“The Tudors” – Is it Really So Bad?
Posted By Claire on August 27, 2009
It’s interesting the reaction you get from people when you mention the hit TV series “The Tudors”. In fact, in my experience there are three main reactions:-
- A lighting up of the eyes and excitement – These are the people who rave about how wonderful Jonathan Rhys Meyers is, what a great Anne Boleyn Natalie Dormer was, how sexy Henry Cavill is… etc. etc. and how wonderful the program is at portraying the Tudor period warts and all.
- Shock and horror – People who believe that “The Tudors” is pretty much a swear word – David Starkey publicly lambasted the series for its “ignorance of facts” and said: “I’ve got no problem with getting history wrong for a purpose – Shakespeare often got things wrong for a reason. But it’s the randomised, arrogance of ignorance of The Tudors. Shame on the BBC for producing it.”
He’s not the only one who feels this way. In many circles, if you mention that you watch “The Tudors” then that’s pretty much saying that you are not serious about history and you may even get thrown off forums and discussion boards – a bit like mentioning “Philippa Gregory” – oops, I mentioned her!! - A balanced appreciation – There are those (like me!) who love “The Tudors” for what it is – entertainment! I love its richness and vibrancy, the way it brings the characters to life, the way it portrays life at the Tudor Court and the way it makes it so real. Yes, it is littered with inaccuracies, but as Anne Boleyn Files visitor Gemma pointed out, it also has many accuracies. Gemma pointed out about the episode where Henry falls in the river and gets his head stuck in the mud – an event that really happened but that not many people knew about previously.
The reason I’m blogging about “The Tudors” today is partly because many people commented on how I mentioned it in yesterday’s post, but also because Tudor historian Dr Tracy Borman has written an article for “The Radio Times” (copied in the BBC History Magazine) defending the series. Wow, an historian saying she likes it!!
In her article, “The Truth Behind “The Tudors”", Borman writes:
“Having been determined to loathe the hugely popular BBC series, with its unfeasibly beautiful actors, dodgy costumes and improbable storylines, I found myself becoming strangely addicted…I grew to appreciate The Tudors for its merits as an historical drama. Yes, the scriptwriters may have taken liberties with the facts, but they have also succeeded in recreating the drama and atmosphere of Henry VIII’s court, with its intrigues, scandals and betrayals. And if Jonathan Rhys-Meyers bears little resemblance to the red-headed, bloated image of Henry that we know so well from contemporary portraits, then he does at least evoke the dangerously seductive charisma and magisterial arrogance that kept a court in thrall for almost forty years.”
Borman also makes the point that I have often made about how the series has had a positive effect in that it is stimulating people’s interest in the Tudor period. She writes of how Hampton Court Palace has seen a surge in visitor numbers and how the show even has its own wiki site. People are crying out for information on the era and the characters and, as owner of a Tudor history website, I can testify to this! I even have a friend who rings me after she’s watched “The Tudors” (she calls me her Historical Oracle!) to ask if events really did happen.
Borman goes on to say:
“In my view, this is all to the good. Television dramas, films and novels offer a way in to history and can inspire an abiding passion for the subject. Provided that they encourage people to find out what ‘really’ happened, rather than being treated as reliable historical sources in their own right, then they can and should be respected as a force to be reckoned with in the world of history.”
I wholeheartedly agree with her. I’m sure that if we looked at the sales figures for Tudor history books and the number of Google searches done on “Tudor”, “Henry VIII” etc., we would see a significant rise as people want to know what really happened. Also, is it any coincidence that so many Tudor history books are being published at the moment?
Another criticism of “The Tudors” is that it’s a bit like a soap opera, but then what else would you call Henry VIII’s life? I’m showing my age now but Henry is a lot more interesting than JR Ewing!
So, is “The Tudors really so bad?
I can’t criticise “The Tudors”, I think I would be two-faced if I did, because there are some of you out there who have set out on your mission to find out about Anne Boleyn because “The Tudors” piqued your interest and you found this site! If “The Tudors” helps to get people interested in Anne, if it helps me to spread the message about her and share the truth then long live “The Tudors”!
You can read Dr Tracy Borman’s article and her examination of Season 3 Episode 1, and the historical facts behind it, on the BBC History Magazine website. Her new book “Elizabeth’s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen” is due to be published on the 24th September.
I like The Tudors for what it is – a TV show designed to entertain. It definitely delivers on that point. And Jonathan Rhys Meyers makes a good young Henry. I do think it’s a pity they haven’t aged him or made him fat and lame, (okay, so he now has a slight limp). Henry was considered extremely good looking and athletic in his youth, by Tudor standards. By casting JRM they’ve found a brilliant Henry to represent the same standard of handsomeness but in a 21st century way that we can really relate to. To show JRM declining into a fat, lame old man would have filled viewers with the same sense of loss as courtiers who had to watch their young, handsome king change. I think it would really have taken the point home to a lot of people who hadn’t really got it before. Viewers get precious over characters they care about, so I think it would have made it more real for people.
[Reply]
HELLO
MY SON AND I LOVE “THE TUDORS”. I AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE COME UPON YOUR WEBSITE. I ALWAYS TRY TO RESEARCH CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE EVENTS WE HAVE SEEN ON THE SHOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN FACT AND FICTION. ITS REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE INFORMATION VARIES FROM SITE TO SITE. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INNACCURACIES THAT HAVE BEEN DEPICTED ON “THE TUDORS” SO FAR? I LOVE HISTORY IN GENERAL. TUDOR HISTORY IS FASCINATING! I HAVE BECOME A HUGE FAN OF ANNE BOLEYN. I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING YOUR SITE.
[Reply]
Hi Melissa,
I’m glad you found us! Welcome to the site! I am devoted to making the information on this site as accurate as possible but there is som much that is open to debate because nobody actually know the real definitive answer – Anne is a real mystery in many ways.
As far as inaccuracies in “The Tudors” are concerned, there’s a great thread on our forum about this – see http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/forum/movies-and-books/the-tudors-historical-inaccuracies/ but off the top of my head inaccuracies include: Henry Percy being missing, the implication that she had a relationship with Thomas Wyatt (based on rumour and hearsay not fact), Wolsey committing suicide when he actually died on his way to London, combining Henry’s two sisters into one character and having her marry the King of Portugal rather than the King of France, Mary Boleyn – she had a long affair with Henry and also got pregnant during it, Charles Brandon being in charge of sorting out the Pilgrimage of Grace rebels when it was actually the Duke of Norfolk etc. There are loads more!
Having said that “The Tudors” has loads of inaccuracies, it also has many wonderful accuracies that previous films or series have not picked up on. Various speeches are word perfect and scenes like Anne begging Henry to listen to her while holding Elizabeth are thought to have really happened. I love it and it’s because it brings the period to life and has captivated people around the world and made them want to know more. Wonderful!
Thanks for your comment , Melissa.
[Reply]
Hi Beth,
I’ve seen photos from Season 1 where they have greyed his hair slightly but he is far from the real life Henry VIII! It is a shame that they have decided not to show the real decline of Henry from a handsome young prince to a monstrous bad-tempered old man, but I guess they’re worried they might lose some viewers, not sure.
[Reply]
I have written and published two small novels with a historic background. In order to prepare for this, I bought and read a book on how to write a novel. There was an interesting comment the author had made about historical fiction. He said that if actual history gets in the way of your story, change it.
And if you look at a great deal of historical fiction over the years (in movies, television, plays and novels), a great deal of this has happened. I used to get myself into a twist if a historical drama was not historically accurate. After reading that book and writing my own novels, I have learned to ignore them.
A good historical drama should inspire someone to go out and discover the truth about a real life person or event. And if “THE TUDORS” have led many of its fans to do exactly that, then all I say is that it is doing a damn good job. I have started watching the Season One DVDs and already, I have become obssessed in learning more truths about this particular royal family. And if I must be honest, I really love the drama and the performances in this series. I’m hooked. I’m a fan.
[Reply]
Hi Rosie,
Thanks for your really interesting comment. It is so easy to have a go at historical fiction and dramas like The Tudors but at the end of the day they are to entertain us and intrigue us and I think most of them do a great job at that. I think it’s only a problem when an author/director does not make it clear that it is fictional, rather than an account of what happened in history. I think it is wonderful that people get inspired by history and I’m so happy that The Tudors and Philippa Gregory etc. make people search for the truth and get interested in history. People who would never have before touched a history book are now buying biographies of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and learning the truth, or what that biographer thinks is the truth.
I admit to loving The Tudors too!
[Reply]
Most movies, television productions or novels tend to make it clear that said historical drama is based on true stories. I have seen this in movies like “THE INFORMANT!” OR “U-571″. The latter movie even gave a true account of the history of the Enigma code as the end credits were being rolled.
But I have come across one or two works of fiction in which the author or creator will claim that their particular work of art is pure fact.
[Reply]
Honestly, I don’t dislike “The Tudors” for the liberties it takes with histories. My favourite historical dramas, “The Devil’s Whore” and “Rome” are both extremely fictionalised. My problem with the show is that it simply isn’t any good. The writing is dull, the characters inconsistent, and the plots littered with holes (where did Thomas Cranmer go after Season Two? Why did the Margaret/Charles storyline never really get resolved?) To me, it’s not a question of accuracy, it’s a question of quality. And “The Tudors” fails miserably in that regard.
[Reply]
i think the series are brilliant. I’m one of those who did not have a clue about Anne Boleyn’s life before The Tudors. I had heard of Henry VIII and, of course, Elizabeth the Virgin Queen, but I did not know much – if anything – about Anne. Then, I watched the series and became somewhat obsessed with the topic. and for that, I am grateful to the series, because Anne Boleyn is such a fascinating historical figure. what else, I ask you, should have made me aware of Anne? I’m German, we didn’t talk about that in history class or so. anyway, I love The Tudors because it’s fun to watch, and it’s a rich and splendic production if you ask me. anyone can watch it, and those who are interested can research and find out whether things were really that way or different. I did, and I like both the ultimate truth and the way The Tudors portrays the whole thing.
and, who the hell cares that people, in The Tudors, are more beautiful than they were for real? EVERYONE likes to see beautiful people, it’s in our blood.
and I think, the fact that Natalie Dormer is so incredibly beautiful makes it understandable (for the common viewer) why Henry wanted Anne so badly and sacrificed so much for her. Even if Anne was not that beautiful in reality, she was equally fascinating, I guess, and The Tudors manage to show that.
People of the 21th century want to see a king like JRM (he is sexy indeed) and a queen like Dormer, and that’s why I like The Tudors. good god, it’s TV entertainment, fiction loosely based on reality. people should just enjoy it
[Reply]
I really like “The Tudors”!! First of all, because it simply entartaining!! Second, because iin my opinion, it’s the movie/series about the Six Wives of Henry the VIII that is closest to the true story. (at least of those that I have watched). And third, because I really like the acting of the cast! Natalie Dormer may have blue eyes, but she has that “Anne essence”, Jonathan Rhys Meyers has that crazy-eye thing that Henry the VIII possibly had when he was mad with someone.
I really enjoy this show, even though it is sometimes historically inaccurate!
[Reply]
Yes, Jonathan Rhys Meyers does have “that crazy-eye thing” – I love the way he stares in the opening credits, sends shivers down my spine!
[Reply]
Hello. I’ve loved treading about the 16th century since I was a pre-teen. The “Tudor” series has made me think, for the 1st time, what were Anne’s ambitions, from the time she went to France – to her return to England. Would she have had any opinion of her own as to what she wanted to do with her life? or was it tradition, that her father would guide her to a suitable marriage. what options did she really have? One fact that is clear, is that she loved Elizabeth; that she was maternal; I think the birth of Elizabeth changed her – but how? the other queen that is unknowable and who would be interesting to know – is Catherine Parr.
[Reply]
I think the Tudors is an excellent TV show as a piece of entertainment. In terms of portraying the period, and the characters, anything that gets people interested in history is OK by me, and I think it’s modernized enough that most people watching will realize they can’t believe everything they’re seeing on the show.
I am disappointed that they seemed to try to minimize Henry’s responsibility for Anne’s execution as much as possible by echoing unfounded accusations (she asked Henry to kill Mary and Catherine), by making Anne seem crazy (apparently to make her a female Henry) and minimizing her good works; and making it seem as if Cromwell had more to do with Anne’s murder than Henry himself. I am glad that since they chose to take the “whore” route with Anne, they made it tragic and understandable by casting her father as pimp, so that she was merely doing what she’d been raised from the cradle to do.
I’ll always be grateful to the show for introducing me to Natalie Dormer, who is my thespian soul sister, and for its complex portrayal of Henry, which reminds me how much you can like a vile person when they have attractive and pitiable qualities. It’s a good warning not to be taken in by charismatic, soul-sick people.
[Reply]
Oh my gosh Claire,
I just love this series….if only for opening the Anne Boleyn files on me. Ive always, always had a strange obsession with the Tudor period and Queen Elizabeth the 1st, a real heroine of her time!
But after watching the Tudors, I had a fierce thirst for knowledge on Anne Boleyn to the point where I wanted to invent a time machine just so I could go back and possibly meet her. Don’t you just love when a programme or film does that?
The tudors, in my honest opinion is a feast for the eyes and a rollercoaster ride through a fascinating time in history. Its not always accurate but god…please….if it was, would we even watch it? We might as well sit through history class again with its fusty, dusty books, learning dates and how to understand all that olde english language.
The Tudors has opened a world to young and old who never even blinked over royal history before….I know, because Ive spoken to many, even as young as 14….they love it and many have been planning trips to Hampton Court becasue of it.
This series is not to be blinked at. I love it and i know Im not alone when I say that.
God bless The Tudors!!!! roll on fourth season!
[Reply]
I’m one of those people who set out on a quest to find more and more info about Anne Boleyn after watching only three episodes of The Tudors. I have known the vague outlines of her story for a while but Natalie Dormer’s Anne has enchanted me. And now I’m searching for facts. Her full story. I want to visit her final resting place next time in London.
And I love The Tudors as a show. It’s great entertainment. The vibe, the actors, the costumes, everything. and Natalie continues to be enchanting.
[Reply]
I’m 23 and I have been OBSESSED with Anne since my sophomore year in high school, I even re-read her page on Wikipedia at least once a month to see if there is anything new. I always get a bit miffed with people who put down Historical Fiction works like “The Tudors” or Philippa Gregory’s books, what part of FICTION aren’t they getting? There is ALWAYS fact in with the fiction, but lets be honest, there is very little 100% undisputed fact when it comes to Anne, let alone the Tudor reign, obviously there is going to be a A LOT of made up incidents or glamorized portions of things that really happened. I for one am a HUGE fan of “The Tudors” and my copy of “The Other Boleyn Girl” is literally falling apart, but they are just like little gateways into what happened, and a stepping stone so to speak towards finding out the “real story” (or as close to the real story as one can get).
I’m getting married in August, and my theme is Tudor England, primarily during Anne’s rule as Queen Consort, and not only do films and shows like “The Tudor’s” entertain me, but they have given me GREAT idea’s for the decor for my reception!
“The Tudors” is a GREAT show, and honestly, even if there was NOTHING historically accurate in it, I’d still watch it just for the entertainment value it has!
[Reply]
I don’t watch many shows on a regular basis but The Tudors is one I never miss. I enjoy taking what I have seen and researching to see if it is fact or fiction. I find myself learning more and more about The Tudors and am proud to say have surpassed my husband and his son who are both English on their knowledge of Tudor history. Kudos to the creators of this program, it’s not often that a show will peak the interest of its watchers in such a way The Tudors has.
