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Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors
Heir Anxiety in Renaissance Europe
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Henry VIII is infamous for his obsessive quest for a male heir—but he was far from the only Renaissance monarch haunted by fertility struggles. Across Europe, kings faced intense pressure to produce sons, especially in France, where Salic law strictly required male succession. From Louis XII’s desperate annulment and Anne of Brittany’s heartbreaking losses, to Catherine de' Medici’s decade-long battle with infertility, this episode explores how fertility issues shaped royal marriages, alliances, and even wars. Discover how these intimate struggles in royal bedchambers changed the political landscape of Europe forever.
https://www.englandcast.com/springbreak2025 for information on the Spring Break adventure.
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Episode 302: The Beaufort Family
20:18|They were royal... sort of. From John of Gaunt’s scandalous affair to Margaret Beaufort’s political genius, the Beaufort family shaped the Wars of the Roses and put the Tudors on the throne, despite being banned from it themselves.In this episode, we follow their rise, fall, and unexpected revival - all the way to the present-day Dukes of Beaufort.Tudorcon tickets at https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome
[YouTube Drop] The Four Mary's
23:26|hey sailed to France as children with Mary, Queen of Scots, four noble girls, all named Mary.Mary Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston became her closest companions, and they stayed with her through marriages, murders, imprisonment, and rebellion.This is the story of the Four Marys, the women behind the Queen.Englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome for your Tudorcon From Home tickets, and to join the Privy Council!
[YouTube Drop] Accused of Witchcraft by the King
14:00|Today we’re looking at a royal scandal you’ve probably never heard of: in 1419, Joan of Navarre - the Dowager Queen and stepmother to Henry V - was arrested for witchcraft. Not because she was guilty, but because the king needed cash. In this video, we dug into why Henry turned on her, what the accusation actually meant, and how Joan ended up imprisoned in luxury… with silk gowns and nineteen grooms.Remember Tudorcon from Home tickets - get yours early and join the Privy Council! https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome for all the details.
This Week in YouTube August 3
15:46|We're back with another This Week in YouTube where we highlight some recent content from my YouTube channel. This week:What Happened to Anne Boleyn’s Mother?; Did Henry VIII Ever Regret the Executions of Anne Boleyn, Cromwell, or Thomas More? Make sure you're subscribed at https://www.youtube.com/@hteysko so you don't miss all the content we put out!Support the podcast for even more exclusive contenthttps://www.patreon.com/englandcast
Mary I: Trauma, Power, and the Woman Behind “Bloody Mary”
22:37|In this episode, I chat with Tudorcon speaker Kendra Drown Pitts about the complex legacy of Mary I. We cover her dramatic rise to power, her marriage to Philip of Spain, the phantom pregnancies, Wyatt’s Rebellion, and yes—the burnings. But we also explore Mary as a human: shaped by trauma, driven by duty, and desperate for love and legacy.
[YouTube Drop] Sleeping with Strangers
16:30|For centuries, sharing a bed with friends, family and even strangers was totally normal. From royal sleepovers to flea-bitten inn beds, this episode dives into the forgotten history of communal sleep.Tudorcon tickets will go up in price for in person spaces after tomorrow - https://www.englandcast.com/tudorcon to reserve your space and join us in Richmond this October!
Episode 301: The Three Grey Sisters
21:00|You know Lady Jane Grey, but what about her sisters?In this episode, we explore the hidden lives of Katherine and Mary Grey: two Tudor women caught between love and loyalty, royal blood and royal punishment. From secret marriages to imprisonment, childbirth in the Tower, and years of house arrest, the Grey sisters lived lives as dramatic as any queen’s; just without the crown.Remember, Tudorcon tickets are at https://www.englandcast.com/Tudorcon to come in person and https://www.englandcast.com/TudorconFromHome to come online!
[YouTube Drop] The Downfall of Henry Howard
10:01|In the final weeks of Henry VIII’s reign, one of England’s most powerful nobles was executed (not for rebellion, but for tweaking his coat of arms).This episode tells the story of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and how Tudor paranoia, court politics, and a bit of heraldry sealed his fate.Early bird pricing on Tudorcon tickets ends Thursday: https://www.englandcast.com/tudorcon
[YouTube Drop] When your Family Member is a Traitor...
11:18|What do you do when your parent loses their head? This video looked at the children of traitors, from Gregory Cromwell to the young Poles, and how some survived, and even thrived, after scandal.🎟️ Early bird Tudorcon tickets end July 31: https://www.englandcast.com/tudorcon