Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors

They were royal... sort of. From John of Gaunt's scandalous affair to Margaret Beaufort's political genius, the Beaufort family shaped the Wars of the Roses and put the Tudors on the throne, despite being banned from it themselves.In this episode, we follow their rise, fall, and unexpected revival - all the way to the present-day Dukes of Beaufort.Tudorcon tickets at https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

hey sailed to France as children with Mary, Queen of Scots, four noble girls, all named Mary.Mary Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston became her closest companions, and they stayed with her through marriages, murders, imprisonment, and rebellion.This is the story of the Four Marys, the women behind the Queen.Englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome for your Tudorcon From Home tickets, and to join the Privy Council! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're looking at a royal scandal you've probably never heard of: in 1419, Joan of Navarre - the Dowager Queen and stepmother to Henry V - was arrested for witchcraft. Not because she was guilty, but because the king needed cash. In this video, we dug into why Henry turned on her, what the accusation actually meant, and how Joan ended up imprisoned in luxury… with silk gowns and nineteen grooms.Remember Tudorcon from Home tickets - get yours early and join the Privy Council! https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome for all the details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week:What Happened to Anne Boleyn's Mother?; Did Henry VIII Ever Regret the Executions of Anne Boleyn, Cromwell, or Thomas More? Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I chat with Tudorcon speaker Kendra Drown Pitts about the complex legacy of Mary I. We cover her dramatic rise to power, her marriage to Philip of Spain, the phantom pregnancies, Wyatt's Rebellion, and yes—the burnings. But we also explore Mary as a human: shaped by trauma, driven by duty, and desperate for love and legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For centuries, sharing a bed with friends, family and even strangers was totally normal. From royal sleepovers to flea-bitten inn beds, this episode dives into the forgotten history of communal sleep.Tudorcon tickets will go up in price for in person spaces after tomorrow - https://www.englandcast.com/tudorcon to reserve your space and join us in Richmond this October! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know Lady Jane Grey, but what about her sisters?In this episode, we explore the hidden lives of Katherine and Mary Grey: two Tudor women caught between love and loyalty, royal blood and royal punishment. From secret marriages to imprisonment, childbirth in the Tower, and years of house arrest, the Grey sisters lived lives as dramatic as any queen's; just without the crown.Remember, Tudorcon tickets are at https://www.englandcast.com/Tudorcon to come in person and https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome to come online! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final weeks of Henry VIII's reign, one of England's most powerful nobles was executed (not for rebellion, but for tweaking his coat of arms).This episode tells the story of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and how Tudor paranoia, court politics, and a bit of heraldry sealed his fate.Early bird pricing on Tudorcon tickets ends Thursday: https://www.englandcast.com/tudorcon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do when your parent loses their head? This video looked at the children of traitors, from Gregory Cromwell to the young Poles, and how some survived, and even thrived, after scandal.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Tudor Shipwrecks and Lost Royals, The Lollards Tried to Seize Church Land... 140 Years Before Henry VIII. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we look at where the coup (with Lady Jane Grey as a figurehead) went so wrong. Jane had the army. Jane had the government. And yet Mary won. Why? Let's discuss!Tudorcon tickets at https://www.englandcast.com/Tudorcon to come in person or https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome to come from home! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this youtube video from today, we're looking at the forgotten illegitimate children of the Tudor world, from Charles Brandon's secret family to the rumored Tudor bloodline behind Bishop Stephen Gardiner. Let me know what you think about these YouTube drops! Leave a comment, or email help@tudorfair.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this video, we're exploring the secret spaces built into Tudor houses from hidden staircases to priest holes tucked behind fireplaces. These were survival tools in an age of religious persecution and political paranoia.What do you think about the extra episodes? Are we fans? Yay or nay? Let me know - help@tudorfair.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Top 5 Tudor Mistakes: Blunders That Cost Lives, Crowns, and Countries; The Doomed Dukes of Buckingham. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Tudorcon 2024 session, dress historian Samantha Bullat dives into the surviving wardrobe accounts from the final months of Anne Boleyn's life. From velvet and crimson to why she probably never wore a farthingale, this talk brings Anne's clothing, and her story, to life through fabric, color, and craft.

Espionage in Tudor England wasn't all Walsingham and coded letters. In this episode, we meet the undercover herald Roger Machado, the singing spy Petrus Alamire, John Dee and his angelic intelligence… and one sawyer who really shouldn't have been sent abroad.Related: My 2015 interview with David Skinner: https://youtu.be/VK2zFKXNvTkCome to Tudorcon - https://www.englandcast.com/Tudorcon to come in person or https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome to come from home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm trying to make it easier for you to get my content in the way you prefer, so I'll be releasing most of my YouTube videos here on the podcast feed as well. Let me know if you like the format!Queen Elizabeth I's final days were filled with silence, sorrow, and symbolism. In this episode, I explore her decline at Richmond Palace—her refusal to lie down, the haunting removal of her coronation ring, and the quiet gesture that confirmed her successor. From the thick white makeup she wore to maintain her image, to the lavish funeral that closed the Tudor era, this is the powerful and human end of a remarkable reign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I want to make it easier for you to get my content in the way you prefer, so I'll be releasing most of my YouTube videos here on the podcast feed as well. Let me know if you like the format!In this mini episode, meet Margaret Paston, the 15th-century Norfolk matriarch who juggled lawsuits, sieges, and so much family drama—all while writing letters that have survived for over 500 years. We'll look at her incredible story through her surviving correspondence: managing estates while her husband was away, getting caught in violent local feuds, and battling her in-laws in court.It's a snapshot of medieval life—and one woman's fierce determination to hold it all together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: The House That Couldn't Stop Rebelling - The Percy Family's 200-Year War with the Crown; How the Tudors Celebrated Midsummer. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tudor monarchs didn't just sit on thrones—they moved with them. In this special interview, historian Carol Ann Lloyd joins me to explore the world of Tudor progresses: the royal road trips that brought the court (and the mess) to towns across England. We chat about:Why Henry VII hit the road just months after becoming kingHow nobles went bankrupt trying to impress Elizabeth IThe epic disaster of Henry VIII's progress with Catherine HowardRobert Dudley's full-blown 1575 Kenilworth Proposal-palooza (mermaids! fireworks! matching portraits!)And yes—mud, plague, and poop logistics.It's part political strategy, part royal flex, and 100% fascinating. Don't miss it!

They crowned Henry VII, flirted with rebellion, backed Shakespeare, and somehow kept their heads through centuries of chaos. This week, we're diving into the story of the Stanley family, the ultimate survivors of Tudor and Stuart England.Related episode on Eleanor Clifford: https://youtu.be/wkRUjLpH0a0Go to https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome to come to Tudorcon from anywhere or https://www.englandcast.com/Tudorcon to come in person to Richmond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Bad Tudor Bromances - When Powerful Friendships Went Very, Very Wrong; The 19-Day Spectacle - Robert Dudley's Ultimate Gamble to Marry Elizabeth I. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I'm joined by historical fiction author and Tudorcon favorite Adrienne Dillard for a deep (and delightfully honest) dive into Anne Boleyn's rise, reign, and reputation. We chat about what made Anne so compelling, how much agency she really had, the angry Tudor mob that chased her down the Strand, and why modern labels like “feminist” don't quite fit. It's smart, funny, and refreshingly unfiltered, just how we like our history.Check out Adrienne at https://adrienne-dillard.com/Tudorcon From Home tickets athttps://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They made kings, married queens, and launched rebellions. The Nevilles were once the most powerful family in England—and then the Tudors made sure they vanished. In this episode, we trace their rise, their fall, and the long shadow they left behind.Love this kind of story? Join me for Tudorcon From Home this October—get your ticket at englandcast.com/tudorconfromhome and save $15 on your ticket by entering the code EARLYBIRD when you check out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Calais, How England Took — and Lost — Its Last Foothold in France; Henry VIII's Secret Mission to Rome –The Plot That Even Wolsey Didn't Know About. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor Brandon was Henry VIII's niece, nearly kidnapped in the Pilgrimage of Grace, and eighth in line to the throne. Here's the real story of a Tudor woman history mostly forgot.Tudorcon tickets are on sale at https://www.englandcast.com/Tudorcon - see you there, or online, October 3-5! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Tudor Controversies That STILL Spark Debate - Jane Grey, Seymour, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really happened to Tom Canty after he swapped places with Edward VI in Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper?In this conversation, I sit down with debut author Frederic Fahey to talk about his historical novel The Scoundrel's Son, a rich and imaginative continuation of Twain's classic tale—set in the heart of Tudor England. We chat about why Fred felt called to tell Tom's story, the real Tudor figures who make appearances (yes, including Lady Jane Grey!), and how a scientist-turned-author finds inspiration in friendship, identity, and loss.Also: the Wicked book cover connection, writing strong Tudor women, and the character who punches people in the nose when necessary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So there I was, minding my own business, and I thought it would be fun to type "did the Tudors have..." into Google, and see what the Internet thinks the world wonders about Tudor history. This episode is the answer to the question you didn't know you had, and yet, here we are. I went down the Tudor Rabbit Hole so you don't have to. You're welcome. Related episode on Sugar: https://youtu.be/1KNmCoTzzSIRelated episode on Clocks: https://youtu.be/pKvtOrynRT8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: The Men Who Survived Henry VIII; Did Henry VIII Have More Illegitimate Children? Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone knows about the Tower of London—but what about all the other places where Tudor prisoners slipped through the cracks?In this episode, we're diving into the boldest, weirdest, and most creative prison escapes from Tudor England that didn't happen in the Tower. You'll meet:A reformer who faked his own suicide to vanish across the seaAn Irish lord who lowered himself out of Dublin Castle with a ropeCatholic priests sneaking out of Wisbech Castle in disguiseAnd yes… one too-good-to-leave-out Tower escape involving orange juice ink and a midnight boat rideFrom bedsheet ropes to bribed jailers, it's a jailbreak tour of the 16th century—and the Tudor state was never quite as secure as it liked to think.Support the 2026 Tudor Planner https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/publishing-the-2026-tudor-planner/x/176575#/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: The Witching Hour- Why Tudors Feared Waking Up at Midnight; When Women Ruled- Queen Regents of England. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode we discuss what childhood was like for Tudor children. Check out the book recommendation - Tudor Children by Nicholas OrmeOther related podcast episodes:Episode 24 - Pregnancy and Childbirth in Tudor EnglandEpisode 102: Education in Tudor EnglandSupport the 2026 Tudor Planner Indiegogo here:https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/publishing-the-2026-tudor-planner/x/176575#/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Anne Boleyn's Final Hours; The Story Behind Katherine Howard's Execution. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were two Elizabeth Brookes at the Tudor court—and they've been confusing historians ever since. One was the estranged wife of the poet Thomas Wyatt, accused of adultery and rumored to have caught Henry VIII's attention. The other was her niece, the Marchioness of Northampton, who was nearly queen-like under Edward VI, fell from favor under Mary I, and became one of Elizabeth I's closest courtiers.In this episode, we untangle their stories, clear up the confusion, and explore how two women with the same name found themselves at the center of love affairs, political power plays, and court gossip in Tudor England.Reserve your 2026 copy of the Tudor Planner here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/publishing-the-2026-tudor-planner/x/176575#/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Heather Reacts - Wolf Hall Recap on the Pilgrimage of Grace; The Heretic and the King - Henry VIII Debates John Lambert in Wolf Hall? Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The French Armada was the largest invasion force to target England in the early modern period - and France actually landed troops on the Isle of Wight. So why don't we talk about it more? Let's discuss the 1545 French Invasion! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: What Happened to England's Monks and Nuns | The Dissolution of the Monasteries; The Loyal Dog of Richard III- What Happened to Francis Lovell? Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She wasn't a queen. She wasn't even regent in name. But for nearly a decade, Anne de Beaujeu was the real power behind the French throne.The daughter of Louis XI, Anne guided her younger brother Charles VIII through a turbulent minority, outmaneuvered rebellious nobles, helped bring Brittany into the French crown—and laid the groundwork for France's centralization. Along the way, she built a vast personal empire, wrote a survival manual for her daughter, and earned a reputation as “the least foolish woman in France.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: May Day in Tudor England; and That Time Anne Boleyn Got the Sweat. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the way crime was reported in Tudor England, as well as the differences when the criminal was a woman vs a man. We talk about several examples of women who committed pretty heinous crimes, and the way they were treated and reported on. Check out the free Anne Boleyn scavenger hunt here: https://www.englandcast.com/anneboleynscavenger/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Debunking the Tudor Witch Myth; Why Did France Support Henry VII? Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look at the times that Anne was pregnant, and the final pregnancy when she "miscarried of her savior." Sign up for the Anne Boleyn scavenger hunt at https://www.englandcast.com/anneboleyscavenger and mark Anne's life with me starting next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Heather Reacts Episode 3 - Wolf Hall Portrayal of Margaret Douglas, Thomas Howard, and Cromwell; Jane sticks up for the rebels. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, let's talk about two people who played very important roles in the life and court of Henry VIII: Bessie Blount, who gave Henry his first surviving son, and that son, Henry Fitzroy. Neither would live beyond the reign of Henry, so their impact was limited, but they still are incredibly important characters that deserve an episode. Thanks as always for your support, friend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than the Other Boleyn Girl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: The Wolf Hall Recap: Henry VIII vs. Mary; Cardinal Wolsey's Daughter, Dorothea. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we'll talk about justice in Tudor England—laws, courts, prisons, and lawyers. We'll look at how the legal system was structured, who ended up in prison (and why), and what punishments looked like. From the Inns of Court to Newgate Gaol, it's a look at how Tudor justice really worked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week: Tudor Surgery; The Murder of Archbishop Bainbridge. Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's talk about Lettice Knollys, who dared to marry a man who was seriously off limits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From my YouTube chanel today... Let's explore a really bad, and somewhat outrageous, fashion moment in Henry's reign... the great Codpiece Scandal of 1534, when people got really creative with codpieces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.