Mary’s years in France were some of the happiest of her life. She was charming, graceful, fluent in French, Latin, and Greek, and widely admired for her beauty—tall and elegant with auburn hair and striking features. In 1558, at the age of 15, Mary married Francis, becoming Queen Consort of France. Their union briefly made her one of the mos

Few figures in European history have captured the imagination quite like Mary, Queen of Scots. Her life reads like a tragic novel—complete with romance, betrayal, political plots, imprisonment, and execution. But beyond the dramatic headlines lies a complex woman who was a shrewd political operator, devout Catholic, and emblem of royal dignity ev

As with many ancient English sites, Cowdray has its share of legends. Local tales claim that after the great fire, ghostly processions of monks have been seen moving through the ruins at dusk, perhaps recalling an earlier religious presence on the land. Others whisper of curses linked to the Montagus’ Catholic faith and their support of failed pl

Today, the ruins of Cowdray House are carefully preserved and open seasonally to visitors, who can explore the evocative remains of the Great Hall, towers, and gatehouse. Informative displays tell the story of the house and the families who lived there, while guided tours delve into tales of Tudor politics, Elizabethan pageantry, and the tragedy of