The Tudor Chest Podcast
The Tudor Chest Podcast is a weekly history series hosted by historian and author Adam Pennington, creator of the Tudor Chest platform. It covers Tudor history, the Plantagenets, and current royal family news, often featuring guest appearances by notable historians and authors.
Episodes
The Boar and the Peacock, The Rise and Fall of Sir James Tyrell with Richard Anderton
The Wars of the Roses produced some of England’s most ruthless and intriguing figures, but few have left behind a darker mystery than Sir James Tyrell. A trusted servant of Richard III, Tyrell rose through the ranks to become a powerful and influential figure at the Yorkist court. Yet his name, thanks to the writings of Sir Thomas More, would become forever associated with one of English history’s
Queen Elizabeth’s Governess, The Real Kate Ashley with Rosemary Griggs
Governess, confidante and fiercely loyal companion, Kate Ashley was an almost constant presence throughout the life of Queen Elizabeth I, from her early days as a princess, to the most dangerous years, to the very height of her powers but who was the woman behind this extraordinary reign and friendship, who actually was Kate Ashley, who were her court relations, what links did she possess to royal
The Relationship between Elizabeth I & Catherine de Medici with Dr Estelle Paranque
What happens when two of the most powerful women of sixteenth-century Europe meet across the political and religious divides of their age? Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France, never had a simple relationship. Separated by borders, faith, and competing political interests. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Dr Estelle Paranque to explore the fascinating rela
Blood Sisters, The Women behind the Wars of the Roses with Sarah Gristwood.
Today, I am delighted to be joined by Sarah Gristwood to explore Blood Sisters: the women behind the wars of the roses. Seven women who were fundamental to the successes and losses across this huge period of English civil conflict, and at its core, the relationships between them, and what their interconnected lives can tell us about the late medieval and early Tudor world. We will move chronologic
The Life of Richard Rich, was he the most evil man at the Tudor court, with me, Adam Pennington.
Across nearly five centuries, Richard Rich has acquired a reputation as the consummate opportunist: a man who appeared to possess few genuine principles beyond his own advancement, who accumulated immense wealth through the destruction of the monasteries, and who played pivotal roles in sending two of England's most revered martyrs—Bishop John Fisher and Sir Thomas More—to the scaffold. To many hi
The Lives of Medieval Women with Dr Catherine Hanley
What was life really like for women in the Middle Ages? From princesses and queens, to noblewomen all the way down to peasants, their lives were shaped by work, family, faith, law and the communities around them. But how much do we actually know about their experiences, and what can medieval sources tell us about the choices, challenges and opportunities they faced? Well to discuss just that, I am
'Henry Tudor Must Die' - A Discussion with Author Jillian Laine
What if Henry VIII’s two most famous wives had put aside their differences and joined forces against the man who destroyed both their lives? Imagine Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn — two women who, in real life, became bitter rivals — forming the most unlikely alliance in Tudor history. Well to answer that question, I am joined by author Jillian Laine, whose novel Henry Tudor Must Die brings C
The Kings Secretary, William Paget, with Dr Andrew Johnston
Among Henry VIII’s many significant ministers and members of his inner circle, William Paget is woefully overlooked. In many ways the successor to Thomas Cromwell, he was instrumental in defining the last years of King Henry VIII’s life, playing a fundamental role in the destruction of the Earl of Surrey and in establishing how Henrys planned succession would take shape. To discuss Paget with me,
Jane Seymour, Patronage, Material Culture and Image Making with Dr Elizabeth Norton
What if almost everything we think we know about Jane Seymour is far from true? In her fascinating new book, Jane Seymour: Patronage, Material Culture and Image Making, Dr Elizabeth Norton takes a fresh look at the woman behind the familiar portrait — and in doing so, completely upturns some of the long-held assumptions about Jane. From Jane's age, to her passion for fashion, her intense political
The Life of Desiderius Erasmus, Renaissance Europe's Greatest Mind with Amy McElroy
Desiderius Erasmus was one of the greatest intellectuals of the Renaissance—a brilliant scholar, prolific writer and tireless traveller whose ideas shaped the course of European history. Living at a time of immense religious and political change, he became famous across the continent for his humanist learning, his bestselling works and his calls for reform within the Church, while carefully avoidi
The Anarchy, England's First Civil War with Matt Lewis
With house of the dragon season 3 nearing its conclusion, I thought the time was right to explore the real life story behind it! Following the death of King Henry I in 1135, a disputed succession plunged the kingdom into nearly two decades of civil war, shifting alliances, and bitter rivalry between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. It was a conflict that tested loyalties, reshaped castles and
Margaret Tudor’s royal progress of 1503 with Dr Sarah Morris
In 1503, Princess Margaret Tudor journeyed from the comfort of her family home in London up to Scotland where she would be married to a man twice her age, King James IV. Her progress stopped at many key sites in northern England and into Scotland, and so Sarah Morris and I, my co-director on our tour company Simply Tudor Tours, decided to introduce a brand new tour, retracing that very trip, so jo
The Imagery of Queen Elizabeth I
Few monarchs in English history have been as carefully constructed through art as Queen Elizabeth I. More than four centuries after her death in 1603, her image remains instantly recognisable: the elaborately embroidered gowns glittering with pearls and precious stones, the flame-red hair crowned with jewels, the unnaturally smooth white complexion, and the unwavering gaze that projects confidence
A Golden World, How the Americas Changed Renaissance England with Dr Lauren Working
Perhaps naively, or maybe through blissful ignorance, many take it for granted that English expansion into the Americas during the 16th century ensured that a great deal of English culture then influenced how the Americas developed, but what if this idea were flipped? When one digs deep, is there plenty of evidence to suggest that in fact, the Americas also changed England in return, from changes
Part 2 of History and Me, with me, Adam Pennington
Hello, it’s Adam here from the Tudor Chest. This weeks episode is going to be a bit different, as this week, prepare to get to know me a bit better as I discuss my life, my love of history and of course, some of my opinions......
The Relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, the Tudor princesses, with Dr Peter Stiffell
Easily one of the most fascinating and complex relationships in Tudor history is that between the daughters of King Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth. Bound by blood yet divided by religion, politics, and circumstance, the two half-sisters navigated rivalry, suspicion, and survival in a turbulent age. To discuss their relationship with me, I am pleased to welcome back historian Dr Peter Stiffell, who
Regina, A New History of Women and Power with Professor Kate Williams
Today, I'm delighted to be joined by one of Britain's most acclaimed historians, indeed I would say she’s my biggest guest yet, Professor Kate Williams. A bestselling author, broadcaster, and expert on royal history, Kate has spent years bringing the lives of monarchs to vivid life for readers and audiences alike. Her latest book, Regina, A New History of Women and Power takes us on a fascinating
The Life of Queen Elizabeth Woodville with Dr Lacey Bonar-Hull
She was a queen, a political player, and one of the most controversial women of the Wars of the Roses. Admired by some and mistrusted by others, Elizabeth Woodville became a central figure in a royal dynasty marked by ambition, intrigue, and conflict. Her story touches on questions of power, family, survival, and the enduring mystery surrounding the Princes in the Tower. To help me untangle the my
Princesses of the Early Middle Ages with Sharon Bennett-Connolly
From the chaos of the Norman Conquest to the power struggles of the Plantagenets, the princesses of medieval England lived lives shaped by politics, ambition, and survival. In this episode, I am pleased to welcome historian Sharon Bennett Connolly onto the podcast for the first time, as we explore the women born into royal households between 1066 and the reign of King John: daughters promised in m
Anne Boleyn's Execution - The Facts and the Interpretations
Anne Boleyn's final moments on the scaffold have been portrayed countless times, but do any of these depictions actually show the execution in an accurate light? Do any get it completely right, and which are way off the mark? Is the actress playing Anne wearing the clothing described in the contemporary sources, does the speech from the scaffold match what we know she said? Is the manner of death
Anne Boleyn's Chair with Sandra Vasoli
Tudor artefacts are sadly very rare, which is why new discoveries are always so exciting! Recently, a chair came to light which very likely belonged, or more accurately, was created for, Anne Boleyn. Historian Sandra Vasoli has been really involved in the discovery of this chair, working alongside Paul Fitzsimmons to piece together its story. Sandi joins me today to discuss what they have discover
Holbein’s Unknown Woman, is it Anne Boleyn, with Karen L Davies and Professor Hassan Ugail
A sketch of a woman, erroneously identified as Amalia of Cleves, could, according to todays guests, actually be a contemporary sketch of Anne Boleyn, while another sketch, long believed to be Anne, may in fact be another Boleyn altogether. Historian Karen L Davies and Professor Hassan Ugail of Bradford University have co-authored a paper which applies technology to helping identify these sitters,
Robert Cecil, Master Secretary with Richard Woulfe
Robert Cecil, the younger but highly prodigious son of William Cecil, chief advisor to Elizabeth I, was one of the most complex but intriguing figures of the late 16th and early 17th century. Bookish, awkward and at times rather cold, he was nonetheless a supremely skilled politician who would play a huge role in the succession from the world of the Tudors to the Stuarts. To discuss Robert Cecil w
The Beheading Game, Author Interview with Rebecca Leeman
I think we’d all love for Anne Boleyn to have been given the chance to get her revenge on King Henry VIII, which is why I was really excited to read The Beheading Game, the delightfully bonkers new piece of historical fiction in which Anne Boleyn wakes up in that famous arrow chest, her head resting at her waist. What follows is a journey in which Anne manages to reattach her head, before going ou
Mary Boleyn, the Queen’s Slandered Sister with Sylvia Barbara Soberton
She is known around the world as the Other Boleyn Girl, but what do we really know about the sister of Anne Boleyn? Characterised as either a dull, less educated version of Anne or a whore who slept her way through much of the French court, in reality what we do know of Mary’s story paints an entirely different woman. To discuss her with me, I am pleased to welcome back historian Sylvia Barbara So
Anne Boleyn - Reputation, Revolution and Religion, with Martha Tatarnic
For centuries, Anne Boleyn has been cast, in certain quarters, as a power hungry manipulator who schemed to become queen of England. The story, when one digs a bit deeper, is far more complex. In truth, Anne Boleyn was a queen who used her power and influence to shape the English reformation and transform Europe’s political and religious landscape. To discuss all of this with me, I am pleased to w
Thomas More, A Life and Death in Tudor England with Dr Joanne Paul
Sir Thomas More is one of the most famous men of the 16th century. A figure of colossal significance at the court of King Henry VIII, a figure who stood up to the king, always remaining loyal but unable to accept the royal supremacy, a decision which would cost him his life. Today, I am pleased to welcome back onto the podcast historian Dr Joanne Paul for a discussion on Thomas More, following the
Capturing a Queen - The Image of Anne Boleyn with Kate McCaffrey
A brand new exhibition, Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn, was unveiled at Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn opened a few weeks ago, and rather than presenting a single “definitive” portrait, it showcases dozens of competing images—some painted decades after Anne’s death—each shaped by politics, propaganda, and cultural memory. To discuss the exhibition with me today, I am
The Prince's in the Tower - Did they Survive with Matt Lewis
It is undoubtedly the biggest royal mystery of all time - the whereabouts of the two missing princes in the tower, or to be more accurate, the missing king and prince in the tower. The two teenage boys who vanished during the reign of King Richard III, or did they? Well to discuss this story, I am beyond thrilled to welcome historian and broadcaster Matt Lewis onto the podcast for the very first t
Exploring Tudor England's Buildings with Dr Sarah Morris
The Tudors were prolific builders, from grand palaces such as Hampton Court Palace and Greenwich to imposing castles, small townhouses and narrow cobbled streets with black and white timber structures jutting out at odd angles. Sadly, many of the great sites of Tudor England are now either greatly reduced or completely lost, but what happened in them is not. Today, I am pleased to welcome back ont
The Forgotten Tudor Royal, Lady Margaret Douglas with Beverley Adams
One of the most fascinating but perpetually overlooked figures from the world of the Tudors is Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. As the sole daughter of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, Margaret Douglas was a niece of King Henry VIII and first cousin to his three children. Her life was spent in the shadows of the Tudor world, and she found herself getting on the wrong side of her relatives o
Exile, The Captive Years of Mary, Queen of Scots with Rosemary Goring
Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most famous women in British history, known best for the dramatic nature of her execution at the hands of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. What is less well known is the story behind Mary’s nearly twenty year imprisonment, during which time she was moved all over England, in increasingly worse conditions. To discuss this window of Mary’s life and all of the complex
Margaret of Anjou, The She Wolf of France, with Dr Elizabeth Norton
She is known, thanks to Shakespeare as the “She Wolf” of France, an evil queen who bullied the men around her, personally authorised the execution of the duke of York and laughed as a paper crown was nailed to his head. I am speaking of Margaret of Anjou, the wife and queen of King Henry VI. The question is, was Margaret in any way like the infamous caricature Shakespeare created? Well to help ans
The Life of Sir Thomas Wyatt, Poet and Prisoner, with Adam Pennington
Sir Thomas Wyatt was more than a courtier with a gift for words. He was a man whose life unfolded against the turbulent backdrop of Henry VIII’s reign — a world of shifting alliances, dangerous intrigue, and sudden reversals of fortune. Though best remembered today for introducing the sonnet into English literature, Wyatt was also a diplomat, a one time prisoner of the Tower of London, and a figur
The Many Misconceptions of Queen Mary I with Dr Peter Stiffell
Queen Mary I is England’s first true queen regnant, and yet her reign is invariably considered a mere blip in the wider Tudor story, a short lived window in which an intolerant zealot went around burning people alive with undiluted pleasure. The truth is, of course, far more complex. Many misconceptions surround Queen Mary I, and so to unpack them I am pleased to welcome back Dr Peter Stiffell ont
Accounting for Anne with James Taffe
Given the brevity of her time as queen of England, we often overlook the fact that Anne of Cleves was indeed that, a queen, and thus her tenure came with all of the benefits, mores and facets of queenship just as much as it did for the many other queens of Henry VIII. We seldom explore what kind of queen she was, how did she spend her money, was she a good landlady, was she a good queen?! Well to
Bloody Brilliant Tudors with Elizabeth Goff
The Tudors are perhaps our most famous royal dynasty, everyone knows that Henry VIII had six wives and that he had two of them made a head shorter, we all know Lizzie the first loved fashion and spent loads, or did she, was it in fact another queen for whom the term shopaholic would apply? Today, I am pleased to welcome back historian Elizabeth Goff onto the podcast for a discussion based around h
The Falcon’s Last Flight with Craig Lightoller
In this, the first episode of the year I am pleased to be welcoming Craig Lightoller onto the podcast for the first time. Craig is a historical re-enactor and a playwright. He is here today to speak about his upcoming play, The Falcon’s Last Flight, in which Craig will play King Henry VIII. This play dares to ask the question, what would a conversation between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn on the eve
Christmas in Tudor England with Brigitte Webster
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and so it was for the Tudors as well. Yes, its Christmas, and so I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to examine how the Tudors spent the most festive time of year. To join me, I am pleased to welcome back Tudor food and gardening historian, Brigitte Webster onto the podcast. She and I examine how the Tudors decorated the home, from the poorest of s
The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn with Heather Darsie
Most of us can agree that Anne Boleyn was perhaps the most controversial woman to ever sit on the throne of England, but, her life has rarely been examined through a legal lens, until now. Today, historian Heather explains why religious reform and the break from Rome not only predate Anne Boleyn but the Tudors all together, why and how Anne Boleyn regularly broke the law and, perhaps most interest
The King’s Traitor, Reginald Pole and the Tudors with Dr Helen Hyde
Reginald Pole started out as a man who Henry VIII sponsored and celebrated, but soon turned on the king, becoming an outright and vocal critic of his all too bloody reign. To discuss Reginald with me, I am pleased to welcome historian Dr Helen Hyde onto the podcast for a discussion based around her recent book, The King’s Traitor, Reginald Pole and the Tudors. We explore Reginald's early life, his
The Last Yorkists, Edmund and Richard de la Pole with Richard Anderton
The de la Pole family were one of the great noble houses of Tudor England, who awkwardly possessed a big dollop of York royal blood, tracing direct descent from Elizabeth of York, a sister of Kings Edward IV and Richard III. It was the de la Pole family whom Richard III intended to be his successors, and would in turn become figureheads of rebellion against the Tudors. Today, I am pleased to welco
She Wolves, The Women who ruled before Elizabeth with Dr Helen Castor
The rule of the Plantagenets saw an unbroken line of fourteen kings reign over 300 years, but while these kings are undeniably interesting, often it is their wives, the queens of the medieval period who command the attention, I'm talking of histories she wolves, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France and Margaret of Anjou, and as such, I am thrilled to welcome back the woman who wrote the book a
Black Tudors, The Untold Story with Dr Miranda Kaufmann
An aspect of Tudor history seldom discussed or, perhaps more accurately, all but ignored, is the role black people living and working in England across the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, to unpick the stories of some of Tudor England’s African population, I am pleased to welcome Dr Miranda Kaufmann onto the podcast for a discussion based around her book, Black Tudors, The Untold Story. We look at
History and Me, with Me, Adam Pennington
I was due to be speaking to Dr Helen Castor this week, but sadly that episode is being delayed by a couple of weeks. A follower wrote to me recently asking me whether I would do an episode telling people about my own story. How I came to do what I do now, what are my own historical opinions etc., and so I thought, well, why not! So, here it is, your chance to get to know me, the man behind the pod
Holbein, Renaissance Master with Dr Elizabeth Goldring
Hans Holbein was undoubtedly our window into the court of King Henry VIII. His remarkable portrait collection allows us to see who the figures of the Tudor court were, from Henry VIII’s queens to his political enemies, lawyers, churchmen and much more. To discuss this remarkable man with me, I am pleased to welcome Dr Elizabeth Goldring back onto the podcast for a discussion based around her upcom
Matilda, Empress, Warrior, Queen with Dr Catherine Hanley
Queen Mary I is the first undoubted queen regnant in English, later British history, but four hundred years before the crown was placed on her head, another woman attempted to get there first, she was Empress Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, who had been named by her father as the rightful heir to the throne. Upon Henry’s death, Matilda was robbed of her throne when her cousin, St
After Elizabeth, the Death of Elizabeth and the coming of King James with Leanda de Lisle
As Elizabeth I approached the end of her life, the constant topic of conversation was who would be her successor. Her ministers all had their own opinions, often varying, while Elizabeth herself never truly confirmed who her own preferred candidate was, but, in the end, it was the Scottish king, King James VI, who was selected to follow in her footsteps, so how did this come about? To discuss this
The Creation of Anne Boleyn with Susan Bordo
From films to television, plays to musicals and hundreds and hundreds of books, Anne Boleyn has been portrayed in many different ways. Her story and the mythology around her has been a constant source of inspiration for the big and small screen, but how much of an impact has it had on the way we perceive Anne? Well to discuss this, I am pleased to welcome Susan Bordo onto the podcast for a discuss
Shadow King, The Life and Death of King Henry VI with Lauren Johnson
Henry VI became king of England at the age of just nine months old, never knew his father and in many ways never truly grew up. His life was managed by a series of competing and often self-serving councillors. His many mental health issues placed incredible pressure on the court he nominally oversaw and thanks to his eventual overthrow at the hands of Edward, Earl of March, later Edward IV, we thi
A Portrait Discovery of Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton with Emma Rutherford and Elizabeth Goldring
New portrait discoveries are always exciting, and when its a controversial figure from the reign of queen Elizabeth I and moreover one that may have been the gay lover of William Shakespeare, that's even more exciting! I am speaking of the recent discovery of a miniature by Nicholas Hilliard of Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton. Today I am thrilled to welcome back art historians Emma Rutherfo
What was the Exeter Conspiracy?
