This is Houses of Power, Simon Thurley (2017) — https://amzn.to/2TXS0W5

The Houses of Power covers the whole of the Tudor period, from the victory that brings Henry VII to power through to the slow, secluded decline of Queen Elizabeth. Unfortunately, at almost 400 pages of actual material (as opposed to index and references), I have only picked at the earlier pages and otherwise “skipped to the end”, where a chapter called Glut settles on the challenges of Queen Elizabeth dealing with a royal estate that spans more than fifty properties.

Much of the early material deals with monarchial progresses, and there are details of the homes of some of those who provided the Queen with accommodation. Sections consider the change in focus away from building to selling off or gifting two-thirds of the estate and the tendency for Elizabeth to make modifications that blend in rather than add chaotic and ostentatious extensions.

The book contains plenty of pictures, various floor plans, and an assortment of colour plates. The floor plans will prove really useful to the GM of any Dee Sanction game, like the overview of Westminster (below), followed by a more detailed room by room plan. These scatter the pages throughout the book, most based on contemporary or near contemporary records, sketches, drawings, similar projects and other material. It’s fascinating stuff—as I say, this is good background material to fill out GM background knowledge.

The esoteric and espionage content demands an open mind. There is, for example, a reference to the Queen requesting that the builders etch the names of the Barons of the Exchequers into the stone bases of timber pillars in completing expansion work at Westminster.

In terms of espionage, reading about the Department of Revels, based out of the Priory of St John of Jerusalem in Clerkenwell, made me think of Bond’s quartermaster. The Q to the Dee Sanction and broader intelligence services at the height of Walsingham’s control feels like it lies here—though, in reality, it had more to do with preparation for and equipping of plays and shows. In The Dee Sanction, the Department offers a source of disguises, costumery, and varied props for Agents.

I envision rooms for disguise training, workshops for creating collapsible props, and elaborate sound stages for complex diversions — akin to The Truman Show, The Prisoner, or the hospital setting that frequently appears in The Blacklist.

I’m going to suggest that Houses of Power scores well for background reading; environment, architecture, protocols. On the game side, there are definitely solid elements you could adapt (and I will, too), but not so much on the esoteric side of things!

Houses of Power, Simon Thurley (2017) — https://amzn.to/2TXS0W5

Well, something that the book points out is that the game doesn’t expect or necessarily need you or your group to have an understanding of Tudor England. I’m happy to reiterate that here.

At a very simplistic level, the game mechanics and approach could be used out of context to run a game against any (reasonably compatible) backdrop. However, the game does come with a very Short History of Tudor England. And there will be a bibliography.

Personally, you can prepare for the game in some small way by viewing something like Fringe, The X-Files, or, probably more thematically, Constantine, Evil, or Supernatural. I get it that less than half of those series is current, but what I’m trying to suggest is weird and supernatural investigation represent the touchstone for play.

Fringe and The X-Files make the most sense. In both series, the protagonist possesses a level of knowledge and authority. And, like Agents of Dee, they lack the tools or the means to ‘win’ with certainty. Agents of Dee only really have the authority in the earlier period of the game, where the idea is fresh and the Queen is keen to back it wholeheartedly, but that opportunity remains.

Cinematically, you wouldn’t do yourself a disservice to watch Elizabeth — which features both Walsingham and Dee.

For reading, I would recommend The Arch-Conjuror of England, by Glyn Parry, for considerable detail and interesting diversions about the core non-player character. More generally, The Elizabethan World Picture, by E. M. W. Tillyard, handles the period’s frame of thinking. Finally, something straightforward like Ian Mortimer’s The Time Traveller’s Guide to Elizabethan England or How to be a Tudor by Ruth Goodman can offer a solid grounding.

As far as wider pictures go, you might just consider reading or watching whatever takes your fancy. Whether with a historical lense or something more thematically inclined toward espionage, intrigue, far-reaching nefarious plots, or horror – it’s all good. I have found myself reading diverse and disconnected books that warrant highlighting, bookmarking or a quick sticky note as a point for later reference and return.

Diversity of reading and viewing is key. You should follow the flow, click interesting links. And always check the backprint references in histories. Most important, find something you enjoy. I won’t lie, some excellent history books can be hard going.

This is not revision. There will not be a test.