Talking Tudors

Historian and novelist Sarah Dunant joins Natalie Grueninger to explore the life and legacy of Isabella d'Este. Among other things, they discuss her upbringing in Ferrara, marriage into Mantua, patronage of the arts, signature fashion statements, and the extraordinary archive of over 33,000 letters that reveal her voice and political skill. They also discuss Dunant's latest novel 'The Marquesa'. LEARN MORE ABOUT SARAH DUNANT https://www.sarahdunant.com TAKEAWAYS https://www.isabelladestearchive.org/ Explore the work of Andrea Mantegna, court artist to the Gonzaga family in Mantua. LEARN MORE ABOUT TODAY'S SPONSOR - SIMPLY TUDOR TOURS https://simplytudortours.com/ Visit Natalie Grueninger's official website: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode Natalie Grueninger interviews Susan Millard, rare books curator at the University of Melbourne, about the library’s recent acquisition of a 1494 edition of the Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of Witches). They explore the book’s author Heinrich Kramer, its printing by Anton Koberger, its role in witch trials and misogyny, the physical provenance and condition of the volume, and how it will be used for teaching and research. JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about the library's collection: https://library.unimelb.edu.au/asc Learn more about your Natalie Grueninger: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Harry Spillane about the life, exile, and execution of William Tyndale, focusing on his groundbreaking translation of the New Testament and the challenges he faced from church and state. The episode covers Tyndale's translation methods, the printing and smuggling of English Bibles, his clashes with figures like Thomas More and Henry VIII, and his lasting influence on English language and later Bible editions. JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about Dr Spillane https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-harry-spillane TAKEAWAYS https://tyndale.org/ https://datb.cerl.org/estc/ Learn more about your Natalie Grueninger: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Dr Megan J. Hall joins Talking Tudors to explore women's literacy and education in medieval England, tracing how reading and writing shifted from church-centred training to household and aristocratic learning between 1100–1300 and beyond. They discuss educational settings and curricula for girls and boys, the role of saints and literary models, and how modern research reshapes our assumptions about women's intellectual contributions. CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR, SIMPLY TUDOR TOURS! https://simplytudortours.com/ SUPPORT TALKING TUDORS ON PATREON! https://talkingtudors.podbean.com/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ VISIT DR MEGAN J. HALL'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://www.meganjhall.com/ COULD MEDIEVAL WOMEN READ? https://sites.nd.edu/manuscript-studies/2021/04/14/could-medieval-women-read/ Learn more about your Natalie Grueninger: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com

Host Natalie Grueninger and guest Dr Owen Emmerson examine a tiny Tudor portrait miniature held at the Royal Ontario Museum, exploring its possible attribution to Lucas Horenbout and the tantalizing theory that it may be the earliest depiction of Anne Boleyn. They discuss dating, costume and jewel details, related inventories and court accounts from 1527–28, comparisons with a twin miniature at and why ongoing technical research may help confirm or refute the sitter’s identity. JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about Dr Owen Emmerson: https://drowenemmerson.com/ Learn more about your Natalie Grueninger: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Elizabeth Norton about her new book on Jane Seymour, exploring fresh archival discoveries that reshape our view of the queen. They discuss Jane’s likely birthdate, court career, political agency, household, material culture and wardrobe accounts, relationships with Princess Mary, and the myths about her religion and headwear. The conversation highlights Jane’s skilful use of patronage, financial acumen, and soft power as queen during a turbulent period of the Reformation, and explains why her planned coronation never took place. Learn more about Dr Elizabeth Norton http://www.elizabethnorton.co.uk/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Rosemary Griggs about her new biography, 'Queen Elizabeth I's Governess: The Real Kat Ashley', which reexamines the life of Katherine Champanowne (Kat Ashley) and restores her place at the centre of Elizabeth I’s life. Rosemary discusses her archival discoveries, the Champanowne and Carew family connections, Kat’s role in Elizabeth’s upbringing and court, her involvement in political scandals and imprisonments, and the influence and legacy she left during Elizabeth’s reign. Learn more about Rosemary Griggs https://rosemarygriggs.co.uk/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews historian Ebrahim Joseph about the surprising influence of ancient Persia, especially Cyrus the Great, on Elizabethan England. They explore classical and biblical sources, princely education, political advice, court drama (including The Wars of Cyrus), the Mary, Queen of Scots debate, and early contacts with Safavid Persia, showing how Persian models of charismatic and ruthless kingship shaped Tudor political culture. LEARN MORE ABOUT EBRAHIM JOSEPH https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/people/ebrahim-hanifehpour-0 Read ‘Honour and Deceit in The Warres of Cyrus, Classical Persia, and Elizabethan Politics’ by Ebrahim Joseph https://doi.org/10.1017/S0018246X26101745 Learn more about today's sponsor - Simply Tudor Tours! https://simplytudortours.com/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Lauren Working about her book 'A Golden World' and how voyages to the Americas reshaped 16th‑century England. The episode traces Atlantic influences on London life, art, fashion and trade through objects and people brought back from the New World. Examples include the flood of pearls and emeralds, the rise of tobacco and new fashions, live exotic animals and the crucial Indigenous knowledge behind many colonial practices. The conversation emphasises that Tudor England, even without a formal empire, was transformed by ongoing Atlantic encounters. Learn more about Dr Working https://www.york.ac.uk/english/people/laurenworking/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr David Grummitt about the December 1460 events commonly called the Battle of Wakefield. Dr Grummitt argues the episode was a small ambush and murder of Richard, Duke of York and his son rather than a large pitched battle, and explains the primary evidence behind this interpretation. The episode also covers the immediate Lancastrian response, the march to the Palm Sunday battles of 1461, and how later Tudor chroniclers and historians transformed these events into a more dramatic mythology. READ DR GRUMMITT & PAUL DAWSON'S ARTICLE https://oro.open.ac.uk/105170/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Catherine Williams to the podcast to discuss Tudor poetry. Follow Catherine Williams on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/catherinevwill/ TAKEAWAY https://www.poetryfoundation.org/ LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPONSOR, SIMPLY TUDOR TOURS https://simplytudortours.com/booking-anne-elizabeth-mother-daughter-traitors-queens/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Dr Ashley Douglas to discuss her new book, 'With My Own Hand: The Secret Life of Marie Maitland, Scotland's Sixteenth-Century Sappho'. They discuss the life and poems of Marie Maitland, a 16th-century Scottish scribe whose Maitland Quarto contains early sapphic verse. The episode explores Marie's family and court connections, her role as her blind father's secretary, the manuscript's anonymous female poems, and the wider significance for women's and LGBT+ history in Reformation Scotland. VISIT DR DOUGLAS' OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://ashleydouglas.scot/ TAKEAWAY https://www.rps.ac.uk/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson examine Thomas Boleyn’s November–December 1526 financial accounts, revealing the family’s substantial landholdings, household expenses, and wide social networks just before Anne Boleyn’s rise. LEARN MORE ABOUT THR QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN MEMORIAL https://anneboleynmemorial.co.uk/ https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/qab-memorial?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Valerie Schutte about her upcoming cultural biography of Anne of Cleves. They re-examine long-standing myths about Anne's appearance, birthdate, and role in Tudor politics, by returning to contemporary sources and continental perspectives. The conversation also covers Anne's portrayal in art (including Holbein’s portraits), surviving books and dedications, the politics surrounding her divorce from Henry VIII, and how her reputation has evolved across centuries. Schutte's book is published July 3, 2026. Visit Dr Schutte's official website https://tudorqueenship.com/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Natalie Grueninger interviews Cait Murphy-Hurrell about Edmund Spenser's 'The Faerie Queene', exploring the poem's rich allegory, its portrayal of villainous women and otherness, and how Spenser reflects Elizabethan politics, religion, and his experiences in Ireland. Check out Cait's Substack! https://caitmurphyhurrell.substack.com/ Visit 'The Renaissance Academy' https://therenaissanceacademic.com/group-events JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews historian Amy McElroy about Desiderius Erasmus, exploring his mysterious early life, education, travels across Europe, and key works such as 'Praise of Folly' and his Greek-Latin New Testament. The conversation covers Erasmus’s influence on Tudor education and humanism, his relationships with Thomas More and Martin Luther, and his complex legacy as a Catholic reformer and leading Renaissance scholar. This episode of Talking Tudors was made possible by 'Simply Tudor Tours'. Check out their new Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I Tour! https://simplytudortours.com/anne-boleyn-and-elizabeth-i-tour Visit Amy's Substack! https://amymcelroy.substack.com/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Professor Nandini Das explores how Tudor and Stuart England were shaped by movement, exchange, and diverse individuals—artists, scholars, missionaries, and sailors—whose lives challenge the idea of a sealed island nation. Through four vivid case studies (the court miniaturist Levina Teerlinc from Bruges, the roaming thinker Giordano Bruno, the missionary Thomas Stevens in Goa, and William Adams in Japan), the episode reveals how identity, belonging, and nationhood were negotiated across borders in the 16th and 17th centuries. JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger talks with historian Jessica Carey-Bunning about her book 'The Wives of Henry VIII', presenting fresh archival research and new perspectives on each queen. They discuss Catherine of Aragon’s finances after annulment, Anne Boleyn’s use of dress and image, Jane Seymour’s complex reputation and faith, Anne of Cleves’ later life, Catherine Howard’s queenship, and the contested danger faced by Catherine Parr. Carey-Bunning urges listeners to question traditional narratives and to return to primary sources to better understand the messy realities of Tudor court life. Visit Jessica's official website https://tudortreasures.net/ Learn more about 'Simply Tudor Tours' https://simplytudortours.com/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Natalie Grueninger interviews Martha Tatarnic about her new book on Anne Boleyn, exploring how Anne shaped the English Reformation, championed the English Bible, and influenced church leadership through key appointments. The conversation also examines how Anne's reputation has been distorted over time, why the stories we tell about historical women matter today, and how recovering silenced voices reshapes our understanding of the past and present. Visit Martha Tatarnic's website https://marthatatarnic.ca/ JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Natalie Grueninger is in conversation with Dr Owen Emmerson about five surviving letters written by William Kingston during Anne Boleyn’s imprisonment in May 1536. They examine Kingston’s eyewitness details—Anne’s moods, her conversations with attendants, mentions of Henry Norris, Mark Smeaton and George Boleyn—and the damaged Cotton manuscripts used alongside later transcriptions. The episode traces Anne’s shifting emotions, her religious faith, the role of her attendants as informants, the hurried preparations for execution, and why Thomas Cromwell may have avoided visiting the prisoners. VISIT DR EMMERSON'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://drowenemmerson.com/ EXPLORE COTTON MS OTHO C X https://searcharchives.bl.uk/catalog/040-001102888 JOIN 365 DAYS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/ Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Wyn Derbyshire about the remarkable life of Bess of Hardwick — her uncertain origins, four marriages, sharp business sense, and rise to becoming the second-richest woman in England. The episode explores her building projects (Hardwick and Chatsworth), estate management, and relationships with Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Learn more about Dr Derbyshire https://spiramus.com/wyn-derbyshire Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Sara Charles about the production of medieval manuscripts, her hands-on experiments with parchment, inks and pigments, and her book 'The Medieval Scriptorium'. They explore the evidence for where manuscripts were made, the people and long supply chains behind their materials, the evolution of scripts and decoration, and the everyday details that bring medieval scribes to life. Learn more about Dr Charles https://www.teachingmanuscripts.com/about Takeaway 'The Craftman's Handbook' by Cennino d'Andrea Cennin Find out about 'Medieval Castles in Germany' by Kurt Fuchs https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1691602354/medieval-castles-in-germany?ref=listings_manager_grid&lang_mismatch=1 Learn more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger talks with historian and novelist Professor Tracy Borman about her new novel, 'The House of Boleyn', the rise and fall of the Boleyn family, and Hever