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Stories of the Tudors and Stuarts by Historical Fiction author Tony Riches. For more information visit www.tonyriches.com
Episodes

Jul 23, 2026
Jul 23, 2026
18 min
A Woman Ahead of Her Time
Born Penelope Devereux, she was the daughter of the queen’s nemesis, Lettice Knollys, and elder sister of the ill-fated Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.
Her father died in Ireland and her mother was often absent, so Penelope had to grow up fast and look after her younger brothers and sister. Her mother’s secret marriage to the queen’s favourite, Robert Dudley, did nothing to help Penelope.
In this podcast, I’ll explore some lesser-known insights into the character of Lady Penelope.

Jun 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026
29 min
This podcast continues my Elizabethan series looking at a new perspective on the history of Sir Walter Raleigh, the subject of my book Raleigh – Tudor Adventurer. I’d been planning an Elizabethan series for some time, as my aim was to tell the stories of the Tudors from Owen Tudor’s first meeting with Queen Catherine of Valois through to the death of Queen Elizabeth.
I decided to show the fascinating world of the Elizabethan court through the eyes of the queen’s favourite courtiers, and chose Raleigh as he had a special relationship as Captain of the queen’s guard.
In this podcast, we’re exploring the man behind the myths, the man Queen Elizabeth trusted… then betrayed? Explorer, soldier, poet—Sir Walter Raleigh lived a life of danger and ambition.
Uncover his remarkable story in Raleigh – Tudor Adventurer
#Elizabethan #Tudors #HistoricalFiction #Audiobooks

May 16, 2026
May 16, 2026
18 min
Sir Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, is a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, so why does he lead a rebellion? This podcast set out some of the historical research behind the book, and includes a short excerpt from the audiobook, narrated by Nigel Peever.
🇺🇸 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09246T7ZT
🇬🇧 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09246T7ZT

Nov 21, 2025
Nov 21, 2025
19 min
This podcast is the first of six covering the research behind my Elizabethan series, looking at a new perspective on the history of Sir Francis Drake, the subject of my book Drake – Tudor Corsair. I’ve enjoyed tracking down primary sources to uncover the truth of Drake’s story – and discovering the complex man behind the myths.
Discover the true story of Sir Francis Drake In Book One of the Elizabethan Series: https://mybook.to/DrakeTudorCorsair

Dec 23, 2020
Dec 23, 2020
16 min
This podcast is the third of a series of three looking at the life of Queen Elizabeth the first, and I’m exploring the myths and rumours surrounding the life of Queen Elizabeth, England’s ‘Gloriana’ – the virgin queen who reigned England and Ireland for 44 years.
In this podcast we take a look behind the familiar façade, to see what Elizabeth was really like.
My book, Drake - Tudor Corsair is available from Amazon in paperback and eBook
🇺🇸 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FCTYQF4
🇬🇧 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FCTYQF4
More information about all my books can be found on my website at https://www.tonyriches.com/
The Introductory music is La Volta, composed by David Hirschfelder

Nov 18, 2020
Nov 18, 2020
19 min
This podcast is the second of a series of three looking at the life of Queen Elizabeth the first, and I’m exploring the myths and rumours surrounding the life of Queen Elizabeth, England’s ‘Gloriana’ – the virgin queen who reigned England and Ireland for 44 years.

Oct 23, 2020
Oct 23, 2020
26 min
This podcast is the first of a series of three looking at the life of Queen Elizabeth the first, and is an introduction to the key events of Elizabeth’s life.
I’ll be looking at Elizabeth’s challenging childhood, her teenage years, how she ended up imprisoned in the Tower of London, and why she spent most of her reign in fear of assassination.
The next podcast explores the myths and legends which surround the last Tudor queen, and the third will look behind the familiar façade, to see what Elizabeth was really like.
For more information please see my website www.tonyriches.com

Aug 28, 2020
Aug 28, 2020
23 min
Attractive, wealthy and influential, and a favourite of King Henry VIII, Katherine Willoughby knew all his six wives, his daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and his son Edward, so how did this daughter of a proud Catholic become a champion of religious reform and risk her life for the Protestant cause when Queen Mary Tudor came to the throne?
My book Katherine - Tudor Duchess is available in eBook, paperback and audiobook editions from Amazon UK and Amazon US

May 26, 2020
May 26, 2020
21 min
Catherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII, is popularly known as the wife who 'survived', but why did Henry choose her, and how did she feel about becoming his queen?
Although her story lacks the tragic romance of Anne Boleyn, the scandal of Catherine Howard, or the politics surrounding the life of Anne of Cleves, I hope to show that Catherine Parr was the cleverest of Henry VIII's six wives.
Historian Elizabeth Norton, in her book on Catherine Parr says, ‘the woman who would become the sixth and last queen of Henry VIII was born into a prominent, but not royal family, and during her childhood, Catherine can never have dreamt of the future that lay in store for her.’

May 1, 2020
May 1, 2020
29 min
Katherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII, reigned as queen from the 28th of July 1540 to the 22nd of November 1541, and is often described as naive at best, at worst wanton and reckless. As always, the truth is more complex, and in this podcast we’ll explore the known facts.
