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Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Because it's Christmas Eve, I'm taking the day to be with family. In place of something new, this episode brings together several Christmas and wintertime Tudor stories from past years in one long, easy listen. These episodes explore how Christmas was celebrated in Tudor England - the traditions, food, faith, music, and rhythms of the season. Perfect for listening while you cook, travel, or enjoy a quiet Christmas Eve. I'll be back with new episodes soon. Until then, happy Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christmas Eve in Tudor England was a day of preparation, restraint, and anticipation, not feasting. It marked the final day of Advent. In this short Christmas Eve episode, I'm sharing quick reminders of how Tudor people marked this special day, from fasting and firelight to church and tradition, before the celebrations truly began. For a deeper look at how Christmas was celebrated across the whole season, watch my video “The Real Twelve Days of Christmas” - https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs Before I go, I also want to say a heartfelt thank you, from me and Tim, and from our whole family (including the pets!), for all your support this year. Whether you watch, comment, share, or support the channel in other ways, it genuinely means so much. If you'd like to support the channel further and enjoy exclusive Tudor content, livestreams, zooms, magazines and resources, you're very welcome to join my YouTube channel membership. Merry Christmas, and thank you for being here. #TudorChristmas #ChristmasEve #TwelveDaysofChristmas #HistoricalTraditions
Tudor Christmas wasn't just celebrated at home or in church, it was performed. In this episode of my Tudor Christmas Advent series, we step into the vivid, noisy, emotional world of Christmas mystery plays, public dramas staged in streets, market squares, and churchyards across medieval and early Tudor England. You'll discover: - What mystery plays really were — and why the word “mystery” meant craft, not confusion - How towns like York, Chester, and Coventry brought Christmas to life with pageant wagons and street drama - Why King Herod was played as a terrifying, shouting tyrant - How shepherds' humour made the Nativity relatable to Tudor audiences - And how one of our most haunting carols, Coventry Carol, comes directly from a Christmas mystery play These plays didn't just tell people the Christmas story, they made them feel it. This video is part of my Tudor Christmas Advent series. If you've enjoyed it, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don't miss tomorrow's episode. Question for you: Would you have watched a Tudor Christmas mystery play, or found it too intense? #TudorChristmas #MysteryPlays #CoventryCarol #TudorHistory #ChristmasHistory #MedievalDrama #BritishHistory #EarlyModernEngland
Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Professor Stephen Gunn about his research using 16th-century coroner's inquests to reveal how accidental deaths illuminate everyday Tudor life—covering hazards like animals, open water, mills, house collapses, seasonal work, and risky pastimes such as early football. They discuss patterns by age, gender and social status, surprising and bizarre cases, research challenges, and resources for further reading including Gunn's book 'An Accidental History of Tudor England' and the project's online dataset. LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE & FATAL HAZARDS IN TUDOR ENGLAND https://tudoraccidents.history.ox.ac.uk/?page_id=17 Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!
Christmas in Tudor England wasn't only about feasting, pageantry, and celebration. It was also a season of obligation, a time when charity and almsgiving were seen as essential acts of faith. In this episode of my Tudor Christmas Advent series, I explore how medieval and Tudor people understood Christmas charity: not as a sentimental gesture, but as a moral and religious duty rooted in scripture, custom, and community. We'll explore: - Why charity was preached so strongly at Christmas - How St Thomas's Day set the tone for a charitable festive season - What great households were expected to give - How royal and parish charity worked before and after the Reformation For the Tudors, to give at Christmas was to prepare the soul for Christ's birth, and to refuse was seen as a failure of faith. I hope you enjoy this quieter, more reflective look at a Tudor Christmas tradition that mattered deeply to people living through the hardest time of the year. If you've enjoyed the video, please like, subscribe, and click the bell so you don't miss the rest of my Tudor Christmas Advent series. #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #ChristmasHistory #MedievalChristmas #StThomassDay #BritishHistory #HistoryLovers #TheAnneBoleynFiles #ChristmasAdvent #EarlyModernHistory
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Yesterday we chatted about how crimes were solved. Today, we look at convictions. What happened after conviction in Tudor England? This minicast looks at how punishment worked through shame, visibility, and public order, from the stocks and church penance to execution and royal mercy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
How did Tudor England solve crimes without police or forensic science? This episode explores how murder and suspicion were investigated through community testimony, coroners' inquests, confession, and local justice, and why the world of Matthew Shardlake feels surprisingly accurate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and so it was for the Tudors as well. Yes, its Christmas, and so I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to examine how the Tudors spent the most festive time of year. To join me, I am pleased to welcome back Tudor food and gardening historian, Brigitte Webster onto the podcast. She and I examine how the Tudors decorated the home, from the poorest of subjects right up to the royal family, we look into some of the major foods popular across the Tudor period, explore some traditions and also delve into what aspects of Tudor Christmas are still very much part of the way we celebrate today!
