logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
26m 21s

Conspiracy | 1. Was Elizabeth I a man?

IMMEDIATE MEDIA
About this episode
In her most famous speech, delivered on 9 August 1588, Queen Elizabeth I declared that she had the "heart and stomach of a king". Was that just rhetoric? Or could England’s iconic Tudor queen actually have been a man masquerading as a woman? In this new episode of Conspiracy, Tudor historian Tracy Borman speaks to Rob Attar about the bizarre 'Bisley Boy' con ... Show More
Up next
Sep 15
The forgotten slave traders who shaped Britain
Who were the people who financed Britain’s transatlantic slave trade – and how did their money transform the nation? Elinor Evans speaks to historian William A Pettigrew, who has led a landmark project identifying some 13,000 investors connected to the trafficking of 3.2 million ... Show More
36m 2s
Sep 14
What is ‘Europe’, anyway?
What defines Europe – is it geography, politics, a shared culture, or perhaps a mix of all three? In this episode, historian Roderick Beaton tells Emily Briffett about the ways in which it has been defined, and redefined, as an idea by its people over the centuries. ----- GO BEYO ... Show More
36m 59s
Sep 13
Christianity, conflict and catastrophe: the life of CS Lewis
He's well-known for creating children's classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but what else can history teach us about CS Lewis? Michael Ward explores the life of the author with Isabel King – from a tragic childhood to his turbulent relationship with faith. ----- GO BEYO ... Show More
40m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2015
Episode #1 - Was Queen Elizabeth Actually A Man?
Queen Elizabeth I is easily one of England's most celebrated monarchs. The so-called "virgin queen" has been credited with leading England through a golden age. However, she is also the subject of countless historical myths and conspiracy theories. This week we unpack the scandal ... Show More
28m 10s
Jul 2015
Episode #1 - Was Queen Elizabeth Actually A Man?
Queen Elizabeth I is easily one of England's most celebrated monarchs. The so-called "virgin queen" has been credited with leading England through a golden age. However, she is also the subject of countless historical myths and conspiracy theories. This week we unpack the scandal ... Show More
28m 10s
Apr 2021
39. Elizabeth I
She famously claimed to have the heart and stomach of a king and remains one of Britain’s most talked about monarchs, despite having reigned more than 400 years ago. Tracy Borman, author of the acclaimed Elizabeth’s Women, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss Elizab ... Show More
45 m
Feb 2024
OFH Throwback- Episode #1- Was Queen Elizabeth Actually a Man?
In this throwback episode Sebastian takes you all the way back to the very first episode of OFH ever released. Queen Elizabeth I is easily one of England’s most celebrated monarchs. The so-called “virgin queen” has been credited with leading England through a golden age. However, ... Show More
33m 26s
Mar 2024
Queen Elizabeth I and Her V Card
This week is for the true history girlies! We are taking you through the life and reign of the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I. From her tumultuous upbringing as the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn to her rise to become one of England's most notable monarchs. We talk sister figh ... Show More
1h 14m
Nov 2025
616. Elizabeth I: The Fall of the Axe (Part 1)
How did Elizabeth I’s tumultuous early life in the court of her wife murdering father, Henry VIII, influence the rest of her life? What was the nature of the Tudor world she was born into? Why did Henry VIII so desperately desire a son? And, why did Henry and Anne’s marriage foll ... Show More
1h 7m
Jul 2025
Royal Sex: Elizabeth I
Was Elizabeth I really a virgin? When we talk about queens being remembered for their sex lives, we absolutely have to mention the woman so often remembered for her lack of one.Kate is joined by Professor Anna Whitelock, author of ‘Elizabeth’s Bedfellows: An Intimate History of t ... Show More
47m 43s
Jun 2025
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I—a monarch of unmatched intellect, resilience, and style, who led England through a golden age. Rising to power in a time of turmoil, she became a symbol of strength and stability, guiding her nation through political intrigue, cultural blossoming, and global exp ... Show More
56m 46s
Aug 2024
The Real Anne Boleyn: Sex, Scandal & Betrayal
Anne Boleyn was smart, sophisticated and had SO much charisma.She kept Henry VIII waiting for SEVEN YEARS before they finally got together, and even then it was on her terms.So where did it all go wrong for Anne Boleyn? Were any of the wild accusations made against her true? And ... Show More
50m 56s
Oct 2024
Elizabeth I's Conjuror: John Dee
<p>A trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, Dr. John Dee was an astronomer, mathematician, astrologer, and navigator with ties to the occult.</p><p>But what role did astrology or the occult have alongside Christianity in the Elizabethan court?</p><br><p>Professor Suzannah Lipscomb ... Show More
36m 37s