About

Explore the private life of Elizabeth I with bestselling author, historian and broadcaster, Tracy Borman.

Tracy Borman will talk about one of her favourite documents in The National Archives’ collection to reveal the private life of Elizabeth I. Letters and accounts by the queen’s closest favourites and attendants will be interwoven with rarely seen images of her private chambers, clothing and possessions. Those who served the queen in private saw the clandestine meetings with her beloved Robert Dudley, they watched as she practised her dance steps so that she could perform flawlessly in front of the court, and, towards the end of her reign they saw the ‘crooked carcass’ beneath her carefully applied makeup, gowns and accessories.

Secrets of The National Archives showcases some of the most notable documents and stories from the collection. From iconic documents such as Domesday, to hidden gems, discover The National Archives’ unique and rich collection and explore history as it really happened.