Talking Tudors

Host Natalie Grueninger talks with historian and novelist Professor Tracy Borman about her new novel, 'The House of Boleyn', the rise and fall of the Boleyn family, and Hever Castle as the book’s intimate setting. They explore lesser-known figures like Margaret Butler and Jane Boleyn, plus the servants and daily life that shaped the family. The conversation also covers Borman’s research process, historical details that informed the novel and publication and tour dates (UK release 23 April; US release 4 September). Learn more about Dr Tracy Borman https://www.tracyborman.co.uk/ Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Sean Cunningham about Henry VII’s unlikely path from exile to king, the political alliances and myths he used to secure power, and the major challenges of his reign, including rebellions and pretenders. They explore Henry’s strategies for legitimacy, his marriage to Elizabeth of York, the role of Margaret Beaufort, and how Tudor symbolism and governance shaped the dynasty’s future. Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Author Jo Harkin joins Talking Tudors to discuss her novel 'The Pretender', which imagines the life of Lambert Simnel — a farm boy thrust into Yorkist plots, crowned in Dublin, and swept through courts from Oxford to Burgundy and Ireland. Jo explains her five-year research process, the vivid locations and powerful women who inspired her, and her approach to balancing historical fact with imaginative storytelling. She also shares reading and viewing recommendations, a glimpse of her next project set in Spain, and practical insights into writing historical fiction. Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Dr Natalie Donnell about the life and career of Margaret of Austria. Born in Burgundy and raised at several European courts, Margaret was the long-serving regent of the Netherlands. The conversation covers Margaret’s education under powerful women, her role raising and supporting Charles V, her diplomatic success in the 1529 'Ladies' Peace', her patronage of the arts, and her legacy as a capable and influential female ruler until her death in 1530. VISIT DR DONNELL'S WEBSITE https://www.nataliedonnell.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO FEMINIST HISTORIES https://feministhistories.substack.com/ TAKEAWAY 'The Theatre of the World' by Abraham Ortelius Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Mexican author Sofia Robleda about her new novel, The Other Moctezuma Girls. They explore the life and legacy of Isabel Moctezuma, the identity of her daughters, and the complex world of 16th‑century Mexica society before and after Spanish contact. The conversation covers conquest, cultural exchange, women’s roles, Robleda’s research and personal connection to the history. Visit Sofia's official website https://sofiarobleda.com/ Check out the sponsor of today's video! https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode Natalie Grueninger interviews manuscript specialist Sienna Wells about illuminated medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. They discuss how manuscripts were made, who produced and owned them (including women), how the printing press changed book culture, and what physical traces of use reveal about past readers' lives and emotions. The conversation highlights personal stories like birthing girdles and the intimacy of Books of Hours, offering listeners insights into the human connections preserved in these remarkable objects. Follow Sienna on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sienna_a_wells/ Takeaway 'Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts' by Christopher de Hamel Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson as they explore Hever Castle's new exhibition, 'Capturing a Queen', examining portraiture, miniatures, manuscripts, and objects that shaped Anne Boleyn’s public and private image. The episode discusses scientific analyses, iconography, myths versus evidence, and the ways Anne and later generations constructed her likeness. SIGN UP FOR NATALIE GRUENINGER & DR OWEN EMMERSON'S NEW ONLINE EVENT! Rethinking Anne Boleyn https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564 Visit Dr Emmerson's official website https://drowenemmerson.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Rosemary Goring about Mary Queen of Scots, tracing her life from Scotland to years of captivity in England and the historic places that shaped her story. The episode covers Mary’s relationships, imprisonment at sites like Tutbury Castle, the 2023 discovery of coded letters revealing plots and health concerns, and how culture and espionage influenced her downfall. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Simply Tudor Tours https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Dr James Taff to discuss his book 'Accounting for Anne' and how Anne of Cleves' household accounts reveal the daily workings of her short queenship. They examine the blended German and English household, Anne's wardrobe and rewards, myths about her appearance, the aftermath of the annulment, and the research challenges that bring this overlooked queen into sharper, more sympathetic focus. Follow Dr Taffe on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tudortaffe/?hl=en Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson's new online event: 'Rethinking Anne Boleyn' https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode, Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Lauren Johnson about Margaret Beaufort — a child bride turned survivor whose political skill, marriages, and networks helped secure Henry VII’s rise. They trace her early life, complex role during the Wars of the Roses, and her close but often-misunderstood relationship with her son and Elizabeth of York. The conversation also busts long-standing myths, explores Margaret’s religious patronage and use of early printing, and highlights her cultural legacy. Lauren discusses her new biography, Margaret Beaufort’s Survivor Rebel Kingmaker, and why Margaret’s story matters today. Visit Lauren Johnson's official website http://www.lauren-johnson.com/ Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson's new online event: 'Rethinking Anne Boleyn' https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode, host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Mary Hollingsworth about the life of Catherine de' Medici. They