Podcast · History

The Tudor Chest Podcast

by Adam Pennington · English · History

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 relea

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 21 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…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E156 · 30 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 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…
E155 · 23 Sep 2026 · 58 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,…
E154 · 16 Sep 2026 · 38 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?
E153 · 3 Sep 2026 · 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…
E152 · 26 Aug 2026 · 1 hr
'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,…
E151 · 19 Aug 2026 · 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…
E150 · 12 Aug 2026 · 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.
E149 · 5 Aug 2026 · 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…
E148 · 29 Jul 2026 · 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…
E147 · 22 Jul 2026 · 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…
E146 · 16 Jul 2026 · 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…
E145 · 1 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
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…
E144 · 24 Jun 2026 · 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......
E143 · 17 Jun 2026 · 1 hr
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…
E142 · 10 Jun 2026 · 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,…
E141 · 3 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 39 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…
E140 · 27 May 2026 · 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.
E139 · 20 May 2026 · 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…
E138 · 13 May 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Anne Boleyn's Chair with Sandra Vasoli
Tudor artefacts are sadly very rare, which is why new discoveries are always so exciting! Recently, a chair came to light which very likely belonged, or more accurately, was created for, Anne Boleyn. Historian Sandra Vasoli has been really involved in the discovery of this chair, working alongside Paul Fitzsimmons to piece together its story. Sandi joins me today to discuss what they have discovered, what the theories are around why this item was created, and fascinatingly, what it can tell us about the role Anne Boleyn played during her time serving at the French royal court.
E137 · 6 May 2026 · 52 min
Holbein’s Unknown Woman, is it Anne Boleyn, with Karen L Davies and Professor Hassan Ugail
A sketch of a woman, erroneously identified as Amalia of Cleves, could, according to todays guests, actually be a contemporary sketch of Anne Boleyn, while another sketch, long believed to be Anne, may in fact be another Boleyn altogether. Historian Karen L Davies and Professor Hassan Ugail of Bradford University have co-authored a paper which applies technology to helping identify these sitters, so join them and I as we discuss the fascinating work they’ve been conducting, are we finally seeing the true face of Anne Boleyn?
E136 · 29 Apr 2026 · 59 min
Robert Cecil, Master Secretary with Richard Woulfe
Robert Cecil, the younger but highly prodigious son of William Cecil, chief advisor to Elizabeth I, was one of the most complex but intriguing figures of the late 16th and early 17th century. Bookish, awkward and at times rather cold, he was nonetheless a supremely skilled politician who would play a huge role in the succession from the world of the Tudors to the Stuarts. To discuss Robert Cecil with me, I am pleased to welcome author Richard Woulfe onto the podcast for the first time. Richard’s book, Master Secretary, Robert Cecil, A Life in Fiction, is as the name suggests, a piece of…
E135 · 22 Apr 2026 · 43 min
The Beheading Game, Author Interview with Rebecca Leeman
I think we’d all love for Anne Boleyn to have been given the chance to get her revenge on King Henry VIII, which is why I was really excited to read The Beheading Game, the delightfully bonkers new piece of historical fiction in which Anne Boleyn wakes up in that famous arrow chest, her head resting at her waist. What follows is a journey in which Anne manages to reattach her head, before going out on a journey of both self discovery and, of course, cold hard revenge. To discuss the story with me, I am pleased to welcome the books author, Rebecca Leeman onto the podcast for the first time.…
E134 · 15 Apr 2026 · 53 min
Mary Boleyn, the Queen’s Slandered Sister with Sylvia Barbara Soberton
She is known around the world as the Other Boleyn Girl, but what do we really know about the sister of Anne Boleyn? Characterised as either a dull, less educated version of Anne or a whore who slept her way through much of the French court, in reality what we do know of Mary’s story paints an entirely different woman. To discuss her with me, I am pleased to welcome back historian Sylvia Barbara Soberton onto the podcast for a discussion on her upcoming book, Mary Boleyn, the Queens Slandered Sister.
E133 · 8 Apr 2026 · 58 min
Anne Boleyn - Reputation, Revolution and Religion, with Martha Tatarnic
For centuries, Anne Boleyn has been cast, in certain quarters, as a power hungry manipulator who schemed to become queen of England. The story, when one digs a bit deeper, is far more complex. In truth, Anne Boleyn was a queen who used her power and influence to shape the English reformation and transform Europe’s political and religious landscape. To discuss all of this with me, I am pleased to welcome onto the podcast for the first time, Martha Tatarnic whose upcoming book, Anne Boleyn, Reputation, Revolution, Religion and the Queen who Changed History, acts as the basis for our…
E132 · 1 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Thomas More, A Life and Death in Tudor England with Dr Joanne Paul
Sir Thomas More is one of the most famous men of the 16th century. A figure of colossal significance at the court of King Henry VIII, a figure who stood up to the king, always remaining loyal but unable to accept the royal supremacy, a decision which would cost him his life. Today, I am pleased to welcome back onto the podcast historian Dr Joanne Paul for a discussion on Thomas More, following the recent release of Joanne’s incredible book, Thomas More, A Life and Death in Tudor England. From Thomas’s early life to his own involvement in the torture and burning of protestants through to his…
E131 · 19 Mar 2026 · 55 min
Capturing a Queen - The Image of Anne Boleyn with Kate McCaffrey
A brand new exhibition, Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn, was unveiled at Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn opened a few weeks ago, and rather than presenting a single “definitive” portrait, it showcases dozens of competing images—some painted decades after Anne’s death—each shaped by politics, propaganda, and cultural memory. To discuss the exhibition with me today, I am thrilled to welcome one of its curators, Kate McCaffrey onto the podcast for the first time. We discuss the different images included, some amazing new artefacts and much more, so settle in as Kate…
E130 · 12 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
The Prince's in the Tower - Did they Survive with Matt Lewis
It is undoubtedly the biggest royal mystery of all time - the whereabouts of the two missing princes in the tower, or to be more accurate, the missing king and prince in the tower. The two teenage boys who vanished during the reign of King Richard III, or did they? Well to discuss this story, I am beyond thrilled to welcome historian and broadcaster Matt Lewis onto the podcast for the very first time. Matt is utterly convinced that the princes in the Tower were not killed by their uncle, but instead escaped and went on to challenge King Henry VII for the throne. So, what is the story, what…
E129 · 5 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Exploring Tudor England's Buildings with Dr Sarah Morris
The Tudors were prolific builders, from grand palaces such as Hampton Court Palace and Greenwich to imposing castles, small townhouses and narrow cobbled streets with black and white timber structures jutting out at odd angles. Sadly, many of the great sites of Tudor England are now either greatly reduced or completely lost, but what happened in them is not. Today, I am pleased to welcome back onto the podcast my friend Dr Sarah Morris, for a discussion all about her very favourite topic - Tudor buildings. Sarah has an encyclopaedic knowledge of practically every Tudor building in the UK,…
E128 · 26 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
The Forgotten Tudor Royal, Lady Margaret Douglas with Beverley Adams
One of the most fascinating but perpetually overlooked figures from the world of the Tudors is Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. As the sole daughter of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, Margaret Douglas was a niece of King Henry VIII and first cousin to his three children. Her life was spent in the shadows of the Tudor world, and she found herself getting on the wrong side of her relatives on several occasions, resulting in several stints as a prisoner in the tower of London, so, what was her story? Well to discuss Margaret and her fascinating life, I am pleased to welcome back…

About The Tudor Chest Podcast

The Tudor Chest Podcast is a English history podcast from Adam Pennington. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Adam Pennington
Language: English
Category: History
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1704070565
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