Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Forget pumpkins and plastic skeletons, in Tudor England, Halloween was sacred.   On 31st October, All Hallows' Eve marked the start of Hallowtide, a three-day festival blending pagan Samhain customs with Christian devotion: - All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) – ringing bells, lighting bonfires, wearing masks to ward off spirits, and “souling” for cakes to pray for the dead. - All Saints' Day (1 November) – honouring every saint and martyr in heaven. - All Souls' Day (2 November) – remembering all the departed, especially those in Purgatory. In this episode, I step back into Tudor England to uncover: - The origins of apple bobbing and “Nutcrack Night” - How souling became the forerunner of trick-or-treating - Why Hallowtide was both festive and deeply spiritual, a time to bridge the worlds of the living and the dead So if you've ever wondered what Halloween meant before horror films and sweets, this is the story of how the Tudors honoured the dead, celebrated life, and kept the darkness at bay. #Halloween #TudorHistory #HalloweenHistory #Hallowtide #OnThisDay #AllHallowsEve #AllSaintsDay #AllSoulsDay #AnneBoleynFiles

On this day in Tudor history, 30th October 1566, Queen Elizabeth I's former tutor, Roger Ascham, wrote her a long, heartfelt letter of praise and moral guidance. Centuries later, this same letter would be twisted into something sensational, supposed proof that Elizabeth secretly married Robert Dudley and bore a child… the future philosopher Francis Bacon. But what did Ascham actually write? And how did a pious letter about kingship, learning, and virtue become “evidence” for a royal scandal? In this episode, I uncover: - Who Roger Ascham really was — Elizabeth's beloved tutor and humanist scholar - What his 1566 letter truly says (and doesn't say) - How Victorian writers and Baconian theorists turned scripture into scandal - Why the so-called “secret pregnancy” theory falls apart when you read the text Ascham's Divae Elizabethae isn't confession or gossip, it's devotion: a dying scholar's tribute to the queen he'd once taught. So let's separate Tudor truth from centuries of speculation. Listen now to discover why this misunderstood letter reveals more about our obsession with the Virgin Queen's image than about her real life. #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #RogerAscham #RobertDudley #FrancisBacon #TudorMyths #HistoryDebunked #AnneBoleynFiles

On this day in Tudor history, 29 October 1586, Parliament met to decide the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots, just days after she was found guilty of conspiring to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. Their verdict was clear: the queen's own cousin and fellow sovereign must die. But more than four centuries later, the question still burns: was Mary a martyr, a tragic heroine, or a traitor? I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's episode we'll revisit the tense weeks between Mary's trial at Fotheringhay and her execution in February 1587. Elizabeth hesitated, torn between mercy and survival, while her councillors pressed for action. Meanwhile, Mary, an anointed queen held captive for nineteen years, insisted she was dying for her faith, not her crimes. So who was she really? A dangerous conspirator caught by her own hand… or a doomed queen sacrificed to politics, religion, and fear? #MaryQueenOfScots #ElizabethI #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #Tudors #QueenOfScots #TrueHistory #BritishHistory #TheAnneBoleynFiles

On this day in Tudor history, 28 October 1479, a man was born who would rise to the highest offices of state, and somehow survive the reigns of four Tudor monarchs. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today I'm talking about Sir John Gage: soldier, administrator, and courtier to Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I. Gage's life was a masterclass in cautious loyalty. He held the keys to the Tower of London, helped dissolve the monasteries, investigated conspiracies, and stood at the heart of Tudor power through decades of religious and political upheaval. But what was he really: a man of faith and duty, or a shrewd survivor in a dangerous age? Join me as we explore the extraordinary life of Sir John Gage, the Tudor who managed to keep his head while those around him lost theirs. Tell me in the comments: Was Gage's careful loyalty wisdom… or opportunism? #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #SirJohnGage #TowerofLondon #HenryVIII #MaryI #EdwardVI #HenryVII #Tudors #TudorCourt#TheAnneBoleynFiles

Imagine trying to stop a book so hard… you end up funding its next edition. On this day, 27 October 1526, Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall ordered copies of William Tyndale's English New Testament to be burned at St Paul's Cathedral. The goal: to stop heresy and control what the people could read. But Tunstall's crackdown had an unexpected twist. To destroy the books, he had to buy them first, money that reportedly paid for Tyndale's next, improved edition. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's On This Day in Tudor History, we'll explore how one bishop's bonfire turned into the best publicity Tyndale could have asked for, and how, just a decade later, English Bibles would appear in every church by royal order. Was Tunstall defending the faith, or did he help spread the very thing he feared? #TudorHistory #Tyndale #Reformation #OnThisDay #PrintingPress #HenryVIII #History #EnglishBible

He was handsome, charming, and one of Henry VIII's most trusted courtiers, until he fell from grace with Queen Catherine Howard. But whispers survive of a darker story: an accusation of violence, a royal pardon, and a crime that seemed to vanish from the record. Was Thomas Culpeper guilty of a shocking offence, and did Henry VIII himself protect him from justice?   Or was this just dangerous Tudor gossip, muddled by the existence of two Thomas Culpepers at court? Join me as I investigate one of Tudor England's most disturbing mysteries — where power, privilege, and silence could decide a man's fate.   Sources: - Letter from Richard Hilles to Heinrich Bullinger, Original letters relative to the English Reformation: written during the reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI and Queen Mary, chiefly from the archives of Zurich, ed. Rev. Hastings Robinson, https://archive.org/details/originallettersr01robiuoft/page/226/mode/2up? - New Insight on the Accusation Against Thomas Culpeper, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, Jonathan McGovern, Notes and Queries, gjaf112, https://doi.org/10.1093/notesj/gjaf112Published: 17 October 2025. - "Katherine Howard: The Tragic Story of Henry VIII's Fifth Queen" by Josephine Wilkinson - "Young and Damned and Fair" by Gareth Russell - “Catherine Howard: The Queen whose adulteries made a fool of Henry VIII” by Lacey Baldwin Smith

Step back into the sound world of Elizabethan England. In this exclusive interview, I talk to Jane Moulder, musician, researcher, instrument maker, and founding member of PIVA: The Renaissance Collective, about their stunning new album, The Faerie Round: Music from the Time of Elizabeth I. Together, we explore how Renaissance music was performed, what instruments were used, and how PIVA brings authentic Tudor soundscapes to life for modern audiences. In this conversation: The origins of PIVA and their unique approach to early music The vision and research behind The Faerie Round The challenges (and joys!) of performing on Renaissance instruments Why bagpipes, shawms, and curtals deserve a comeback Jane's work as a researcher, writer, and editor of Chanter What's next for PIVA,  and who Jane would invite to a Tudor dinner party If you love Tudor history, music, or the vibrant culture of Elizabethan England, this is one conversation you won't want to miss. Find out more about PIVA and The Faerie Round: Piva website - https://piva.org.uk/ Buy the album - https://pivarenaissance.bandcamp.com/album/the-faerie-round #TudorHistory #ElizabethanEngland #RenaissanceMusic #TheFaerieRound #PIVA #TudorMusic #JaneMoulder #TudorCulture #HistoricalMusic

