🎙️ The brilliant Amy McElroy is back—and this time, we’re cracking open the schoolbooks of Tudor England! What did education look like in the 16th century? Who got to learn—and who was left behind? From noble tutors to village schoolmasters, we uncover how class, gender, and opportunity shaped the minds of the Tudor world. Curious what kind of education Henry VIII's sister, Mary Tudor received versus her brothers? This is the episode for you. Don’t miss it!

Amy's Podcast visits:

#1 - Educating the Tudors (January 2025)

#2 - Through Her Eyes: Women's Lives in the Tudor Era (January 2025)

#3 - Mary Tudor: The Forgotten Rose of the Tudor Court (February 2025)

#4 - Erasmus: Humanist, Critic, Legend (May 2025)

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Find Amy's books on Amazon, or wherever you get your books!

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DO YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN PODCAST BUT NEED HELP? Check out my new website rebeccalarson.com for more info!

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Amy McElroy

Opening music by: Music by Marco Maier from Pixabay

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life of Margaret Cavendish—17th-century duchess, writer, philosopher, and fearless trailblazer. From royal courts and civil war exile to scientific debate and science fiction, Margaret defied the norms of her time to leave a legacy still felt today. Join me as we uncover how “Mad Madge” challenged gender roles, questioned the foundations of science, and imagined a world where women ruled—not just in fiction, but in thought.

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Credits:

Narrator: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

Music by Marco Maier from Pixabay

We're back with the second episode in our Parallel Lives series, and this time we're exploring the unexpected connections between Juana of Castile and Anne Boleyn. They had far more in common than I ever imagined. Since it's the follow-up to our first episode, we begin with a quick recap, share some great listener feedback, and wander down a few fun historical side roads—before diving into the fascinating parallels between Juana and Anne. If you'd rather skip straight to the comparison, jump ahead to 12:45.

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Watch: Parallel Lives - Isabel I of Castile and Katherine of Aragon

Episode with Sylvia where she discusses the phoenix

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma Cahill Marron