Diarmaid MacCulloch

Diarmaid MacCulloch, a renowned historian of Christianity and Emeritus Professor at Oxford, shares insights on the complex relationship between Christianity and sex. He discusses the uneven correlation of monotheism and monogamy, challenges common narratives about gender equality in early Christianity, and critiques Michel Foucault's views on sexuality. MacCulloch also delves into the significance of Mary in both Christianity and Islam, the role of the Eucharist in societal change, and whether hell is necessary for Christianity's survival. His historical lens aims to unsettle settled facts for a deeper understanding.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, Oxford professor and historian of Christianity and the Tudors, explains how historians balance skepticism with sympathy. He discusses writing vivid, clear history, the value of travel and sensory detail, the risks of beautiful but misleading narratives, and why historians should declare their biases. Short, lively reflections on craft, routine, and the moral role of history.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, Oxford professor and prize-winning historian, discusses Thomas Cromwell in 1536. He explores Cromwell’s political rise, his role in Anne Boleyn’s fall, and the intelligence and interrogation methods that shaped Tudor court life. The conversation also covers the Lincolnshire Rising, the Pilgrimage of Grace, and how Cromwell navigated triumph and crisis.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford, surveys 3,000 years of Christianity meeting sex and gender. He traces celibacy, evolving views on same-sex relations, translation pitfalls, medieval moral panics, Reformation shifts, contraception’s disruption, and why churches change slowly. Short, historical snapshots that reframe today’s debates.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, a renowned professor and biographer of Thomas Cromwell, dives deep into the life of Henry VIII's right-hand man. The discussion unveils Cromwell's meteoric rise to power, rooted in his connections with key figures like Anne Boleyn, and the crucial missteps leading to his downfall. MacCulloch highlights the intricacies of court politics, Cromwell's dignified final moments before execution, and the complex legacy he left behind. Through this exploration, Cromwell's morally ambiguous character and the dangerous landscape of Tudor politics come to life.