Tudors Dynasty - RedTop Media / Rebecca Larson

Latest Episodes:

The Daughters of King Stephen Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Finally, Matt Lewis took the hint and didn't show up today! Just kidding - he was busy this week but will be back next week to chat about Henry V with me.

Today, my medieval fill-in guest is Sharon Bennett Connolly who is here to discuss the daughters of King Stephen with me... I hope you enjoy!

Episode on Gunhild and Gytha:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/rebecca-larson/episodes/The-Runaway-Nun--the-Exiled-Princess-e3hj9s8/a-acj1hbs

Episode on the Warennes: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/rebecca-larson/episodes/Conquest--Kidnapping--and-Noble-Power-e3cmrff/a-accikoj⁠

ORDER SHARON'S BOOK - PRINCESSES OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES: https://www.amazon.com/Princesses-Early-Middle-Ages-Daughters/dp/1399091026

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

Women's Networks in Medieval England Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

What happens when we stop looking at medieval queens as isolated figures and start looking at the women around them?

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull to explore the powerful networks of women that shaped politics, influence, and survival in fifteenth-century England. Our conversation focuses on three remarkable women: Jacquetta of Luxembourg, Margaret of Anjou, and Cecily Neville. Together, we examine how these women built alliances, supported one another, navigated conflict, and exercised power in a world dominated by men.

Join us for a fascinating look at the web of relationships that connected some of the most influential women of medieval England.

Support the podcast on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull

John Cheke: Scholar of Kings, Prisoner of Queens May 31, 2026

Show notes

John Cheke is often remembered as one of the greatest scholars of Tudor England, but his story is about far more than books and learning.

In this episode, I'm joined by Amy McElroy as both co-host and guest as we explore the remarkable life of Sir John Cheke. From his rise as a brilliant humanist scholar and the first Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge, to his role as tutor to the future Edward VI, Cheke found himself at the very heart of Tudor power.

But the Tudor court could be a dangerous place. We follow Cheke's journey from trusted advisor and royal servant to exile, imprisonment, and ultimately the Tower of London. Along the way, we discuss his influence on education, religion, and politics, as well as his support for Lady Jane Grey and the devastating consequences that followed.

How did one of the most respected minds of the Tudor age become a prisoner of the crown? Join us as we uncover the fascinating rise and fall of Sir John Cheke.

Support the podcast on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest/Host: Amy McElroy

Henry IV: The Vanilla Milkshake of Kings May 28, 2026

Show notes

Well… here it is. What did you think about the show open this week? Let me know in the comments!

This week, Matt Lewis and I turn our attention to Henry IV — and there is a lot to unpack. We discuss the death of Richard II, the conspiracy theories that claimed he survived, the visit of an emperor to England, the kidnapping of the Scottish king, and so much more!

As always, the conversation takes plenty of unexpected turns along the way.

And at the very end, I ask Matt to rank Henry IV on a scale of 1–10. You’ll want to stick around to hear his answer.

Support the podcast on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matt Lewis

The Queen's Husband: Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha May 26, 2026

Show notes

In this second to last episode of our The Queen’s Husband series, I’m joined once again by the wonderful Dr. Linda Porter as we turn our attention to one of the most famous royal consorts in history - Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

So much of Prince Albert’s reputation has been shaped by the image of the devoted husband standing faithfully beside Queen Victoria, but who was he really? Linda explores Albert’s early life in Germany, his marriage to Victoria, and the enormous influence he had on the monarchy, politics, culture, and family life in nineteenth-century Britain.

From royal romance to political partnership, this episode takes a closer look at the man behind the title of “Prince Consort.”

Support the podcast on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Linda Porter

Historical TV Series: Part Three May 24, 2026

Show notes

Yeah, you read that right, we are on Part Three (and the last for now) on historical TV series. This episode we look at one of my favorites - House of the Dragon, and one of Amy's favorites - Game of Thrones. If you haven't watched either consider this your spoiler alert. If you watched one episode and turned it off...consider this my pitch to convince you to watch!

If you don't think dragons are cool (I'm not sure why you wouldn't), you might after you hear me gush about them. I cannot wait for season three of House of the Dragon which is out in June.

Enjoy, and I hope to hear your feedback and answer to our questions for you!

Support the show on Patreon and get commercial-free episode, early access, and much more!! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Hosts:

Rebecca Larson

Amy McElroy

Richard II: The King with a God Complex May 21, 2026

Show notes

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

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matt Lewis

Philippa Gregory on Mary Boleyn, Tudor Women & Revisiting History May 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

Support the podcast on Patreon and you'll get commercial-free episodes, early access, and more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guests: Philippa Gregory & Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Historical TV Series - Part Two May 17, 2026

Show notes

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!

Support the podcast over on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and so much more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

Edward III: Life, Death, and Everything In Between May 14, 2026

Show notes

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.

Support the podcast over on Patreon and you'll get early access, commercial-free episodes, and more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matt Lewis