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Was Edward I of England a brilliant reformer—or a ruthless tyrant? In this episode, we dig into the life and reign of one of England’s most formidable kings. From legal reforms and the shaping of Parliament to his brutal campaigns in Wales and Scotland, Edward’s legacy is anything but simple. We explore the man behind the crown—his ambition, his grief after the death of Eleanor of Castile, and the decisions that still spark debate today. Was he building a stronger England…or ruling through fear? -- BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Matt Lewis

In this episode, I’m joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman to challenge everything you think you know about Elizabeth Boleyn. If you’ve ever wondered whether Elizabeth Boleyn has been unfairly judged, this conversation will make you rethink everything. -- Sophie's book: Blackwells Amazon (US) Sophie's Social Media: Instagram Bluesky Sophie's Substack -- BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com -- Credits: Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Sophie Bacchus-Waterman

Welcome back to Off the Record! Today, Amy and I dive into women “behaving badly”…or at least, that’s how history chose to remember them. And yes—we’re fully aware that women were judged by a very different standard than men. From alleged husband-murdering, to sharp-tongued insults, to a mother refusing her son the money he demanded, and even a woman boldly owning an affair (and naming her son after her lover)…we unpack the stories behind the scandal. Were these women truly outrageous—or simply refusing to play by the rules? Let’s get into it. -- Margaret Wotton article: https://tudorsdynasty.com/margaret-wotton-unnatural-mother/ Book I mentioned: A Biographical Encyclopedia of Early Modern Englishwomen: Exemplary Lives and Memorable Acts, 1500-1650. -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

What do you do when your father is one of the worst kings in English history? This week, I’m joined by Matt Lewis to unpack the life of Henry III of England—a king who inherited chaos, uncertainty, and a seriously damaged crown after the disastrous reign of King John of England. We explore how Henry came to the throne as a child, what it meant to grow up in the shadow of his father’s failures, and the surprising role his mother, Isabella of Angoulême, played when she left England behind. What happened to Henry’s siblings? And how did those early years shape the kind of king he would become? From there, we look at Henry’s own family—his marriage, his children, and the legacy he hoped to build—while also asking a bigger question: was Henry’s reign really as peaceful as it’s often portrayed? It’s a story of recovery, reputation, and the long shadow of a bad king… and whether Henry III ever truly escaped it. -- Henry III by Matthew Lewis: Amazon US -- Support the podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Matt Lewis

After exploring the husbands of Mary, Queen of Scots, Mary I of England, and Mary II of England, we now arrive at the final Stuart queen—Queen Anne—and the often-overlooked man at her side: Prince George of Denmark. In this overview episode of The Queen’s Husband, Dr. Linda Porter and I take a closer look at George—frequently dismissed as dull or insignificant—and ask whether that reputation is truly deserved. What role did he play in Anne’s life, both personally and politically? Was he simply a supportive consort, or is there more to his story than history has allowed? Join us as we reassess George of Denmark and explore the dynamics of one of Britain’s quieter—but perhaps more meaningful—royal marriages -- Others in the series: (Spotify Link) The Queen's Husband: The Men Who Wed Mary, Queen of Scots The Queen's Husband: Philip II The Queen's Husband: William III -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Dr. Linda Porter

What does bad behavior really look like in Tudor England? In this episode, we take a sharp look at the men who pushed ambition, ego, and survival just a little too far. Charles Brandon turns marriage into strategy, Thomas Seymour spirals after the death of Henry VIII, and John Dudley plays the game for his own gain. Add in Francis Bryan—who needed papal absolution—and Edmund Howard with his questionable “medicine,” and you’ve got a lineup of men making very bad decisions. Messy, calculated, and peak Tudor chaos. 👑 -- Support our work over on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

What happens to the daughters of a king after everything falls apart? In this episode, we step into the turbulent aftermath of 1066 and follow the extraordinary—and often overlooked—lives of Gunhild of Wessex and Gytha of Wessex, daughters of Harold Godwinson—the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Their stories are anything but quiet. One becomes a royal nun… who doesn’t quite stay that way. The other is swept into exile, navigating a world far beyond England’s shores, eventually tied to powerful dynasties abroad. These are women born into privilege, thrust into chaos, and forced to reinvent themselves in the shadow of conquest. From cloisters to courts, scandal to survival, we uncover how these sisters carved out lives that were anything but ordinary—and why their stories deserve far more attention. Because history didn’t end for Harold’s daughters at Hastings…it only got more interesting. -- Website (and books): https://historytheinterestingbits.com/ A Slice of Medieval Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DerekBirks-t3o (wherever you get podcasts) -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

This week, I’m joined by historian Dr. Steven Veerapen for a deep dive into one of history’s most fascinating—and controversial—figures: Mary, Queen of Scots. Was Mary a reckless romantic… or a ruler navigating an impossible political landscape? Together, we unravel the layers of her story—her queenship, her marriages, the scandal of Darnley’s murder, and the shadow of Bothwell. We also tackle the question that refuses to go away: was Mary truly guilty, or has history been too quick to condemn her? We explore her rivalry with Elizabeth I—was it real, or something shaped by later narratives? And how much did religion, gender, and perception influence the way Mary was judged, both in her own time and ever since? From political missteps to matters of the heart, from imprisonment to execution, this conversation looks at how Mary’s legacy was shaped—not just by what she did, but by how her story has been told. And, of course, we end with the biggest question of all… After everything—who was Mary, Queen of Scots, really? -- Steven's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Steven-Veerapen/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ASteven%2BVeerapen -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Dr. Steven Veerapen

What makes a marriage work - especially in a world where love was often optional and politics were everything? In this episode of Off the Record, Amy and I dive into the messy, fascinating world of marriage in Tudor England - where alliances could build dynasties… or completely destroy them. We’re looking beyond Henry VIII’s famously disastrous relationships (don’t worry, he gets enough attention) and instead shining a light on other unions that reveal what “good” and “bad” really meant in the 16th century. From genuinely supportive partnerships like Henry VII and Elizabeth of York - where stability and mutual respect helped heal a kingdom - to deeply troubled matches like Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Stafford, where power struggles and personal cruelty played out behind closed doors… we’re breaking it all down. What did a “good marriage” actually look like in Tudor society? Was it about love, loyalty, survival—or simply staying out of trouble? And how do we even begin to judge these relationships by modern standards? Expect strong opinions, a few laughs, and plenty of moments where you’ll be glad you’re not navigating courtship in the 1500s. Because in Tudor England… marriage wasn’t just personal. It was political. -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson Amy McElroy

My brother from another mother, Matt Lewis, is back—and we’re continuing the story of the children of Henry II of England (and Eleanor of Aquitaine). But since King John was…well…such an idiot, we decided to start with his sisters to make things far more enjoyable 😂 And honestly? These women were incredible—sharp, capable, and miles ahead of their brothers. I think you’ll feel the same once you hear their stories. In the second half, we finally turn to King John to see if—maybe—there’s a redeeming quality or two hiding in there. Spoiler alert: there isn’t. If anything, you might end up disliking him even more by the end… just like I did. What an absolutely terrible man! -- Check out Matt's books: https://mattlewisauthor.com/ Gone Medieval: https://access.historyhit.com/gone-medieval -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Matt Lewis

Edward Seymour is often remembered as the powerful Lord Protector who ruled during the minority of Edward VI—but what about the women behind him? In this episode, we’re turning the spotlight onto the wives of Edward Seymour—and trust me, their stories are anything but quiet. From his first marriage to Catherine Fillol, surrounded by whispers of scandal and betrayal, to his formidable second wife, Anne Stanhope, whose ambition and sharp presence at court earned her both power and enemies—these women played far more significant roles than history often gives them credit for. Was Catherine truly cast aside for infidelity… or was there something more strategic at play? And did Anne Stanhope help shape Seymour’s rise—and perhaps even his fall? This is a story of reputation, rumor, and ruthless court politics—where marriage was never just about love, and scandal could reshape dynasties. Let’s step beyond the Protector—and into the lives of the women who stood beside him. -- Find Rebecca Batley's Books: On Pen & Sword website: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Rebecca-Batley/a/4665 On Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/search/author/Rebecca%20Batley On Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rebecca-Batley/author/B0BLZPHJLL?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1774888814&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=fbe496f2-7200-4af3-a437-a221410a0fe2 -- Support the podcast over on Patreon and get commercial-free episode, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Rebecca Batley

In this episode, we spin off from our recent discussion on who was truly safe under Henry VII - and turn the spotlight on Thomas More. What if he had made a different choice? Instead of staying, what if he had fled into exile? Where would he have gone - and would he have taken his family with him? And perhaps most importantly… how would history remember him if he hadn’t died on the scaffold? We explore the possibilities, the risks, and the life Thomas More might have lived. -- Show your support over on Patreon and get early access, exclusive content, and more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson Amy McElroy

As a king, having “an heir and a spare” is ideal—but Henry II of England may have taken things a bit too far with four ambitious sons: Henry the Young King, Richard I of England, Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany, and John, King of England. Join Matthew Lewis and me for a lively and unfiltered conversation about the unbelievable—and often chaotic—stories of the sons of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. Rivalries, rebellions, betrayals…this family drama has it all. It’s a wild ride (with a little swearing), so buckle up—Henry II certainly had to. -- If you haven't already, check out Matt's podcast: Gone Medieval Matt's books: https://mattlewisauthor.com/ -- Want to support the podcast? Head over to Patreon and become a patron! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Matt Lewis

What did people in medieval England really understand about mental health? In this episode, I’m joined by Michèle Schindler, author of Mental Health in Late Mediaeval England, to explore a subject that is often misunderstood—and oversimplified. From the famous collapse of Henry VI to lesser-known noble case studies, we move chapter by chapter through her research to uncover how mental illness was recorded, interpreted, and treated in the late Middle Ages. Were those suffering seen as “mad”… or simply unwell?Did medieval society respond with cruelty—or with compassion?And how did religion, law, and community shape the experience of mental illness? We also dive into the difficult topic of suicide, challenging long-held assumptions about how strictly Church doctrine was applied in practice. This conversation may change the way you think about the medieval mind—and the people who lived within it. -- Michèle's books through Pen & Sword Michèle's books through Amberley Michèle's books on Amazon US -- Want to support the show, please head over to Patreon to see what benefits you get by being a patron! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty -- Host: Rebecca Larson Guest: Michèle Schindler

In this episode of Off the Record, Amy and I dive into the grim realities of execution under Henry VIII. From Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, to Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Lord Dacre, and others, we explore the stories behind their downfalls. Ambition, loyalty, and suspicion collide in a series of fates that reveal just how dangerous life at the Tudor court could be—each ending as tragic as it is telling. -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson Amy McElroy