Noteworthy News #11: Tudors Dynasty and Beyond

Looking back in my posts I couldn't believe I hadn't posted one of these since September! I guess there hasn't been a lot of news to impart, but this week I found something I want to share. And I'm finishing three books right now so no time to write a solid review by Friday. This was the perfect week to share about yet another great podcast I've found.

Tudors Dynasty and Beyond is hosted by researcher and historian Rebecca Larson. She has been hosting this show since 2017 and started out exclusively discussing the Tudors. Since then she has branched out, hence the name...and Beyond. It is the beyond part that caught me because I am someone who read and devoured all things Tudors years ago and am more interested in the time periods before them. She has lots of great shows from the last two years centering on other eras.

Her guests have included Matt Lewis and Dan Jones, two of my favorite historians and she has a great style of casual banter with serious content. Books and websites are promoted which I love of course and as I've exhausted the content of some of my other favorite history podcasts this feels like a fresh new start with tons of shows to listen to between audiobooks. 

Her website, tudorsdynasty.com, has great articles, courses, an index of Tudor ancestors, and even a shop where you can buy fun Tudor items. 

If you love medieval history that is presented in an easy to understand way with episodes under an hour to easily finish on a short car ride this is the podcast for you. It's going to cut into my book listening time I'm sure!

Happy listening y'all and happy Friday!!
 

Note Worthy News: The History of England Podcast is back!

 

David Crowther's History of England podcast is the first one I ever listened to. It is very special to me. He is witty and super knowledgeable and taught me all the particulars about each stage of history in England from the Anglo Saxon period on. He admits when he is biased and does it all with humor. He has been on a hiatus for several months and this week has picked up with all new episodes. 

Season 9, Episode 1 (432A overall) begins with the Sun King, Louis XIV of France. He starts with French culture and its domination of European culture at that time. This is why I appreciate his show....I know almost nothing about this time period, or how anything affected anything...so when he starts here, I get the necessary background knowledge to move ahead and it makes my learning more interesting and easy. History buffs like me always want that little "extra" he gives! And being American there is always a lot I definitely don't know.

Crowther started in his shed (he still calls his work area "The Shed") on his private property just doing his thing (and sometimes his children joined him) and now has a successful show teaching us all about the history of his country. Both the website and his Facebook page also have fun things to explore, like places he visits while on vacations, challenges, and a ton of resources.

Recently I took part in his "who was the greatest Welsh ruler of all time" and it was fun if you love learning more about Wales. He and his Welsh born friend went through different stages of Welsh history and had listeners vote. Of course, Llywelyn the Great won!

You can surf some for free or choose to subscribe to other sections of the website for a yearly fee and have access to more shows like The History of Scotland.

I love promoting my favorite podcasters and so I'm excited to announce his return. It should be a fun filled fall/winter with all new episodes taking us through the mid-1600's and beyond. 

Noteworthy News #8: A Slice of Medieval Podcast

 

This last week has been crazy around here and then I went out of town and I didn't get a review in. So I'm going to add a Noteworthy News entry because I haven't done one since February! It also seems these turn out to be about my favorite new podcasts and this one is no different. I have found one I'm totally obsessed with called, A Slice of Medieval,  and want to share for those of you who love the Wars of the Roses, and any medieval history. These two hosts are fantastic and entertaining and have the most wonderful guest authors and historians on their shows. The content is fresh and relevant to today and their style of bantering back and forth and being very human in their discussions make it an all around top three of mine right now.

The hosts are both well known authors, Sharon Bennett Connelly and Derek Birks. They have all kinds of well known guests on to talk about their latest book or a historical time that they are experts in. To name just a few...Elizabeth Chadwick, Matt Lewis, and Kathryn Warner, some of my favorites. Every episode is new and entertaining and I always learn something or come away with a new book to look into. If you love the medieval period and new content this is one you need to subscribe too. So far everything is free too which is great as a lot of the podcasts I love have started charging for premium subscriptions. Hopefully this post will give you a new way to learn medieval history and find great new authors!

