Not Just the Tudors

Mark Stoyle, a historian specializing in the English Civil Wars, discusses the Puritan ban on Christmas in 1647. He reveals how this wasn't just a holiday suppression but a clash of beliefs, with festive families lighting candles in secret and even staging the plum pudding riots. Stoyle connects the resistance against the ban to Scotland's earlier experiences with Christmas. He highlights the cultural impact of the prohibition, linking it to later literary figures like Dickens and C.S. Lewis, while emphasizing the ban's social ramifications and the importance of community celebration.

Join historians Alec Ryrie and Maria Hayward as they dive into the captivating world of the Tudors. Ryrie explores how religion was communicated during this turbulent time, revealing the subtle art of oaths and the underground culture of skepticism. Hayward brings a fashionable flair, discussing the social significance of Tudor knitting and the evolution of the iconic codpiece, from practical wear to a symbol of masculinity. Their insights shed light on the era’s intricacies, blending history with unexpected topics!

Dr. Jane Stevens-Crawshaw, a historian specializing in Venetian history, dives into how Venice confronted a devastating plague 450 years ago. She reveals the city's innovative quarantine measures, including the establishment of lazaretti, the first quarantine institutions in Europe. The conversation touches on Venice's unique public health strategies, the emotional toll on its citizens, and how these practices influenced modern public health responses. Jane also highlights the balance between commerce and compassion during this tumultuous time.

What if the most powerful woman in Anne Boleyn’s story never spoke on the record? Elizabeth Boleyn steps out of the shadows in this revelatory Tudor deep-dive. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman to piece together the elusive life of Anne Boleyn’s mother, from Howard girlhood to court matriarch, exploring power, silence and survival amid the dangerous glitter of Henry VIII’s court.MOREJane Boleyn with Philippa GregoryListen on AppleListen on SpotifySix Wives: Anne BoleynListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, edited and produced by 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. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Contains descriptions of war atrocities, including rape and infanticide**In 1544, Henry VIII led the largest army ever raised by an English monarch to capture the French port of Boulogne. It was said that the conquest would be Henry’s “perpetual monument.” Yet history has largely forgotten it.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb speaks with Professor Neil Murphy to uncover the little-known story of Henry VIII at war. Together they explore the campaign to seize Boulogne, which reshapes our view of Tudor power, imperial ambition, and Henry’s legacy as a conqueror.MOREMary Rose & the Battle of the SolentListen on AppleListen on SpotifyMontaigne: Philosopher of the French RenaissanceListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented 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. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this enlightening discussion, historian Catherine Clarke delves into the power of poetry throughout English history. She explores how poems have ignited change, celebrated triumphs, and critiqued authority. The conversation includes the selection of 25 significant poems, from Thomas Wyatt's complex translations to the bold political commentary of Anne Askew. Clarke also examines the evolution of the 'island' metaphor in Shakespeare's work and how poetry has shaped national identity and resistance against tyranny.

Dr. Erica Canella, a historian specializing in 17th-century English religious movements, dives into the dark origins of Quakerism born from the chaos of the English Civil Wars. She explains how trauma and instability created fertile ground for this radical faith. Their disruptive tactics alarmed authorities, while early Quakers faced persecution for challenging norms around gender and social hierarchy. The conversation also reveals failed miracles like Susanna Pearson’s resurrection attempt, illustrating the urgency and fervor with which they pursued their divine mission.

Step into the turbulent heart of the Wars of the Roses and meet one of history’s most formidable survivors: Lady Margaret Beaufort.A child bride, a teenage mother, and ultimately the mastermind behind the rise of the Tudor dynasty, Margaret navigated betrayal, bloodshed, and political chaos with nerves of steel.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb sits down with leading biographers Lauren Johnson and Dr. Nicola Tallis to uncover the real woman behind the legend: her extraordinary resilience, razor-sharp political instincts and the unyielding drive that helped place her son on the throne as Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch.MOREHenry VIIListen on AppleListen on SpotifyHenry VIII's Sister, Margaret, Queen of ScotsListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle. Edited and produced by 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. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Free speech is today more contested than ever before. In many places, differing views about politics, sex, and religion are suppressed and punished. In the West, debates rage over its limits and meaning. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Fara Dabhoiwala to trace the roots of this conflict back to the 18th century, when America embraced the First Amendment, while most of the world adopted a different principle: rights balanced by responsibilities. Together Suzannah and Fara explore the surprising and often troubling origins of free speech, from medieval punishments for slander and Henry VIII’s treason laws to the American Revolution’s selective embrace of liberty.MORE:17th and 18th Century Sexual RevolutionListen on AppleListen on SpotifySinging the News in Tudor EnglandListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented 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. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join archaeologist Mark Horton, a specialist in early American archaeology, as he unravels the mystery of the Roanoke Colony. He dives into Sir Walter Raleigh's ambitions, the geography that hindered settlement, and the harsh realities faced by colonists. Horton reveals the significance of the carved 'Croatoan' clue and debunks myths surrounding the 'Lost Colony.' Highlighting archaeological evidence, he discusses how early settlers may have integrated with Native Americans, contrasting this with later colonial practices.