Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

It’s been a little while since our last installment in this series - and Dr. Porter begins by explaining the reason for the delay.In today’s episode, we turn to the husband of Mary II - a figure who plays a pivotal role not only in her life, but also in the story of Mary of Modena, whom we recently explored with Dr. Breeze Barrington. The connections between these royal lives make this discussion especially compelling.I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about a man I previously knew very little about: William of Orange, the future William III. I hope you enjoy Dr. Porter’s insights as much as I did.--Please consider supporting this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Dr. Linda Porter

There are big “what-ifs” in history… and then there are the ones that quietly change everything.In this episode, we ask: What if Margaret Tudor had no surviving children with James IV?When James IV was killed at Flodden in 1513, Scotland did not just lose a king - it faced political instability, factional rivalry, and the urgent question of succession. But what if there had been no infant James V? No Tudor heir to carry the Stewart line forward?Who were the potential heirs to the Scottish throne at that moment? We look at the rival branches of the Stewart family, the strength of dynastic claims, and how Scotland might have chosen - or fought for - its next ruler.We also explore Margaret’s controversial second marriage to Archibald Douglas, which produced Margaret Douglas - a figure who would later play her own crucial role in the English succession. How would her position have shifted if there had been no surviving royal son from Margaret’s first marriage?And then there’s England.If Margaret’s line through James IV had failed, there would have been no Mary, Queen of Scots. No Stuart claim looming during Elizabeth I’s reign. No James VI poised to inherit England in 1603.So who would have succeeded Elizabeth? A Grey? A distant Plantagenet descendant? A foreign claimant? Would the Union of the Crowns ever have happened at all?This episode explores the fragile thread of dynastic survival — and how the absence of just one child could have reshaped Scotland, England, and the future of Britain itself.--Support the show on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Hosted by: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

Today would normally be a Dr. Emma & Me episode, but as many of you know from the last show and the notes here on Patreon, the series is on a brief hiatus.While Emma takes the time she needs (and we’re all sending her love), I’m so excited to introduce something new in its place: Rebecca & Friends.And I truly could not have picked a better person to launch this with than my good friend Matt Lewis.I’m going to be completely honest with you - this may be the most fun I’ve ever had recording an episode. If you watch the video, just look at my face throughout… you can actually see the moments where I’m completely blown away. The theory Matt brings to the table is one of those rare historical ideas that makes you stop mid-conversation and think, wait… what?!I won’t spoil it here. But if there’s even a chance it’s true, it’s the kind of thing that will absolutely blow your mind.I cannot wait to hear what you think.--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Matt Lewis

In this episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Michèle Schindler to explore one of the most dangerous - and politically charged - experiences in medieval life: royal childbirth.For queens and noblewomen, pregnancy was never just personal. It was dynastic. The survival of kingdoms rested on their bodies. We dive into what childbirth actually looked like inside medieval chambers - the rituals, the midwives, the prayers, the relics, and the intense female networks that surrounded labor.What happened when things went wrong? How did repeated pregnancies shape a queen’s health - and her political value? And how did the birth (or death) of an heir change the course of history?From the expectations placed on royal women to the very real medical risks they faced, this conversation sheds light on the physical realities behind medieval monarchy - and the immense pressure carried by women whose primary duty was to secure the future of a realm.It’s intimate. It’s personal. And it might change the way you think about crowns and succession forever.--You can find Michele's books pretty much anywhere, but here is her page on Amazon - US.--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Michèle Schindler

There are so many “what ifs” in history - but this one may have reshaped the world. What if Mary I had given birth to a healthy son who survived? In this episode, we explore the ripple effects of a secure Catholic Tudor succession: What if Mary died in childbirth - who would have ruled as regent? What if she lived a long life and her son inherited the throne? How would England’s alliances with Philip II of Spain and Catholic Europe have evolved? And perhaps most provocatively - what would the future United States look like if Elizabeth I never reigned and her explorers never turned England into a Protestant Atlantic power? One surviving child might have changed the English Reformation, the rise of empire, and the very foundations of the modern world.--Don't forget to check out all of Amy McElroy's books where you buy books and go give her Substack a follow! --Hosts:Rebecca LarsonAmy McElroy

Dr. Emma & Me is pressing pause for now as Emma takes some time for herself. We appreciate your kindness and respect for her privacy during this season, and we’re hopeful we’ll be back together soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the new series - Rebecca & Friends.Spain was not born in 1492.In this episode, Dr. Emma takes us back to the very beginning - to the Greeks who first traded along Iberia’s shores, the Romans who transformed it into Hispania, and the Visigoths who ruled after Rome’s fall. We explore how once-unified territories fractured into separate kingdoms, how centuries of conflict and coexistence shaped identity, and how the long Reconquista slowly redrew the map of Iberia.From ancient colony to emerging monarchy, this is the story of how Spain was made — and how Ferdinand and Isabel inherited a world centuries in the making.--Hosts:Rebecca LarsonDr. Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Carol Rutter to explore the fascinating life of Henry Wotton - diplomat, poet, wit, and master of survival in the early modern world.Best remembered for his famous line describing an ambassador as “an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country,” Wotton was far more than a clever epigram. Serving as ambassador to Venice under James I, he operated at the delicate intersection of diplomacy, intelligence, religion, and reputation - navigating courts where a misstep could cost everything.We discuss how Wotton crafted his persona, how friendship (including his connection to John Donne) shaped his career, and what his life reveals about how power actually worked beyond the throne.Was he underestimated? Opportunistic? Philosophical? Or simply practical in a dangerous age?Join us as we unpack the art of diplomacy — and the man who lived it.Lying Abroad: Henry Wotton and the Invention of Diplomacy ⁠https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Carol-Chillington-Rutter/dp/1526172062⁠--Time is running out to get your ticket for Dr. Emma's masterclass on identifying Holbein portriats (and sketches)! It's THIS Sunday! Learn from an actual art historian the techniques they learn regarding identificaton! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Prof. Carol Rutter

What if Henry VIII had died while campaigning in France? This episode started with what felt like an obvious answer—but quickly turned into a far more complicated and fascinating conversation about succession. We explore the unexpected paths history could have taken, and trust us: this one went places we didn’t anticipate.--There's still time to sign up for the Identifying Holbein Portraits masterclass with Dr. Emma - seminar one begins February 22nd and will be recorded for later viewing as well. Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator--Hosts:Rebecca LarsonAmy McElroy

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me, we explore one of history’s most iconic mother - daughter pairings: Anne Boleyn and her daughter, Elizabeth I. Elizabeth was still a toddler when her mother was executed, yet Anne’s influence lingered in powerful and surprising ways. From shared experiences of danger, scrutiny, and survival to the shaping of identity under a Tudor court that rarely forgave, we trace the striking parallels that link mother and daughter across a lifetime they never truly shared.--Are you fascinated by Holbein? How about Tudor art and understanding the elements that go into identifying a sitter in a portrait? If you're intrigued by this please consider joining the first masterclass led by art historian Dr. Emma on identifying portraits. Tickets and information can be found here: https://holbeinmasterclassONE.eventbrite.com--Credits:Hosts: Rebecca Larson Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, we step into the glittering yet deeply unstable world of the Restoration court through the life of Mary of Modena - a woman whose destiny could not have been further from her original hopes.Mary had envisioned a quiet life devoted to the Church. Instead, she was thrust onto the European stage and into a political marriage with James II, brother and heir to Charles II. As a young foreign bride in a volatile, anti-Catholic England, Mary was forced to adapt quickly - learning how to survive, and even exert influence, in a court defined by shifting loyalties, scandal, and uncertainty.Joined by historian and author Breeze Barrington, who holds a PhD in the literary and artistic cultures of the early Stuart court, we explore how Mary navigated this treacherous environment with remarkable emotional intelligence and resilience. Together, we discuss Mary’s transformation from reluctant bride to queen, her role as stepmother to Mary II and Anne, and what her story reveals about women’s power, adaptation, and endurance at one of the most dramatic courts in English history.This is not just the story of a Catholic queen - but of a woman learning how to survive, and lead, in a world she never chose.--The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of Women at the Restoration CourtBlackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Graces-by-Breeze-Barrington/9781526663788--Have you ever wanted to look at a portrait and see all the symbolism - both hidden and obvious? Consider taking Dr. Emma's masterclass on Holbein identification! EARLY-BIRD pricing now available. Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator--Credits:Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Dr. Breeze Barrington

