Is The Odyssey history or mythology? Explore what historians believe about Homer, Odysseus, ancient Greece, oral tradition, and the truth behind the epic.

What if "romanticizing your life" isn't actually a new trend?

Long before aesthetic morning routines and "main character moments" filled our feeds, the Romantic movement encouraged people to slow down, seek beauty in nature, embrace emotion, and find wonder in the ordinary. It wasn't about romance—it was about living intentionally in a rapidly changing world.

As a history girl, I think summer is the perfect season to borrow a page from the past. Visit a museum. Read beneath a tree. Wander through a historic garden. Write a letter. Watch the sunset without reaching for your phone. These simple moments have been cherished for centuries.

History has a beautiful way of reminding us that an ordinary day can become extraordinary simply because we choose to notice it.

✨ My newest article explores the true history of Romanticism, how it differs from today's idea of "romanticizing your life," and how we can create a summer inspired by history rather than social media.

After all, sometimes the best way to move forward is to borrow a little wisdom from the past.

#HistoryItGirl #Romanticism #HistoryLover #SlowLiving #SummerReading #TudorHistorian #HistoryCommunity #MuseumGirl #HistoricalLiving #HistoryInspired #WomenWhoLoveHistory

What do Henry VIII's love letters reveal about his relationship with Anne Boleyn? This article examines a famous passage from the king's correspondence and explores how it reflects the traditions of medieval courtly love. Discover how Henry portrayed himself as Anne's devoted servant, why this reversal of power mattered, and what the letters reveal about one of the most famous courtships in Tudor history.

Courtly Love Series: The Portrait, The Pearls, The Power explores how Anne Boleyn mastered the art of image in the Tudor court. From her famous "B" necklace to carefully crafted portraits and fashion choices, discover how Anne used visual identity, symbolism, and presentation to build influence, shape perception, and become one of history's most recognizable women.

Explore how Anne Boleyn reversed traditional courtly love roles by making Henry VIII pursue, serve, and prove himself. Discover how love, power, and politics intertwined in Tudor England.

Discover what happened to the children of Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution. This Watch of the Week explores the tragic fate of her four children, including Louis XVII, and reveals how revolution reshaped the royal family forever.

Discover how Easter was celebrated in Tudor England, from the strict fasting of Lent to the joyful feasting of Easter Sunday. Explore traditions, foods, and royal customs under Henry VIII that marked this dramatic seasonal transformation.

Discover the history of hot cross buns in Tudor England and how figures like Henry VIII shaped Easter traditions. Explore the symbolism, spices, and cultural impact behind this iconic Good Friday treat.

Explore Holy Week in Tudor England, from solemn Good Friday rituals like “creeping to the cross” to the stripping of church altars. Discover how figures like Henry VIII participated in deeply symbolic religious traditions leading up to Easter.

Explore the surprising role of court fools in Tudor England this April Fools’ Day. From Will Somer to Jane the Fool, who served Anne Boleyn, discover how “natural fools” were valued for their honesty, humor, and unique place at the court of Henry VIII. A fascinating look at power, disability, and truth in the Tudor world.

Discover how Anne Boleyn changed history with one powerful move—refusal. In this History It Girl blog, explore Henry VIII’s love letters, the politics of courtly love, and how Anne turned desire into leverage, ultimately reshaping the Tudor court and sparking the English Reformation.

After experiencing modern kidney stone surgery, this post explores the brutal reality of Tudor medicine. From barber-surgeons to dangerous procedures like amputations and bladder stone removal, discover how surgery in the time of Henry VIII was performed without anesthesia, antibiotics, or knowledge of germs—and how early innovators like Ambroise Paré began to change the future of medicine.

Discover how Anne Boleyn’s time in the courts of Margaret of Austria and Claude of France shaped her into one of the most influential women in Tudor history. From Renaissance humanism to French fashion and courtly charm, explore how Anne’s European education gave her the power to captivate a king—and change England forever.