Not Just the Tudors

Five generations of remarkable women - from Mary of Burgundy to Isabella Clara Eugenia - made an enduring impact on the Low Countries. By strategically navigating political alliances, personal losses, and wars, they shaped the destiny of the Netherlands and early modern European history. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Natalie Donnell to delve into their fascinating stories, ranging from Mary of Burgundy's courageous rule to Margaret of Austria's diplomatic brilliance. Habsburg Inbreeding with Dr. Adam Rutherford https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sQ4jrYtuwAFJUfBgbaAXY Seymour, Dudley & Parr Families: Forgotten Tudor Women https://open.spotify.com/episode/4b4rxteStrSG70aImxBcPQ?autoplay=true Presented 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

The maverick herbalist who fought for medical freedom. We love a rebel with a cause here on Not Just The Tudors, and Nicholas Culpeper was just that. He defied the authoritarian College of Physicians in 17th Century; translating their exclusive texts into English and treating the common people with traditional herbal remedies. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Benjamin Wooley to explore Culpeper's tumultuous early life, his radical political and astrological beliefs, and his enduring legacy in modern medicine. This defiant pioneer democratised healthcare amidst the chaos of plague, civil war, and social upheaval. MORE How To Survive The Plague https://open.spotify.com/episode/01e8GRcHkZuHjmUTvlIwRx Presented 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Before the Spanish Armada threatened England in 1588, an even more dangerous invasion loomed, just across the Channel in France. The Battle of the Solent—470 years ago in July 1545—is chiefly known for the sinking of Henry VIII's beloved warship Mary Rose. But this epic confrontation between the Royal Navy and the French invasion fleet of more than 200 ships and 30,000 troops could have changed England’s future. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Dominic Fontana to explore this pivotal moment in Tudor military history and address the still unsolved mystery: why did the Mary Rose sink? MORE: The Sinking of the Mary Rose > The Spanish Armada > Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb welcomes Dr. Madeline Potter to unravel the rich yet tumultuous history of the Roma people. From Tudor England, where the Egyptians Act sought to expel Roma under stereotypes of robbery and deceit through to the dark corridors of Eastern Europe to understand the centuries of enslavement in Romania, to how the Ottoman Empire treated the Roma with suspicion despite their shared Islamic faith. They discuss the allure and practicality of gold among Roma people, their cultural intersections with Irish travellers, and the survival techniques of Romani communities under oppressive regimes. A history packed with tales of adversity, culture, and survival that define the Roma legacy. MORE How Tudor England Treated Outsiders https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gzDwUohe2A4rAOKEeyZUR The Tragic Travels of Fynes Moryson https://open.spotify.com/episode/350PZX7AALbMNL4Qc2aS60 Presented 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

A young widow stands against the expectations of her family. A woman striving for love and agency in a society which demands she claimed neither, she stands firm in the face of torture and even death. Unravel the gripping layers of John Webster’s 17th-century masterpiece The Duchess of Malfi, with Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr. Will Tosh. The harrowing plot of the Duchess asserting her place in the world is all the more remarkable for being written by a man in the 1600s. Suzannah and Will explore why this tale of love, power, and betrayal remains a fixture on the stage, resonating across the centuries, and discuss the dramatic history of its performances, the transformative power of early modern theatre lighting, and the poignant representation of female agency. MORE: Going to the Theatre https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lbdfK2fbgxtXReriTyydM Normal Women with Philippa Gregory https://open.spotify.com/episode/0b5aXZh1HLVhJxyTyQuf2y Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

What drives a nation to civil war? Why would a king turn on his own Parliament? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Jonathan Healey to explore the chaotic and combustible months - and the men behind the rebellion - that hurled 17th-century England into one of the bloodiest periods in its history. MORE: Trial of Charles I https://open.spotify.com/episode/2O5aoB5BP4QXjikwNdXJCs Succession 1625: James I to Charles I https://open.spotify.com/episode/6x7zJL9UK3lqHTC1ExgWnI Presented by Professor Susannah Lipscomb. audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discusses the remarkable life of Akbar the Great, one of history's most impressive emperors. Together with historian Ira Mukhoty, Suzannah explores Akbar's journey from royal hostage to a ruler known for his vast, multi-ethnic empire. From how Akbar used spies to keep a grip on his realm, to his revolutionary policies on religious inclusivity and harmony, to his daring conquests, including the epic siege of Chittor, Akbar the Great's reign was extraordinary and unprecedented. MORE: Majestic Mughals: From Akbar to Shah Jahan https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kJDF3rlVnXvILtMGdVx71 Adventures of a Mughal Princess https://open.spotify.com/episode/0U38APS4SoDUu7TlG30J4K Presented 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Did the women in Shakespeare’s life—his wife, sister, and daughters—shape his story more than we realise? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Matthew Steggle to hear how new digital tools and rediscovered manuscripts uncover surprising evidence about Shakespeare’s family. Together, they explore whether the stories of these women were hidden on purpose or simply forgotten over time. MORE: Hamnet with Maggie O'Farrell > Shakespeare's Daughter, Judith > Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith. 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here >

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Roger E. Moore to explore the lesser-known historical context of the works of Jane Austen, born 250 years ago this year. They question how Austen's novels like 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Mansfield Park' reflect on the dissolution of the monasteries and 18th and 19th-century societal changes. Austen used settings like the ruins of monasteries to comment on the political and social upheavals of her era, adding a sophisticated layer to her tales of romance, family, and fortune. MORE: Dissolution of the Monasteries https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OsI7vLHogEtqWiQsGfHgC The Reformation: What Catholics & Protestants Believed https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vZTFiKuIlSfzsQDLQd4Zr Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, including Suzannah's series on the Dissolution of the Monasteries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

**This episode includes descriptions of accidental deaths** Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the grim but fascinating world of accidental deaths in Tudor England. In the 16th century, everyday activities like fetching water, football and even May Pole dancing could prove fatal. Then there were the unexpected perils of agriculture and industry including lethal haystacks and falling hammers. Suzannah is joined by Professor Steven Gunn and Dr. Tomasz Gromelski to discuss their grisly, groundbreaking research. More: How People Died in 16th Century London https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nTXTSMsOSdRduiWKy2hMo 3 Ways to Die in Early Modern Europe https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RPZhgQ2kVXcTcielpeu5v Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Discover the captivating life of Isabella d'Este with Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and acclaimed novelist and historian Sarah Dunant. They discuss Isabella's incredible journey from a well-educated noblewoman to the First Lady of the Renaissance, how she mastered political strategy, diplomatic finesse, and art patronage while navigating the treacherous Italian wars. Suzannah and Sarah uncover intimate details of Isabella's unconventional marriage and her groundbreaking influence in the art world as she pursued Michelangelo for the perfect portrait with a unique blend of charm and ruthlessness, which made her one of history's most compelling women. More: Katherine of Aragon: England's First Renaissance Queen https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cDqkgk8aoDAUn6KxwlX7U Michelangelo https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ocKCFinOdaCZYfBtHoMXn Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

In June 1912, two workmen made a discovery in the London mud that would stun the antiquarian world: a hoard of gold, pearls, rubies, emeralds, and jewels from around the world. Handed over to antiques dealer George Fabian Lawrence, or ‘Stony Jack’, the Cheapside Hoard became known as the greatest cache of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery ever found. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Victoria Shepherd, author of Stony Jack and the Lost Jewels of Cheapside: Treasure and Ghosts in the London Clay, to tell this extraordinary true story of empire, ambition, and buried treasure—a glittering mystery that still captivates historians and treasure hunters today. More: A Tudor Mystery: The Girl who Could be Queen https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ah4FWEOjfcDKCK9QVFmVE Tudor Queens: The Power of Jewellery https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WCKhj0ORpANADDzIdot6k Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

In the second of our special episodes exploring the rise and fall of Sir Thomas More, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr. Joanne Paul chart the great Tudor statesman's demise. Despite his silence about Henry VIII's self-proclamation as Supreme Head of the Church of England, More was executed for treason on 6 July 1535. What were the events leading up to his fall from grace? How did More's position impact the King? And what can we now make of this contradictory character and his contribution to Renaissance thought? Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. More: Thomas More on Film: The HIstorian's Verdict > Wolf Hall - Who's Who > Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries including Suzannah Lipscomb's series on the Dissolution of the Monasteries, plus a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Thomas More is one of the most famous and controversial figures in English history. Was he truly the saintly man of conscience, immortalised by A Man for All Seasons? Or was he the stubborn zealot depicted in Wolf Hall? In the first of two episodes looking at Thomas More's rise and fall, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Joanne Paul, whose decade-long research into More drew upon new archival discoveries to unravel his complex legacy, his profound influence on modern Europe, the enduring debates about his faith and politics, and why his story still matters. Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. More: Thomas More on Film: The Historians' Verdict > Wolf Hall - Who's Who? > Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Was an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I communicating with angels? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Egyptologist Garry J. Shaw to explore the intriguing life of John Dee, his mysterious meetings with angels and demons and the secrets he believed they uncovered. With help from the enigmatic alchemist Edward Kelly, Dee wrote the Angel Diaries detailing his attempts to communicate with the divine, and the secrets of the celestial language they believed could unlock the universe’s mysteries. Suzannah uncovers the complex relationship between Dee and Kelly, the apocalyptic visions, the inexplicable return of the burned manuscripts, and the dramatic breakdown after a scandalous wife-swapping decree. MORE Practical Magic: Prayers, Spells & Cunning Folk https://open.spotify.com/episode/218bX6v64pMYZEEJT9sxE6 Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Philip II of Spain - the most powerful monarch of the early modern period - was married to Queen Mary Tudor from 1554 until her death in 1558. But Philip was not merely Mary's King Consort. Rather he was King of England, co-ruler with Mary. But Philip's character and central role in the English monarchy was forever blackened by anti-Catholic versions of Tudor history. In this edition of Not Just the Tudors, first released in October 2021, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer, whose ground-breaking research shows that the reign of Mary and Philip was much more than an anomalous glitch on England's journey towards Protestantism. MORE Mary I: What if She'd Lived? > Presented 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here >

In 1518 one woman's mysterious dance sparked an uncontrollable epidemic, leading up to 400 people to dance wildly for weeks. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Lynneth J. Miller Renberg to explore the bizarre Dancing Plague, discussing the theories of demonic possession, divine punishment, and social protest, finding out how the city struggled to contain this strange phenomenon. The medical missteps, and cultural tensions fueled one of history's most puzzling outbreaks. MORE How to Survive the Plague https://open.spotify.com/episode/01e8GRcHkZuHjmUTvlIwRx Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

**This episode contains some descriptions of torture and executions** If you lived in Scotland in the 1500s, it was highly likely that you, or someone you knew, would be tried as a witch. Witch hunts and executions ripped through the country for over 150 years, with at least 4,000 accused, including men. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores this dark chapter in Scottish history with campaigners Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi, founders of the Witches of Scotland. Together they discuss the societal and legal conditions that allowed for accusations and executions, culminating in a formal apology in 2022 from then First Minister Nicholas Sturgeon. Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast. More: Witchfinder General https://open.spotify.com/episode/6b1kxIw1rs903xC8CpAFvL The Witch https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vMBNuE1iTCcHluxo0a5r2 Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Daniel Swift to delve into the formative years of William Shakespeare's career. They explore the vital role of London's first playhouse and the tumultuous world of late 16th-century theatre, discussing how James Burbage's ambitious vision and his son Richard's unparalleled acting talent profoundly influenced Shakespeare's work. The economic realities and social dynamics of Elizabethan England unveiled the collaborative and pragmatic spirit that helped shape one of history's greatest playwrights. MORE Shakespeare's Players: Burbage and Kempe: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vhb375ekX0eLm482VtG24 How the Elizabethan World Shaped Shakespeare: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ewBpG0vQDIRnRnD7A3N1R Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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

Before she became Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth Tudor was surrounded by scandal, suspicion and deadly intrigue. Born to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, Elizabeth was a princess by birth—until her mother was executed and her title revoked. Declared illegitimate, orphaned and caught in a storm of politics, Elizabeth faced threats from all sides. How did a child written off by the court become one of England's most iconic monarchs? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Nicola Tallis, author of Young Elizabeth: The Making of the Virgin Queen, to trace Elizabeth’s incredible transformation—from disgraced daughter to Queen of England. Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast. MORE: Robert Dudley: Elizabeth I's Forbidden Love https://open.spotify.com/episode/7euJuGjfQjTjvfdsv54r8L Did Thomas Seymour Groom Elizabeth Tudor? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0N2YtLP39Sacyyn66q3mlJ Watch Nicola Tallis's TV series, Young Elizabeth, plus hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. 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