Historical Association: Women in Tudor England

This talk explores the often-overlooked political influence of women in sixteenth-century England. It challenges the familiar picture of Tudor politics as a world dominated only by kings, ministers and formal office-holders, and instead shows how queens, noblewomen, ladies-in-waiting and influential wives helped shape events through relationships, patronage, information-sharing and family networks.

Drawing on fascinating stories and contemporary sources, Professor James Daybell examines how women at the heart of Tudor society navigated power in royal palaces, noble households and the Tudor court. The talk looks at figures such as Anne Boleyn and Penelope Rich, and considers how reputation, access and alliances could be just as important as official authority in shaping political life.