Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

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 courts where a misstep could cost everything.
We discuss how Wotton crafted his persona, how friendship (including his connection to John Donne) shaped his career, and what his life reveals about how power actually worked beyond the throne.
Was he underestimated? Opportunistic? Philosophical? Or simply practical in a dangerous age?
Join us as we unpack the art of diplomacy — and the man who lived it.
Lying Abroad: Henry Wotton and the Invention of Diplomacy ⁠https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Carol-Chillington-Rutter/dp/1526172062⁠
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Time is running out to get your ticket for Dr. Emma's masterclass on identifying Holbein portriats (and sketches)! It's THIS Sunday! Learn from an actual art historian the techniques they learn regarding identificaton! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Prof. Carol Rutter

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.
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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 well. Learn more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Hosts:
Rebecca Larson
Amy McElroy

In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me, we explore one of history’s most iconic mother - daughter pairings: Anne Boleyn and her daughter, Elizabeth I. Elizabeth was still a toddler when her mother was executed, yet Anne’s influence lingered in powerful and surprising ways. From shared experiences of danger, scrutiny, and survival to the shaping of identity under a Tudor court that rarely forgave, we trace the striking parallels that link mother and daughter across a lifetime they never truly shared.
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Are you fascinated by Holbein? How about Tudor art and understanding the elements that go into identifying a sitter in a portrait? If you're intrigued by this please consider joining the first masterclass led by art historian Dr. Emma on identifying portraits. Tickets and information can be found here: https://holbeinmasterclassONE.eventbrite.com
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Credits:
Hosts:
Rebecca Larson
Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

In this episode, we step into the glittering yet deeply unstable world of the Restoration court through the life of Mary of Modena - a woman whose destiny could not have been further from her original hopes.
Mary had envisioned a quiet life devoted to the Church. Instead, she was thrust onto the European stage and into a political marriage with James II, brother and heir to Charles II. As a young foreign bride in a volatile, anti-Catholic England, Mary was forced to adapt quickly - learning how to survive, and even exert influence, in a court defined by shifting loyalties, scandal, and uncertainty.
Joined by historian and author Breeze Barrington, who holds a PhD in the literary and artistic cultures of the early Stuart court, we explore how Mary navigated this treacherous environment with remarkable emotional intelligence and resilience. Together, we discuss Mary’s transformation from reluctant bride to queen, her role as stepmother to Mary II and Anne, and what her story reveals about women’s power, adaptation, and endurance at one of the most dramatic courts in English history.
This is not just the story of a Catholic queen - but of a woman learning how to survive, and lead, in a world she never chose.
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The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of Women at the Restoration Court
Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Graces-by-Breeze-Barrington/9781526663788
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Have you ever wanted to look at a portrait and see all the symbolism - both hidden and obvious? Consider taking Dr. Emma's masterclass on Holbein identification! EARLY-BIRD pricing now available. Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Credits:
Host: Rebecca Larson
Guest: Dr. Breeze Barrington

In the autumn of 1562, England held its breath. Queen Elizabeth I lay gravely ill with smallpox, her life uncertain, her kingdom unprepared for what might come next.
But what if she hadn’t survived?
In this episode, we explore one of the most chilling “what ifs” in English history. With no named heir, a fragile religious settlement, and rival claims waiting in the wings, Elizabeth’s death could have plunged England into chaos. Who would have taken the throne? Would Mary, Queen of Scots have prevailed - or would the Grey sisters have been revived as contenders? Who were some of the other contenders?
This isn’t just speculation - it’s a deep dive into succession law, political reality, and the very real anxieties of a nation on the brink.
History as it nearly was… and how close England came to a very different fate.
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Have you always wanted to get more into art history but don't think you have the skills or tools to do so? Well, art historian Dr. Emma Cahill Marron is offering a masterclass on identifying Holbein portraits using the skills she learned as an art historian. Join us on February 22nd! EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE NOW!
Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Hosts:
Rebecca Larson
Amy McElroy