Not Just the Tudors

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 Rutherford

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sQ4jrYtuwAFJUfBgbaAXY

Seymour, Dudley & Parr Families: Forgotten T...

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...

Before the Spanish Armada threatened England in 1588, an even more dangerous invasion loomed, just across the Channel in France. The Battle of the Solent—470 years ago in July 1545—is chiefly known for the sinking of Henry VIII's beloved warship Mary Rose. But this epic confrontation between the Royal Navy and the French invasion fleet of more than 200 ships and 30,000 troops could have changed England’s future. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Dominic Fontana to explore this pivotal moment in Tudor military history and address the still unsolved mystery: why did the Mary Rose sink?

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Professor Suzannah Lipscomb welcomes Dr. Madeline Potter to unravel the rich yet tumultuous history of the Roma people. From Tudor England, where the Egyptians Act sought to expel Roma under stereotypes of robbery and deceit through to the dark corridors of Eastern Europe to understand the centuries of enslavement in Romania, to how the Ottoman Empire treated the Roma with suspicion despite their shared Islamic faith.

They discuss the allure and practicality of gold among Roma people, their cultural intersections with Irish travellers, and the survival techniques of Romani communities under oppressive regimes. A history packed with...

A young widow stands against the expectations of her family. A woman striving for love and agency in a society which demands she claimed neither, she stands firm in the face of torture and even death.

Unravel the gripping layers of John Webster’s 17th-century masterpiece The Duchess of Malfi, with Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr. Will Tosh.

The harrowing plot of the Duchess asserting her place in the world is all the more remarkable for being written by a man in the 1600s. Suzannah and Will explore why this tale of love, power, an...

What drives a nation to civil war? Why would a king turn on his own Parliament? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Jonathan Healey to explore the chaotic and combustible months - and the men behind the rebellion - that hurled 17th-century England into one of the bloodiest periods in its history.

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Trial of Charles I

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2O5aoB5BP4QXjikwNdXJCs

Succession 1625: James I to Charles I

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6x7zJL9UK3lqHTC1ExgWnI

Presented by...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discusses the remarkable life of Akbar the Great, one of history's most impressive emperors. Together with historian Ira Mukhoty, Suzannah explores Akbar's journey from royal hostage to a ruler known for his vast, multi-ethnic empire.

From how Akbar used spies to keep a grip on his realm, to his revolutionary policies on religious inclusivity and harmony, to his daring conquests, including the epic siege of Chittor, Akbar the Great's reign was extraordinary and unprecedented.

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Majestic Mughals: From Akbar to Shah Jahan

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6...

Did the women in Shakespeare’s life—his wife, sister, and daughters—shape his story more than we realise? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Matthew Steggle to hear how new digital tools and rediscovered manuscripts uncover surprising evidence about Shakespeare’s family. Together, they explore whether the stories of these women were hidden on purpose or simply forgotten over time.

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Hamnet with Maggie O'Farrell >

Shakespeare's Daughter, Judith >

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith. Edited and produced by Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Roger E. Moore to explore the lesser-known historical context of the works of Jane Austen, born 250 years ago this year. They question how Austen's novels like 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Mansfield Park' reflect on the dissolution of the monasteries and 18th and 19th-century societal changes. Austen used settings like the ruins of monasteries to comment on the political and social upheavals of her era, adding a sophisticated layer to her tales of romance, family, and fortune.

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Dissolution of the Monasteries

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5...

**This episode includes descriptions of accidental deaths**

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the grim but fascinating world of accidental deaths in Tudor England. In the 16th century, everyday activities like fetching water, football and even May Pole dancing could prove fatal. Then there were the unexpected perils of agriculture and industry including lethal haystacks and falling hammers. Suzannah is joined by Professor Steven Gunn and Dr. Tomasz Gromelski to discuss their grisly, groundbreaking research.

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How People Died in 16th Century London

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nTXTSMsOSdRduiWKy2hMo<...

Discover the captivating life of Isabella d'Este with Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and acclaimed novelist and historian Sarah Dunant. They discuss Isabella's incredible journey from a well-educated noblewoman to the First Lady of the Renaissance, how she mastered political strategy, diplomatic finesse, and art patronage while navigating the treacherous Italian wars.

Suzannah and Sarah uncover intimate details of Isabella's unconventional marriage and her groundbreaking influence in the art world as she pursued Michelangelo for the perfect portrait with a unique blend of charm and ruthlessness, which made her one of history's most compelling women.

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In June 1912, two workmen made a discovery in the London mud that would stun the antiquarian world: a hoard of gold, pearls, rubies, emeralds, and jewels from around the world. Handed over to antiques dealer George Fabian Lawrence, or ‘Stony Jack’, the Cheapside Hoard became known as the greatest cache of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewellery ever found.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Victoria Shepherd, author of Stony Jack and the Lost Jewels of Cheapside: Treasure and Ghosts in the London Clay, to tell this extraordinary true story of empire, ambition, and buried treasure—a glittering myster...

