Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

In this episode of Off the Record , we’re stepping into one of history’s most fascinating rabbit holes: the heirs who should have changed everything… but died too soon. What if Arthur Tudor had survived - and become king? Would Henry VIII ever have worn the crown… or married Katherine of Aragon? Would England have avoided the seismic religious and political upheaval that followed? Then we go even...

Dr. Emma is back, and we’re returning to Historical Tinder to swipe through the love life of Henry VIII. From mistresses and wives to potential brides who almost made the cut, we break down Henry’s matches, missteps, and marital strategy—one swipe at a time. -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, I’m joined by historian and author Susan Abernethy to discuss her new book on the women who helped build — and ultimately transform — the Burgundian state. We explore the powerful wives, daughters, and female relatives of the Valois dukes of Burgundy who ruled as regents, managed territories, negotiated marriages and treaties, raised taxes, and exercised real political authority a...

Welcome to the very first episode of Off the Record ! Join Amy McElroy and Rebecca Larson as they dive into one of history’s biggest “what ifs”: what if Anne Boleyn had never married Henry VIII? Who might she have married instead - or would she have agreed to become Henry’s mistress? In this episode, they explore her options, share their thoughts, and enjoy a relaxed, off-the-record conversation a...

Swipe right or swipe left? 👀 In this episode of Historical Tinder , Rebecca is joined by Dr. Peter Stiffell , stepping in for Dr. Emma, to ask one tantalizing question: what if Mary I had married her longtime confidant and cousin Reginald Pole instead of Philip of Spain? Was this the ultimate Catholic power couple waiting to happen—or a relationship better left in letters and late-night council c...

When a listener asked for an episode on humanists, I couldn’t have asked for better timing. Amy McElroy has just written a book on Erasmus and is now deep into another on humanist educators in England—so honestly, who better to teach us about these men? Please check out Amy McElroy's books on Amazon! Stay tuned for the next Dr. Emma & Me and an announcement I make regarding my Sunday episo...

What happens when you change just one moment in history—and let the consequences unfold? In today’s episode, we explore how a single altered decision can change everything . From political ripple effects to personal power shifts, this is a deep dive into historical “what-ifs” and why they matter. We cover a range of topics, and I’ve included timestamps below if you’d like to jump around—fair warni...

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 power...

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...

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 pow...

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 reig...

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 N...

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...

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 consis...

*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 Hept...

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 catc...

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...

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 o...

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! -- Love Anne Boleyn? Join Dr. Estelle Paranque for our next Special Event - we go LIVE December 6th. If...

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! -- 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 yo...

*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...

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...

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 d...

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 unlik...

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 fil...