On the 27th May 1541 the 67 year old Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury was escorted out onto the small green inside the walls of the Tower of London and beheaded in an execution which became infamous for how badly botched it was. This was the final dreadful act in a period known as the Exeter Conspiracy, which saw a total of 13 arrests and eight executions, with Margaret being the most notable
The Life of Agnes Tilney, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk
Agnes Tilney, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk is a truly fascinating but often overlooked figure, a woman who for a time was one of the most powerful women in England, but by her dotage was overseeing a household which has been described as something akin to a noble whorehouse, the place in which her step-granddaughter, Katheryn Howard, may very well have lost her virginity. So, who was Agnes what were
The Young Queen Mary I with Dr Peter Stiffell
Long before she was Queen Mary I, or more infamously to her detractors as Bloody Mary, there was a young girl, born a princess, the first born child of King Henry VIII to reach adulthood, Mary, by his first with, Katherine of Aragon, so what was Mary’s young life like? Who was involved in her christening, spoiler, what were the many marriage prospects created, and did she ever blame her father rat
The Tudors in Love with Sarah Gristwood
Courtly love was a game, a game in which figures of the Tudor court would happily indulge in, despite sometimes failing to recognise its pitfalls, one key example being Anne Boleyn herself. But what was courtly love, what were the rituals, where did it all begin as a concept? Well to discuss this very topic, I am honoured to have historian, author and broadcaster Sarah Gristwood onto the podcast f
Measuring Monarchy, The Most Overrated and Underrated British Kings and Queens
Kings and Queens are undoubtedly one of the most fundamental aspects of British history. A question we often ponder is who was the best and who was the worst, but what if we approached it differently and asked which monarchs are grossly overrated and which for various reasons are repeatedly underrated? Well to discuss this question precisely, I am thrilled to welcome Dr Tim Hames onto the podcast
The Race for Elizabeth I’s throne with Beverley Adams
Elizabeth I famously never married or produced children. The subject of her succession was an almost constant conversation and concern for her councillors and courtiers, made more problematic by factionalism, for there were actually a great many people with a strong claim to the throne of England. To discuss these very people, I am pleased to welcome historian and author Beverley Adams onto the po
The Carrington Collection, a History of Royal Coins with Gregory Edmund
Coins are a physical tangible link to the past, history in metal that we can carry in our very hand. Coinage is central to the history of Great Britain, made more fascinating still because of our long and rich monarchical history. In todays episode, the 100th episode, I am pleased to talk to Gregory Edmund from Spink auctioneers. An expert in coinage, Gregory joins me to discuss something known co
Women who Ruled the World, 5,000 Years of Female Monarchy with Dr Elizabeth Norton
This week, I am thrilled to welcome Dr Elizabeth Norton back to the podcast for the third time as we dive into the stories behind her upcoming book, Women who Ruled the World, 5000 Years of Female Monarchy. In this book, as you can probably guess, Dr Norton looks at female rule over the past five millennia, from Cleopatra of Egypt to Empress Wu of China, Catherine the Great to Elizabeth II, this b
The Life of Lord Guildford Dudley, the First Male Tudor consort.
