Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Richard II’s story is honestly one of the wildest royal rises and falls in English history, and in this episode I’m joined once again by Matt Lewis to untangle the life of the king who seemed determined to make everyone around him uncomfortable.
We look at Richard becoming king as a child after the death of his grandfather, Edward III, and how surviving the Peasants' Revolt at just fourteen years old may have completely shaped the way he viewed kingship, rebellion, and power for the rest of his life.
Richard wasn’t your typical medieval warrior king. He loved ceremony, art, and royal pageantry, and seemed to believe that kings should be treated as something almost sacred. The problem? England’s nobles very much disagreed. Matt and I talk about Richard’s favorites, his growing paranoia, revenge against the nobles who humiliated him, and how things spiraled so badly that he eventually lost his crown to his own cousin, Henry IV of England.
Was Richard II a tyrant? A misunderstood visionary? A traumatized child king who never learned to trust anyone? Honestly…by the end of this conversation, I’m still not entirely sure what to think about him. Other than I don't like him.
Link to the Wilton Diptych: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/english-or-french-the-wilton-diptych
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis

She has sold over 30 million copies of her books worldwide, and she is likely the most recognizable name in historical fiction. Today, I’m sharing the interview I recorded with not only Philippa Gregory, but also Sylvia Barbara Soberton - all thanks to History Press for arranging this for us.
Together, Sylvia and Philippa explore the story of Mary Boleyn and discuss how each of them researched and wrote about her. We also look at Philippa’s latest Tudor novel, The Boleyn Traitor, and why she wanted the opportunity to revisit Jane Boleyn and give her a fairer portrayal.
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Support the podcast on Patreon and you'll get commercial-free episodes, early access, and more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guests: Philippa Gregory & Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Here we are again, yet another Sunday chatting about historical TV series... Let's be honest, there are so many to discuss that we could do this forever, but today I have to find out if Amy watched My Lady Jane. After that we briefly talk about Reign before getting into some of our favorites - The Last Kingdom, Vikings, and more!
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Support the podcast over on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and so much more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

In the second half of Edward III’s reign, he begins to shift into something far more complicated. Joined once again by Matt Lewis, we follow Edward through the first couple of decades of the Hundred Years’ War, his complicated relationship with France, and the astonishing story of the French king John II of France, whose son escaped English captivity - forcing John himself to voluntarily return to England as a hostage in order to preserve his honor.
We also look at the devastating death of Edward the Black Prince, the heir Edward III had carefully prepared to inherit the throne, and how his loss changed the future of England forever. From there, we explore the growing unpopularity of John of Gaunt, political unrest, and the increasingly fragile final years of the old king.
And then there is the drama surrounding Edward III’s death itself: his longtime mistress Alice Perrers, accused of stealing jewels as the king lay dying, and the priest who later claimed he burst into the chamber at the last moment to drive her away and save the king’s soul.
It’s a story of war, grief, honor, scandal, and the slow end of one of England’s most fascinating reigns.
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Support the podcast over on Patreon and you'll get early access, commercial-free episodes, and more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis

In this episode, I’m joined by historian and author Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore the fascinating lives of the women featured in her new book, Princesses of the Early Middle Ages - with a special focus on the often-overlooked illegitimate daughters of Henry I of England.
We dive into the life of Sybilla of Normandy and her marriage to Alexander I of Scotland, discuss Matilda of Normandy and her politically important union with the Duke of Brittany, and uncover the dramatic and tragic story of Juliana - the daughter who famously turned against her own father and attempted to kill the king.
From royal marriages and dynastic politics to rebellion, family tension, and heartbreak, this episode shines a light on the remarkable daughters of Henry I and the roles they played in shaping the medieval world.
Order Princesses of the Early Middle Ages from Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Princesses-of-the-Early-Middle-Ages-by-Sharon-Bennett-Connolly/9781399091022
Sharon's Website: https://historytheinterestingbits.com/
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly