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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

As much as I adore seeing our majestic Long Gallery & extraordinary 16th-century art collection beautifully lit, there is also something utterly magical about turning off all of the electricity & seeing it lit only by glorious sunlight, as those before us did. #HeverCastle #AnneBoleyn #AnneofCleves

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

On #WorldBookDay2025, I thought I’d share one of the things I love most about #AnneBoleyn’s Books of Hours at Hever: their smell! Their ‘bibliosmia’ is a blend of cocoa, vanilla and spent fires that seep from the vellum as you turn their pages. If only I could bottle that scent.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

We’re beyond thrilled that @alfredrjhawkins.bsky.social, Curator of Historic Buildings at the Tower of London, is part of The Katharine of Aragon Legacy Lectures! Join @onthetudortrail.bsky.social & me online (5-6 April) in support of Peterborough Cathedral! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historians...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Today, over on YouTube, I will be discussing why I prefer Hans #Holbein’s preparatory drawings to the final product. I think Holbein’s sketches captured the raw immediacy of his subjects, preserving the spontaneity of his first impressions: youtu.be/DmCl1GrPSVU?...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

From 12th Feb to 2nd Nov, visitors to #HeverCastle can enjoy costumes from #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light! I adored working as an historical advisor on the series, so its a joy to have organised the loan of these treasures, displayed with their portraits. Do come & see! 📷 Oliver Dixon

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Casually hanging out with my absolute favorite portrait of #AnneBoleyn, hoping she’ll reveal all her secrets… #LoveMyJob

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

A true ‘pinch me’ moment. Today, I had the incredible opportunity to hold #AnneBoleyn’s exquisite cup & cover, a remarkable treasure from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cirencester. While planning exhibitions can be stressful, experiences like this make it all worthwhile!

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

The Katharine of Aragon Legacy Lectures is an online event, raising funds for Peterborough Cathedral. Our exciting lineup of historians will be announced over the coming weeks! @onthetudortrail.bsky.social & I would love it if you could join us on 5-6 April 💜 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/historians...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

It’s a catalogue writing day, and today, I will be focused on this late 17th/ early 18th-century portrait labelled #AnneBoleyn. It is one of only four known portraits in this famous pattern in which Anne is shown wearing an ‘HA’ pendant instead of a ‘B’.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Oh, this is absolutely thrilling to see! I remember seeing this C17th painting some time ago and wondering then if the study to the right of the composition meant that there was another bust, as it seemed quite distinct from the one on the left, historically identified as Henry. Can't wait to read!

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Every day is an ‘Anne’ day at Hever, & today is all about the second Queen to live at the castle: #AnneofCleves! I’m digging into the opaque provenance of this gorgeous painting of Anne, after Holbein’s original - a passion project with my colleague & fellow sleuth, Kate McCaffrey🕵️‍♂️

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

It’s a tough call because every day working at Hever Castle is pure magic, but I think this has been my favourite week yet. #LoveMyJob

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Celebrating another year at Hever with the very best of company @alfredrjhawkins.bsky.social. Do you think #AnneBoleyn would approve of our ‘dress to impress’ attire?

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

How do we balance history with expectation when envisioning figures like #AnneBoleyn? Her face has been reimagined from a C16th sketch by Holbein to later oil portraits. Do these reflect their era’s ideals more than Anne herself? Is it even her? Excited to share my findings soon!

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I am so excited to be teaming up with Travel Editions for a two-night ‘Anne Boleyn: Life and Legacy Tour’ from 19th May 2025. Together, we will follow Anne’s footsteps from Hever Castle to the Tower of London. Check out this link for more information: www.traveleditions.co.uk/tour/anne-bo...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

I think I've stepped into art heaven with the OG influencers before me. Any guesses as to where these #Tudor icons are holding court? #ArtHistory

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

This C16th beheading sword forms part of the Hever Castle collection & is similar to that used to execute #AnneBoleyn. Typically, the English nobility were killed by axe, but Anne was one of the few people to be decapitated in England by the central European method of the sword. #Tudor

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

It was a real joy to join Gordon & Eleanor on @bbc5live.bsky.social this morning to talk all about a #Tudor Christmas at #AnneBoleyn’s stunning childhood home of #HeverCastle.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Christmas as #AnneBoleyn saw it. Illuminations of The Nativity as seen in Anne’s two Books of Hours, housed at her home of Hever Castle. Merry Christmas, all 🎄

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

If, like me, you have post- #WolfHall blues, why not visit Hever Castle’s incredible art collection and stand face-to-face with breathtaking 16th-century portraits of all the main characters, from #ThomasCromwell & #CardinalWolsey to #AnneBoleyn & #ThomasMore?

