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
Yesterday
Ancient goddesses: love, violence and ecstatic experiences
What do goddesses of love have in common with goddesses of war? Historian Ronald Hutton argues that some of the ancient world’s most powerful female deities were united by a potent combination of sex, violence and ecstatic experience. Speaking to Danny Bird, Hutton traces a linea ... Show More
29m 56s
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 6m
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