Strange Ways To Die in the Tudor Ages is a well written and engaging look at life and life expectancies in Tudor England by Emily Bush and Carrie Ingram-Gettins. Released 31st Aug 2025 by Pen & Sword History, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Worldwide release outside the UK is set for 30th Jan 2026.
Sometimes irreverent, there's a solid historical basis for the information contained and the authors manage to bridge the gap between dark humor and pathos quite well. They cover politically derived causes (Henry VIII was a dangerous guy to cross as were his offspring), natural causes (disease, pathogens, bad food/environmental causes), floods, starvation, accidents (so many unpleasant (and dumb) ways to die), wars, and more or less what readers would expect from the title and description.
The authors are not academics and the book is not heavily annotated or referenced. This is definitely aimed at fans of the period who aren't academics themselves (at least not academically inclined -in the subject-). Professional historians will likely miss the rigor of more academic based research, peer review, annotations, or rigorous bibliographic info. It is lightly humorous and quite amusing, so gains some in that respect.
Four stars. This is an illuminating and interesting book of history and never dryly academic or boring. This would be a good selection for public library acquisition, home library, and for fans of history, culture, and the macabre.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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