

Not Just the Tudors
History Hit
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks about everything from the Aztecs to witches, Velázquez to Shakespeare, Mughal India to the Mayflower. Not, in other words, just the Tudors, but most definitely also the Tudors.Each episode Suzannah is joined by historians and experts to reveal incredible stories about one of the most fascinating periods in history, new releases every Wednesday and Sunday.A podcast by History Hit, the world's best history channel and creators of award-winning podcasts Dan Snow's History Hit, The Ancients, and Betwixt the Sheets.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 14, 2025 • 42min
Othered: Race, Gender & Human 'Monsters'
Dr. Surekha Davies, a historian specializing in science and ideas, offers a fascinating exploration of 'otherness' in the Early Modern period. She and Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discuss how societal perceptions of monstrosity evolved, highlighting historical cases and the influence of the four humors. The conversation delves into the entrenchment of racism and sexism through legal frameworks, gender fluidity, and intersexuality, all while unpacking how cultures defined their own 'monsters.' Prepare for a deep dive into history's most intriguing identities.

Aug 11, 2025 • 50min
Molière: Satire, Scandal & the Stage
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Jan Clarke to explore the life, legend, and legacy of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin — better known as Molière. From his audacious rejection of bourgeois expectations to his controversial plays that rattled the Catholic Church and delighted the King, Molière’s story is as theatrical as his work. So what can be learned about gender, religion, power, and performance in Louis XIV’s France through Molière's comedies?Together, Suzannah and Jan unravel the myth from the man and discover how Molière’s biting satire, his savvy court politics, and his deep understanding of human nature made him a foundational figure in French literature and European theatre.MORE:Louis XIV and his Mistresseshttps://open.spotify.com/episode/2bvIaoji5oM65WbU5bFESwMarie Antoinettehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/69l3JrCvivIuKI5pmQLrYbPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 4min
Vasari: Inventor of Artistic Genius
Dr. Noah Charney, an American art historian and novelist known for his insights into art crime, joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to explore Giorgio Vasari, the man who redefined artistic genius. They discuss how Vasari's blend of truth and myth shaped our understanding of Renaissance art and the notion of the solitary artist. From tales of rivalry among artists to the evolution of art from craft to celebrated genius, they uncover Vasari's lasting influence on art history, museum practices, and the very concept of creativity itself.

Aug 4, 2025 • 45min
British Barbary Slaves
**Contains historical language which may cause offence**Between the early 1600s and late 1700s, thousands of British sailors, fishermen, merchants, and coastal villagers were captured and enslaved by North African pirates, known as Barbary Corsairs. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Professor Bernard Capp delve into the harrowing experiences of these captives, their treatment, and the broader implications on British society. Their exploration of the similarities and differences between Barbary and African slavery, reveal a nuanced and complex history filled with compelling stories of survival, escape, and unexpected turns.MORE:Women Pirates of the Caribbeanhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0LC4MXJQZloEoYHkVb3WSLEscaping Slavery in Londonhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0LC4MXJQZloEoYHkVb3WSLPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Jul 31, 2025 • 48min
Isabel and Ferdinand: Renaissance Power Couple
From the establishment of a formidable double monarchy to the complex dynamics of the Spanish Inquisition, Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon were quite the Renaissance team.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Giles Tremlett to discuss the complex dynamics of this unite couple. They explore the triumphs and tragedies that marked their reign, their relentless pursuit of religious unity, and the personal losses that shaped their legacy. Witness the dawn of Spain’s golden era and the inception of a global empire.MORE:Christopher Columbushttps://open.spotify.com/episode/5irll7mMs6rpkFvQR3L5VRThe Brutal Basque Witch Hunthttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6AGtHmagGVdd9J8pBEG5P4Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Jul 28, 2025 • 52min
The Rise of Isabel of Castile
In this engaging discussion, historian and author Giles Tremlett, renowned for his expertise on Spanish history, delves into the life of Isabel of Castile. Tune in as they explore her rise to power amid chaos, her strategic marriage to Ferdinand, and her complex legacy as both a unifying monarch and a controversial zealot. The conversation also reveals her administrative reforms, military strategies, and the opulence of her court, shedding light on her role in shaping modern Spain and the tragic consequences of her reign.

Jul 24, 2025 • 50min
Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion
Join Professor Allan McInnes, a scholar of early modern history, as he delves into the complex saga of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. Discover the motivations behind this dramatic uprising and the pivotal events like the Glorious Revolution and the Battle of Culloden. McInnes reveals how unexpected factors, such as cattle disease, shaped key battles and explores the brutal reprisals against Highland clansmen. The discussion highlights the cultural ramifications of the rebellion and its lasting impact on Scottish identity.

Jul 21, 2025 • 58min
The Restoration Queen: Maria of Modena
**This episode contains discussions of miscarriage**When a teenage Catholic princess was sent from Italy to marry James II and reunite England with Rome, public scandal and political intrigue fuelled society. Maria of Modena defied all expectations.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Breeze Barrington to uncover the hidden world of women at the Restoration Court, a network of female painters, poets, and maids of honour who reshaped the Stuart world. At its heart, Maria built a vibrant female-led court in Protestant England, demonstrating resilience against cruel gossip and societal pressures.Suzannah and Breeze celebrate how female friendships, creativity, and quiet resistance gave Maria strength in the face of relentless scrutiny, and left an indelible mark on history.MORE:Nell Gwynn: Actress and Royal Mistresshttps://open.spotify.com/episode/780pqRqcS8BCidbvHWRId7How to Live Like a Stuart Aristocrathttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0VEpSUUnO1jr8IvM5YNudDPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Jul 17, 2025 • 51min
When Women Ruled the Low Countries
Five generations of remarkable women - from Mary of Burgundy to Isabella Clara Eugenia - made an enduring impact on the Low Countries. By strategically navigating political alliances, personal losses, and wars, they shaped the destiny of the Netherlands and early modern European history.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Natalie Donnell to delve into their fascinating stories, ranging from Mary of Burgundy's courageous rule to Margaret of Austria's diplomatic brilliance.Habsburg Inbreeding with Dr. Adam Rutherfordhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/3sQ4jrYtuwAFJUfBgbaAXYSeymour, Dudley & Parr Families: Forgotten Tudor Womenhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4b4rxteStrSG70aImxBcPQ?autoplay=truePresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Jul 14, 2025 • 47min
Nicholas Culpeper: Herbalist and Radical
The maverick herbalist who fought for medical freedom.We love a rebel with a cause here on Not Just The Tudors, and Nicholas Culpeper was just that.He defied the authoritarian College of Physicians in 17th Century; translating their exclusive texts into English and treating the common people with traditional herbal remedies.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Benjamin Wooley to explore Culpeper's tumultuous early life, his radical political and astrological beliefs, and his enduring legacy in modern medicine. This defiant pioneer democratised healthcare amidst the chaos of plague, civil war, and social upheaval.MOREHow To Survive The Plaguehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/01e8GRcHkZuHjmUTvlIwRxPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on