My research interests lie broadly in sixteenth and seventeenth century political history and particularly issues relating to monarchy, religion, gender, court politics and political culture. I am especially interested in the informal relationships of trust, favour and fidelity which underpinned the formal structures and institutions of government and served as alternative channels of governance and counsel. An integral part of my research to date has been a consideration of the implications of gender and how such informality operated during a period of female monarchy.

In May 2009, my biography of Mary Tudor [Mary Tudor: England’s First Queen] was published by Bloomsbury. Drawing on new research, thus book seeks to construct a new, popular narrative of a queen less weak-willed, unintelligent and politically incompetent but well-educated, courageous and politically accomplished who ruled as England's first crowned queen regnant.

I have recently co-edited a collection of essays on Tudor Queenship: The reigns of Mary and Elizabeth which presents new scholarship of both the reigns.

My new research focuses on the court of Elizabeth I exploring in particular the queen’s bedchamber and the significance of the queen’s body and considers such issues as intimacy, friendship, rumour and conspiracy.

I am also developing a project which focuses on fools and jester at European courts in the early modern period. Despite their inherent historical interest, such figures have been largely neglected in studies of early modern court politics and their political role not considered. This inter-disciplinary project will explore the political and cultural milieu of fools and folly within Renaissance Europe.

I am Director of the MA in Public History and Director of the new Centre for Public History, Heritage and Engagement with the Past.

I am a regular broadcaster and commentator on issues related to the British monarchy, the royal family, the Tudors and Stuarts. I have recently appeared in BBC One's The Manor Reborn.

I am currently arranging an international conference to be held in April 2012 on The Royal Body.