Themed Historical Tours of France & the UK

Those of us in the history fan community had been waiting in keen anticipation for the release of BBC’s King & Conqueror. A big-budget series on the Battle of Hastings? Of course we were curious.

But now that it’s aired in the UK, the chatter online hasn’t been what many had hoped. Instead of applause, there’s been a storm of criticism over its historical accuracy.

And here’s where I need to confess something: I am one of those people who yells at the TV when history gets twisted. You should have heard me during Vikings! And don’t get me started on Richard the Lionheart’s death in Robin Hood…

This, of course, is not a new debate. From Braveheart to the present day, every time Hollywood or television takes on the past, sparks fly over how much truth has been sacrificed for the sake of drama.

There’s something about the clang of steel on steel, the scent of woodsmoke, and the flutter of banners against a winter sky that always stirs something in me.

Every July, the Abbey Medieval Festival transforms a quiet corner of Southeast Queensland into a place where centuries collide, where knights ride, artisans craft, and crowds gather to glimpse the echoes of the past. Over the years, I’ve been quite a few times, not just for the living drama, but for the way it makes me feel - grounded, curious, and quietly connected to something far older than myself.

Edward III’s early reign was forged in fire — rebellion, betrayal, and the burden of legacy.

He had grown up in a court bruised by betrayal, where the marriage of his parents had unravelled and loyalties lay in ruins. His father had been deposed and died, , all in the midst of scandal and subterfuge. His mother now ruled alongside her lover, Roger Mortimer, a man some whispered was king in all but name.

When I first began dreaming of a tour dedicated to the extraordinary women of the Plantagenet era, one name kept rising to the surface—Sharon Bennett Connolly. A best-selling author, respected historian, and passionate storyteller, Sharon has made it her mission to uncover the lives of medieval women and return them to their rightful place in history.

With eight published books, a Fellowship with the Royal Historical Society, and experience ranging from castle tour guiding to co-hosting the podcast A Slice of Medieval, Sharon brings both heart and expertise to every page she writes. Her words don’t just tell stories—they bring voices back to life.

In this special conversation, I was thrilled to ask Sharon five questions that dive into her historical passions, the women who inspire her, and why these stories still matter today.