Corina Apostu
@elizabethanhistory.bsky.social
Exploring Elizabethan History - exactly what it says on the tin! Specific focus on Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. Run by MA University of Kent alumna. All views my own.
See where else you can find me here:
exploringelizabethanhistory.link
See where else you can find me here:
exploringelizabethanhistory.link
Pinned
Time for yet another reintroduction I guess! My name’s Corina Apostu, I’m a Medieval and Early Modern MA alumna from University of Kent and I run the website Exploring Elizabethan History where I post independent research, opinion pieces and even my own works of historical fiction.
It’s been a while!! Work has reached fever pitch right now so I’m still just trying to keep my head above water, but I’ve really missed engaging with history, so here’s a new Bitesized Source.
October 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
It’s been a while!! Work has reached fever pitch right now so I’m still just trying to keep my head above water, but I’ve really missed engaging with history, so here’s a new Bitesized Source.
Part of the reason I made a last-minute decision to visit Kenilworth Castle last week was because I saw that a new art installation had been installed in the Great Hall as part of the events to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth I’s visit to the castle in 1575.
July 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Part of the reason I made a last-minute decision to visit Kenilworth Castle last week was because I saw that a new art installation had been installed in the Great Hall as part of the events to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth I’s visit to the castle in 1575.
Yesterday, I finally got to catch the annual Medieval Pageant Parade in Canterbury! It was delightful fun, but this moment in particular was actually pretty awe-inspiring 🤩
One can only wonder just how much drumming this Cathedral has seen in this existence.
One can only wonder just how much drumming this Cathedral has seen in this existence.
July 6, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Yesterday, I finally got to catch the annual Medieval Pageant Parade in Canterbury! It was delightful fun, but this moment in particular was actually pretty awe-inspiring 🤩
One can only wonder just how much drumming this Cathedral has seen in this existence.
One can only wonder just how much drumming this Cathedral has seen in this existence.
A while ago, I shared my personal rankings of portrayals of Elizabeth I on screen - at last, here is Robert’s version! The one I’ve put as my least favourite may be an unpopular opinion 🫣 Check it out on my blog and let me know what you think!
July 4, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A while ago, I shared my personal rankings of portrayals of Elizabeth I on screen - at last, here is Robert’s version! The one I’ve put as my least favourite may be an unpopular opinion 🫣 Check it out on my blog and let me know what you think!
Back again with another guest episode on a podcast! This time I was invited on a relatively new podcast called Historically Confused, hosted by the fantastic Chris Simpson.
June 17, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Back again with another guest episode on a podcast! This time I was invited on a relatively new podcast called Historically Confused, hosted by the fantastic Chris Simpson.
Check out today’s bitesized source on my blog where I posit whether it might have been possible for Robert and Elizabeth to communicate in the rare instance their time at court during Mary’s reign might have overlapped.
June 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Check out today’s bitesized source on my blog where I posit whether it might have been possible for Robert and Elizabeth to communicate in the rare instance their time at court during Mary’s reign might have overlapped.
By the reign of Edward VI, the last time England had experienced a public and lavish royal wedding was that of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon at Old St Paul’s Cathedral in November 1501.
May 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
By the reign of Edward VI, the last time England had experienced a public and lavish royal wedding was that of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon at Old St Paul’s Cathedral in November 1501.
For my first bite-sized source, I wanted to share this excerpt from John Foxe’s “Acts and Monuments” which details the kindness shown to Elizabeth by John Williams when she was en route from the Tower to Woodstock to be out under house arrest.
May 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM
For my first bite-sized source, I wanted to share this excerpt from John Foxe’s “Acts and Monuments” which details the kindness shown to Elizabeth by John Williams when she was en route from the Tower to Woodstock to be out under house arrest.
Trying something new! Been feeling a bit disconnected from the history world because so much of my time is eaten up by work and editing my book. So I’ve decided I’m going to start sharing short source excerpts with a little blurb contsining my thoughts on it. Bite-sized Sources! 😄
May 17, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Trying something new! Been feeling a bit disconnected from the history world because so much of my time is eaten up by work and editing my book. So I’ve decided I’m going to start sharing short source excerpts with a little blurb contsining my thoughts on it. Bite-sized Sources! 😄
I posted about this on my instagram, but I got myself a physical copy of BBC’s The Virgin Queen because it seems to have been removed from all streaming services, and I am so stinkin happy right now - long live physical media!
April 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I posted about this on my instagram, but I got myself a physical copy of BBC’s The Virgin Queen because it seems to have been removed from all streaming services, and I am so stinkin happy right now - long live physical media!
Have you ever heard people claim that Elizabeth I was a “man’s woman? That she never had positive relationships with other women and was constantly jealous of them? That she flew into a rage whenever any of them dared to get married?
March 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Have you ever heard people claim that Elizabeth I was a “man’s woman? That she never had positive relationships with other women and was constantly jealous of them? That she flew into a rage whenever any of them dared to get married?
To celebrate my birthday today, I’ve decided to share a little sneak peek into my upcoming book, White Bear Red Rose, including some character art done by the incomparable @hmn.andreea and some cheeky dialogue that inspired it.
March 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
To celebrate my birthday today, I’ve decided to share a little sneak peek into my upcoming book, White Bear Red Rose, including some character art done by the incomparable @hmn.andreea and some cheeky dialogue that inspired it.
I’m really sorry to be sharing this news, but I promise it’s for the best! After speaking to my editor in January, it’s become clear to me that my novel needs a lot more work before it’s ready to be published. The good news is, I’m now armed with a solid outline so I’m feeling more confident!
