The Tudor Chest Podcast

Adam Pennington

The Tudor Chest Podcast is a brand new podcast series from the popular Instagram and blog - The Tudor Chest. Episodes will feature historian and author, Adam Pennington, creator of the Tudor Chest Platform, as well as guest appearances by notable historians and fellow authors. Episodes will be released weekly, with a focus not solely on Tudor history, but also the Plantagenets and current royal family news.

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29 episodes
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English

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#158
Wednesday · 1 hr 6 min
The Boar and the Peacock, The Rise and Fall of Sir James Tyrell with Richard Anderton
The Wars of the Roses produced some of England’s most ruthless and intriguing figures, but few have left behind a darker mystery than Sir James Tyrell. A trusted servant of Richard III, Tyrell rose through the ranks to become a powerful and influential figure at the Yorkist court. Yet his name, thanks to the writings of Sir Thomas More, would become forever associated with one of English history’s greatest unsolved mysteries: the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. But who was the man behind the legend? Was he a loyal soldier, a political opportunist, or a ruthless killer? And how did a man who survived the downfall of Richard III ultimately find himself on the scaffold under Henry VII? Well to discuss all of this and more, I am pleased to welcome back historian Richard Anderton onto the podcast, whose upcoming book, The Boar and the Peacock, The Rise and Fall of Sir James Tyrell acts as the basis for our conversation.
#157
October 7 · 1 hr 20 min
Queen Elizabeth’s Governess, The Real Kate Ashley with Rosemary Griggs
Governess, confidante and fiercely loyal companion, Kate Ashley was an almost constant presence throughout the life of Queen Elizabeth I, from her early days as a princess, to the most dangerous years, to the very height of her powers but who was the woman behind this extraordinary reign and friendship, who actually was Kate Ashley, who were her court relations, what links did she possess to royalty itself and what can her story tell us about female friendship, loyalty and survival in Tudor England? Well to find out, I am pleased to welcome historian Rosemary Griggs onto the podcast for the first time, for a discussion based on her book, Queen Elizabeth’s Governess, The Real Kate Ashley.
#156
September 30 · 1 hr 1 min
The Relationship between Elizabeth I & Catherine de Medici with Dr Estelle Paranque
What happens when two of the most powerful women of sixteenth-century Europe meet across the political and religious divides of their age? Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France, never had a simple relationship. Separated by borders, faith, and competing political interests. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Dr Estelle Paranque to explore the fascinating relationship between these two formidable figures. What did Elizabeth and Catherine think of one another and what can their encounters tell us about the ways women could exercise political influence in Renaissance Europe?
#155
September 23 · 57 min
Blood Sisters, The Women behind the Wars of the Roses with Sarah Gristwood.
Today, I am delighted to be joined by Sarah Gristwood to explore Blood Sisters: the women behind the wars of the roses. Seven women who were fundamental to the successes and losses across this huge period of English civil conflict, and at its core, the relationships between them, and what their interconnected lives can tell us about the late medieval and early Tudor world. We will move chronologically through their stories, from their family backgrounds and early experiences of power, to the unity of the houses of York and Lancaster. This is a story of sisters, rivals, queens, daughters, mothers and political actors — but above all, it is a story of women who lived at the very centre of one of the most turbulent periods in English history.
#154
September 16 · 37 min
The Life of Richard Rich, was he the most evil man at the Tudor court, with me, Adam Pennington.
Across nearly five centuries, Richard Rich has acquired a reputation as the consummate opportunist: a man who appeared to possess few genuine principles beyond his own advancement, who accumulated immense wealth through the destruction of the monasteries, and who played pivotal roles in sending two of England's most revered martyrs—Bishop John Fisher and Sir Thomas More—to the scaffold. To many historians, Rich epitomises the darker side of Tudor government, where ambition eclipsed conscience and political expediency routinely trumped morality, so, what was his actual story?
#153
September 3 · 1 hr 4 min
The Lives of Medieval Women with Dr Catherine Hanley
What was life really like for women in the Middle Ages? From princesses and queens, to noblewomen all the way down to peasants, their lives were shaped by work, family, faith, law and the communities around them. But how much do we actually know about their experiences, and what can medieval sources tell us about the choices, challenges and opportunities they faced? Well to discuss just that, I am thrilled to welcome back Dr Catherine Hanley, onto the podcast, for a discussion based around her book, The Family Lives of Medieval Women. Together, we’ll look beyond the stereotypes of the “medieval woman” and discover the remarkable variety of women’s lives during this period.
#152
August 26 · 59 min
'Henry Tudor Must Die' - A Discussion with Author Jillian Laine
What if Henry VIII’s two most famous wives had put aside their differences and joined forces against the man who destroyed both their lives? Imagine Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn — two women who, in real life, became bitter rivals — forming the most unlikely alliance in Tudor history. Well to answer that question, I am joined by author Jillian Laine, whose novel Henry Tudor Must Die brings Catherine and Anne together in an entirely new version of the Tudor story — one where the wives aren't simply victims of Henry's reign, but the architects of his downfall. So sharpen your knives, keep your head down, and prepare for a very different take on the story we know so well.
#151
August 19 · 1 hr 1 min
The Kings Secretary, William Paget, with Dr Andrew Johnston
Among Henry VIII’s many significant ministers and members of his inner circle, William Paget is woefully overlooked. In many ways the successor to Thomas Cromwell, he was instrumental in defining the last years of King Henry VIII’s life, playing a fundamental role in the destruction of the Earl of Surrey and in establishing how Henrys planned succession would take shape. To discuss Paget with me, I am pleased to welcome historian Dr Andrew Johnston onto the podcast for the first time. His book, The Kings Secretary, William Paget and the Last Years of the Reign of Henry VIII acts as the basis for our conversation, so stay tuned, to find out the story behind the man who became central to the final days of England's most notorious king
#150
August 12 · 58 min
Jane Seymour, Patronage, Material Culture and Image Making with Dr Elizabeth Norton
What if almost everything we think we know about Jane Seymour is far from true? In her fascinating new book, Jane Seymour: Patronage, Material Culture and Image Making, Dr Elizabeth Norton takes a fresh look at the woman behind the familiar portrait — and in doing so, completely upturns some of the long-held assumptions about Jane. From Jane's age, to her passion for fashion, her intense political astuteness and even examples of public discontent from the common people of England, about her replacing Anne Boleyn as queen, yes, you heard that correct, so stay tuned, to find out more.
#149
August 5 · 49 min
The Life of Desiderius Erasmus, Renaissance Europe's Greatest Mind with Amy McElroy
Desiderius Erasmus was one of the greatest intellectuals of the Renaissance—a brilliant scholar, prolific writer and tireless traveller whose ideas shaped the course of European history. Living at a time of immense religious and political change, he became famous across the continent for his humanist learning, his bestselling works and his calls for reform within the Church, while carefully avoiding the more radical path taken by Martin Luther. His remarkable life brought him into contact with kings, popes and some of the greatest minds of the age, including the young Henry VIII. To explore the life, travels, influence and enduring legacy of this extraordinary man, I'm delighted to be joined today by historian Amy McElroy, whose recent book, Desiderius Erasmus: The Folly or Far Sightedness of Renaissance Europe's Greatest Mind acts as the basis for our conversation
#148
July 29 · 1 hr 15 min
The Anarchy, England's First Civil War with Matt Lewis
With house of the dragon season 3 nearing its conclusion, I thought the time was right to explore the real life story behind it! Following the death of King Henry I in 1135, a disputed succession plunged the kingdom into nearly two decades of civil war, shifting alliances, and bitter rivalry between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. It was a conflict that tested loyalties, reshaped castles and kingdoms, and left contemporaries believing that "Christ and his saints were asleep." To guide me through this remarkable era, I'm delighted to welcome back historian, author, and broadcaster Matt Lewis. Together we'll explore the personalities behind the struggle, separate fact from legend, and discover how this extraordinary conflict paved the way for the rise of the Plantagenets. So, whether you're a medieval history enthusiast or simply love a gripping story of power, betrayal, and survival, stay tuned to find out all about The Anarchy!
#147
July 22 · 53 min
Margaret Tudor’s royal progress of 1503 with Dr Sarah Morris
In 1503, Princess Margaret Tudor journeyed from the comfort of her family home in London up to Scotland where she would be married to a man twice her age, King James IV. Her progress stopped at many key sites in northern England and into Scotland, and so Sarah Morris and I, my co-director on our tour company Simply Tudor Tours, decided to introduce a brand new tour, retracing that very trip, so join Sarah and I as we walk through the route Margaret took, the places she visited, and what people joining the tour can expect to experience, from the magical cathedrals of York and Durham to the windswept ruins of Linlithgow Palace, and also experience a private ghost hunt at Britain's most haunted keep, Chillingham Castle.
#146
July 16 · 41 min
The Imagery of Queen Elizabeth I
Few monarchs in English history have been as carefully constructed through art as Queen Elizabeth I. More than four centuries after her death in 1603, her image remains instantly recognisable: the elaborately embroidered gowns glittering with pearls and precious stones, the flame-red hair crowned with jewels, the unnaturally smooth white complexion, and the unwavering gaze that projects confidence, intelligence and absolute authority. These portraits have become so familiar that they often appear to present Elizabeth exactly as she looked. In reality, they reveal far less about the queen's physical appearance than they do about how she wished to be perceived, so how was she perceived?
#145
July 1 · 1 hr
A Golden World, How the Americas Changed Renaissance England with Dr Lauren Working
Perhaps naively, or maybe through blissful ignorance, many take it for granted that English expansion into the Americas during the 16th century ensured that a great deal of English culture then influenced how the Americas developed, but what if this idea were flipped? When one digs deep, is there plenty of evidence to suggest that in fact, the Americas also changed England in return, from changes in import, to language, and a rise in foreign visits to the court of Elizabeth I, there is much more to this story than one would initially think, and so to discuss this very subject, I am pleased to welcome historian Dr Lauren Working onto the podcast for the first time, her recent book, A Golden World acts as the basis for our conversation, so settle in, to find out about how the Americas transformed the world of Elizabeth I and her court.
#144
June 24 · 35 min
Part 2 of History and Me, with me, Adam Pennington
Hello, it’s Adam here from the Tudor Chest. This weeks episode is going to be a bit different, as this week, prepare to get to know me a bit better as I discuss my life, my love of history and of course, some of my opinions......
#143
June 17 · 59 min
The Relationship between Mary and Elizabeth, the Tudor princesses, with Dr Peter Stiffell
Easily one of the most fascinating and complex relationships in Tudor history is that between the daughters of King Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth. Bound by blood yet divided by religion, politics, and circumstance, the two half-sisters navigated rivalry, suspicion, and survival in a turbulent age. To discuss their relationship with me, I am pleased to welcome back historian Dr Peter Stiffell, who will examine how their relationship evolved from childhood through to Mary's reign and Elizabeth's eventual accession to the throne. Together, we'll uncover the personal dynamics, political pressures, and historical consequences that shaped the lives of England's first two reigning queens.
#142
June 10 · 1 hr 25 min
Regina, A New History of Women and Power with Professor Kate Williams
Today, I'm delighted to be joined by one of Britain's most acclaimed historians, indeed I would say she’s my biggest guest yet, Professor Kate Williams. A bestselling author, broadcaster, and expert on royal history, Kate has spent years bringing the lives of monarchs to vivid life for readers and audiences alike. Her latest book, Regina, A New History of Women and Power takes us on a fascinating journey through the stories of history's female rulers—women who wielded power in worlds often designed to deny it to them. In this conversation, we'll discuss the lives of these remarkable queens, the myths and misconceptions that surround them, and what their stories can tell us about leadership, power, and the place of women in history.
#141
June 3 · 1 hr 38 min
The Life of Queen Elizabeth Woodville with Dr Lacey Bonar-Hull
She was a queen, a political player, and one of the most controversial women of the Wars of the Roses. Admired by some and mistrusted by others, Elizabeth Woodville became a central figure in a royal dynasty marked by ambition, intrigue, and conflict. Her story touches on questions of power, family, survival, and the enduring mystery surrounding the Princes in the Tower. To help me untangle the myths from the historical reality, I'm joined by historian Dr Lacey Bonar-Hull, to shed new light on medieval queenship and the complex legacy of Elizabeth Woodville. Together, we'll examine the woman behind the legend and her lasting impact on English history.
#140
May 27 · 1 hr 5 min
Princesses of the Early Middle Ages with Sharon Bennett-Connolly
From the chaos of the Norman Conquest to the power struggles of the Plantagenets, the princesses of medieval England lived lives shaped by politics, ambition, and survival. In this episode, I am pleased to welcome historian Sharon Bennett Connolly onto the podcast for the first time, as we explore the women born into royal households between 1066 and the reign of King John: daughters promised in marriage treaties, sisters caught in dynastic rivalries, and queens-in-waiting whose influence stretched across Europe.
#139
May 20 · 42 min
Anne Boleyn's Execution - The Facts and the Interpretations
Anne Boleyn's final moments on the scaffold have been portrayed countless times, but do any of these depictions actually show the execution in an accurate light? Do any get it completely right, and which are way off the mark? Is the actress playing Anne wearing the clothing described in the contemporary sources, does the speech from the scaffold match what we know she said? Is the manner of death accurately portrayed? Well this week, I ask that very question, as I examine what actually happened on that momentous day, and then examine the many depictions of the most famous moment from Anne Boleyn's life, and ascertain whether any actually portray it as it happened on the faithful day, the 19th May 1536.

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