explore her Italian roots and convent upbringing, her marriage to Henry II, regency for her sons, and efforts to navigate the Wars of Religion. They discuss Catherine's cultural patronage, her complex relationships with contemporaries like Elizabeth I, and the origins of her notorious reputation, including the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Visit Dr Hollingsworth's official website https://mary-hollingsworth.com/ Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Simply Tudor Tours https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Ella Brook Muir about how queenly clothing in 16th‑century England and France acted as political communication, conveying magnificence, legitimacy, loyalty and cosmopolitan identity through fabrics, colours and emblems. The episode examines case studies (Katherine of Aragon, Claude of France, Anne Boleyn, and Eleanor of Austria), the makers and household staff who produced these garments, the impact of global trade on materials, and the scarcity and mystery of surviving textiles. Visit Ella's official website https://www.ellabrookmuir.co.uk/ Learn about our sponsor! https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Melissa Shiels about New Year's gift-giving across 16th-century England and Ireland, and how material gifts expressed political messages at the Tudor court. They discuss typical gifts (money, clothing, jewellery, horses, hawks), differences across reigns, examples of gifts that reveal diplomacy or tension, and the distinction between public gift exchange and bribery. Find out more about Dr Shiels https://www.instagram.com/dr.melissashiels/ The Greensleeves Project https://greensleevesproject.uk/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Michelle Seah about the economic lives of medieval and late 15th-century English queens, focusing on Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Elizabeth of York. They explore how queens raised and managed income—through lands, cash allowances, port customs and the tradition of “queen’s gold”—how their households were organised, and how financial resources shaped their public role, patronage and power. Learn more about Dr Seah https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/michele-seah Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Kate McCaffrey of Hever Castle about Anne Boleyn’s books of hours, the hidden inscriptions they contain, and the Kentish women who preserved Anne’s memory after her fall. The episode explores female networks, the material life of devotional books, and how these discoveries challenge the lonely, male-focused myth of Anne Boleyn, plus a preview of Hever Castle’s upcoming exhibition "Capturing a Queen." Learn more about Kate McCaffrey https://kateemccaffrey.wordpress.com/ Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn Exhibition https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/capturing-a-queen/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

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!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Christina Faraday about her new book, 'The Story of Tudor Art', a first-of-its-kind survey of 16th-century English art. They explore how Tudor art functioned as communication and status—covering portraits, miniatures, tapestries, household objects, royal effigies, patrons from kings to middling professionals, and artists such as Holbein, Hilliard, and lesser-known women makers. The episode also discusses imported art, surprising everyday objects that reveal court life, and an upcoming exhibition, Tudor Contemporary, which pairs modern responses with historical works. Visit Dr Faraday's official website https://www.christinajfaraday.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Stephen Campbell about Leonardo da Vinci’s life, work, and the myths that surround him. They explore his early years in Florence, his Milanese network, anatomical studies, and his later years in France. The conversation examines common misconceptions, highlights key works such as 'The Last Supper' and the 'Sala delle Asse', and considers why Leonardo’s fragmented biography continues to captivate modern audiences. Learn more about Dr Campbell https://arthist.jhu.edu/directory/stephen-j-campbell/ By the book! https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691193687/leonardo-da-vinci Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Dr Alanna Skuse to Talking Tudors to explore medicine in Renaissance England. They discuss humoral theory, the medical hierarchy of physicians, surgeons, apothecaries and midwives, and the lively marketplace of practitioners including itinerant bone-setters and domestic healers. The episode highlights women’s roles in care, real patient cases, early regulation of medical practice, and Alanna’s book 'The Surgeon, The Midwife, The Quack' — practical insights into how people sought treatment and survived in the Renaissance. NOT SHAKESPEARE LECTURES https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/not-shakespeare-elizabethan-and-jacobean-popular-theatre VISIT DR SKUSE'S WEBSITE https://www.dralannaskuse.co.uk/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger is joined by Professor Anne Larson and Professor Steve Maiullo to explore the life, works, and legacy of Anna Maria van Schurman — a multilingual scholar, poet, and theological thinker famed across 17th‑century Europe. The conversation covers her exceptional education, advocacy for women’s learning, influential correspondence with leading intellectuals, and her later spiritual choices, offering a concise portrait of a pioneering and controversial figure. LINKS OF INTEREST https://projectvox.library.duke.edu/ https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/new-narratives BOOKS MENTIONED Anna Maria van Schurman, 'The Star of Utrecht': The Educational Vision and Reception of a Savante by Anne Larsen. 'Letters and Poems to and from Her Mentor and Other Members of Her Circle', edited by Anne Larsen and Steve Maiullo. 'Whether a Christian Woman Should Be Educated and Other Writings from Her Intellectual Circle' by Joyce Irwin. 'Republic of Women' by Carol Pal. CONNECT WITH NATALIE GRUENINGER! https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-grueninger-b5899254 Learn more about today's sponsor: Simply Tudor Tours! https://simplytudortours.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-anne-boleyn-giveaway-2026/