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For more than a year, a seven-foot creature with glowing red eyes and folded wings terrorized Point Pleasant, West Virginia—and just weeks after the sightings stopped, the Silver Bridge collapsed and killed 46 people, leaving the town to wonder whether the Mothman had been a monster, a warning, or something far worse.EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources and full transcript): https://weirddarkness.com/RedEyesOfMothmanREAD or DOWNLOAD the full transcript of this episode:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8s2fxtFEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: Most everyone is familiar with the King James Bible, but did you know that King James also wrote a book on demonology during the witch hunts and trials? (The King James Book of Demonology) *** Her gravestone, decorated with a cross and flowers, reads “Jerrilynn S. Mullins — Beloved wife and best friend.” It could also be added, “a victim of a crime that will likely never be solved.” (The Unsolved Mystery of Jerrilyn Mullins) *** It was on November 15th 1966 that Point Pleasant, West Virginia had its first experience with what later became known as the Mothman. Many believe it was either the cause of a horrific bridge collapse, or perhaps a harbinger of the doom that was soon to come. The mystery remains to this day – as do some of the eerie happenings in the area. (Mothman Attacks) ** 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead in his high school's gym – but the circumstances of his death have brought more questions than answers. Was Kendrick's death a tragic accident – or cold-blooded murder? (The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:56.519 = Mothman Attacks00:12:50.814 = The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson ***00:32:56.273 = Unsolved Mystery of Jerrilyn Mullins ***00:44:05.678 = The King James Book of Demonology ***00:54:07.021 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://weirddarkness.com/wdapps*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson” from The Scare Chamber: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/dkuavkb3“The King James Book of Demonology” by Jacob Shelton for Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/34vaad3z“Mothman Attacks” by Troy Taylor: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5ac64hhn“The Unsolved Mystery of Jerrilyn Mullins” by Troy Taylor: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/224xc2w7(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: November 15, 2021This episode of Weird Darkness, hosted by Darren Marlar, moves from a winged cryptid haunting a West Virginia river town to a Georgia teenager found dead inside a rolled wrestling mat, a Minnesota newlywed who vanished from a restaurant parking lot, and a king of England who wrote a manual on demons.It opens with the Mothman, first reported on November 15, 1966, when two young married couples driving past an abandoned World War II TNT plant near Point Pleasant, West Virginia, spotted a six- or seven-foot gray figure with folded wings and glowing red eyes that rose into the air and pursued their car down Highway 62 at over 100 miles per hour. That same night, contractor Newell Partridge of Salem watched his television fill with a strange pattern before his dog Bandit chased two red eyes toward the hay barn and disappeared forever, and the next day Roger Scarberry described passing a large dog's body near the city limits that was gone minutes later. Over the following year roughly 100 people, including Marcella Bennett, reported the creature alongside UFO sightings and men in black, and on December 15, 1967, the 700-foot Silver Bridge linking Point Pleasant to Ohio collapsed during rush hour and killed 46 people, cementing the belief that the Mothman had been a harbinger of the disaster.From there the episode turns to Kendrick Johnson, the 17-year-old three-sport athlete found dead on January 11, 2013, stuffed head-down inside a rolled wrestling mat in the old gym at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia. Investigators ruled the death an accidental positional asphyxia, theorizing the boy fell in reaching for a shoe, but his 19-inch shoulders could not fit through the mat's 14-inch opening, an hour of footage from all four gym cameras was missing and altered, and his organs were found removed and replaced with newspaper. A second and third autopsy revealed blunt force trauma to his neck and right chest, a fabricated confession recording sold to his family for $1,000 was exposed as a hoax by Sheriff Ashley Paulk, and the case, which once entangled FBI agent Randy Bell's sons Brandon and Brian Bell, was officially reopened on March 10, 2021.Vanishing from a restaurant parking lot is what happened next to Jerrilyn Mullins, a 28-year-old Oakdale, Minnesota, newlywed who left the dinner table at a Chi Chi's in Richfield around 9:00 p.m. on November 15, 1978, and was last seen by her husband's coworker Patrick Melbourne, who said he drove her 22 miles back to a Howard Johnson's and left her there. Her decomposed body surfaced in a Lake Elmo swamp on June 30, 1979, identified through dental records and jewelry, with two autopsies unable to determine a cause of death though her stomach contents placed her killing within an hour of leaving the restaurant. Melbourne, who carried a long record of sexual assault allegations and was later convicted of crimes against a 10-year-old girl, remained the prime suspect; husband Ron Mullins lost a 1989 wrongful-death civil suit for lack of evidence, and the Washington County case stayed unsolved when Melbourne died in 2015.The episode closes with King James VI and I, who returned from a 1589 trip to Denmark obsessed with witchcraft and published Daemonologie in 1597, the only treatise of its kind written by a reigning monarch. In its pages he catalogued the signs of demonic possession, describing superhuman strength exceeding six men, iron-hard skin that could not be pierced, and victims speaking languages they never learned, while arguing that demons inhabit the corpses of the pious and that only prayer and fasting, not Catholic ritual, could repel them. He acknowledged werewolves as men suffering an excess of melancholy rather than cursed creatures, dismissed fairies as illusions sent by the Devil, fixed the ratio of female to male witches at 20 to 1 by reasoning that women were more easily deceived as Eve had been, and produced a work that fueled the European and colonial witch hunts and shaped the weird sisters of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
How did a relatively humble gentleman become the most powerful man in Stuart England?Few figures embodied the glamour and instability of the Jacobean court more completely than George Villiers, who rose to become one of the most influential men in England. To some he was charismatic, brilliant, and irresistible; to others, he was reckless, arrogant, and dangerously powerful.In the second episode of our series on Royal Favourites, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores the extraordinary rise and dramatic fall of George Villiers with his biographer Lucy Hughes-Hallett.MOREPrivate Life of King James VI & IListen on AppleListen on SpotifyWhat if Guy Fawkes had succeeded?Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastWant to find out even more about what it takes to become a royal favourite? Sign up to History Hit and climb under the sheets and into the arms of the first Stuart King of England, James I and VI of Scotland. Dr Kate Lister is walking in George's footsteps and investigating how you catch the king's eye, fight your way to the top...and stay there! Sign up for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week, at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Assassination plots, Venetian stand‑offs and a diplomat in disguise: how did one maverick change the course of history?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Professor Carol Chillington Rutter uncovers the spy‑thriller life of Henry Wotton, the “honest man sent to lie abroad” for his country. From foiling an attempt on King James VI's life to pulling Europe back from the brink of war during a showdown between Venice and the papacy, they discover how this scoundrel‑ambassador helped invent modern diplomacy.MORE:Private Life of King James VI & IListen on AppleListen on SpotifyHow Indigenous Americans Discovered EuropeListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
One of the most fascinating but perpetually overlooked figures from the world of the Tudors is Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. As the sole daughter of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, Margaret Douglas was a niece of King Henry VIII and first cousin to his three children. Her life was spent in the shadows of the Tudor world, and she found herself getting on the wrong side of her relatives on several occasions, resulting in several stints as a prisoner in the tower of London, so, what was her story? Well to discuss Margaret and her fascinating life, I am pleased to welcome back historian and author Beverley Adams onto the podcast for a discussion inspired by her book, The Forgotten Tudor Royal, Margaret Douglas, Grandmother to King James VI and I
When Shakespeare wrote Hamlet, he gave the melancholy Dane two university friends with peculiarly Danish names—Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. For many centuries, audiences assumed these were simply fictional creations. Yet history reveals that Frederik Rosenkrantz and Knud Gyldenstierne were real men—Danish noblemen who traveled to England during Shakespeare's lifetime as part of an official embassy from the Danish court. Their visit took place during a fascinating moment of cultural diplomacy: King James VI of Scotland's marriage alliance with Denmark, his 1589 voyage to meet Anne of Denmark, and the exchanges of royal gifts that linked two kingdoms. This same period saw Tycho Brahe's astronomical fame rise across Europe, the University of Wittenberg flourish as an intellectual hub, and England's awareness of the Dutch Golden Age begin to take shape. Today we'll explore these threads with our guest, Paul Lockhart, Professor of HIstory and Drage Gould Distinguished Professor of Research at Wright State University. He has published seven single author books including "Denmark, 1513-1660: The Rise and Decline of the Renaissance Monarchy. You can see more of his publications and links to his current work in the show notes for today's episode. He joins us today to help us explore the story of two real courtiers whose names—and perhaps personalities—live on in one of Shakespeare's most famous plays.
Learn what Malleus Maleficarum means in Latin. Determine whether or not Malleus Maleficarum was an actual book centered around Witchcraft. Get an in depth analysis behind what heresy is all about including those individuals labeled as heretics. Get introduced to Reginald Scot, an ardent opponent of witchcraft including his big break through literary wise come 1584. Understand why Scot firmly believed that accused witches were poor people including what could be done to better improve their well being. Discover what led Reginald Scot to believe caused confessions regarding witchcraft. Go behind the scenes and explore what feat King James VI of Scotland accomplished in 1597. Decide for yourself if King James VI supported or opposed witchcraft. Learn what else came about in 1604 besides witchcraft policies getting put into law under King James I's leadership. Understand importance behind Exodus 22:18-19 and how King James I of England and Ireland used it to benefit him personally. Learn what took place between 1589-1591 involving King James while he reigned over Scotland. Discover how the Great Awakening had a big influence in the Virginia Colony for Protestant Sects holding different views towards Anglican Church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Just exactly how did King James VI of Scotland accede to the English throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603? Was he the right choice? Was he the rightful choice? On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss these questions and more with the brilliant and best-selling author Dr Tracy Borman, OBE, author of “The Stolen Crown: Treachery, Deceit, and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes became infamous not for what he achieved, but for what he failed to do: kill King James VI & I and bring down the British parliament. But what if the Gunpowder Plot had been successful? How would it have reshaped Britain, Europe and even the wider world? And would Shakespeare have written 'Guy Fawkes' instead of 'Macbeth'?In this special episode Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores one of history's most tantalising "what ifs" with a panel of historians: Jessie Childs, Gareth Russell and Professor Anna Whitelock.Mary I: What If She'd Lived?Gunpowder Plot: Tudor OriginsPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, the audio editors are Alex Elkins and Amy Haddow and the producers are Fiona Turnock and Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit to see this episode on film and for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
fWotD Episode 3106: Gunpowder Plot Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Wednesday, 5 November 2025, is Gunpowder Plot.The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was an unsuccessful attempted regicide against King James VI and I by a group of English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby.The plan was to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday 5 November 1605, as the prelude to a popular revolt in the Midlands during which King James's nine-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, was to be installed as the new head of state. Catesby is suspected by historians to have embarked on the scheme after hopes of greater religious tolerance under James had faded, leaving many English Catholics disappointed. His fellow conspirators were John and Christopher Wright, Robert and Thomas Wintour, Thomas Percy, Guy Fawkes, Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby and Francis Tresham. Fawkes, who had 10 years of military experience fighting in the Spanish Netherlands in the failed suppression of the Dutch Revolt, was given charge of the explosives.On 26 October 1605 an anonymous letter of warning was sent to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, a Catholic member of Parliament, who immediately showed it to the authorities. During a search of the House of Lords on the evening of 4 November, Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder—enough to reduce the House of Lords to rubble—and arrested. Hearing that the plot had been discovered, most of the conspirators fled from London while trying to enlist support along the way. Several made a last stand against the pursuing Sheriff of Worcester and a posse of his men at Holbeche House; in the ensuing gunfight Catesby was one of those shot and killed. At their trial on 27 January 1606, eight of the surviving conspirators, including Fawkes, were convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.Some details of the assassination attempt were allegedly known by the principal Jesuit of England, Henry Garnet. Although Garnet was convicted of high treason and put to death, doubt has been cast on how much he really knew. As the plot's existence was revealed to him through confession, Garnet was prevented from informing the authorities by the absolute confidentiality of the confessional. Although anti-Catholic legislation was introduced soon after the discovery of the plot, many important and loyal Catholics remained in high office during the rest of King James I's reign. The thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot was commemorated for many years afterwards by special sermons and other public events such as the ringing of church bells, which evolved into the British variant of Bonfire Night of today.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:43 UTC on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Gunpowder Plot on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Aditi.
This episode contains descriptions of violence that may not be suitable for all listeners. In this week's episode, Jackie is joined by historian Steven Veerapen to discuss the role James VI played in Scotland's witch trials. Between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people – most of whom were women – were tried for witchcraft, with around 1,500 executed as a result of the trials. King James VI played a leading role in the trials, writing a detailed dissertation on the subject of witchcraft that encouraged and endorsed the practice of witch hunting. You can read our 2021 study into the connections between Trust places and the witch trials here. To hear more episodes of Love Scotland, please follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
As Elizabeth I approached the end of her life, the constant topic of conversation was who would be her successor. Her ministers all had their own opinions, often varying, while Elizabeth herself never truly confirmed who her own preferred candidate was, but, in the end, it was the Scottish king, King James VI, who was selected to follow in her footsteps, so how did this come about? To discuss this, I am pleased to welcome historian Leanda de Lisle back onto the podcast for a discussion based around her book, after Elizabeth, the death of Elizabeth and the coming of King James. From those final few months of Elizabeth's life to the journey James made through England, join Leanda and I as we examine the moment when the Tudor dynasty reached its conclusion.
Welcome, my devilish fiends!Join me as we trace the roots of the vampire back to the women who came before her: Lamia, Lilith, and the succubi.These "monstrous" figures haunted ancient myth and medieval imagination, embodying male fears of female power, pleasure, and autonomy. Long before Dracula, they turned desire into danger and defiance into sin. Their stories reveal how myth and theology worked together to make women's power appear monstrous and how those same fears still shape the vampire we know today. So, close your doors and windows, turn off the lights, get cozy, and join me... ***Listener Discretion is Strongly Advised*******************Sources & References:Epic of Gilgamesh – references to lilītu demons.The Alphabet of Ben Sira.The Zohar (Book of Splendor).Philostratus, Life of Apollonius of Tyana.Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, Malleus Maleficarum.King James VI of Scotland, Daemonologie.John Keats, Lamia.Sarah Iles Johnston, Restless Dead: Encounters Between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece (University of California Press, 1999).Daniel Ogden, Drakōn: Dragon Myth and Serpent Cult in the Greek and Roman Worlds (Oxford University Press, 2013).Judith Plaskow, The Coming of Lilith: Essays on Feminism, Judaism, and Sexual Ethics, 1972–2003 (Beacon Press, 2005).Gershom Scholem, Kabbalah (Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co., 1974).Raphael Patai, The Hebrew Goddess (Wayne State University Press, 1990).Jeffrey Burton Russell, Witchcraft in the Middle Ages (Cornell University Press, 1972).Deborah Lyons, Dangerous Gifts: Gender and Exchange in Ancient Greece (Princeton University Press, 1997).Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, Dictionary of Women in Religious Art (Oxford University Press, 1996).Nina Auerbach, Our Vampires, Ourselves (University of Chicago Press, 1995).Paul Barber, Vampires, Burial, and Death: Folklore and Reality (Yale University Press, 1988).Barbara Creed, The Monstrous-Feminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis (Routledge, 1993).Marina Warner, From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1995).****************Leave Us a 5* Rating, it really helps the show!Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282Spotify Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA****************Follow Us on Social Media & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!YouTube:@beautyunlockedspodcasthourTikTok:tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod****************MUSIC & SOUND FX:"Beast by Beast" by Edward Karl Hanson"An Obsession" by DayonEpidemic SoundFind the perfect track on Epidemic Sound for your content and take it to the next level! See what the hype is all about!
