Episode 258: The Life of Catherine Howard: Love, Intrigue & Betrayal with Gareth Russell

Author Bio

Gareth Russell is a historian and broadcaster. He studied at Oxford and Queen’s University, Belfast, where he specialised in the medieval and Tudor royal households. He is the author of several books, including the Catherine Howard biography, Young and Damned and Fair, and the bestselling Do Let’s Have Another Drink, about the late Queen Mother. His new book – The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of History at Hampton Court – is a BBC History Book of the Year.

Episode Summary

Welcome to another captivating episode of “Talking Tudors” with your host Natalie Grueninger. In this episode, Natalie is joined by historian and broadcaster Gareth Russell to delve into the complex life of Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Gareth, an expert in Tudor history and author of the biography ‘Young and Damned and Fair’, shares his insights on Catherine’s early life and her controversial relationships with Henry Mannox, Francis Dereham and Thomas Culpepper.

From her upbringing in the household of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk to her tumultuous time at court, this episode sheds light on the lesser-known aspects of Catherine’s life, including the myths surrounding her family’s ambitions and the intricacies of her romantic entanglements. Tune in to explore the human side of this often misunderstood queen and discover how her personality, decisions, and the actions of those around her led to her tragic downfall.

Content Warning: Please note that this episode contains discussions of child abuse and sexual assault and is only suitable for adult audiences.

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