The Salacious Tudor Drama of Catherine Howard

Watch this full episode of After Dark with Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling where they chat about Katherine Howard, Henry VIII, Tudor court scandals, and the tragic execution of the fifth wife. Joined by acclaimed historian and author Gareth Russell, the team explores the "Young and Damned and Fair" queen, debunking myths about her age and agency. The discussion traverses her early entanglements with Henry Manox and Francis Dereham, the perilous nocturnal meetings with Thomas Culpeper, and the chilling detail of how she prepared for her final moments at the Tower of London.

0:00 The Chessboard of Henry VIII’s Court
1:21 Introducing Tudor Historian Gareth Russell
2:10 Who Was Katherine Howard?
4:30 The Age Gap: Henry VIII at 49
5:45 The Fatal Meeting with Thomas Culpeper
7:24 The Blackmail of Francis Dereham
11:10 Debunking Myths of Catherine’s Sexual Past
16:10 The Psychology of a Tudor Narcissist
21:30 Learning the Lessons of Anne Boleyn
31:40 The Investigation and Meltdown at Hampton Court
42:40 Rehearsing the Execution: The Queen's Final Performance

This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and McKenna Fernandez. Edited by Anna Brant. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

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