I really enjoyed reading this, it had that concept that I wanted from a Tudor dictionary. Simon Sandys-Winsch does a great job with the research and had that historical feel that I was looking for.

The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary by Simon Sandys-Winsch is perfect for those like me with an insatiable Tudor era curiosity. The dictionary format with photographs and illustrations is wonderful for diving and out at whim.

Plentiful historical snippets from the sixteenth century include events, locations, things, ideas and people, anything you want to learn more about. From the lesser known to the infamous, it's here. Amongst the hundreds of details are Arthur, Prince of Wales, sent to Ludlow Castle for kingship training; the Babington Letter, fascinating Margaret Beaufort, instrumental for arts, religion and women; Foxe Book of Martyrs, list of punishments for crimes; debasing coins; food (less rich and more varied than now, fewer imports); literacy and education; cruel use of the whipping boy; hygiene; "simples" remedies; death masks; philosophy; marriage; and Tyndale's King James Version of the Bible.

My only wish is for more illustrations. What a pleasure it would be to read other eras in the dictionary format. The scope is massive!

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book.

What an original idea. I dipped into this book as soon as I received it and it’s truly fascinating and completely original. The Tudors were an exciting and conflicted dynasty and so much has been written about not only the monarchs, but many of the key players, places and events. Looking back at that period it can be difficult to see a clear overview of how all was interlinked. Simon Sandys-Winsch has done a remarkable job in collating and presenting an invaluable reference for anyone interested in this era. I’m sure it will interest scholars and lay readers alike.

It’s a not a book to read from cover to cover; as the title suggests, it’s a dictionary and it does set out everything in alphabetical order. But it’s also encyclopaedic and inevitably, if something takes your interest, it leads to associated references and having intended to look up one thing, a couple of hours has flown by as other information has been followed up. The main body of the work has many illustrations and I particularly enjoyed a section at the end which is a huge portrait gallery of many of the main people. There’s an extensive reference of resources, mainly online, but of significant interest to anyone who wants to undertake further research. Each of the alphabetical entries is detailed and gives more than an overview of the subject. Absolutely fascinating.

It’s a sumptuous title. One I think best appreciated in paper format. The electronic version is very good but for me, I prefer to browse with a hard copy and I’ve added it to my Christmas wish list of books! I love this book and happily recommend it to anyone interested in the Tudors or social history.