The Tudor Chest Podcast

The Reign of Mary, Queen of Scots with Dr Anna Turnham

When we think about Mary, Queen of Scots, I think it’s fair to say that we tend to think of a woman whose reign in Scotland was nothing but a disaster. A queen who couldn’t find a decent husband, had no real authority and ended her life on an executioners scaffold in England. Well, while aspects of this assessment may in part be true, there has to be more to the story. To discuss this fascinating woman with me, I am pleased to welcome historian Dr Anna Turnham onto the podcast. We discuss Mary's earliest days to her time in France, her return to Scotland, the disasters with Darnley and Bothwell and of course her abdication, but we also discuss the positives, what did Mary do well? Where did she actually succeed in her queenship? Well to find out, carry on listening…

The Chequers Ring with Professor Susan Doran

Very few personal items of the Tudor monarchs survive to this day, but one that does, and is exceptionally special, is known as the chequers ring. A tiny and stunning pearl, diamond and ruby covered ring which hides a secret, for it opens up to reveal two tiny faces on the inside, one of Elizabeth I and another of another woman, who is very likely to be Anne Boleyn. To discuss this remarkable survivor from Tudor England, I am thrilled to welcome a true legend in the world of history and academia, Professor Susan Doran, onto the podcast. We discuss the rings provenance, the symbolism of the jewels and of course, debate the evidence to support our joint belief that the ring does indeed show images of Anne and Elizabeth - Mother and Daughter.

Bonus Episode - The Arrest of Queen Anne Boleyn

On the 2nd of May 1536 Anne Boleyn, queen of England, was summoned to present herself before her husbands small council at Greenwich Palace. Presenting herself, the queen was told that she was arrested on charges of adultery and high treason and was to accompany the men by barge along the river Thames to the tower of London. Anne’s downfall, and those loyal to her, was shockingly fast and carried out with staggeringly swift efficiency. Despite her shock, Anne agreed to join the men, not knowing that within two weeks, she would be dead.
 

Mary, Queen of Scots, from Crown to Captivity with Dr Sarah Morris

Mary, Queen of Scots led a life that was anything but dull. Queen of Scotland aged just six days old, she would eventually become queen of France, then return to her native homeland to take up the crown that had been hers almost from the day of her birth. In this weeks episode, I chat to Dr Sarah Morris, known to many of you as the Tudor travel guide, who is also my co-director on Simply Tudor Tours, our historic tour company. Our May 2026 tour explore Marys life, and so today, Sarah and I discuss the many different palaces and castles she inhabited, from the imposing medieval Stirling Castle to the renaissance Palace of Holyroodhouse, which remains the official Scottish residence of the monarch to this day!

Secrets of the Tudor Portraits with Sylvia Barbara Soberton

Tudor Portraiture is a subject which I find endlessly fascinating, from the amazing full lengths of Henry VIII to the tiniest miniatures of his queens. Tudor portraits tell us a story, but there is often more to the story of the portraits themselves than we know about. Today, to discuss several Tudor portraits, some very well known and others less so, I am pleased to welcome back Sylvia Barbara Soberton onto the show. Sylvia’s latest book, 'Secrets of the Tudor Portraits' is packed full of details and little known facts that change how we view many of these incredibly famous faces!

Elizabeth and Anjou, The Queens Frog Prince with David Lee

Queen Elizabeth I's later in life romance with the French prince, Francois, Duke of Anjou, is seldom explored at great length, despite the clear affection for which the two felt for each other, so why? Well to discuss this I am pleased to welcome historian David Lee onto the podcast. In 2023 David’s book, 'The Queens Frog Prince, the Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou' was released, and acts as the basis for our conversation, so get comfortable and prepare to learn all about an aspect of Elizabeth I’s life that rarely gets the attention it deserves.

What was Wyatt's Rebellion?

In early 1554 a rebellion against queen Mary I broke out over fears that her impending marriage to Philip II of Spain would plunge England into becoming nothing more than an extension of Spain. This rebellion has become known as Wyatt’s rebellion, for one of its key architects was Thomas Wyatt the younger. The rebellion would end in failure, but what actually was it and who was involved, how serious was the threat against Queen Mary and why was its biggest casualty Lady Jane Grey, despite her not being remotely involved?

Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess, with Heather Darsie

Much of Katharine of Aragon’s story is dominated by the end of her marriage to King Henry VIII, but we seldom explore where it all started, back in her native homeland of Spain. What was Katharine of Aragon's ancestry, how did her marriages into the English royal family come about, and how did Katharines mother Isabella work with Henry VII to help legitimise each others claims to their respective thrones? Well to answer all of this I welcome back historian, author and attorney Heather Darsie onto the show. Heather’s latest book, Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess, which comes out next month in the UK, is the basis for our conversation. Prepare to learn a lot about Katharine of Aragon that you did not know!

Margaret Beaufort, Survivor, Rebel, Kingmaker with Lauren Johnson

She is the woman who started it all, the Tudor dynasty's matriarch, Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII and a truly fascinating figure in her own right. In recent years thanks to historic fiction, she has become a figure of controversy, portrayed as an evil religious zealot, obsessed with getting her son on the throne, but is this interpretation of her in any way accurate? Well today I am thrilled to welcome historian and author Lauren Johnson onto the podcast for the first time. Lauren’s upcoming book, Margaret Beaufort, Survivor, Rebel, Kingmaker, is the backbone of this conversation, so join Lauren and I as we explore the life of Margaret Beaufort and smash apart some of the long held beliefs about her life, and life story.

The face of Lady Jane Grey with Rachel Turnbull

Lady Jane Grey hit the headlines a couple of weeks ago when news broke that a portrait, quite possibly of Jane, painted from life had resurfaced. Today, I welcome Rachel Turnbull, Senior Collections Conservator in Fine Art for English Heritage onto the podcast. Rachel was the person at the very centre of this discovery and examination. She joins me to discuss the research, what new features from the portrait were discovered and how changes were made, likely long after the original painting was completed, to change the way the sitter is presented.