Understanding the Man: Thomas More

Tudors Dynasty

RedTop Media / Rebecca Larson

History

4.4 • 794 Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Joanne Paul, acclaimed author of a sweeping new biography on Thomas More, to peel back the layers of one of Tudor England’s most fascinating figures. Together, we explore More’s sharp wit, his complicated relationship with ambition inherited from his father, and his distaste for court life—even as he found himself a witness to some of the most pivotal moments of the Tudor dynasty. We’ll also discuss his surprisingly cutting opinions about members of Katherine of Aragon’s household upon her arrival in England, and why the man behind Utopia was far more than the saint—or villain—history often remembers. Join us as we uncover the human side of Thomas More: the reluctant courtier, the keen observer, and the man who made kings uneasy.

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Joanne Paul

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is the Tudors Dynasty and Beyond podcast, history with a twist.
0:07.2	And now your host, Rebecca Larson.
0:10.3	Hello and welcome back to the Tudors Dynasty and Beyond podcast.
0:14.4	I'm your host, Rebecca Larson.
0:16.2	And today I am thrilled to welcome back to the show, Dr. Joanne, Paul.
0:20.9	Joanne, welcome back.
0:22.8	Thanks for having me back. I appreciate it.
0:25.0	You know, the last time you were on, we got to talk about the Deadly family,
0:28.2	which, of course, I absolutely love to learn about.
0:31.2	And the House of Deadly was such a spectacular book that I could not wait to read this one on Thomas More that you have recently published.
0:39.2	And I got kind of an earlier print of the American version of it that I'm just been like diving deep into.
0:47.3	And it's, yes, right behind you too.
0:50.3	It's a really good book.
0:52.5	You know what it kind of reminds me of is Dermott McCulloch's book on
0:56.6	Thomas Crowell. Thank you. That means a lot. I am a great admirer of that book. I got an early
1:05.6	copy of that book when it came out and reviewed it. I remember I took it on holiday with me, which I wouldn't necessarily
1:11.7	recommend it. It's a huge book, even bigger than mine, I think. But I was definitely aiming
1:18.5	for that level of research and rigor as well as good storytelling. So that means a lot. Thank you.
1:26.8	No problem. I think you are a great storyteller. So this book,
1:30.6	I know we haven't even gotten into the interview yet, but if you're listening or if you're watching,
1:35.2	definitely go out and get this book. It's available in the UK for sure. Is it available in the U.S.
1:41.2	yet? It'll be available in North America on the 1st of July.
	...

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