Today, I’m joined by the wonderful Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore the first earls of Surrey—though that isn’t the name they would have recognized. To their contemporaries, they were the earls of Warenne.

From the aftermath of the Norman Conquest to the reign of Edward III, the Warenne family’s story is packed with the drama, ambition, and intrigue we’ve come to expect from England’s most powerful medieval dynasties.

You can find all of Sharon's on Amazon or wherever you get your books!

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Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sharon Bennett Connolly

ALL NEW EPISODES COMING THIS TUESDAY (DEC 23 & 25TH)!

The Great Fire destroyed much of the great city of London. In this episode we uncover the tinderbox conditions that led to the blaze, explore the dramatic events of those fateful days.This was originally posted November 2022 for Patreon patrons only - it is now opened it to the public.--Always commercial FREE for ⁠patrons⁠! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

Love the Tudors? Read the stories of the Tudors on ⁠Tudors Dynasty⁠! https://tudorsdynasty.com--Credits: Hosted by: Rebecca LarsonThe following music was used for this media project: Music: Sociopath by Phat Sounds/ Free download: ⁠https://filmmusic.io/song/10036-sociopath⁠ /License (CC BY 4.0): ⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠ /Artist on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PhatSounds74⁠Music: Open Sea (Epic) by Frank Schroeter/ Free download: ⁠https://filmmusic.io/song/9447-open-sea-epic⁠ / License (CC BY 4.0): ⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠ /Artist on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52⁠Music: Inevitable Collision [Original] by German Tretyakov/Free download: ⁠https://filmmusic.io/song/9802-inevitable-collision-original⁠ / License (CC BY 4.0): ⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠ / Artist website: ⁠https://vk.com/ganus612germantretyakov⁠SFX courtesy of ⁠freesound.org⁠ - ⁠This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.

This is a replay episode from a bit earlier this year. Due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to record a new episode this week. In addition, I've been getting requests for information on Eleanor of Castile - so here it is!

✨ In today’s Parallel Lives episode, Dr. Emma and I dive into the lives of two extraordinary women—Eleanor of Aquitaine and her daughter, Eleanor of Castile. A powerful mother-daughter duo whose stories shaped medieval Europe!

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NEW COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON! Be sure to follow me on Eventbrite so you don't miss out on information once it's available! --Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma

Edward I dreamed big—perhaps too big. While remembered for his brutal campaigns in Wales and Scotland, Edward also longed to take the fight to France, only to be repeatedly pulled back by crises closer to home.

Joined by Matthew Lewis, we examine how Edward’s crusading experience in the Holy Land, his views on conquest and treason, and his willingness to use extreme punishments shaped his reign. Together, we ask whether Edward’s reputation as a tyrant reflects cruelty—or a king trapped between imperial ambition and domestic rebellion.

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Find Matt's Books wherever you get your books.

Find Gone Medieval podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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Love the show? Please consider become a patron on Patreon! You'll receive commercial-free episodes, early access, exclusive content, and more! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matthew Lewis

Today’s episode is a one-time bonus share on Tudors Dynasty & Beyond so I can introduce you to a new podcast I’m launching. If you like this podcast, please consider subscribing to History Lair wherever you get your podcasts!

Before he became William the Conqueror, he was a boy born into scandal, danger, and survival. In this season of History Lair, we step into the shadows of 11th-century Normandy to uncover the brutal childhood, political chaos, and relentless ambition that forged one of history’s most formidable rulers.

This isn’t just the story of a conquest—it’s the making of a conqueror.

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Written by Melanie V. Taylor

Produced & Edited by Rebecca Larson

Voiced by ElevenLabs

Three queens. Three generations. Three very different paths to power. From the childhood formation of Isabel I of Castile, to the political education and queenship of Katherine of Aragon, and finally to the turbulent rise and reign of Mary I of England, this episode explores how girls became monarchs—and how legacy, faith, and crisis shaped their rule. A story of motherhood, monarchy, and what it truly meant to be a queen.

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🔥 New Podcast Alert! 🔥
History Lair has officially launched — and Season One is diving deep into the life, ambition, and legacy of William the Conqueror. Episode One is now live!

If you love Normandy, 1066, battlefield strategy, political drama, or just a really good origin story, this is the series for you.

Step inside the Lair… and uncover the making of a conqueror.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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LOVE the SHOW? Please consider becoming a Patreon patron. As such you'll get commercial-free episodes, early access, and excusive content! Learn More

Credits:

Hosts - Rebecca Larson & Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

Two women. Two very different paths through the Tudor court. One ended on the scaffold. The other helped shape how the court would be remembered.

