Video

The course

Explore the long Tudor century through specific moments of crisis, when the dynasty itself teetered on the brink.

From 1485 to 1603, for 118 years, the Tudors ruled England. 

Despite attempted invasions, major rebellions, rivals, enemies, reckless religious policy and a shaky succession, they held on. 

But moments of crisis take us under the surface to explore what was really at stake and how this family with a tenuous claim on the English crown managed to evade danger and cling onto power. 

In this four-month course, through video lectures, online readings of primary sources, and engaging live discussions, we'll explore eight case studies that take us to the battlefield, altar, stake, and streets, to reckon with how the Tudors walked the tightrope of sixteenth-century politics. 

Don't miss this opportunity to delve deep into the weakest moments of the age, and develop a profound understanding of how power operated in the Tudor century.

Reviews of Suzannah's last course

5 star rating

Once In A Lifetime

Jamie Blackford

I have been intrigued by the Tudor court for over 15 years. Suzannah Lipscomb has been one of my go-historians. This class has taught me more than I ever thought possible. The people of the court came alive, and many concepts could translate to t...

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I have been intrigued by the Tudor court for over 15 years. Suzannah Lipscomb has been one of my go-historians. This class has taught me more than I ever thought possible. The people of the court came alive, and many concepts could translate to today's world. The live lectures were amazing and covered a variety of topics to answer any Tudor interests. I would recommend this course to any history lover.

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5 star rating

Amazing course, so accessible! I’ve loved every minute!

Rebecca (Becki) Dignam

I have loved everything about this course. As someone with health issues I would never have access were it not for this amazing format. I also have auditory issues, so cannot thank you enough for ensuring all the videos were captioned! I have lear...

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I have loved everything about this course. As someone with health issues I would never have access were it not for this amazing format. I also have auditory issues, so cannot thank you enough for ensuring all the videos were captioned! I have learnt so much and found a wonderful community.

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5 star rating

Excellent Course

Meagan Wickham

I really enjoyed taking this course, it was both fun and interesting. I would definitely recommend this course to other Tudor nerds like myself and I would definitely be interested in taking any courses in the future. I'm giving this course FIVE ...

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I really enjoyed taking this course, it was both fun and interesting. I would definitely recommend this course to other Tudor nerds like myself and I would definitely be interested in taking any courses in the future. I'm giving this course FIVE STARS! It was such a privilege and big opportunity getting to talk with Suzannah Lipscomb and to be taught by one of my favorite historians.

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5 star rating

Wonderful course

Petra Ivenz

Thank you once again for the wonderful course you put together for us. I've been crazy about the Tudors for many years, and despite thinking I knew a lot, each module taught me something new. The course was carefully planned and prepared, reflecti...

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Thank you once again for the wonderful course you put together for us. I've been crazy about the Tudors for many years, and despite thinking I knew a lot, each module taught me something new. The course was carefully planned and prepared, reflecting your obvious passion for the subject. This dedication shone through in every aspect of the material. Your passion and dedication are very inspiring. I particularly enjoyed working with the primary sources and found your informative videos a highlight. Starting this September, I'll be teaching a course on English History, and I cannot wait to incorporate as much of the knowledge I gained here as possible. Thank you again, and I look forward to attending your next course.

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5 star rating

Fantastic course

Helen Louise Bright

Very interesting and engaging. Suzannah is down to earth and approachable, she's a fountain of Tudor knowledge. And the chance to be part of the Tudor Collective with other Nerds is fantastic; only bad thing I never wanted this course to end ! Loo...

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Very interesting and engaging. Suzannah is down to earth and approachable, she's a fountain of Tudor knowledge. And the chance to be part of the Tudor Collective with other Nerds is fantastic; only bad thing I never wanted this course to end ! Looking forward to enrolling on Suzannah's next course!

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5 star rating

A must for the Tudor historian

Eric Skoda

Have you ever sat watching a good historical document and wished you could ask the presenter more questions about the topic? Suzannah Lipscomb has made this possible with her online course Henry VIII:The Making of a Tyrant. This four-month cours...

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Have you ever sat watching a good historical document and wished you could ask the presenter more questions about the topic? Suzannah Lipscomb has made this possible with her online course Henry VIII:The Making of a Tyrant. This four-month course is filled with detailed information that Suzannah Lipscomb has put together from her extensive research on this topic. Through course videos, excepts from documents, and bi weekly Zoom sessions with fellow “Tudor Nerds”, Suzannah Lipscomb takes the experience of learning history to a higher level. This course is a must for the Tudor historian.

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5 star rating

Superb course!

Lory Newmyer

Professor Lipscomb guides her students into fascinating depths of study, offering a range of access points, from ample primary source materials to fascinating and easily accessible videos. I’ve learned a great deal - much more than I imagined poss...

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Professor Lipscomb guides her students into fascinating depths of study, offering a range of access points, from ample primary source materials to fascinating and easily accessible videos. I’ve learned a great deal - much more than I imagined possible ~ and have loved every bit of it. Dr. Lipscomb also created a truly lovely learning community in the Tudor Nerd Collective, underscoring her generosity as a teacher and historian. I’m greatly looking forward to the next course! Thank you.

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5 star rating

Great

Maja Pantelic

I was extremely pleased with the course on Henry VIII that I recently attended. The group dynamic was excellent, with everyone showing great enthusiasm and engagement. The professor was truly phenomenal—her depth of knowledge, teaching style, an...

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I was extremely pleased with the course on Henry VIII that I recently attended. The group dynamic was excellent, with everyone showing great enthusiasm and engagement. The professor was truly phenomenal—her depth of knowledge, teaching style, and passion for the subject made the experience both enriching and enjoyable. The discussions were insightful, and the course exceeded my expectations in every way.

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5 star rating

Amazing – once in a lifetime

Janet Avery

This course has been amazing - a once in a lifetime experience. I have learned so much and mostly have learned the value of original documents and how to view history like a professional historian. I have been so impressed by the generosity and ...

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This course has been amazing - a once in a lifetime experience. I have learned so much and mostly have learned the value of original documents and how to view history like a professional historian. I have been so impressed by the generosity and kindness of Suzannah in making information available to all of us and in kindly and thoughtfully responding to all of our questions in the zoom sessions. Suzannah, your generosity and kindness and enthusiasm for history is nothing short of amazing and inspiring. Thank you so much! I will miss this course, but look forward to the next one!!

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5 star rating

Perfect Way to Spend 4 Months

Allison Donlevy

A totally absorbing, interesting and yet fun way to delve into the murky world of Henry VIII. Covering the politics, religion and intrigue of one of England's most famous monarchs. Highly recommended.

A totally absorbing, interesting and yet fun way to delve into the murky world of Henry VIII. Covering the politics, religion and intrigue of one of England's most famous monarchs. Highly recommended.

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5 star rating

This course has been amazing

Karina King

Professor Lipscomb has put together a fascinating and well researched course that offers her personal insights and thoughts on the topic, the opportunity to view historical documents and a reading list to explore the subject should you wish. The...

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Professor Lipscomb has put together a fascinating and well researched course that offers her personal insights and thoughts on the topic, the opportunity to view historical documents and a reading list to explore the subject should you wish. There was time to meet as a group and discuss personal thoughts or ask questions to Prof Lipscomb along with the Tudor Nerd community group. The course has enabled me to look beyond, through and around Henry in a way I had not considered so much. I feel I have learned so much about the social and political background as well as HR's upbringing and personality. And yes, he was a tyrant in my opinion!!!

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5 star rating

Fantastic

Laura G

Really wonderful course, very glad I signed up. So much information and work has gone into this. Thank you so much Suzannah! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Really wonderful course, very glad I signed up. So much information and work has gone into this. Thank you so much Suzannah! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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What's included

16-week course + 1 bonus module

  • 8 core modules + 1 bonus module

  • 42 video lectures

  • 8 live 1-hour Q&A sessions with Suzannah, available to re-watch

  • online community

  • primary sources introduced throughout

  • closed captions on all videos

  • further reading lists

Your tutor

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb

© Hello Mary! / Channel 4 Photographer: Tom Allright 

Suzannah Lipscomb FSA, FRHistS is an award-winning historian, author and broadcaster.

She is Professor Emerita at the University of Roehampton and Senior Member at St Cross College, Oxford. She received a Double First, MSt and DPhil in History from Lincoln and Balliol Colleges, Oxford.

Suzannah is a leading Tudor historian. She has written and edited seven books, including 1536: The Year that Changed Henry VIII, A Visitor's Companion to Tudor England, and The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII. She is currently writing a new history of Henry VIII's queens.

Suzannah is also an established television presenter. She has written and presented history series on the BBC, ITV, More 4 and Channel Five, including A History of Royal Scandals, Walking Tudor England, Hidden Killers of the Tudor Home  and Henry and Anne: The Lovers Who Changed History.  

Suzannah has been a research curator at Hampton Court Palace, royal historian for NBC, columnist for History Today, and is a Trustee of the Mary Rose. In 2024, she was Chair of Judges for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction.

She also hosts the successful Not Just the Tudors podcast from History Hit and Step Into the Past from FindmyPast.

Course Curriculum

8 core modules + 1 bonus module

  • Module 1

    The Pretender: Henry VII and Perkin Warbeck, 1492-7

  • Module 2

    The Schism: Henry VIII's Great Matter, 1527-33

  • Module 3

    The Mary Rose: Attempted Invasion, 1545

  • Module 4

    The People: Kett's Rebellion and Fighting in the Streets, 1549

  • Module 5

    The Device: Edward, Lady Jane and Mary, 1553

  • Module 6

    The Burnings: Mary I and the Heretics, 1555-8

  • Module 7

    The Virgin: Elizabeth I and Her Courtships, 1579

  • Module 8

    The Rival: The Challenge of Mary, Queen of Scots, 1586

  • Bonus Module

    Elizabeth I on Film

FAQ

  • How is this course delivered?

    The course is delivered online through a mix of pre-recorded videos, online readings, and live Zoom sessions. Every two weeks, a new module – a new bundle of video lectures together with online exercises – will be released. Every two weeks, there is a live Zoom session, where you have your chance to pose your questions to Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Every video will be captioned and available to watch in your own time. The Zoom sessions are recorded for later viewing. Which is to say, you can either do the course to stay on top of the material for the live Q & A sessions, or you can do it entirely at your own pace, or a combination of the two.

  • How much is this course worth?

    This course (although entirely new) is as substantive as those Suzannah taught her students. Based on university tuition fees in the UK, that means the value of the course is over £1,500.

  • When does the course begin?

    This online course will go live on 14 January 2025. The live Zoom sessions will begin two weeks later.

  • Can I pay in instalments?

    Yes, you can divide the regular price of the course into four monthly payments. It is also possible to pay through Paypal and, in some countries, you can also choose Buy Now Pay Later payment methods through Klarna, Clearpay or Afterpay.

  • How much material will I get?

    A lot! There are c. 40 video lectures, 8 live Zoom sessions with Suzannah Lipscomb, a huge number of primary sources, an opportunity to be part of a lively online community of learners, and lists of further reading.

  • Are they any reduced price places?

    Yes. Those who put their names on the mailing list will have received a discount code (check your mail!) Suzannah often offers flash sales on her social media. It is also possible to divide the regular price of the course into four monthly payments. And there is a limited number of discounted concessionary price places available for those who are carers or unwaged, who truly need it: click on 'Contact Us' at the foot of the page if this applies to you.

  • What time are the live Zoom sessions?

    The live Zooms will be hosted at 8:30pm GMT.

  • Who is this for?

    This course is for everyone – from those who know and love the Tudor period to those who know nothing about the Tudors but want to find out more. Whether you're a student, retired, mother of babes in arms, PhD candidate, or just plain ol' history fan, you're welcome here.

Price

The value of this course is over £1,500, but it is offered to you for less than an eighth of that.

Dig deep into the Tudors

With one of the world's leading Tudor historians