Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Two powerful women — one a queen, the other a princess — both bound by beauty, intrigue, and political peril.

In this episode of Parallel Lives, we explore the striking similarities between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Ana de Mendoza y de Silva, Princess of Éboli — two women whose lives unfolded under the watchful eyes of monarchs, courtiers, and enemies alike. Both were celebrated for their charisma and intelligence, yet their ambitio...

Today I’m joined by PhD student and author Conor Byrne for a fascinating discussion about Mary, Queen of Scots, Anne Boleyn, Katheryn Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. Together, we explore how the narratives surrounding these women have evolved over time — and uncover the striking similarities in their stories of power, downfall, and legacy.

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In this episode, we explore the unexpected connections between Hans Holbein, the great portraitist of the Tudor age, and Desiderius Erasmus, the humanist scholar whose ideas shaped an era. Though one wielded a brush and the other a pen, both were master observers of humanity—capturing the spirit, intellect, and anxieties of the Renaissance. Join us as we compare their worlds, their patrons, and the ways their work continues to defi...

Replay Episode (Originally aired January 2024):
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Emma Cahill Marron to explore the life of Juana of Castile, elder sister of Katherine of Aragon, better known by the unfair moniker “Juana the Mad.” Together, we revisit her story to challenge the long-standing misconceptions and uncover the truth behind her life and le

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Credits:  

Host: Rebecca Larson 

Guest: Dr. Emma Cahill Marron 

Voiceover: David Bl...

In this episode, Dr. Emma and I set Catherine de Medici and Katherine of Aragon side by side—two queens whose lives reveal the price of power and the strength required to survive it. Katherine of Aragon held firm against Henry VIII’s attempts to cast her aside, defending her daughter’s right to inherit England’s crown. Catherine de Medici, long dismissed as an outsider in France, became the strategist who steered a kingdom through ...

You’ve heard of Alfred the Great. You’ve probably watched The Last Kingdom and fallen in love with Uhtred, too. (No? Just me?) Well, in today’s episode we’re looking at Alfred’s grandson, the son of Edward—Alfred’s eldest boy. Enter Æthelstan.

This one’s a bit shorter than usual, because it’s such a dense topic if you’re not already familiar with it. But if you find yourself intrigued and want to dive deeper—grab this book! And hey,...

In this episode of Parallel Lives, Dr. Emma and Rebecca dive into the fascinating connections between two Renaissance powerhouses—Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France. Both men were rivals and occasional allies, driven by ambition, prestige, and the desire to leave their mark on history. We’ll explore their uneasy friendship, their hunger for glory in war and peace, and the ways their larger-than-life personalities shaped ...

In today’s Historian Chat, I’m talking about Elizabeth Norton’s book The Women Who Ruled the World. Norton takes us across centuries to highlight queens and empresses who rose above expectation and left their mark on history. From ancient rulers to Tudor monarchs, this book is a fascinating look at leadership, power, and the women who wielded it.

The Women Who Ruled the World on Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble

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Welcome back to another episode of Dr. Emma & Me!! Today's episode we look at sisters of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. As always, we also talk about accents, Henry Cavill, and so much more!

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Join our 6-week online course (September 17th): Forging a Queen (Katherine of Aragon before she became Queen)

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Join our Special Event on September 27th when Matthew Lewis joins us to talk about Empress Matilda and why she could not wi...

Today I have the honor of welcoming the brilliant Diarmaid MacCulloch back. to the show! We’re diving into his fascinating new book, Lower than the Angels. It’s a bold and thought-provoking subject—one that might stir a little controversy—so buckle up and join us for a conversation that will challenge, surprise, and inspire.

Pickup a copy of Lower than the Angels wherever you get books! Amazon

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Check out details of the upcoming Wolf...

*This episode is available in video format on #Spotify and #Youtube

✨ In today’s Parallel Lives episode, Dr. Emma and I dive into the lives of two extraordinary women—Eleanor of Aquitaine and her daughter, Eleanor of Castile. A powerful mother-daughter duo whose stories shaped medieval Europe!

⏳ Don’t forget—time is running out to join Forging a Queen, my 6-week online course on Katherine of Aragon’s remarkable life before she became...

In this episode, we uncover the dramatic lives of the Grey sisters—Jane, Catherine, and Mary. Each was born close to the English throne, yet their royal blood proved more curse than blessing. From Jane’s nine-day (or thirteen days) reign, to Catherine’s scandalous secret marriage, to Mary’s struggle against her own frailty, their stories reveal the peril of being too near the crown in Tudor England.

Find Adam's book on Amazon!

Adam's...

This is a special Sunday episode - next week we will return to another fascinating woman from history!

The wonderful Christine Morgan returns as guest host with an exciting update on Rosamund Gravelle’s Three Queens! And there’s a BIG announcement you won’t want to miss.

Three Queens is a powerful one-act play that imagines a fictional encounter between Queen Mary I, Lady Jane Grey, the future Queen Elizabeth I, and their cousin Card...

In this Parallel Lives episode, we examine the marriage of Mary I of England and Philip II of Spain. Both monarchs were bound by faith and duty, yet faced suspicion, resistance, and personal struggles in their quest to secure power and an heir. Their parallel journeys reveal how politics, religion, and dynastic ambition shaped not only their marriage but the fate of two kingdoms.

Peter's Website: https://drpeterstiffell.com

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There’s...

Welcome to the launch of a brand-new series with historian Dr. Linda Porter: The Queen’s Husband. In this series, we explore the fascinating — and often complicated — men who married queens regnant.

We begin with one of the most captivating and controversial women in history: Mary, Queen of Scots. In this episode, Dr. Porter unravels the stories of Mary’s three husbands — the young King Francis II of France, the ill-fated Henry, Lor...

In 1338, the English army marched on Dunbar Castle expecting a swift victory. Instead, they were met by Agnes Randolph — Black Agnes — whose wit and determination turned the tide of history. With her husband away, Agnes commanded the castle for nearly five months, mocking English siege engines, rallying her defenders, and refusing every attempt at intimidation. Her defiance made her a legend of Scotland’s Wars of Independence and a...

Welcome to another edition of our Parallel Lives series, inspired by Plutarch’s classic work. Every Thursday, we pair two historical figures—sometimes our choice, sometimes yours—and uncover the striking parallels in their lives. This week’s episode was a real revelation for me: I’ve long wanted to dive into the story of Boudicca, and now I’ve discovered Urraca as well. Both were formidable ruling queens, blazing their trails centu...

The always-spirited Dr. Emily Lalande is back — and this time, we’re spilling the tea (and maybe a little bathwater) on Margaret of Valois, daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de’ Medici. From royal politics to scandalous escapades — including one “spa day” that wasn’t quite what her brother the king had in mind — Margaret’s life was anything but ordinary. Get ready for a story as bold and unpredictable as the princess her...

By day, she was shy and soft-spoken. By night, she set the skies ablaze. Sophie Blanchard, Napoleon’s Chief of Air Services and the world’s first female professional balloonist, captivated Europe with midnight ascents, glittering fireworks, and record-breaking flights. But in an age when women were expected to stay grounded, Sophie made the heavens her stage—until one fateful Paris evening when the very flames that lit her fame bro...