Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Before costumes, candy, and jack-o'-lanterns, there was Samhain. But how much of what we celebrate today can actually be traced back to this ancient Celtic festival?
In this special Halloween episode, I'm joined by folklorist Amy Boucher to explore the fascinating history of Samhain and the centuries of traditions, beliefs, and superstitions that helped shape Halloween as we know it.
From the ancient Celtic world to medieval All Hallows' Eve, we discuss the practice of souling, the origins of dressing in costumes, and the ways ordinary people kept their traditions alive despite religious changes during the Reformation.
Amy also introduces us to the mysterious world of the Fae, shares some rather unusual Halloween divination rituals, and recounts local legends from Shropshire, including one involving a churchyard and a chilling prediction of death!
Along the way, we explore how Victorian fascination with the supernatural and later American influences helped transform Halloween into the holiday we recognize today.
So, whether you're fascinated by folklore, curious about the origins of Halloween, or simply enjoy a good ghost story, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
🎃 Happy Halloween!
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Amy's blog: https://nearlyknowledgeable.co.uk/
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Enjoy my podcast? Please consider being one of my patrons! Without patrons I would not be able to provide you with all the episodes, articles, etc. In return I'll give you commercial-free episodes, early access, and content you'll only find on Patreon! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Amy Boucher

In the final episode of our Norman Kings series, Matt Lewis returns to explore the later years of Henry I’s reign—and the succession crisis that followed his death.
The White Ship disaster took Henry’s only legitimate son and heir, along with many others. Henry remarried and named his daughter, Empress Matilda, as his heir, but his plans were complicated by political rivalries, family tensions, and a difficult marriage. When Henry died in 1135, Matilda was far from England. His nephew Stephen seized the opportunity and was crowned king, setting the stage for the Anarchy.
Join us for a lively conversation about Henry’s shifting plans, the legacy of the White Ship, and the uncertain path from one Norman king to the next.
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If you enjoy this podcast please consider becoming a patron and supporting me on this journey! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis

I'm not sure why I'm a bit quieter this time, but it's more important to hear the guest well, so I hope it's still enjoyable for you!
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What did Tudor England have in common with a thriving Baltic city hundreds of miles away?
In this episode, Rebecca welcomes back renowned historian Rev. Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch for a fascinating journey to Riga, the capital of modern-day Latvia, and a city with surprising connections to Tudor England.
From medieval crusading knights and powerful merchant networks to the spread of the Protestant Reformation, Riga's history offers a fresh perspective on the world the Tudors inhabited. Discover how English merchants traded cloth for furs, timber, and amber, why Riga embraced Lutheranism long before Henry VIII broke with Rome, and how ideas traveled across Europe alongside valuable goods.
The conversation also ventures into the religious ambitions of Edward VI, the influence of Thomas Cromwell, and why Tudor England wasn't nearly as important on the European stage as we sometimes imagine.
Join Rebecca and Professor MacCulloch as they look beyond England's borders to uncover a remarkable city and its place in the wider Tudor world.
Previous episode with Diarmaid:
Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity
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Enjoy the podcast? Please consider becoming one of my patrons - just like Thomas More was for Holbein when he came to England. By supporting me you'll get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Rev. Prof. Diarmaid MacCulloch

What would you rather do: survive a bout of sweating sickness, have an affair with Henry VIII, or serve as his Groom of the Stool? And believe it or not, those aren't even the worst options!
In this episode of Off the Record we're having a little fun with Tudor history in a game of Tudor Would You Rather! From questionable medical treatments and disgusting Tudor delicacies to royal secrets, political betrayals, and life-or-death decisions, I'm faced with a series of impossible choices.
Would I rather wash my hair with urine or sleep on a straw mattress? Whose royal temper tantrum would I be willing to endure? And which private Tudor conversation would I most want to overhear?
Some choices are surprisingly easy. Others require a little historical reasoning. And a few are downright horrifying!
Listen in, have a laugh, and play along! I'd love to know what YOU would choose. Let me know which Tudor dilemma you'd find the hardest to answer!
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Enjoy the show? Head over to my Patreon page, join the conversation, and gain access to some pretty cool content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Co-Hosts:
Rebecca Larson
Amy McElroy

Henry I was the cleverest of William the Conqueror’s sons—or at least, he always seemed to be a step ahead of his brothers. But intelligence and ambition came with a ruthless streak.
Matt Lewis joins me to explore Henry’s tangled relationship with William Rufus and Robert Curthose, his swift seizure of the English throne, and the rebellions, alliances, and brutal acts of justice that helped him hold on to power. By 1120, Henry seems to have defeated or outmaneuvered every rival. Then, on the journey home, disaster awaits.
This is Part One of our look at Henry I in the Norman Kings series.
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis