Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Rosemary Griggs joins me to talk about her book Queen Elizabeth I’s Governess: The Real Kat Ashley and the woman behind the familiar stories.
Kat Ashley is often remembered for her role in the events surrounding Thomas Seymour. But that was only a small part of a much longer life. We talk about Kat’s family connections, her place in Elizabeth’s household, and the influence she may have had on the young princess’s education. We also revisit the testimony about Thomas Seymour and ask how much of Kat’s reputation has been shaped by the way those events were later told.
From her years in Elizabeth’s service to her political influence at court, Kat’s story is far more complicated than the image of a foolish gossip. Join us as we take another look at a woman who helped shape Elizabeth’s life and remained close to her for decades.
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Rosemary Griggs

Amy is back with another round of Would You Rather - and this time, every choice pits the medieval world against the Tudor one. Would you rather witness Elizabeth I at Tilbury or Joan of Arc entering Orléans? Serve Jaquetta Woodville or Frances Brandon? And, when the time comes, fight for Henry Tudor or Richard III at Bosworth?
Join us for plenty of history, tough choices, and a lot of laughing as Amy puts Rebecca on the spot. Play along and tell us what you would choose!
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Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

The Medieval Queens series begins with Isabella of Angoulême, remembered by many as the young bride of King John. But her story reaches far beyond her first marriage.
Dr. Gabby Storey joins me to explore Isabella’s life as queen, mother, political player, and Countess of Angoulême. We look at the choices that shaped her marriages, her role in securing her son Henry III’s position, and the years she spent building power in her own right. We also ask how much of Isabella’s reputation comes from the evidence—and how much comes from the hostile accounts of the men who wrote about her.
Join us as we look past the familiar labels and meet a medieval queen whose story is far richer than the footnotes suggest.
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Dr. Gabby Storey

For centuries, Kateryn Parr and Anne Stanhope, Duchess of Somerset, have been portrayed as bitter rivals, caught in a dispute over royal jewels, status, and power. But was their relationship really as hostile as history would have us believe?
In this episode, Rebecca Larson welcomes back historian and author Rebecca Batley to explore the controversy surrounding Kateryn Parr's jewels following Henry VIII's death. Together, they examine the surviving evidence, question long-standing assumptions, and reconsider the roles played by the powerful Seymour family.
Was this truly a feud between two Tudor women, or has history been telling us the wrong story?
Rebecca's books on Blackwell's
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If you enjoy the podcast please consider supporting me by becoming one of my patrons on Patreon. As a patron you get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content: https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Rebecca Batley

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in the Middle Ages? Whose royal household would you serve in, and what impossible choices might you face?
This week on Off the Record, Rebecca Larson and Amy McElroy are back with another round of Would You Rather?, but this time we're leaving the Tudors behind and heading into the medieval world!
Amy has prepared a new set of tricky questions involving medieval queens, royal courts, and some rather uncomfortable dilemmas. Rebecca has to make her choices on the spot, defend her answers, and occasionally question why Amy is putting her through this in the first place!
Expect plenty of laughter, a little historical debate, and some decisions that are much harder than they first appear.
Now it's your turn! Play along as you listen and let us know in the comments which options you'd choose. Would you agree with Rebecca, or would you make completely different decisions?
Join us for another fun-filled Sunday on Off the Record, where history doesn't always have to be serious!
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Co-Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy