News
Finding the Real Kat Ashley
September 03, 2026On Saturday 26 September, at St Nicholas Priory, Exeter, author Rosemary Griggs will reveal insights into her discoveries about a woman who was closer to the young Elizabeth I than anyone else. From a prominent Devon family, Katherine Champernowne, who later married John Astley, served Elizabeth for nearly 30 years. She was much more than a Governess. Rosemary will also sign copies of her recently published book, the first comprehensive biography dedicated to this remarkable woman. Rosemary says "Katherine and her Devon relatives played an important part in a turbulent period during the early life of arguably England's greatest monarch. Yet their contribution hasn't always been fully recognised, and Kat has sometimes been written off as a rather foolish, nanny figure. I'm looking forward to returning to one of Exeter's oldest buildings to introduce the Real Kat Ashley. "
Rosemary goes live with the Tudor Notebook
From Substack: The Tudor Notebook | June 22, 2026' Huge thank you to the Tudor Notebook for inviting me and to everyone who sent in so many brilliant questions. The time just flew by. It was such fun to talk about my upcoming book on Kat Ashley, my Daughters of Devon series novels, and needlework! ' Click the link below to listen to the recording.
https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.substack.com%2Flive-stream%2F240873%3Futm_source%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew-live-stream-email&data=05%7C02%7C%7C457c86738e73429b4ad608ded03aa0b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639177147378262207%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9ci%2BFfaAXU7a%2Bu5CA%2BNpZEkEsrpUsRDObV%2Fg%2Bwx4OqM%3D&reserved=0
Special introductory offer when you pre-order Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: the Real Kat Ashley
May 22, 2026Queen Elizabeth' 1's Governess is now available for preorder at special introductory price from Pen and Sword Books. This book offers a fresh perspective on a woman whose name is well known to fans of Tudor history but is little understood. The special bond she shared with Elizabeth endured for nearly 30 years. Kat Ashley remained a close confidante and influential figure in Elizabeth’s life long after she outgrew her childhood years. This book follows Kat's career, from the early years as governess and Lady Mistress, through perilous times under Queen Mary and into a pivotal role as Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber.
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Queen-Elizabeth-Is-Governess-Hardback/p/61917
Rebels Royals and Romantics podcast - Tudor England through women's stories with Rosemary Griggs
From Rebels,Royals and Romantics podcast | January 01, 2026Follow the link to hear Rosemary chatting with Carol Ann Lloyd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RfjRMBiBXU&list=PLxjybXY005XhZx1QSkgqYZx0ZlpgFAOJE
Mistress of Dartington Hall gets a silver medal in International Book of the Year competition
From The Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Awards 2025 | December 02, 2025The Coffee Pot Book Club Book Of The Year Awards are an international contest exclusively for authors who write in the following genre / sub-genres: Historical Fiction; Historical Romance; Historical Mystery; Historical Fantasy; Historical Non-Fiction. The winners for 2025 have just been announced. The third book in the 'Daughters of Devon Series', Mistress of Dartington Hall, has been awarded a Silver Medal for Historical Fiction books set in The Tudors & The Stuarts category. Author Rosemary Griggs says 'I'm thrilled and honoured to be recognised in this fantastic competition in company with so many brilliant authors.' A Woman of Noble Wit was also awarded silver medals in 2021 and The Dartington Bride a bronze in 2024.
https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-coffee-pot-book-club-book-of-the-year-awards-2025.html