Elizabeth I's long reign has almost been defined by her 'favourites' – men who gained power by 'courting' the Virgin Queen. But why did she really keep them close?

In this episode of our new series on Elizabeth I's favourites, Tracy Borman is joined by Joanne Paul to discover the story of the Queen's first love – Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester.

Dudley benefitted both financially and politically from Elizabeth's favour. He was even said to be 'one of three people ruling the country'.

So is this a simple tale of unrequited love, or something more political?

Turn on video on Spotify, or watch this episode on YouTube to see Tracy and Joanne in the Tudor Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace.

Learn more about Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester on our website.

Jane Seymour is often remembered as 'Plain Jane', distinguished only by her death in the famous rhyme, 'Divorced, beheaded, died...'

But Jane was more than a puppet of powerful men; during her short time as Queen, she made the role her own. In some ways, she was the most successful of all Henry VIII's six queens.

In this episode, Tracy Borman is joined by Elizabeth Norton, who reveals a new side to this misunderstood Tudor woman. Together, they discover the real Jane behind the myths.

Turn on video on Spotify, or watch this episode on YouTube to see Tracy and Beth in the amazing Tudor Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace.

Learn more about the Tudor queens on our website.

The Tower of London loomed large over the medieval city, casting a formidable shadow with its rings of high walls and towers, wide moat and fearsome gateways.

There have been several attempts to siege the Tower and break past its defenses, but only one was successful. In 1381, the rebels of the Peasants' Revolt managed to get all the way into the White Tower itself.

How was the Tower defended? What obstacles stood between attackers and their goals? And how did the rebels make it inside?

Find out more about the Peasants' Revolt at the Tower on our blog