Noteworthy News #7: Not Just the Tudors Podcast

 

Years ago I was obsessed with all things Tudor England. I read every Jean Plaidy book I could (my first book of hers I ever read was about Queen Elizabeth II and it hooked me) and researched them to no end. This was all before smart phones and Kindles and the internet. So we are talking 80's and 90's era. When you actually had to go to the library and hunt for things. Which I honestly miss. But that's another topic for another day! 

When I first came across this podcast I was intrigued from the name. It seemed to read my mind.....I love this era but I'd like to know more about what was going on in the world during the Tudor period outside of England. Or maybe at court but learning about other people besides Henry and his offspring and his religious battles. This podcast sets out to do just that. Bring us wonderful stories and history of the Tudors but not just the Tudors. 

So for example, right now I'm listening to a 4 part series (so far) on the rise of the Borgia family. This all takes place during the same general time but it gives perspective because I'm sure things happening in Italy were relevant to many other countries. I also don't mind getting back to storeis about the Tudors, which they do a lot of as well.

So if you are in love with and learning about the Tudors specifically you will love this show. And if you are like me you will love the side stories going on at the same time. It is also narrated by an excellent and knowledgeable lady, Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb. She's been on Matt Lewis's podcast, Gone Medieval and I've always enjoyed her stories and research. Check it out if you love this time period as much as I do. You won't be disappointed! 

Click on the picture to go to the website for more information and some really great content links!

Noteworthy News #4: 850th Anniversary of Thomas Becket and Henry II's Fued

 

I have always been fascinated with the story of King Henry II and Thomas Becket ever since reading about it a few years ago and it is still relevant even today as to how relationships can go from cordial to nasty in no time with people. It just reminds me how we are in some ways not that different from those from other eras even thought they seem to live in an alien time from us.

I wanted to share this week that my favorite history podcast, Gone Medieval has been featuring a series marking the 850th anniversary of King Henry II's penance for the murder of Thomas Becket. The author and host Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega break down the back story (which I never tire of) and the fallout between the two men. Then they describe the guilt and self punishment that Henry inflicts on himself for his role in the death of his former friend and confidante. It's a fascinating story and they do a fabulous job of narrating it with historical detail and original sources. 

One of the other things I appreciate is that they try to remain neutral and present both sides of the issues so that you can judge whether or not you agree with the men and their two sides of the dispute. It makes for more thoughtful listening and I found myself seeing their points of view more clearly. 

Here are the episodes in case you are interested. I have been listening on my way to school and as each one is only about 45 minutes it is doable even if you are short on time. They always have some new interesting fact I wasn't aware of so it makes it new for me. Hope you have something noteworthy you've come across this week in history or another subject you love!

Episode 330: The Rise of Thomas Becket

Episode 333: Henry II and Thomas Becket: A Doomed Friendship

Episode 334: The Murder of Thomas Becket

Episode 337: The Cult of Becket

Noteworthy News #3: History Hit: Tutankhamen and the Valley of the Kings

 

I didn't have a review this week as I'm currently reading two books, one of which is an 800 page Penman epic and I'm nowhere near finished with my shorter book either. So I wanted to shift gears from reviewing and post some noteworthy news. In thinking about something interesting I've run across lately, I wanted to give a mention to the series on the podcast, History Hit, about the Valley of the Kings and the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb. I have listened to the first episode and it is an award winning series with four episodes total. As work has been crazy in February I have been doing more listening and less reading. But that's okay because this series is so good! 

Dan Snow narrates and visits on the 100th anniversary (I'm a bit behind as this series debuted last year in 2022) and the podcast replayed it this past November. He takes you on a journey down the Nile in Luxor to the burial chambers of the pharaohs and tells the history of the Valley of the Kings. He covers the story of the archaeologists involved and gives the history behind how they made their discoveries.

The next four episodes will delve more into the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, his life, and legacy. I plan to finish these in March and look forward to more from this amazing podcast. It has so much original content you just can't find anywhere else. Perfect for history lovers everywhere!