Queen Mary I is the first undoubted queen regnant in English, later British history, but four hundred years before the crown was placed on her head, another woman attempted to get there first, she was Empress Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, who had been named by her father as the rightful heir to the throne. Upon Henry’s death, Matilda was robbed of her throne when her cousin, Stephen snatched it from right beneath her feet. To discuss this utterly remarkable woman with me, I am pleased to welcome historian Dr Catherine Hanley onto the podcast for the first time. Catherine's biography of Matilda, Matilda, Empress, Warrior, Queen, acts as the basis for our conversation, so settle in, and get comfy, as we explore the life of the woman who should have been Queen Matilda

As Elizabeth I approached the end of her life, the constant topic of conversation was who would be her successor. Her ministers all had their own opinions, often varying, while Elizabeth herself never truly confirmed who her own preferred candidate was, but, in the end, it was the Scottish king, King James VI, who was selected to follow in her footsteps, so how did this come about? To discuss this, I am pleased to welcome historian Leanda de Lisle back onto the podcast for a discussion based around her book, after Elizabeth, the death of Elizabeth and the coming of King James. From those final few months of Elizabeth’s life to the journey James made through England, join Leanda and I as we examine the moment when the Tudor dynasty reached its conclusion.

From films to television, plays to musicals and hundreds and hundreds of books, Anne Boleyn has been portrayed in many different ways. Her story and the mythology around her has been a constant source of inspiration for the big and small screen, but how much of an impact has it had on the way we perceive Anne? Well to discuss this, I am pleased to welcome Susan Bordo onto the podcast for a discussion based around her book, The Creation of Anne Boleyn, In Search of the Tudor's Most Notorious Queen. In the episode Susan and I discuss the different portrayals of Anne, what parts of Anne’s story she would find amusing or baffling and also, which I am sure many people will be very excited to hear, what happened when Susan was able to spend three whole hours talking face to face with none other than Natalie Dormer herself!

Henry VI became king of England at the age of just nine months old, never knew his father and in many ways never truly grew up. His life was managed by a series of competing and often self-serving councillors. His many mental health issues placed incredible pressure on the court he nominally oversaw and thanks to his eventual overthrow at the hands of Edward, Earl of March, later Edward IV, we think of Henry as a largely inept, useless and pitiful figure, but was he? Well to discuss this fascinating man I am pleased to welcome back Lauren Johnson onto the podcast for a discussion all about him. Lauren’s book, Shadow King, the life and death of Henry VI acts as the basis of our conversation.

New portrait discoveries are always exciting, and when its a controversial figure from the reign of queen Elizabeth I and moreover one that may have been the gay lover of William Shakespeare, that's even more exciting! I am speaking of the recent discovery of a miniature by Nicholas Hilliard of Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton. Today I am thrilled to welcome back art historians Emma Rutherford and Elizabeth Golding onto the podcast to discuss this miniature with me, from its highly androgynous appearance to the fact that it was deliberately defaced! Carry on listening to find out how and why!

On the 27th May 1541 the 67 year old Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury was escorted out onto the small green inside the walls of the Tower of London and beheaded in an execution which became infamous for how badly botched it was. This was the final dreadful act in a period known as the Exeter Conspiracy, which saw a total of 13 arrests and eight executions, with Margaret being the most notable victim, but what actually was the Exeter Conspiracy? Where did it start? Who was involved, and is there any truth to the accusations made?

Agnes Tilney, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk is a truly fascinating but often overlooked figure, a woman who for a time was one of the most powerful women in England, but by her dotage was overseeing a household which has been described as something akin to a noble whorehouse, the place in which her step-granddaughter, Katheryn Howard, may very well have lost her virginity. So, who was Agnes what were her early days like, what role did she play at court and what became of her once her name was tarnished in the wake of Katheryn Howard’s execution?

Long before she was Queen Mary I, or more infamously to her detractors as Bloody Mary, there was a young girl, born a princess, the first born child of King Henry VIII to reach adulthood, Mary, by his first with, Katherine of Aragon, so what was Mary’s young life like? Who was involved in her christening, spoiler, what were the many marriage prospects created, and did she ever blame her father rather than Anne Boleyn for what befell her? Well to discuss all of this and much more I am pleased to welcome back Dr Peter Stiffell onto the podcast for a discussion all about his favourite figure from history!