Share

cover art for Six Wives: Anne Boleyn

Not Just the Tudors

Six Wives: Anne Boleyn

Ep. 327

Six wives - six lives that we think we know everything about. But beyond their mostly doomed marriages to Henry VIII and, in most cases, tragic ends, here were six women who shaped history in their own unique ways.


In this special six part series, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb brings together the most illuminating interviews about the six wives from the Not Just the Tudors archive.  She also explores some of the latest research and speaks to Dr. Charlotte Bolland - curator of the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens - to paint an even fuller portrait of each of the six wives.

 

In this second episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb focuses on the woman who changed the history of England, Anne Boleyn. In order to make her his Queen, Henry altered the very faith of the country, banished his closest minister, broke with Christendom, and set aside his faithful, once beloved wife Katherine. So who was Anne Boleyn?


This episode was edited and mixed by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.


From 20 June to 8 September 2024, the National Portrait Gallery in London is hosting an exhibition titled Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens, displaying the images that have shaped our perception of the six wives . Find out more, here >


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code TUDORS - sign up here >


You can take part in our listener survey here >

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 385. Six Wives: Katherine of Aragon & Anne Boleyn

    01:28:56||Ep. 385
    In the first of three special Christmas editions, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb offers another chance to hear the series from earlier this year in which she took an in-depth look into the six wives of Henry VIII, revealing the rich stories and incredible lives of these women who changed the monarchy - and England - forever. For the next three editions, we’ve joined two of those episodes together in turn to create bumper episodes. Suzannah begins with Renaissance Queen Katherine of Aragon and the woman who replaced her in Henry’s affections, the tragic Anne Boleyn. The episode delves into the fascinating lives, achievements, and sad ends of these two influential Queens, exploring their backgrounds, marriages, and the political dynamics at Henry VIII's court.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Music from Motion Array, Epidemic Sound, All3Media and PixabayNot Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 384. The Bible

    52:05||Ep. 384
    How did the Bible transform from a guarded manuscript read in secret to a book accessible to millions?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Bruce Gordon to uncover the revolutionary impact of Gutenberg's printing press and Erasmus's bold Greek New Testament, setting the stage for Martin Luther's game-changing German translation of the world's best-selling book.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Nick Thomson and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 383. Pirates of the Pacific & the Spanish Empire

    33:37||Ep. 383
    Pirates weren’t just a menace on the high seas - they were a direct threat to Spain’s empire-building ambitions in the Pacific. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Kristie Patricia Flannery to hear the untold story of how Spanish officials, Catholic missionaries, Indigenous Filipinos, and Chinese migrants joined forces to battle Chinese and Muslim pirates, as well as the British Navy during the Seven Years’ War. This is a fascinating look at the darker side of globalisation and European imperialism.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 382. Marie Antoinette

    40:46||Ep. 382
    In 1770, 14-year-old Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria arrived in France to marry Louis XVI. As Marie Antoinette, she became the ultimate diva of her time; rebelling against the the rigid protocols of court and crafting a unique visual identity; wearing men's clothing and sporting excessive elevated hair. How then did her adoring public turn on her and condemn her, leading to her execution?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Caroline Weber to discuss the royal influencer who dressed like a royal mistress, and whose lavish attire cost her her life.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.More episodes on France in the Early Modern period:Louis XIV and his Mistresses >The House of Guise: Europe’s Most Murderous Dynasty >Francois I, King of France >Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 381. Elizabeth I & the Sultan of Morocco

    43:09||Ep. 381
    Elizabeth I and Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of Morocco shared a common goal of empire building, despite their cultural, political and religious differences. Their alliance resulted in the transformation of sugar from a luxury item to a widespread commodity and their little-known correspondence reveals a never-realised plan to conquer Spain together. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Samia Errazzouki to delve into Morocco’s significant relationship with Tudor England and an often overlooked and unlikely alliance in the late 16th century.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 380. William III & the Persecution of Sodomites

    32:18||Ep. 380
    **Warning: This episode contains explicit descriptions of sexual acts and the use of historic terminology that does not align with current usage**The first widespread discussion of sodomy in public discourse came in the aftermath of the so-called ‘Glorious Revolution’ that saw the Roman Catholic King James II deposed in favour of his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange.Almost immediately, English satirists began to spread explicit charges of sodomy against William - whose male 'favourites' were no secret - and alleging his desire for other men was the cause of the royal couple's infertility. Perhaps for the first time, satirical publications and pamphlets began circulating explicit accusations against William, becoming a catalyst for persecution.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to historian Jack Beesley about his research into the early origins of homosexual identity and its subsequent discrimination in the court of William III.Related episodes:The Private Life of James VI & I: https://podfollow.com/not-just-the-tudors/episode/a406821154013f01e83da0fcd95f40878547caf5/viewSame-Sex Marriages in Renaissance Rome: https://podfollow.com/not-just-the-tudors/episode/708bce3dd88f4fd948c8beb606d131d9fc734576/viewPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 379. Majestic Mughals: From Akbar to Shah Jahan

    38:39||Ep. 379
    Beginning with the reign of Emperor Akbar and continuing through to Shah Jahan, India's Mughal Empire enjoyed fabulous wealth and stable governance, resulting in remarkable artistic achievements, including the architectural marvel of the iconic Taj Mahal.Join Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and curator Dr. Susan Stronge at the V&A Museum in London as they delve into the opulent world of the great Mughals during their golden age.Music from All3 Media Music.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
  • 378. The Witches of Lorraine

    42:33||Ep. 378
    **This episode contains brief descriptions of tortures**Between 1570 and 1630 there was intense persecution as thousands of people were accused of being witches in Lorraine, a small duchy on the borders of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Suspicion spread like a deadly virus through the villages and towns as neighbour turned on neighbour.Robin Briggs, Emeritus Fellow at All Souls College Oxford, joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to delve into the richest surviving archive of witchcraft trials to be found in Europe. They discuss the thousands of confessions and persecutions detailed in the archive and what insights they provide into the social dynamics and cultural beliefs surrounding witchcraft in this small but notorious European duchy.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here >
  • 377. The Women who Painted the Tudors

    41:56||Ep. 377
    We probably think that the only artists working in the Tudor court were men, like Holbein and Hilliard. But new research is revealing that women were painting the Tudors too, and they were probably more active than we have previously suspected.Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by miniatures experts Emma Rutherford and Alan Derbyshire to discuss two of these artists - Susanna Horenbout and Levina Teerlinc - and also finds out about a stunning new discovery of a portrait of a notorious Tudor Queen.Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, the audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.Music by Epidemic Sounds and All3 Media Music.Related episodes:A Tudor Mystery: https://podfollow.com/not-just-the-tudors/episode/5e47b2618a2d57498af383103e62be4af0afdca5/viewWho Painted Anne Dudley?: https://podfollow.com/not-just-the-tudors/episode/bcd6084fd52449f3e447223f778b32e9a4ea7f69/viewSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK