Podcast
Tudors Dynasty & Beyond
Hosted by RedTop Media / Rebecca Larson · EN
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 survival in early modern England and across Europe.
80episodes
Episodes
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What If Katherine of Aragon Had Stepped As
5d ago00:49:09Tap to summarizeWhat 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 break with Rome have been avoided?Rebecca and Amy explore the legal, political, and religious consequences of this alternate Tudor timeline. Even with Katherine’s cooperation, Henry’s marriage would still have required a formal dissolution, raising difficult questions about Mary’s legitimacy and place in the succession. Could Parliament have protected her rights, and what might Katherine have demanded in return?The conversation also considers whether Henry would have remained loyal to Rome, how slowly religious reform might have progressed, and whether England’s monasteries could have escaped wholesale dissolution. Finally, what would Katherine’s peaceful retirement have meant for Anne Boleyn—and might Anne later have been persuaded to accept a similar settlement?From the precedent of Joan of France to the possibility of a palace for England’s displaced queens, this episode asks how one decision might have transformed the Tudor dynasty and the religious future of England.--Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and access to our monthly BOOK CLUB! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy
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Richard III: Honor in a Ruthless Age
1w ago01:19:56Tap to summarizeBefore 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, Rebecca Larson and Matt Lewis continue Richard’s story from his marriage to Anne Neville through his rise as one of Edward IV’s most trusted lords. They examine the bitter division of the Warwick inheritance, Richard’s relationship with Anne Beauchamp, his settlement of the Percy–Neville feud, and the authority he established across northern England.Through several surviving legal disputes, a striking pattern emerges: Richard repeatedly ruled against his own retainers and social superiors when the evidence demanded it, placing equitable justice above personal advantage. The conversation also explores his refusal of a French pension, his white boar badge, the religious college he founded at Middleham, and his successful Scottish campaign, which recovered Berwick-upon-Tweed for England.Was Richard an honorable man attempting to navigate a deeply corrupt political system? This episode reveals the principled lord, capable commander, and trusted northern leader whose record stands in sharp contrast to the villain he would later become in popular history.--Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Matt Lewis
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Anna of Denmark: The Clever Queen History Underestimated
1w ago01:03:53Tap to summarizeHistorian and bestselling author Tony Riches joins Rebecca Larson to discuss his new book, Queen Anna, and the remarkable woman behind it. Often dismissed as frivolous and shallow, Anna of Denmark was a gifted linguist, devoted mother, influential patron of the arts, and a queen who understood how to gather information and exercise influence at the Stuart court.Tony shares how newly translated letters, primary sources, and visits to historic locations helped him reclaim Anna’s story - from her elaborate court masques and architectural legacy to the devastating loss of four of her seven children. He also offers a fascinating look at his research and writing process and reveals what readers can expect from his new Stuart Queens trilogy.--Tony's Books on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B006UZWOXA?ccs_id=33d48809-6952-4dd8-bfd3-8f1c059d0f04Tony's Books on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B006UZWOXA--Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Tony Riches
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Historical Mysteries: No Research, Just Opinions
2w ago00:45:28Tap to summarizeWhat 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 debate whether Perkin Warbeck was really a prince, who was responsible for the deaths of Thomas Becket and Henry VI, whether Edward II escaped his fate, and what truly happened between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, Katherine Howard and Thomas Culpepper, and Katherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur. They also consider whether Jane Grey was truly queen, reveal their choice for the best Tudor monarch, and ask whether solving history’s mysteries would only create more questions. Plus, Amy shares a memorable behind-the-scenes story from Harvington Hall!--DON'T FORGET - SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH IS OUT FIRST HISTORY READING ROOM MEETING (NON-book club, book club)!See info here: https://www.patreon.com/tudorsdynasty/posts/history-reading-163802931?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link--Co-hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy
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Richard III: Forged by Conflict
2w ago01:09:32Tap to summarizeLong 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 Richard, Rebecca and historian Matt Lewis trace Richard’s life from his birth at Fotheringay Castle in 1452 through his first experiences of battle at Barnet and Tewkesbury in 1471.They explore Richard’s childhood during the Wars of the Roses, the deaths of his father and brother, his exile in Burgundy, his years in the Earl of Warwick’s household and the origins of his unwavering loyalty to Edward IV. They also examine his scoliosis, his early conflict with Thomas Lord Stanley and the disputed allegation that he was involved in the death of Henry VI.By the age of eighteen, Richard had already endured exile twice, witnessed his family’s dramatic rise and fall, made powerful enemies and proven himself on the battlefield. How did these turbulent early experiences shape the man—and future king—he would become?--Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://patreon.com/tudorsdynastyLove to read? Consider joining my non-traditional book club: MORE INFO HERE--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Matthew Lewis
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Katherine Gordon: Did She Believe He Was a Prince?
2w ago01:13:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Rebecca is joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman to examine whether Katherine Gordon truly believed her first husband, Perkin Warbeck, was Richard of Shrewsbury. Drawing upon her article published in The Ricardian, Sophie explores Katherine’s will and its intriguing reference to “my cousin Margaret Kyme.” While this phrase has been used as evidence that Katherine regarded Warbeck as a prince, Sophie reveals an alternative family connection through Katherine’s second husband, James Strangeways. Together, they reconsider one of the key arguments surrounding Katherine’s beliefs and enter the wider debate over Warbeck’s identity—with Sophie 99 percent certain that he was an impostor.--Link to alleged love letter mentioned: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/rest.12864--Want to join the History Reading Room? Click here for more info: https://www.patreon.com/tudorsdynasty/posts/history-reading-163802931?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Sophie Bacchus-Waterman
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What Got Us Into History?
3w ago00:58:54Tap to summarizeHistory 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 to share our own stories. We talk about the moments, people, places, and books that sparked our passion for the past, how genealogy and historical fiction shaped our journeys, and why history became so much more than just a subject in school.Along the way, we also discuss the realities of researching history, writing books, reviewing historical works with kindness, and the misconceptions people often have about what historians actually do.If you've ever wondered how we ended up here - or what first inspired your own love of history - this episode is for you.--Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! https://patreon.comRead about the Tudors and more on my website https://tudorsdynasty.comCheck out my Substack for more recent writings by me: https://https://rebeccalarson.substack.com/--Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson and Amy McElroy
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Edward V: The King Who Never Wore the Crown
3w ago01:19:22Tap to summarizeEdward 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 trace the rapidly unfolding events of 1483, from Edward IV’s unexpected death and the conflict between the Woodvilles and Lord Hastings to the arrests at Northampton, the execution of Hastings, and the revelation that would see Edward V declared illegitimate. Was Richard of Gloucester following a plan to seize the throne, or responding to one crisis after another? By examining the chronology and questioning the reliability of the surviving sources, they reconsider how Richard III came to wear the crown.--Support the podcast on Patreon and get COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: http://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Matt Lewis
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Jane Seymour: The Queen We've Been Getting Wrong
3w ago01:00:47Tap to summarizeFor 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 in childbirth. But was there far more to her story?In this episode, I'm joined by historian Elizabeth Norton to discuss her new book, Jane Seymour: Patronage, Material Culture and Image Crafting. Drawing on years of archival research, Elizabeth reveals a Jane who was far more politically active and influential than her reputation suggests. We explore the myths that have shaped Jane's legacy, her role at court, the power she exercised through patronage and intercession, and what her household, possessions, and estates reveal about the woman behind the crown.If you think you know Jane Seymour, this conversation may change your mind.Order your copy of the book HERE--Support the podcast over on Patreon and receive EARLY ACCESS, COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Dr. Elizabeth Norton
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What If Jane Grey Had Remained Queen? (Replay)
4w ago00:55:03Tap to summarizeAmy'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 outwitted Mary Tudor and stayed Queen of England?In this Off the Record episode, we follow the most fascinating “what if” in Tudor history: a world where Jane’s reign doesn’t end after nine days - but becomes the start of something far bigger (and far more dangerous). Together we unpack what would have needed to change for Jane to keep the crown, why Mary’s victory depended as much on politics as it did legitimacy, and how quickly England could have transformed under a fiercely Protestant queen.We also dig into one of the most important questions behind Jane’s claim: Edward VI’s Devise for the Succession. Was Parliament even in session when Edward began drafting it - and did he actually have time to legalize it before his death? The answer might surprise you… and it changes how we understand just how fragile Jane’s crown truly was.A coup, a crisis of legitimacy, and a teenage queen at the center of a kingdom on the edge - this is Tudor alternate history at its most dramatic.--Support the podcast on Patreon and get COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy
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