In the second of our special episodes exploring the rise and fall of Sir Thomas More, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr. Joanne Paul chart the great Tudor statesman's demise. Despite his silence about Henry VIII's self-proclamation as Supreme Head of the Church of England, More was executed for treason on 6 July 1535. What were the events leading up to his fall from grace? How did More's position impact the King? And what can we now make of this contradictory character and his contribution to Renaissance thought?

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, edited...

Thomas More is one of the most famous and controversial figures in English history. Was he truly the saintly man of conscience, immortalised by A Man for All Seasons? Or was he the stubborn zealot depicted in Wolf Hall? In the first of two episodes looking at Thomas More's rise and fall, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Joanne Paul, whose decade-long research into More drew upon new archival discoveries to unravel his complex legacy, his profound influence on modern Europe, the enduring debates about his faith and politics, and why his story still matters. 

Pr...

Was an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I communicating with angels? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Egyptologist Garry J. Shaw to explore the intriguing life of John Dee, his mysterious meetings with angels and demons and the secrets he believed they uncovered. With help from the enigmatic alchemist Edward Kelly, Dee wrote the Angel Diaries detailing his attempts to communicate with the divine, and the secrets of the celestial language they believed could unlock the universe’s mysteries. Suzannah uncovers the complex relationship between Dee and Kelly, the apocalyptic visions, the inexplicable return of the burned manuscripts, and the dr...

Philip II of Spain - the most powerful monarch of the early modern period - was married to Queen Mary Tudor from 1554 until her death in 1558. But Philip was not merely Mary's King Consort. Rather he was King of England, co-ruler with Mary. But Philip's character and central role in the English monarchy was forever blackened by anti-Catholic versions of Tudor history. 

In this edition of Not Just the Tudors, first released in October 2021, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer, whose ground-breaking research shows that the reign of Mary and Philip was much mo...

In 1518 one woman's mysterious dance sparked an uncontrollable epidemic, leading up to 400 people to dance wildly for weeks.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Lynneth J. Miller Renberg to explore the bizarre Dancing Plague, discussing the theories of demonic possession, divine punishment, and social protest, finding out how the city struggled to contain this strange phenomenon. The medical missteps, and cultural tensions fueled one of history's most puzzling outbreaks.

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How to Survive the Plague

https://open.spotify.com/episode/01e8GRcHkZuHjmUTvlIwRx

Presented by Professor Suzannah...

**This episode contains some descriptions of torture and executions**

If you lived in Scotland in the 1500s, it was highly likely that you, or someone you knew, would be tried as a witch. Witch hunts and executions ripped through the country for over 150 years, with at least 4,000 accused, including men. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores this dark chapter in Scottish history with campaigners Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi, founders of the Witches of Scotland. Together they discuss the societal and legal conditions that allowed for accusations and executions, culminating in a formal apology in 2022 from then First...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Daniel Swift to delve into the formative years of William Shakespeare's career. They explore the vital role of London's first playhouse and the tumultuous world of late 16th-century theatre, discussing how James Burbage's ambitious vision and his son Richard's unparalleled acting talent profoundly influenced Shakespeare's work. The economic realities and social dynamics of Elizabethan England unveiled the collaborative and pragmatic spirit that helped shape one of history's greatest playwrights.

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Shakespeare's Players: Burbage and Kempe:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vhb375ekX0eLm482VtG24

Before she became Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth Tudor was surrounded by scandal, suspicion and deadly intrigue. Born to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, Elizabeth was a princess by birth—until her mother was executed and her title revoked. Declared illegitimate, orphaned and caught in a storm of politics, Elizabeth faced threats from all sides. How did a child written off by the court become one of England's most iconic monarchs?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Nicola Tallis, author of Young Elizabeth: The Making of the Virgin Queen, to trace Elizabeth’s incredible transformation—from disgra...

**This episode includes graphic descriptions of torture**

When Franciscan friar Diego de Landa arrived in Yucatán (now in Mexico), his fascination with Maya culture soon twisted into fanaticism. Accusing the Maya of idolatry, Landa unleashed a brutal inquisition, burning thousands of sacred texts and artifacts, erasing centuries of knowledge in a single day. Yet, in a twist of fate, his own writings would later become the key to understanding the very civilization he tried to erase.

In the last episode in our mini-series debunking the myths about the Conquest of the Americas, P...

Elizabeth I's excommunication by the Pope in 1570 marked the beginning of an extraordinary - and little-known - English alignment with Muslim powers that were fighting Catholic Spain in the Mediterranean. This engagement with, and awareness of, Islam found its way into scores of plays, including Shakespeare's Othello.

In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, first released in September 2021, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Jerry Brotton about England's fascinating relations with the Muslim world, which were far more extensive, and often more amicable, than we might think.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb...

For centuries, Sir Francis Drake has been celebrated as a national hero - the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. But behind the Drake legend, was there a darker reality of violence and exploitation? Were his attacks on Spanish galleons and settlements acts of imperial bravery - or state-sanctioned piracy? What happened to the enslaved people Drake transported? And how did he justify the execution of his own shipmate?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Richard Blakemore to take a fresh look at Drake’s voyages and uncover the brutal truths often left out of th...

What was life like for man's best friend in the court of Henry VIII? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is led by the pawprints of history by Mike Loades through the fascinating, fur-filled world of Tudor dogs. From royal decrees banning all but a few pampered spaniels at Hampton Court to velvet-clad hunting hounds and Anne Boleyn's heart-wrenching loss of her lapdog Pourquoi, they uncover the surprising roles dogs played in Tudor society. Whether guarding, hunting or simply being adored, they reveal a lot about the hierarchy, politics and humanity of the time.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb...

What - and who - did Christopher Columbus find when he landed in the Caribbean?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr. Alice Samson explore the dynamic and complex encounters between Europeans and Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean following Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1492. Discover the stories of fierce resistance, unexpected alliances, and the blending of religious traditions, enhanced by unique archaeological evidence from the Isle de Mona. They shed new light on the cultural dialogues and exchanges that defined a momentous period in history.

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Christopher Columbus:

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No advisor was more important to King Henry VIII than Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. He captured Henry's attention with his brilliance and became his most trusted confidant.  But when the King wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon, not even the eloquent Wolsey could convince the Pope to agree. 

In this edition of Not Just the Tudors, first released in January 2022, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Wolsey's biographer Professor Glenn Richardson, about the man who was responsible for building Henry VIII's reputation as England's most impressive king but ended up being accused of treason.

Hear mo...

When Hernán Cortés and his men first laid eyes on the gleaming white pyramids of Tenochtitlan, they thought they were mountains of silver. How did they overthrow such a powerful kingdom in just three months?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores the indigenous perspectives of the conquest, the role of Cortés, and the resilience of Aztec culture. Together with Professor Camilla Townsend, Suzannah debunks myths about the Aztecs and discovers their rich societal structures, religious practices, and the impacts of European colonisation. They discuss how technological differences played a crucial role in the conquest and how Azt...

March 2025 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of King James VI and I, and the succession of his son Charles I. Crowned King of Scotland at just 13 months old in 1567 and later succeeding Elizabeth I in England in 1603, James envisioned a unified United Kingdom. However, he left behind a fractured legacy of three kingdoms bound only by religious strife.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Claire Jackson, to explore how Charles inherited a throne mired in political turmoil and social unrest, setting the stage for a catastrophic future.

Related episodes:

Christopher Columbus was a man of contradictions: he professed God spoke to him to direct his travels, yet after four voyages he still could not recognise that he had 'discovered' a New World.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and biographer Laurence Bergreen discuss Columbus's four perilous voyages, his navigational genius, and the devastating impact of his monstrous acts on indigenous populations. From triumphs at sea to tragic consequences, this is a nuanced look at one of history's most debated figures.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the tumultuous and nuanced religious policies of Henry VIII's reign. She examines how Henry VIII utilised religion to justify his policies and actions during the English Reformation, such as his assertion of royal supremacy, his commissioning of tapestries depicting himself as Old Testament kings, and his justification for the dissolution of monasteries.

With insights from leading historians, such as Professor George W. Bernard and Dr. Lucy Wooding, Suzannah explores Henry's nuanced theological positions, his Christmas speech of 1545 lamenting religious divisions and his final Will, which sought to ensure prayers for his...

You may think you know about the daring exploits of Columbus, the ruthless ambition of Cortés, but beyond the accepted histories lies a world of indigenous voices—stories of fierce resistance, cunning survival, and unexpected alliances. 

What really happened when cultures collided? Who fought back and who forged new paths?

Across April Professor Suzannah Lipscomb tells the untold stories and challenge the myths of the conquests of the Americas.

Today she's joined by Professor Matthew Restall, an expert in Colonial Latin American history, to peel back the myths surrounding figures like Christopher Colu...

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 d...

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.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb steps into the electrifying world of Elizabethan theatre to unravel the dark allure of Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, a work that would forever change English drama. Together with Professor Emma Smith, she decodes the Renaissance masterpiece that dared to humanize the devil and challenge religious orthodoxy. How did Dr. Faustus become a cultural phenomenon that still echoes through history via Mary Shelley, John Grisham and James Bond?

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...

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...

**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...

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...

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.

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 brief life of William Shakespeare's son Hamnet is now quite well known, thanks to Maggie O'Farrell's novel, but Hamnet also had a twin sister Judith, who outlived her brother by many decades. Now it's time for Judith to take centre stage in the highly anticipated novel The Owl Was a Baker's Daughter by Professor Grace Tiffany. 

Judith lived through a time of chaos and conflict when cavaliers clashed with roundheads and religious fervour threatened to tear the kingdom apart. Grace Tiffany joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to talk about themes in Judith's life that resonate deeply w...