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

It’s time for my annual search for this C16th miniature portrait of #ThomasCromwell, after #Holbein, stolen from Hever Castle in 2003. I’d love to see it returned to Hever. Have you seen it? Pls consider sharing! www.arthistorynews.com/articles/562... #Tudor #WolfHall #arthistory #miniatureportrait

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

#ThomasCromwell gifted his protege, Ralph Sadler, the Book of Hours which had been captured in oils in Holbein’s painting of Crum. The book survives in the Wren Lib as a testament to the close bond between Master Secretary & his faithful servant, Ralph. drowenemmerson.com/thomas-cromw... #WolfHall

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

“Most gracyous prynce I Crye for mercye mercye mercye”. I love this beautiful recreation of #ThomasCromwell’s ‘mercy’ letter by Rosie Carmichael. Giving historical guidance on these stunning props was a huge honour. I do so hope that you enjoy this evening's devastating finale of #WolfHall.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Tickets for ‘The Making of a Queen: #AnneBoleyn 1501-1522’ are now on sale! Join @onthetudortrail.bsky.social and me from 3-9 March 2025. This online event would make a perfect Christmas gift for a Boleyn/ #Tudor history lover! Concession rates available 🙌 drowenemmerson.com/the-making-o...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

In episode five of #WolfHall: The Mirror and the Light, the incomparable Abraham tapestries in Hampton Court’s majestic Great Hall have been meticulously recoloured to show their original vibrancy. The result is stunning—so much kudos to the brilliant art department.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

I can’t quite express how magical it was to get to examine #Holbein’s truly breathtaking panels of #ThomasMore and #ThomasCromwell at The Frick.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

The Making of a Queen: #AnneBoleyn 1501-1522. I am so proud to be teaming up with @onthetudortrail.bsky.social for this brand-new online event from 3-9 March 2025. The perfect Christmas gift for a Boleyn/ #Tudor history lover! drowenemmerson.com/the-making-o...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

For the first time in almost 500 years, you can experience what #AnneBoleyn’s Christmas would have been like in the #BoleynApartment at her home of #HeverCastle. Do make sure to experience it for yourself! www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/hev... 🎶 Coventry Carol/malindamusic

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Such an unusual portrait of Queen #ElizabethI. Listed as late C19th, the central image is inspired by the Phoenix portrait. It also features portraits of Elizabeth’s parents, #HenryVIII & #AnneBoleyn, as well as two smaller portraits of Elizabeth loosely drawn from the Ditchley & Rainbow portraits.

A panel portrait of Queen #ElizabethI which also features portraits of Elizabeth’s parents, Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn, as well as two smaller portraits of Elizabeth loosely drawn from the Ditchley & Rainbow portraits.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

So excited to be examining the Lyndhurst portrait of #AnneBoleyn next Thurs! Do check out this article from 2020 by my gifted friend Lee Porritt where he posited the theory that the Lyndhurst portrait is the ‘lost’ Howard Young portrait. Compelling stuff: ladyjanegreyrevisited.com/2020/09/20/t...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

In preparation for #Christmas at #HeverCastle, Alison and I have turned #AnneBoleyn’s stunning Books of Hours to the illuminations of the Nativity and the Adoration of the Magi so that you can see how Anne herself viewed Christmas when you visit 🎄

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

How exquisite are these illuminations of Queen #CatherineofAragon & King #HenryVIII? From Catherine’s Book of Hours by Jean Pichore, c.1509, likely commissioned for her wedding by her sisters. @onthetudortrail.bsky.social thank you so much for showing me! guenther-rarebooks.com/artworks/984...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

This little beauty caught my eye, distracting me from writing about Susannah Horenbout & Anne Boleyn for an exhibition catalogue! It is such a beautiful little 16th-century miniature of Queen Mary I, after Anthonis Mor. I’d quite like her in my stocking 🎅🎄

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Just look at the mesmerising patterns in the craquelure on Hever Castle’s C16th panel portrait of #AnneBoleyn. Almost mosaic-like.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

One of the beautiful creations I consulted on in #WolfHall is this gorgeous reproduction of the Book of Hours in which #AnneBoleyn & Henry VIII wrote messages to each other, recreated by the gifted Chris Rosser. It is a small detail, but one which makes my geeky heart sing 💜

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Delighted that this stunning 16th-century panel of #ThomasCromwell - the protagonist of #WolfHall - is now on display at #HeverCastle. You can read more about this stunning portrait, now hanging in #AnneofCleves’ Long Gallery, in this BBC article: www.bbc.com/news/article...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Do check out the full article in today’s Observer by the brilliant Richard Brooks, and make sure to visit Emma’s stunning exhibition, ‘The Reflected Self’, where you can see Susannah’s portrait of Mary for yourself! www.comptonverney.org.uk/whats-on/the...

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

I am so thrilled to have been part of Emma Rutherford’s research team to reidentify this stunning portrait as Princess Mary, the future Queen Mary I. Displayed at Compton Verney, we argue that it was painted by Susannah Horenbout in c.1546 and is a rare example of her work. #Tudor #ArtHistory #MaryI

A newly identified portrait of Princess Mary, later Queen Mary I. Mary is wearing a black court gown with an embroidered, upturned collar. She has a black French hood, and a very distinctive cross set with five diamonds. Mary was gifted this cross in 1546 by her father, King Henry VII.

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Can we take a moment to admire the extraordinary attention to detail in the costuming for #WolfHall from the incredible designer Joanna Eatwell? A flawless interpretation of Jane Seymour’s bonnet and gown from the Whitehall Mural 🙌

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Dr Owen Emmerson @drowenemmerson.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Hey, Bluesky ppl! I'm hopping over from the dark side. I'm a history geek. I work in a lovely Castle and I adore art. I have a thing for #AnneBoleyn. I love writing and do some TV stuff from time to time. I recently had the privilege of doing some consultancy work on #WolfHall. Let’s be friends?

Dr Owen Emmerson holding an 18th century portrait of Queen Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle.

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