Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Today, I’m joined by the wonderful Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore the first earls of Surrey—though that isn’t the name they would have recognized. To their contemporaries, they were the earls of Warenne.

From the aftermath of the Norman Conquest to the reign of Edward III, the Warenne family’s story is packed with the drama, ambition, and intrigue we’ve come to expect from England’s most powerful medieval dynasties.

You can find ...

ALL NEW EPISODES COMING THIS TUESDAY (DEC 23 & 25TH)!

The Great Fire destroyed much of the great city of London. In this episode we uncover the tinderbox conditions that led to the blaze, explore the dramatic events of those fateful days.This was originally posted November 2022 for Patreon patrons only - it is now opened it to the public.--Always commercial FREE for ⁠patrons⁠! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Love the Tudors...

This is a replay episode from a bit earlier this year. Due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to record a new episode this week. In addition, I've been getting requests for information on Eleanor of Castile - so here it is!

✨ 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 stori...

Edward I dreamed big—perhaps too big. While remembered for his brutal campaigns in Wales and Scotland, Edward also longed to take the fight to France, only to be repeatedly pulled back by crises closer to home.

Joined by Matthew Lewis, we examine how Edward’s crusading experience in the Holy Land, his views on conquest and treason, and his willingness to use extreme punishments shaped his reign. Together, we ask whether Edward’s rep...

Today’s episode is a one-time bonus share on Tudors Dynasty & Beyond so I can introduce you to a new podcast I’m launching. If you like this podcast, please consider subscribing to History Lair wherever you get your podcasts!

Before he became William the Conqueror, he was a boy born into scandal, danger, and survival. In this season of History Lair, we step into the shadows of 11th-century Normandy to uncover the brutal childhoo...

Three queens. Three generations. Three very different paths to power. From the childhood formation of Isabel I of Castile, to the political education and queenship of Katherine of Aragon, and finally to the turbulent rise and reign of Mary I of England, this episode explores how girls became monarchs—and how legacy, faith, and crisis shaped their rule. A story of motherhood, monarchy, and what it truly meant to be a queen.

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Two women. Two very different paths through the Tudor court. One ended on the scaffold. The other helped shape how the court would be remembered.

In this episode of Forgotten Tudor Women, we explore the lives of Jane Boleyn and Susanna Horenbout—one remembered for scandal, the other nearly lost to history despite her artistic legacy. We unpack the myths surrounding Jane Boleyn, what people consistently get wrong about her, and what ...

*This is a replay episode from July 2025 that was very popular with listeners/viewers, because Marguerite is a fascinating woman with an amazing portrait that we all recognize as her - immediately.

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Marguerite d’Angoulême—Renaissance writer, queen, and sister to King François I of France. Discover how Marguerite’s bold literary works, like the Heptameron, challenged gender norms, and...

Welcome back to another episode of Historical Tinder with Dr. Emma & Me! As always, Dr. Emma picked this week’s topic—and I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going to lead. But surprise, surprise: it turned into a conversation about far more people than just Henry and Anne. Because let’s be honest… when did any of Henry VIII’s marriages involve only two people?

Stick around to catch a brand-new historical nickname we...

Historian Matthew Lewis joins Rebecca to spotlight one of England’s most overlooked monarchs: Henry III. Often overshadowed by his infamous father and powerful son, Henry’s long reign was far more influential than history remembers.

In this conversation, Matthew unpacks Henry III’s political struggles, his clash with the barons, his deep piety, and the ambitious building projects that transformed England—especially Westminster Abbey...

Replay Episode — Originally Aired 7 January 2025
This episode was one of our most-loved conversations of the year, and we’re excited to bring it back for anyone who missed it—or wants to experience it again.

Gemma Hollman returns to the podcast for a captivating deep dive into the remarkable lives of medieval mystics and nuns. Together, we explore the spiritual, cultural, and intellectual impact of these extraordinary women who h...

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. and so we decided to take the week off from Dr. Emma & Me and share with you a popular episode from a past #ParallelLives episode on Margaret of York and Margaret of Burgundy.

We will see you again next Thursday for our next installment of Dr. Emma & Me!

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Love Anne Boleyn? Join Dr. Estelle Paranque for our next Special Event - we go LIVE December 6th. If you can't make the live talk it w...

Join me for a fantastic conversation with Tracy Borman about her new book The Stolen Crown. We dive into the real story behind one of history’s boldest royal heists and the rivalries that shaped it. A must-listen for Tudor and Stuart fans!

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Love Anne Boleyn? Join Dr. Estelle Paranque for our next Special Event - we go LIVE December 6th. If you can't make the live talk it will be live for your viewing pleasure.

https://anneboleyn...

*This was an extremely popular episode from November 2024, with Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull (just before she got her PhD) that I wanted to share with you again.

Ever wondered what beauty looked like in the Medieval era? In this episode, we reveal the unexpected secrets behind achieving that flawless, pale complexion, why some beauty practices were worth risking your life, and which surprising trends made their way into Medieval society. Jo...

This episode uncovers the story of a Tudor woman (Jane Boleyn) whose name has long been overshadowed by scandal—and the father (Henry Parker, Lord Morley) whose scholarly reputation has endured for centuries. Their lives offer a striking contrast between courtly peril and intellectual authority, revealing how family ties and public perception shaped survival in Henry VIII’s England. Who they were may surprise you.

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Check out the la...

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Steven Veerapen to explore the reigns of James IV and James V of Scotland—two kings whose decisions, alliances, and rivalries kept the Tudor court on edge.

We dig into James IV’s pivotal marriage to Margaret Tudor and James V’s marriage to Marie of Guise, and we unpack their often tense, competitive, and politically charged relationships with the English kings—from diplomatic brinkmanship to outright con...

What if Henry VIII’s sister, Mary Rose Tudor, had married Emperor Charles V? In this playful but deeply historical “Historical Tinder” episode, Rebecca and Dr. Emma swipe right on dynastic possibility — exploring what this alternate union could have meant for England, Spain, and the entire Tudor dynasty. From shifting alliances and religious futures to Henry’s own ambitions and Anne Boleyn’s unlikely fate, we imagine how one royal ...

What if a single painting could change how we see Shakespeare?

In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Madoc Roberts, and the star of the documentary, Steve Wadlow, whose remarkable discovery is the subject of the new PBS documentary Picturing Shakespeare — available beginning November 12. In their first podcast conversation with an American host, Steven and Madoc share the story behind the film, the meticulous research that follow...

This one was so popular the first time that I've decided to send it out again in case you missed it, or want to watch it again! (From February 2025)Today, I’m joined by art historian Melanie V. Taylor to explore a fascinating theory—could a long-overlooked miniature actually depict the secret son of Elizabeth I? For centuries, historians have insisted she had no children, but Melanie's research might just challenge everythi...