallis (nicolatallis.com) is a well-known public historian, researcher of Tudor England, and author of the highly acclaimed Crown of Blood, Elizabeth’s Rival, and Uncrowned Queen. Her journalism appears widely in the likes of BBC History Magazine and she is a familiar face on television. A highly experienced speaker, Nicola has worked with Historic Royal Palaces and the National Trust, and is the host for Tales of Youth – The Big History Night In at Southwark Cathedral (Feb 10th) in aid of Papyrus, the UK Charity for the prevention of young suicide. Follow her @NicolaTallis on Twitter, @historian_nicola on Instagram.