Shows / Tudors Dynasty & Beyond
Tudors Dynasty & Beyond
Welcome to Tudors Dynasty & Beyond, the podcast where history comes alive through stories of royalty, rebellion, and resilience. Hosted by independent researcher Rebecca Larson, each episode dives into the Tudors and beyond—Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Katherine of Aragon, forgotten queens, rebels, and adventurers. Enjoy Sunday storytelling (or interviews), engaging historian chats, and the popular Thursday series Dr. Emma & Me, with Dr. Emma Cahill Marron. Discover love, power, intrigue, and…
Episodes
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHenry I: The White Ship, Matilda’s Claim, and the Road to Anarchy (Norman Kings Series)
In the final episode of our Norman Kings series, Matt Lewis returns to explore the later years of Henry I’s reign—and the succession crisis that followed his…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondBeyond the Tudor Court: Trade, Faith and the Baltic World
I'm not sure why I'm a bit quieter this time, but it's more important to hear the guest well, so I hope it's still enjoyable for you! -- What did Tudor England…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondTudor Would You Rather: Bad Choices, Worse Consequences
What would you rather do: survive a bout of sweating sickness, have an affair with Henry VIII, or serve as his Groom of the Stool? And believe it or not, those…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHenry I: Clever, Cunning, and Cruel (Norman Kings Series)
Henry I was the cleverest of William the Conqueror’s sons—or at least, he always seemed to be a step ahead of his brothers. But intelligence and ambition came…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondRoyal Witch: The Forgotten Women of Medieval England
What happens when ambition becomes more powerful than loyalty, love, or even fear? Bestselling historical novelist Philippa Gregory returns to the podcast to…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondMedieval Superlatives: A Royal Mess
Who would survive just about anything? Who could talk their way out of an execution? And which medieval figure would be an absolute disaster if left in charge…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWilliam Rufus: Rebellions, Rivalries, and the Fatal Hunt (Norman Kings Series)
William Rufus is often remembered as a difficult king who fell out with the Church—and died when an arrow struck him in the New Forest. But there was far more…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Women Behind William the Conqueror
William conquered England, but what about the women who helped shape his dynasty? Rebecca Larson welcomes historian Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore Matilda…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWho Would Survive Tudor Court - and Social Media? (Superlatives)
What’s a superlative? It’s a playful way of asking who is most likely to do something—and the Tudor court gives us plenty of possibilities. In this episode of…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWilliam the Conqueror: Rebels, Rule, and Legacy (Norman Kings Series)
William the Conqueror’s reign was marked by both ruthless force and careful efforts to secure his rule. In this episode, we look at the Harrying of the North…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Real Elizabeth I: Image, Power, and Legend
What was Elizabeth I really like—and how much of the queen we think we know was carefully created? Historian Dr. Carole Levin joins Rebecca Larson to explore…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHistorical Superlatives: Medieval Edition
We’re handing out medieval superlatives! Think of the titles in a school yearbook: a superlative singles someone out as the “most” or “best” in a particular…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondMapping Margaret of Austria
Margaret of Austria’s life took her from the Burgundian court to France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Along the way, she faced a broken betrothal, two…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHolbein, Anne Boleyn, and a Tudor Revenge Plot
Hans Holbein painted some of the most familiar faces of the Tudor court. But what did he think of the people sitting for him—and could a portrait reveal more…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHistorical Superlatives: Tudor Edition
Who would you want at your side in a Tudor court—and who would make you regret walking through the door? In this episode of Off the Record, Amy and Rebecca…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWilliam the Conqueror: From Bastard Duke to King of England (Norman Kings Series)
Rebecca and historian Matthew Lewis launch a new series exploring the Norman kings, beginning with the man who changed England forever: William the Conqueror…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondFinding Richard III and the Evidence That the Princes Survived
Philippa Langley became internationally known for leading the search that discovered the remains of King Richard III beneath a Leicester car park. Now she is…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWould You Rather: Medieval Edition
What would you choose: marry King John or Richard II? Follow Richard the Lionheart or Edward I into battle? Support Matilda or Stephen? Witness Bosworth or…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Spanish Travels of Katherine of Aragon
Long before Katherine of Aragon sailed for England, she had already traveled across kingdoms, witnessed conquest, encountered new cultures, and experienced…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondDressed to Rule: How Elizabeth I Fashioned Power
Queen Elizabeth I understood that clothing was never simply decorative—it was a powerful political tool. In this episode, Rebecca Larson speaks with Sylvia…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Yorkist Who Survived Henry VIII
Rebecca and Amy explore the remarkable life of Reginald Pole—a Yorkist survivor who went from Henry VIII’s favored scholar to one of the king’s most outspoken…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondEngland's Version of Dance of the Dragon
What does House of the Dragon have in common with some of the bloodiest succession struggles in medieval history? Historian Matt Lewis joins Rebecca Larson to…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondAnne of Cleves: What the Sources Really Say
Was the marriage between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves truly doomed from the beginning - or has hindsight distorted the story? Dr. Valerie Schutte joins me to…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWould You Rather? Medieval & Tudor History Edition
Would you rather marry Henry VIII or spend five years in the Tower? Serve Katherine of Aragon during her downfall or Anne Boleyn during her rise? Discover the…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondMedieval Kings: The Questions We Never Asked
In the finale of the Medieval Kings series, Rebecca and Matt answer listener questions, challenge medieval monarchs with some very modern dilemmas, and revisit…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondSearching for Anne Boleyn: Facial Recognition, Secret Codes, and the Tower Letter
What if some of the greatest mysteries surrounding Anne Boleyn have been hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Rebecca is joined by researcher Karen L. Davis…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Yorkist Who (Almost) Survived the Tudors: Arthur Plantagenet
Arthur Plantagenet survived the fall of the Yorkists and served four kings—but his loyalty could not save him from the suspicions of Henry VIII’s court. In…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Final Year and Fall of Richard III
In the concluding episode of the Medieval Kings series, Rebecca and historian Matt Lewis examine the turbulent final year of Richard III’s reign - and the…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Making and Murder of the Holy Maid of Kent
Before she became known as the Holy Maid of Kent, Elizabeth Barton was an obscure housemaid suffering from mysterious trances and convulsions. Within a few…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWhat If: Tudor Queen Consort Edition
What if one moment had gone differently for the women of the Tudor dynasty? In this episode of Tudors Dynasty, Rebecca and Amy are rewriting history once again…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondRichard III: The Parliament That Made Him Enemies
In Richard III: The Parliament That Made Him Enemies, Rebecca Larson and historian Matt Lewis examine Richard’s landmark Parliament of 1484—an assembly whose…
- Tudors Dynasty & Beyond
Bosworth: The Battle That Richard III Almost Won
The Battle of Bosworth is often remembered as the inevitable end of Richard III and the triumphant beginning of the Tudor dynasty - but Henry Tudor’s victory…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondRichard III: The Gathering Storm (Medieval Kings Series)
Richard III’s reign began with remarkable speed—and almost immediately began to unravel. In this episode, Rebecca and historian Matt Lewis examine Richard’s…
- Tudors Dynasty & Beyond
Queens, Rebels and the Women Who Shaped 1066
Queens, Rebels and the Women Who Shaped 1066 explores the remarkable women whose influence helped define the Norman Conquest and transform 11th-century…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWhat If Katherine of Aragon Had Stepped As
What if Katherine of Aragon had willingly stepped aside and allowed Henry VIII to marry Anne Boleyn? Would Mary have remained legitimate—and could England’s…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondRichard III: Honor in a Ruthless Age
Before Richard III became king - and long before history cast him as a villain - he built a very different reputation in the north of England. In this episode…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondAnna of Denmark: The Clever Queen History Underestimated
Historian and bestselling author Tony Riches joins Rebecca Larson to discuss his new book, Queen Anna, and the remarkable woman behind it. Often dismissed as…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHistorical Mysteries: No Research, Just Opinions
What happens when two history lovers tackle some of the past’s greatest mysteries - with no preparation, no research, and plenty of opinions? Rebecca and Amy…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondRichard III: Forged by Conflict
Long before Richard III became one of England’s most controversial kings, he was a child shaped by exile, loss and political upheaval. In this first part on…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondKatherine Gordon: Did She Believe He Was a Prince?
