The Rise of the Tudors

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Adam Chapman and comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean to learn about the rise of the Tudor dynasty. The Tudors are probably the most famous ruling dynasty in British and English history. But where and when did the Tudor family actually originate? The answer lies in 13th-century Anglesey with a collection of modest landowners, who wouldn’t have called themselves Tudor at all. So how did this titanic royal dynasty spring from these minor Welsh beginnings? Correction: In this episode, we said that Margaret Beaufort was descended from Edward III and his mistress. She was actually a descendant of John of Gaunt, Edward’s son, and his mistress, Katherine Swynford. Although illegitimate at birth, their children were later legitimised, although barred from the throne. Research by Caitlín Rankin-McCabe

Written by Emma Nagouse, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Caitlín Rankin-McCabe and Greg Jenner

Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner

Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow

Project Management: Isla Matthews

Audio Producer: Steve Hankey You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.