If there is one thing about Anne Boleyn that fascinates almost everyone who loves Tudor history, its discussing what on earth she actually looked like. All we have to go on, at least for now, is a series of portraits painted after Anne Boleyn’s death and that damaged medal which was struck in 1534, but, is it just possible that a portrait of Anne Boleyn, painted from life has been hiding in plain sight all along? Today I speak to Elizabeth LaVasse, who has been researching Anne’s many images and has developed what I think could be an incredible theory, which if true, will take the world of Anne Boleyn portraiture by storm.

Brigitte Barnard is a Tudor fictional author and fully qualified midwife who joins me today for a fascinating discussion all about Tudor midwifery. We cover the stories of Tudor women from the very top of society right down to the poorest. From the rules around confinement to bizarre birthing rituals, to the things that remain as prominent in giving birth today as they did for those in the 16th century. We also explore some of the stories told about the ramifications of Henry VIII’s wives pregnancies, from what ultimately killed Jane Seymour to a theory around Henry’s blood type being the root cause for much of his wives pregnancy misfortunes!

Sylvia Barbara Soberton is a historian and author who joins me today for a discussion all about Anne Boleyn and witchcraft! Many historians refute claims that Anne was actually accused of being in a witch during her downfall in May 1536, but Sylvia has uncovered evidence which gives us pause for thought on this front, and that actually there is much more to the story than initially believed. Today we cover this all and much more as we explore the notions of exactly what witchcraft was in the context of Anne Boleyn’s story.