The Tudor Chest Podcast

Heirs of Ambition, The Making of the Boleyn's with Dr Claire Martin

When we hear the name Boleyn, we naturally jump to the world of the Tudors and one of the most famous women in British history, Anne Boleyn, but, Anne and her family didn’t just pop out of the ground, there were of course many generations of Boleyn’s before her, so who were they? Well today I am thrilled to welcome Dr Claire Martin onto the podcast for a discussion on this very subject. We discuss how the Boleyn family started out, what led to Boleyn involvement in the wars of the roses and how Anne’s great-grandfather, Geoffrey became one of the most important men in London.

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, Henry VIII's Best Friend with Michael Hoy

Charles Brandon is the man who was Henry VIII’s best friend, a career courtier who owed basically all of his rise to the house of Tudor, preferment that eventually led to his being made Duke of Suffolk. He is famous for his scandalous marriages, from dumping one intended wife to marry her much older and much richer aunt, to marrying Henry VIII’s own sister in secret, but what about the man beyond the marriages? Who was he, how did he get his place at court and is there an argument that actually his soul mate, in a totally platonic way, was, in fact, Henry VIII? Today historian Michael Hoy joins me to chat all about this fascinating figure, a true survivor of Henry VIII's court.

Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire with Sophie Bacchus Waterman

Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire is famous as the mother of Queen Anne Boleyn, and yet Elizabeth herself remains an extremely elusive figure. So much of her story is unknown, which is why I was so excited to learn that the very first book about Elizabeth Boleyn has been written and will be released later this year. I am thrilled to say that the books author, Sophie Bacchus Waterman is this weeks podcast guest. She joins me to discuss this fascinating but hugely overlooked figure, and although much still remains unknown, Sophie has discovered some new insights which do help us piece together something of who this woman was, so join Sophie and I as we explore the life of this remarkable woman, the mother of England’s most infamous queen consort.

The Imagery of Queen Mary I with Dr Peter Stiffell

When you think about Queen Mary I it’s probably Antonis Mor’s famous portrait of her that instantly pops into your head, or maybe its the stunning image of Mary in her 20s on display at the national portrait gallery. The truth however is that Mary is depicted in literally hundreds of different images, from portraits and sketches to legal documents and of course in coinage. To discuss Mary’s imagery I am thrilled to welcome Dr Peter Stiffell onto the podcast. Peter is an expert in the story of Mary I and has catalogued all known images of her, enabling him to gain incredible insight into the life of the very first queen regnant in English history.

Anne Boleyn - A History in Portraits with Elizabeth LaVasse

If there is one thing about Anne Boleyn that fascinates almost everyone who loves Tudor history, its discussing what on earth she actually looked like. All we have to go on, at least for now, is a series of portraits painted after Anne Boleyn’s death and that damaged medal which was struck in 1534, but, is it just possible that a portrait of Anne Boleyn, painted from life has been hiding in plain sight all along? Today I speak to Elizabeth LaVasse, who has been researching Anne’s many images and has developed what I think could be an incredible theory, which if true, will take the world of Anne Boleyn portraiture by storm.

Tudor Midwifery with Brigitte Barnard

Brigitte Barnard is a Tudor fictional author and fully qualified midwife who joins me today for a fascinating discussion all about Tudor midwifery. We cover the stories of Tudor women from the very top of society right down to the poorest. From the rules around confinement to bizarre birthing rituals, to the things that remain as prominent in giving birth today as they did for those in the 16th century. We also explore some of the stories told about the ramifications of Henry VIII’s wives pregnancies, from what ultimately killed Jane Seymour to a theory around Henry’s blood type being the root cause for much of his wives pregnancy misfortunes!

Anne Boleyn and Witchcraft with Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Sylvia Barbara Soberton is a historian and author who joins me today for a discussion all about Anne Boleyn and witchcraft! Many historians refute claims that Anne was actually accused of being in a witch during her downfall in May 1536, but Sylvia has uncovered evidence which gives us pause for thought on this front, and that actually there is much more to the story than initially believed. Today we cover this all and much more as we explore the notions of exactly what witchcraft was in the context of Anne Boleyn’s story.

Tudor Food and Drink with Brigitte Webster

Hello and welcome back to the first episode of the tudor chest podcast for 2025! This week I am thrilled to welcome tudor food historian Brigitte Webster onto the show for a discussion all about how the tudors ate and drank. We look at table manners, Henry VIII’s favourite foods, what influence foreign cuisine had and even discuss the fact that the tudors had takeaways, yes, you heard that right! Brigitte is at the very top of her field and is remarkably knowledgeable, you’re in for quite a treat, so sit back and listen as we explore all things tudor food and drink!

The Katherine of Aragon festival with Jackson van Uden

Jackson van Uden is a historian and one of the key personnel involved in the Katherine of Aragon festival which takes place each year at Peterborough Cathedral, the location of Katherine’s grave, and Peterborough Museum. From talks to tours, light displays and even a commemoration to Katherine with representatives from Rome involved, its a spectacular event and one that has been going on, surprisingly, for literally hundreds of years in one way or another! Today Jackson and I discuss this festival and more around Katherine’s story, and explore why we believe her story is one that is often misrepresented.

Blood, Fire and Gold, Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici with Dr Estelle Paranque

Dr Estelle Paranque is an associate professor in history at Northeastern University London and is also a historian, broadcaster and author, who joins me today for a discussion about Catherine de Medici and Queen Elizabeth I. Estelle’s book, Blood, Fire and Gold is the basis for todays conversation, so sit back and enjoy as we discuss how these two formidable women, one a queen regnant and the other a queen consort and then queen mother went head to head across their momentous reigns.