Tracy Borman
Chief Historian at Historic Royal Palaces
Tracy Borman is an author, Tudor historian, broadcaster and Chief Historian at Historic Royal Palaces.
Tracy has written several historical biographies, including:
- Crown & Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy
- Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him
- Elizabeth’s Women
- The Private Lives of the Tudors
- Thomas Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII’s Most Faithful Servant
Tracy has also written about the palaces in Historic Royal Palaces' care, notably: The Story of the Tower of London, The Story of Kensington Palace and The Private Lives of the Tudors, which includes many references to Hampton Court Palace. She is a regular broadcaster and lectures on her books across the country and internationally.
Tracy is Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, a charity that encourages children to visit and learn from historic properties. She is Chancellor and Professor of Tudor History at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln. Tracy was awarded an OBE in the King's Birthday Honours 2024 for services to heritage.
Tracy's role at Historic Royal Palaces
Tracy works with our team of curators to share the stories of our palaces with millions of visitors and supporters every year. She regularly appears on Channel 5's Inside the Tower of London and has filmed other history documentaries, including The Princes and the Tower and Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I. She also hosts series on the Historic Royal Palaces podcast, including on the Six Queens, Elizabeth I and witchcraft. Tracy has written lots of content for our website and gives talks and tours to Historic Royal Palaces Members and other supporters.
Tracy says of her role at Historic Royal Palaces: "As a historian, working for Historic Royal Palaces is a dream job. Being able to research and communicate the stories behind these six iconic palaces is an endless joy. And, given my love of the Tudors, having an office at Hampton Court is hard to beat!"
Subject expertise
Tracy has particular expertise in the 16th century, but has also researched and written about the 11th, 17th and 18th centuries. She specialises in Tudor monarchs and their courts, courtiers, the private lives of monarchs and the history of witchcraft.
Tracy completed her PhD, Sir Francis Vere in the Netherlands, 1589-1603: a re-evaluation of his career as Sergeant Major General of Elizabeth I’s troops at the University of Hull (1997). She has an MA in Historical Research (1994) and a BA (Hons) in History (1993).
All articles by Tracy Borman (10)
St George's Day and the Accession of Henry VIII
22 April 2020
On St George's Day (23 April) 1509, the 17-year-old Henry VIII was told that his father Henry VII had died, and that he was to be crowned the new King of England. But all was not as it seemed.