Not Just the Tudors

Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon changed England; it could be justified by a biblical law that prohibited a man from marrying his brother's widow, yet another passage seemed to suggest otherwise. In a surprising move, Henry called upon Italian rabbis to interpret these ancient laws.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the turbulent world of the Tudors, where the lines between faith and politics blurred. She's joined by Jerry Rabow to explore how Jewish, Catholic and Protestant perspectives intertwined and ultimately raised more questions than answers.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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

**This podcast contains graphic descriptions of murders and the punishments of those convicted**Gruesome murders carried out by women captivated the public imagination in Early Modern Britain. Pamphlets, ballads, and woodcuts spread the stories of traitorous wives, cunning poisoners, child killers, and alleged witches. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by historian and former police officer Dr. Blessin Adams on a journey through the shocking stories of women who defied societal norms with acts of violence that both horrified and fascinated society.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, 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://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK

Exactly 400 years ago, the Dutch West India Company built Fort Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan island, a beacon of power and resilience against threats from Europeans and Indigenous Americans. But how did things change when England invaded in 1664?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Russell Shorto, author of Taking Manhattan, to uncover the untold stories of New York City's emergence as a hub of capitalism and pluralism, laying the groundwork for America's rise and shaping the city's enduring legacy.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith. Edited by Amy Haddow. 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 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

In 1711, a wave of terror gripped the Islandmagee peninsula in County Antrim. First there was the haunting and supernatural murder of a local clergyman's wife. Then 18-year-old Mary Dunbar suffered violent convulsions, levitation and vomiting of pins, feathers, and buttons, sparking accusations against eight local women. After Mary’s sudden death, the trial took an unprecedented turn when one William Sellar was put on trial.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb finds out more from Dr. Andrew Sneddon about this chilling true story of possession, witchcraft accusations, and Ireland’s only recorded execution of a man for witchcraft.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith. Edited by Amy Haddow. 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 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

Passion, scandal, and power collided in the tumultuous relationship between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. Rumours of secret trysts between them set the court ablaze, but their love was doomed from the start.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr. Joanne Paul unravel the complex tapestry of Dudley's life, Elizabeth's devotion and the decades of political intrigue and personal heartbreak. Then, Dr. Tracey Wedge explores how Dudley's extravagant wardrobe became a powerful tool in the game of courtly politics.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith. Produced and edited 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 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

Grace Tiffany, a Professor of Shakespeare and author of 'The Owl Was a Baker's Daughter,' highlights the intriguing life of Judith Shakespeare, William Shakespeare's overlooked twin sister. They discuss how Judith's experiences mirror contemporary issues like religious extremism and women's struggles in male-dominated fields. Listeners learn about her bond with twin brother Hamnet, the impact of personal loss on Shakespeare's works, and Judith's fight for identity amidst scandal and societal expectations during a tumultuous political era.

Join Professor Marcus Bull, a University of North Carolina scholar specializing in 10th-16th century Europe, as he delves into the gripping tale of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Discover how a small force of Knights of St. John, led by the steadfast Jean de Valette, defended their island against the formidable Ottoman Empire. Bull explores military strategies, the cultural implications of the siege, and the overlooked contributions of Maltese civilians, painting a vivid picture of resilience and ingenuity in the face of overwhelming odds.

Dr. Kimberley Connor, a historical archaeologist and food historian, joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to explore Stuart-era recipe books. They discuss Margaret Baker's 1675 collection, revealing how these texts were vital for sharing medicinal and culinary knowledge. The conversation highlights women's pivotal roles in domestic spheres and culinary practices of the time, emphasizing the recipes’ rich social contexts. They also examine how these books served as educational resources, connecting women across different social strata and reflecting their adaptations during crises.

S.J. Parris, a best-selling author known for her historical crime novels featuring Giordano Bruno, joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to explore the life of this radical thinker. They discuss Bruno's bold ideas that clashed with the Catholic Church, leading to his tragic fate. Parris shares insights into Bruno's influences, such as Copernicus, and his role as a symbol of defiance against religious oppression. The conversation highlights his enduring legacy in the tension between scientific inquiry and faith, making him a fascinating figure of the Renaissance.

The German Peasants' War - which happened exactly 500 years ago - saw peasants across Germany, Switzerland and Austria rise up against oppressive lords in a bid for freedom and social reform.  This was a pivotal and cataclysmic moment in European history, as transformative as the French Revolution and as deadly as World War I. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Lyndal Roper, author of Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants' War, to explore this moment of rebellion, hope and bloodshed that reshaped the landscape of early modern Europe.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, edited and produced by Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from All3Media. Other 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