Tudors Dynasty - RedTop Media / Rebecca Larson

Latest Episodes:

Juana of Castile: The Queen that Never Was Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Replay Episode (Originally aired January 2024):
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Emma Cahill Marron to explore the life of Juana of Castile, elder sister of Katherine of Aragon, better known by the unfair moniker “Juana the Mad.” Together, we revisit her story to challenge the long-standing misconceptions and uncover the truth behind her life and le

Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

Voiceover: David Black

#queens #tudors #history #womeninhistory #juanathemad #juanaofcastile #isabellaofcastile #ferdinandofaragon #katherineofaragon #henryvii #henryviii #queenmaryi #philippiiofspain #charlesv #royalhistory

Parallel Lives: Katherine of Aragon and Catherine de Medici Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Emma and I set Catherine de Medici and Katherine of Aragon side by side—two queens whose lives reveal the price of power and the strength required to survive it. Katherine of Aragon held firm against Henry VIII’s attempts to cast her aside, defending her daughter’s right to inherit England’s crown. Catherine de Medici, long dismissed as an outsider in France, became the strategist who steered a kingdom through wars of religion and the reigns of her sons.

This Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:00PM CDT, there is a Special Event with my friend, Matthew Lewis. Matt will be discussing my favorite, Empress Mathilda, and why shoud could not win the Crown. Get your tickets now before they'll unavailable! LEARN MORE!

Link to the Mary Tudor (Mary I) image: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b10544185k/f1.item.zoom

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

The First King of England: Æthelstan and the Birth of a Kingdom Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

You’ve heard of Alfred the Great. You’ve probably watched The Last Kingdom and fallen in love with Uhtred, too. (No? Just me?) Well, in today’s episode we’re looking at Alfred’s grandson, the son of Edward—Alfred’s eldest boy. Enter Æthelstan.

This one’s a bit shorter than usual, because it’s such a dense topic if you’re not already familiar with it. But if you find yourself intrigued and want to dive deeper—grab this book! And hey, for balance, go ahead and watch The Last Kingdom too (purely for fun, of course).

Buy book on Amazon! (or wherever you get your books!)

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: David Woodman

Parallel Lives: Henry VIII and Francis I Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Parallel Lives, Dr. Emma and Rebecca dive into the fascinating connections between two Renaissance powerhouses—Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France. Both men were rivals and occasional allies, driven by ambition, prestige, and the desire to leave their mark on history. We’ll explore their uneasy friendship, their hunger for glory in war and peace, and the ways their larger-than-life personalities shaped the politics and culture of 16th-century Europe.

Join our 6-week online course (September 17th): Forging a Queen (Katherine of Aragon before she became Queen)

Join our Special Event on September 27th when Matthew Lewis joins us to talk about Empress Matilda and why she could not win the crown.

Credits:

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma

Women Who Ruled the World Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

In today’s Historian Chat, I’m talking about Elizabeth Norton’s book The Women Who Ruled the World. Norton takes us across centuries to highlight queens and empresses who rose above expectation and left their mark on history. From ancient rulers to Tudor monarchs, this book is a fascinating look at leadership, power, and the women who wielded it.

The Women Who Ruled the World on Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble

Join our 6-week online course (September 17th): Forging a Queen (Katherine of Aragon before she became Queen)

Join our Special Event on September 27th when Matthew Lewis joins us to talk about Empress Matilda and why she could not win the crown.

Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Norton

Parallel Lives: Mary Rose Tudor and Isabel Junior Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of Dr. Emma & Me!! Today's episode we look at sisters of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. As always, we also talk about accents, Henry Cavill, and so much more!

Join our 6-week online course (September 17th): Forging a Queen (Katherine of Aragon before she became Queen)

Join our Special Event on September 27th when Matthew Lewis joins us to talk about Empress Matilda and why she could not win the crown.

Credits:

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Today I have the honor of welcoming the brilliant Diarmaid MacCulloch back. to the show! We’re diving into his fascinating new book, Lower than the Angels. It’s a bold and thought-provoking subject—one that might stir a little controversy—so buckle up and join us for a conversation that will challenge, surprise, and inspire.

Pickup a copy of Lower than the Angels wherever you get books! Amazon

Check out details of the upcoming Wolf Hall Weekend in June 2026.

Join our 6-week online course (September 17th): Forging a Queen (Katherine of Aragon before she became Queen)

Join our Special Event on September 27th when Matthew Lewis joins us to talk about Empress Matilda and why she could not win the crown.

Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Reverend Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch

The Eleanors: From Aquitaine to Castile Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

*This episode is available in video format on #Spotify and #Youtube

✨ In today’s Parallel Lives episode, Dr. Emma and I dive into the lives of two extraordinary women—Eleanor of Aquitaine and her daughter, Eleanor of Castile. A powerful mother-daughter duo whose stories shaped medieval Europe!

⏳ Don’t forget—time is running out to join Forging a Queen, my 6-week online course on Katherine of Aragon’s remarkable life before she became England’s queen. We begin September 17th!

🎤 Looking for something shorter? The brilliant Matt Lewis will be joining us LIVE on September 27th for a 90-minute talk on why Empress Matilda couldn’t win the crown. Early Bird tickets are on sale now—grab yours while they last!

Would you prefer commercial-free episodes? Head over Patreon!!

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma

Tragedy of the Tudor Heirs: Jane, Catherine, and Mary Grey Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we uncover the dramatic lives of the Grey sisters—Jane, Catherine, and Mary. Each was born close to the English throne, yet their royal blood proved more curse than blessing. From Jane’s nine-day (or thirteen days) reign, to Catherine’s scandalous secret marriage, to Mary’s struggle against her own frailty, their stories reveal the peril of being too near the crown in Tudor England.

Find Adam's book on Amazon!

Adam's Simply Tudor Tours

Don't miss out - JOIN our 6-week online course on Katherine of Aragon before she became queen of England! LEARN MORE!

CREDITS:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Adam Pennington

Special Episode - Three Queens: Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

This is a special Sunday episode - next week we will return to another fascinating woman from history!

The wonderful Christine Morgan returns as guest host with an exciting update on Rosamund Gravelle’s Three Queens! And there’s a BIG announcement you won’t want to miss.

Three Queens is a powerful one-act play that imagines a fictional encounter between Queen Mary I, Lady Jane Grey, the future Queen Elizabeth I, and their cousin Cardinal Reginald Pole—set on the eve of Jane’s execution.

July 2023 episode: Three Queens: An Encounter Between Mary I, Lady Jane Grey and the future Elizabeth I

Rosamund's Website: https://www.rosamundgravelle.com/

Credits:

Guest Host: Christine Morgan

Guest: Rosamund Gravelle