Talking Tudors

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Sean Cunningham about Henry VII’s unlikely path from exile to king, the political alliances and myths he used to secure power, and the major challenges of his reign, including rebellions and pretenders. They explore Henry’s strategies for legitimacy, his marriage to Elizabeth of York, the role of Margaret Beaufort, and how Tudor symbolism and governance shaped the dynasty’s future. Find out more about your host: https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Dr Natalie Donnell about the life and career of Margaret of Austria. Born in Burgundy and raised at several European courts, Margaret was the long-serving regent of the Netherlands. The conversation covers Margaret’s education under powerful women, her role raising and supporting Charles V, her diplomatic success in the 1529 'Ladies' Peace', her patronage of the arts, and her legacy as a capable and influential female ruler until her death in 1530. VISIT DR DONNELL'S WEBSITE https://www.nataliedonnell.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO FEMINIST HISTORIES https://feministhistories.substack.com/ TAKEAWAY 'The Theatre of the World' by Abraham Ortelius Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode Natalie Grueninger interviews manuscript specialist Sienna Wells about illuminated medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. They discuss how manuscripts were made, who produced and owned them (including women), how the printing press changed book culture, and what physical traces of use reveal about past readers' lives and emotions. The conversation highlights personal stories like birthing girdles and the intimacy of Books of Hours, offering listeners insights into the human connections preserved in these remarkable objects. Follow Sienna on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sienna_a_wells/ Takeaway 'Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts' by Christopher de Hamel Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Rosemary Goring about Mary Queen of Scots, tracing her life from Scotland to years of captivity in England and the historic places that shaped her story. The episode covers Mary’s relationships, imprisonment at sites like Tutbury Castle, the 2023 discovery of coded letters revealing plots and health concerns, and how culture and espionage influenced her downfall. Learn more about the sponsor of this episode, Simply Tudor Tours https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode, Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Lauren Johnson about Margaret Beaufort — a child bride turned survivor whose political skill, marriages, and networks helped secure Henry VII’s rise. They trace her early life, complex role during the Wars of the Roses, and her close but often-misunderstood relationship with her son and Elizabeth of York. The conversation also busts long-standing myths, explores Margaret’s religious patronage and use of early printing, and highlights her cultural legacy. Lauren discusses her new biography, Margaret Beaufort’s Survivor Rebel Kingmaker, and why Margaret’s story matters today. Visit Lauren Johnson's official website http://www.lauren-johnson.com/ Join Natalie Grueninger and Dr Owen Emmerson's new online event: 'Rethinking Anne Boleyn' https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rethinking-anne-boleyn-tickets-1981325385564?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with historian Ella Brook Muir about how queenly clothing in 16th‑century England and France acted as political communication, conveying magnificence, legitimacy, loyalty and cosmopolitan identity through fabrics, colours and emblems. The episode examines case studies (Katherine of Aragon, Claude of France, Anne Boleyn, and Eleanor of Austria), the makers and household staff who produced these garments, the impact of global trade on materials, and the scarcity and mystery of surviving textiles. Visit Ella's official website https://www.ellabrookmuir.co.uk/ Learn about our sponsor! https://simplytudortours.com/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Michelle Seah about the economic lives of medieval and late 15th-century English queens, focusing on Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Elizabeth of York. They explore how queens raised and managed income—through lands, cash allowances, port customs and the tradition of “queen’s gold”—how their households were organised, and how financial resources shaped their public role, patronage and power. Learn more about Dr Seah https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/michele-seah Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Professor Stephen Gunn about his research using 16th-century coroner's inquests to reveal how accidental deaths illuminate everyday Tudor life—covering hazards like animals, open water, mills, house collapses, seasonal work, and risky pastimes such as early football. They discuss patterns by age, gender and social status, surprising and bizarre cases, research challenges, and resources for further reading including Gunn’s book 'An Accidental History of Tudor England' and the project’s online dataset. LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE & FATAL HAZARDS IN TUDOR ENGLAND https://tudoraccidents.history.ox.ac.uk/?page_id=17 Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Stephen Campbell about Leonardo da Vinci’s life, work, and the myths that surround him. They explore his early years in Florence, his Milanese network, anatomical studies, and his later years in France. The conversation examines common misconceptions, highlights key works such as 'The Last Supper' and the 'Sala delle Asse', and considers why Leonardo’s fragmented biography continues to captivate modern audiences. Learn more about Dr Campbell https://arthist.jhu.edu/directory/stephen-j-campbell/ Buy the book! https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691193687/leonardo-da-vinci Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

In this episode of Talking Tudors, host Natalie Grueninger is joined by Professor Anne Larson and Professor Steve Maiullo to explore the life, works, and legacy of Anna Maria van Schurman — a multilingual scholar, poet, and theological thinker famed across 17th‑century Europe. The conversation covers her exceptional education, advocacy for women’s learning, influential correspondence with leading intellectuals, and her later spiritual choices, offering a concise portrait of a pioneering and controversial figure. LINKS OF INTEREST https://projectvox.library.duke.edu/ https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/new-narratives BOOKS MENTIONED Anna Maria van Schurman, 'The Star of Utrecht': The Educational Vision and Reception of a Savante by Anne Larsen. 'Letters and Poems to and from Her Mentor and Other Members of Her Circle', edited by Anne Larsen and Steve Maiullo. 'Whether a Christian Woman Should Be Educated and Other Writings from Her Intellectual Circle' by Joyce Irwin. 'Republic of Women' by Carol Pal. CONNECT WITH NATALIE GRUENINGER! https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-grueninger-b5899254 Learn more about today's sponsor: Simply Tudor Tours! https://simplytudortours.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-anne-boleyn-giveaway-2026/

Host Natalie Grueninger interviews Dr Erica Canela about her new book, 'Zealous: A Darker Side of the Early Quakers'. They explore how the English Civil Wars and the rise of print culture spawned a radical, disruptive Quaker movement led by George Fox, its beliefs in direct revelation and social equality, and the often violent reactions it provoked. The episode traces the movement’s early urgency—marketplace preaching, unlawful meetings, arrests—and follows its later transformation into a disciplined, influential community known for pacifism, business integrity, and social reform. VISIT DR CANELA'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://ericanela.co.uk/ TUDOR TAKEAWAY 'Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn' by Estelle Paranque Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

Host Natalie Greninger speaks with historian Sophie Bacchus-Waterman about her new biography, exploring Elizabeth Boleyn’s early life, marriage to Thomas Boleyn, and her long court career within the Howard and Boleyn networks. The episode highlights Elizabeth’s political astuteness, her close relationship with Anne Boleyn, fresh archival finds (including pay-books and household records), and how the book reshapes our understanding of the Boleyn family. Follow Sophie Bacchus-Waterman on Insta! https://www.instagram.com/sophiebwaterman/ TUDOR TAKEAWAY Digital Bodleian https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!