In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman to examine whether Katherine Gordon truly believed her first husband, Perkin Warbeck, was Richard…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWhat Got Us Into History?
History isn't always something we're born loving - it often finds us in unexpected ways. This week, Amy and I step away from our usual historical discussions…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondEdward V: The King Who Never Wore the Crown
Edward V’s reign lasted only a matter of weeks - but those weeks changed the course of English history. In this episode, Rebecca and historian Matthew Lewis…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondJane Seymour: The Queen We've Been Getting Wrong
For centuries, Jane Seymour has been remembered as Henry VIII's quiet, obedient third wife -the queen who gave him his long-awaited son before dying tragically…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWhat If Jane Grey Had Remained Queen? (Replay)
Amy's was on vacation and I am running out of topic ideas for this week so I decided to revisit one of our most popular episodes. What if Lady Jane Grey had…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondEdward IV: The Price of Power
Edward IV's dramatic return to the throne in 1471 brought an end to the Lancastrian challenge - but not to the dangers facing England. In this episode, Matt…
- Tudors Dynasty & Beyond
Margaret of Austria: A Story of Resilience
Today, I am joined by award-winning historical fiction author Roja Gaston to discuss her novel on Margaret of Austria — daughter of Maximilian I, aunt to…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondTraveling Back in Time to Witness History, Pt. 3
Today, we decided to return to the same topic as before and we discuss moments in history that we would like to travel back to and experience. There are a few…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondEdward IV: Allies, Enemies, and Exile
Edward IV's reign began with spectacular victories, but it was nearly undone by betrayal. In Part 1 of our series, Matt Lewis joins me to explore Edward's rise…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondYork vs. Somerset: Obsession, Ambition, and the Origins of the Wars of the Roses
For generations, the story of the Wars of the Roses has largely been told through a Yorkist lens. But what if we've been looking at the rivalry between…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHenry VI: From Crisis to Civil War
Matt Lewis returns to continue our journey through the reign of Henry VI - and things are about to fall apart. Picking up in 1450, we explore the events that…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondMargaret Beaufort: Lancastrian Loyalist or Ruthless Opportunist?
The wonderful Dr. Michael Jones returns to the podcast to take a fresh look at the remarkable life of Margaret Beaufort. Together, we explore how her turbulent…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondTraveling Back in Time to Witness History, Pt. 2
Today, we decided to return to the same topic as last week and we discuss moments in history that we would like to travel back to and experience. There are a…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHenry VI: The Making of a Crisis
Henry VI inherited the throne as an infant and would become one of England's most controversial kings. In this episode, Matt Lewis joins me to explore the…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondWomen's Networks in Medieval England, Pt. 2
Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull returns for part two of our conversation on women's networks during the Wars of the Roses. This time, we turn our attention to two of the…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondTraveling Back in Time to Witness History
Ever wished you could step into a time machine and witness history with your own eyes? In this special episode, Amy and Rebecca leave the archives behind and…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondEdmund Beaufort: The Man History Got Wrong
*Matt has the week off, so I invited Mike back to discuss someone who may or may not come up in my next conversation with Matt on Henry VI. For generations…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe House of Boleyn: History Meets Fiction
Lately, I've been on a historic fiction kick. I read so much non-fiction that it's an absolute pleasure when I can just sit back and let a story tells itself…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondEducating the Tudors: The Blind Poet, the French Linguist, and the Loyal Martyr
When we think of Tudor education, names like Erasmus and Roger Ascham often come to mind. But they weren't the only men shaping the minds of England's future…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondHenry V: England's Last Warrior King
Matt Lewis is back and I have a little fun with him at the beginning of the episode. This time, Matt teaches us all about Henry V and his ongoing quest for…
Tudors Dynasty & BeyondThe Life and the Career of the Black Prince
The Black Prince is one of the most famous figures of the Middle Ages - but how much do we really know about the man behind the legend? In this episode, I'm…