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!
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52:18
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!
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1:15:48
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.
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1:00:09
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?
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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!
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.
UK