From teacher to Tudor expert: the Aussie in love with Anne Boleyn [inside my journal]

Natalie Grueninger turned her interest in the Tudor period into a full-time job. This is how the Australian became an expert and author on this fascinating period of history, how she uses her journals for research, and how the Tudors were using journals themselves… 

Today we are speaking from two countries that often get confused: Austria and Australia. Where in The Land Down Under are you from?

I’m a born and bred Sydney-sider. My parents are from Uruguay and I've got some European ancestry, but I have lived here all my life and I love it. I do quite a bit of travel and go regularly to England for research and just for holidays. My husband works for an airline so we're lucky that we can fly for a little bit cheaper than most people. 

How does an Australian with South American heritage become an expert in Tudor history?

When I was about 19, my sister lent me a book called The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell. She was the queen of England as the second wife of Henry the VIII. This book sparked my interest in this incredible woman and I have gone on to study her life for the last 20 years. 

Shortly after I read the book, I was getting ready for a trip around Europe and had a few days in London beforehand. We went to The Tower of London and I fell head over heels in love with the incredible architecture. I still remember thinking, my goodness, it's 1000 years old! 

This is something we just don’t have in Australia. Although our land is ancient, we don't have that sort of architectural heritage. I was absolutely captivated, and my interest in Boleyn and the Tudor period snowballed from there.

How did your hobby grow into a profession?

For a long time, I read every book about the Tudor period I could get my hands on. The turning point was in 2009 when I created a website called On The Tudor Trail, which explores Tudor history through the houses, palaces and other places they lived.

That website evolved into interviewing authors and historians and through that I met someone that's now a dear friend, and we decided to write a book together because we both shared this passion. 

Our first book – In The Footsteps of Anne Boleyn – was born and things grew from there; I have written four full-length books now. Then in 2018 because I love talking about the Tudors, I thought, why not try a podcast, and Talking Tudors was born. It's been a long journey, always evolving and developing but the crux has always been a passion for making the Tudors accessible. 

The Tudor period has capitated audiences with many books, TV series and films depicting this time. What makes it so fascinating?

The Tudor period is the first time that we have a rich visual record. Prior to then, the images created were not necessarily good likenesses of the kings and queens. But in the Tudor period there is an explosion of portraiture; it's the first time we see what people looked like. 

Next, the Tudor period was full of drama; a very brutal period with lots of battles and executions, but also a beautiful period in terms of the fashion, the jewels and the majesty of it.

Then there's all the political stuff: the Reformation, the break with Rome, one king having six wives and then ending up with a virgin queen. It’s a very captivating story which is sometimes hard to believe, but it did happen!

I also think the period remains relatable to us now. It’s far enough back for it to be fascinating, but not so far back as say, Ancient Egypt, which is just so different we can't relate. 

Just like people today, the Tudors were complex and messy characters. It was also a remarkable period for women because it’s the first time we start seeing women’s lives being recorded which means we can study them now. I think that also draws a lot of people to the period.

How you use your journals for your Tudor research and your personal life?

My paper republic planner is very important for me, because I operate on several different time zones. So I use it to stay organised. And I am a paper and pen person. I do a lot of online courses and events as well, so I use the planner for all of that, plus my personal life as well. 

Then I have my commonplace book. This is my ‘on the go’ journal, the one that I keep with me and add things to constantly. I also have one where I'm recording any quotes, anecdotes, and little bits and bobs I think are interesting. I have another journal where I record my research and I also have a travel journal. I am a creative person and love having a writing space just to brainstorm. Plus I'm a list person too. So yes, I use journals at lot!

What is it about paper public journals that appeals to you?

I like that my journals might be something I can pass on. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but I like that idea. Obviously, the notebooks get filled and replaced, but the thought that the leather cover might live on is appealing.

I think that's because I am a history lover, and I love anything connected to stories. The idea that my journal becomes an artifact itself, as I carry it through life; the idea that it's something permanent.

Secondly, paper republic journals are very beautiful to hold. They just make me happy looking at them.

How has researching the lives of the Tudors, changed yours?

What began as a hobby interest has become a full-time job. This is now the third year that I've been doing this full time. Previously I was a primary school teacher, and I was doing the Tudors on the side. I always dreamed it would become my full-time work but I did it because I loved it; I feel compelled to do it, I wither without it. 

I know that because I tried to give it up once. In 2009 when my children were very young, I had so much on my plate I thought: I'm done. I'm not doing Tudor history anymore. But it was terrible. It was like a heartbreak! Now I know that this is what makes me happy, so this is what I do. 

What are the challenges of trying to decipher the lives of people who lived 500 years ago?

The lack of sources – especially about women – is the greatest challenge. And when we do have source material, it’s almost always written by men. The Tudor period was a deeply patriarchal society, designed by men to subjugate women. 

I study royal women. Trying to study ‘everyday women’ is very difficult because most of them left no mark. Anne Boleyn was Queen, but even with her there is a scarcity of sources; periods of her life where we have no direct evidence of her existence. And this is someone from a very wealthy family who went on to become royalty.

As a historian looking at accounts, I have to question who's written them and what their agenda was. This was a period rife with misogyny. Women were considered inferior in every sense: physically, mentally, emotionally, morally.

So whenever a man is doing something that perhaps they shouldn't, the first thing people do is blame a woman close to him. That was just how it worked. So that is very challenging when you're trying to get at the truth.

It’s important to make sure you're corroborating, using lots of different sources, and looking at different perspectives. Sometimes, people say: “What's the point of researching Anne Boleyn, she lived 500 years ago. Who cares?” 

But I think it’s crucial because the way we speak about women from the past affects the way we talk about women today. 

Finally, did the Tudors use journals? 

During the 16th century we see a real growth in literacy. Letter writing was becoming a popular way of communicating but paper was very expensive. So during the Tudor period, writing was predominantly for wealthy people.

My commonplace book that I mentioned is actually a 16th century invention. They contained notes on things like recipes, medical concoctions, little quotes and bits of writing. 

Something else that was becoming common was writing in printed books or manuscripts; little anecdotes or short notes. There's a prayer book that survived where King Henry writes a little message under one image and Anne responds, and vice versa. It’s a religious text, but they're using it as a system for communication. 

So, perhaps the Tudors didn’t call them journals, but certainly they were using ink and paper materials back then to record information and share thoughts.

Natalie Grueninger is a Tudor history specialist, author, speaker & podcaster. Learn more about her fascinating work at: NatalieGrueninger.com or at her Patreon.