A former teacher from West Cumbria has written her first book about the fascinating lives of some famous women from the Tudor period.

Originally from Cleator Moor but now living in Egremont, Rebecca Wilson was discovered by renowned publishers, Pen and Sord whilst writing for a The Historians Magazine who then commissioned her to write her book, entitled ‘Tudor Feminists - 10 Renaissance Women Ahead of their Time’.

Each chapter of the book is dedicated to one ‘remarkable’ woman, ahead of her time. The book features well known Tudor women including Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boylen and also some less famous women including Grace O’Malley - The Pirate Queen and Aemilia Lanier - The Dark Lady.

The chapter explores her achievements and examines the impacts she had on a male-dominated world, while placing her in the context of her particular circumstance and background.

“I think now more than ever it's becoming more and more accepted that women's history has been airbrushed out of our history books a great deal,” said Rebecca.

“I think it is important that these voices are hear. They have always been there but we just need to uncover them, and give them that voice, give them that stage to be able to hear their stories, which are every bit as fascinating as the men for the period.

“The Irish pirate queen, Gwen O'Malley is incredibly interesting.

“She's a proper swashbuckler who, when her husband was killed, she takes his ships and goes on the rampage on the high seas and takes lots of plunder.

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So she's an incredible woman who met Elizabeth I and just a really interesting character that isn't really written about all that much and that needs to change.”

The book has only just been released but Rebecca isn’t resting on her laurels and has already begun work on her next book exploring fascinating women of the Georgian period.

‘Tudor Feminists - 10 Renaissance Women Ahead of their Time’ can be bought online.