In the autumn of 1562, England held its breath. Queen Elizabeth I lay gravely ill with smallpox, her life uncertain, her kingdom unprepared for what might come next.But what if she hadn’t survived?In this episode, we explore one of the most chilling “what ifs” in English history. With no named heir, a fragile religious settlement, and rival claims waiting in the wings, Elizabeth’s death could have plunged England into chaos. Who would have taken the throne? Would Mary, Queen of Scots have prevailed - or would the Grey sisters have been revived as contenders? Who were some of the other contenders?This isn’t just speculation - it’s a deep dive into succession law, political reality, and the very real anxieties of a nation on the brink.History as it nearly was… and how close England came to a very different fate.--Have you always wanted to get more into art history but don't think you have the skills or tools to do so? Well, art historian Dr. Emma Cahill Marron is offering a masterclass on identifying Holbein portraits using the skills she learned as an art historian. Join us on February 22nd! EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE NOW!Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator--Hosts:Rebecca LarsonAmy McElroy

Two queens. Two foreign brides. Two marriages to Henry VIII—yet wildly different legacies.In this episode of Parallel Lives, Dr. Emma and I place Anna of Cleves and Katherine of Aragon side by side to explore what it really meant to arrive in England as a teenage bride, shaped by continental courts, dynastic expectations, and political pressure far beyond their control.We look at their early lives before England, how each woman understood queenship, faith, duty, and survival - and how their personal strengths played out very differently once married to the same king. From Katherine’s long struggle as queen and defender of her marriage (and daughter Mary) to Anna’s remarkable ability to adapt, negotiate, and ultimately thrive after divorce, this is a conversation about power, perception, and female resilience.Who had the better outcome? Who exercised more agency? And how much of what we think we know about these women is shaped by later myth rather than lived reality?Join us as we rethink two of Henry VIII’s most fascinating queens - beyond portraits, politics, and caricature.--DON'T FORGET TO GET SIGNED UP FOR DR. EMMA'S MASTERCLASS ON IDENTIFYING HOLBEIN SKETCHES/PORTRAITS ON FEBRUARY 22ND! --Hosts:Rebecca LarsonDr. Emma Cahill Marron

Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, rose from relatively modest beginnings to become one of the most powerful - and controversial - figures of the Tudor age. A skilled lawyer and political operator, Rich prospered under Henry VIII and Edward VI, playing a key role in the Dissolution of the Monasteries and benefiting enormously from the redistribution of church lands. He is perhaps best remembered for his involvement in the prosecutions of Sir Thomas More and Anne Boleyn, acts that cemented his dark reputation. In this episode, we explore how Rich navigated the brutal world of Tudor politics - and why his name still provokes debate centuries later.Sarah's article on Rich: https://thetudortravelguide.com/richard-rich-1st-baron-rich/Leez Priory: https://thetudortravelguide.com/leez-priory/Simply Tudor Tours: https://simplytudortours.com/--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Sarah Morris

We know him best as the father of Edward IV and Richard III, and as the husband of Cecily Neville. But in October 1460, everything changed. The Act of Accord named Richard, Duke of York, heir to the throne of Henry VI. Just two months later, he was dead - killed at the Battle of Wakefield.In this episode, Amy and I step into the counterfactual and ask: what if Richard had survived? What would England have looked like if the Duke of York had lived to become king?--Rebecca's Substack: https://rebeccalarson.substack.com/Amy's Substack: https://amymcelroy.substack.com/--Hosts:Rebecca LarsonAmy McElroy

One ruled one of the most powerful empires of the seventeenth century. The other shaped how that power would be seen - then and now.In this episode of Parallel Lives, we explore the intertwined lives of Philip IV of Spain and Diego Velázquez, king and court painter, patron and artist, subject and storyteller. Philip’s reign was marked by political strain, military decline, and a deep personal devotion to art. Velázquez, meanwhile, rose from modest beginnings to become not only the king’s favored painter but a trusted presence within the royal household itself.Together, they created one of the most fascinating collaborations in European history - one where art became a tool of authority, intimacy, and legacy. From court portraiture to Las Meninas, we examine how Velázquez crafted Philip’s image, how Philip shaped Velázquez’s career, and how their relationship reveals the fragile balance between power, perception, and truth.This is not just a story of a king and an artist—but of how history is framed, staged, and remembered.--Join Dr. Emma's Holbein Identification Masterclass on February 22nd! https://holbeinmasterclassONE.eventbrite.com--Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma Luisa Cahill Marrón

Why are we still so obsessed with the Tudors after five centuries?In this week’s Tuesday Historian Chat, I’m joined by historian and author Elizabeth Goff to explore the women, myths, and memories that continue to define Tudor history. From Penelope Devereux and Katherine Parr to the Grey sisters, we talk about which Tudor women stand out - and which have had their reputations unfairly flattened by history.We dig into the lack of confirmed images for Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, question whether the Tudors truly deserve their reputation for brutality, and ask who the real “Bloody” monarch actually was. The conversation turns to Elizabeth I’s carefully constructed legacy - including her relationship with clothing, image, and power - and the haunting afterlife of her gowns under James I.We also revisit some of the most devastating decisions of the age: the executions of Mary, Queen of Scots and Lady Jane Grey, the human cost of dynastic power, and what might have happened had Mary Stuart lived. Along the way, we confront Tudor execution practices, public violence, and the moment Elizabeth was told the truth about her mother’s death.A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about power, memory, and the women who lived - and died - in the shadow of the Tudor crown.--Bloody, Brilliant Tudors: 100 Tales of Gowns, Gossip, and Gory EndsElizabeth Goff on Instagram--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Elizabeth Goff

What if Elizabeth I had never signed Mary, Queen of Scots’ death warrant? On this episode of Off the Record, we dive into the political chaos, succession drama, and international consequences of keeping England’s most dangerous prisoner alive—and whether mercy would have been far more dangerous than execution.--Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

In this episode of Parallel Tinders, we’re putting England’s most famous sisters side-by-side -Mary I and Elizabeth I - to explore how two women raised in the same dynasty could become such wildly different queens. From Mary’s deep devotion and desire for a traditional marriage, to Elizabeth’s sharp independence and preference for loyal companionship over a crown-sharing husband, we break down their personalities, priorities, and what they really wanted from the people around them.And of course, we’ll dive into the fun part: the men who could have wed an English queen - the serious contenders, the political plays, and the match-making that could have changed Tudor history entirely.--Support the show over on Patreon and receive ad-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content!

In this episode, I’m joined by historian Annie Whitehead to explore the women of the Anglo-Saxon world and the many ways they shaped early medieval England.We talk about education, influence, queenship, and legacy — and how women navigated power in a world that didn’t always preserve their voices. We also discuss how history has remembered these women: who becomes celebrated, who is criticized, and who is too often left out of the story altogether.Annie's book list on her website: https://anniewhiteheadauthor.co.uk/about-me--Previous episodes:Episode from 2021 on AethelflaedEpisode from Jan 2025: Murder in Anglo-Saxon England--Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Annie Whitehead

What if Lady Jane Grey had outwitted Mary Tudor and stayed Queen of England?In this Off the Record episode, we follow the most fascinating “what if” in Tudor history: a world where Jane’s reign doesn’t end after nine days - but becomes the start of something far bigger (and far more dangerous). Together we unpack what would have needed to change for Jane to keep the crown, why Mary’s victory depended as much on politics as it did legitimacy, and how quickly England could have transformed under a fiercely Protestant queen.We also dig into one of the most important questions behind Jane’s claim: Edward VI’s Devise for the Succession. Was Parliament even in session when Edward began drafting it - and did he actually have time to legalize it before his death? The answer might surprise you… and it changes how we understand just how fragile Jane’s crown truly was.A coup, a crisis of legitimacy, and a teenage queen at the center of a kingdom on the edge - this is Tudor alternate history at its most dramatic.--Medieval True Crime with Matt Lewis: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978296660566?aff=oddtdtcreator. It's all online, and you have 60 days to watch at your own pace!JOIN THE UPCOMING COURSE - 1st class posted January 26th.--Check out Rebecca's Substack! Original research revealed, and articles you won't find anywhere else. https://rebeccalarson.substack.com/Check out Amy's Substack at: https://substack.com/@amymcelroy--Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy