Portrait of King Henry VIII, Jane Seymour and Prince Edward. (Photo by Getty Images)

Tudor

Episode 1Raising the wreck.

The leader of the Luddites, 1812. Found in the collection of British Museum. Anonymous artist. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

5 of the worst years in British history

The Serpent Queen stars Samantha Morton as Catherine de' Medici

The Serpent QueenThe STARZ drama offers a caricature of the real Catherine de' Medici

British writer Hilary Mantel photographed at home

Hilary Mantel on the secrets of successful historical fiction.

MalintzinAztec interpreter.

The uniform worn by pupils at Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham. (Photo by Rex Features)

The history of school uniforms

Portraits of Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Wolsey’s deadly grudge match.

Holbein's portrait of Edward VI

Edward VIWhy the forgotten Tudor king had the makings of a monster

A composite image of Elizabeth I, Mary I and Elizabeth of York

How Elizabeth of York paved the way for her granddaughters to rule

c1400 farmer ploughing a field.

6 of the most catastrophic weather events in British history

The Inca empire: everything you wanted to know.

A portrait of King Henry VIII

Henry VIIIThe life and rule of the Tudor king, plus 5 surprising facts

Estelle Paranque

Estelle Paranque“Elizabeth I was in charge of her fate. Perhaps that’s why Catherine de Medici despised her”.

My history heroRory Stewart chooses Thomas More.

Elizabeth I’s greatest rival?.

Jackie Weaver and Elizabeth I

History heroJackie Weaver chooses Elizabeth I.

Tudors play real tennis, a precursor to the modern game of tennis

Q&AWhat was Real Tennis?

The Spanish flee Tenochtitlan under fierce fire during La Noche Triste.

Why we should remember…When Spanish conquistadors were forced to flee the Aztec capital.

Marguerite de Navarre

15 minutes of fameSuzannah Lipscomb chooses Marguerite de Navarre.

Marguerite de NavarreRoyal influencer.

Diane de Poitiers. As the mistress of Henry II of France, she had incredible and indescribable influence over the French king.

The French royal mistresses who made it about more than sex.

Closeup of Henry VIII's face

The slow death of Henry VIII

Princess Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour (Photos by Getty and Alamy)

Did Thomas Seymour sexually abuse the teenage Princess Elizabeth?

Disabled people in Tudor times.

Magellan: daring explorer or doomed failure?.

Our collage shows three generations of the Dudley family

The Dudley dynasty: the family behind the Tudors

The Dudleys: power behind the Tudor throne.

HistoryExtra's Monarchy Masterclass with Tracy Borman

HistoryExtra Monarchy Masterclass with Tracy BormanTudors and Stuarts (1485–1649).

Photo of Holy Trinity Church

Q&AWhere is William Shakespeare buried – and is there a curse on his grave?

Royal residences: everything you wanted to know.