March 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I’m really sorry to be sharing this news, but I promise it’s for the best! After speaking to my editor in January, it’s become clear to me that my novel needs a lot more work before it’s ready to be published. The good news is, I’m now armed with a solid outline so I’m feeling more confident!
Reposted by Corina Apostu
New episode alert! It was wonderful to speak with @elizabethanhistory.bsky.social about the special bond between Elizabeth I & Robert Dudley. Among other things, we chatted about how their relationship evolved and changed over time. Tune in!
talkingtudors.podbean.com
talkingtudors.podbean.com
February 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
New episode alert! It was wonderful to speak with @elizabethanhistory.bsky.social about the special bond between Elizabeth I & Robert Dudley. Among other things, we chatted about how their relationship evolved and changed over time. Tune in!
talkingtudors.podbean.com
talkingtudors.podbean.com
And here is podcast number two! I was invited back onto Talking Tudors by the wonderful @onthetudortrail.bsky.social, a privilege I was honoured to have. This time round, we’re discussing Robert and Elizabeth post-1560, focusing on their later years. An era that I think deserves more attention.
February 13, 2025 at 11:21 AM
And here is podcast number two! I was invited back onto Talking Tudors by the wonderful @onthetudortrail.bsky.social, a privilege I was honoured to have. This time round, we’re discussing Robert and Elizabeth post-1560, focusing on their later years. An era that I think deserves more attention.
For those who are keen on podcasts, have I got a treat for you – I’ve recorded for two different ones over the past two weeks! The first was on The Tudor HerSTORY with the lovely Jessica Faulkner, where I got to chat about one of my favourite topics ever: Kenilworth 1575
February 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
For those who are keen on podcasts, have I got a treat for you – I’ve recorded for two different ones over the past two weeks! The first was on The Tudor HerSTORY with the lovely Jessica Faulkner, where I got to chat about one of my favourite topics ever: Kenilworth 1575
I've got exciting news: I now have Settled Status in the UK! 🇬🇧 Twelve more months and I can get citizenship! Check out my website if you’d like to read my reflections on this milestone but otherwise, thank you so much to all who helped me make this place home ❤️
January 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I've got exciting news: I now have Settled Status in the UK! 🇬🇧 Twelve more months and I can get citizenship! Check out my website if you’d like to read my reflections on this milestone but otherwise, thank you so much to all who helped me make this place home ❤️
Got some new followers from Threads, I presume - hello! This really feels like we’re all scrambling to a new safe house after the zombies broke through the last one 😭
January 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Got some new followers from Threads, I presume - hello! This really feels like we’re all scrambling to a new safe house after the zombies broke through the last one 😭
Bit late to the party with this one, but I hope 2025 has been treating everybody kindly so far! I’ve just made a new post on by blog all about my aims and goals for this year as well as an update on my book, White Bear Red Rose. Bit of a milestone has been passed!
January 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Bit late to the party with this one, but I hope 2025 has been treating everybody kindly so far! I’ve just made a new post on by blog all about my aims and goals for this year as well as an update on my book, White Bear Red Rose. Bit of a milestone has been passed!
Does anyone have any tips for what they do to overcome writer’s block? Specifically when you’re in that “I can’t write it if it won’t be perfect the first time” paradox? 😭
December 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM
Does anyone have any tips for what they do to overcome writer’s block? Specifically when you’re in that “I can’t write it if it won’t be perfect the first time” paradox? 😭
Still neck deep in edits for my book at the moment so todays blog post is a bit more on the frivolous side - ranking my favourite (and least favourite) portrayals of Elizabeth I on screen!
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2024/12/06/1...
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2024/12/06/1...
10 Portrayals of Elizabeth I – Ranked
I am still neck deep in edits for my book, and likely will be for a good few months, so at the moment I’m afraid I have very little mental bandwidth to be doing meticulous research for future…
exploringelizabethanhistory.com
December 6, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Still neck deep in edits for my book at the moment so todays blog post is a bit more on the frivolous side - ranking my favourite (and least favourite) portrayals of Elizabeth I on screen!
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2024/12/06/1...
exploringelizabethanhistory.com/2024/12/06/1...
I don’t have a dog in this particular fight as I don’t study the 15th century, but all I’ll say is that if we one day conclusively prove that Richard III was behind the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower…I can’t say I’ll be terribly shocked.
December 2, 2024 at 7:10 PM
I don’t have a dog in this particular fight as I don’t study the 15th century, but all I’ll say is that if we one day conclusively prove that Richard III was behind the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower…I can’t say I’ll be terribly shocked.
Is there literally anything more joy-inducing than getting a message from someone saying they love your history articles and that they were inspired to read more history because of you 🥹 This is what it’s all about, I can’t stop smiling!
December 2, 2024 at 12:16 PM
Is there literally anything more joy-inducing than getting a message from someone saying they love your history articles and that they were inspired to read more history because of you 🥹 This is what it’s all about, I can’t stop smiling!
Does anyone have a go-to writing album? Mine is Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” even though it does NOT match the vibe of what I write at all lol. Maybe I Pavlov’d myself, but whenever I hear her music I get into the writing mood now.
November 30, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Does anyone have a go-to writing album? Mine is Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” even though it does NOT match the vibe of what I write at all lol. Maybe I Pavlov’d myself, but whenever I hear her music I get into the writing mood now.
Historical musing of the day: neither the Earl of Essex nor the Earl of Leicester deserved the historical legacies and reputations they received, but for opposite reasons.
November 28, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Historical musing of the day: neither the Earl of Essex nor the Earl of Leicester deserved the historical legacies and reputations they received, but for opposite reasons.