Renaissance Weekly

We visit the talented herbalist in her workshop behind the Sorbonne, where she’s grinding willow bark with practiced efficiency Renaissance Weekly: Madeleine, you’ve become quite the talk of Paris – the youngest licensed apothecary in the city, we’re told. How does it feel to break into such a male-dominated profession? She pauses in her grinding, … Read more

Our correspondent catches up with the mysterious redhead whose charm masked deadly intentions Renaissance Weekly: Arrabella, you’ve certainly made quite an impression during your time in France. Our readers are dying to know – what’s your secret to being so… memorable? She laughs, a tinkling sound that doesn’t quite reach her green eyes. Her fingers … Read more

We meet with the troubled French cleric to talk about about his controversial voyage and its devastating aftermath RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Father Maurand, you’ve recently returned from what many are calling an unprecedented diplomatic mission. How has this experience affected you? FATHER MAURAND: [staring into his wine cup, voice barely above a whisper]  Affected me? Mon … Read more

We sit down with England’s most controversial exile to talk about family, faith, and his dreams of return RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Your Eminence, you’ve been living in exile from England for over a decade now. How do you find life in Rome? CARDINAL POLE: [adjusting his red zucchetto with obvious irritation] Rome is… instructive. One learns … Read more

RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Lady Mary, you’ve been absent from court for some months now. How are you finding country life? MARY: [laughs, but there’s bitterness beneath the sound] Peaceful. Wonderfully, tediously peaceful. [gestures around the modest room] No whispered conspiracies, no coded messages, no need to calculate which smile might advance one’s position. Just sheep, tenant … Read more

We speak with the powerful Welsh lord who has served four Tudor monarchs with distinction. RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: My Lord Earl, you’ve had an extraordinary career spanning the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and now Elizabeth. How have you managed to maintain your position through such turbulent times? WH: [straightens in his chair, hand … Read more

We sit down with the brilliant physician-mathematician from Padua whose Ars Magna has revolutionized algebra. RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Dottore Cardano, you’ve achieved fame across Europe for both medicine and mathematics. How do you balance these seemingly different pursuits? Ah, but they are not so different, my friend!  Both require careful observation, logical reasoning, and the ability … Read more

An Interview with Jack Delauris We meet the enigmatic young sailor whose adventures have taken him from French galleys to English scholarly circles RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Jack, you’ve had quite a remarkable journey to England. Can you tell us how you came to work with the renowned Dr. John Dee? Jack Delauris: [shifts in his chair, unconsciously … Read more

An Interview with Catherine Brandon  Renaissance Weekly’s exclusive conversation with the formidable Duchess of Suffolk. We caught up with Catherine Brandon at her London townhouse, where the widow of Charles Brandon continues to navigate the treacherous waters of Tudor court politics. At thirty, the Duchess remains one of England’s most influential women – and one … Read more

RENAISSANCE WEEKLY:  Master Whitely, you’ve been at John Dee’s side through some rather extraordinary adventures. How does a young scholar find himself involved in court conspiracies and treasure hunts? NICHOLAS: [grins ruefully, setting down a brass astrolabe he’d been adjusting] Curiosity, mostly. And perhaps a touch of youthful foolishness. [grows more serious] When I first … Read more