Not Just the Tudors

What happened to the lost colony of Roanoke?

In the 1580s Sir Walter Raleigh set about establishing a permanent English colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. But within a few years the settlement and its colonists had mysteriously vanished. Ever since, historians and archaeologists have tried to piece together what really happened to the colonists.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by archaeologist Professor Mark Horton to explore one of history's great unsolved puzzles.

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Walter Raleigh’s Quest for El Dorado

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**Contains accounts of murder and sexual violence**

After an explosion rocked Edinburgh in February 1567, Lord Darnley - husband to Mary, Queen of Scots - was found strangled, alongside a servant. Who killed them? Was it Darnley's rival, and Mary's next husband, the Earl of Bothwell? Could Mary herself have been involved?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by acclaimed crime writer Denise Mina to try to solve Darnley’s murder.

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Tudor True Crime: The Murder of Rizzio

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Henry VIII’s commanding gaze, Thomas More’s intellect, Anne of Cleves’ cautious poise; Hans Holbein’s portraits didn’t just depict the Tudors, they defined them. His astonishing realism gave us not just faces but personalities. But how do we truly know the artist behind the art?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb welcomes back Dr. Elizabeth Goldring, whose groundbreaking research using cutting-edge technology and scientific analysis has uncovered the secrets beneath Holbein’s paint layers, revealing hidden colours, lost details, and radical working methods.

Shakespeare's Male Muse: A Mystery Solved?

A Tudor Mystery: The Girl Who...

St Paul’s Cathedral still dominates the London skyline, defiant, majestic, timeless. Yet, its story begins in the ashes of the Great Fire of London out of which would rise Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. To mark the 350th anniversary of Wren's daring new design, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by architectural historian Dr. Elizabeth Deans. Together they tell the story of how destruction gave birth to beauty.

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Sir Christopher Wren

Great Fire of London

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy...

On 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes became infamous not for what he achieved, but for what he failed to do: kill King James VI & I and bring down the British parliament. But what if the Gunpowder Plot had been successful? How would it have reshaped Britain, Europe and even the wider world? And would Shakespeare have written 'Guy Fawkes' instead of 'Macbeth'?

In this special episode Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores one of history’s most tantalising "what ifs" with a panel of historians: Jessie Childs, Gareth Russell and Professor Anna Whitelock.

Mary I: What If She'd Li...

500 years ago, the fields outside Pavia in Italy became the stage for one of the most dramatic and decisive battles of the Renaissance. Francis I of France led his army into Italy, waiting for him was his greatest rival, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Professor Glenn Richardson joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to unravel the gripping story of the Battle of Pavia, the rivalry between the monarchs and how their clash reshaped early modern Europe.

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François I, King of France

Henry VIII's Brothers in Armour

Presented by Professor S...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb unlocks the pages of one of the most extraordinary diaries ever written. Samuel Pepys chronicled his life in Restoration England — a world alive with plague, fire, war, theatre, and scandal, from the Great Fire of London to his own ambitions, jealousies and desires.

Suzannah is joined by historian Dr. Kate Loveman to explore Pepys’ private reflections and why his voice still feels so modern today.

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Samuel Pepys and his Books

Diary of a Tudor Gentlewoman

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max...

Jane Boleyn has long been called the most hated woman in Tudor history. Wife to Anne Boleyn's brother George, Jane served as lady-in-waiting to five of Henry VIII's six wives, and when Anne Boleyn fell from grace, George was accused of incest with his sister. For centuries, historians claimed Jane sealed their fates with malicious lies. But was she truly a villain or just fighting for her own life? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb welcomes bestselling author Philippa Gregory to discuss Jane Boleyn, examine historical records and explore the steps women had to take to survive in the Tudor court.

In the Early Modern period the boundaries between Christian and Islamic civilisations were far more porous than we imagine: Isaac Newton’s library included Arabic biographies of the Prophet Muhammad; the Tudors dressed in Ottoman fashion; and Europe’s scientific revolution and cultural identity were deeply entwined with Islamic thought.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Drayson who reveals a Europe built on eight centuries of Islamic achievements.

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Islam and the Elizabethans

Elizabeth I & the Sultan of Morocco

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The rese...

In 16th and 17th century England, the plague and pox, disease and injury were a daily presence. At at time when medicine was a complex interplay of tradition, faith and observation, survival depended not only on doctors and their remedies but also on resilience and community support. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Alanna Skuse to explore how ordinary people navigated the perils of sickness and the diverse healers who sought to preserve life in an age where outcomes were always uncertain.

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Surgery in the Early Modern Age

3 Ways to...

Songs have always carried stories of love, loss, rebellion and hope. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by author Amy Jeffs, illustrator Gwen Burns and composer Natalie Brice to explore the magical, mythical, and mysterious world of traditional ballads from the Early Modern period.

Together, they uncover how centuries-old songs captured human experience, challenged authority and gave voice to universal themes of love, death, female agency, and survival. With live performances woven in, they reveal how these songs have endured through oral tradition, shaped cultural memory, and continue to inspire modern audiences with their themes of transformation, resilience...

In 17th-century England, women weren’t asked what they believed, they were generally told to obey. But amid civil war, revolution, and religious upheaval, a remarkable group of women risked everything to speak out. They preached, prophesied and published their defiance, surviving imprisonment, and even the Inquisition.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Naomi Baker to reveal how radical women of the English Revolution reshaped faith, gender, and political power. Together, they explore a forgotten movement of women who refused to be silenced.

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Heretic or Martyr? Tudor Poet Anne As...

King Henry VIII is best known for his tempestuous marriages and his penchant for cutting off people’s heads. But where does fiction meet fact?

In this special episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by a panel of experts to discuss Henry on screen and what those portrayals got right or wrong. Who gave the most convincing performance? Was it Damien Lewis in Wolf Hall, Robert Shaw in A Man for All Seasons, Jude Law in Firebrand, or Charles Laughton in The Private Life of Henry VIII?

Dr Joanne Paul, Jessie Childs and Alex vo...

Direct descendants of the Plantagenets were once at the very heart of Tudor politics, yet their story is often overlooked. From Margaret Pole, niece of Edward IV and Richard III, to her son Cardinal Reginald Pole, the family’s fortunes mirrored the turbulent shift from Plantagenet to Tudor rule.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Adam Pennington to uncover the dynasty’s dramatic journey from survival after the Wars of the Roses to Margaret Pole’s shocking execution in the Tower of London.

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Henry VIII's Nemesis, Cardinal Pole

Henry...

Have you ever wandered through a museum and thought: Why is the Virgin Mary always dressed in blue? Did they really use eggs in egg tempera—and did it make those paintings smell weird? And why, for some reason, does baby Jesus sometimes look like a tiny grumpy old man?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Verity Babbs, art historian and comedian, who is on a mission to shake the dust off art history. They take a whirlwind tour from the Renaissance through to the Baroque, taking in fig leaves, duels and murder.

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In the final episode of her short series on the Habsburg dynasty, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb turns to one of the most fascinating and misunderstood rulers of early modern Europe: Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. Often remembered—if at all—as the "mad emperor" who withdrew from politics and lost his grip on power, Rudolf’s story is far richer than the stereotype. Instead of governing from Vienna or Madrid, he relocated his imperial court to Prague, transforming it into a dazzling hub of art, science, alchemy, and astrology. Was he truly unfit to rule, or has history been unfair? Suzann...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb engages in a captivating conversation with award-winning dramatist Liz Duffy Adams about the new Royal Shakespeare production of her play Born With Teeth, which imagines a thrilling collaboration between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Suzannah and Liz delve into the fiery dynamics of the two men's relationship and the influence of politics on their works.

Shakespeare and Marlowe existed under a time of oppressive royal censorship, when displeasing the crown would mean a trip to the Tower, or worse. How did they balance this struggle for truth and creativity amid the palpable danger?

When we think of the Habsburgs, the spotlight usually falls on emperors, kings, and archdukes—powerful men who dominated Europe. But behind the scenes, across five generations, an extraordinary line of Habsburg women quietly wielded immense influence in the Netherlands. Their names are often overlooked, yet their impact was profound.

In this third episode of our special series on the Habsburg dynasty, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and historian Natalie Donnell explore the lives of these remarkable women who governed with skill, diplomacy, and resilience in a world rarely welcoming to female power. From Mary of Burgundy, who de...

With six wives, Henry VIII must have had something going for him, right? Was he handsome? Charming? Intelligent? Just plain powerful? In this episode, the tables are turned on Professor Suzannah Lipscomb as she becomes the guest of Dr. Kate Lister on our sister podcast, Betwixt the Sheets. Together they discuss the vanity of Henry VIII, his sporting prowess, and his injuries. Listen to discover just how terrible this Tudor king smelt.

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Sex and the Tudors

Henry VIII's Billionaire Wardrobe

Hear more intimate stories that would make...

In the second episode of our special Habsburg dynasty series, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by renowned historian Professor Geoffrey Parker to uncover the extraordinary life of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor—once hailed as the “Monarch of the World.”

By the time he abdicated in 1556, Charles presided over the first truly global empire, stretching from the Netherlands and Spain to Austria, Naples, and the Americas, including Peru and the New World. As King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, and Lord of the Netherlands, Charles' titles only hinted at the scale of his power.

Y...

Could a long-hidden miniature painting unlock the mystery of Shakespeare’s most intimate poetry? Unearthed after 400 years in a private collection, a portrait depicts a strikingly androgynous youth—jewelled and enigmatic. But this is no ordinary likeness. Concealed within its layers lies a coded message of love, betrayal, and secrecy. Could it depict Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl of Southampton, Shakespeare’s patron and perhaps the true “Mr. W.H.” of his most homo-erotic sonnets? In this thrilling episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Goldring and Emma Rutherford to reveal a breathtaking find that could rewrite literary h...

In the first of a special four-part series on the Habsburgs, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb traces the unlikely rise of Europe’s most enduring imperial family. Emerging from a modest Swiss noble house in the 10th century, the House of Habsburg would go on to dominate the political, cultural, and religious life of Europe for nearly 400 years. Through strategic marriages, dynastic inheritances, and shrewd political manoeuvring, the Habsburgs expanded their influence to eventually rule a vast empire stretching from the Americas to the Ottoman frontier. Suzannah is joined by Professor Martyn Rady to explore how the Habsburgs built—and nearly brok...

On 30 January 1649, the unthinkable happened: for the first time in history, a reigning monarch was tried and condemned by his own people. But how did a kingdom that once believed in the divine right of kings arrive at this unprecedented moment? In this second special explainer episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb guides us through the final and most dramatic years of the English Civil Wars. With contributions from leading historians drawn from the Not Just the Tudors archive, Suzannah traces the pivotal events that shattered the monarchy and gave rise to the emergence of parliamentary government.

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What sparks a nation to turn against its own king? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb dives into the turbulent and transformative decade that witnessed the English Civil Wars — a bloody clash that claimed nearly 185,000 lives and reshaped the very soul of Britain. From the power struggle between King Charles I and Parliament, to the fiery religious conflicts and political rivalries that engulfed England, Scotland, and Ireland, these two episodes unpack the interconnected wars known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. With insights from brilliant historians drawn from the Not Just the Tudors archive, Suzannah explores the causes, battles, and consequences of...

The rich and powerful Guise family was one of the most treacherous and bloodthirsty in sixteenth-century France. They whipped up religious bigotry, overthrowing the king. They ruled Scotland for nearly 20 years through Mary Queen of Scots, plotting to invade England and overthrow Elizabeth I. And they unleashed the bloody Wars of Religion, playing a crucial role in the murder of 4,000 Protestants in the infamous Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

In this final episode for Not Just the Tudors' Tudor True Crime month, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Stuart Carroll - author of Martyrs and Murderers: The Gu...

The public fascination with true crime is nothing new.  Four centuries ago, the sensational story of the death in the Tower of London of Thomas Overbury, a lawyer in the court of King James I, led to a scandal that rocked the monarchy to its core.  In this third episode of Not Just The Tudors' Tudor True Crime series, first released in January 2024, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb finds out more from Professor Alastair Bellany, about the death of Overbury and why it threatened the Stuart throne.

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Private Life of King James VI & I >

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**WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of suicide**

On 6 September 1560, Amy Robsart Dudley died after falling down a staircase at Cumnor Place in Oxfordshire. But did she fall? Was she pushed? Or did she throw herself down the stairs? These questions exercised Tudor courtiers and foreign ambassadors at the time. The truth mattered because Amy was the wife of Queen Elizabeth I’s leading courtier and very close friend, Robert Dudley, and his wife’s death could clear the way for Elizabeth to marry Dudley. But in practice, the circumstances of Amy’s death precluded any possibility of a ro...

Who stabbed the famed playwright? And who planned it? We're stepping out of the sun and into the shadows on Not Just the Tudors, as Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates Tudor True Crime; a selection of history’s most notorious murders and murderers.

Today Suzannah is joined by Charles Nicholl to dig deeper into the mystery of the 1593 murder of the brilliant and controversial playwright Christopher Marlowe, who was stabbed to death in a house in Deptford. The official account stated it was a violent quarrel over the bill. But as Charles Nicholl explains, critical evidence about th...

**Contains examples of 'othering', including birth abnormalities, and the terms used to describe them historically**

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Surekha Davies to discuss how individuals and groups were often classified in the Early Modern period, and how ideas evolved around normality versus 'otherness' - or even 'monstrosity'. Suzannah and Surekha consider the influence of the four humors on human classification, the portrayal of different peoples in New World exploration, and the entrenchment of racism and sexism through legal and social frameworks. They also touch upon gender fluidity and intersexuality from various cultural perspectives...

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Jan Clarke to explore the life, legend, and legacy of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin — better known as Molière. From his audacious rejection of bourgeois expectations to his controversial plays that rattled the Catholic Church and delighted the King, Molière’s story is as theatrical as his work. So what can be learned about gender, religion, power, and performance in Louis XIV’s France through Molière's comedies?

Together, Suzannah and Jan unravel the myth from the man and discover how Molière’s biting satire, his savvy court politics, and his deep und...

What if the tale of one night could change the way we view art forever?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Noah Charney to explore the life and legacy of Giorgio Vasari, the man who redefined art as an intellectual pursuit and artists as divine geniuses. They delve into Vasari's influential work and how it shaped our understanding of the Renaissance, artistic genius, and the very structure of art history today.

From the tale of a fabricated murder among Renaissance artists to the lasting impact on museum curation and art education, Suzannah and...

**Contains historical language which may cause offence**

Between the early 1600s and late 1700s, thousands of British sailors, fishermen, merchants, and coastal villagers were captured and enslaved by North African pirates, known as Barbary Corsairs. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Professor Bernard Capp delve into the harrowing experiences of these captives, their treatment, and the broader implications on British society. Their exploration of the similarities and differences between Barbary and African slavery, reveal a nuanced and complex history filled with compelling stories of survival, escape, and unexpected turns.

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Women Pirates of...

From the establishment of a formidable double monarchy to the complex dynamics of the Spanish Inquisition, Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon were quite the Renaissance team.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Giles Tremlett to discuss the complex dynamics of this unite couple. They explore the triumphs and tragedies that marked their reign, their relentless pursuit of religious unity, and the personal losses that shaped their legacy. Witness the dawn of Spain’s golden era and the inception of a global empire.

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Christopher Columbus

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**This episode contains sexually explicit language**

In an age when powerful female rulers were few and far between, Isabel of Castile rose against the odds to become one of Europe's most formidable monarchs. Crowned ruler of a chaotic, divided kingdom in 1474, Isabel transformed Castile into a powerhouse and helped forge the foundation of modern Spain. But was she a visionary queen and unifier of a fractured land or a zealot whose decisions cast long shadows? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Isabel's biographer Giles Tremlett to explore her rise to power and her forging of a...

What was the Jacobite cause, and why did it spark some of the most famous and devastating events in British history?

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Professor Allan McInnes dive into the Jacobite rebellions, from the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the infamous Massacre at Glencoe, to the decisive Battle of Culloden in 1746. They discuss how Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied his Highland clansmen, only to face devastating reprisals. From the political and religious complexities of the era, the support from Louis XIV of France, to the unexpected factors like cattle disease that influenced key battles, plus the enduring symbolism...

**This episode contains discussions of miscarriage**

When a teenage Catholic princess was sent from Italy to marry James II and reunite England with Rome, public scandal and political intrigue fuelled society. Maria of Modena defied all expectations.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Breeze Barrington to uncover the hidden world of women at the Restoration Court, a network of female painters, poets, and maids of honour who reshaped the Stuart world. At its heart, Maria built a vibrant female-led court in Protestant England, demonstrating resilience against cruel gossip and societal pressures.

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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...