Enchanted Realms: Fairies in the 16th Century

Enchanted Realms: Fairies in the 16th Century

Author: History Hit January 1, 2026 Duration: 42:36

In the early modern period, belief in fairies was quite commonplace. But put all thoughts of Tinkerbell aside! Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Professor Diane Purkiss to find out how these fairies were altogether more dangerous beings - troublemakers, child-snatchers, seducers and changelings.


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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: 100

Not Just the Tudors
Podcast Episodes
Ballads of Magic & Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:28
Songs have always carried stories of love, loss, rebellion and hope. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by author Amy Jeffs, illustrator Gwen Burns and composer Natalie Brice to explore the magical, mythical, and myst…
Voices of Thunder: Radical Women of the 17th Century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:58
In 17th-century England, women weren’t asked what they believed, they were generally told to obey. But amid civil war, revolution, and religious upheaval, a remarkable group of women risked everything to speak out. They…
Henry VIII on Screen: The Historians' Verdict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:11
King Henry VIII is best known for his tempestuous marriages and his penchant for cutting off people’s heads. But where does fiction meet fact?In this special episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by a panel of e…
The Last Plantagenets in Tudor England [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Direct descendants of the Plantagenets were once at the very heart of Tudor politics, yet their story is often overlooked. From Margaret Pole, niece of Edward IV and Richard III, to her son Cardinal Reginald Pole, the fa…
Fig Leaves & A Grumpy Jesus: Renaissance to Baroque Art [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:04
Have you ever wandered through a museum and thought: Why is the Virgin Mary always dressed in blue? Did they really use eggs in egg tempera—and did it make those paintings smell weird? And why, for some reason, does baby…
Rudolf II, the "Mad Habsburg Emperor" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:51
In the final episode of her short series on the Habsburg dynasty, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb turns to one of the most fascinating and misunderstood rulers of early modern Europe: Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. Often rem…
Marlowe & Shakespeare: Rivals or Collaborators? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:20
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb engages in a captivating conversation with award-winning dramatist Liz Duffy Adams about the new Royal Shakespeare production of her play Born With Teeth, which imagines a thrilling collaborat…
Habsburg Women: Matriarchs of Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
When we think of the Habsburgs, the spotlight usually falls on emperors, kings, and archdukes—powerful men who dominated Europe. But behind the scenes, across five generations, an extraordinary line of Habsburg women qui…
Vanity of Henry VIII with Kate Lister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:16
With six wives, Henry VIII must have had something going for him, right? Was he handsome? Charming? Intelligent? Just plain powerful? In this episode, the tables are turned on Professor Suzannah Lipscomb as she becomes t…
Charles V, Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:04
In the second episode of our special Habsburg dynasty series, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by renowned historian Professor Geoffrey Parker to uncover the extraordinary life of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor—once…