Episode 314 - Mistress, Manuscript, & Scandal: The Life of Mary Shelton

Talking Tudors

Natalie Grueninger

History

4.7 • 969 Ratings

🗓️ 27 September 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Host Natalie Grueninger welcomes Ellie Webster to Talking Tudors to explore the life of Mary Shelton: her noble family ties, role at Anne Boleyn’s court, and a brief affair with Henry VIII. The episode focuses on Shelton’s poems and annotations in the Devonshire Manuscript and what they reveal about love, reputation, and women’s voices in the Tudor court. The conversation also examines Shelton’s links with Mary Howard, Margaret Douglas and Henry Howard, confusion over identities in the sources, and Ellie’s research process. A concise, source-driven portrait that brings an overlooked Tudor courtier and poet into clearer view. THE ILL FATED WIVES OF HENRY VIII https://his-ill-fated-wives.wixsite.com/henryviii ELLIE TALKS TUDORS https://www.instagram.com/ellietalkstudors Join Dr Owen Emmerson & Natalie Grueninger for 'The Rise of a Queen: Anne Boleyn, 1526-1533' https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-rise-of-a-queen-anne-boleyn-1526-1533-tickets-1363827166769?aff=oddtdtcreator Find out more about your host at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to Talking Tudors, a fortnightly podcast about the ever fascinating Tudor dynasty.
0:07.3	My name is Natalie Gruniger, and I'll be your host and guide on this journey through 16th century England.
0:14.0	Are you ready to step through the veil of time into the dazzling and dangerous world of the Tudor Court?
0:20.2	Without further ado, it's time to talk Tudors. Hello, everyone.
0:58.7	Welcome back to another episode of Talking Tudors.
1:01.7	I'm your host, Natalie Gruniger.
1:03.5	Thank you so much for joining me today.
1:05.8	I'd like to begin with a message from today's sponsor.
1:09.3	Step into the captivating world of Mary Queen of Scots with simply Tudor tours from
1:14.7	Crown to Captivity Tour, which will take place between the 11th and the 17th of May, 2026.
1:21.9	Join the tour for a mesmerising journey through Scotland's most iconic sights.
1:27.3	Your guides, Sarah Morris from the Tudor
1:29.4	Travel Guide, and Adam Pennington from the Tudor Chess, will be accompanied by guest historian
1:34.8	in residence Anna Turnham from the University of Kent. Along with several on location experts on
1:40.5	Mary's life, they'll unravel the events of her dramatic tale as participants explore
1:45.4	pivotal locations like Lin-Lithgow Palace, Stirling Castle and the foreboding Lockleven.
1:51.9	Highlights include an exclusive boat trip across Lockleven, a private tour of the Palace of
1:56.9	Holyrood House, and for an extra dose of fun Scotland style, a five-star whiskey-tasting
2:03.1	tour and storytelling date on the final evening. Experience the grandeur, intrigue and tragedy
2:09.3	of Mary's story. Grab your place now and let history come alive. Visit simply tutor tours for more
2:16.2	details. I'd also of course like to acknowledge
2:19.3	and thank the generous listeners who continue to support Talking Tudors on Patreon and extend
	...

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