Christmas in Tudor England wasn't just about people, prayers, and pageantry, it was also shaped by animals. In today's episode of my Tudor Christmas Advent series, we step into the world of Tudor Christmas animals: the creatures that filled festive tables, shaped religious symbolism, inspired superstition, and even featured in royal gift-giving and court entertainments. Drawing on medieval sermons, Tudor household records, chronicles, cookery books, and royal accounts, this episode explores the very real animals that defined a Tudor Yuletide, from the triumphal boar's head to the ox and ass of the Nativity, from winter hunts and gifts of venison to cats watched for weather omens by the hearth. If you enjoy historically accurate Tudor Christmas traditions, do give the video a like, subscribe, and click the bell so you don't miss the rest of the Advent series. And tell me in the comments: how do animals feature in your Christmas today? #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #MedievalChristmas #TudorLife #ChristmasTraditions #HistoryAtChristmas
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
The Christmas Character quiz is here: https://www.englandcast.com/christmas-character-quiz/ - I'd love to see what you got!And the ecard site is here: https://www.englandcast.com/tudor-tidings/How did the Tudors understand the human body, and why does their approach feel so strange to us today? In this episode, I explore how people in Tudor England thought about health, illness, emotion, and balance, and how the body was believed to be shaped by air, weather, and even feelings themselves. We'll also look at where Tudor medicine overlaps with our own, and why their way of living in the body wasn't as unscientific as it's often assumed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christmas in Tudor England wasn't just a season of feasting, music and Yule logs… it was also a time when the veil between worlds felt unusually thin. In today's Tudor Christmas Advent episode, I'm stepping into the atmospheric world of real medieval and Tudor Yuletide superstitions - beliefs recorded in late medieval sermons, Tudor writings, and 16th-century accounts. These weren't cosy Victorian myths or later folklore. They were ideas that shaped how people in the 1400s and 1500s experienced Christmas Eve itself, a night of wonder, fear, and expectation. In this video, I'll share three of the strongest and most authentic Christmas superstitions from the period… and trust me, they're haunting, surprising, and very revealing about Tudor beliefs. - Why did people avoid stables at midnight? - What did some fear they might see in a church porch? - And which spectral figure did Shakespeare expect his audience to recognise? Join me for a wonderfully eerie festive journey into Tudor England's winter imagination. If you enjoy this darker corner of Tudor Christmas, please like, subscribe, and click the bell so you don't miss the rest of my Advent series. And in the comments, tell me: Would YOU have been brave enough to test one of these superstitions at midnight? #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #ChristmasHistory #MedievalFolklore #TudorSuperstitions #HistoryYouTube #TheAnneBoleynFiles #16thCentury #HistoryLovers #YuletideTraditions
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Poison was the rumor that never died in Tudor England. In this episode, we look at the deaths that Tudor contemporaries believed were “too convenient” to be natural: the Scottish commissioners who fell ill during Mary, Queen of Scots' marriage negotiations in France, the sudden collapse of Ferdinando Stanley, and the suspicions surrounding Darnley and Amy Robsart. Whether these cases were illness, accident, or something darker, the fear of poison shaped Tudor politics in surprising ways.Get your 2026 Tudor Planner here: https://tudorfair.com/products/2026-tudor-planner?_pos=1&_sid=f3a155f11&_ss=r Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Did you know the English Reformation didn't just reshape churches and doctrine… it quietly transformed Christmas itself? In today's Tudor Christmas Advent episode, I explore how Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I each left their mark on the festive season - sometimes dramatically, sometimes subtly, and sometimes in ways we might not expect. What happened to the old medieval traditions? Why did some customs disappear while others survived untouched? And how did the Tudors balance faith, festivity, and reform at the most important season of the year? This is the story of a Christmas in transition, a holiday caught between devotion, celebration, and religious revolution. Question for you: If you'd lived in Tudor England, would you have kept the old customs, reformed them gently, or stripped them back entirely? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and click the bell for more Tudor Christmas history every day this Advent! #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #Reformation #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #EdwardVI #MaryI #HistoryYouTube #AnneBoleynFiles #ChristmasHistory #EarlyModernHistory #12DaysOfChristmas
What did winter really feel like in Tudor England? Spoiler: nothing like the winter we know today. Hello, I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's Tudor Christmas Advent episode we're stepping into a world of bone-deep cold, frozen rivers, and incredible resilience, the world of Tudor winter during the Little Ice Age. Between the 14th and 19th centuries, Europe and North America endured some of the coldest winters in recorded history. And the Tudors? They lived right in the middle of it. In this episode, discover: What Tudor winters were really like — without heating, forecasts, or modern comforts The astonishing times the River Thames froze solid How Henry VIII and Elizabeth I reacted to the deep freeze The extraordinary celebrations that took place on the ice Why London's legendary frost fairs eventually disappeared At the end, I'd love to hear from you: What's the coldest winter you remember, and how did you cope? If you enjoy these festive Tudor deep dives, please like, subscribe, and click the bell so you don't miss the next episode in the Advent series. Keep warm! #TudorHistory #LittleIceAge #FrostFairs #TudorChristmas #HistoryChannel #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles #HistoryDocumentary #OnThisDayHistory #WinterHistory #BritishHistory
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here 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
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Medieval Europe was preoccupied with magic. From the Carolingian Empire to Renaissance Italy and Tudor England, great rulers, religious figures, and scholars sought to harness supernatural power. They tried to summon spirits, predict the future, and even prolong life. Alongside science and religion, magic lay at the very heart of culture. In this beautifully illustrated account The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts (Yale UP, 2025), Anne Lawrence-Mathers explores the medieval fascination with magic through twenty extraordinary illuminated manuscripts. These books were highly sought after, commissioned by kings and stored in great libraries. They include an astronomical compendium made for Charlemagne's son; The Sworn Book of Honorius, used by a secret society of trained magicians; and the highly influential Picatrix. This vivid new history shows how attitudes to magic and science changed over the medieval period—and produced great works of art as they did so. Anne Lawrence-Mathers is professor of history at University of Reading. She is the author of Medieval Meteorology and The True History of Merlin the Magician and coauthor of Magic and Medieval Society. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day
Today we're stepping into one of the most joyful parts of a Tudor Christmas - the music. Whether your festive soundtrack is Michael Bublé or Bing Crosby, Tudor England had its own musical traditions… and many of their carols are far older than you might expect. In this episode, we explore: - How music shaped Tudor Christmas celebrations - Which carols the Tudors actually knew - Why carols were originally dances - songs performed in circles, homes, streets, and seasonal revelshe role of the waits - Music in Tudor homes - Carols in wassailing traditions Thank you for joining me for this musical journey through Tudor Yuletide. If you enjoyed it, please like, subscribe, and click the bell, and tell me in the comments: Do you have a favourite Christmas carol? Or a Christmas soundtrack? See you tomorrow for more Tudor Christmas delights! #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #ChristmasCarols #MedievalMusic #RenaissanceMusic #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles #HistoryYouTube #YuletideHistory #HistoricalMusic #Waits #CoventryCarol #Gaudete #EarlyMusic
Today we're stepping into one of the most colourful, energetic, and wonderfully noisy traditions of the Tudor festive season, Morris dancing. You might picture modern dancers with bells and handkerchiefs on a village green… but in Tudor England, Morris dancing was bolder, brighter, and far more theatrical. In this video, we'll explore: - What Morris dancing really looked like in the 15th and 16th centuries - bells, ribbons, masks, mock combat, clashing staves, blackened faces, and vibrant costumes How it became part of court entertainment - including Henry VII's Christmas revels and Henry VIII's masques - Its deep roots in English folk culture - from May Day to Whitsun ales, parish festivals to civic pageantry - The unforgettable stock characters - Maid Marian (played by a man!), jesters, hobby-horses, Robin Hood, even dragons! - Why it mattered at Christmas and Twelfth Night - joy, misrule, community, and celebration at the darkest time of year - And how Morris dancing survives today - a living tradition linking us directly to the Tudor world If you've ever seen Morris dancing and wondered where it came from, or if you simply love the colour, spectacle, and spirit of Tudor celebrations, this episode is for you. Thank you so much for watching! If you're enjoying this festive journey through Tudor Christmas, please like, subscribe, and click the bell - there's more Yuletide history coming your way tomorrow. #TudorChristmas #MorrisDancing #TudorHistory #ClaireRidgway #ChristmasTraditions #HistoryYouTube #TwelfthNight #TudorCourt #EnglishFolkDance #YuletideHistory #TheAnneBoleynFiles #HistoryChannel #BritishHistory
"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey with Special Guest Doug FullingtonIn this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey speaks with Doug Fullington, dance historian and musicologist, about his journey into the world of dance and music. They discuss the importance of music in ballet, the role of dance notation. The conversation also touches on the significance of historical archives, the impact of character dances, and Doug's current work at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. They delve into Doug's recent publication, The Five Ballets from Paris and St. Petersburg, and his ongoing projects, including editing the score of Giselle. Throughout the episode, Doug shares insights into the evolution of ballet and the importance of preserving its history.Doug Fullington dance historian and musicologist, born and raised in Seattle. Doug received degrees in music and law from the University of Washington and has since taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the School of Music as a visiting scholar and auxiliary member of the faculty. In 2020 Doug was a guest instructor at Princeton University. Doug earned a Ph.D. in music history at the University of Washington in 2022.Doug's work in ballet is focused on nineteenth-century French and Russian source material. A fluent reader of Stepanov choreographic notation, he has contributed historically informed dances to a number of productions. He has work for Pacific Northwest Ballet School, collaborated with Tamara Rojo in the early stages of her work on Raymonda (English National Ballet, 2022; San Francisco Ballet, 2025), and in 2024, he staged Star on the Rise... La Bayadère Reimagined! with Phil Chan at Indiana University. Most recently, he staged The Sleeping Beauty with Pete Boal at Pacific Northwest Ballet.Doug's writings on dance have been published in Ballet Alert!, Ballet Review, Dance View, and Dancing Times and online by Oxford University Press. He is co-author with Marian Smith of Five Ballets from Paris and St. Petersburg (Oxford University Press, 2024.)Doug has been a frequent presenter and moderator for the Guggenheim Museum's Works & Process series. Doug has spent thirty years with Pacific Northwest Ballet (Seattle), serving as Assistant to Artistic Directors Kent Stowell and Francia Russell and later as Assistant to Artistic Director Peter Boal as well as Audience Education Manager. He is currently Dance Historian for PNB.Doug is also the founder and director of the Tudor Choir, a professional vocal ensemble based in Seattle since 1993. He has a particular interest in the music of Tudor England and early American repertory. As a countertenor, Doug has performed with the Tudor Choir and Byrd Ensemble, was a member for fourteen years of the Compline Choir of St. Mark's Cathedral (Seattle), and performed with the London-based Tallis Scholars in England, France, and the United States during the years 2000–2002.In addition to his work with the Tudor Choir, Doug has conducted the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Baroque Orchestra. He was instrumental in establishing the Tallis Scholars Summer Schools USA and in 2019 was a tutor on the Byrd International Singers' Scotland Renaissance Course.More Information:https://www.dougfullington.com/Tudor Choir Upcoming PerformanceFriday, December 19 @ 8 PMHoly Rosary Catholic Church4139 42nd Ave SW, SeattleTicketshttps://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/byrdensemble/dec-19-tudor-choir-christmas-in-a-wintry-world-holy-rosary-churchVirtual ticketshttps://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/byrdensemble/dec-19-tudor-choir-christmas-in-a-wintry-world-virtual-concert“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/Please leave us a Review.Please help support the podcast:https://gofund.me/e561b42acFollow Joanne Carey on Instagram@westfieldschoolofdance
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Tudor England loved true crime just as much as we do today. In this episode, we look at a few cases that gripped 16th-century audiences: the 1551 murder of Thomas Arden of Faversham, and the 1592 killing of John Brewen, preserved in a sensational printed pamphlet. These stories reveal how early printers, ballad sellers, and public executions shaped a uniquely Tudor form of crime storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yule Logs, Twelfth Night Cakes & the Lord of Misrule. Step into a Tudor Christmas with me! I'm historian Claire Ridgway, and today's Advent episode looks at the real Yuletide customs of Tudor England, from the dramatic arrival of the Yule log to the playful misrule of Twelfth Night. Why did Tudor households bring home an enormous log on Christmas Eve? What role did a humble bean play in choosing the “king” of the festivities? And how did these rituals blend ancient midwinter beliefs with Christmas celebrations? Discover the symbolism, the revelry, and the wonderful strangeness of a Tudor Yuletide, a world of firelight, games, and meaning woven into every tradition. Join me for a journey into the customs that made Christmas magical for the Tudors. If you're enjoying this Advent series, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell — more Tudor Christmas delights are on the way! #TudorChristmas #YuleLogTraditions #TwelfthNight #TudorHistory #LordOfMisrule
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Intermittent fasting might feel like a modern idea, but Tudor England practiced a full winter fast during Advent. People cut out meat and dairy, relied on fish and simple grains, and often waited until evening prayers for their main meal. In this episode we look at what the Advent fast involved, how it shaped daily life in December, and why it ends up sounding a lot like the fasting routines people follow today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Day 6 of my Tudor Christmas Advent series! Today we're diving into one of the most enchanting feast days of the Tudor calendar, St Nicholas's Day, and uncovering how this 4th-century bishop eventually became the Santa Claus we know today. We'll explore: The real St Nicholas of Myra, miracle worker and protector of children The extraordinary Boy Bishop tradition, where a child led church services from 6–28 December How Henry VII supported the custom… and why Henry VIII banned it How Hereford and Salisbury Cathedrals still keep the tradition alive today Why St Nicholas didn't bring gifts in Tudor England The medieval legends, chimneys, stockings, secret gold, that shaped later folklore How Dutch “Sinta Klaas” became Santa in America Why Father Christmas in Tudor England wasn't a gift-giver at all So no, Tudor children didn't hang stockings, but the stories surrounding St Nicholas created the foundation for Santa Claus, from night-time gift-giving to flying through the sky. Join me tomorrow for Tudor Christmas Decorations! And if you're enjoying this series, don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell. #StNicholas #BoyBishop #SantaClausHistory #TudorChristmas #ClaireRidgway #HistoryYouTube #MedievalTraditions #ChristmasOrigins #Sinterklaas #FatherChristmas #TudorHistory
Step into Tudor England at its bloodiest and most unhinged, where monarchs changed religions on a whim and the price of disagreeing with the crown was burning alive. In this episode, we unravel the real story behind Mary I—“Bloody Mary”—and the Oxford Martyrs whose deaths became political theater. But to understand why Protestants and Catholics were so violently at odds, we go back even further: the Medici, Martin Luther, a warrior pope and a rant that changed the world. This is a story of fire, faith, and rebellion, so you love messy history, morally gray heroes, and the way centuries-old scandals still shape modern identity and politics, this episode is your new obsession.And if you want more deep dives, feminine power lessons, and weekly transformation, join The Shallontourage—my global girl gang for confidence, strategy, and seduction. Your new era starts here.
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Today we're looking at the Privy Council and the work it handled behind the scenes in Tudor England. This small group managed intelligence, arrests, foreign diplomacy, religious enforcement, and the constant flow of problems from every corner of the kingdom. It's a closer look at how the Tudors actually governed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's that time of year again, Good Nobles, so Alicia is taking us on a magical tour of (mostly) Tudor England's holiday season! Think Advent, the 12 Days of Christmas, and a full on two-week break to eat, drink, and be as merry as you can be with Henry VIII as your king.Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast.To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What did Tudor families do at Christmas once the feasting slowed, the music quietened, and the Yule log glowed on the hearth? They played games, and some of them are still incredibly fun today. Welcome to Day 4 of my Tudor Christmas Advent series! I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we're stepping into the warm, bustling world of Tudor fireside entertainment. From nobles in great halls to sailors aboard the Mary Rose, people in Tudor England filled the long winter evenings with: - Dice games like Cent, Raffles, and Passage - Card games from gentle Noddy to high-stakes Primero — Henry VIII's favourite - Board games including backgammon (“tables”), chess, Fox and Geese, and Nine Men's Morris - Shove-board and early billiards for the elite - And simple household fun like pick-up sticks These games weren't just entertainment. They were connection - a way for families and communities to share laughter, competition, mischief, and companionship throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas. If you're enjoying this festive journey through Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell - more Christmas magic is coming tomorrow! #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #ChristmasTraditions #HistoryWithClaire #HenryVIII #MedievalGames #TwelveDaysOfChristmas #AnneBoleynFiles #ChristmasHistory
A skull found in a Mexican mine 90 years ago has features that no single known medical condition can fully explain. Doctors and scientists have studied this misshapen skull for decades, but no one can agree on what it actually is.IN THIS EPISODE: If you are into aliens or conspiracies, you've likely heard of the StarChild skull – a strange skull that appears either misshapen, or – as many believe – is the skull of a hybrid between extraterrestrials and human beings. What is the truth behind the StarChild? (What Is The StarChild?) *** In the 1700s life-saving techniques were obviously not as advanced as those we have today. Case in point – one doctor wanted to know if and how a drowned person might be brought back to life. The solution? Go to a hanging and try to revive the executed man. How do you think that went? (The Hanged Man) *** We've spoken often here on Weird Darkness about shadow people – what their purpose is, where they come from, whether they are malevolent or not… but are they ghosts, or something else entirely? (Are Shadow People Considered Ghosts?) *** A Reddit user shares his true story of hiking in the wilderness and suddenly being tracked and hunted over several days by a stranger with unknown intentions. (A Strange Man Hunted Me Through The Park) *** Within the walls of one of England's most picturesque castles, a queen gave birth to her only child and set in motion a chain of events that would become one of Tudor England's most intriguing mysteries. (The Unexplained Disappearance of the Queen's Daughter)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:01:28.939 = Show Open00:03:41.187 = What Is The Starchild?00:22:20.388 = *** The Hanged Man00:30:05.929 = A Strange Man Hunted Me Through The Dark00:35:03.546 = *** The Unexplainable Disappearance of the Queen's Daughter00:47:09.487 = *** Are Shadow People Considered Ghosts?00:56:43.391 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakSOURCES and RESOURCES...“The Hanged Man” by Romeo Vitelli for Providentia: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/32j6zyb7“Are Shadow People Considered Ghosts?” by Jacob Shelton for Ranker's Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/uej2nyca“A Strange Man Hunted Me Through The Park” by Redditor u/ValyrianJedi: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/436p34t7“The Unexplained Disappearance of the Queen's Daughter” by Lydia Starbuck for Royal Central:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bfhkxthc“What Is The Starchild?” by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, posted at Anomalien: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ewccfd5c, and from StarChildProject.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/wb8daydd=====(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.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: April 12, 2021EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/starchildABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#StarchildSkull #AncientMystery #UnexplainedMysteries #AlienHybrid #MexicanMine #AncientDNA #ParanormalMystery #ArchaeologicalMystery #UnsolvedMysteries #WeirdDarkness
Most of us think Advent means calendars, chocolate, and switching on the Christmas playlist… But for our medieval and Tudor ancestors, Advent meant something completely different. Welcome to Day 1 of my Tudor Christmas Advent series! Today we're stepping into the medieval and Tudor world to explore what Advent really meant, and how it prepared people for the true Christmas feast that didn't begin until 25 December. In this episode, I cover: - Why Advent was more like a mini-Lent — a season of fasting and restraint - Why Christmas Eve was the strictest fasting day of all - How the Church shaped December as a time of preparation, not celebration - The older midwinter traditions behind the season - Why a Tudor walking into our modern homes would think we'd started Christmas FAR too early - How Advent set the stage for the Twelve Days of Christmas, with all their feasting, revelry and topsy-turvy fun For the Tudors, Advent wasn't about treats, it was about waiting. Join me every day as we journey through Tudor Advent and Christmas, exploring St Nicholas and the Boy Bishop, Tudor food and drink, wassailing, mumming, the Lord of Misrule and much more. Do you mark Advent in any special way? Let me know in the comments! If you'd like to walk through a full Tudor Christmas with me, don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for tomorrow's instalment. #TudorHistory #TudorChristmas #Advent #HistoryYouTube #ClaireRidgway #MedievalChristmas #TwelveDaysOfChristmas #HistoryNerd #BritishHistory #TudorTok #ChristmasHistory
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Today we're looking at the closest thing Tudor England had to newspapers: the crime pamphlets that reported real murders, scandals, and witchcraft cases in the sixteenth century. We'll dig into the 1573 killing of George Saunders, the 1592 murder of John Brewen, and a witchcraft case printed that same year, and explore how these pamphlets shaped public ideas about justice long before regular news existed.Yuletide with the Tudors is starting on Monday! Don't forget to add some festive history to your season!https://www.englandcast.com/yuletide-with-the-tudors/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
In this session from Tudorcon 2025 Sarah Pixley Papandrea from Agecroft Hall breaks down the real twelve-day Christmas season of Tudor England, from mumming and wassailing to role-reversal games, feast days, and the Lord of Misrule. It's a lively look at the traditions that shaped winter celebrations across the Tudor world.Yuletide with the Tudors begins Monday, December 1. It's my digital advent experience running through Twelfth Night, with daily stories and activities exploring these same festive customs. Join at the link in the show notes.https://www.englandcast.com/yuletide-with-the-tudors/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The de la Pole family were one of the great noble houses of Tudor England, who awkwardly possessed a big dollop of York royal blood, tracing direct descent from Elizabeth of York, a sister of Kings Edward IV and Richard III. It was the de la Pole family whom Richard III intended to be his successors, and would in turn become figureheads of rebellion against the Tudors. Today, I am pleased to welcome historian and author Richard Anderton, onto the podcast, for a discussion based on his latest book, The Last Yorkists, Edmund and Richard de la Pole. We discuss these two brothers lives, early days, their connections to the other noble houses, their roles in rebellion against the Tudors and of course, how this would, inevitably, lead to their destruction.
The Dean's List with Host Dean Bowen – Bloody Mary and the Virgin Queen shape Tudor England through fear, religious coercion, and absolute authority. Though divided by faith, both queens enforce conformity through imprisonment, execution, and law. Their shared legacy of civil and religious tyranny helps drive dissenters, including the Pilgrims, toward exile in search of freedom...
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
In this episode, we explore the life of Jane Lumley, a Tudor noblewoman whose translations made her one of the earliest female scholars in English literature. Through her, we trace the intertwined stories of the FitzAlan and Lumley families, the politics that shaped their world, and the remarkable library that preserved her work. From Nonsuch to the Lumley Chapel at Cheam, her life offers a rare window into the quieter, book-filled side of Tudor England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Not every Tudor courtier met a grisly end... Some outlived the danger, and shaped history doing so. On this day in 1542, Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex, died quietly after a life of high-stakes politics, military glory, and fierce loyalty to Henry VIII. From disgraced heir to trusted royal insider, Radcliffe navigated the Reformation, royal marriages, rebellions, and thrived. Join me for a fascinating look at a noble who helped make Tudor England, and lived to tell the tale. Watch, like & subscribe for more Tudor insights. Comment below: what surprised you most about Robert Radcliffe's career, his military service, his marital alliances, or his role under Henry VIII? #RobertRadcliffe #EarlOfSussex #TudorNobility #Dissolution #PilgrimageOfGrace #GreatMatter #LordGreatChamberlain
Small groups of crypto-Jews are known to have made their way to England. We know the names and occasionally the stories of some. But no one had a greater impact on England's history or on Queen Elizabeth I, than Roger Lopez: Physician, Double Agent, Diplomat & Court Jew. Jews were News even during the period of their supposed forced absence. And what is the real story behind Henry VIII's set of Talmud? Chapters 00:00:00 Doctor Lopez and the Earl of Leicester 00:00:26 Podcast Introduction and Listener Letter 00:36:32 Rodrigo Lopez: Early Life and Arrival in England 00:05:10 Lopez's Rise and Role at Court 00:08:14 Espionage and the Don Antonio Affair 00:09:41 Jewish Community as Diplomatic Asset 00:11:02 International Intrigue and Spanish Spies 00:13:39 The Spanish Armada and Aftermath 00:15:22 Lopez's Espionage and Double Agency 00:16:40 The Andrada Case and Rising Suspicion 00:19:12 Arrest and Trial of Lopez 00:21:52 Charges, Confession, and Execution 00:24:35 Was Lopez Guilty? 00:27:08 Lopez's Legacy and Impact on Literature 00:30:44 Jewish Life in England: 1300s–1400s 00:32:50 Conversos and Marranos in Tudor England 00:36:32 Risks and Persecution of Marranos 00:38:42 Elizabethan Era and Secret Jewish Life 00:40:35 Religious Practice and Open Jews 00:43:10 Persistence of Jewish Identity 00:45:12 The Talmud in England: The Henry VIII Legend 00:48:35 Conclusion and Next Series Teaser
Free speech is today more contested than ever before. In many places, differing views about politics, sex, and religion are suppressed and punished. In the West, debates rage over its limits and meaning. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Fara Dabhoiwala to trace the roots of this conflict back to the 18th century, when America embraced the First Amendment, while most of the world adopted a different principle: rights balanced by responsibilities. Together Suzannah and Fara explore the surprising and often troubling origins of free speech, from medieval punishments for slander and Henry VIII's treason laws to the American Revolution's selective embrace of liberty.MORE:17th and 18th Century Sexual RevolutionListen on AppleListen on SpotifySinging the News in Tudor EnglandListen 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. 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.
On this day in history, 25 November 1467, Thomas Dacre was born; a man who rose from the turbulent Anglo-Scottish border to become one of Tudor England's most influential northern magnates. Soldier, strategist, landowner, and power-broker… his story is far richer than the brief mentions he usually gets in the history books. From a dramatic marriage to a pivotal role in one of Henry VIII's greatest military moments, Dacre helped shape politics and warfare far from the royal court. Join me as I explore the life of a man who deserves far more attention than he gets. If you enjoy deep dives into lesser-known Tudor figures, don't forget to subscribe and ring the bell. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ThomasDacre #BattleOfFlodden #Tudors #HenryVIII #BritishHistory #HistoryYouTube #TudorEngland
In 1921, builders in the quiet Essex village of St Osyth unearthed a chilling sight: Two female skeletons. Buried deliberately. With iron rivets hammered into their knees and elbows - a brutal, centuries-old method used to stop a witch from rising from the grave. For a hundred years, villagers have whispered the same names: Ursula Kemp. Elizabeth Bennet. Two women hanged for witchcraft in 1582. But who were they really? In this episode of my Tudor True Crime series, I uncover the dark world behind the St Osyth witch trials, a story of neighbourly grudges, grief, superstition, and a magistrate hungry for fame. You'll discover: How a fallen-out friendship sparked a chain of accusations Why Ursula Kemp was both a healer… and feared How an eight-year-old boy was persuaded to testify against his mother The terrifying role of magistrate Brian Darcy, who wanted a sensational trial What really happened at the Chelmsford Assizes Why two women ended up at the gallows And whether the skeletons found in 1921 really belonged to them… This is not just a witchcraft story, it's a story about fear, power, and the dangerous consequences of a single accusation in Tudor England. If you'd like to explore more Tudor witch trials and the wider Essex witch-hunt, I've added related videos below. • The Essex Witches - https://youtu.be/hpmkvJyc6x8 • The Tudor Witch-hunter - https://youtu.be/E7fbjYHVeGU • Witchcraft in Tudor Times - https://youtu.be/4XqRVOnsvps If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor true crime, superstition, and the stories that get left in the dark, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. Because Tudor history isn't just kings and queens… It's the shadows too. #TudorHistory #TrueCrime #WitchTrials #EssexWitches #StOsyth #UrsulaKemp #ElizabethBennet #DarkHistory #HistoryMystery #WitchcraftHistory #TudorTrueCrime #TheAnneBoleynFiles
How England Celebrated Accession Day Like a National Holiday Every year on 17th November, England erupted in bells, bonfires, and jousting tournaments, all to celebrate Queen Elizabeth I's Accession Day. It wasn't just royal pageantry, it was faith, theatre, and politics rolled into one. Knights broke lances before the Queen, the people burned effigies of the Pope, and Elizabeth became “England's Deborah,” the saviour of Protestant England. Discover how one day in 1558 became the biggest celebration in Tudor England, and how it lived on for centuries after the Virgin Queen's death. Listen now to uncover the story behind England's greatest royal festival. #ElizabethI #TudorHistory #AccessionDay #Gloriana #TudorEngland #History
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Today we're looking at what a “passport” meant in Tudor England. There were no little booklets, but anyone leaving the kingdom needed royal permission in the form of licences and safe-conducts. Let's do a quick dive into how these documents worked and why the Privy Council watched foreign travel so closely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
The other day we looked at the nobility and what they did - today, a look at the gentry, the thousands of families who handled the everyday work of running the kingdom. From managing estates to serving as Justices of the Peace, they kept local government functioning while pursuing their own ambitions. It's a quick tour of the people who made Tudor England operate behind the scenes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An aspect of Tudor history seldom discussed or, perhaps more accurately, all but ignored, is the role black people living and working in England across the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, to unpick the stories of some of Tudor England's African population, I am pleased to welcome Dr Miranda Kaufmann onto the podcast for a discussion based around her book, Black Tudors, The Untold Story. We look at the stories of several figures from the time, including John Blanke, a black trumpeter for whom a contemporary image exists, to Diego the Circumnavigator, who helped Sir Francis Drake explore the globe, to Cattelena of Almondsbury, who livid in the Tudor countryside and made her way in the world owing to her most prized possession, a cow!
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
The Blounts of Mountjoy were everywhere in Tudor England, from Bessie Blount, Henry VIII's mistress and mother of his only acknowledged son, to Charles Blount, Elizabeth I's trusted commander and scandalous lover of Penelope Rich. This episode looks at how one family quietly threaded through a century of royal power, war, and intrigue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Ever wonder what a Tudor duke actually did all day? In this minicast, we dig into the real jobs of England's nobles, landlords, courtiers, commanders, and sometimes survivors of royal politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.