Tudors Dynasty - RedTop Media / Rebecca Larson

Latest Episodes:

The Illegitimate Daughters of King Henry I May 12, 2026

Show notes

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/

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

Historical TV: Brilliant… or Absolutely Bonkers? May 10, 2026

Show notes

From lavish costumes and dramatic romances to wildly inaccurate timelines and completely unhinged plot twists, historical television gives us plenty to talk about. In this episode of Off the Record, we dive into some of our favorite historical TV series and discuss what they get right, what they get terribly wrong, and the moments that leave historians everywhere screaming at their screens. From brilliant casting and unforgettable storytelling to scenes so ridiculous they deserve an award of their own, nothing is off limits in this chat about the best — and worst — of historical television.

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

Edward III: The Crown's Bright New Hope May 07, 2026

Show notes

I'm joined once again by the brilliant historian Matt Lewis to hear the end of the story of Edward II, and then we move onto his son Edward III. As with all of these stories there are so many twists and turns - I'm not sure if I like Edward III or not after this chat...what do you think about him?

Support this podcast over on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matthew Lewis

Mary Boleyn: Slandered, Seductive...or Simply Misunderstood? May 05, 2026

Show notes

Mary Boleyn - the “great whore” of Tudor history…or the victim of a bad translation?

In this episode, we dig into one of the most misunderstood women of the Tudor court and start peeling back the layers of myth that have followed her for centuries. Was Mary really the scandalous figure history made her out to be, or has her reputation been shaped by misread words and repeated assumptions?

We take a closer look at the infamous mistranslation that helped cement her notoriety, and ask a deceptively simple question: was it actually Mary - or Anne Boleyn - who served Margaret of Austria?

From there, we explore Mary’s place within the powerful Boleyn family, her relationships, and what those dynamics might really have looked like behind the scenes. And then there’s the mystery that raises more questions than answers - why did Mary remain a widow for so long before secretly marrying William Stafford? Was it love, necessity…or something else entirely?

This is Mary Boleyn as you’ve rarely heard her - complicated, sidelined, and long overdue a second look.

Get from Blackwell's (even US residents) now: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Mary-Boleyn-by-Sylvia-Barbara-Soberton/9781837051014

DON'T MISS OUT!!

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--

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Edward II: A King Out of Place Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Edward II has often been remembered as a king who simply didn’t fit the role he inherited. In this episode, we trace his reign from the shadow of his formidable father, Edward I of England, through the controversies that defined his rule - his favoritism, his relationships, and his uneasy connection with the nobility. Why did his choices spark such intense opposition? And how did a king lose control of his own kingdom? As we follow Edward II’s story to his deposition, something unexpected emerges: a king increasingly aware of his own failures - offering, perhaps, a quiet kind of redemption at the very end.

Listen to Matt on Gone Medieval!

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

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matthew Lewis

Katherine Swynford: From Mistress to Duchess Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, I’m joined by historian Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore the life of Katherine Swynford - her relationship with John of Gaunt, the scandal that shook the royal court, and how her legacy would shape the future of the English throne.

Sharon's Website: https://historytheinterestingbits.com/author/sharonbennettconnolly/

Sharon's Upcoming Events: https://historytheinterestingbits.com/forthcoming-events/

Sharon's Books on Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B072156Z8V?ccs_id=2752d8c6-9e4d-4cca-b600-6046103545e6

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

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

Henry VII: What Ifs & Misconceptions Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

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.

https://nathenamin.substack.com/

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

Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

Guest: Nathen Amin

Edward I: Tyrant or Mastermind? Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

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?

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

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matt Lewis

Myths & Misconceptions: Elizabeth Boleyn Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

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.

Sophie's book:

Blackwells

Amazon (US)

Sophie's Social Media:

Instagram

Bluesky

Sophie's Substack

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

Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sophie Bacchus-Waterman

Women Behaving Badly: Tudor Style Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

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.

Hosts:

Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy