The ladyes of Spayne
Candace Scarborough, Researcher and Dancer, shares what we know about the Ladies of Spain who served in Catherine of Aragon’s household
The tough reality of Tudor childhood: Ruth Goodman on harsh lessons and discipline
Historian Ruth Goodman dives into the demanding world of Tudor childhood – a world where respect was compulsory, work began early, and most young people were expected to leave home…
What did ordinary Tudors do for work? Inside the 16th-century daily grind
Forget silk-clad courtiers – most people in the 16th-century toiled from dawn to dusk just to keep food on the table. Men ploughed, hedged, and hauled in the fields while…
History Extra podcast: Tudor life with Ruth Goodman
What did ordinary Tudors eat and drink on a daily basis? How did they keep themselves clean without baths and showers? And what surprising beliefs did they hold about sex,…
History Extra podcast: Breaking news! How stories spread in early modern Europe
If you lived in 16th-century London, would you have any idea what was happening in Paris, Venice or Frankfurt? Well, yes, according to Joad Raymond Wren – and that news…
Noble Blood: The ”Wild” Nobleman of French Court
Petrus Gonsalvus was born with a rare genetic condition that meant he was entirely covered in hair. His life took him to French court, where he lived as an oddity,…
Dancing Plague of 1518
In 1518 one woman's mysterious dance sparked an uncontrollable epidemic, leading up to 400 people to dance wildly for weeks. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Lynneth J. Miller…
Daily life in the age of Queen Elizabeth I
Join Professor Tracy Borman as she uncovers the vibrant world of 16th-century life—from the Tudor queen's unusual habits and her dazzling dress sense to the lavish lifestyles of courtiers and…
Written in the Waters
Tara Roberts
Little Ice Age
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discusses the impact of the Little Ice Age, a period of significant cooling from the 15th to early 19th centuries that caused widespread famine, drought, and socio-economic…