For our final foray into the shadowy Renaissance world of the Borgia Dynasty, we explore the enigma that was Lucrezia Borgia, whose life navigating a perilous patriarchal landscape was enmeshed in scandals and power struggles. 

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Distinguished Professor Diane Ghirardo dissect the myths and reveal the truths surrounding Lucrezia Borgia, from her role as a political pawn to the allegations of her involvement in dark deeds, ending with her eventual emergence as a respected figure seeking redemption. 

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discusses the impact of the Little Ice Age, a period of significant cooling from the 15th to early 19th centuries that caused widespread famine, drought, and socio-economic upheaval across the Northern Hemisphere. She's joined by Professors Madeline Bassnett and Laurie Johnson who share insights from their joint research project on how England adapted to severe weather conditions. Discover fascinating historical accounts and learn about humanity's resilience in the face of climate adversity.

Presented by Professor Susannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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In June 1497, Juan - or Giovanni - Borgia, favoured son of Pope Alexander VI, was found brutally murdered in the River Tiber. Who committed this heinous crime? Suspects ranged from his ambitious brother Cesare to the Borgias' political enemies, the Orsini family. Despite an extensive investigation by the Pope, Giovanni's murder remains one of history's greatest cold cases.

In the third episode of our special series, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Catherine Fletcher as they delve once again into the Borgias' treacherous Renaissance world, uncovering secrets of power, betrayal, and intrigue.

Presented by Professor Susannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores the lives of the cast of Tudor courtiers who appear in Wolf Hall, including Thomas Cromwell, Richard Rich, Thomas Howard and Eustace Chapuys. She's joined by Dr. Lauren Mackay to discuss their portrayal in Wolf Hall and what happened to them in real life after the demise of Cromwell. The episode reveals the intricate politics, personal loyalties and enduring impacts of these characters on English history.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Music by Epidemic Sound.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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Cesare Borgia, one of history's most controversial figures, was known for his ruthless ambition and political cunning. From his dramatic rise to power through to his notorious military campaigns and the legends surrounding his alleged crimes and complex relationships, he inspired Machiavelli's The Prince and left a lasting mark on the Renaissance era.

In the second of our special series on the Borgias, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Catherine Fletcher to investigate whether Cesare's reputation is well-deserved or a product of historical exaggeration.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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Professor Suzannah Lipscomb explores the dissolution of some 800 monasteries and nunneries by King Henry VIII, a campaign that dramatically reshaped England’s landscape and society.  Suzannah meets leading experts - Professor Alec Ryrie, James G.Clark and Professor Lucy Wooding - whose research has uncovered the massive transfer of property and power that left an indelible mark on England.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Watch Suzannah's series on the Dissolution of the Monasteries by signing up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK

In the 15th and early 16th centuries, one Spanish family rose to exert its influence over Renaissance Italy - the Borgias. Deploying diplomacy, marriage alliances and military force to advance their interests, the Borgias’ meteoric ascent was accompanied by stories of incest, murder, and debauchery. But how true were the rumours? 

All this month on Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is discovering how the Borgias pushed at the boundaries of acceptable behaviour for Renaissance rulers. She is joined in this episode by Dr. Katharine Fellows to consider the Borgias' rise to the pinnacle of European power. 

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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Niccolo Machiavelli’s name has become synonymous with cunning, deceit and a lack of morality to achieve one's goals in politics or business. He was a pivotal figure of the Renaissance, who witnessed the turbulence of Medici rule, radical religious reform, and the dangerous politics of European courts.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by the renowned political philosopher, historian and author Dr. Erica Benner to explore Machiavelli's journey from diplomat to revered writer. 

Related episodes on the Renaissance:

Michelangelo >

Lorenzo de Medici >

Marguerite de Navarre >

Erasmus >

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK

Across the holiday season, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb has been diving deep into the captivating stories of the six wives of Henry VIII with three special double episodes. Immerse yourself in the rich and fascinating true stories of these incredible women who changed the monarchy - and England - forever.

This time, we spotlight Katherine Howard, the girl queen wholly unprepared and unsuited for the monstrous Henry, and Kateryn Parr, the one who defied fate and emerged as a survivor. Join Suzannah for stories filled with intrigue, passion, tragedy and resilience.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast

Music by Motion Array, Epidemic Sound, All3Media and Pixabay

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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Celebrate the 350th anniversary of Sir Christopher Wren's masterworks with Professor Suzannah Lipscomb as she and Professor Adrian Tinniswood OBE dive deep into Wren's extraordinary journey from scientist to architectural legend. Discover the untold stories behind the creation of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the radical rebuilding post-Great Fire of London, and Wren’s groundbreaking role in founding the Royal Society. Uncover the struggles, the ingenuity, and the unyielding ambition of a man who navigated political tumult, personal tragedy, and professional triumphs to leave an indelible mark on history. This episode unveils Wren’s lesser-known ventures, his enigmatic character, and the intriguing controversies that shaped his monumental career.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

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In this second special Christmas edition, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb offers another chance to hear the fascinating series from earlier this year in which she took an in-depth look into the six wives of Henry VIII, revealing the rich stories and incredible lives of these women who changed the monarchy - and England - forever. This time, Suzannah turns her attention to the sad, short queenships of wife number three Jane Seymour and number four Anne of Cleves - two women about which there’s a lot more to be said than their brief marriages to Henry VIII.

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Alice Smith and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Music from Motion Array, Epidemic Sound, All3Media and Pixabay

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. 

You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK