Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

William conquered England, but what about the women who helped shape his dynasty? Rebecca Larson welcomes historian Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore Matilda of Flanders and her daughters—their lives, influence, and the stories that too often get overshadowed by the men. From the questionable tales of William and Matilda’s courtship to her role governing Normandy, we discover a queen whose author...

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 Off the Record , Amy and Rebecca return to the Tudors with questions about survival, rebellion, and what court life might look like in the modern world. Who could talk their way out of an execution? Who would become an influencer, run a secr...

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, the resistance that gathered at Ely around Hereward, and William’s attempts to bring England’s landholders and resources under royal control. The Hereward stories include some memorable episodes—though parts of his daring exploits come from...

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 Elizabeth’s strengths and shortcomings, her carefully managed public image, and the gap between historical fact and the stories later generations told about her. They also discuss Elizabeth’s relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots, the ways h...

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 category. This time, we’re choosing people from medieval history, comparing our answers, and discussing the personalities, relationships, and reputations behind them. Some choices might seem obvious; others may surprise you. Listen along and s...

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 marriages, and the demands of a powerful family. She also became one of the most capable political figures of her time. In this episode of Dr. Emma and Me , Dr. Emma Cahill Marrón joins me again to follow Margaret’s travels and explore how the places...

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 than its subject intended? I’m joined by bestselling author Wendy Holden to discuss The Queen’s Painter , her historical novel that places Holbein at the center of a plot to avenge Anne Boleyn. We talk about his imagined alliance with Thomas...

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 hand out superlatives to some of history’s most memorable figures. There are strong opinions, a few difficult choices, and plenty of reasons to argue with us. Listen in, then tell us who you would have picked. We can't wait to hear your an...

Rebecca and historian Matthew Lewis launch a new series exploring the Norman kings, beginning with the man who changed England forever: William the Conqueror. Born the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy, William survived a childhood filled with violence, betrayal and political uncertainty. Those early experiences helped shape the ruthless ruler who would eventually cross the Channel and clai...

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 challenging another of history’s most enduring mysteries: what really happened to the Princes in the Tower? Philippa joins Rebecca to discuss her remarkable search for Richard III, the evidence that led to the excavation of Greyfriars, and wh...

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 Hastings? And if you could solve one historical mystery, would you rather interview the people involved—or secretly watch the whole thing unfold? This week on Off the Record , Amy and Rebecca are playing Would You Rather: Medieval Edition , and...

Long before Katherine of Aragon sailed for England, she had already traveled across kingdoms, witnessed conquest, encountered new cultures, and experienced life at the heart of an itinerant royal court. In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Dr. Emma to retrace Katherine’s formative journeys through Spain—from her birth in Alcalá de Henares to Granada, Barcelona, Medina del Campo, Laredo, and final...

Queen Elizabeth I understood that clothing was never simply decorative—it was a powerful political tool. In this episode, Rebecca Larson speaks with Sylvia Barbara Soberton, author of Dressed to Impress: Queen Elizabeth I and the Art of Fashioning Power , about how Elizabeth used gowns, jewelry, color, and carefully constructed imagery to communicate legitimacy, authority, purity, and royal magnif...

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 opponents. They discuss Pole’s education in Oxford and Padua, his rejection of the royal supremacy, and the devastating consequences his resistance had for the family he left behind in England. After years of exile, Pole returned under Mary...

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 explore the real history woven into the world of Westeros—from Empress Matilda’s battle for the English throne during the Anarchy to the rivalries and shifting loyalties of the Wars of the Roses. They discuss female succession, disputed heir...

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 challenge the familiar narrative of Henry’s immediate disgust and Anne’s disastrous failure as queen. We examine what the sources reveal when read chronologically, from their first meeting at Rochester and the couple’s communication difficul...

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 true identity of Perkin Warbeck or finally learn what happened to the Princes in the Tower? In this episode of Off the Record , Rebecca and Amy face a series of impossible medieval and Tudor choices involving royal marriages, dangerous court...

In the finale of the Medieval Kings series, Rebecca and Matt answer listener questions, challenge medieval monarchs with some very modern dilemmas, and revisit a few of history’s most persistent mysteries. Who would survive a siege, win Survivor , or make the worst podcast guest? Join us for one final round of crowns, controversy, and medieval kings chaos! -- Join our growing community of history...

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 to explore three fascinating and interconnected areas of her work: the use of facial-recognition technology to investigate Anne Boleyn’s portraiture, a concealed cipher within Henry VIII’s love letters, and new evidence concerning the authe...

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 this episode, Rebecca and Amy explore the remarkable life of Edward IV’s illegitimate son: half-brother to Elizabeth of York, uncle to Henry VIII, military commander, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Deputy of Calais. His illegitimacy may have pr...

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 rumors, rivalries, and betrayals that carried him toward Bosworth. Did Richard intend to marry his niece, Elizabeth of York? Did he hasten the death of his wife, Anne Neville? Or were these accusations part of a growing propaganda campaign desig...

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 short years, her prophecies had attracted thousands of followers, earned her audiences with some of Europe’s most powerful men, and placed her directly in the path of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Rebecca is joined by historian and author Hayley...

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 with a new round of Tudor “What Ifs”—this time focused on the queens whose marriages, pregnancies, and choices helped determine the future of England. What if Anne of Cleves had been pregnant when Henry VIII decided he wanted their marriag...

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 legislation was praised even by historians otherwise hostile to his reign. Richard abolished forced “benevolences,” strengthened protections for people accused of crimes, confronted corruption within the jury system, protected English mercha...

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 was anything but certain. In this episode, we examine the battle from Richard’s perspective, revealing an experienced commander who entered the field with the larger army and came within seconds of killing Henry Tudor. Far from a final act of...