Hello and welcome to the Renaissance English History Podcast, a part of the Agora Podcast Network.

I'm your host Heather Tesco, and I'm a storyteller who makes history accessible because I believe

it's a pathway to understanding who we are, our place in the universe, and be more deeply in touch

with our own humanity. This episode is all about Jane Ballin and the rethinking of her legacy.

Before we get started, though, your reminder about TudorCon. It's about five months away,

time to start planning your trip to Lancaster, PA, to meet with other tutor lovers for three

days of learning and feasting and new friendships. I'm updating the website with all of the

speaker topics this week, so if you were waiting to decide to come based on the topics being discussed, this would be your opportunity to figure that out.

Englandcast.com slash Tudercon for all of the details. Again, Englandcast.com slash Tudercon. So now let's talk about Jane Billin, the way she had been seen and the way we are starting to view her now.

Jane Belin, also known as the Viscountess Rochford, wife of George Belin, sister-in-law to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, has long been maligned by history.

She's often portrayed as a cold and calculating figure who played a role in the demise of

her husband and sister-in-law, and her reputation has been marred by sensationalized accounts and

inaccurate portrayals. However, there's been recent research in the last 10 or 15 years by historians

like Julia Fox. There's been historical fiction by

Adrian Dillard, who is speaking at TudorCon, which has challenged the traditional narrative

surrounding Jane Bolin, providing a more nuanced understanding of her life and her actions.

This episode will explore the rethinking of Jane's reputation and her involvement in the events leading to the fall of the Ballins.

For centuries, Jane Belin's name has been synonymous with betrayal and treachery. Her reputation largely stems from her alleged involvement in the downfalls of her husband, George, and her sister-in-law, Anne.

The most persistent accusation is that Jane provided damning evidence against her husband and Anne,

leading to their executions on charges of adultery, incest, and treason.

This portrayal of Jane as a conniving, vindictive woman has persisted in both pop culture and historical accounts.

In recent years, though, historians have begun to challenge the traditional narrative surrounding Jane.

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