Anne Boleyn: Ambition or Faith?

Anne Boleyn: Ambition or Faith?

Author: History Hit June 8, 2026 Duration: 46:55

Was Anne Boleyn a seductress, a schemer, or something far more radical? What happens when we look at Anne not through the lens of sex and scandal, but through religion?

From Tudor observers to Six the Musical, Anne Boleyn has been labelled the woman who tempted, manipulated and overreached. But Professor Suzannah Lipscomb's guest Reverend Canon Martha Tatarnic, an Anglican priest, instead offers new insights into Anne’s faith, agency and historical significance.


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Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle

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Six Wives: Anne Boleyn

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Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

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Step beyond the well-trodden path of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I with historian Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. While the Tudor dynasty remains a central touchstone, the conversations in Not Just the Tudors roam a much wider, richer historical landscape. You might find an episode delving into the court of Mughal India or examining the artistry of Velázquez, followed by a deep dive into the world of Shakespeare or the haunting history of witch trials. This approach reveals how the 16th and 17th centuries were a time of global connection and dramatic change far beyond the English court. Each week, Suzannah is joined by fellow historians and specialists, turning each session into a compelling dialogue that uncovers incredible, often overlooked stories. The result is a layered portrait of an era, built through detailed discussions and fresh perspectives. Produced by History Hit, this podcast releases new episodes every Wednesday and Sunday, offering regular escapes into a past that is both complex and surprisingly familiar. It’s a series for anyone who loves history but craves a broader view, proving that context is everything.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Not Just the Tudors
Podcast Episodes
Royal Favourites: The Filthy Earl of Rochester [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 49:25
How did a child written off by the Tudor court rise to become one of England's most iconic monarchs?Before she became queen, Elizabeth Tudor was surrounded by scandal, suspicion and deadly intrigue. Born to Anne Boleyn a…
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Duration: 49:00
How did Captain James Cook's scientific voyage of 1768 become a mission for the British empire?While expanding knowledge of Pacific geography and natural history, Captain Cook was under secret orders to claim lands for B…
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Duration: 42:37
Who were the scandalous, defiant couple on the margins of Dutch society who became part of the founding story of New York?Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Alan Mikhail to uncover the extraordinary lives…
James V: Scotland's Ambitious Renaissance King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:41
Was James V of Scotland a beleaguered child king or a brilliant Renaissance ruler who mastered the performance of power?Crowned before his second birthday, James curbed powerful magnates, strengthened royal authority and…