In this episode of Forgotten Tudor Women, we explore the lives of Jane Boleyn and Susanna Horenbout—one remembered for scandal, the other nearly lost to history despite her artistic legacy. We unpack the myths surrounding Jane Boleyn, what people consistently get wrong about her, and what a more accurate version of her life reveals. We also dive into Susanna’s role as a foreign-born woman navigating Henry VIII’s court through talent, skill, and quiet influence.

Together, their stories reveal what life was really like for Tudor gentlewomen living in the shadow of power—and why their legacies still matter today.

Sylvia's New Book: Forgotten Tudor Women: Jane Boleyn and Susanna Horenbout

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Want to know what I'm up to? Give me a follow on Substack - every Monday I post a FREE article and every Wednesday I released more of my Thomas Seymour research to paid subscribers. https://rebeccalarson.substack.com

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LOVE this podcast and want to show your support? Please consider becoming a Patreon patron - you'll receive commercial-free episode, early access, exclusive content & more! Learn More!

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Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Sylvia Barbara Soberton

*This is a replay episode from July 2025 that was very popular with listeners/viewers, because Marguerite is a fascinating woman with an amazing portrait that we all recognize as her - immediately.

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Marguerite d’Angoulême—Renaissance writer, queen, and sister to King François I of France. Discover how Marguerite’s bold literary works, like the Heptameron, challenged gender norms, and how her passion for religious reform placed her at the heart of early evangelical movements. We’ll trace her journey from the French court to the throne of Navarre, revealing a woman who shaped politics, faith, and the role of women in 16th-century Europe.

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Head over to ⁠Patreon ⁠and consider becoming a patron! You'll get commercial-free episodes, early access and exclusive content! You can also join as a ⁠FREE ⁠member and gain access to the group chat.

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Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Emily Lalande

Welcome back to another episode of Historical Tinder with Dr. Emma & Me! As always, Dr. Emma picked this week’s topic—and I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going to lead. But surprise, surprise: it turned into a conversation about far more people than just Henry and Anne. Because let’s be honest… when did any of Henry VIII’s marriages involve only two people?

Stick around to catch a brand-new historical nickname we coined in the episode. If you hear it, drop it in the comments!

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🔥 Don’t wait (LAST DAY!)—tickets are disappearing fast!
As I mentioned in the episode, Dr. Estelle Paranque’s special talk on Saturday, December 6th is almost here, and you do not want to miss it.

Join us for a deep dive into the world that shaped Anne Boleyn: Marguerite of Angoulême, Louise of Savoy, Claude of France—the brilliant, influential women who helped forge her time in France.

🎟️ Grab your ticket now and secure your spot! https://anneboleyntravels.eventbrite.com
And remember: if you can’t join live, every ticket holder gets the full recording within 24 hours.

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Love the show and want to show your support? Maybe you want commercial-free content, early access, and exclusive content instead.... https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty

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Hosted by: Rebecca Larson and Dr. Emma Cahill Marron

Historian Matthew Lewis joins Rebecca to spotlight one of England’s most overlooked monarchs: Henry III. Often overshadowed by his infamous father and powerful son, Henry’s long reign was far more influential than history remembers.

In this conversation, Matthew unpacks Henry III’s political struggles, his clash with the barons, his deep piety, and the ambitious building projects that transformed England—especially Westminster Abbey. It’s a fresh look at a king who shaped the medieval world in lasting ways.

A perfect episode for anyone ready to rediscover a forgotten monarch.

Matt's book on Henry III - Amazon

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Looking for Commercial-Free episodes, exclusive content and much more? Become a Patreon patron today!

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Matthew Lewis

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Time is running out to grab your ticket for Saturday's (December 6th) talk by Dr. Estelle Paranque on Anne Boleyn's time in France and the women who influenced her. Grab your ticket now!

Replay Episode — Originally Aired 7 January 2025
This episode was one of our most-loved conversations of the year, and we’re excited to bring it back for anyone who missed it—or wants to experience it again.

Gemma Hollman returns to the podcast for a captivating deep dive into the remarkable lives of medieval mystics and nuns. Together, we explore the spiritual, cultural, and intellectual impact of these extraordinary women who helped shape religious life throughout the Middle Ages.

From intense visionary experiences to the layered realities of cloistered existence, this replay goes beyond the surface to illuminate their devotion, agency, and enduring influence. It’s a journey into a world where faith, power, and identity intertwined in surprising ways.

Don’t miss this listener-favorite conversation!

Gemma’s Book: Women in the Middle Ages

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Credits:
Host: Rebecca LarsonGuest: Gemma Hollman