Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Why are we still so obsessed with the Tudors after five centuries?
In this week’s Tuesday Historian Chat, I’m joined by historian and author Elizabeth Goff to explore the women, myths, and memories that continue to define Tudor history. From Penelope Devereux and Katherine Parr to the Grey sisters, we talk about which Tudor women stand out - and which have had their reputations unfairly flattened by history.
We dig into the lack of confirmed images for Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, question whether the Tudors truly deserve their reputation for brutality, and ask who the real “Bloody” monarch actually was. The conversation turns to Elizabeth I’s carefully constructed legacy - including her relationship with clothing, image, and power - and the haunting afterlife of her gowns under James I.
We also revisit some of the most devastating decisions of the age: the executions of Mary, Queen of Scots and Lady Jane Grey, the human cost of dynastic power, and what might have happened had Mary Stuart lived. Along the way, we confront Tudor execution practices, public violence, and the moment Elizabeth was told the truth about her mother’s death.
A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about power, memory, and the women who lived - and died - in the shadow of the Tudor crown.
--
Bloody, Brilliant Tudors: 100 Tales of Gowns, Gossip, and Gory Ends
Elizabeth Goff on Instagram
--
Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Elizabeth Goff

What if Elizabeth I had never signed Mary, Queen of Scots’ death warrant? On this episode of Off the Record, we dive into the political chaos, succession drama, and international consequences of keeping England’s most dangerous prisoner alive—and whether mercy would have been far more dangerous than execution.
--
Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

In this episode of Parallel Tinders, we’re putting England’s most famous sisters side-by-side -Mary I and Elizabeth I - to explore how two women raised in the same dynasty could become such wildly different queens. From Mary’s deep devotion and desire for a traditional marriage, to Elizabeth’s sharp independence and preference for loyal companionship over a crown-sharing husband, we break down their personalities, priorities, and what they really wanted from the people around them.
And of course, we’ll dive into the fun part: the men who could have wed an English queen - the serious contenders, the political plays, and the match-making that could have changed Tudor history entirely.
--
Support the show over on Patreon and receive ad-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content!

In this episode, I’m joined by historian Annie Whitehead to explore the women of the Anglo-Saxon world and the many ways they shaped early medieval England.
We talk about education, influence, queenship, and legacy — and how women navigated power in a world that didn’t always preserve their voices. We also discuss how history has remembered these women: who becomes celebrated, who is criticized, and who is too often left out of the story altogether.
Annie's book list on her website: https://anniewhiteheadauthor.co.uk/about-me
--
Previous episodes:
Episode from 2021 on Aethelflaed
Episode from Jan 2025: Murder in Anglo-Saxon England
--
Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Annie Whitehead

What if Lady Jane Grey had outwitted Mary Tudor and stayed Queen of England?
In this Off the Record episode, we follow the most fascinating “what if” in Tudor history: a world where Jane’s reign doesn’t end after nine days - but becomes the start of something far bigger (and far more dangerous). Together we unpack what would have needed to change for Jane to keep the crown, why Mary’s victory depended as much on politics as it did legitimacy, and how quickly England could have transformed under a fiercely Protestant queen.
We also dig into one of the most important questions behind Jane’s claim: Edward VI’s Devise for the Succession. Was Parliament even in session when Edward began drafting it - and did he actually have time to legalize it before his death? The answer might surprise you… and it changes how we understand just how fragile Jane’s crown truly was.
A coup, a crisis of legitimacy, and a teenage queen at the center of a kingdom on the edge - this is Tudor alternate history at its most dramatic.
--
Medieval True Crime with Matt Lewis: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978296660566?aff=oddtdtcreator. It's all online, and you have 60 days to watch at your own pace!
JOIN THE UPCOMING COURSE - 1st class posted January 26th.
--
Check out Rebecca's Substack! Original research revealed, and articles you won't find anywhere else. https://rebeccalarson.substack.com/
Check out Amy's Substack at: https://substack.com/@amymcelroy
--
Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy