Edward II has often been remembered as a king who simply didn’t fit the role he inherited. In this episode, we trace his reign from the shadow of his formidable father, Edward I of England, through the controversies that defined his rule - his favoritism, his relationships, and his uneasy connection with the nobility. Why did his choices spark such intense opposition? And how did a king lose control of his own kingdom? As we follow Edward II’s story to his deposition, something unexpected emerges: a king increasingly aware of his own failures - offering, perhaps, a quiet kind of redemption at the very end.

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Listen to Matt on Gone Medieval!

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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matthew Lewis

In this episode, I’m joined by historian Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore the life of Katherine Swynford - her relationship with John of Gaunt, the scandal that shook the royal court, and how her legacy would shape the future of the English throne.

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Sharon's Website: https://historytheinterestingbits.com/author/sharonbennettconnolly/

Sharon's Upcoming Events: https://historytheinterestingbits.com/forthcoming-events/

Sharon's Books on Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B072156Z8V?ccs_id=2752d8c6-9e4d-4cca-b600-6046103545e6

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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

What if Henry Tudor never made it out of England? What if Bosworth had gone differently? And how much of what we think we know about Henry VII is actually wrong?

In this Off the Record episode, we're joined by historian Nathen Amin to dig into the myths, misconceptions, and fascinating “what ifs” surrounding England’s first Tudor king. From his years in exile with Jasper Tudor to the pivotal moment at Battle of Bosworth Field, we explore just how fragile Henry’s path to the throne really was.

Would he have tried again if Bosworth had been lost? What if he had never fled into exile at all? Was his marriage to Elizabeth of York inevitable - or simply the best available option? And after her death, who might Henry have chosen next?

We also tackle the question people love to ask (but rarely explore properly): was Henry VII a mama’s boy under the influence of Margaret Beaufort…or something far more calculated?

This is Henry VII stripped of the textbook narrative - uncertain, strategic, and far more human than you might expect.

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https://nathenamin.substack.com/

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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

SPECIAL EVENT on May 9th with Dr. Steven Veerapon on the medical history of Henry VIII. All the information can be found here: https://henrythetyrant.eventbrite.com

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Amy McElroy

Guest: Nathen Amin