Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

What does bad behavior really look like in Tudor England? In this episode, we take a sharp look at the men who pushed ambition, ego, and survival just a little too far.
Charles Brandon turns marriage into strategy, Thomas Seymour spirals after the death of Henry VIII, and John Dudley plays the game for his own gain.
Add in Francis Bryan—who needed papal absolution—and Edmund Howard with his questionable “medicine,” and you’ve got a lineup of men making very bad decisions.
Messy, calculated, and peak Tudor chaos. 👑
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Support our work over on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Hosts:
Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

What happens to the daughters of a king after everything falls apart?
In this episode, we step into the turbulent aftermath of 1066 and follow the extraordinary—and often overlooked—lives of Gunhild of Wessex and Gytha of Wessex, daughters of Harold Godwinson—the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
Their stories are anything but quiet.
One becomes a royal nun… who doesn’t quite stay that way. The other is swept into exile, navigating a world far beyond England’s shores, eventually tied to powerful dynasties abroad. These are women born into privilege, thrust into chaos, and forced to reinvent themselves in the shadow of conquest.
From cloisters to courts, scandal to survival, we uncover how these sisters carved out lives that were anything but ordinary—and why their stories deserve far more attention.
Because history didn’t end for Harold’s daughters at Hastings…
it only got more interesting.
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Website (and books): https://historytheinterestingbits.com/
A Slice of Medieval Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@DerekBirks-t3o (wherever you get podcasts)
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

This week, I’m joined by historian Dr. Steven Veerapen for a deep dive into one of history’s most fascinating—and controversial—figures: Mary, Queen of Scots.
Was Mary a reckless romantic… or a ruler navigating an impossible political landscape?
Together, we unravel the layers of her story—her queenship, her marriages, the scandal of Darnley’s murder, and the shadow of Bothwell. We also tackle the question that refuses to go away: was Mary truly guilty, or has history been too quick to condemn her?
We explore her rivalry with Elizabeth I—was it real, or something shaped by later narratives? And how much did religion, gender, and perception influence the way Mary was judged, both in her own time and ever since?
From political missteps to matters of the heart, from imprisonment to execution, this conversation looks at how Mary’s legacy was shaped—not just by what she did, but by how her story has been told.
And, of course, we end with the biggest question of all…
After everything—who was Mary, Queen of Scots, really?
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Steven's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Steven-Veerapen/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ASteven%2BVeerapen
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Dr. Steven Veerapen

What makes a marriage work - especially in a world where love was often optional and politics were everything?
In this episode of Off the Record, Amy and I dive into the messy, fascinating world of marriage in Tudor England - where alliances could build dynasties… or completely destroy them. We’re looking beyond Henry VIII’s famously disastrous relationships (don’t worry, he gets enough attention) and instead shining a light on other unions that reveal what “good” and “bad” really meant in the 16th century.
From genuinely supportive partnerships like Henry VII and Elizabeth of York - where stability and mutual respect helped heal a kingdom - to deeply troubled matches like Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Stafford, where power struggles and personal cruelty played out behind closed doors… we’re breaking it all down.
What did a “good marriage” actually look like in Tudor society? Was it about love, loyalty, survival—or simply staying out of trouble? And how do we even begin to judge these relationships by modern standards?
Expect strong opinions, a few laughs, and plenty of moments where you’ll be glad you’re not navigating courtship in the 1500s.
Because in Tudor England… marriage wasn’t just personal. It was political.
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Hosts:
Rebecca Larson
Amy McElroy

My brother from another mother, Matt Lewis, is back—and we’re continuing the story of the children of Henry II of England (and Eleanor of Aquitaine). But since King John was…well…such an idiot, we decided to start with his sisters to make things far more enjoyable 😂
And honestly? These women were incredible—sharp, capable, and miles ahead of their brothers. I think you’ll feel the same once you hear their stories.
In the second half, we finally turn to King John to see if—maybe—there’s a redeeming quality or two hiding in there. Spoiler alert: there isn’t. If anything, you might end up disliking him even more by the end… just like I did. What an absolutely terrible man!
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Check out Matt's books: https://mattlewisauthor.com/
Gone Medieval: https://access.historyhit.com/gone-medieval
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis