Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Rebecca and Amy explore the remarkable life of Reginald Pole—a Yorkist survivor who went from Henry VIII’s favored scholar to one of the king’s most outspoken opponents. They discuss Pole’s education in Oxford and Padua, his rejection of the royal supremacy, and the devastating consequences his resistance had for the family he left behind in England.
After years of exile, Pole returned under Mary I as her trusted confidant and the last Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury. His extraordinary story came to an end on November 17, 1558—just hours after Mary’s own death.
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Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

What does House of the Dragon have in common with some of the bloodiest succession struggles in medieval history?
Historian Matt Lewis joins Rebecca Larson to explore the real history woven into the world of Westeros—from Empress Matilda’s battle for the English throne during the Anarchy to the rivalries and shifting loyalties of the Wars of the Roses. They discuss female succession, disputed heirs, illegitimacy, sibling rivalry, propaganda, and the importance of controlling the capital.
They also examine dragons as symbols of royal authority, the uneasy relationship between church and state, and the devastating human cost when the quarrels of powerful families spill into the streets. Westeros may be fictional, but its politics are unmistakably medieval.
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matthew Lewis

Was the marriage between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves truly doomed from the beginning - or has hindsight distorted the story? Dr. Valerie Schutte joins me to challenge the familiar narrative of Henry’s immediate disgust and Anne’s disastrous failure as queen. We examine what the sources reveal when read chronologically, from their first meeting at Rochester and the couple’s communication difficulties to the questionable testimony used to secure their annulment. We also explore Anne’s religious identity, her status as the king’s “beloved sister,” and the remarkable relationship she maintained with Henry and his children long after the marriage ended.
⁠Buy - Anne of Cleves: The Historical and Cultural Legacy of a Queen--
Join our history community over on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Dr. Valerie Schutte

Would you rather marry Henry VIII or spend five years in the Tower? Serve Katherine of Aragon during her downfall or Anne Boleyn during her rise? Discover the true identity of Perkin Warbeck or finally learn what happened to the Princes in the Tower?
In this episode of Off the Record, Rebecca and Amy face a series of impossible medieval and Tudor choices involving royal marriages, dangerous courts, enduring mysteries and unforgettable historical events. From choosing between York and Lancaster to deciding whether they would rather serve Cardinal Wolsey or Thomas Cromwell, they reveal which risks they would take—and which historical figures they would trust with their lives.
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Join our growing group of history fans over on Patreon and you'll also receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

In the finale of the Medieval Kings series, Rebecca and Matt answer listener questions, challenge medieval monarchs with some very modern dilemmas, and revisit a few of history’s most persistent mysteries. Who would survive a siege, win Survivor, or make the worst podcast guest? Join us for one final round of crowns, controversy, and medieval kings chaos!
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Join our growing community of history lovers over on Patreon https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis