Six Queens

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Kate, Cally, and the lovesick Henry VIII, whose ardent letters to Anne Boleyn give us a glimpse into a dangerous and history-making romance. What do these letters tell us about Henry and Anne's courtship? Can we infer anything about Anne's personality and feelings from the letters, despite the fact that her responses have not survived? And how are we even reading them at all?Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did political and religious factions come to dominate Tudor politics? How did these factions contribute to our queens' triumphs and downfalls, shape their legacies? In this episode, Kate and Cally continue the "Dynasty" series by delving into the complicated web of Tudor politics, the factions that arose during the "Great Matter," and how our queens were (willingly and unwillingly) made figureheads of dangerous causes. Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally are joined by author and "Tudor-adjacent" historian Heather Darsie to talk about her new book, "If Any Person Will Meddle of My Cause": The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn (2025). Darsie uses her legal and research backgrounds to investigate the downfall, trial, and execution of Anne Boleyn, bringing a fresh perspective to an often-told story. How does the book contextualize Anne as a powerful, intelligent, but often misguided queen? Does learning more about her background in Europe, especially France, allow us to make sense of what happened later? How did Anne break laws and push boundaries that may have angered the wrong people? For their first installment in this new "Book Club" series, Kate and Cally are thrilled to welcome Darsie back to the podcast! You can find a list of her books and links to purchase them by clicking this link. Find her on Instagram @hdarsiehistory. Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hang out with Kate and Cally as they celebrate the holiday season and keep up their tradition of watching Christmas films together. This time, Cally introduces Kate to the popular television show The Tudors (2007-2010), which has a rather infamous relationship with Tudor historians. The show follows the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII and features some of the most memorable depictions of our six queens ever seen on screen.After hearing about the show for years, what are Kate's initial reactions upon seeing it for the first time? How does the show manage to depict personal and political drama for a popular audience? And how do they show the lavish Christmas celebrations at the Tudor court? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Honourable Mentions" is a series that honours the lives of Tudor women who knew, aided, and impacted the lives of our six queens. This season, Kate and Cally unpack the life of one of the most powerful women of fifteenth-century Europe: Isabel of Castile. In addition to being the mother of Katherine of Aragon, she was a queen in her own right, a conqueror with a complicated legacy, and the equal of any male ruler at the table.How did Isabel's unique political situation influence her queenship and character? How did her family, especially her daughters, benefit from Isabel's unwavering, unquestionable power? And how did her dynastic legacy influence the Tudors?Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did international alliances and connections strengthen the Tudor dynasty? How did the marriages of royal women, including two of our queens, contribute to the Tudors' power? And how did those women use their family ties to influence European politics and their own queenships?Kate and Cally zoom out from Tudor England to show the complicated, interconnected web of European politics, and the ways in which Katherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleves, and Anne Boleyn used their international connections to advocate for their families and themselves. Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did queens use portraiture to not only capture likeness, but to demonstrate political power? What can portraits tell us about the queens they represent? Kate and Cally will discuss the importance of portraiture in understanding the political motives and legacies of our queens, especially Katherine Parr, whose surviving output is unique and impressive. Follow along by clicking these links and seeing the art for yourself: Katherine Parr by Master John (ca. 1545), National Portrait Gallery ; Katherine Parr by Lucas or Margaret Horenbout (ca. 1544), Sudeley CastleFollow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Dynastic portraits," showing the royal family in group scenarios, are some of the most fascinating portraits of the Tudor era. What do they tell us about the politics of the monarchs who commissioned them? How do they seek to create certain narratives and, in some cases, rewrite history? And even if they're not depicted, how did our queens influence the art?Kate and Cally will discuss four paintings that show Tudor propaganda at its finest: The Family of Henry VII with St. George and the Dragon; the "Whitehall Mural"; The Family of Henry VIII; and The Allegory of the Tudor Succession. Click on the links to follow along and view these paintings as they're discussed! Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did our six queens use feminine ideals to create their public images? How did they define their personas and politics within society's patriarchal standards for women? And what happened when they failed to meet those standards?In this episode, Kate and Cally discuss three important female archetypes and how our queens were defined by often unattainable expectations. Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did the Tudors launch one of the best marketing campaigns in English royal history? What were the political strategies behind choosing a royal symbol? How did our queens choose their symbols, managing to stress their individual assets while also contributing to dynastic legacy? Kate and Cally break down the politics and symbolism behind some of the best-known Tudor symbols, including the famous Tudor Rose, to illustrate the importance of selling yourself as a queen. Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our six queens married into the Tudor Dynasty, one of the most well-known royal families in history. How did the Tudors become so famous? How did they cultivate such a lasting image for themselves? And how did our queens contribute to this dynastic success? In this Series 6 premiere, Kate and Cally introduce you to the image-building, political consciousness, and paranoia that created the Tudor Dynasty, and the ways in which our queens were expected to contribute to the royal "brand."Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back! Welcome to the latest season of Six Queens: Dynasty. Get a sneak peek at some of the episodes coming your way this autumn. Premieres 14 September 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Series 5 has come to an end, so Kate and Cally are on Instagram Live chatting all things Court: what we've learned, favorite episodes, series highlights, and audience questions. You'll also get a preview of the upcoming Series 6, plus the projects happening in the "off season." Partially-edited recording of a live broadcast streamed 2 March 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did queens use art to further their politics? What hidden meanings lurk behind every portrait of Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Katherine Parr? How did foreign brides, like Katherine of Aragon, use art to display their global power and connections? Why was patronage of artists so important at the Tudor court?To conclude our Court season, Kate and Cally are speaking with art historian Dr. Emma Cahill Marron about the many ways in which image, power, and queenship are irrevocably linked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the twenty-first century, we all acknowledge the drama of having six queens at a court, but how did the Tudor court react to it all? Did any of our queens ever have to confront her predecessor or replacement? What courtly etiquette existed to make such a confrontation as civil as possible?For a little New Year's treat, Kate and Cally are exploring one of the most awkward encounters ever at the Tudor court: New Year 1541, when Anne of Cleves returned to court after her annulment. How did she and Katherine Howard navigate the difficult task of saving face, making nice, delivering their political messages, and having a happy new year?Follow @sixqueenspod on Instagram and Facebook to get updates and participate in community discussions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mirror and the Light, based on the novel by Hilary Mantel, is the sequel series to 2015's BBC drama Wolf Hall. Kate and Cally have waited ten years for their favorite period drama to return and, so far, it has not disappointed! Join us as we unpack all the Tudor politics, courtly drama, and on-screen depictions of five of our six queens.In this last installment, Kate and Cally are discussing the show's final two episodes, which detail the drama surrounding Anne of Cleves's marriage and Thomas Cromwell's subsequent downfall. How did the portrayal of marriage negotiations help us to understand Anne's situation a little better? Did the show do Anne justice? Was Katherine Howard's brief appearance as interesting as it could have been? And did the show's final scene, the execution of Thomas Cromwell, live up to expectations?Listeners should note that the second half of the episode contains some mild descriptions of violence.A note to some viewers: while this drama is currently airing in the UK, it is not available in many other countries worldwide. If you don't want spoilers, it's probably best to avoid this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mirror and the Light, based on the novel by Hilary Mantel, is the sequel series to 2015's BBC drama Wolf Hall. Kate and Cally have waited ten years for their favorite period drama to return and, so far, it has not disappointed! Join us as we unpack all the Tudor politics, courtly drama, and on-screen depictions of five of our six queens.Kate and Cally watched the first few episodes and are excited to talk about the show's depiction of Jane Seymour, a queen not often seen on screen. How does this version of Jane compare to her previous, often brief and lackluster, drama appearances? How do the writers and actors portray Jane's transformation from courtier to queen to politician? A note to some viewers: while this drama is currently airing in the UK, it is not available in many other countries worldwide. If you don't want spoilers, it's probably best to avoid this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mirror and the Light, based on the novel by Hilary Mantel, is the sequel series to 2015's BBC drama Wolf Hall. Kate and Cally have waited ten years for their favorite period drama to return and, so far, it has not disappointed! Join us as we unpack all the Tudor politics, courtly drama, and on-screen depictions of five of our six queens.In this installment, Kate and Cally react to the premiere episode of Mirror and the Light, discuss the "franchise's" impact on Tudor drama, and consider the legacies of the two queens whose deaths haunt this episode. How did the portrayal of Princess Mary affect our views of her mother, Katherine of Aragon? How did the main character, Thomas Cromwell, emotionally react to the aftermath of Anne Boleyn's execution?A note to some viewers: while this drama is currently airing in the UK, it is not available in many other countries worldwide. If you don't want to spoilers, it's probably best to avoid this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's an entire film about the life of Katherine Parr and it's finally here! Kate and Cally, joined by special guest Bonnie from The Queen Katherine Parr Society, are reviewing Firebrand (2023), which finally hit international cinemas this month. The film gives an intimate and harrowing look at Katherine's queenship and the Tudor court in the final years of Henry VIII's reign.What was it like to see Katherine on the big screen? Did the filmmakers do her justice? How was the danger of Katherine's world portrayed, including her volatile relationship with Henry? And as for the film's shocking conclusion: is complete historical accuracy necessary in a major film like this, or should we just be happy that Katherine is getting her big moment in the spotlight?LISTENERS SHOULD NOTE that Firebrand contains themes of domestic abuse, torture, and political violence, all of which are mentioned in our review. Additionally, if you haven't seen the film and want to avoid any spoilers, please avoid Part 2 of the episode!SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, read Kate's review of the film from her first screening in June, access community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come celebrate the third anniversary of Six Queens Podcast! Kate and Cally host a chat on Instagram Live, reflecting on how far the show has come in three years and answering audience questions.Partially-edited recording of a live broadcast streamed 14 September 2024.SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did our queens use clothing and jewelry to shape their public personas? What did their fashion choices say about their political agendas? How was the Tudor court influenced by the style of a queen? And what can we learn about our queens through the jewelry collection that they all shared?In perhaps our most fun episode yet, Kate and Cally are discussing the fashion and jewelry of our six queens: the expensive fabrics and gems that denote their queenly status, the political messages hidden beneath headdresses and brooches, and the differences in styles throughout their six queenships. SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did our six queens do for fun at the Tudor court? How did popular pastimes like dancing, singing, playing instruments, playing sports, jousting, and hunting allow courtiers to show off their political savvy? How is entertainment often tied to danger, excitement, and violence? And which came first, the fun or the politics?! In this episode, Kate and Cally will introduce you to a variety of Tudor pastimes that really show how vibrant and dangerous the court of Henry VIII was.SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can't discuss the Tudor court without mentioning the performance of "courtly love" amongst the men, women, kings and queens. What was it? What were the rules? Why was it such a fun game for courtiers to play? And what happened when people, especially our queens, took everything too far?Kate and Cally are discussing how these odd, messy games of love contributed to the unique culture of the Tudor court...and the downfalls of two of our queens.SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Honourable Mentions" is a series that honours the lives of Tudor women who knew, aided, and impacted the lives of our six queens. To help us learn more about the lives of ladies-in-waiting at the Tudor court, Kate and Cally are doing a deep dive on one of the court's most notorious women: Jane Parker Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford. Lady-in-waiting to five of our six queens, Anne Boleyn's sister-in-law, and keeper of secrets...until it cost her her life.What do we actually know about Jane's life? How did royal service shape her life? Does she deserve her scandalous reputation? And how does historiography shape our perceptions of historical figures?SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more!We apologize for technical issues with our audio on this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally are going on a who's-who tour of the Tudor court. For their final stop, they’re entering our queens’ inner circle and introducing you to the ladies-in-waiting.Who were these women and what did they do? What were the expectations for royal service? How was a queen responsible for the reputation of her household? And how did the dangers of the Tudor court force some women to choose between loyalty and their lives?SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally are going on a who's-who tour of the Tudor court. In this episode, they’re discussing all the people who, behind the scenes, did the work to make our queens’ lives possible: the household staff.How was a Tudor queen’s household organized? What was the social hierarchy like? Did the “everyday people” at court gain any political power or advantages? How do we know about their lives at all? And what examples of diversity, even in small amounts, can we see on display at court?SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally are going on a who's-who tour of the Tudor court. Next, they'll be discussing the fathers and siblings who rose to power with our queens, especially the Boleyn, Seymour, and Parr families.How did the elevation of an English queen benefit her family? Did the politics of her family influence her rise? How did the family members make names for themselves? And were our queens active participants in these political games, or were they just a vehicle for their families’ ambitions?SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally are going on a who's-who tour of the Tudor court. First, they'll be discussing the people who it all revolves around: the royal family.What was the royal hierarchy of court? What power struggles emerged within that hierarchy? How did a person's royal blood and lineage matter? And how did our queens enforce their own political power against those who could challenge their positions?SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is "court"? Where is court? Who's there? And what did the Tudor court look like for our six queens?Kate and Cally kick off Series 5: Court with an introduction to a political system, cultural center, and way of life for sixteenth century royalty.SUBSCRIBE to Six Queens on Substack to get extra features for this episode, access to community discussions, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nearly five years apart, Kate and Cally reunited in the UK in March 2024. Hear all about their adventures at the National Portrait Gallery, Hans Holbein exhibition, Ludlow Castle, and Peterborough Cathedral. You'll also get a preview of what's coming up in late Spring 2024.Partially-edited recording of a live broadcast streamed 29 March 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate with a deep-dive into Tudor love poetry, specifically the sonnet "Whoso List to Hunt" written by Sir Thomas Wyatt. Read it and follow along here. Legend says that Wyatt was in love with Anne Boleyn and wrote this poem about his unrequited, unsuccessful love for her. Is there any truth in the legend? Did Anne's flirtations inspire groundbreaking poetry? And what does the poem tell us about love and romance at the Tudor court? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally take to Instagram Live to recap the Motherhood series, share some personal highlights, discuss some topics that weren't addressed in the main episodes, answer audience questions, and preview what's to come in 2024.Partially-edited recording of a live broadcast streamed 26 January 2024. Viewers should be advised that the live show contains references to topics that may be disturbing to some listeners, including miscarriage/pregnancy loss and childbirth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Honourable Mentions" is a series that honours the lives of Tudor women who knew, aided, and impacted the lives of our six queens. To end Series 4, "Motherhood," Kate and Cally are discussing the most infamous mother at the Tudor court: Elizabeth "Bessie" Blount, the mother of Henry VIII's only acknowledged illegitimate child.Who was Bessie? How did her relationship with the King begin? How was her fate impacted by the chaotic, confusing politics of the Great Matter? And how did Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn interact with their husband's mistress and the child she bore? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the holiday season, Kate and Cally get cozy with a black-and-white classic: The Private Life of Henry VIII, made in 1933. It's the first "talkie" film featuring the Tudor period and our queens, telling the story of Henry VIII's quest to find "the perfect wife."How did the on-screen portrayals of our queens meet expectations? What was surprising? Do all the familiar dramatic tropes apply to such an old film? And what were the small details that really brought the Tudor court to life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three of our queens were the mothers of English monarchs, in addition to being married to one. How did they view their children as the legacies of their reigns and ambitions? And how did the children honor their mothers' memories once on the throne?In the final episode of "Motherhood," Kate and Cally explore the ways in which Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I remembered their mothers and, in some cases, vindicated their complicated legacies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five of our queens were stepmothers to Henry VIII's children. How did they approach this complicated family dynamic? Did the politics and etiquette of court affect the relationships between stepmother and stepchildren? Kate and Cally discuss the complicated relationships between our queens and their royal stepchildren: Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did queens embrace the responsibility of educating their children, especially their daughters? How did they assert their own political power through raising and shaping their children?Kate and Cally are devoting two episodes to discussing education, one of the most important components of motherhood for our six queens. On this episode, they celebrate the ways in which Katherine Parr championed the education of her stepchildren, especially Elizabeth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did queens embrace the responsibility of educating their children, especially their daughters? How did they assert their own political power through raising and shaping their children?Kate and Cally are devoting two episodes to discussing education, one of the most important components of motherhood for our six queens. On this episode, they'll examine the progressive (for its time) education of Princess Mary, commissioned and championed by her mother, Katharine of Aragon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who was in charge of raising a royal baby? How did nurses and governesses assume a maternal role in the lives of their charges?Kate and Cally investigate the royal nursery to reveal the interesting lives of wet nurses and governesses, especially how they interacted with (and advocated for) Katharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn and their children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four of our six queens experienced the ordeal of childbirth. What did that process look like? What were the dangers that, ultimately, resulted in the deaths of two of those queens?Kate and Cally talk childbirth, the beginning of motherhood for so many women, and unpack the sweeping phrase "death in childbirth" to reveal the experiences of Jane Seymour and Katherine Parr. Listeners should be aware that this episode contains some adult content and mildly graphic descriptions of childbirth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was the experience of pregnancy like for Early Modern noblewomen? How did expectations of fertility govern their lives and marriages? What medical "tips and tricks" did women follow to get and stay pregnant? And how did the stress of being Henry VIII's queen affect his wives' pregnancies? In this episode, Kate and Cally discuss the first step to motherhood for our six queens: conception and pregnancy. Listeners should be aware that this episode contains MATURE CONTENT and discussions of topics that some viewers may find uncomfortable. In particular, a discussion of miscarriage that takes place between 26:25 and 30:22. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did "motherhood" look like in Early Modern noble households? What were the social expectations for birthing and raising children? How were our six queens' views of motherhood influenced by the world around them? Kate and Cally introduce the topic for Series 4, "Motherhood," by examining the lives, legacies, and influence of six special women: the mothers of our six queens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Honourable Mentions" is a series that honours the lives of Tudor women who knew, aided, and impacted the lives of our six queens. To kick off Series 4: Motherhood, Kate and Cally are celebrating the "mother of the Tudor dynasty," Margaret Beaufort.As the mother of Henry VII, how did Margaret help to establish the Tudor dynasty? How did her "overbearing" ways impact politics and courtly life? How did her descendants learn from her example? And was it all influenced by Margaret's experiences during the Wars of the Roses? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On their first ever live show, Kate and Cally give a preview of Series 4, share some behind-the-scenes tidbits, and answer audience questions.Partially-edited recording of a broadcast streamed 22 July 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate and Cally reflect on the history-making coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6 May 2023. How did it compare to coronations of the past? What elements were the same and what were modernised? And does studying history cause us to set unrealistic expectations for ritual and ceremony in the twenty-first century?To answer these questions and to see how the ceremony has changed over time, Kate and Cally take a look at the coronation of Katherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, who participated in many of the same rituals together in June 1509. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within English history, she's known as "Anne," the queen whose lack of beauty and charm led to the hasty annulment of her marriage. But behind all of those stories is Anna, a Duchess of Cleves and member of a powerful German family. What can we learn about Anna's origins by examining her life through its German context? How was her life influenced by the politics and religion of her family? By examining German history and sources, can we get closer to the truth of her life?To answer their questions and learn more about the origins of Anna of Cleves, Kate and Cally interview historian and author Heather Darsie, whose research seeks to restore her into her own national narrative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Honourable Mentions" is a new series that honors the lives of Tudor women who knew, aided, and impacted the lives of our six queens. Every future series of Six Queens will give an Honourable Mention based on its theme, so it seemed fitting that "Origins" should honor the original Tudor consort: Elizabeth of York.Kate and Cally introduce you to Elizabeth and her tumultuous world. How did she navigate the politics of the Wars of the Roses? How did she impact and contribute to the new Tudor dynasty? And how did her queenship inspire her son and future daughters in law? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry VIII is often remembered as the "most married" monarch in British history, but his sixth queen, Katherine Parr, was the most married consort. Who were her four husbands and how did she come to marry them? How did she, like so many women in the sixteenth century, use marriage for social advancement? Series 3 concludes with a look at "the four husbands" of Katherine Parr: her life as a Northern noblewoman, the complications and freedoms of widowhood in the sixteenth century, and the ways in which Katherine honored her duty over her heart. At the end of the episode, stay tuned for a sneak peek of Series 4! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the centuries, Katherine Howard has gained a reputation for having relationships before her queenship. What were the nature of these relationships? How did her flirtations get out of hand? And how did her mistakes threaten to follow her once she arrived at the Tudor court?Kate and Cally take on the difficult task of discussing the origin story of Katherine's reign: what happened during her early teenage years, how she caught the eye of an aging king, and the traces of the real Katherine we can see underneath all the drama. Listeners should be aware that this episode contains mature themes that may be unsettling. Part 1 contains a discussion of sexual assault. If you would like to avoid this discussion, which begins at the 11:58 time mark, you can skip ahead to Part 2 at 22:40. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even though we imagine royal weddings as huge, glittering affairs, five of our six queens married Henry in small private ceremonies. Why? What are the backstories behind every wedding? What got each queen down the aisle? What sorts of vows did they have to make? And why are some more scandalous than others?In this episode, Kate and Cally are inviting you to the weddings of Katharine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard, and Katherine Parr. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.