A unique compendium of biographies of people who flourished between 1485 and 1603. Not just a list of monarchs and politicians, it covers courtiers, soldiers, authors, sailors and criminals. Each biography outlines the individual’s achievements – some to amuse but always to inform and illustrate the richness of Tudor society.

Melita Thomas is co-founder of Tudor Times (https://www.tudortimes.co.uk/), an online repository of information about the Tudors and Stuarts.