The Exploress

Season 3, Episode 23. Like most royal women, Anne of Cleves - English king Henry VIII's fourth wife - didn't have much choice when it came to whom she married. It was considered her "duty" to honor the needs of her family and her kingdom over whatever her own might be. But what about everyone else - the non-royals? Did they get to pursue their hearts more freely? Let's take a walk with Anne of Cleves, who'll show us more about what love, courtship, and marriage looked like for women in Tudor England. For this episode's show notes, including a transcript and tons of images, go to The Exploress website. To support the show and get more Tudor bonus content, become a patron. To find out more about Elizabeth Norton's fanstastic work, check out her website.

Author Sylvia Barbara Soberton discusses Tudor queen's ladies-in-waiting, their roles, and impact on the court. Topics include the characteristics required to be chosen as a lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn's rise and downfall, challenges faced by women in the Tudor age, and Soberton's upcoming book release on women of the Tudor court.

Season 3, Episode 21. English King Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, will take us on a journey through one of the most important jobs and greatest perils women faced in Tudor England: fertility and childbirth. We will explore getting pregnant, staying pregnant, and getting through the delivery ordeal in (we hope) one piece. For this episode's show notes, including a transcript and tons of images, go to The Exploress website. To support the show, and get bonus Tudor content, become a patron. To find out more about Elizabeth Norton's fanstastic work, check out her website.

Season 3, Episode 20. Will the real William Shakespeare please stand up? The Shakespeare authorship debate started with a woman named Delia Bacon, and since then, thousands of anti-Stratfordians have become obsessed with using literary analysis and ciphers to search for hidden meanings within the Bard's plays, in a quest to prove that Shakepeare was merely a pen name. Names like Edward Vere, Christopher Marlowe, and Sir Francis Bacon have all been floated around as possible candidates for the real genius behind the quill, but one name is particularly intriguing – Amelia Bassano Lanyer. So, why are people so unwilling to accept that Shakespeare was … well … Shakespeare? Today we'll dig through the historical evidence behind the debate, learn about the life of Amelia, England's first professional female poet, and discuss whether or not she was the "Dark Lady" featured in Shakepeare's sonnets. Thanks to my lovely supporters over on Patreon for bringing us this special bonus episode. If you want to help support the show, consider becoming a patron. You can also buy some merch, including a Ladycentric Timeline of Tudor England, at my store.

Season 3, Episode 19. I had the privilege of interviewing Jennifer Kranz, the producer of The King's Wife, a musical that reimagines the relationship between Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Come behind the scenes with me on this still-developing musical, which gives us a heartfelt, feminist version of the story of two of Tudor England's most infamous queens, and find out what it takes to make a show about women in history. Make sure you listen through to the end to hear one of show's beautiful songs, "I Know You." To find out more about The King's Wife, check out their Instagram account or add "I Know You" on Spotify. To hear more about Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, or about the lives of Tudor women more generally, go and binge the rest of The Exploress Season 3. To support the show and get access to exclusive bonus content, check out my Patreon.

Season 3, Episode 18. I enjoyed my chat with our special guest from Fashion with Anne Boleyn so much that I've decided to publish it in full. Natalie gives us such an interesting glimpse into what life was like for Anne Boleyn at the Tudor court, and into her ultimate downfall. So let's dive in. Find out more about Natalie's work and her upcoming book at her website, or On The Tudor Trail. Make sure to listen to Talking Tudors, too! You can find show notes, images and transcripts for all my episodes on Tudor times at The Exploress website.

Explore the significance of fashion in Tudor England, with a focus on Anne Boleyn's use of fashion as a form of expression and power. Discover the role of clothing in Henry and Anne's relationship and Catherine of Aragon's response. Learn about the importance of clothing in the Tudor court, including head coverings and jewelry. Delve into Queen Elizabeth I's symbolic clothing choices and Anne Boleyn's use of fashion to maintain her regal image.

Season 3, Episode 16. Religion lives at the heart of Catherine of Aragon's story, and at the center of Tudor life. Let's continue our journey with our queen as she finds herself faced with a divorce crisis and the English Reformation. How will it change things for women in England? And how will Catherine of Aragon use her moral authority to fight for what she knows to be true? For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources, music/voiceover credits and more, go to my website. To explore the treasure trove of bonus materials, check out The Exploress Patreon. To find out more about Elizabeth Norton's fanstastic work, check out her website.

Season 3, Episode 15. Religion lives at the heart of Catherine of Aragon's story, and at the center of Tudor life. Let's walk beside this regal queen and find out what role it played in her life and tumultuous times. These episodes aren't going to be straight birth-to-death biographies. Instead, the six wives of Henry VIII are going to be our guides as we dive into different aspects of womanhood in the Tudor era. For show notes, suggested reading, a list of my sources, music/voiceover credits and more, go to my website. To explore the treasure trove of bonus materials, check out The Exploress Patreon. To find out more about Elizabeth Norton's fanstastic work, check out her website.

I'm excited to announce the new podcast I'm making with my friend Amie Kaufman. It'll take you behind the scenes on the making of our books, The Isles of the Gods and Nightbirds, which are both coming out in 2023. Think of it as your backstage pass to our characters, our worlds, and all the stories of their making. I can't wait to introduce you to my debut novel full of magic and intrigue, historical inspiration, and - of course - powerful women.