Carol Ann Lloyd
@shakeuphistory.bsky.social
speaker, author, timeless leadership, history obsessed, Shakespeare lover
www.carolannlloyd.com
www.carolannlloyd.com
While writing about Anne Boleyn and courtly love, I referred to Natalie's book and her discussion with Emma Leavitt about “jousting jealousy”.
Did Henry VIII’s jousting accident have more to do with Anne Boleyn’s death than we realize?
I’d love to hear what you think!
Did Henry VIII’s jousting accident have more to do with Anne Boleyn’s death than we realize?
I’d love to hear what you think!
February 13, 2026 at 9:57 PM
While writing about Anne Boleyn and courtly love, I referred to Natalie's book and her discussion with Emma Leavitt about “jousting jealousy”.
Did Henry VIII’s jousting accident have more to do with Anne Boleyn’s death than we realize?
I’d love to hear what you think!
Did Henry VIII’s jousting accident have more to do with Anne Boleyn’s death than we realize?
I’d love to hear what you think!
This week I look at how Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick used the public aspects of marriage and motherhood to influence politics, religion, and the future.
Join me for episode 239, “Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick: Wives and Mothers of Power”
Join me for episode 239, “Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick: Wives and Mothers of Power”
February 11, 2026 at 5:39 PM
This week I look at how Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick used the public aspects of marriage and motherhood to influence politics, religion, and the future.
Join me for episode 239, “Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick: Wives and Mothers of Power”
Join me for episode 239, “Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick: Wives and Mothers of Power”
The wealthiest woman in Elizabethan England was, of course, Queen Elizabeth I.
Who was the second wealthiest and second most powerful woman? Bess of Hardwick.
In a time where men usually called the shots, Bess chose wealthy and powerful husbands and married her way to the top.
Who was the second wealthiest and second most powerful woman? Bess of Hardwick.
In a time where men usually called the shots, Bess chose wealthy and powerful husbands and married her way to the top.
February 10, 2026 at 9:16 PM
The wealthiest woman in Elizabethan England was, of course, Queen Elizabeth I.
Who was the second wealthiest and second most powerful woman? Bess of Hardwick.
In a time where men usually called the shots, Bess chose wealthy and powerful husbands and married her way to the top.
Who was the second wealthiest and second most powerful woman? Bess of Hardwick.
In a time where men usually called the shots, Bess chose wealthy and powerful husbands and married her way to the top.
Have you seen The Serpent Queen (2022-2024)? In it, Catherine de Medici is portrayed as being manipulative, sneaky, ruthless, and obsessed with power.
In reality, she was an ambitious woman who worked hard and made decisions that would protect her family and her sons’ dynasty.
In reality, she was an ambitious woman who worked hard and made decisions that would protect her family and her sons’ dynasty.
February 10, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Have you seen The Serpent Queen (2022-2024)? In it, Catherine de Medici is portrayed as being manipulative, sneaky, ruthless, and obsessed with power.
In reality, she was an ambitious woman who worked hard and made decisions that would protect her family and her sons’ dynasty.
In reality, she was an ambitious woman who worked hard and made decisions that would protect her family and her sons’ dynasty.
On my nightstand:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower (such a treat!)
The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn by Helene Harrison (re-reading in light of new research about Rose Portrait!)
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (so important!)
What are you reading?
The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower (such a treat!)
The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn by Helene Harrison (re-reading in light of new research about Rose Portrait!)
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (so important!)
What are you reading?
February 6, 2026 at 4:20 PM
On my nightstand:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower (such a treat!)
The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn by Helene Harrison (re-reading in light of new research about Rose Portrait!)
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (so important!)
What are you reading?
The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion by Beth Brower (such a treat!)
The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn by Helene Harrison (re-reading in light of new research about Rose Portrait!)
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates (so important!)
What are you reading?
Have you listened to the story of Joanna Plantagenet, Queen of Sicily?
Catherine Hanley shares her book, Lionessheart, on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Check out Heart of a Lioness with Catherine Hanley, episode 238.
Catherine Hanley shares her book, Lionessheart, on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Check out Heart of a Lioness with Catherine Hanley, episode 238.
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Have you listened to the story of Joanna Plantagenet, Queen of Sicily?
Catherine Hanley shares her book, Lionessheart, on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Check out Heart of a Lioness with Catherine Hanley, episode 238.
Catherine Hanley shares her book, Lionessheart, on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Check out Heart of a Lioness with Catherine Hanley, episode 238.
Henry II: Yes, an important king, but what about the women around him?! As always, they get less credit than they deserve.
February 2, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Henry II: Yes, an important king, but what about the women around him?! As always, they get less credit than they deserve.
I believe true leadership is based on timeless principles: knowing what your team needs from you, choosing personal leadership, and speaking your truth—even when it’s hard. I’m thrilled to share these ideas with my latest TEDx talk! I would love to hear what you think.
bit.ly/CAatTEDx
bit.ly/CAatTEDx
January 31, 2026 at 5:50 PM
I believe true leadership is based on timeless principles: knowing what your team needs from you, choosing personal leadership, and speaking your truth—even when it’s hard. I’m thrilled to share these ideas with my latest TEDx talk! I would love to hear what you think.
bit.ly/CAatTEDx
bit.ly/CAatTEDx
Friday Fun! Coming soon from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social !
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Friday Fun! Coming soon from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social !
Join Royals, Rebels, and Romantics to learn about Joanna Plantagenet.
Author Catherine Hanley discusses her book, Lionessheart.
Joanna was a Plantagenet princess who eventually gave up royal life and made the scandalous decision to become a nun (though married and pregnant).
Author Catherine Hanley discusses her book, Lionessheart.
Joanna was a Plantagenet princess who eventually gave up royal life and made the scandalous decision to become a nun (though married and pregnant).
January 28, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Join Royals, Rebels, and Romantics to learn about Joanna Plantagenet.
Author Catherine Hanley discusses her book, Lionessheart.
Joanna was a Plantagenet princess who eventually gave up royal life and made the scandalous decision to become a nun (though married and pregnant).
Author Catherine Hanley discusses her book, Lionessheart.
Joanna was a Plantagenet princess who eventually gave up royal life and made the scandalous decision to become a nun (though married and pregnant).
Join me for programs about powerful women who shaped the world. Catherine de Medici online 19 Feb with @SmithsonianAssociates bit.ly/CdeMedici and Elizabeth I & Bess of Hardwick in person at @AgecroftHall on
Jan 20 bit.ly/marrynotmarry . #womenrule!
Jan 20 bit.ly/marrynotmarry . #womenrule!
January 26, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Join me for programs about powerful women who shaped the world. Catherine de Medici online 19 Feb with @SmithsonianAssociates bit.ly/CdeMedici and Elizabeth I & Bess of Hardwick in person at @AgecroftHall on
Jan 20 bit.ly/marrynotmarry . #womenrule!
Jan 20 bit.ly/marrynotmarry . #womenrule!
Coming next week on #RoyalsRebelsRomantics! @CatherineHanley joins me to discuss the extraordinary life of Joanna Plantagenet! Mark your calendars!
January 23, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Coming next week on #RoyalsRebelsRomantics! @CatherineHanley joins me to discuss the extraordinary life of Joanna Plantagenet! Mark your calendars!
Last week on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics I talked about a fascinating year: 1399.
Richard II was King, and Henry Bolingbroke was a noble whose lands the King had seized illegally.
Where was loyalty: to the King or to the law of the land?
Richard II was King, and Henry Bolingbroke was a noble whose lands the King had seized illegally.
Where was loyalty: to the King or to the law of the land?
January 21, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Last week on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics I talked about a fascinating year: 1399.
Richard II was King, and Henry Bolingbroke was a noble whose lands the King had seized illegally.
Where was loyalty: to the King or to the law of the land?
Richard II was King, and Henry Bolingbroke was a noble whose lands the King had seized illegally.
Where was loyalty: to the King or to the law of the land?
Next month, join me for an online talk about Catherine de Medici!
Meet one of the most powerful women in France with Smithsonian Associates bit.ly/CdeMedici
Did you know she was almost mother-in-law to Elizabeth I?
Meet one of the most powerful women in France with Smithsonian Associates bit.ly/CdeMedici
Did you know she was almost mother-in-law to Elizabeth I?
January 20, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Next month, join me for an online talk about Catherine de Medici!
Meet one of the most powerful women in France with Smithsonian Associates bit.ly/CdeMedici
Did you know she was almost mother-in-law to Elizabeth I?
Meet one of the most powerful women in France with Smithsonian Associates bit.ly/CdeMedici
Did you know she was almost mother-in-law to Elizabeth I?
Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England 15 January 1559.
Elizabeth I was the second crowned Regnant Queen of England—the first was her half-sister, Mary I.
These two daughters of Henry VIII were never supposed to come to the throne of England, but both did!
Elizabeth I was the second crowned Regnant Queen of England—the first was her half-sister, Mary I.
These two daughters of Henry VIII were never supposed to come to the throne of England, but both did!
January 15, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England 15 January 1559.
Elizabeth I was the second crowned Regnant Queen of England—the first was her half-sister, Mary I.
These two daughters of Henry VIII were never supposed to come to the throne of England, but both did!
Elizabeth I was the second crowned Regnant Queen of England—the first was her half-sister, Mary I.
These two daughters of Henry VIII were never supposed to come to the throne of England, but both did!
It’s a new year for Royals, Rebels, and Romantics!
I’m sharing my thoughts about how Shakespeare and history matter right now.
Also, a few hints about what’s ahead for all the Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Join me to enjoy some fun facts about famous January events.
I’m sharing my thoughts about how Shakespeare and history matter right now.
Also, a few hints about what’s ahead for all the Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Join me to enjoy some fun facts about famous January events.
January 14, 2026 at 5:41 PM
It’s a new year for Royals, Rebels, and Romantics!
I’m sharing my thoughts about how Shakespeare and history matter right now.
Also, a few hints about what’s ahead for all the Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Join me to enjoy some fun facts about famous January events.
I’m sharing my thoughts about how Shakespeare and history matter right now.
Also, a few hints about what’s ahead for all the Royals, Rebels, and Romantics.
Join me to enjoy some fun facts about famous January events.
Elizabeth I experienced two stays in the Tower of London.
The first was March through May of 1554, when she was suspected of treason against her half-sister Mary I.
The second was in January 1559, when she spent a couple of nights at the Tower before her coronation.
The first was March through May of 1554, when she was suspected of treason against her half-sister Mary I.
The second was in January 1559, when she spent a couple of nights at the Tower before her coronation.
January 13, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Elizabeth I experienced two stays in the Tower of London.
The first was March through May of 1554, when she was suspected of treason against her half-sister Mary I.
The second was in January 1559, when she spent a couple of nights at the Tower before her coronation.
The first was March through May of 1554, when she was suspected of treason against her half-sister Mary I.
The second was in January 1559, when she spent a couple of nights at the Tower before her coronation.
Another Medieval holiday was the Feast of the Ass (yes, really).
It was used to celebrate the appearance of donkeys in Bible stories.
Its special focus was to celebrate the “Flight into Egypt,” when Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to Egypt to avoid Herod.
It was used to celebrate the appearance of donkeys in Bible stories.
Its special focus was to celebrate the “Flight into Egypt,” when Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to Egypt to avoid Herod.
January 12, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Another Medieval holiday was the Feast of the Ass (yes, really).
It was used to celebrate the appearance of donkeys in Bible stories.
Its special focus was to celebrate the “Flight into Egypt,” when Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to Egypt to avoid Herod.
It was used to celebrate the appearance of donkeys in Bible stories.
Its special focus was to celebrate the “Flight into Egypt,” when Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to Egypt to avoid Herod.
The first lottery in England was held in January 1569, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The government needed money to build ships and harbors to support England’s growing power.
Rather than raising taxes, Elizabeth decided to try a lottery instead.
The top prize was £5,000.
The government needed money to build ships and harbors to support England’s growing power.
Rather than raising taxes, Elizabeth decided to try a lottery instead.
The top prize was £5,000.
January 9, 2026 at 7:33 PM
The first lottery in England was held in January 1569, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The government needed money to build ships and harbors to support England’s growing power.
Rather than raising taxes, Elizabeth decided to try a lottery instead.
The top prize was £5,000.
The government needed money to build ships and harbors to support England’s growing power.
Rather than raising taxes, Elizabeth decided to try a lottery instead.
The top prize was £5,000.
This month, I was honored to be featured in Sharron Bennett Connolly’s Wordly Women!
I had a chance to share some behind the scenes of what inspired me to write The Tudors by Numbers.
Check out Wordly Women!
bit.ly/CALWordlyWomen
I had a chance to share some behind the scenes of what inspired me to write The Tudors by Numbers.
Check out Wordly Women!
bit.ly/CALWordlyWomen
January 8, 2026 at 9:07 PM
This month, I was honored to be featured in Sharron Bennett Connolly’s Wordly Women!
I had a chance to share some behind the scenes of what inspired me to write The Tudors by Numbers.
Check out Wordly Women!
bit.ly/CALWordlyWomen
I had a chance to share some behind the scenes of what inspired me to write The Tudors by Numbers.
Check out Wordly Women!
bit.ly/CALWordlyWomen
Twelfth Night may be over, but you can still find ways of celebrating.
Our friend Rosemary Griggs celebrates Tudor women and their history through the year.
If you haven’t already listened to or watched Rosemary’s podcast, treat yourself!
Our friend Rosemary Griggs celebrates Tudor women and their history through the year.
If you haven’t already listened to or watched Rosemary’s podcast, treat yourself!
January 7, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Twelfth Night may be over, but you can still find ways of celebrating.
Our friend Rosemary Griggs celebrates Tudor women and their history through the year.
If you haven’t already listened to or watched Rosemary’s podcast, treat yourself!
Our friend Rosemary Griggs celebrates Tudor women and their history through the year.
If you haven’t already listened to or watched Rosemary’s podcast, treat yourself!
Happy Tudor Tuesday
OTD in 1540, Henry VIII married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves
She had not recognized the King when she first met him because he was dressed as a messenger
Her wedding ring was inscribed “God send me and keep me well,” which was her motto
OTD in 1540, Henry VIII married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves
She had not recognized the King when she first met him because he was dressed as a messenger
Her wedding ring was inscribed “God send me and keep me well,” which was her motto
January 6, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Happy Tudor Tuesday
OTD in 1540, Henry VIII married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves
She had not recognized the King when she first met him because he was dressed as a messenger
Her wedding ring was inscribed “God send me and keep me well,” which was her motto
OTD in 1540, Henry VIII married his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves
She had not recognized the King when she first met him because he was dressed as a messenger
Her wedding ring was inscribed “God send me and keep me well,” which was her motto
Happy 12th Night!
This was the Feast of the Epiphany, which marked the end of the Christmas season.
All decorations must be taken down to avoid back luck.
Twelfth Night would be marked with feasting and wassailing, so watch for carol singers!
This was the Feast of the Epiphany, which marked the end of the Christmas season.
All decorations must be taken down to avoid back luck.
Twelfth Night would be marked with feasting and wassailing, so watch for carol singers!
January 5, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Happy 12th Night!
This was the Feast of the Epiphany, which marked the end of the Christmas season.
All decorations must be taken down to avoid back luck.
Twelfth Night would be marked with feasting and wassailing, so watch for carol singers!
This was the Feast of the Epiphany, which marked the end of the Christmas season.
All decorations must be taken down to avoid back luck.
Twelfth Night would be marked with feasting and wassailing, so watch for carol singers!
In Medieval times, gifts were given on New Year’s day.
Presenting gifts to the monarch was a huge ceremony.
Gift rolls, like this one of Elizabeth I, recorded who gave the Queen gifts and what she gave in return.
Elizabeth “regifted” what she received the same day!
Presenting gifts to the monarch was a huge ceremony.
Gift rolls, like this one of Elizabeth I, recorded who gave the Queen gifts and what she gave in return.
Elizabeth “regifted” what she received the same day!
January 1, 2026 at 6:44 PM
In Medieval times, gifts were given on New Year’s day.
Presenting gifts to the monarch was a huge ceremony.
Gift rolls, like this one of Elizabeth I, recorded who gave the Queen gifts and what she gave in return.
Elizabeth “regifted” what she received the same day!
Presenting gifts to the monarch was a huge ceremony.
Gift rolls, like this one of Elizabeth I, recorded who gave the Queen gifts and what she gave in return.
Elizabeth “regifted” what she received the same day!
Historian, author, and storyteller extraordinaire, Rosemary Griggs, joins us this week on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics!
She joins us to talk about Tudor holidays and her books, especially tales of women in Tudor times.
She joins us to talk about Tudor holidays and her books, especially tales of women in Tudor times.
December 31, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Historian, author, and storyteller extraordinaire, Rosemary Griggs, joins us this week on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics!
She joins us to talk about Tudor holidays and her books, especially tales of women in Tudor times.
She joins us to talk about Tudor holidays and her books, especially tales of women in Tudor times.