Four years ago, a scouting trip through France and England unexpectedly placed me in London during one of the most significant royal events of our lifetime. This is the story of what it felt like to watch history unfolding around me following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Why do we choose sides in history, and what makes us feel so strongly about people who lived centuries ago? From Richard III and Eleanor of Aquitaine to Edward I and the Black Prince, discover how books, films, family history, place and even our own personalities can shape our historical loyalties.

It began as a simple drive to see my daughter. I was listening to an audiobook about Eleanor of Aquitaine and her son, Richard the Lionheart, when something unexpected happened — a moment of emotion so intense it still lingers years later.

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.

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.

Our journey begins...

As many of you may already know, Plantagenet Discoveries isn’t a big, faceless company, it’s very personal. My passion project—a labour of love that’s been growing for over two decades, fueled by every story of the Middle Ages that captured my heart. Each tale, each historical figure, and every piece of research ignited a spark that grew into this dream.

Enjoy the story of our first tour. I can’t wait to share more with you!

Why do some periods of history capture our imagination and refuse to let go? For me, it began with a book and a curiosity about Richard III that soon opened the door to more than three centuries of extraordinary people, complicated families and a medieval world far bigger than I had imagined. More than twenty years later, the Plantagenets are still giving me reasons to keep exploring.

Plantagenet Discoveries began as a dream, an idea inspired by my love of medieval history and a search for the kind of historical journey I wanted to experience myself. Four years later, that dream has grown in ways I could never have imagined, shaped by the places we’ve explored, the stories we’ve uncovered and, most importantly, the people who have become part of it.