We might assume that our modern Christmas owes much to the Victorians. In fact, as Alison Weir and Siobhan Clarke reveal, many of our favourite Christmas traditions date back much further. Carol-singing, present-giving, mulled wine and mince pies were all just as popular in Tudor times, and even Father Christmas and roast turkey dinners have their origins in this period. The Tudor Christmas was a time of feasting, revelry and merrymaking, a twelve-day-long festival, over which the Lord of Misrule held sway, and convention was thrown to the winds. Christmas was so beloved by English people that its traditions survived remarkably unchanged in this age of tumultuous religious upheaval.

About the Authors

Alison Weir is the top-selling female historian in the United Kingdom, and has sold over 3 million books worldwide. She has published twenty history books, including Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Lady in the Tower and Elizabeth of York, and thirteen historical novels. Her latest biography is Queens of the Crusades, and her latest novel is Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose.For further information, please visit Alison's websites at www.alisonweir.org.uk and www.alisonweirtours.com.

Siobhan Clarke BA Hons has worked for Historic Royal Palaces for 20 years and lectured for the British Museum, National Trust, National Archives, and the Smithsonian. Her broadcasting work incudes BBC Radio 'Women's Hour' and PBS Television's 'Secrets of Henry VIII's Palace'. She has published four history books, including 'King and Collector: Henry VIII and the art of Kingship' and 'Gloriana: Elizabeth I and the art of Queenship'. She is an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society.