Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake 425 years ago this month. His crime? Radical thinking which clashed with the ideas of the Roman Catholic church. But his extraordinarily colourful life, ideas and tragic fate continue to resonate in our modern understanding of the universe and the ongoing tension between scientific inquiry and religious authority.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by best-selling author S.J. Parris - pen-name for journalist Stephanie Merritt - who has written a series of novels with Bruno as the main protagonist. Together they delve into the life of a revolutionary and engaging character who took on the church in the 16th century and paid the ultimate price.

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

Theme music from All3Media. Other music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast.

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