Was Edward I of England a brilliant reformer—or a ruthless tyrant? In this episode, we dig into the life and reign of one of England’s most formidable kings. From legal reforms and the shaping of Parliament to his brutal campaigns in Wales and Scotland, Edward’s legacy is anything but simple. We explore the man behind the crown—his ambition, his grief after the death of Eleanor of Castile, and the decisions that still spark debate today. Was he building a stronger England…or ruling through fear?...
Apr 23, 2026•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman to challenge everything you think you know about Elizabeth Boleyn. If you’ve ever wondered whether Elizabeth Boleyn has been unfairly judged, this conversation will make you rethink everything. -- Sophie's book: Blackwells Amazon (US) Sophie's Social Media: Instagram Bluesky Sophie's Substack -- BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: htt...
Apr 21, 2026•1 hr 7 min
Welcome back to Off the Record ! Today, Amy and I dive into women “behaving badly”…or at least, that’s how history chose to remember them. And yes—we’re fully aware that women were judged by a very different standard than men. From alleged husband-murdering, to sharp-tongued insults, to a mother refusing her son the money he demanded, and even a woman boldly owning an affair (and naming her son after her lover)…we unpack the stories behind the scandal. Were these women truly outrageous—or simply...
Apr 19, 2026•1 hr 3 min
What do you do when your father is one of the worst kings in English history? This week, I’m joined by Matt Lewis to unpack the life of Henry III of England—a king who inherited chaos, uncertainty, and a seriously damaged crown after the disastrous reign of King John of England. We explore how Henry came to the throne as a child, what it meant to grow up in the shadow of his father’s failures, and the surprising role his mother, Isabella of Angoulême, played when she left England behind. What ha...
Apr 16, 2026•1 hr 9 min
After exploring the husbands of Mary, Queen of Scots, Mary I of England, and Mary II of England, we now arrive at the final Stuart queen—Queen Anne—and the often-overlooked man at her side: Prince George of Denmark. In this overview episode of The Queen’s Husband , Dr. Linda Porter and I take a closer look at George—frequently dismissed as dull or insignificant—and ask whether that reputation is truly deserved. What role did he play in Anne’s life, both personally and politically? Was he simply ...
Apr 14, 2026•52 min
What does bad behavior really look like in Tudor England? In this episode, we take a sharp look at the men who pushed ambition, ego, and survival just a little too far. Charles Brandon turns marriage into strategy, Thomas Seymour spirals after the death of Henry VIII, and John Dudley plays the game for his own gain. Add in Francis Bryan—who needed papal absolution—and Edmund Howard with his questionable “medicine,” and you’ve got a lineup of men making very bad decisions. Messy, calculated, and ...
Apr 12, 2026•55 min
What happens to the daughters of a king after everything falls apart? In this episode, we step into the turbulent aftermath of 1066 and follow the extraordinary—and often overlooked—lives of Gunhild of Wessex and Gytha of Wessex, daughters of Harold Godwinson—the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Their stories are anything but quiet. One becomes a royal nun… who doesn’t quite stay that way. The other is swept into exile, navigating a world far beyond England’s shores, eventually tied to powerful...
Apr 09, 2026•58 min
This week, I’m joined by historian Dr. Steven Veerapen for a deep dive into one of history’s most fascinating—and controversial—figures: Mary, Queen of Scots. Was Mary a reckless romantic… or a ruler navigating an impossible political landscape? Together, we unravel the layers of her story—her queenship, her marriages, the scandal of Darnley’s murder, and the shadow of Bothwell. We also tackle the question that refuses to go away: was Mary truly guilty, or has history been too quick to condemn h...
Apr 07, 2026•1 hr 12 min
What makes a marriage work - especially in a world where love was often optional and politics were everything? In this episode of Off the Record , Amy and I dive into the messy, fascinating world of marriage in Tudor England - where alliances could build dynasties… or completely destroy them. We’re looking beyond Henry VIII’s famously disastrous relationships (don’t worry, he gets enough attention) and instead shining a light on other unions that reveal what “good” and “bad” really meant in the ...
Apr 05, 2026•1 hr 10 min
My brother from another mother, Matt Lewis, is back—and we’re continuing the story of the children of Henry II of England (and Eleanor of Aquitaine). But since King John was…well…such an idiot, we decided to start with his sisters to make things far more enjoyable 😂 And honestly? These women were incredible—sharp, capable, and miles ahead of their brothers. I think you’ll feel the same once you hear their stories. In the second half, we finally turn to King John to see if— maybe —there’s a rede...
Apr 02, 2026•1 hr 9 min
Edward Seymour is often remembered as the powerful Lord Protector who ruled during the minority of Edward VI—but what about the women behind him? In this episode, we’re turning the spotlight onto the wives of Edward Seymour—and trust me, their stories are anything but quiet. From his first marriage to Catherine Fillol, surrounded by whispers of scandal and betrayal, to his formidable second wife, Anne Stanhope, whose ambition and sharp presence at court earned her both power and enemies—these wo...
Mar 31, 2026•56 min
In this episode, we spin off from our recent discussion on who was truly safe under Henry VII - and turn the spotlight on Thomas More. What if he had made a different choice? Instead of staying, what if he had fled into exile? Where would he have gone - and would he have taken his family with him? And perhaps most importantly… how would history remember him if he hadn’t died on the scaffold? We explore the possibilities, the risks, and the life Thomas More might have lived. -- Show your support ...
Mar 29, 2026•57 min
As a king, having “an heir and a spare” is ideal—but Henry II of England may have taken things a bit too far with four ambitious sons: Henry the Young King, Richard I of England, Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany, and John, King of England. Join Matthew Lewis and me for a lively and unfiltered conversation about the unbelievable—and often chaotic—stories of the sons of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. Rivalries, rebellions, betrayals…this family drama has it all. It’s a wild ride (with a little sw...
Mar 26, 2026•1 hr 12 min
What did people in medieval England really understand about mental health? In this episode, I’m joined by Michèle Schindler, author of Mental Health in Late Mediaeval England , to explore a subject that is often misunderstood—and oversimplified. From the famous collapse of Henry VI to lesser-known noble case studies, we move chapter by chapter through her research to uncover how mental illness was recorded, interpreted, and treated in the late Middle Ages. Were those suffering seen as “mad”… or ...
Mar 24, 2026•41 min
In this episode of Off the Record , Amy and I dive into the grim realities of execution under Henry VIII. From Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, to Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Lord Dacre, and others, we explore the stories behind their downfalls. Ambition, loyalty, and suspicion collide in a series of fates that reveal just how dangerous life at the Tudor court could be—each ending as tragic as it is telling. -- Hosts: Rebecca Larson Amy McElroy
Mar 22, 2026•1 hr 14 min
In this episode, we go beyond the fairytale image to uncover the real expectations placed on royal daughters. Princesses were far more than ornaments of the court - they were political assets, diplomatic bridges, and the key to securing dynastic futures. As daughters, they forged alliances. As wives, they strengthened kingdoms. As mothers, they ensured survival. But what happened when they stepped outside those expectations? From Joan, the illegitimate daughter of King John and wife of Llywelyn ...
Mar 19, 2026•56 min
Today I’m joined again (Part Two) by historian and friend Sylvia Barbara Soberton to dig into some of the most famous - and widely repeated - myths about the six wives (Anne of Cleves, Katheryn Howard, and Kateryn Parr) of Henry VIII. From long-standing misconceptions to stories that have taken on a life of their own, we start unpacking what’s fact and what’s fiction. Miss Part One? Watch HERE! -- Sylvia's current books on Amazon. Here is the Amazon US link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Mar 17, 2026•58 min
It's time for another historical WHAT IF, and today we are looking at Henry VII and what if he had remarried after the death of Elizabeth of York in 1503. This was an interesting topic to discuss, especially when we get to the end and talk about what would happen if he had children by his new wife. We ask YOU some questions at the end and we want to hear what you think! -- There are still seats available for the SPECIAL EVENT next Sunday, March 22nd. You guys, this is gonna be an opportunity to ...
Mar 15, 2026•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of Rebecca & Friends , I’m joined by historian and author Matt Lewis to explore one of the most powerful—and complicated—couples of the Middle Ages: Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine . Their marriage in 1152 created an empire that stretched from England to the Pyrenees, but ruling that empire was anything but simple. Together we dig into the personalities behind the power. Was Henry II really the tireless administrator history remembers—or was he sometimes a lazy king who lef...
Mar 12, 2026•1 hr 16 min
Today I’m joined by historian and friend Sylvia Barbara Soberton to dig into some of the most famous - and widely repeated - myths about the six wives of Henry VIII. From long-standing misconceptions to stories that have taken on a life of their own, we start unpacking what’s fact and what’s fiction. But we had so much fun talking about the first three queens that we completely ran out of time… so this episode is Part One of a two-part conversation. -- Find Sylvia's books on Amazon! -- Host: Reb...
Mar 10, 2026•46 min
Welcome to another Sunday Funday of Off the Record with Amy & Rebecca ! This time I take the lead (forgive me - I’m still getting used to that 😅) as we dive into a few Tudor and Elizabethan relationships that have always fascinated me. We talk about the secret love affair between Margaret Douglas and Lord Thomas Howard , the scandalous marriage of Bess Throckmorton and Walter Raleigh , and the explosive court drama surrounding Anne Vavasour and Edward de Vere . Then Amy does what Amy does b...
Mar 08, 2026•1 hr 19 min
When people think of the English civil war known as the Anarchy , one name often stands at the center: Empress Matilda , the daughter of Henry I and the woman who almost became England’s first ruling queen. But who was Matilda really-and why did she never wear the crown? In this episode, Rebecca is joined by historian Matt Lewis to explore the fascinating and often misunderstood story of the woman sometimes called “The Queen Who Never Was.” After the death of her father, Matilda was his designat...
Mar 05, 2026•1 hr 23 min
It’s been a little while since our last installment in this series - and Dr. Porter begins by explaining the reason for the delay. In today’s episode, we turn to the husband of Mary II - a figure who plays a pivotal role not only in her life, but also in the story of Mary of Modena, whom we recently explored with Dr. Breeze Barrington. The connections between these royal lives make this discussion especially compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about a man I previously knew very little...
Mar 03, 2026•1 hr 4 min
There are big “what-ifs” in history… and then there are the ones that quietly change everything. In this episode, we ask: What if Margaret Tudor had no surviving children with James IV? When James IV was killed at Flodden in 1513, Scotland did not just lose a king - it faced political instability, factional rivalry, and the urgent question of succession. But what if there had been no infant James V? No Tudor heir to carry the Stewart line forward? Who were the potential heirs to the Scottish thr...
Mar 01, 2026•1 hr 7 min
Today would normally be a Dr. Emma & Me episode, but as many of you know from the last show and the notes here on Patreon, the series is on a brief hiatus. While Emma takes the time she needs (and we’re all sending her love), I’m so excited to introduce something new in its place: Rebecca & Friends . And I truly could not have picked a better person to launch this with than my good friend Matt Lewis. I’m going to be completely honest with you - this may be the most fun I’ve ever had reco...
Feb 26, 2026•52 min
In this episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Michèle Schindler to explore one of the most dangerous - and politically charged - experiences in medieval life: royal childbirth. For queens and noblewomen, pregnancy was never just personal. It was dynastic. The survival of kingdoms rested on their bodies. We dive into what childbirth actually looked like inside medieval chambers - the rituals, the midwives, the prayers, the relics, and the intense female networks that surrounded labor. What happene...
Feb 24, 2026•54 min
There are so many “what ifs” in history - but this one may have reshaped the world. What if Mary I had given birth to a healthy son who survived? In this episode, we explore the ripple effects of a secure Catholic Tudor succession: What if Mary died in childbirth - who would have ruled as regent? What if she lived a long life and her son inherited the throne? How would England’s alliances with Philip II of Spain and Catholic Europe have evolved? And perhaps most provocatively - what would the fu...
Feb 22, 2026•57 min
Dr. Emma & Me is pressing pause for now as Emma takes some time for herself. We appreciate your kindness and respect for her privacy during this season, and we’re hopeful we’ll be back together soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the new series - Rebecca & Friends. Spain was not born in 1492. In this episode, Dr. Emma takes us back to the very beginning - to the Greeks who first traded along Iberia’s shores, the Romans who transformed it into Hispania, and the Visigoths who ruled aft...
Feb 19, 2026•1 hr
In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Carol Rutter to explore the fascinating life of Henry Wotton - diplomat, poet, wit, and master of survival in the early modern world. Best remembered for his famous line describing an ambassador as “an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country,” Wotton was far more than a clever epigram. Serving as ambassador to Venice under James I, he operated at the delicate intersection of diplomacy, intelligence, religion, and reputation - navigating ...
Feb 17, 2026•1 hr 2 min
What if Henry VIII had died while campaigning in France? This episode started with what felt like an obvious answer—but quickly turned into a far more complicated and fascinating conversation about succession. We explore the unexpected paths history could have taken, and trust us: this one went places we didn’t anticipate. -- There's still time to sign up for the Identifying Holbein Portraits masterclass with Dr. Emma - seminar one begins February 22nd and will be recorded for later viewing as w...
Feb 15, 2026•52 min
