Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

What if Henry Tudor never made it out of England? What if Bosworth had gone differently? And how much of what we think we know about Henry VII is actually wrong?
In this Off the Record episode, we're joined by historian Nathen Amin to dig into the myths, misconceptions, and fascinating “what ifs” surrounding England’s first Tudor king. From his years in exile with Jasper Tudor to the pivotal moment at Battle of Bosworth Field, we explore just how fragile Henry’s path to the throne really was.
Would he have tried again if Bosworth had been lost? What if he had never fled into exile at all? Was his marriage to Elizabeth of York inevitable - or simply the best available option? And after her death, who might Henry have chosen next?
We also tackle the question people love to ask (but rarely explore properly): was Henry VII a mama’s boy under the influence of Margaret Beaufort…or something far more calculated?
This is Henry VII stripped of the textbook narrative - uncertain, strategic, and far more human than you might expect.
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https://nathenamin.substack.com/
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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy
Guest: Nathen Amin

Was Edward I of England a brilliant reformer—or a ruthless tyrant?
In this episode, we dig into the life and reign of one of England’s most formidable kings. From legal reforms and the shaping of Parliament to his brutal campaigns in Wales and Scotland, Edward’s legacy is anything but simple. We explore the man behind the crown—his ambition, his grief after the death of Eleanor of Castile, and the decisions that still spark debate today.
Was he building a stronger England…or ruling through fear?
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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis

In this episode, I’m joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman to challenge everything you think you know about Elizabeth Boleyn.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Elizabeth Boleyn has been unfairly judged, this conversation will make you rethink everything.
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Sophie's book:
Blackwells
Amazon (US)
Sophie's Social Media:
Instagram
Bluesky
Sophie's Substack
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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com
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Credits:
Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Sophie Bacchus-Waterman

Welcome back to Off the Record!
Today, Amy and I dive into women “behaving badly”…or at least, that’s how history chose to remember them. And yes—we’re fully aware that women were judged by a very different standard than men.
From alleged husband-murdering, to sharp-tongued insults, to a mother refusing her son the money he demanded, and even a woman boldly owning an affair (and naming her son after her lover)…we unpack the stories behind the scandal.
Were these women truly outrageous—or simply refusing to play by the rules? Let’s get into it.
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Margaret Wotton article: https://tudorsdynasty.com/margaret-wotton-unnatural-mother/
Book I mentioned: A Biographical Encyclopedia of Early Modern Englishwomen: Exemplary Lives and Memorable Acts, 1500-1650.
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Hosts:
Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

What do you do when your father is one of the worst kings in English history?
This week, I’m joined by Matt Lewis to unpack the life of Henry III of England—a king who inherited chaos, uncertainty, and a seriously damaged crown after the disastrous reign of King John of England.
We explore how Henry came to the throne as a child, what it meant to grow up in the shadow of his father’s failures, and the surprising role his mother, Isabella of Angoulême, played when she left England behind. What happened to Henry’s siblings? And how did those early years shape the kind of king he would become?
From there, we look at Henry’s own family—his marriage, his children, and the legacy he hoped to build—while also asking a bigger question: was Henry’s reign really as peaceful as it’s often portrayed?
It’s a story of recovery, reputation, and the long shadow of a bad king… and whether Henry III ever truly escaped it.
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Henry III by Matthew Lewis: Amazon US
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Support the podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis