Audiobook: Six Mothers-in-Law of Henry VIII: A BBC Radio 4 Comedy

Jonathan Coy stars as the much-married King in this unreliable Tudor history

'A brilliant concept... does exactly what it says on the tin' The Times

From his tiny room at Hampton Court, the royal chronicler records the comings and goings of the King of England, his six Queens - and his six mothers-in-law. Introducing us to these redoubtable ladies, he relates the surprising part they played in the destiny of Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives.

We meet Catherine of Aragon's duenna, Dona Elvira, whose introduction of paella, flamenco and bullfighting to his home leads Henry to seek his pleasures elsewhere; Lady Boleyn, whose gentleman admirer threatens danger for her daughter Anne; and Lady Margaret, whose attempt to overturn hundreds of years of tradition leads to a dramatic confrontation. There's also meddling matriarch Mrs Loew, whose devious dealmaking costs Henry dear; good-time grandmother Duchess Agnes, who encourages Catherine Howard to play the field - and neglect her husband; and Catherine Parr's mother, whose impact on the King's court will be life-changing for Henry - and for his Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell...

Created by Barry Grossman (The Attractive Young Rabbi), this tongue-in-cheek historical spoof stars Jonathan Coy as King Henry VIII, with a star cast including Carla Mendonēa, Lydia Leonard, Jasmine Hyde, Marcia Warren and Geoffrey McGivern.

Production credits Created and written by Barry Grossman Episode 3 written by Jim Eldridge and Episode 4 by Rene Basilico Produced by John Fawcett Wilson Music composed by Jim Parker

Cast Henry VIII - Jonathan Coy Thomas Cromwell - Milton Johns Chronicler - Alfred Burke Catherine of Aragon - Carla Mendonēa Dona Elvira - Sheila Steafel Wolsey - John Rowe Pope - Stephen Greif Lady Boleyn - Diane Fletcher Anne Boleyn - Lydia Leonard Maurice Crumb - David Holt Jane Seymour - Jasmine Hyde Lady Margaret - Eve Matheson Sir John - John Webb Antonio - Jonathan Kydd Anne of Cleves - Sasha Pick Mrs Loew - Aletta Lawson Court fool - Chris Emmett Hans Holbein/Sir Richard - Peter van Dissel Catherine Howard - Helen Longworth Duchess Agnes - Marcia Warren William of Winchelsea - Geoffrey McGivern Simon of Southwark - Gyuri Sarossi Catherine Parr - Rachel Atkins Mother - Sally Grace

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 November-22 December 2003

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