The Warring Queens | History’s Messiest Royal Rivalry | 4

The Warring Queens | History’s Messiest Royal Rivalry | 4

From British Scandal by Audible

May 20, 2026 · 47 min · Season 69 · Episode 4

About this episode

Historian Kate Williams discusses the rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I, challenging historical narratives about their conflict.

Historian Kate Williams joins Alice and Matt to make the case for Mary, Queen of Scots - and why history's been getting her all wrong. Professor Williams unpicks centuries of blame placed on Mary for her own downfall, and reveals how looking at her life through a modern lens changes everything. And what about Elizabeth I? Kate says their rivalry wasn't just politics - it was personal, petty, and shaped by the impossible position of being two women trying to rule in a world that just didn't want them to. Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at britishscandal@audible.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

People in this episode

Hosts: Alice, Matt

Guest: Kate Williams

Topics covered

  • royalty
  • rivalry
  • history
  • women in power
  • politics
  • Mary, Queen of Scots
  • Elizabeth I

Keywords

  • Mary, Queen of Scots
  • Elizabeth I
  • royal rivalry
  • history
  • women in power
  • historical analysis
  • Kate Williams

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