The Women Behind the Tudor Dynasty

About this episode

This episode explores the women who played crucial roles in establishing the Tudor Dynasty, including Catherine of Valois and Margaret Beaufort.

The Tudors are the most famous royal family in English history (or at least, the most notorious). Where did they come from? The surname came from Wales; their claim to the throne came partly from France, and it was, frankly, a little dodgy, which is why later Tudor Kings didn't want you to think about their claim to the throne too hard! This week, we look at the women responsible for bringing the Tudor name to the throne: Catherine of Valois and Margaret Beaufort. With cameo appearances by Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville and Elizabeth of York! Plus: the shortest possible explanation of the Wars of the Roses and all of the battles therein because this is NOT a battles-discussion podcast. — Get 30% off paid Patreon memberships with code TUDOR all month at patreon.com/annfosterwriter — ⁠Buy a copy of Ann's book Rebel of the Regency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠commonera.com/vulgar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to…

People in this episode

Host: Vulgar History

Topics covered

• Tudor Dynasty
• Women in History
• Wars of the Roses
• Royal Family
• English History

Keywords

• Tudor
• Catherine of Valois
• Margaret Beaufort
• Wars of the Roses
• English royalty

Sponsors

Patreon, commonera.com

More episodes of Vulgar History: Tudors

• Queer Tudor History · September 9, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Marie Maitland, Scotland's Sixteenth-Century Sappho · September 2, 2026 · 1h 22m
• Witch Hunts in Tudor Era Scotland (ft. Witches of Scotland) · August 26, 2026 · 1h 12m
• The Tudors Take America · August 19, 2026 · 1h 3m
• The Other Boleyn Girls (and Boys) · August 12, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Catherine of Aragon: Real Queen Sh*t · August 5, 2026 · 1h 47m