Born the fourth son of the mighty John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, Guildford Dudley was a member of the nobility, but being the fourth son, was by no means deemed particularly significant, that is, until his marriage to the girl who would go on to become England’s shortest reigning monarch, so who was Guildford Dudley, what was his early life like and is there any truth in the theory that he a
Anne Boleyn and a tale of two portraits with Karen L Davies
Anne Boleyn portraiture remains a fascinating but highly contentious subject! We are blind as to what Anne Boleyn truly, beyond all doubt looked like, due to a lack of confirmed contemporary portraits of her, but there is a sketch in the royal collection, drawn by Hans Holbein which for many historians is categorically Anne. I have always struggled to accept this conclusion and so I am thrilled th
Sceptred Isle, A New History of the Fourteenth Century, Part 2, with Helen Carr
Helen Carr joins me again today to discuss the rest of her most recent book, Sceptred Isle. Today we discuss the reigns of Kings Edward III and Richard II, from Edward’s early reign in which he was bullied by his mothers domineering lover to becoming viewed as the greatest Plantagenet king, through to his feckless grandson, Richard II, who all but destroyed trust in the monarch to such a degree th
Anne Boleyn the Musical with Roxana Silbert and Rebecca Night
Historalia are changing the game when it comes to putting on large history themed musicals, hosting them in the grounds of historic buildings closely tied to the subjects of their plays. There latest and very first British musical is just around the corner and its all about everyones favourite Tudor MVP, Anne Boleyn! Anne Boleyn the Musical will take place in a specially designed theatre in the gr
The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn with Helene Harrison
From portraits to plays, films to fables, Anne Boleyn is a Tudor poster girl, easily the most studied, the most followed and the most divisive of the six wives of King Henry VIII. Her creation as an icon of history has built over time, both from those who knew her personally and ever since. To discuss how Anne’s image has been created, I am very pleased to welcome back Helene Harrison onto the pod
Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford with Julia Fox
Almost from the moment her head was severed from her body, Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford has been an easy scape goat for all of the drama surrounding the downfall of her husband George, sister in law Anne and the teenage queen she was executed alongside, Katheryn Howard. In reality, there is basically nothing to support the long held belief that Jane actively plotted against the family she had
Sceptred Isle, A New History of the Fourteenth Century, Part 1, with Helen Carr
England in the fourteenth century would go through some of the most turbulent in royal history! To discuss it all, I am thrilled to welcome historian and author Helen Carr onto the podcast for the first time. Helen’s latest book, Sceptred Isle, A New History of the Fourteenth Century is the backbone for our conversation, a conversation which today focuses on King Edward II - was he actually in lov
Mary Tudor, Queen of France with Amy McElroy
Henry VIII had six wives, but he also had two sisters, and these sisters seldom get the attention they deserve. The younger was Princess Mary, the youngest child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York to reach adulthood. Mary was famed for her beauty but also the scandal caused by her second marriage to Charles Brandon, a marriage from which Lady Jane Grey traced her direct descent. To discuss Mary an
Vile, the redemption of Jane Boleyn with Laura Crow
Jane Boleyn is easily one of the most vilified yet fascinating figures from tudor history. She has been, to my mind, unfairly maligned, repeatedly treated as a pantomime villain who destroyed her husband and sister-in-law. This week I welcome Laura Crow onto the podcast to discuss her play, Vile, the possible redemption of Jane Boleyn with me. In this upcoming, audacious and to use the official ta
Son of Prophecy, The Rise of Henry Tudor with Nathen Amin
We all know that in 1485 King Henry VII successfully snatched the throne from king Richard III, but what do we know of henrys ancestry? How did the Tudor name come to be in the first place? Well to discuss all of this, I am pleased to welcome historian Nathen Amin onto the podcast for the first time, to discuss his book, Son of Prophecy, the Rise of Henry Tudor with me. From Henry's 6 x great-gran
The Reign of Mary, Queen of Scots with Dr Anna Turnham
When we think about Mary, Queen of Scots, I think it’s fair to say that we tend to think of a woman whose reign in Scotland was nothing but a disaster. A queen who couldn’t find a decent husband, had no real authority and ended her life on an executioners scaffold in England. Well, while aspects of this assessment may in part be true, there has to be more to the story. To discuss this fascinating
The Chequers Ring with Professor Susan Doran
Very few personal items of the Tudor monarchs survive to this day, but one that does, and is exceptionally special, is known as the chequers ring. A tiny and stunning pearl, diamond and ruby covered ring which hides a secret, for it opens up to reveal two tiny faces on the inside, one of Elizabeth I and another of another woman, who is very likely to be Anne Boleyn. To discuss this remarkable surv
Bonus Episode - The Arrest of Queen Anne Boleyn
On the 2nd of May 1536 Anne Boleyn, queen of England, was summoned to present herself before her husbands small council at Greenwich Palace. Presenting herself, the queen was told that she was arrested on charges of adultery and high treason and was to accompany the men by barge along the river Thames to the tower of London. Anne’s downfall, and those loyal to her, was shockingly fast and carried
Mary, Queen of Scots, from Crown to Captivity with Dr Sarah Morris
Mary, Queen of Scots led a life that was anything but dull. Queen of Scotland aged just six days old, she would eventually become queen of France, then return to her native homeland to take up the crown that had been hers almost from the day of her birth. In this weeks episode, I chat to Dr Sarah Morris, known to many of you as the Tudor travel guide, who is also my co-director on Simply Tudor Tou
Secrets of the Tudor Portraits with Sylvia Barbara Soberton
Tudor Portraiture is a subject which I find endlessly fascinating, from the amazing full lengths of Henry VIII to the tiniest miniatures of his queens. Tudor portraits tell us a story, but there is often more to the story of the portraits themselves than we know about. Today, to discuss several Tudor portraits, some very well known and others less so, I am pleased to welcome back Sylvia Barbara So
Elizabeth and Anjou, The Queens Frog Prince with David Lee
Queen Elizabeth I's later in life romance with the French prince, Francois, Duke of Anjou, is seldom explored at great length, despite the clear affection for which the two felt for each other, so why? Well to discuss this I am pleased to welcome historian David Lee onto the podcast. In 2023 David’s book, 'The Queens Frog Prince, the Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou' was released, an
What was Wyatt's Rebellion?
In early 1554 a rebellion against queen Mary I broke out over fears that her impending marriage to Philip II of Spain would plunge England into becoming nothing more than an extension of Spain. This rebellion has become known as Wyatt’s rebellion, for one of its key architects was Thomas Wyatt the younger. The rebellion would end in failure, but what actually was it and who was involved, how serio
Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess, with Heather Darsie
Much of Katharine of Aragon’s story is dominated by the end of her marriage to King Henry VIII, but we seldom explore where it all started, back in her native homeland of Spain. What was Katharine of Aragon's ancestry, how did her marriages into the English royal family come about, and how did Katharines mother Isabella work with Henry VII to help legitimise each others claims to their respective
Margaret Beaufort, Survivor, Rebel, Kingmaker with Lauren Johnson
She is the woman who started it all, the Tudor dynasty's matriarch, Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII and a truly fascinating figure in her own right. In recent years thanks to historic fiction, she has become a figure of controversy, portrayed as an evil religious zealot, obsessed with getting her son on the throne, but is this interpretation of her in any way accurate? Well today I am
The face of Lady Jane Grey with Rachel Turnbull
Lady Jane Grey hit the headlines a couple of weeks ago when news broke that a portrait, quite possibly of Jane, painted from life had resurfaced. Today, I welcome Rachel Turnbull, Senior Collections Conservator in Fine Art for English Heritage onto the podcast. Rachel was the person at the very centre of this discovery and examination. She joins me to discuss the research, what new features from t
Lancaster and York, who had the better claim, with Gareth Streeter
We all know that the Tudors took the throne from King Richard III at the battle of Bosworth, thus ending the decades long wars of the roses, but, who actually were the two sides of this ongoing battle, how did the families of Lancaster and York split off, who were they, what was their royal descent, and of course the big question, who had the better overall claim? Well to discuss this and a whole
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