Queens of England Podcast

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Too often when we think about the history of a country we think only of kings, lords, castles, and battles. When we think of queens we think of rulers like Elizabeth I and Victoria, but what about the queens who sat beside their warrior husbands? This podcast is an alternative history of Medieval a…

James Boulton

  • Feb 7, 2018 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 33m AVG DURATION
  • 85 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Queens of England Podcast

The First First Ladies of Rome

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2018 29:27


The first episode of my new show, The Other Half. If you like what you hear, find the show on iTunes or your podcatcher of choice and SUBSCRIBE! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

68 - Seasons Two and Three Wrap-Up: The Tudor and Stuart Queens

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2018 26:21


We round up the Tudor and Stuart Queens, and see how they match up against their Mediaeval forebears. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introducing The Other Half

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2017 6:35


In 2018, I have a new show for you! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

67 - Mary of Modena (3): The Queen over the Water

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2017 35:58


In the face of invasion, Mary fled with her son to France with her husband close behind. It was deja-vu for the Stuart dynasty, but could they regain the crown for a second time? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

66 - Mary of Modena (2): The Warming-Pan Baby

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2017 27:47


In June 1688, Mary gave birth to a son. Or did she?Enquiry of the Princess of Orange into the Birth of the Prince of Wales See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

65 - Mary of Modena (1): The Always Expecting Duchess

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2017 38:08


A Catholic wife of a Catholic king in a virulently Protestant country, things were always going to be hard for England's first Italian queen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

64 - Catherine of Braganza (2): Fire, Treason and Plot

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2017 40:17


MERCH! - Click here to check it all out!She had had a terrible start to her time as queen, but things were only about to get harder for Catherine of Braganza. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

63 - Catherine of Braganza (1): The Cuckqueen of the Merry Monarch

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2017 36:55


As a daughter of England's oldest ally, Catherine came to marry a king of a restored monarchy. Sadly, there were more than just two people in their marriage. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental - The Queen's Cookbook

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2017 26:24


There are many ways to defend someone during a crisis. For Henrietta, it was to release a cookbookQueen's Closet Opened (first two parts)Queen's Closet Opened (third part)Sir Kenelm Digby's Closet Opened See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

62 - Henrietta Maria of France (4): Regicide and Restoration

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2017 39:27


Not long after Henrietta arrived in France, the Royalist cause in England collapsed and her husband was executed. What would she do now?For the poem, go to page 169 of this book - https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn23/9033/90333419.23.pdf See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

61 - Henrietta Maria of France (3): The She-Majesty Generalissima

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2017 36:22


As Civil War swept across Charles's three kingdoms, Henrietta did her best to support her husband. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

60 - Henrietta Maria of France (2): The Happiest and Most Fortunate of Queens

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2017 38:32


When she looked back over her life, Henrietta recognised these years as the happiest of her life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

59 - Henrietta Maria of France (1): A Catholic on the Throne

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2017 33:15


With violence setting in on the Continent, England sought a wife for Prince Charles who might give them an advantage in the escalating war in Germany. what they got, was an unrepentant Catholic who was determined to be an active queen See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

58 - Anne of Denmark (2): England's First Stewart Queen

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2017 32:32


After coming down south of the wall, Anne had a lot to live up to after the death of Gloriana. She may not have ruled a kingdom, but she did help define a courtly culture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

57 - Anne of Denmark (1): A Storm Tossed Lover

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2017 36:15


Coming from the famed at Elsinore, Anne was greeted by cheering crowds when she finally made it safely over to Scotland. But if they were expecting some meek, placid, blushing bride, they had a nasty surprise See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental - Elizabeth's Suitors (3): The Valois Princes

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2017 40:17


As relations with the Habsburgs soured, Elizabeth and her councillors cast their eyes to the young brothers of the King of France: Henry, Duke of Anjou, and Francis, Duke of Alencon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental - Elizabeth's Suitors (2): Sweden and the Habsburgs

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2017 27:13


Terrified of leaving England without an heir, Elizabeth's councillors searched Europe to find a suitable groom. First up, were Eric of Sweden, and Archduke Charles of Austria See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental - Elizabeth's Suitors (1): Dudley and Devereux

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2017 37:28


Elizabeth I is known to history as the Virgin Queen, but that didn't mean that she couldn't have a few dalliances in her time. Today we look at her two great English favourites: Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental - Philip of Spain: Husband of the Queen, King of England

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2017 41:44


With the coming to the throne of Mary I, England had an undisputed female ruler for the first time. There were many things to deal with, but key was the matter of her marriage. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chat: The Six Wives with Elizabeth Norton

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2017 62:05


I chat with Elizabeth Norton, historian and author of tons of books on queens, about all of the six wives of Henry VIII. I also reveal who you have crowned as your favourite queen! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

56 - Katherine Parr (4): The Lady of Sudeley

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2017 45:46


Katherine had survived the conservative plot against her, but her position was not strong upon the death of her husband. Her quick remarriage was for love - but it was handled all wrong. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

55 - Katherine Parr (3): The Wife of Moses

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2017 38:56


The first Queen of England to have a book published in her own name, Katherine Parr used her time on the throne to try and push England towards radical religious reform. And it would nearly cost her everything. I GAVE YOU THE WRONG LINK FOR JUSTGIVING! Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JamesBoulton17 Poll: https://apps.facebook.com/my-polls/who-is-your-favourite-wife-of-henry-viii See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

54 - Katherine Parr (2): The Reluctant Queen

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2017 32:36


Katherine Parr was far from unprecedented in becoming a reluctant queen, but, if queen she must be, then she wanted to take full advantage. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

53 - Katherine Parr (1): Better His Mistress Than His Wife

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2017 37:45


Henry's final and most reluctant wife, Katherine Parr had quite an eventful life before becoming Queen of England See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

52 - Katherine Howard (3): A Headless Howard

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2017 39:44


As the noose tightened around Katherine, Dereham, Culpepper and Lady Rochester, it became a free-for-all, as each attempted to save themselves by throwing the others under the bus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental: Interview and Acast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2017 2:37


Questions for the Elizabeth Norton interview and the move to Acast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

51 - Katherine Howard (2): No Will But His

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2017 30:52


Henry VIII's youngest queen reached the throne thanks for her own beauty and charm, but there were skeletons in her closet which she made little effort to keep concealed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

50 - Katherine Howard (1): Non-Stop Man Drama

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2017 35:34


Katherine came from a big fancy family and was brought up in a finishing school for girls. Where men were allowed to roam free. With wine. Unsupervised.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

49 - Anne of Cleves (3): The King's Sister

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2017 35:51


As Henry sought to end marriage number 4, Anne of Cleves had to play her weak hand very carefully if she was to survive.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

48 - Anne of Cleves (2): God Send Me Well To Keep

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2017 29:53


After their disastrous first meeting with Anne of Cleves, Henry reluctantly embarked on his fourth marriage. Yet the proof of the pudding would be in the consumating - and there enlay the problem.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!

47 - Anne of Cleves (1): The Second Choice

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2017 38:13


After the death of Jane Seymour, Henry and Cromwell began a pan-European search to find wife number four.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!Tudor Times survey on who historians and authors say their favourite of Henry's wives is (Tudor Times)

46 - Jane Seymour (2): The Pacific Peacemaker

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2017 29:53


Coming to the throne hours after the execution of Anne Boleyn, the new queen Jane Seymour found herself in a far weaker position than that of her predecessors. That said, she was not entirely content to just be a babymaker.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!The Second... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

45 - Jane Seymour (1): The Lady from Wolf Hall

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2017 28:00


Jane Seymour is often held up as the anti-Anne Boleyn - the opposite to the queen that she replaced. But were they really that different?SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!The Seymour Family (

CHAT: Anne Boleyn with Claire Ridgway

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2017 56:25


Concluding my series on Anne Boleyn, I wanted to get someone on the podcast who really got Anne Boleyn - and luckily the first person on my list who I contacted agreed to come on the show.Claire RidgwayClaire is a writer, blogger and all around Tudor fanatic from my homeland of England but now plies her trade in sunny Spain. In 2009, she started one of my favourite history websites on the whole web, the Anne Boleyn Files - a fantastic repository of her research and fascination with England's most controversial queen.You can find her stuff in all these places:Websites:https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/http://www.elizabethfiles.com/Books:Claire's author page on... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

44 - Anne Boleyn (4): Around the Throne, the Thunder Roars

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2017 54:28


The fall of Anne Boleyn was as ruthless as it was swift. How did it happen? Why did it happen?SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!Henry VIII's jousting accident (History Extra)

43 - Anne Boleyn (3): Mistress on the Throne

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2017 37:28


Often when we think about Anne Boleyn we see either the sultry mistress or the tragic victim - but people often forget that for 3 years she was a queen consort and don't judge her time on the throne on its merits. Today, we see how her reign stacks up to that of her forebears.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!

42 - Anne Boleyn (2): The Rise

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2017 38:18


The decision not to sleep with Henry set both he and Anne on a course that would lead to the ripping up the religious fabric of England. Opposition both at home and abroad delayed it all, but the prospect of a child changed everything.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!

Supplemental - Henry VIII's Love Letters to Anne Boleyn

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2017 25:39


As a Valentine's Day special, here are Henry VIII's surviving love letters to Anne Boleyn. Use his words with extreme caution.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!The Letters (this is not where I got them from, but this is a... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

41 - Anne Boleyn (1): The Birth of a Legend

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2017 37:09


Anne Boleyn is probably the most controversial queen in English history, with more books, films and tv shows about her than just about anyone else. Yet the secret to her success and fame started, not in England, but in the courts of Margaret of Austria and Francis I.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show, click on the links below!Media links from Youtube:

CHAT: Katherine of Aragon with Heather Teysko

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2017 45:06


A discussion of Henry VIII's first queen with fellow podcaster Heather Teysko. In my first ever Chat episode, we discuss our opinions on Katherine's reign, her family and upbringing, her reactions to her problems conceiving and Anne Boleyn.Heather TeyskoShe is producer and host of the Renaissance English History Podcast.Heather has been running this show for 8 years now, and it stands as one of the best history podcasts on English and early modern history around. From wars, royals and nobles, to fashion, beauty and culture, this show covers it all.She also has a show with her husband, watching the tv series The Tudors where they discuss the history behind the hit show.You can find her show in all these places:Website:www.englandcast.comiTunes:

40 - Katherine of Aragon (4): A Most Obstinate Woman

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2017 42:28


Katherine spent the final years of her life, fighting tooth and claw to protect her marriage and the inheritance of her daughter. It would be a fight that she would ultimately lose.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!The Fall of Thomas Wolsey (English... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

39 - Katherine of Aragon (3): Trying a Queen

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2017 34:42


As the trial of the century loomed, Henry and Wolsey thought that they could win the argument that the king's marriage was not legal. They thought that they would not face much public opposition from Katherine. Instead, to their shock, she turned out to be a fearsome opponent.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!

Supplemental - Eowyn: Lady of the Shieldarm, Shieldmaiden of Rohan

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2016 43:31


In his collective works on the world of Middle Earth, J.R.R. Tolkein created a great number of fascinating, badass characters. Sadly, all but one of them were male. All except for one: Eowyn from the Lord of the Rings.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)Videos used for the audio clipsLord of the Rings... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

38 - Katherine of Aragon (2): Henry's Spanish Queen

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2016 43:01


Katherine of Aragon was a successful queen in almost every respect. She did everything right. Except for a couple of teeny tiny things...SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!More on Fray Diego Fernandez (History and Other... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

37 - Katherine of Aragon (1): His Brother's Wife

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2016 43:21


Katherine of Aragon had one of the most powerful women in mediaeval history for a mother, and came from the great up-and-coming kingdom of Europe. Fate dealt her great cards, but things would not be easy for her once she came to England as Princess of Wales.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!

36 - Season 1 Wrap-Up: The Medieval Queens

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2016 38:06


It's been a crazy 18 months doing this show, and so today we wrap up Season 1 of the Queens of England podcast with a whistle stop tour of England's mediaeval queens.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!Helpful list of... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

35 - Elizabeth of York (2): The Fresh Flower of Plantagenet

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2016 36:53


Elizabeth of York was a symbol of the new regime, the White Rose to Henry's Red. Although she would be subordinated to the influence of the king's mother, she would not be a passive queen.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!Who is the Master of Revels... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Supplemental - Queens of Ice and Fire: The Consorts of Game of Thrones

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2016 34:45


The world of Geroge R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series is strongly influenced by our own medieval period, and this goes for its queens as well. Today we compare the likes of Cersei Lannister and Margaery Tyrell to the queens of medieval England - see how they stack up.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!This video sums up the series up to but not... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

34 - Elizabeth of York (1): The White Rose and the Red

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2016 33:08


Completing our run of Wars of the Roses queens, Elizabeth of York's marriage to Henry Tudor marked the final union of England's great warring houses. But Elizabeth potentially could be as great a threat to Henry as she was an asset...SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesMy guest episode on Bessie Blount for the Renaissance English History Podcast. Click the links below:Link to iTunesLink to the websiteQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)

33 - Anne Neville: Heiress, Princess, Duchess and Queen

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2016 39:52


Anne Neville was born into great privilege and wealth, things were going great. Then everyone died. Which was bad, But she rose from the ashes of Tewkesbury to become the wife of England's most controversial king.SponsorListeners like YOU on Patreon - www.patreon.com/QueensofEnglandPodcastShownotesQoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)For more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!QoE Wall of... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

32 - Elizabeth Woodville (3): Queen Mother Twice Over

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2016 42:27


The early death of her husband Edward IV left Elizabeth in charge of ensuring a smooth transition of power to their son, Edward V. Her brother-in-law's coup forced her to seek sanctuary, but she would not be a passenger in the tumultuous events of the final years of her time in the historical spotlight.ShownotesFor more on the topics discussed in this show click on the links below!QoE website (QueensOfEnglandPodcast.com)QoE Podcast Facebook page (Facebook.com)QoE Podcast Twitter page (Twitter.com)Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester - the Lord Protector during the reign of Henry VI (wikipedia)

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