[Reply]
I am so glad that I came upon this website! I have been fascinated with Tudor period history for a long, long time and I have to say that with all it’s inaccuracies, I still love “The Tudors” show. I think that for people who are casual viewers, they can watch this show and also become fascinated and do their own research into the period. I have always been enthralled with Anne Boleyn above all of the other queens of Henry VIII. My favorite biography of her is by Eric Ives. I have seen many (but not all, by far!) similarities between things that actually happened and the show from reading Mr. Ives’ book. I have and will always say that Anne was a victim of the influential men in her life. Sure she was ambitious in her own right, but surely her father and other men around her had significant sway in the direction her life took. Anyway, great website! I’m kicking myself for not having found it sooner!
[Reply]
I love this show because it brings my favorite historical period to life and it is downright entertaining. It’s funny that you have a friend who calls you after every episode to see what was real and what was not, I have two friends who ask me those types of questions after they watch the show! I love reading about Anne Boleyn and the Tudor period, but Anne is my favorite of Henry’s wives. Natalie Dormer’s portrayal of Anne blew me away, I have seen almost every movie out there about Anne and Natalie’s Anne was far and away the best I have seen yet. The fact that she filmed the death scene first completely amazed me, can you imagine filming the most dramatic and arguably the most important part of something, be it show or movie first? I love this site, it makes my downtime go by much faster! The videos dedicated to Anne on You Tube came up at my in-law’s house the other night and my father in law said “Anne Boleyn, but she’s dead! My husband rolled his eyes and quickly said “If you lived in my house you would know she was alive and well, I can assure you.” So she is, she is alive and well in the hearts of all of us who continue to love and revere her and persist in the quest for the truth about this remarkable, and greatly wronged woman.
[Reply]
Hello, I’ve just stumbled across your site, in large part, because of The Tudors. I’d never thought twice about this period of history before and then I watched the show, flicking between the dvd window and wikipedia (which i suppose might also make you cringe as a historian) the entire time. And now, here I am, fascinated and finding out what really happened.
[Reply]
Hi Maya,
I’m so glad that you found the site – welcome! I’m not cringing at all, so don’t worry. I actually love “The Tudors” because it really brings the charcaters and time to life and makes people ask questions about them. Please do browse the site – we have a “Search” box to help you and there’s also a Q&A page and forum.
Claire x
[Reply]
I am a huge european history nerd, so while I feel compelled to grumble at the TV while watching the Tudors I 100% understand the perspective of the writer and why he makes the decisions he makes (and as a result love it). In order to appeal and relate to today’s audiences, there needs to bea measure of adaptation. It is also necessary to slightly squish the timeline together in order to keep a proper flow of development and climax for a TV series. As a Soap Opera – well my god..we are talking about several weddings, executions, transgressions, and wars, all at the hand of history’s most compelling narcissist. I actually felt the portrayal of Anne Boleyn was probably quite accurate considering the adaptation of language and so forth. I found Natalie to have a striking resemblance to the portrait of Anne in the black dress – those who have studied art styles from this period understand that women were painted with a specific style and that the paintings are not necessarily a mirror image but a depiction of the artists impression of the woman’s features. (compare the faces in most paintings from this period and you will find a similarity among them, even with different aritsts) I agree that the show incites intense interest in this period for many watchers, and am at least happy that Anne’s downfall and execution was played so perfectly. I was personally left conflicted over this precocious and trite girl and even shed a tear for her thanks to Natalie’s performance.
[Reply]
I love the Tudors!! I lived in Inuvik, nt and I was too cheap to pay for cabel, so I hooked up my ‘bunnie ears’ to my tv, and found The Tudors on CBC..and I fell for it. that was a few years ago, and to my delight, my WONDERFUL HUSBAND got me all 3 seasons for christmas. Nothing could of been better than that!!! I LOVE THE TUDORS!!!!!
[Reply]
I am a history major and I had to take a couple of European history classes last semester; I chose English Hist. I thought I would hate it, but now I am almost obsessed with English/British history. It can get VERY confusing, but it is so interesting! What’s ironic is that I had watched The Tudors 2 yrs. before I started back to college last year, at age 34, and I fell in love with the show. Yet, the names, titles, etc. got confusing. Now, I have re-watched the 3 seasons of The Tudors that I have, and it is much more comprehensive. Yes, there are inaccuracies, but like many others, it has inspired my interest even more in Henry VIII, Anne, and the Boleyns in general.
Actually, historical fiction is a great way to learn. I’ve been MADE to read many historical fiction books- hated the idea of it at 1st- now I’m grateful that my Profs. made me- it is a great way to learn about history. I also can’t deny that Jonathan Rhys Meyers is VERY pleasing to the eyes & I love most of the actors in it- they’re fabulous. Anyway, I definitely think that shows like The Tudors spark people’s interest, and that, even if inaccurate, is great- it inspires many to look for the truth. Everyone knows that a boring history teacher can “make it or break it” for a student- it can make them hate history- those are the teachers I grew up with. Thank god, I have had terrific history Profs at the university I go to….and I have The Tudors (great eye-candy!) I used to hate history growing up- now, I can’t get enough of it.
[Reply]
I am new to this site but I am an old fan of “The Tudors” which is surprising since I am such a purist when it comes to history. I have thoroughly enjoyed “The Tudors” from the beginning and especially Anne Boleyn. Natalie Dormer is really mesmerizing.
Unfortunately, the use of so many good-looking actors has sometimes caused me to get them confused. Plus the “darkness” of many of the scenes often creates confusion. However, I am sure that such darkness is realistic since the absence of electricity made castle halls very dark. Of course, it also makes set building a little easier.
As a Christian myself, I have been intrigued at how the Reformation was depicted. The greediness of many of the catholic and pseudo-reformists was well shown and I have spent many hours on another message board trying to help answer questions about the hows and whys of the Reformation.
That said, I am hoping to find out more on this site about Anne Boleyn and her spiritual beliefs. I know she was a reformist and I am seeking to know if she was indeed a “real” Christian. I have read several books on her daughter, Queen Elizabeth, and I admire her greatly.
I personally believe that real life is every bit as interesting as fiction. I can see how Hollywood sometimes has to make alterations due to budget and time in order to complete a show, but I think there were many instances when “The Tudors” could have stayed with the truth and been just as interesting and maybe even more so.
I look forward to many hours on this site learning along with everyone else
[Reply]
It’s a shame that the series will end with the death of Henry VIII, though. There was lots of drama that followed his death. Like the crisis following Edward’s death, poor Jane Gray used as a pawn, and executed because the duplicity of others, including her ruthless and uncaring mother, the Marian purges, and so forth.
[Reply]
I remember before the series ran on Showtime here in the US they were talking about Henry VIII as the ultimate rock star of his day. They made no bones about not being historically accurate at that time. I watched the first season on DVD at a friends(I don’t have Showtime in my cable pkg) and thinking ‘oh this looks good’. I honestly DON’T expect shows like this to be accurate, especially NOT after they’ve pushed the ‘rock star’ aspect of Henry. And if we’re going to whinge about Henry not being fat and smelly, we need to mention that Katherine of Aragon’s appearance wasn’t right either. She was fair skinned with blue eyes and reddish blond hair, and by the mid 1520′s quite matronly looking. I loved Maria Doyle Kennedy, she is a lovely woman but as Katherine??? Not right appearance wise at all, but spot on with her portrayal of Katherine’s unwavering certainty.
Loved Sam Neil, Jeremy Northam and Henry Cavill in their parts. All very good and interesting. The guy who played Thomas Boleyn was quite good in an oily sort of way also. All in all they got the intrigues of the Court down. Yes it’s inaccurate, but it has got people reading about the Tudors and doing their own research and that to me is a good thing.
Now TOBG just hacked me off. I was furious at her portrayal of Anne in it. Anne wasn’t ever going to be that stupid as to go there with her brother, never mind anyone else. Anne was intelligent, had been in the French Court and KNEW better. She knew that all she had was her reputation. Sleeping around was a huge no-no and she was a lot of things but foolish she was not. The one thing Gregory DID get right was the amount of stress on Anne during the time in the run up to her marriage and during the marriage. She walked a very thin tightrope and she knew it. And she got the family intrigues right also. But, as I read it and Anne became more and more monstrous I got more and more peeved at it.
Ah well it’s a bona fide rant here. I love this site. It’s increased my book list of to reads immensely. Thanks Claire.
[Reply]
What a great site. I happened upon this site while looking for the lyrics to the song “With her head tucked underneath her arm”. My parents were folk singers as I was growing up and this was one song they used to sing so I had knowledge and a fascination of Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I from a young age. I love The Tutors for bringing this fascinating time to life. As so many people have written before here I love it for the drama, beauty, and sense of time and place that it provokes and it motivates me to research further. As someone wrote here before I am sad that they are ending with four seasons at Henry’s death. They could continue for years with the drama of Edward, then Lady Jane Gray, Mary and then Elizabeth. What drama. It would be awesome.
I totally agree with Joanne’s comment about TOBG. I read The Virgin Queen by the same author and didn’t like how Gregory portrayed Elizabeth ( my heroine). It made me mad and I knew TOBG would provoke the same reaction. I did see the movie and it pissed me off. Her portrayal of Anne seemed so wrong making her whinney and pathetic and making Mary his real love. He didn’t break from the Pope and so on for Mary did he? Anne most certainly wouldn’t have gotten where she did if she were that way. She didn’t give Anne the credit she deserved in history weather you see her as a heroine or not. I have read several of Gregory’s books and often wonder if she is Catholic. Her portrayals of Elizabeth and Anne were vary harsh (and inaccurate as I see it) and her portrayals of Mary and Kathrine of Aragon were very sympathetic. Due to the religious nature and struggle between Catholic and the Prodestant Reformers at that time I could see why the author would have a bias with the characters. Anyway it is just a thought. I have decided not to read any more of her books concerning the Tutor or Elizabethan Eras.
I have just started with this site. I look forward to exploring and learning more. Thanks for creating it!
[Reply]
I am like you, I love the show. I can pick out the inaccuracys but there are accurate things that happen too. My only problem is that I have had people say when it is brought up and I start talking about what is and is not accurate they ask me, “Wait, they are real.”, at least it is better then them not knowing about them at all.
[Reply]
I read some of the comments and have to say that everyone is right about the things they are saying. Dormer was the best Anne I have seen and they had the right balance of sadistic woman and the woman who was a victim. Anne just wanted to marry Percy and be happy it was her family that pushed her toward Henry. However, she did have a lot to do to attract him to her.
[Reply]
I found “The Tudors” amusing, and some of the supporting characters seemed pretty accurate (such as Jeremy Northam’s More; supporting characters’ dialog was usually better as well!), but a little too full of howlers: sister Mary Rose’s resemblance to a supermodel was the funniest. And, of course, JRM looks nothing like the Henry he’s supposed to be portraying, but I think he’d be quite good as Henry VII. That sulky, dour, suspicious face of his–perfect. Henry VII was only about 27 when he became king, and not bad looking. Getting to watch the complete dynasty in action, from 1485 to 1603, would be great.
[Reply]
Daniela Reply:
October 29th, 2010 at 3:18 am
Oh yes Melanie, I wouldn’t have minded that either, having the full era in the series. Sarah Bolger is a good actress, I would have loved so see her ruling her 5 years. And Sarah had this kinda sharp look in the eyes like Mary herself. The girl that played Elizabeth was pretty good aswell, I think her name was Laoise Murray, she reminded me of Anne Boleyn in her personality and confidence with her head held up high, well knowing who she is and what she was capable off. Well acted!
The boy that played Edward was cute aswell and then they could have squeezed in a Jane Grey – one episode would have been enough to cover her 9 days reign I guess)
I know there’s many movies made about Elizabeth al’ready and The Tudors was to cover Henry’s reign only, still i would have loved if they continued. That would have been a perfect conclusion of the series.
[Reply]
The tudors got me into the tudor era again and helped me gain interest to start writing my historical fiction novel set during that time. It may not be fully accurate but no show really is. This is another way of getting the youth into the past and history.
[Reply]
I love the show for what it is- entertainment! Ever since I was an eight year old girl, I’ve been in love with the Tudor era. My first book “The Nine Days Queen” has my name scrawled on the front cover in purple crayon lol. The show to me is awesome, because unlike other Tudors docu-dramas, the show depicts the scandal, intrigue and sedution of Henry VIII’s court, and just…brings the characters to life! The only, very few things, that bother me are hat they made Henry’s sisters into one sister, thereby pretty much writing out Lady Jane Grey out of the show. And, this is so so so silly (and don’t get me wrong, I love Natalie Dormer) but I was very disappointed when Anne Boleyn didnt have dark eyes. when Anne was alive, fair hair and light eyes were the ideal beauty- but she used her dark hair, dark eyes to be an exotic beauty. She was known for her alluring dark eyes, and in an age where contacts are readily available to change eye colour, I think that this was unfortunate. Other than those— I love the show!!! I also love how they had JRM as Henry– you just don’t get how sexy and attractive Henry was by the bloated, arrogant, pouting portraits you see of older Henry lol!!
[Reply]
I loved the series aswell. Great costumes and how they tried to recreate this era. Som facts might have been inaccurate alright (i.e. Hanry fitzroy dying from the Sweat, he actually loved on to be 16 or so), but lots of facts are true. Knowing the real truth is hard, as there’s no contemprary witnesses left a few hundred years later to clear some facts for certain.
I found it very entertaining getting an insight in life at the english court, of politics and greedy power games of that time.
It actually got me even more interested in that era, just finished reading a book about Katherine Howard and now I have just started one of her cousine Anne.
I would love to go to England and see Hampton Court or the Tower and other related places, which in the end would drive me back in the arms of historians telling me the story at location, so I think it is rather a benefit for them than something bad!
[Reply]
I got into the Tudors because of the interest it generates in Henry VIII and his 15th century soap opera of a life. I believe the highlights of the show are the performances by Natalie Dormer as Anne, Nick Dunning as Thomas Boleyn, Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon, Jeremy Northam as Thomas More, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Catherine, and Sarah Bolger as Mary. I also liked the actors who played Jane Parker and George Boleyn.
The guy who played George was especially unsympathetic in his portrayal especially in his treatment of Jane Parker. I was actually cheering when he was arrested. I thought the guy who played Cromwell did an interesting job of making him seem sympathetic at times, like when he told Henry of the loss of his two daughters and when he was talking to his son Geoffrey before he was arrested. He really made me feel sorry for him for the first time and in other portrayals I never had any sympathy for the character of Cromwell at all.
I thought JRM did a good job as the younger Henry and he had the power mad tyrant down but the physical resemblance to the real Henry as he got older bothered me. I understand why showtime did it because of the viewership of the series.
I believe that Keith Michell is still the definitive Henry VIII in his portrayals of the king. I also like Genevieve Bujold’s portrayal of Anne Boleyn in Anne of a Thousand Days.
I think the series does exactly what it was meant to do. It makes people tune in and watch and then because of their interest, they go out to see other productions and read more about the king, his wives, and Tudor times.
[Reply]
Louise Reply:
November 7th, 2010 at 4:49 am
Thank you Mary Anne. You summed up in your second paragraph exactly why I was unable to watch this programme. You cheered when George Boleyn was arrested. The programme has made you want to go out and learn more about real Tudor history, which is brilliant, but for every one of you there are thousands who don’t bother. For them George Boleyn will remain a wife abusing monster and not the remarkable and talented young man he really was, and the George who Claire is trying so hard to depict on this site. I find the fact that the programme has resulted in many people around the world being pleased that George died so sad. I think Claire has a bit of an uphill stuggle, and I hope she perseveres, or else George’s character will continue to be destroyed, not only by fiction, but also by the likes of Weir. Good luck, Claire.
[Reply]
I have many friends who are livid that they did not see the historically overweight Henry in the later seasons. My opinion however is such: Henry was sexually active allegedly until Kathryn Parr (but that is speculation, of course, since his will did mention any offspring of Lady Parr to be in the line of succession after Edward, and unless he was truly just that mad, they ….well, you get my point). And like any television series and/or most movies you see today, how often are we entertained with ‘fattened’ love scenes. Please, I am not criticizing. I am large as well, so I could understand the insult. This is merely an observation. I am not sure, as deliciously handsome as Rhys-meyers is that I could enjoy him playing a fat man rolling about sweaty and out of breath on top of sweet seductresses.
Historical facts: I can’t really recall any movie that truly diverges the facts precisely. Elizabeth I was confounded with misinformation, as well as Braveheart, the Titanic, etc…however, much like you, as well as, Borman state, it entices you into that stunning Tudor environment, rich with beauty, scandal and curiosity. While I know some portrayals in the series were so far-fetched that it left you dumfounded, it still made it worth while to see someone else’s outlook on The Great Matter, his illnesses, his mindset.
Also, you mentioned Phillipa Gregory. I had learned the hard way that her work is made of up convoluted misinterpretations and so many historical wrongs that I almost desire to burn her books. I own three of them. The third, ‘The Boleyn Inheritance” I cannot even finish. It was her that reared me back into the love of the 16th Century though, sending my thirst for Anne Boleyn’s facts and innocence into a raging need, but only to learn that all that she had written was so inaccurate! I was appalled. I do realize that it is fiction, but to change facts completely for the satisfaction of your readers?? That does nothing but dummy down and mislead any of whom look to her book for answers, as I did in my naivety. Happily, I am now set in reading as many ‘truer’ books that I can find in hopes to mediate this informational betrayal while still enriching my senses with possibilities and wonders. I welcome any and all author and book suggestions. In fact, I just read The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George. I did not do a background check on her before reading, so if anybody has an opinion of her work, I would LOVE to hear it.
[Reply]
Sorry, the aforementioned response was for a different article regarding ‘The Tudors’ series.
[Reply]
Alicia R. Reply:
November 12th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
wrong article again. haha. Geesh, Tonight has certainly been rough.
[Reply]
Guys, its a TV show, calm down. I love it its great. I love how they have brought such a period of time alive.
The reason why people are getting pissed off is because they are mistaking ‘The Tudors’ a Showtime TV show, for a David Starky documentry. The thing is they had to change things or cause ‘innacuracies’ to keep people watching, and keep it interesting. For example they made up Lady Usula Missledon because during the period of time within Jane Seymour and Henry 8ths marriage was boring. ‘The Tudors’ was not made to be accurate, it was made to entertain.
Being a teenager studying history, I like watching it a whole lot more than reading a history textbook. But I understand that there are inaccurcies in ‘The Tudors’ that I have to check up on. But its good to have a intresting, visual aid to help understand it a bit more.
[Reply]
THE TUDORS is inviting, intriguing, annoying (as time goes by and the blatant inaccuracies evolve), lush, pretty to look at, a costuming nightmare AND a feast for the eyes all at once. It is, simply, entertaining. Imagine trying to get people to watch it if they didn’t have beautiful people and more lust, intrigue, sex, brutality, bloodshed, more beautiful people, more sex, an impossibly handsome King (when we ALL know what Henry **really** looked like.
Joss Stone was too pretty to play Anne of Cleves and have Henry ranting about how unattractive she was. The girl who played Jane Seymour was **WAY** to pretty for the part, many of us know that Jane was uber-plain. We also know that Mary Rose Tudor married the aged King of FRANCE (not Portugal) and she was never suspected of murdering him. That was one inaccuracy I didn’t “get” at all.
All in all, more people know **something** about the Tudor family now than ever did before, it all played out like a Renaissance version of “Dallas” to a rather large (for a historical piece), so, in that regard, it was a success.
Henry VIII should have looked SO good!
[Reply]
I knew about Tudor history and especially Anne Boleyn before the Tudor series and I have been unsure about watching it for a long time – and I am so happy that I decided to do it in the end!
In my opinion, the cast is somewhat well chosen, I found Natalie Dormer’s performance of Anne absolutely stunning (I cried like a baby during the execution scene, though I knew it would happen etc) and also the other characters are generally acted out well.
For me, it is okay that the creators took some liberty concerning details to improve the entertaining effect, in my opinion, lots of things appeared authentically anyway. I mean, they showed so many anecdotes that are true! I don’t mind the inaccuracies then.
I want to learn every detail about the real Anne Boleyn (and others as well), but while I’m reading books (e.g. Eric Ives, no novels) about her, I don’t think that I have to justify myself for watching the series- I just love it, because it makes the time and the spirit somehow alive for me. This is reason enough.
But also the effect of awakening interest for the real history is remarkable. I know many people who would never have had the idea of “wasting” any thoughts about Tudor history and then found it so interesting that the story of Henry and the six wifes really happened. Even my mother wanted me to explain her what was going on there!
There are so many positive aspects about the Tudor series and I think them to be a good adaption of the characters and the image of that time, and so I don’t mind that it is a little sexier for the reasons of entertainment. To be able to watch Anne Boleyn that way makes me “The Most Happy”. =)
Lea (sorry for this extraordinary long comment, I just wrote what my mind told me :p )
[Reply]
I am 23 and I live in the UK. I am Welsh but my first language is English as both of my parents are English.
I have ALWAYS loved history. I am interested in so many different parts from all over the world but the Tudors are one of my favourites. I have been interested in Anne Boleyn and her fate since I was in junior school (aged about 7).
I am aware that there are inaccuracies in The Tudors but…… I LOVE IT!!!! As others have mentionned, it brings the characters of these fascinating people alive. It brings emotion to the history books which are sometimes so political they can get tedious.
I am still waiting on season 4 and I can’t wait! I dont want it to end and as a result of the series I found this website and plan to visit Hever Castle next spring with my husband!! (Who by the way finds the whole thing….. tolerable!!! lol)
[Reply]
Yes, I agree with most of the reasons and I can’t deny I
And
watched ‘The Tudors’ myself…but giving the role of Anne Boleyn to
a blue – eyed actress is a shame! After all the Queen was famous
for her dark, lively, distinctive eyes and she was popular among
men even though she was living in the times when majestic women of
fair complexion were considered to be beauties. I know that some
may think of it as a detail but I guess not on this site
blending Henry’s sisters into one was not only a complete ignorance
of the history but it was stupid as well because it closes the
producers the way to continuation…how would they explain the
relation of James Stuart to the Tudors after all? And btw, this is
a great site and I visit it regularly. Thank you for running
it!
[Reply]
i would like to meet you jonathan rhys meyers i want to talk to you about The Tudors
[Reply]
Hello Claire: I have all four of the Tudor seasons and watch them from Season one-four frequently. Yes, they are inaccurate in places, and, yes, JRM did not resemble Henry8 in his later years, but he captured all the tenderness and tyranny of the man perfectly.
I thought Natalie was phenominal as Anne, even with her blue eyes! I also have Keith Michell’s version and agree that he is what Henry probably looked like.
Has anyone seen Henry VIII with Ray Winstone and Helene Bonham Carter? Ray Winstone is VERY convincing as Henry8 and HBC is excellent as Anne.
[Reply]
Hi,
Accurate or not The Tudors is a wonderful and emotive piece of drama. I was bought the boxed set series 1 – 3 and my partner and i have just finished series 2. For me, the proof of excelent acting and wonderful production is if a work effects you emotionally.
Last night poor Anne was executed after having her death postponed twice. When the deed was done i looked over at my partner, she was in floods of tears, real tears. She was deeply troubled and had shared the portrayed fear of Anne.
The next 4 hours saw us discussing the merits of the work andthat of Annes life and death
Bravo.
[Reply]
I am in the United States, but I have always been interested in European history – especially England. Watching The Tudors refreshed that interest and I found myself trying to devour whatever information I could to find out the true story. Finding this site was one of the best things that I have found because of The Tudors. I am so envious of those of you in England. You have all this rich history surrounding you! I was blessed to visit England in 2000 on a whirlwind European Trip. I fell in love with England and its people and pray that I will return someday.
[Reply]
Neil Kemp Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 4:12 pm
In reply to Katherine Wilhelm.
The final episode of “The Tudors” aired in England this weekend, and whist not being 100% accurate, is accurate enough for what is, after all, an entertainment. I read your comments Katherine and felt very humble, but proud, that an American can have such strong feelings about English history. It also made me realise how lucky I am to have so much history on my doorstep, so to speak. Something I had always taken for granted! Thank you for making me grateful for living where I do ( I live in Kent so have easy access to Hever Castle and many other historical sights), I have always loved history but, like many others, adore 16th century English history and all that that time involves. May you continue to love England and the people in it and I hope you make it back here to visit our sights again soon. Finding this sight was also one of the best things I ever did too!
[Reply]
Claire Reply:
April 3rd, 2011 at 1:24 am
When you live there you do take the history surrounding you for granted, as it’s what you’ve grown up seeing, and I think sometimes it takes someone from another country to point out how lucky you are for you to wake up and count your blessings. I wonder how many people live in the vicinity of somewhere like Hever, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor etc. and have never been.
Neil, I’m so glad you found this site and you like it, it’s good to hear.
[Reply]
Neil Kemp Reply:
April 3rd, 2011 at 4:00 am
Thank you for your comments Claire.
The site (I spelt it correctly this time – senior moment!) is brilliant, keep up the good work.
Being an everything tudor fanatic, I spent the first couple of episodes screaming at the TV about the inaccurate historical facts, and how anyone watching without any knowledge of the tudor period would be mis-informed. I could get passed the fact that this Henry looked nothing like the real one, as Jonathan play this interpetation of him brilliantly, as does Natalie as Anne Boleyn, giving a modern version of her sexuality. So I stopped watching it as a history lesson, and looked at it as it is meant to be, Entertainment. I can now appreciate the stunning costumes and jewlery, with their updated artistic licence, the wonderful settings and the talented acting,( Thomas Cromwell never looked so dishy! )
So now I am a fan,I now watch, relax and enjoy, with the thought that the trueth is out there if you want to find it.
[Reply]
It is bad. Sorry but I agree with David Starkey wholeheartedly.
[Reply]
I agree with other comments. I love The Tudors, the lavishness and the opulence of the show is riveting. The stars of the show for me though will always be Natalie Dormer, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Sarah Bolger. Fantastic actresses. I have issue with some of the innacuracies, namely the “biggies”. Henry’s uncle getting murdered in the 1st episode and the amalgamation character of Margeret. There the only ones that really bugged me. Although the messing around of years, mostly in the first 2 seasons was frustrating. But as others have said, alot of the dialogue in the show is factual or slightly adjusted which is fantastic. I loved The Tudors and I’m not ashamed to admit it!!! Anyone who enjoyed it should also try and get a copy of “The Virgin Queen” starring Anne Marie Duff and Tom Hardy…Excellent!
[Reply]