RoyalHistoryGeeks

Don't forget to follow @RoyalHistGeeks for debate and discussion around the Royal houses that shaped England, Britain and the UK

@RuxandraTeslo There was a point in the 1450s where she likely could have established a mediation role. There are indications that the Yorkist side reached out to her with that in mind. Instead she chose a partisan approach. But, in the context of the 1450s, who can blame her?

@RoyalHistGeeks in what way did she play her cards badly?

Margaret of Anjou is perhaps the most maligned figure from the Wars of the Roses. Not because she doesn’t deserve criticism. She didn’t play her cards well. But she was dealt an appallingly bad hand to play with.

Everyone agrees that Henry VI was not an effective King. People disagree on why. Academics like John Watts and Christine Carpenter view him as suffering with “chronic passivity” that prevented him from exercising any personal rule. Most agree that his reign was a disaster.

Margaret Beaufort was not the instigator of the events of 1483 - those milestone moments that brought her son to the throne. Her extraordinary achievement was turning existing events to her - and her son’s - advantage.

I write history blogs. I post book reviews. I do live Q&As. I interview other historians. And it's all free. Enter you email address below (no account needed) and you'll get each post sent directly to you. nathenamin.substack.com

@RafHM Thatcher should have been made Countess of Finchley

As a former editor at Burke's Peerage, I offer a possible silver lining to this abominable dark cloud Hereditary peers are an endangered species Now they've lost their legislative role, The King could create new hereditary titles for rare deserving individuals Only 27 Dukes , 34 Marquesses, 191 Earls and 112 Viscounts remain There was a long-standing convention that we can no longer create non-royal dukes given such an individual would need to have the wealth and land to match such status. Arguably that would apply to Marquesses, too - although not necessarily. But creations of Earl and Viscount could continue anew (we have enough barons) - and Marquesses, too. I see no reason why hereditary creations can't return. Belgium, Spain, Liechtenstein and Monaco maintain the constitutional right to create such titles. Indeed, the King of the Belgians and previous King of Spain created many such titles in recent decades. Our King, as fons honorum (fount of honour) retains this constitutional right, too. However granting hereditary titles would need to be extremely rare and reserved for 2 situations: 1. For truly exceptional individuals of outstanding national or international renown. Margaret Thatcher was certainly deserving of such an honour. Sir Tim Berners-Lee is another. Not many others spring to mind - the point is that these should be exceedingly rare. 2. Regranting of titles (including dukedoms) that have recently gone extinct to the closest genealogical heir. And regranting of titles which are about to go extinct. [In this case, a regrant would be an alternative to granting a special remainder to the title with a new letters patent. It would require the holder to surrender his existing title]. To be clear: Given our lamentable political and social climate, I am not optimistic that we shall see such a move by the Palace. In fact, I think it highly unlikely. I merely offer it as a flicker of hope to counter Labour's appalling act of constitutional vandalism. #NeverSayNever

History Articles. Interviews. Live Q&As. Events information. Location posts. Book reviews. All you need to do is enter your email and you get all this for free to your inbox. I try to make history as accessible as possible. Come join the discussion. nathenamin.substack.com

@JasonLoch @AskThePatrick I fear that some of the “New Labour” habits die hard…

@AskThePatrick It feels very American/corporate. I also wonder how they interact with the Government's many other legal advisers.

Today I learned there is a person with the title of "General Counsel to the Prime Minister" at No. 10. I've never encountered this title before--does anyone know if it's a recent invention?

I’ve popped some thoughts about the premiere of A Taste of Loyalty on Substack. It was an incredible evening. I saw great friends, met new friends, and saw the realisation of so many people’s hard work and passion. open.substack.com/pub/medievalma…

🥳OUT TODAY: 'Henry VII: Treason and Trust' by Sean Cunningham. I have not the words to do this book justice, either the physical product or the contents within. When it comes to Henry VII, Sean sets the standard that we all try to follow. The Sensei! You NEED this book.

My review of the 'A Taste of Loyalty' film premiere, which looks to bring a different interpretation of Richard III to the big screen. The vision is ambitious, the passion infectious, and the potential enormous. A BOAR-ILLIANT success 🐗 nathenamin.substack.com/p/a-taste-of-l…

@NathenAmin Yeah I was surprised by the “no precedent” comment. Some commentators act like the Royal family began in 1917…

Wait until this guy learns about the Plantagenets...

Yesterday, I posted the text of a Royal Letter summoning a peer to a Coronation, but the Monarch could also dispense with a peer's attendance. For more information, check out the CBAI record: cbaionline.org/corpus/items/s…

#heatedrivarly is loosely based on Richard the Lionheart and Philip II of Spain…

We are old

The removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s titles has raised questions around how British titles work. I caught up with constitutional expert @JasonLoch to discuss the history and vagaries of Royal titles 👇 youtu.be/gqpklSxmveY?si…

How Henry VII united England…

Looking for a Christmas gift idea for the history lover in your life, or even for yourself? Well, Nicola Tallis and I have you covered. Let us tell you how 🎄 Full details at NathenAmin.com