Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Edward IV's reign began with spectacular victories, but it was nearly undone by betrayal.
In Part 1 of our series, Matt Lewis joins me to explore Edward's rise to the throne following the Battle of Towton, his consolidation of power, and the growing rift with Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick - the Kingmaker. We discuss Edward's secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, the political fallout that followed, Warwick's rebellion, and the dramatic events that forced Edward into exile.
Join us as we uncover how one of England's greatest warrior kings went from triumph to the brink of losing everything. In Part 2, we'll follow Edward's return to reclaim his crown and the rest of his remarkable reign.
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis

For generations, the story of the Wars of the Roses has largely been told through a Yorkist lens. But what if we've been looking at the rivalry between Richard, Duke of York, and Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, all wrong?
In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Michael Jones presents the Lancastrian case, challenging some of the most deeply rooted assumptions about the conflict that divided medieval England. Was Somerset really the corrupt, incompetent favorite of Henry VI, or was he a gifted commander and loyal servant of the Crown? Was York motivated by a desire to save the kingdom, or by personal ambition and an obsession with bringing down his rival?
Together, we explore the origins of one of England's greatest political feuds, from the Calais campaign of 1436 through the loss of Normandy and the First Battle of St. Albans. Along the way, we also reconsider Henry VI himself - not as a weak and easily manipulated king, but as an intelligent, principled ruler whose vision for peace has often been overshadowed by centuries of hostile tradition.
Whether you agree with Dr. Jones's conclusions or not, this episode offers a compelling alternative perspective on the men, motives, and decisions that led England into the Wars of the Roses - and invites us to question just how much of history has been shaped by the victors who wrote it.
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Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Dr. Michael Jones

Matt Lewis returns to continue our journey through the reign of Henry VI - and things are about to fall apart.
Picking up in 1450, we explore the events that plunged England into the Wars of the Roses. Was Richard, Duke of York, really determined to take the throne, or has history misunderstood his intentions? Time and again, York had opportunities to overthrow Henry VI, yet repeatedly stopped short. So why did the kingdom descend into civil war anyway?
We discuss Henry's catastrophic political indecision, his unwavering trust in Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, his mental collapse in 1453, the First Battle of St Albans, the ill-fated Love Day, the dramatic Act of Accord, and the death of Richard of York at Wakefield. Along the way, we examine the choices - and failures - that shaped one of the most turbulent periods in English history.
We also tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding Henry VI: what really happened in the Tower of London in May 1471? Was the deposed king murdered, or did he simply succumb to grief and illness after the destruction of his Lancastrian cause?
Join us as we conclude the story of Henry VI - a king whose inability to choose a side may have changed the course of English history forever.
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Support the podcast on Patreon and get COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Matt Lewis

The wonderful Dr. Michael Jones returns to the podcast to take a fresh look at the remarkable life of Margaret Beaufort. Together, we explore how her turbulent childhood shaped the woman she would become - from growing up without ever knowing her father to the lasting impact his early death had on her life. We also dive into her relationship with her mother, and of course, we couldn't talk about Margaret without discussing her famous bond with her son, the future Henry VII.
Along the way, Mike challenged a few assumptions I had about Margaret, and there were more than a couple of moments that genuinely surprised me. I have a feeling you'll be just as fascinated by what he has to say.
*I was unable to add photos of the church and home in Samford Peverell, but I'll post them to social media AFTER the episode has been published.
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Support the podcast on Patreon and receive COMMERCIAL-FREE episodes, EARLY ACCESS, and EXCLUSIVE content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Dr. Michael K. Jones

Today, we decided to return to the same topic as last week and we discuss moments in history that we would like to travel back to and experience. There are a few times things got a bit goofy during this one, so if you're opposed to laughter - skip this one.
What times would you like to travel back to? What do you think of OUR choices?
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Co-Hosts:
Rebecca Larson
Amy McElroy