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Episode details

Sounds,07 May 2026,49 mins,

Contains some violent scenes.

Available for over a year

In 1553, Mary Tudor became the first woman to sit on the English throne - a reign of just five years, that history has remembered almost exclusively through the lens of her enemies. But today, we revisit the story of "Bloody Mary" to ask: was she really a ruthless tyrant? Joining us is Professor Kate Williams, a historian and broadcaster who specialises in Royal history. She unpacks Mary's life from start to finish and reveals the real Mary Tudor. Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Matthew Wilson. All music from Epidemic Sounds/All3Media. Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

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