Witches – whether broomstick-riding spell-casters or Wiccan earth-worshippers – have been culturally relevant for centuries. For centuries, too, belief in the potency of witchcraft has been debated, accused witches have been hunted and punished, and film and TV productions have brought the witch and the witch-hunter to big and small screens. But where did our perception of witches – good and bad – come from? What motivated wide-scale panics about witchcraft during certain periods? How were alleged witches identified, accused, and variously tortured and punished? In Witches: a King's Obsession (Birlinn, 2025) Dr. Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon in the early eighteenth century. Based on documents and the latest historical research, he explores what motivated widespread belief in demonic witchcraft throughout Britain as well as in continental Europe, what caused mass panics about alleged witches, and what led, ultimately, to the relegation of the witch – and the witch-hunter – to the realm of fantasy and the fringes of society. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Witches – whether broomstick-riding spell-casters or Wiccan earth-worshippers – have been culturally relevant for centuries. For centuries, too, belief in the potency of witchcraft has been debated, accused witches have been hunted and punished, and film and TV productions have brought the witch and the witch-hunter to big and small screens. But where did our perception of witches – good and bad – come from? What motivated wide-scale panics about witchcraft during certain periods? How were alleged witches identified, accused, and variously tortured and punished? In Witches: a King's Obsession (Birlinn, 2025) Dr. Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon in the early eighteenth century. Based on documents and the latest historical research, he explores what motivated widespread belief in demonic witchcraft throughout Britain as well as in continental Europe, what caused mass panics about alleged witches, and what led, ultimately, to the relegation of the witch – and the witch-hunter – to the realm of fantasy and the fringes of society. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Witches – whether broomstick-riding spell-casters or Wiccan earth-worshippers – have been culturally relevant for centuries. For centuries, too, belief in the potency of witchcraft has been debated, accused witches have been hunted and punished, and film and TV productions have brought the witch and the witch-hunter to big and small screens. But where did our perception of witches – good and bad – come from? What motivated wide-scale panics about witchcraft during certain periods? How were alleged witches identified, accused, and variously tortured and punished? In Witches: a King's Obsession (Birlinn, 2025) Dr. Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon in the early eighteenth century. Based on documents and the latest historical research, he explores what motivated widespread belief in demonic witchcraft throughout Britain as well as in continental Europe, what caused mass panics about alleged witches, and what led, ultimately, to the relegation of the witch – and the witch-hunter – to the realm of fantasy and the fringes of society. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies
Witches – whether broomstick-riding spell-casters or Wiccan earth-worshippers – have been culturally relevant for centuries. For centuries, too, belief in the potency of witchcraft has been debated, accused witches have been hunted and punished, and film and TV productions have brought the witch and the witch-hunter to big and small screens. But where did our perception of witches – good and bad – come from? What motivated wide-scale panics about witchcraft during certain periods? How were alleged witches identified, accused, and variously tortured and punished? In Witches: a King's Obsession (Birlinn, 2025) Dr. Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon in the early eighteenth century. Based on documents and the latest historical research, he explores what motivated widespread belief in demonic witchcraft throughout Britain as well as in continental Europe, what caused mass panics about alleged witches, and what led, ultimately, to the relegation of the witch – and the witch-hunter – to the realm of fantasy and the fringes of society. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Witches – whether broomstick-riding spell-casters or Wiccan earth-worshippers – have been culturally relevant for centuries. For centuries, too, belief in the potency of witchcraft has been debated, accused witches have been hunted and punished, and film and TV productions have brought the witch and the witch-hunter to big and small screens. But where did our perception of witches – good and bad – come from? What motivated wide-scale panics about witchcraft during certain periods? How were alleged witches identified, accused, and variously tortured and punished? In Witches: a King's Obsession (Birlinn, 2025) Dr. Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon in the early eighteenth century. Based on documents and the latest historical research, he explores what motivated widespread belief in demonic witchcraft throughout Britain as well as in continental Europe, what caused mass panics about alleged witches, and what led, ultimately, to the relegation of the witch – and the witch-hunter – to the realm of fantasy and the fringes of society. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion
Witches – whether broomstick-riding spell-casters or Wiccan earth-worshippers – have been culturally relevant for centuries. For centuries, too, belief in the potency of witchcraft has been debated, accused witches have been hunted and punished, and film and TV productions have brought the witch and the witch-hunter to big and small screens. But where did our perception of witches – good and bad – come from? What motivated wide-scale panics about witchcraft during certain periods? How were alleged witches identified, accused, and variously tortured and punished? In Witches: a King's Obsession (Birlinn, 2025) Dr. Steven Veerapen traces witches, witchcraft, and witch-hunters from the explosion of mass-trials under King James VI and I in the late sixteenth century to the death of the witch-hunting phenomenon in the early eighteenth century. Based on documents and the latest historical research, he explores what motivated widespread belief in demonic witchcraft throughout Britain as well as in continental Europe, what caused mass panics about alleged witches, and what led, ultimately, to the relegation of the witch – and the witch-hunter – to the realm of fantasy and the fringes of society. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/british-studies
The public fascination with true crime is nothing new. Four centuries ago, the sensational story of the death in the Tower of London of Thomas Overbury, a lawyer in the court of King James I, led to a scandal that rocked the monarchy to its core. In this third episode of Not Just The Tudors' Tudor True Crime series, first released in January 2024, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb finds out more from Professor Alastair Bellany, about the death of Overbury and why it threatened the Stuart throne.MORE:Private Life of King James VI & I >Seducing James I: Mary & George >Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Edited and produced by Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We welcome Gareth Russell back onto the podcast, this time to talk about his latest book Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain's First King, looking at the life and reign of King James VI (of Scots) / I (of England), with a particular focus on his personal life and the six men with whom he was infatuated or in love. For more on Gareth, you can find him on X/Twitter (https://x.com/garethrussell1) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_garethrussell) Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A teenage English princess. A powerful Scottish king nearly two decades older. A lavish wedding that would shape the future of the British Isles. On this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1503, Princess Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII, married James IV of Scotland in a glittering ceremony filled with royal pageantry, political strategy—and secrets. But behind the boar's head feasts, jewel-encrusted robes, and dancing nobles… was a fragile peace deal between two ancient rivals. And a young girl stepping into a world of power, heartbreak, and destiny. She became queen consort, regent, exile, and ultimately the great-grandmother of King James VI—the man who would unite the English and Scottish crowns. In this video, I'll take you inside: - The grand wedding at Holyroodhouse - The strange politics of marrying your enemy - Margaret's rollercoaster life as queen, widow, and power player - And how her bloodline still sits on the throne today Remember to like and subscribe if you enjoyed the podcast. Want even more Tudor goodness—including exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, and a beautifully curated monthly digital magazine? Click the YouTube Join button and become part of my Tudor inner circle! #TudorHistory #MargaretTudor #RoyalWeddings #JamesIV #TudorQueens #OnThisDay #BritishMonarchy #HistoryYouTube #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #ScotlandHistory #TudorDrama #TrueHistory #PowerfulWomen #QueenMothers
On this day in Tudor-Stuart history, 19th June 1566, King James VI of Scotland and I of England was born at Edinburgh Castle—an infant who would one day unite two crowns and leave a lasting legacy on British history. The only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley, James became King of Scotland at just 13 months old following his father's murder and his mother's forced abdication. Raised as a Protestant in a volatile Scotland, James matured into a politically astute and scholarly monarch. In 1603, he succeeded Queen Elizabeth I of England, uniting the thrones and becoming the first monarch to rule both Scotland and England. His reign was marked by events both dramatic and defining: the Gunpowder Plot, the publication of the King James Bible, witch hunts, and his vision for a united Britain. James was a complex figure — a believer in the divine right of kings, a published author on monarchy and morality, a man whose close male relationships stirred controversy, and a ruler who sought peace over war. In this podcast, we explore the life, reign, and legacy of one of the most fascinating monarchs in British history. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into Tudor and Stuart history! #JamesVI #JamesI #TudorHistory #StuartHistory #OnThisDay #GunpowderPlot #KingJamesBible #MaryQueenOfScots #BritishMonarchy
Against the paranoid backdrop of the Scottish witch trials, a murder plot involving King James and some of his lovers took place.To make matters more juicy, it centres around the Bonnie Earl of Moray, who is said to be the most handsome man in Scotland.How does this situation create a conflict of interests for King James VI & I?Joining Kate today is the wonderful Gareth Russell, author of Queen James: A New History About the Life and Loves of Britain's First King, James Stuart, to help us unravel this twisty and tantalising murder plot.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.
Jeff Pope on his new series Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent man who was killed by police on a London tube in 2005, which launches tonight on Disney+. James VI of Scotland & I of England is the subject of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. We're joined by the historical writers Lucy Hughes Hallett and Steven Veerapen. And performance art in a new film The Extraordinary Miss Flower, a musical portrait of a mysterious woman, who left behind a suitcase of letters, from lovers and friends, starring the Icelandic artist, Emiliana Torrini . We'll be speaking to the directors Iain Forsyth and Jane PollardPresenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Maire Devine
The Marriage of James VI and Anne of Denmark A royal wedding… a stormy sea… and a witch hunt that would echo through history. When Anne of Denmark tried to sail to Scotland to join her new husband, King James VI, disaster struck. Fierce storms battered her fleet, whispers of witchcraft spread like wildfire, and before long, women were being accused, tortured, and executed. Was it just bad weather? Or was something more sinister at play? In this podcast, we explore the strange and stormy beginnings of James and Anne's marriage, the Copenhagen Witch Trials, and how this fateful voyage may have sparked one of the most notorious witch-hunting obsessions in royal history. Join me as we untangle the myths, the accusations, and the real history behind it all. Let me know your thoughts in the comments—were the storms just a twist of fate, or did they set the stage for a darker chapter in James VI's reign? #Witchcraft #TudorHistory #JamesVI #AnneOfDenmark #WitchTrials #NorthBerwickWitchTrials #ScottishHistory #HistoricalMysteries #Daemonologie #EarlyModernHistory #HistoryYouTube #OnThisDay #WitchHunt
March 2025 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of King James VI and I, and the succession of his son Charles I. Crowned King of Scotland at just 13 months old in 1567 and later succeeding Elizabeth I in England in 1603, James envisioned a unified United Kingdom. However, he left behind a fractured legacy of three kingdoms bound only by religious strife.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Claire Jackson, to explore how Charles inherited a throne mired in political turmoil and social unrest, setting the stage for a catastrophic future.Related episodes:Trial of Charles I: https://podfollow.com/not-just-the-tudors/episode/ce89a64de565ee6c4c33c2e371a03e48683d393b/viewPrivate Life of King James VI & I https://podfollow.com/not-just-the-tudors/episode/a406821154013f01e83da0fcd95f40878547caf5/viewPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, the audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
In this episode: our panel reflects on King James I & VI of Scotland - his life and loves - on the 400th anniversary of his death.Featuring historian Gareth Russell, Anna Groundwater, Principal Curator, Renaissance and Early Modern History at National Museums Scotland; Clare Jackson, Honorary Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Cambridge, and historian Lucy Hughes-Hallett, author of 'The Scapegoat'.
Agnes Sampson was a Scottish woman accused of witchcraft during the infamous North Berwick witch trials in the late 16th century. Known as the "Wise Woman of Keith," she was a healer and midwife, which made her a target for suspicion. In 1591, Sampson was arrested, tortured, and ultimately confessed to practicing witchcraft, including allegedly attempting to murder King James VI through sorcery.
Understanding the love life of James VI & I can give us a better picture of the man himself in his entirety, and not simply through the lens of his kingship, or the politics of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. So in this episode, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is once again in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, joined by Gareth Russell to discuss the subject of his latest book 'Queen James; the life and loves of Britain's first King'. To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/ Please be aware this episode contains themes of homophobia, grooming, and child abuse, that some listeners may find distressing.
In this roundtable episode, hosted by Victoria Barlow, Nicole Maceira Cumming and Charlie Spragg discuss their research and the upcoming 'Understanding James VI&I 400 Years On' conference. We delve into the importance of how this shrewd monarch presented himself and his royal dominion not only as king of Scotland, but later of England as well. Having co-organised a conference taking place in July to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his death in 1625, our two guests also touch upon what goes into planning such an event.@KingJamesConf on XGuest Bios:Nicole Maceira Cumming is currently a Teaching Fellow in early modern history at the University of Edinburgh and an RA on the A Very Quiet Street project (University of Glasgow/Woodlands Community Development Trust). She recently completed her AHRC-funded PhD thesis, which examined the role of hunting in the Scottish court of James VI, c.1579-1603. Her previous roles have included a 2022 research placement with the National Trust and University of Oxford, exploring the history of ‘Horse Power' within National Trust properties. She has forthcoming publications on ‘Animals, dominion and the natural order in Post-Reformation Scotland' (Scottish Church History, 2023 prize winner) and ‘Reconstructing the menagerie of James VI, c.1579-1603' (Scottish Archives), and is co-organising the ‘Understanding James VI&I 400 Years On' conference which will take place in July 2025 to mark the quatercentenary of his death.@nicolemaceira.bsky.socialCharlie Spragg is a third-year doctoral student in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, holding a full scholarship from the Edinburgh College of Art. Charlie's principal research interest is the self-fashioning of King James [VI & I of Scotland and England], particularly through visual and material display. She has been working independently as a historical researcher, most recently for Historic Environment Scotland on the new guidebook for Stirling Castle. Charlie will be a contributor in the forthcoming British Art Studies journal special issue, ‘Reframing King James VI and I'. Charlie is also co-organising the 'Understanding James VI&I 400 Years On' conference. @cvspragg on X@cvspragg.bsky.social
George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, had charm and political ambition by the bucketload – and his rise as a favourite of King James I and VI in the late 16th century was meteoric. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Lucy Hughes-Hallett discusses the brief but action-packed life of Villiers, whose dazzling beauty and political influence brought him from obscurity to the highest ranks of power in the courts of two kings – before seeing him fall foul of public anger. (Ad) Lucy Hughes-Hallett is the author of The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham (HarperCollins, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-scapegoat%2Flucy-hughes-hallett%2F9780008126551. Benjamin Woolley introduces listeners George Villiers and his mother Mary, the mother-and-son duo who changed the face of the royal court in the early 17th century: https://link.chtbl.com/C-FlqINi. Joe Ellis explores the life and dual reign of King James VI of Scotland and I of England: https://link.chtbl.com/bVjgtoXy. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of Crime Time Inc, hosts Tom and Simon discuss a range of intriguing crime stories and historical cases. The show kicks off with a light-hearted quiz about famous TV chef Gino De Campo's criminal past, and a humorous exchange about Paul McCartney. They delve into the historical persecution of witches, explaining how brewing and natural remedies played a role, and how King James VI's paranoia fueled witch hunts. The conversation shifts to the importance of evidence and proper courts in witch trials, contrasting Scotland and England's approaches. They also touch on the media's role in sensationalizing witch trials and how laws evolve over time. The episode then moves on to more recent cases, including the gruesome 'Body in the Bin' murder and the dramatic 'Mary Gibbs' school kidnapping. They highlight the significance of tattoos in criminal identification and recount personal stories from their law enforcement days. The hosts also explore the notorious Chicago mob and its connections to JFK, bootlegging, and Cuban gambling. Finally, they discuss a recent knife attack in Bondi Junction, praising the bravery of a female inspector who stopped the assailant. Throughout, the episode is peppered with personal anecdotes, humorous exchanges, and insightful commentary on the often-chaotic nature of organized crime and law enforcement.00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:25 Quiz Time: Gino De Campo's Infamous Past04:05 Deep Dive: The Persecution of Witches14:09 Case Study: The Body in the Bin18:11 Case Study: Mary Gibbs and the Kidnapping21:21 Police Duties and Anecdotes27:29 Discipline in the Police Force29:54 Reflections on Police Corruption31:47 The Role of Young Officers in Critical Decisions32:44 The Case of Jodie Harris and the Power of Manipulation35:14 Organized Crime and the Mafia's Influence41:41 The Reality of Organized Crime48:42 A Tragic Incident in Bondi Junction53:41 Quiz Time and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this day in history, 23rd January 1570, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray and regent for King James VI, was assassinated—the first head of government in history to be killed by a firearm. Discover how Moray, the illegitimate son of a king and half-brother to Mary, Queen of Scots, rose to power, ruled during turbulent times, and met a tragic end at the hands of a gunman in Linlithgow. What drove his enemies to such extremes? And what became of the infamous assassin? Dive into this gripping tale of power, revenge, and survival in a deadly political landscape. Don't miss the full story—listen now! #TudorHistory #MaryQueenOfScots #JamesVI #EarlOfMoray #ScottishHistory #RegentAssassination #OnThisDay #HistoricalDrama
In this episode of Crime Time, Inc., the hosts delve into the intricate and haunting intersection of burial practices and witchcraft accusations in 18th century Scotland. Featuring the tragic story of Lilius Eide, who died awaiting trial for witchcraft and was buried beneath the Tideline to prevent her spirit's return, the show highlights how fear and superstition heavily influenced societal actions and the legal system. The hosts also examine the complex nature of witchcraft confessions, the coercive interrogation methods, and the role of the church and political figures like King James VI. They discuss the lingering impact of these witch trials on society and stress the importance of remembering the human stories behind the accusations as a cautionary tale against groupthink, the abuse of power, and scapegoating.00:00 Introduction to Historical Crimes and Witchcraft00:54 The Tragic Tale of Lilius Eide02:01 Interpreting Witchcraft Confessions02:42 The Role of Torture and Social Contagion04:43 Women and Witchcraft Accusations05:49 The Church's Paradoxical Role06:23 King James VI and the North Berwick Witch Trials07:10 The Influence of the Malleus Maleficarum07:48 The Decline of Witch Trials10:39 The Lasting Legacy of Witch Trials11:20 Conclusion and Reflection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We return this week to the Stuart Dynasty, and King James VI of Scotland, coming on in as King James I of England. His reign begins in 1603 and runs through 1625, you might be surprised what you can pack into 22 years to trashy administrating, but James makes the most of it.Included: Rewriting of The Bible, Witch Hunting, More Pamphlets, Gunpowder Plots, and Jimmy's Maybe Lovers, with a little treason and murder on the side too. The Howard Family resurrects themselves and spiderwebs are everywhere! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We return this week to the Stuart Dynasty, and King James VI of Scotland, coming on in as King James I of England. His reign begins in 1603 and runs through 1625, you might be surprised what you can pack into 22 years to trashy administrating, but James makes the most of it. Included: Rewriting of The Bible, Witch Hunting, More Pamphlets, Gunpowder Plots, and Jimmy's Maybe Lovers, with a little treason and murder on the side too. The Howard Family resurrects themselves and spiderwebs are everywhere! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this week's double Trashy Royals, past-us brings an episode out of the Trashy Divorces side of the world, as it really does all connect in history. It is back to April 2021 when we took a trip into the late 16th Century to do some witch hunting with King James VI of Scotland, long before he makes it to England as James I. His new hobby is no way a valid pursuit of anything worthwhile - just a king's manic fevered dream which is pretty terrible for the old, poor, or single women of both Scotland and England. Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast. To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this week's double Trashy Royals, past-us brings an episode out of the Trashy Divorces side of the world, as it really does all connect in history. It is back to April 2021 when we took a trip into the late 16th Century to do some witch hunting with King James VI of Scotland, long before he makes it to England as James I. His new hobby is no way a valid pursuit of anything worthwhile - just a king's manic fevered dream which is pretty terrible for the old, poor, or single women of both Scotland and England.Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast.To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Maddy and Anthony have a new TV documentary out all about King James VI of Scotland's witch hunts, available on History Hit TV.When James VI of Scotland's new wife, Anne of Denmark, is almost lost in a storm at sea he thinks he knows who is to blame. Witches. The King personally leads the investigation that follows, coming face-to-face with at least one of the accused, Agnes Sampson. What on earth is going on here?Anthony and Maddy are joined by Dr Louise Yeoman, historian of witchcraft and radio producer for BBC Scotland who latest series is House of the Lion.Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AFTERDARKYou can take part in our listener survey here.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.
This episode explores the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597, a tumultuous period marked by widespread accusations and trials fueled by socio-political and religious fears. It examines King James VI's influence and the procedural irregularities in the witch trials, reflecting deeper societal tensions in Scotland. The discussion highlights how this era's anxieties mirror broader European witch-hunting trends and their devastating impacts on marginalized communities.
Down, down, the Witches' Road... I'm currently off on maternity leave, but to get you in the mood for the spooky season I'm re-releasing what must be my most popular Halloween special to date. Between 1450 and 1750, some 100,000 Europeans were tried for witchcraft, and some of the most intense periods of witchy panic took place in Scotland and England. Most, but not all, of these so-called witches were women. During this special Halloween episode, we'll be tracing the history of witchcraft, and talking about why King James VI was so fanatical about killing witches. We'll learn about the Malleus Maleficarum (or the veritable Guide to Witch Hunting), and discover how to “spot” a witch. We'll learn what types of women were in danger of being accused, why people thought women were especially susceptible to the Devil's wily charms, and how the Church played a massive role in witch hunting. We'll also discuss what happened when a supposed witch was caught – what torture techniques were used to extract confessions, what witch trials looked like, and what punishments awaited a guilty verdict. And we'll try to answer the most important question of all… why were so many accused witches women, and why were these women viewed as such a threat to society that they had to be hunted down and killed? Missing The Exploress? Patrons of the show get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND exclusive bonus episodes every month. I'll be posting new ones all through my maternity leave, so now's the time to hop on board! You can even try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial, so why not? Go to my website to find out more, or simply go to my Patreon page. PS: My second novel, FYREBIRDS, is out now! If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates.
Weird History: The Unexpected and Untold Chronicles of History
The reign of King James I was shadowed by religious violence from the Protestant Reformation and the political tensions between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. These factors led James to maintain strict political control while fearing the supernatural. As the only son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, James was born in 1566 amid ongoing conflict between Scotland and England. He became King James VI of Scotland at just one year old after his mother's abdication, and later ascended to the English throne as King James I in 1603 following Queen Elizabeth I's death. #KingJamesI #witchhunts #ProtestantReformation #Mary,QueenofScots #QueenElizabethI #politicalstrife #supernatural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I died and King James VI of Scotland, became King James I of England. Elizabeth was a hard act to follow for the Scottish newcomer who faced a host of problems in his first years as king: not only the legacy of his predecessor but also unrest in Ireland, serious questions about his legitimacy on the English throne, and even plots to remove him. In this episode of Not Just the Tudors - recorded in front of a live audience at the Gloucester History Festival - Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Susan Doran, about how, contrary to traditional assumptions, James's accession was by no means a smooth one.This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code TUDORS - sign up here >You can take part in our listener survey here >
The major new TV series, Mary & George tells the scandalous story of George Villiers, who rose - thanks to his mother Mary's machinations - from minor gentry to enrapture King James VI & I, Britain's first Stuart king. For a decade, George Villiers was at James's side – at court, on state occasions and in bed, right up to James's death in March 1625.In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Dr. Benjamin Wooley, acclaimed author of The King's Assassin, a compelling portrait of a royal favourite whose charisma overwhelmed those around him and, ultimately, himself.This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code TUDORS - sign up here.You can take part in our listener survey here.
Inside the heavy walls of Lancaster Castle, the darkest & deadliest of English witch trials played out in 1612 - the Pendle Witch Trials. By the end ten people would be executed and many more lives ruined. At their heart was a little girl, Jennet Device, and a book, Daemonologie by King James VI & I.Maddy and Anthony's guest today is John Callow, historian and author of The Last Witches of England and Witchcraft in Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Europe.Edited by Tom Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code AFTERDARK sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/ You can take part in our listener survey here.
James Stuart became king of Scotland at just 13 months old, and has since been known as 'the cradle king'. So, what was his childhood like? How did he come to the throne of England? And how much is known about his relationships with his famed favourites, as portrayed in new historical drama Mary and George? Speaking to Elinor Evans, Joe Ellis explores the life and dual reign of King James VI of Scotland and I of England. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
New drama Mary and George has just arrived on Sky Atlantic and HBO, transporting us back to the intrigues and scandals of the court of King James VI and I. Author and historical advisor Benjamin Woolley introduces Mary and George Villiers, the mother-and-son duo who changed the face of this early 17th-century royal court. Speaking to Elinor Evans, he explores what we really know about George's relationship with King James, and the lingering question over the Villiers' hand in the monarch's death. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
King James VI and I, the first monarch to reign over Scotland, England and Ireland, has a mixed reputation. To many, he is simply the homosexual King, the inveterate witch-roaster, the smelly sovereign who never washed, the colourless man behind the authorised Bible bearing his name, or the drooling fool whose speech could barely be understood. For too long, he has paled in comparison to his more celebrated Tudor and Stuart forebears.In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb finds out more from Dr. Steven Veerapen - author of The Wisest Fool: The Lavish Life of James VI and I - whose research has revealed King James as a gregarious, idealistic man obsessed with the idea of family, whose personal and political goals could never match up to reality. This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.Discover the past with exclusive history documentaries and ad-free podcasts presented by world-renowned historians from History Hit. Watch them on your smart TV or on the go with your mobile device. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code TUDORS. Sign up now for your 14-day free trial here: https://access.historyhit.com/checkout/subscribe/receipt?code=tudors&plan=monthlyYou can take part in our listener survey here >``
As Queen Elizabeth I lays dying, King James VI of Scotland is waiting to accede to the throne of England. But who will thrive and who will fall under the new King? Will it be the scholar Francis Bacon, whose brilliant mind is the envy of the court? Or his hated rival Edward Cook, the greatest lawyer of his generation?In this episode of Not Just the Tudors — recorded at the Hay Festival of Literature & Arts —Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Jesse Norman MP about his new novel The Winding Stair, an epic tale of jealousy and intrigue in Elizabethan and Jacobean England, which, in its lowest moments, holds a darkened mirror to our own contemporary politics.This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code TUDORS. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here > You can take part in our listener survey here >For more Not Just The Tudors content, subscribe to our Tudor Tuesday newsletter here > Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.