British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics

British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics

Weekly podcast, British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics, available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you find your podcasts. Meet famous and infamous characters, walk with playwrights and peasants, and wander through castles and cathedrals. New episodes every Wednesday. Have a question about British history, something you’ve always wanted to know? Just ask! Let’s explore history together.

Episodes

May 27, 2026 26 mins

In this episode of the Royals, Rebels, and Romantics Leadership Series, Carol Ann examines Shakespeare's King Lear as a cautionary tale. Instead of behaving as a leader, Lear behaves as a bully, grasping for power and control. He treats leadership as a transaction, attempting to exchange power for praise. Not surprisingly, everything falls apart.

Carol Ann Lloyd
TEDx talk: 3 Leadership Secrets from Shakespeare
@shakeuph...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

From the time she burst onto the stage of the royal court in 1522, people have been debating what Anne Boleyn looked like. Recent discoveries about portraits created in the reign of her daughter shed some light on the political importance of Anne's hands. Historian Helene Harrison joins us to share her insight and early identification of the way politics and portraiture come together in the appearance of Anne Boleyn.

Show Notes...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Anne Boleyn changed the history of England, but her impact was felt far beyond her native country. Author and historian Heather Darsie brings a Continental perspective to Anne's life, and her death.

Show Notes:

Heather Darsie
Heather holds degrees in law and German, which gives her special insight into the Continental perspective on the factors leading to the death of Anne Boleyn. 
https://maidensandm...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet has captured the attention of the world, focusing on Shakespeare's family. The importance of Agnes (Anne) Hathaway Shakespeare and the death of son Hamnet changed the family. Carol Ann looks at how four adaptations give us new understanding of the family and the works of Shakespeare.

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell affiliate link:   

Carol Ann Lloyd
TEDx talk: 3 Leaders...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Macbeth begins ominously: "Enter three witches." What did Scottish people believe about witches? Historian and author Mary Craig joins Royals, Rebels, and Romantics to explain.

Show Notes:

Mary Craig
https://marywcraig.com/ 
Mary and Doug's podcast: https://bordersbletherings.uk/#podcast 
Twitter: https://x.com/11mwc 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marywcraig 
Instagram: http...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

A new series on Royals, Rebels, and Romantics!
Leadership Lessons from History and Shakespeare.
This week we take a deep dive into Shakespeare's Henry V and why listening is a leader's superpower.

Carol Ann Lloyd
TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVWJml2otH0 
@shakeuphistory
https://carolannlloyd.com/ 
https://patreon.com/carolannlloyd
https://bookshop.org/shop/carolann
Th...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Jane Seymour was not the only famous Seymour woman of the sixteenth century. Rebecca Batley explores the lives of Edward Seymour's two wives, Catherine Filliol and Anne Stanhope. 

Show Notes:

Rebecca Batley
https://substack.com/@rebecca192630 
https://amymcelroy.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips 
@damagedbybooks 
@rebecca192644 
https://bsky.app/profile/bec1926.bait.social
Anne ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Elizabeth Goff, aka The Historical Gal, brings the Tudors to life, with 100 tales of gowns, gossip, and gory ends!

Show Notes

Elizabeth Goff
 @TheHistoryGal  
@thehistoricalgal
@the_historical_gal on Instagram
Bloody, Brilliant Tudors

Carol Ann Lloyd
@shakeuphistory
https://carolannlloyd.com/ 
https://patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Q...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It was a conflict that raged on for years, shifting alliances, remaking warfare, and changing the political and economic landscape of Europe forever. Michael Livingston deep into the history of what we call "The Hundred Years War," revealing conflicts and battles that raged for two centuries that laid the foundation of the modern world.

https://www.michaellivingston.com/ 

Show Notes:

Michael Liv...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Throughout history, women have used their own ways to establish credibility and exercise influence. In the sixteenth century, two women took this to high art: Catherine de Medici and Bess of Hardwick. In different countries and using different techniques, these two women demonstrate how the public performance of marriage and motherhood could change history.

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Joanna Plantagenet, daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II, was a princess and a pioneer. Author and historian Catherine Hanley takes us through her exciting life and shares insights from her book, Lioness Heart.

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Catherine Hanley
@catherinehanley_author
Lionesshe...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
January 14, 2026 31 mins

Happy 2026! I believe studying history is more important now than ever! Join me for a discussion about the power of history, one of my favorite historical moments (1399), and how history is showing us what's possible.

Show Notes:


Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Book mentioned in podcast: The Eagle and the Hart...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Rosemary Griggs is an author, researcher, and presenter who shares the often unknown stories of Tudor women.

Show Notes: 

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Rosemary Griggs
rosemarygriggs.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/ladykatherinesfarthingale
https://www.instagram.com/griggs6176/
https://bsky.app/profile/...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

In what can be considered a companion piece to her wonderful Secret Voices: A Year of Women's Diaries, Sarah Gristwood's Celebrating Women is a joyful exploration of firsts, feasts, friends, family, and more!

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Sarah Gristwood
www.sarahgristwood.com
sarahgristwood.substac...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

We can see Shakespeare's plays on stage, but can we "see" Shakespeare? A new uncovered portrait dating from the late sixteenth century might give us a way way to see Shakespeare? Steve Wadlow, the owner of the portrait, and filmmaker Madoc Roberts join us to share the journey of discovery as we try to picture Shakespeare.

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
T...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Scotland's Medieval Queens were at the heart of power struggles, threatened with murder and imprisonment, and at the center of the royal family. Sharon Bennett Connolly helps us appreciate their important contributions to history.

Show Notes:

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Sharon Benn...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The death of Elizabeth I marked the end of the Tudor dynasty. But how did James VI of Scotland become the next English monarch? Historian Tracy Borman shares the hidden story.

Show Notes:

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Tracy Borman, OBE
tracyborman.co.uk
Twitter: @tracyborman
I...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

While navigating the expectations of women's work in the sixteenth century, some women created works that have lasted hundreds of years. Ramie Targoff shares how women's words help us understand the Renaissance.

Show Notes:

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Ramie Targoff
ramieta...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Two cousins, both descended from Edward III. Both would become King of England. Helen Castor explores the epic battle between Richard II and Henry IV--the causes and the implications.

Show Notes:

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 

Helen Castor
helencastor.substack.com
@hrcastor
The...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Taken from the letters of Mary of Modena, this is the story of the Queen Consort and the women in her court who reshaped the culture and conventions of her time.

Show Notes:

Carol Ann Lloyd
www.carolannlloyd.com
@shakeuphistory
patreon.com/carolannlloyd
The Tudors by Numbers
Courting the Virgin Queen 


Breeze Barrington
www.breezebarrington.com
https://allthingsseventeenthcentury.substack.com/
@bree...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Love Trapped

    Former Bachelor Clayton Echard’s casual one-night fling turned into a paternity nightmare. When the news broke about the scandal, no one believed Clayton at first. He was a reality TV star, and an unpopular one at that. Clayton found himself trying to prove the truth, while trapped in a web of lies, manipulation, and threats. He would soon discover he was not the only one. At its core, this is a story about who you believe and why. It’s an epic battle that would take a group of strangers, citizen sleuths from across the world, to crack the case and finally hold someone accountable. New episodes of Love Trapped are released every Thursday, starting February 26th, 2026. If you would like to reach out to the Love Trapped team, email us at lovetrappedpod@gmail.com and follow along on Instagram @glasspodcasts.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices