

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

Mar 31, 2025 • 49min
What did Henry VIII Believe?
The execution of six martyrs—three Catholics and three Protestants—on the same day, was unprecedented in Henry VIII's England. What led to this transformative event?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores the fascinating and tumultuous period of the 1530s and 1540s under Henry VIII, examining the religious, political, and personal motivations behind the seeming contradictions of Henry VIII's reformation efforts.Henry VIII's break with Rome so he could divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn is well-known - but what did the King himself actually believe? As "Defender of the Faith", which faith was he defending? Did England go from being Roman Catholic to Protestant overnight?With contributions from experts including Dr. Lucy Wooding, Prof. Alec Ryrie, Mathew Lyons and Dr. John Cooper, Suzannah uncovers how the Reformation in England was shaped by Henry's complex and evolving beliefs, the influence of key figures like Thomas Cromwell, and the dramatic changes enforced by royal proclamations, from the dissolution of monasteries to the regulation of Bible access.More on the death of Henry VIII:https://shows.acast.com/not-just-the-tudors/episodes/the-death-of-henry-viiiDissolution of the Monasteries:https://shows.acast.com/not-just-the-tudors/episodes/dissolution-of-the-monasteriesPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, the producer and audio editor 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, including Suzannah Lipscomb's ground-breaking new series A World Torn Apart: The Dissolution of the Monasteries. 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

Mar 27, 2025 • 40min
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Janet Todd to discuss how Behn navigated the complexities of 17th-century society and crafted her public persona while challenging cultural and sexual norms.Hear our episode on Tudor Spycraft >Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Readings by Sarah Perceval.The researcher is Alice Smith, 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 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

Mar 24, 2025 • 44min
Dr Faustus: Pacts with the Devil
In this engaging discussion, Professor Emma Smith, an authority on early modern drama from Oxford, joins in to dissect Marlowe's iconic 'Dr. Faustus.' They delve into the play's dark themes of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge, considering its moral implications. The conversation unveils how Faustus humanizes the devil, the impact of audience reactions on Renaissance theatre, and the timeless echoes of the Faustian pact in modern culture. They even explore the theatrical innovations that brought the supernatural to life for Elizabethan audiences.

Mar 20, 2025 • 43min
Henry VIII & his Rabbis
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

Mar 17, 2025 • 53min
Murderous Women
**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

Mar 13, 2025 • 45min
The Birth of New York City
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

Mar 10, 2025 • 44min
Ireland's Witchcraft Trials
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

Mar 6, 2025 • 58min
Robert Dudley: Elizabeth I's Forbidden Love
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

Mar 3, 2025 • 36min
Shakespeare's Daughter, Judith
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.

Feb 27, 2025 • 50min
The Great Siege of Malta
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.