# Queen Catherine Howard: Vixen or Victim?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/queens-kings-and-dastardly-things-6677838/queen-catherine-howard-vixen-or-victim
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/queens-kings-and-dastardly-things-6677838/queen-catherine-howard-vixen-or-victim.md
Podcast: [Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things](https://stenobird.com/podcast/queens-kings-and-dastardly-things-6677838)
Published: 2026-05-03T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/queens-kings-and-dastardly-things/episodes/queen-catherine-howard-vixen-or-victim
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6846a16db5ac093b0ca993ec/e/69f4ba62ad98579289ab6f4e/media.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/queens-kings-and-dastardly-things-6677838/episodes/queen-catherine-howard-vixen-or-victim
Duration seconds: 1786

## Resource

Henry VIII’s fifth wife - was she a reckless flirt or a tragic pawn in Tudor history? In this episode of Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things, Professor Kate Williams is joined by the brilliant historian Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to unravel one of Tudor history’s most debated figures. Was Catherine a naïve teenager caught up in deadly court politics, or a young woman who made all the wrong choices? From her chaotic upbringing in a crowded aristocratic household to her sudden elevation as queen at just 17 or 18, this episode explores the relationships that shaped her — and the rumours that would ultimately destroy her. Along the way, we step inside the glittering, perilous world of Henry VIII’s court, where favour could turn to fatal suspicion in an instant. With insight, wit, and a touch of dark Tudor irony, this is a gripping re-examination of an English queen. Victim or vixen? Or something far more complicated? Host: Professor Kate Williams Guest: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb Series Producer: Ben Devlin Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Executive Producer: Bella Soames Hosts: Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams Series Producer: Ben Devlin Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini  Content Editor: Joseph Palmer Executive Producer: Bella Soames A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Sign up to Palace Confidential, the FREE royals newsletter from the Mail's top experts. Delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday, it's the smartest way to stay in the royal inner circle. Just head to dailymail.co.uk/palaceconfidential to sign up today.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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