Podcasts about tudor england

As complex figures go, you can't get much more complex than Sir Thomas More. Was he a Saint? Was he a Sinner? Was he simply a man of his time? Dr Joanne Paul seeks to answer these questions in her book ‘Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England' which explores More's roles as a statesman, scholar, and martyr, and understand how his beliefs, actions, and the historical context shaped his enduring reputation.(WE WILL BE COVERING JOANNE'S BOOK IN BOOK CLUB ON 24TH MAY - JOIN IN AT PATREON.COM/BRITISHHISTORY)In my interview with Joanne, filmed at the Harvington History Festival 2025, I asked her about Thomas More's multifaceted identity, his role in Henry VIII's court, his religious beliefs and persecution of heretics, and his influence on political and religious history.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Thomas More and his significance01:45 Different ways people encounter Thomas More02:40 Was Thomas More as complex as his legacy suggests?03:46 The importance of understanding his life in context05:46 More's family and personal beliefs07:53 The roots of his religious fervor and fear08:54 His stance on heretics and persecution10:53 His beliefs about society and community12:55 The impact of the Reformation on his views13:46 Where to find more about Joanne Paul and her workBuy the book at Blackwells for Worldwide Delivery - Click Here If you've enjoyed this please follow and rate this podcast.Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. Buy books from these incredible historians, shipped worldwide from Blackwells - click here (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you).Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month.You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/PhilippaYou can support me for free by commenting and rating this episode. Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events.⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️About PhilippaPhilippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-surveyPhilippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A pendant linked to Catherine of Aragon has reportedly been discovered — and it's more than just Tudor jewellery. It's a window into one of the most dramatic marriages in English history, the break with Rome, and the personal cost of power.In this episode of Mark and Pete, we explore the significance of a newly identified Tudor pendant associated with Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Was it a romantic gift? A royal emblem? A symbol of legitimacy? Or a silent witness to the collapse of a marriage that changed the course of England forever?Catherine of Aragon was not merely a discarded queen. She was a Spanish princess, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, regent of England during Henry's campaigns, and a woman of formidable intelligence and deep Catholic faith. Her refusal to accept Henry's annulment triggered the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England under royal supremacy.We examine how Henry VIII used Scripture to justify his desire for a male heir, how the Tudor court turned marriage into political theatre, and how Catherine's dignity in exile reshaped the moral narrative of the Reformation. The discovery of a Catherine of Aragon pendant invites fresh discussion about Tudor history, royal authority, marriage, conscience, and the abuse of power.With Mark's poetic reflections and Pete's Christian commentary, this episode asks: what happens when rulers bend truth to serve appetite? And what does this Tudor drama teach modern Britain about covenant, leadership, and integrity?This is history, faith, politics, and cultural reflection — all wrapped in one small piece of gold.Topics include: Catherine of Aragon pendant, Henry VIII marriage crisis, Tudor England, English Reformation, Church of England origins, royal divorce, Catholic vs Protestant history, biblical marriage, power and conscience, British history podcast.

In May 1536, Anne Boleyn went from Queen of England to execution in just eighteen days. It remains one of the most shocking political collapses in English history - a moment that destroyed families, reshaped the Tudor court, and sent shockwaves across Europe. Having researched Anne Boleyn's life and fall since 2009, I still find these events deeply affecting. Each return to the primary sources - letters, trial records, ambassadorial reports and eyewitness accounts - raises the same question:  Was Anne Boleyn's fall truly a tragedy… or had her fate already been decided? To mark the 490th anniversary, I'm hosting a live anniversary intensive exploring Anne Boleyn's final weeks through contemporary evidence and Tudor political reality. If you'd like to study these events in depth with me, you can find full details here: https://claireridgway.com/events/last-18/ Early Bird Offer ends 27 February Use code AB2026 for $20 off. Thank you for supporting my work and for continuing to explore Tudor history with me.