Castle as the book’s intimate setting. They explore lesser-known figures like Margaret Butler and Jane Boleyn, plus the servants and daily life that shaped the family. The conversation also covers Borman’s research process, historical details that informed the novel and publication and tour dates (UK release 23 April; US release 4 September). Learn more about Dr Tracy Borman https://www.tracyborman.co.uk/ Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Sean Cunningham about Henry VII’s unlikely path from exile to king, the political alliances and myths he used to secure power, and the major challenges of his reign, including rebellions and pretenders. They explore Henry’s strategies for legitimacy, his marriage to Elizabeth of York, the role of Margaret Beaufort, and how Tudor symbolism and governance shaped the dynasty’s future. Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Author Jo Harkin joins Talking Tudors to discuss her novel 'The Pretender', which imagines the life of Lambert Simnel — a farm boy thrust into Yorkist plots, crowned in Dublin, and swept through courts from Oxford to Burgundy and Ireland. Jo explains her five-year research process, the vivid locations and powerful women who inspired her, and her approach to balancing historical fact with imaginative storytelling. She also shares reading and viewing recommendations, a glimpse of her next project set in Spain, and practical insights into writing historical fiction. Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Dr Natalie Donnell about the life and career of Margaret of Austria. Born in Burgundy and raised at several European courts, Margaret was the long-serving regent of the Netherlands. The conversation covers Margaret’s education under powerful women, her role raising and supporting Charles V, her diplomatic success in the 1529 'Ladies' Peace', her patronage of the arts, and her legacy as a capable and influential female ruler until her death in 1530. VISIT DR DONNELL'S WEBSITE https://www.nataliedonnell.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO FEMINIST HISTORIES https://feministhistories.substack.com/ TAKEAWAY 'The Theatre of the World' by Abraham Ortelius Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Mexican author Sofia Robleda about her new novel, The Other Moctezuma Girls. They explore the life and legacy of Isabel Moctezuma, the identity of her daughters, and the complex world of 16th‑century Mexica society before and after Spanish contact. The conversation covers conquest, cultural exchange, women’s roles, Robleda’s research and personal connection to the history. Visit Sofia's official website https://sofiarobleda.com/ Check out the sponsor of today's video! https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode Natalie Grueninger interviews manuscript specialist Sienna Wells about illuminated medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. They discuss how manuscripts were made, who produced and owned them (including women), how the printing press changed book culture, and what physical traces of use reveal about past readers' lives and emotions. The conversation highlights personal stories like birthing girdles and the intimacy of Books of Hours, offering listeners insights into the human connections preserved in these remarkable objects. Follow Sienna on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sienna_a_wells/ Takeaway 'Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts' by Christopher de Hamel Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson as they explore Hever Castle's new exhibition, 'Capturing a Queen', examining portraiture, miniatures, manuscripts, and objects that shaped Anne Boleyn’s public and private image. The episode discusses scientific analyses, iconography, myths versus evidence, and the ways Anne and later generations constructed her likeness. SIGN UP FOR NATALIE GRUENINGER & DR OWEN EMMERSON'S NEW ONLINE EVENT! Rethinking Anne Boleyn https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564 Visit Dr Emmerson's official website https://drowenemmerson.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Rosemary Goring about Mary Queen of Scots, tracing her life from Scotland to years of captivity in England and the historic places that shaped her story. The episode covers Mary’s relationships, imprisonment at sites like Tutbury Castle, the 2023 discovery of coded letters revealing plots and health concerns, and how culture and espionage influenced her downfall. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Simply Tudor Tours https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Dr James Taff to discuss his book 'Accounting for Anne' and how Anne of Cleves' household accounts reveal the daily workings of her short queenship. They examine the blended German and English household, Anne's wardrobe and rewards, myths about her appearance, the aftermath of the annulment, and the research challenges that bring this overlooked queen into sharper, more sympathetic focus. Follow Dr Taffe on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tudortaffe/?hl=en Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson's new online event: 'Rethinking Anne Boleyn' https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode, Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Lauren Johnson about Margaret Beaufort — a child bride turned survivor whose political skill, marriages, and networks helped secure Henry VII’s rise. They trace her early life, complex role during the Wars of the Roses, and her close but often-misunderstood relationship with her son and Elizabeth of York. The conversation also busts long-standing myths, explores Margaret’s religious patronage and use of early printing, and highlights her cultural legacy. Lauren discusses her new biography, Margaret Beaufort’s Survivor Rebel Kingmaker, and why Margaret’s story matters today. Visit Lauren Johnson's official website http://www.lauren-johnson.com/ Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson's new online event: 'Rethinking Anne Boleyn' https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode, host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Mary Hollingsworth about the life of Catherine de' Medici. They explore her Italian roots and convent upbringing, her marriage to Henry II, regency for her sons, and efforts to navigate the Wars of Religion. They discuss Catherine's cultural patronage, her complex relationships with contemporaries like Elizabeth I, and the origins of her notorious reputation, including the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Visit Dr Hollingsworth's official website https://mary-hollingsworth.com/ Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Simply Tudor Tours https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Ella Brook Muir about how queenly clothing in 16th‑century England and France acted as political communication, conveying magnificence, legitimacy, loyalty and cosmopolitan identity through fabrics, colours and emblems. The episode examines case studies (Katherine of Aragon, Claude of France, Anne Boleyn, and Eleanor of Austria), the makers and household staff who produced these garments, the impact of global trade on materials, and the scarcity and mystery of surviving textiles. Visit Ella's official website https://www.ellabrookmuir.co.uk/ Learn about our sponsor! https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Melissa Shiels about New Year's gift-giving across 16th-century England and Ireland, and how material gifts expressed political messages at the Tudor court. They discuss typical gifts (money, clothing, jewellery, horses, hawks), differences across reigns, examples of gifts that reveal diplomacy or tension, and the distinction between public gift exchange and bribery. Find out more about Dr Shiels https://www.instagram.com/dr.melissashiels/ The Greensleeves Project https://greensleevesproject.uk/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Michelle Seah about the economic lives of medieval and late 15th-century English queens, focusing on Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Elizabeth of York. They explore how queens raised and managed income—through lands, cash allowances, port customs and the tradition of “queen’s gold”—how their households were organised, and how financial resources shaped their public role, patronage and power. Learn more about Dr Seah https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/michele-seah Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Kate McCaffrey of Hever Castle about Anne Boleyn’s books of hours, the hidden inscriptions they contain, and the Kentish women who preserved Anne’s memory after her fall. The episode explores female networks, the material life of devotional books, and how these discoveries challenge the lonely, male-focused myth of Anne Boleyn, plus a preview of Hever Castle’s upcoming exhibition "Capturing a Queen." Learn more about Kate McCaffrey https://kateemccaffrey.wordpress.com/ Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn Exhibition https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/capturing-a-queen/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Professor Stephen Gunn about his research using 16th-century coroner's inquests to reveal how accidental deaths illuminate everyday Tudor life—covering hazards like animals, open water, mills, house collapses, seasonal work, and risky pastimes such as early football. They discuss patterns by age, gender and social status, surprising and bizarre cases, research challenges, and resources for further reading including Gunn’s book 'An Accidental History of Tudor England' and the project’s online dataset. LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE & FATAL HAZARDS IN TUDOR ENGLAND https://tudoraccidents.history.ox.ac.uk/?page_id=17 Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Christina Faraday about her new book, 'The Story of Tudor Art', a first-of-its-kind survey of 16th-century English art. They explore how Tudor art functioned as communication and status—covering portraits, miniatures, tapestries, household objects, royal effigies, patrons from kings to middling professionals, and artists such as Holbein, Hilliard, and lesser-known women makers. The episode also discusses imported art, surprising everyday objects that reveal court life, and an upcoming exhibition, Tudor Contemporary, which pairs modern responses with historical works. Visit Dr Faraday's official website https://www.christinajfaraday.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Stephen Campbell about Leonardo da Vinci’s life, work, and the myths that surround him. They explore his early years in Florence, his Milanese network, anatomical studies, and his later years in France. The conversation examines common misconceptions, highlights key works such as 'The Last Supper' and the 'Sala delle Asse', and considers why Leonardo’s fragmented biography continues to captivate modern audiences. Learn more about Dr Campbell https://arthist.jhu.edu/directory/stephen-j-campbell/ Buy the book! https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691193687/leonardo-da-vinci Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Dr Alanna Skuse to Talking Tudors to explore medicine in Renaissance England. They discuss humoral theory, the medical hierarchy of physicians, surgeons, apothecaries and midwives, and the lively marketplace of practitioners including itinerant bone-setters and domestic healers. The episode highlights women’s roles in care, real patient cases, early regulation of medical practice, and Alanna’s book 'The Surgeon, The Midwife, The Quack' — practical insights into how people sought treatment and survived in the Renaissance. NOT SHAKESPEARE LECTURES https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/not-shakespeare-elizabethan-and-jacobean-popular-theatre VISIT DR SKUSE'S WEBSITE https://www.dralannaskuse.co.uk/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger is joined by Professor Anne Larson and Professor Steve Maiullo to explore the life, works, and legacy of Anna Maria van Schurman — a multilingual scholar, poet, and theological thinker famed across 17th‑century Europe. The conversation covers her exceptional education, advocacy for women’s learning, influential correspondence with leading intellectuals, and her later spiritual choices, offering a concise portrait of a pioneering and controversial figure. LINKS OF INTEREST https://projectvox.library.duke.edu/ https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/new-narratives BOOKS MENTIONED Anna Maria van Schurman, 'The Star of Utrecht': The Educational Vision and Reception of a Savante by Anne Larsen. 'Letters and Poems to and from Her Mentor and Other Members of Her Circle', edited by Anne Larsen and Steve Maiullo. 'Whether a Christian Woman Should Be Educated and Other Writings from Her Intellectual Circle' by Joyce Irwin. 'Republic of Women' by Carol Pal. CONNECT WITH…

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Emma Rutherford and Dr Elizabeth Goldring about the freshly authenticated Nicholas Hilliard portrait miniature, likely depicting Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton. The episode covers stylistic and technical evidence, costume comparisons, family provenance, and the discovery of a defaced playing card on the reverse. Guests discuss the miniature’s emotional context, its possible ties to Shakespeare and the sonnets, and why this intimate find matters for Tudor art, patronage, and literary history. VISIT THE LIMNER COMPANY https://www.portraitminiature.com/ LEARN MORE ABOUT DR ELIZABETH GOLDRING https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/ren/centrestaff/elizabethgoldring/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Erica Canela about her new book, 'Zealous: A Darker Side of the Early Quakers'. They explore how the English Civil Wars and the rise of print culture spawned a radical, disruptive Quaker movement led by George Fox, its beliefs in direct revelation and social equality, and the often violent reactions it provoked. The episode traces the movement’s early urgency—marketplace preaching, unlawful meetings, arrests—and follows its later transformation into a disciplined, influential community known for pacifism, business integrity, and social reform. VISIT DR CANELA'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://ericanela.co.uk/ TUDOR TAKEAWAY 'Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn' by Estelle Paranque Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Join Natalie Grueninger and expert guide Sarah Slater for a tour of Hampton Court Palace: its Tudor history, the spectacular Great Hall stained glass, and the spine-tingling ghost stories tied to Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard, Anne Boleyn and the Grey Lady, Dame Sybil Penn. They discuss eyewitness accounts, a mysterious CCTV figure, EMF readings in the Haunted Gallery, and the palace’s long social and architectural past—plus book recommendations and ways to learn more. LINKS MENTIONED https://britainsbestguides.org/ https://www.thehistoryguides.com/guides/ BOOKS MENTIONED 'The Palace' by Gareth Russell 'Private Lives of the Tudors' by Tracy Borman 'In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn' by Natalie Grueninger & Sarah Morris 'A Tudor Christmas' by Alison Weir & Siobhan' 'Hampton Court: A Social and Architectural History' by Simon Thurley Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Greninger speaks with historian Sophie Bacchus-Waterman about her new biography, exploring Elizabeth Boleyn’s early life, marriage to Thomas Boleyn, and her long court career within the Howard and Boleyn networks. The episode highlights Elizabeth’s political astuteness, her close relationship with Anne Boleyn, fresh archival finds (including pay-books and household records), and how the book reshapes our understanding of the Boleyn family. Follow Sophie Bacchus-Waterman on Insta! https://www.instagram.com/sophiebwaterman/ TUDOR TAKEAWAY Digital Bodleian https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Elizabeth Goldring about her new biography 'Holbein: Renaissance Master'. They trace Hans Holbein’s journey from Augsburg and Basel to Tudor England, his key patrons including Erasmus and Thomas More, his role at Henry VIII’s court, and his lasting impact on portraiture and Tudor culture. The conversation also highlights archival discoveries, Holbein’s workshop practices, the Greenwich revels, and the painter’s remarkable ability to adapt politically and artistically through changing times. Learn more about Dr Goldring https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/ren/centrestaff/elizabethgoldring/ The Tudor Heart Appeal https://www.britishmuseum.org/tudor-heart-appeal Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, Natalie Grueninger talks with Leigh Wakefield about the infamous Pendle Witch Trials of 1612 and their legacy. They explore the rival families at the centre of the accusations, the role of witness testimony—especially that of children—the trial records by Thomas Potts, and the later 1634 case that questioned earlier verdicts. The conversation also considers how sources were shaped by contemporary agendas, what the evidence can and cannot tell us, and why Pendle remains a powerful part of local heritage and modern interest in witchcraft history. Follow Leigh on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/historic_leigh_speaking Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon! TUDOR TAKEAWAY Pott's Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster https://archive.org/details/pottsdiscoveryof00pottrich

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Tabitha Stanmore about cunning folk in Tudor and early modern England — the everyday practitioners of practical magic who offered healing, fortune-telling, love spells and buried-treasure rituals. They discuss how cunning folk differed from accused witches, the rituals and sources used to study them, surprising historical cases, and the Seven-County Witch Hunt Project that uncovers the lives behind wartime witchcraft accusations. Visit Dr Stanmore's official website https://www.tabithastanmore.co.uk/ SEVEN COUNTY WITCH HUNT PROJECT https://medium.com/@Witches7Hunt TUDOR TAKEAWAY 'Mother Bombie' by John Lyly Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr James Freeman about the Curious Cures exhibition at Cambridge University Library, exploring medieval and early Tudor medical manuscripts, household remedies and charms, and how knowledge moved from ancient texts to everyday practice. Highlights include the digitisation project, the role of physicians, surgeons and domestic healers, manuscripts linked to Elizabeth of York and Henry VII, and how visitors can view the exhibition and digital copies through the Cambridge Digital Library. Dr James Freeman https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/research-institute/people/james-freeman Learn more about the 'Curious Cures' exhibition https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/exhibitioncuriouscures University of Cambridge Digital Library https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/ Join Dr Owen Emmerson & Natalie Grueninger for 'The Rise of a Queen: Anne Boleyn, 1526-1533' https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-rise-of-a-queen-anne-boleyn-1526-1533-tickets-1363827166769?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at…