Episode notes
What if Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s elder brother, had survived?
In this special interview, I sit down with novelist Leah Toole to talk about her fascinating book "The Rose and The Pomegranate" — an alternative history novel that asks one of Tudor history’s biggest “what ifs.”
In Leah’s world, Arthur Tudor doesn’t die in 1502 — and the ripple effects are enormous. Katherine of Aragon’s destiny changes, Henry VIII’s life takes a very different course, and familiar figures like the Boleyns, Wolsey, and Cromwell walk entirely new paths.
In this conversation we explore:
- Why Arthur Tudor and this “what if”?
- How Leah balanced historical accuracy with imagination.
- Arthur and Katherine’s marriage — and how it might have unfolded.
- A reimagined Henry VIII without the six wives we know so well.
- Which events Leah chose to keep… and which to reshape.
- How a single turning point could have reshaped England, Europe, and the Church.
It’s a thoughtful, imaginative, and meticulously researched take on Tudor history that fans won’t want to miss!
"The Rose and The Pomegranate" is available now:
What Tudor “what if” would YOU most like to see explored? Tell us in the comments!
More of my interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrJ4vaP25436VYCw9ZB76J3J