Did the Tudors celebrate Valentine's Day? And if so, what did it actually look like before chocolates, roses, and greeting cards? In this episode, we step into mid-February in Tudor England, that quiet stretch between Candlemas and the start of Lent, and explore how people marked St. Valentine's Day. From candlelit church processions and weather lore to love poems written in the Tower of London, we look at the real traditions behind the holiday. You'll hear about the medieval belief that birds chose their mates in mid-February, the Duke of Orléans writing a valentine from captivity, and Margery Brews' heartfelt love letter to John Paston. We'll also look at how Tudor households actually celebrated, from drawing valentines by lot to exchanging gloves, ribbons, and small gifts. It's a gentler, quieter kind of Valentine's Day, set in a world of church calendars, cold February mornings, and handwritten letters carried across the countryside. A small holiday, but one that brought a little warmth to the middle of winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was Henry VIII's fifth wife a promiscuous teenager and then heartless adulteress and schemer? Celebrated, scrutinised, and endlessly talked about at court, Katherine Howard's reign was dazzlingly brief; within two years of marrying the king, she was accused of adultery and treason and executed.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Gareth Russell and Dr Nicola Clark to get to know the real young woman who was plucked from obscurity, whose life was cut short by the unforgiving power politics of Tudor England.MORE:Anne Boleyn's Final YearListen on AppleListen on SpotifyAnne Boleyn & Katherine Howard's Uncle, Thomas HowardListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented 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. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did a typical morning look like in Tudor England? There were no alarm clocks, no hot showers, and no coffee waiting in the kitchen. Instead, people woke in cold rooms, often sharing beds, with the fire nearly out and the day's work already ahead of them. In this episode, we walk through a full Tudor morning routine, from first light to the start of work. You'll hear about rush-covered floors, chamber pots, quick basin washes, layered clothing, bread and small beer for breakfast, morning prayers, and the all-important task of bringing the fire back to life. It's a practical, physical start to the day that depended on the household, the season, and the light of the sun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late February was one of the hardest times of year in Tudor England. Food stores were running low, the weather was damp and cold, and spring still felt far away. But in the middle of that hungry season came Shrovetide, a brief burst of pancakes, games, and noise before the long fast of Lent began. In this video, we spend a day inside a Tudor household at the end of winter. From thin pottage and smoky hearths to Shrove Tuesday pancakes and rough village football, this is what the season actually looked like for ordinary people. We'll follow the rhythm from the final feast of Shrovetide into the quiet first days of Lent, when the tables grew plainer and the long wait for spring began. If you'd like to experience this season in a more reflective way, you can join The Tudor Spring: A 40-Day Sanctuary, a gentle, history-based journey through Lent with daily stories, music, and reflections:https://heatherteysko.thrivecart.com/the-tudor-spring-a-40-day-sanctuary/ #TudorHistory #Shrovetide #DailyLifeHistory #Lent #SocialHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Jenner is joined in the sixteenth century by Dr Alanna Skuse and comedian Ria Lina to learn all about medicine and medical professionals in Tudor and Stuart England. In Renaissance-era England, medicine was still based on the theory of the four humours, passed down from ancient Greek and Roman physicians like Hippocrates and Galen. But from the reign of Henry VIII, there were signs of change. The invention of the printing press led to an explosion in medical and anatomical books, and the circulation of ideas from across Europe. The College of Physicians was founded in 1518, and the Company of Barber-Surgeons in 1543. Medicine became a real business, with a range of specialists, professional bodies overseeing different kinds of healthcare, and an explosion of medical providers advertising their services to the general public. This episode explores the landscape of healthcare in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England, looking at everyone from physicians, surgeons and apothecaries to domestic healers and midwives, and even taking in quacks and frauds. Along the way, it examines the sensible social distancing measures taken during the Great Plague, the cures both sensible and dangerous offered for all kinds of diseases, and the cutting-edge experiments men like William Harvey and Christopher Wren were carrying out on the circulation of the blood. If you're a fan of the history of everyday life in Tudor England, petty professional rivalries, and the whacky wellness trends of the past, you'll love our episode on medicine in Renaissance England. If you want more from Ria Lina, listen to our episodes on pirate queen Zheng Yi Sao and medieval traveller Marco Polo. And for more on the history of health and wellness, check out our episodes on Ancient Medicine, Renaissance Beauty and the Kellogg Brothers. You're Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past. Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Katharine Russell Written by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Dr Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars

Sir Thomas Wyatt was more than a courtier with a gift for words. He was a man whose life unfolded against the turbulent backdrop of Henry VIII's reign — a world of shifting alliances, dangerous intrigue, and sudden reversals of fortune. Though best remembered today for introducing the sonnet into English literature, Wyatt was also a diplomat, a one time prisoner of the Tower of London, and a figure whose personal story has long been entangled with that of Anne Boleyn. Thomas's life shows us a vivid window into the volatile world of Tudor England, so lets explore his story!

Anne Boleyn myths destroyed live at Katherine of Aragon FestivalRecorded live at the Katherine of Aragon Festival, this special episode of History Rage sees host Paul Bavill joined on stage by Owen Emerson (Assistant Curator, Hever Castle) and Alfred Hawkins (Curator, Tower of London) to challenge the biggest myths surrounding Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and Tudor England.Anne Boleyn remains one of the most mythologised figures in British history. Was she a ruthless schemer? A Protestant heroine? A tragic innocent? Owen Emerson argues that much of what we “know” about Anne was shaped by Victorian historians. Far from being a woman without substance, she was highly educated, shaped by Renaissance France, politically aware and deeply engaged in religious reform — though not the architect of the English Reformation.The panel explores:Anne Boleyn's relationship with Catherine of AragonWhether Anne pursued Henry VIII — or resisted himThe political reality behind the Break with RomeThe truth about her execution and burialWhy we don't actually know what most ordinary people thought of herAlfred Hawkins also tackles a major misconception: the idea that the Tower of London is simply a grim execution site. While Anne's death looms large, the Tower was a royal palace, administrative hub, armoury, archive and community for centuries. Reducing it to a Tudor “theatre of death” ignores over 1,000 years of English history.This live discussion is packed with Tudor historiography, debates about historical “expertise”, the limits placed on queenship, and why applying modern labels to early modern women can distort more than it clarifies.If you're interested in Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, the English Reformation, Tudor queens, or the Tower of London, this episode restores complexity to one of the most dramatic periods in British history.Guest DetailsOwen Emerson Assistant Curator, Hever Castle Visit: https://www.hevercastle.co.ukAlfred Hawkins Curator, Tower of London Visit: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-londonFollow & Support History Rage

If you've ever visited a Tudor palace in winter and wondered why it feels so cold inside, the answer is simple: it always was. In this episode, I explore how people in Tudor England actually stayed warm indoors. Not central heating, not roaring fires in every room, but a daily system built around one hearth, heavy clothing, hot food, shared warmth, and carefully managed routines. We'll look at fireplaces and fuel, why most rooms were never heated at all, how beds were warmed instead of bedrooms, and how people wrote, read, and worked with numb fingers in firelit rooms. From foot warmers taken to church to warming pans slipped between the sheets, heat in the Tudor world was local, temporary, and precious. Understanding how the Tudors dealt with cold changes how we think about daily life, privacy, sleep, work, and even learning in the sixteenth century. Warmth wasn't ambient. It was something you had to make, protect, and share. This is the everyday reality of living in cold stone houses, with one fire, long winters, and no escape from the chill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're stepping into the birthing chambers, parish homes, and crowded streets of Tudor England to meet a group of women who were absolutely essential to their communities and yet often left out of the historical record: midwives.For centuries, birth was women's work; overseen, supported, and guided by other women. And at the center of that world stood the midwife. She was healer, witness, community authority. She carried knowledge passed down not through universities or textbooks, but through experience, memory, and trust.And yet, like so many women whose power existed outside formal institutions, midwives have often been misunderstood, minimized, or erased.Today, I'm joined by Brigitte Barnard, an author, historian, and midwife whose work brings these women back into focus. Brigitte is the author of a Tudor-era historical novel series that imagines the lives of women navigating birth, belief, and survival in Tudor England. Brigitte also shares details about her upcoming non-fiction work, which takes us even deeper into the historical realities of childbirth. Separating myth from evidence and restoring midwives to their rightful place in the story.In our conversation, we talk about what it actually meant to be a midwife in Tudor England: the authority these women held, the dangers they faced, and why childbirth was never just a dangerous or private moment. Birth was communal. It was political. And it was deeply entangled with questions of power and control over women's bodies.Disclaimer: Topics covered in this episode may not be suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coucou everyone!In this episode we dive into the previously unknown histories of Black people living in Tudor England. Members of court, musicians, sex workers, adventurers, seamstresses, and even a deep-sea diver - their stories play a deeply important part of English history! Then we chat about a London icon - the black cab. Apologies in advance for going off the rails this episode - we are just so happy to be back!Main topic sources: Black Tudors: the Unknown Story Tudor, English and black – and not a slave in sight | Black History Month | The GuardianThe Black Presence in Tudor England - The Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe Ladies of SpayneWe have always been: a black Tudor story

As a major winter storm is hitting much of the United States, it's hard not to think about how dependent we are on forecasts, alerts, and advance warnings. We know when snow will start, how bad it might get, and when it should be over. The Tudors had none of that. In this episode, we explore how people in Tudor England understood the weather, what “forecasting” meant in a world without instruments or data, and how households prepared for winter when storms arrived without warning. We'll look at seasonal preparation, food storage, fuel shortages, and what happened when cold lasted longer than anyone expected. We'll also examine real historical examples of severe winters from the Tudor period and just beyond it, including prolonged frosts that froze rivers, stalled trade, and tested the limits of everyday life. This isn't a story about cozy snowfalls. It's about uncertainty, preparation, and what winter meant in a world where no one could say how long the storm would last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine waking in Tudor England with a fever and no paracetamol, no antibiotics, and no doctor to call. In this first part of A Beginner's Guide to Tudor Medicine, we step inside the Tudor worldview,  a world where illness was not an enemy to be fought, but a sign of imbalance within the body. You'll discover: – The theory of the Four Humours – How personality, seasons, and health were linked – Why bloodletting made sense – How astrology shaped medical treatment – What it really meant to “heal” in the sixteenth century Tudor medicine was not random superstition. It was a coherent system, built on centuries of observation and experience. In Part 2, we'll explore the strangest Tudor cures, and the ones that actually worked.   #TudorHistory #TudorMedicine #HistoryExplained #HistoryTok #LearnHistory #MedicalHistory #EarlyModern #SixteenthCentury #FourHumours #HistoryEducation #WomensHistory #LifeInThePast #TudorLife

When we think about death in Tudor England, we usually picture executions, plague, or war. But for most people living in 16th-century England, death came much closer to home. In this episode, we explore accidental deaths recorded in coroners' inquests: drownings while fetching water, fatal after-work swims, farm accidents, falls, fires, and moments of ordinary life that went catastrophically wrong. Drawing on recent research by historian Steven Gunn, these cases reveal what people were actually doing all day, the risks they lived with, and how unforgiving the physical world of Tudor England could be. This isn't a story about kings or court politics. It's about laborers, women, children, and families navigating daily work, domestic chores, and leisure in a landscape with very little margin for error. If you've ever wondered what Tudor life really looked like beyond the palace walls, this episode offers a stark and fascinating answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She wasn't a pawn — Lady Jane Dudley was shaped by power, politics and purposeFor centuries she has been remembered as Lady Jane Grey: the tragic, passive “Nine Days' Queen.” - But what if that story is wrong?In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Dr Joanne Paul to rage against one of Tudor history's most persistent myths — the erasure of Lady Jane Dudley and the deliberate sidelining of the Dudley dynasty from her story.This conversation dismantles the idea of Jane as a helpless victim of ruthless men and instead reveals a highly educated, politically aware young woman who understood exactly what the Tudor succession crisis meant — and what it might cost her. Drawing on contemporary evidence, Dr Paul explores Jane's agency, intelligence and religious conviction, and explains why the Dudleys became convenient scapegoats once Mary I reclaimed the throne.As the discussion widens, the episode exposes the brutal realities of Tudor power: shifting loyalties, manufactured villainy, and the dangerous fiction of “legitimate” succession. From Edward VI's handwritten Device for the Succession to the execution of John Dudley and the astonishing rehabilitation of Robert Dudley under Elizabeth I, this is a deep dive into how dynasties rise, fall — and rise again.Crucially, this episode also restores women to the centre of the narrative. From Jane Dudley herself to Jane, Duchess of Northumberland, the Dudley women emerge as formidable political operators whose influence shaped events long after the axe fell.If you think you know the story of Lady Jane Grey, this episode will change your mind.Key themes exploredWhy “Lady Jane Grey” is a historical misnomerJane Dudley's education, intellect and political awarenessThe Dudley family's central role in the Tudor succession crisisEdward VI's intentions — and misconceptions — about successionScapegoating, propaganda and Tudor myth-makingThe power and resilience of Dudley womenRobert Dudley's improbable rise at Elizabeth I's courtWhat the Dudleys reveal about loyalty, ambition and survival in Tudor EnglandFestival Info:The Katherine of Aragon Festival Talks are on January 31st and February 1st 2026 at Peterborough Cathedral:Tickets are available at: https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/about/history/katharine-of-aragon/kofa_26/ About the guestDr Joanne Paul is a historian, writer and public historian specialising in Tudor politics, power and reputation. She is the author of The House of Dudley, a groundbreaking study of one of Tudor England's most misunderstood dynasties, and has consulted on major television productions including My Lady Jane.Follow & contact Dr Joanne PaulSocial Media: @drjoannepaulBook: The House of Dudley: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781405937191About History RageHistory Rage is the podcast where historians stop being polite and start getting angry — debunking myths, challenging lazy narratives and reclaiming complexity from centuries of oversimplification.Follow History RageWebsite: https://historyrage.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageSocial media: @HistoryRage (all major platforms)Support the podcastJoin Patreon for live episode recordings, exclusive content and the coveted History Rage mugListen ad-free via Apple Podcasts or PatreonLeave a review — it helps more people find the showShare the rage with a friend and grow the movementIf you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:Episode 252: Dr Joanne Paul on the myth of Thomas More's martyrdom: https://pod.fo/e/34939eEpisode 171: Joanna Strong rages against the “Bloody Mary” label: https://pod.fo/e/299de6Until next time — stay angry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if Catherine of Aragon had agreed to an annulment in 1527?Today we explore a Tudor what-if with enormous consequences. If Catherine had stepped aside quietly, Henry VIII might never have broken with Rome, Anne Boleyn might have had time to secure her position, Mary Tudor's future could have been settled early, and England might have remained a far quieter place.A meditation on how one refusal, rooted in conscience, reshaped a kingdom.Check out the Vday collection: https://tudorfair.com/collections/valentines-day-2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this minicast, we spend twenty-four hours with a yeoman farmer and his family, the solid middle of Tudor society. From waking before dawn to fieldwork, food, spinning, neighborly chatter, and falling asleep by firelight, this is an ordinary working day in rural England. No court, no kings, just the daily rhythm that fed the country and kept Tudor England running. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This talk was recorded live at Tudorcon 2025.In this lecture, Mallory Jackson explores the work of Hans Holbein the Younger, the artist whose portraits defined how we visualize the Tudor court. Focusing on key paintings from Holbein's years in England, she looks at how symbolism, material culture, and political change shaped portraits of figures such as Henry VIII, Thomas More, and Thomas Cromwell.This is a detailed, art-driven discussion of Holbein's most famous works, including The Ambassadors, and what they reveal about power, belief, and uncertainty in Tudor England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christmas in Tudor England wasn't a single day, it was a season. And Twelfth Night was its final, glittering crescendo. In this final episode of my Tudor Advent and Christmas series, I explore how Tudor people marked the end of Christmas with feasting, music, disguisings, misrule, and the famous Twelfth Night cake, complete with a hidden bean or pea to crown a King (or Lord of Misrule) for the night. I also explain: When Twelfth Night actually was — the 5th or the 6th of January Why Epiphany mattered both socially and spiritually How Tudor court celebrations turned halls into living theatre And how these traditions still survive today, including here in Spain with the Roscón de Reyes Twelfth Night mattered because it ended Christmas properly, rather than Christmas just fading away. If you've missed earlier episodes, do watch “The Real Twelve Days of Christmas”, where I explain how the Tudors celebrated the entire festive season: https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs Do you celebrate Epiphany or Twelfth Night today? I'd love to hear your traditions in the comments.

Rosemary Griggs is an author, researcher, and presenter who shares the often unknown stories of Tudor women.Show Notes: Carol Ann Lloydwww.carolannlloyd.com@shakeuphistorypatreon.com/carolannlloydThe Tudors by NumbersCourting the Virgin Queen Rosemary Griggsrosemarygriggs.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/ladykatherinesfarthingalehttps://www.instagram.com/griggs6176/https://bsky.app/profile/ragriggsauthor.bsky.socialSubstack Notes from Devon's Tudor Time Traveler coming in January!Mistress of Dartington HallThe Dartington BrideA Woman of Noble Witand more!History shows us what's possible.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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...

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.

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.