In this episode, we step into the glittering yet deeply unstable world of the Restoration court through the life of Mary of Modena - a woman whose destiny could not have been further from her original hopes.

Mary had envisioned a quiet life devoted to the Church. Instead, she was thrust onto the European stage and into a political marriage with James II, brother and heir to Charles II. As a young foreign bride in a volatile, anti-Catholic England, Mary was forced to adapt quickly - learning how to survive, and even exert influence, in a court defined by shifting loyalties, scandal, and uncertainty.

Joined by historian and author Breeze Barrington, who holds a PhD in the literary and artistic cultures of the early Stuart court, we explore how Mary navigated this treacherous environment with remarkable emotional intelligence and resilience. Together, we discuss Mary’s transformation from reluctant bride to queen, her role as stepmother to Mary II and Anne, and what her story reveals about women’s power, adaptation, and endurance at one of the most dramatic courts in English history.

This is not just the story of a Catholic queen - but of a woman learning how to survive, and lead, in a world she never chose.

--

The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of Women at the Restoration Court

Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Graces-by-Breeze-Barrington/9781526663788

--

Have you ever wanted to look at a portrait and see all the symbolism - both hidden and obvious? Consider taking Dr. Emma's masterclass on Holbein identification! EARLY-BIRD pricing now available. Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator

--

Credits:

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Breeze Barrington

In the autumn of 1562, England held its breath. Queen Elizabeth I lay gravely ill with smallpox, her life uncertain, her kingdom unprepared for what might come next.

But what if she hadn’t survived?

In this episode, we explore one of the most chilling “what ifs” in English history. With no named heir, a fragile religious settlement, and rival claims waiting in the wings, Elizabeth’s death could have plunged England into chaos. Who would have taken the throne? Would Mary, Queen of Scots have prevailed - or would the Grey sisters have been revived as contenders? Who were some of the other contenders?

This isn’t just speculation - it’s a deep dive into succession law, political reality, and the very real anxieties of a nation on the brink.

History as it nearly was… and how close England came to a very different fate.

--

Have you always wanted to get more into art history but don't think you have the skills or tools to do so? Well, art historian Dr. Emma Cahill Marron is offering a masterclass on identifying Holbein portraits using the skills she learned as an art historian. Join us on February 22nd! EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE NOW!

Get your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980200278338?aff=oddtdtcreator

--

Hosts:

Rebecca Larson

Amy McElroy

Two queens. Two foreign brides. Two marriages to Henry VIII—yet wildly different legacies.

In this episode of Parallel Lives, Dr. Emma and I place Anna of Cleves and Katherine of Aragon side by side to explore what it really meant to arrive in England as a teenage bride, shaped by continental courts, dynastic expectations, and political pressure far beyond their control.

We look at their early lives before England, how each woman understood queenship, faith, duty, and survival - and how their personal strengths played out very differently once married to the same king. From Katherine’s long struggle as queen and defender of her marriage (and daughter Mary) to Anna’s remarkable ability to adapt, negotiate, and ultimately thrive after divorce, this is a conversation about power, perception, and female resilience.

Who had the better outcome? Who exercised more agency? And how much of what we think we know about these women is shaped by later myth rather than lived reality?

Join us as we rethink two of Henry VIII’s most fascinating queens - beyond portraits, politics, and caricature.

--

DON'T FORGET TO GET SIGNED UP FOR DR. EMMA'S MASTERCLASS ON IDENTIFYING HOLBEIN SKETCHES/PORTRAITS ON FEBRUARY 22ND!

--

Hosts:

Rebecca Larson

Dr. Emma Cahill Marron