Show Notes
*THIS IS HISTORY — THE TUDORS*
*Episode 5: Traders and Traitors*
An emperor loses a leg. England gets a headache.
In 1493, surgeons saw off the gangrenous leg of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. It is a brutal, miraculous operation. The emperor survives, briefly. Then comes a funeral, a court gathering, and a diplomatic ripple that rolls all the way to Tudor England.
There, Henry VII has bigger problems than imperial orthopaedics. Pretender Perkin Warbeck attends Emperor Frederick’s funeral and is welcomed as England’s king-in-waiting. In the pews, Warbeck collects royal patrons, noble endorsements and invitations to Europe's most exclusive parties.
Nothing attracts support quite like almost being king.
Henry responds with spies, executions and a trade war. His economic weapon backfires, leaving English merchants furious and London in disorder. Markets wobble. Tempers fray. And somewhere across the sea, a fantasy is beginning to acquire ships.
–
Don't forget to catch this week's bonus episode where Dan gets knee-deep into the remarkable amputation of Emperor Frederick III — a moment that went down in medical and artistic history. Plus, we get into the economy stupid: Dan gives a primer on how Henry VII’s ill-fated trade war really rankled English merchants.
That’s all for you to discover on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Thisishistory
–
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices.
Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
–
Presented by Dan Jones
Sound Design - Amber Devereux
Producer - Alan Weedon
Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Executive Producer - Dan Jones
Production Manager - Ethan Sills
Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan
Head of Content - Chris Skinner
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from This is History: The Tudors
It turns out, that saying you’re the king just because you’ve put a crown on your head, means plenty of others can get the same idea. And in 1487, a 10-year-old boy claims that he is England’s true king.
Henry VII’s reign starts with dirty feet and a dirty little problem.
He’s the man who schemed, smashed and slashed his way to power. But as it turns out, winning a crown is far easier than keeping one.