In this episode of Dr. Emma & Me, we continue our Parallel Lives series by examining two powerful women who shaped the politics of Habsburg Europe (and beyond): Margaret of Austria and her great-niece Margaret of Parma.

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Have you missed out on the first two episodes in this series? Don't worry, here they are:

Episode 1: Isabel I of Castile & Katherine of Aragon

Episode 2: Juana of Castile & Anne Boleyn

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Join the conversation over on PATREON!

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Hosts: Rebecca Larson & Dr Emma Cahill Marron

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Image Credits:

Margaret of Parma:

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Margaret of Austria:

© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust

Mary (Rose) Tudor:

The National Gallery (London)

Mary of Hungary:

Rijks Museum

Christina of Denmark:

The National Gallery (London)

Margaret Roper:

Metropolitan Museum of Art

© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection TrustCharles V:© Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025 | Royal Collection Trust

🎙️ The brilliant Amy McElroy is back—and this time, we’re cracking open the schoolbooks of Tudor England! What did education look like in the 16th century? Who got to learn—and who was left behind? From noble tutors to village schoolmasters, we uncover how class, gender, and opportunity shaped the minds of the Tudor world. Curious what kind of education Henry VIII's sister, Mary Tudor received versus her brothers? This is the episode for you. Don’t miss it!

Amy's Podcast visits:

#1 - Educating the Tudors (January 2025)

#2 - Through Her Eyes: Women's Lives in the Tudor Era (January 2025)

#3 - Mary Tudor: The Forgotten Rose of the Tudor Court (February 2025)

#4 - Erasmus: Humanist, Critic, Legend (May 2025)

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Find Amy's books on Amazon, or wherever you get your books!

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Want to get commercial-free episodes, early access and exclusive content? Head over to my Patreon!

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DO YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN PODCAST BUT NEED HELP? Check out my new website rebeccalarson.com for more info!

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Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Amy McElroy

Opening music by: Music by Marco Maier from Pixabay

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life of Margaret Cavendish—17th-century duchess, writer, philosopher, and fearless trailblazer. From royal courts and civil war exile to scientific debate and science fiction, Margaret defied the norms of her time to leave a legacy still felt today. Join me as we uncover how “Mad Madge” challenged gender roles, questioned the foundations of science, and imagined a world where women ruled—not just in fiction, but in thought.

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Credits:

Narrator: Rebecca Larson

Researched by: Emily Airey

Music by Marco Maier from Pixabay