When Jane Seymour gave birth to Henry VIII's long-awaited son, England rejoiced. Bells rang, bonfires blazed, and Henry finally had his male heir. But just twelve days later, the joy turned to sorrow, Queen Jane Seymour was dead. For centuries, her death has been shrouded in confusion and myth. Some say she died after a Caesarean section. Others, childbed fever. Alison Weir believes food poisoning and an embolism were to blame. In this episode, I take  a closer look at the evidence, exploring eyewitness reports, Tudor medicine, and modern medical insight, to uncover what really killed Henry VIII's third wife. Discover: Why the “food poisoning” theory doesn't fit the timeline How a thirty-hour labour made infection likely Why the phrase “taking cold” may describe septic shock And how the choice of a royal physician over a midwife may have cost Jane her life This is the tragic and very human story behind the death of Henry VIII's so-called “perfect queen.” Sources & Further Reading: https://tudortimes.co.uk/guest-articles/why-did-jane-seymour-die-in-childbed https://tudortimes.co.uk/guest-articles/why-did-jane-seymour-die-in-childbed/evidence https://tudortimes.co.uk/guest-articles/why-did-jane-seymour-die-in-childbed/more-than-one-pregnancy https://tudortimes.co.uk/guest-articles/why-did-jane-seymour-die-in-childbed/final-stages https://elizabethnortonhistorian.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-death-of-queen-jane.html The Seymour Family, history and romance by Amy Audrey Locke - https://archive.org/details/seymourfamilyhis00lockuoft/page/18/mode/2up?q=cold 'Henry VIII: October 1537, 21-25', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 12 Part 2, June-December 1537, ed. James Gairdner (London, 1891), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol12/no2/pp335-345 Hall's Chronicle - https://archive.org/details/hallschronicleco00hall/page/824/mode/2up Wriothesley's Chronicle - https://archive.org/details/chronicleofengla01wriouoft/page/68/mode/2up 24 October 1537 – The Death of Queen Jane Seymour - https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/24-october-1537-death-queen-jane-seymour/ How to spot maternal sepsis, NCT - https://www.nct.org.uk/information/pregnancy/body-pregnancy/how-spot-maternal-sepsis Signs of Infection After Birth: Postpartum Infection & Sepsis - https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/labour/signs-of-infection-after-birth  #JaneSeymour #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #OnThisDay #TudorWomen #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #MedicalHistory #TudorTragedy #HistoryMystery #TudorEngland #ChildbedFever #Sepsis #TudorMedicine

On this day in Tudor history, 23 October 1538, a frightened monk put pen to paper as the world he knew collapsed. Thomas Goldwell, prior of Christ Church, Canterbury, wrote a desperate letter to Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's chief adviser and the man overseeing the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Goldwell begged to keep his “poor lodging” for life, adding the heartbreaking words: “I would rather die than live, if it were God's pleasure.” I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today I'll take you inside that moment, when monasteries were being dissolved, fortunes seized, and centuries of service, learning, and charity wiped away in a few short years. Goldwell's letter shows us the human side of the Reformation. Behind every confiscated abbey and looted shrine was a person left wondering how to live in a changed world. If you found this glimpse of Tudor faith, fear, and survival moving, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor stories. Watch next: The Dissolution of the Monasteries - https://youtu.be/aELw2ss-xM8 #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #DissolutionOfTheMonasteries #HenryVIII #ThomasCromwell #ChristChurchCanterbury #ReformationHistory #ClaireRidgway #TudorEngland

On this day in Tudor history, 22 October 1521, Sir Edward Poynings, soldier, administrator, and diplomat,died at his manor of Westenhanger in Kent. He's not a household name, but if you've ever heard of “Poynings' Law,” you already know his legacy. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's episode we meet the Kentish gentleman who helped Henry VII restore royal control in Ireland, hunted pirates off the Flemish coast, and later steered diplomacy for Henry VIII. From rebellion and exile to power and reform, Poynings' life shows how Tudor government really worked, through loyal, tireless fixers. His “law” would shape Irish governance until the late 18th century. If you enjoy discovering the forgotten figures behind Tudor power, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor stories.

On this day in Tudor history, 21 October 1554, John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick, died at Penshurst in Kent, just days after being released from the Tower of London. The son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and brother of Robert Dudley and Guildford Dudley, Warwick was born to power and promise. Knight of the Bath, Master of the Horse, and one of Edward VI's glittering young courtiers, his rise seemed assured. But the failed attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne destroyed the family's fortunes. Imprisoned, condemned for treason, and stripped of his titles, Warwick's freedom came too late. He died in quiet disgrace at his brother-in-law Henry Sidney's home, aged only in his twenties. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we remember the overshadowed John Dudley, Earl of Warwick. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #Dudley #LadyJaneGrey #EdwardVI #MaryI #PenshurstPlace #TudorTragedy #JohnDudley #TowerofLondon

Most people know Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Thomas Cromwell, but not the man who kept their orders moving, their money counted, and their papers straight. John Uvedale (or Woodall) royal service took him from Henry VII to Edward VI, and he even held the title of secretary to Queen Anne Boleyn. He worked the border wars, the Council of the North, and the quiet engine room of Tudor power: the Exchequer. On this day in Tudor history, 20 October 1549, he died after nearly fifty years of service. Discover the world of Tudor clerks, paymasters, and fixers, the men who kept things running smoothly behind the scenes of Tudor government. #OnThisDay #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #TudorHistory #JohnUvdeale #Cromwell #CouncilOfTheNorth #TudorBureaucracy #HiddenTudors

When you picture Elizabeth I, you probably imagine the Armada or Ditchley portraits - alabaster skin, red wig, pearls, and poise. But how close were those famous images to the real Elizabeth? In this episode, I trace the evolution of her image, from the poised princess of the 1540s to the ageless Virgin Queen of legend, using eyewitness accounts, surviving portraits, and the propaganda that shaped her face for history. Who was the woman beneath the heavy makeup and myth? Discover the features that never changed, and meet Elizabeth as her contemporaries saw her: intelligent, complex, and utterly human. Watch until the end to see how artists and ambassadors together shaped one of history's most iconic faces. And tell me in the comments: which Elizabeth feels most real to you - the young scholar, the new queen, or the ageing monarch behind the mask? #ElizabethI #VirginQueen #TudorHistory #AnneBoleynFiles #ClaireRidgway #TudorPortraits #RenaissanceArt #BritishHistory #TudorMonarchy #HistoryDocumentary #WomenInHistory

Feeling rushed and over-screened? Author Laura Loney joins me to share Tudor-inspired ways to slow down—from cosy crafts and communal rituals to simple “micro-swaps” you can try this week. We talk about her festive collaboration with illustrator Kathryn Holeman on 'Twas the Night Before Tudor Christmas, and her witty, useful new book In Praise of Tudor (100 ideas to bring Tudor calm to modern chaos). In this conversation: How a Canadian fell for the Tudors, and who hooked her first 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - story + Tudor-Christmas primer + activities for families & classrooms Creative teamwork with Kathryn Holeman: mood boards, references, division of labour Tudor micro-swaps for work, rest, and connection Favourite crafts/recipes/games, and one tradition she'd revive today What In Praise of Tudor really is Writing life: routines, research vs. word count, notebooks vs. digital Tudor health & hygiene: what holds up… and what to avoid! Quickfire: 3 words for Tudor Christmas, 24 hours in Tudorland, carols, what's next And Anne Boleyn! Question for you: Which Tudor habit would you try first? If you enjoy Tudor history goodies like this, then please do like, subscribe and ring the bell!   #TudorHistory #LauraLoney #InPraiseOfTudor #TwasTheNightBeforeTudorChristmas #CalmNotChaos #CraftsAndActivities #CosyHistory #KathrynHoleman #MindfulLiving

On this day in Tudor history, 17 October 1592, Frances Brooke, Lady Cobham died and was buried at Cobham in Kent. You may already know her face: she appears in the famous Cobham Family Portrait of 1567, that beautiful Elizabethan painting capturing an entire household, from Frances and her husband to six of their children. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's episode I'll introduce you to the woman behind the portrait: a loyal attendant who moved through the very heart of Elizabeth I's court. Frances served as Mistress of the Robes and Lady of the Bedchamber, rose high, briefly fell after her husband's involvement in the Ridolfi Plot, and was later restored to favour. Her story is one of quiet endurance, family alliances, and a life spent in the Queen's shadow, from Cobham Hall to the privy chamber itself. Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor history, and tell me in the comments: Do you love the Cobham Family Portrait as much as I do? Link to portrait - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/William_Brooke%2C_10th_Baron_Cobham_and_family.jpg   #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #FrancesBrooke #LadyCobham #CobhamHall #TudorCourt #BessOfHardwick #TudorWomen #16thCentury #WomensHistory  

On this day in Tudor history, 16 October 1594, Cardinal William Allen died in exile in Rome. To Catholics, he was the shepherd who kept the old faith alive. To Elizabeth I's government, he was a traitor who conspired with England's enemies. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we're exploring the life of the man who founded the English colleges at Douai, Reims, and Rome; who helped bring the Douai-Reims Bible into print; and who sent secret missionary priests back to England, knowing that discovery meant death. But Allen's story darkened when he threw his support behind Philip II of Spain and justified Elizabeth's deposition as a heretic. Was he a man of faith or a man of treason? Judge for yourself as we trace the choices that made him both hero and villain in Tudor eyes. Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor history, and tell me in the comments: Was William Allen a saintly reformer… or a danger to his queen?   #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #WilliamAllen #SpanishArmada #CounterReformation #DouaiReimsBible #16thCentury #Tudors #EnglandVsSpain #CatholicPersecution

Before Henry VIII, there was another heir. Prince Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, married to Katharine of Aragon, and dead at fifteen. In this interview, Gareth Streeter (author of Arthur, Prince of Wales: Henry VIII's Lost Brother and founder of Royal History Geeks) explores the prince's real life beyond the footnotes. We discuss: - Why Arthur, not Henry, was central to Henry VII's vision & propaganda - Reconstructing the Arthur–Katharine marriage - The big one: consummation, weighing contemporary evidence vs later “Great Matter” claims - Education, character & the king Arthur might have become - Illness and cause of death: what we know, what remains mystery - Gareth's research process, sources that changed his mind, and advice for new history writers Find Gareth & the book: Arthur, Prince of Wales: Henry VIII's Lost Brother - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arthur-Prince-Wales-Henry-Brother-ebook/dp/B0C6NLT7NJ/, https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Prince-Wales-Henry-Brother-ebook/dp/B0C6NLT7NJ/ Royal History Geeks - https://www.royalhistorygeeks.com/ If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments: What kind of king do you think Arthur would have been, and why? #ArthurTudor #PrinceOfWales #TudorHistory #HenryVII #KatharineOfAragon #WarsOfTheRoses #GarethStreeter #HistoryInterview

On this day in Tudor history, 15 October 1542, William Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton, died on campaign at Newcastle, serving Henry VIII one last time. He'd been by the king's side since childhood; a boyhood companion who became a soldier, sailor, ambassador, and royal enforcer. From the naval battles of 1512, to the splendour of the Field of Cloth of Gold, and even the downfall of Wolsey, Anne Boleyn, and Cromwell, Fitzwilliam's career ran through the heart of Tudor power. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's episode, I uncover the life of the man who was always there when Henry VIII needed something done - on land, at sea, or in the shadows of court politics. #TudorHistory #WilliamFitzwilliam #HenryVIII #TudorCourt #HistoryTok #BritishHistory #OnThisDay #TudorNavy #AnneBoleyn #ThomasCromwell

On this day in Tudor history, 14th October 1593, Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey of Wilton, died at his Buckinghamshire home. He'd served Elizabeth I as a soldier, statesman, and staunch Protestant, but his career left a stain that history has never quite erased. In this episode,I explore the life of the man behind one of the most brutal episodes of Elizabeth's rule, the Smerwick massacre, and ask how such a devout reformer became known for such ruthless acts. From the battlefields of France and Scotland to the rebellion-torn lands of Ireland and the muster fields of Tilbury, Arthur Grey's life reveals both the heroism and harshness of Tudor power. Was he a commander doing his duty, or a man who crossed a moral line in the name of faith and crown? #TudorHistory #ArthurGrey #ElizabethI #Smerwick #TudorIreland #HistoryTok #BritishHistory #OnThisDay #TudorDrama #Reformation  

On 13 October 1549, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, the man who had ruled England as Lord Protector for young Edward VI, lost it all. By the next day, he was in the Tower. How did the most powerful man in Tudor England fall so fast? In this episode, I uncover the character flaws, bad decisions, and political missteps that doomed Somerset's rule. He was a soldier, reformer, and visionary, but also proud, volatile, and deaf to counsel. Discover: - The letter that warned Somerset he was heading for disaster - How anger and obstinacy turned allies into enemies - Why his leadership failed both at home and abroad - And how ambition finally led him to the scaffold in 1552 Was Somerset a well-meaning reformer crushed by politics, or an arrogant ruler who couldn't share power? Tell me what you think in the comments. #TudorHistory #EdwardSeymour #DukeOfSomerset #EdwardVI #HenryVIII #Reformation #TudorDrama #OnThisDay #HistoryTok #BritishHistory

Did England's boy-king really tear his pet falcon to pieces? In 1551, a foreign ambassador claimed that thirteen-year-old Edward VI, Henry VIII's only son, plucked and ripped apart his own falcon, saying he was that bird “whom everyone plucked.” Some at court swore it happened. Others called it lies. Was this a violent outburst, a misunderstood symbol of royal power, or pure Tudor gossip? Join me,  historian Claire Ridgway, as I unpack the evidence, the politics behind it, and what this strange rumour reveals about the young king determined to rule, not be ruled. Listen to the end and decide for yourself: was Edward's falcon moment real, or a tale that flew out of control?   #TudorHistory #EdwardVI #HenryVIII #TudorMystery #BritishHistory #TudorEngland #ClaireRidgway #Reformation #OnThisDay #RoyalHistory #TrueCrimeHistory #TudorDynasty

On this day in Tudor history, 10 October 1530, Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, died. Soldier, jouster, courtier, and grandfather of Lady Jane Grey, he lived a life that perfectly captured the dangers and rewards of Tudor ambition. Born into royalty - grandson of Elizabeth Woodville and Katherine Neville, sister of the Kingmaker - Thomas grew up in the shadow of shifting alliances and rebellion. He was imprisoned by Henry VII, restored under Henry VIII, and rose again through charm, courage, and sheer survival instinct. - He dazzled at court tournaments, fought in France in 1513, escorted Mary Tudor to her French wedding, and bore the sword of state at the Field of Cloth of Gold. - He sat in judgment on the Duke of Buckingham, backed Henry VIII's annulment, and—when the tides turned—joined the charges against Cardinal Wolsey. - Yet behind the glitter was a man who fought feuds, faced imprisonment, and watched power slip as easily as it came. By his death, he was one of England's wealthiest nobles—and the patriarch of a line that would end in tragedy with Lady Jane Grey. Join me,  historian and author Claire Ridgway, for the remarkable story of a Tudor magnate who lived, fought, and schemed at the heart of power. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor history. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #ThomasGrey #LadyJaneGrey #HenryVIII #TudorCourt #TudorDynasty #EnglishHistory #FieldOfClothOfGold #ClaireRidgway

On this day in Tudor history, 9 October 1536, anger in Lincolnshire burst into open revolt. At Horncastle, a crowd raised their hands in agreement: “We like them very well!”, and sent a blunt list of grievances to King Henry VIII. That petition marked the birth of the Pilgrimage of Grace, the largest uprising of his reign. But how did it start? In the first week of October 1536, fear and fury spread through Lincolnshire: Louth's vicar warned that the Church was in danger. Cromwell's commissioners were attacked and their papers burned. Two royal agents were killed at Horncastle. The rebels' demands were clear: Stop dissolving monasteries End new taxes and seizure of Church wealth Remove “upstart” councillors like Thomas Cromwell and Richard Rich Henry's reply? Defiance. “Withdraw yourselves… and submit to punishment.” But the rebellion spread north. Within weeks, Robert Aske led 30,000 rebels under the banner of the Five Wounds of Christ. They faced the Duke of Norfolk near Doncaster, and chose negotiation over bloodshed. Henry's promise of pardon was a trap. When the rising rekindled, Aske and the rebel leaders were executed. Join me, historian and author Claire Ridgway, as we trace how local anger became a national crisis, and how Henry VIII's cold response defined his rule. Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor history. Tell me in the comments: Would you have trusted Norfolk's offer, or marched on London?     #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #PilgrimageOfGrace #ThomasCromwell #RobertAske #Reformation #LincolnshireRising #EnglishReformation #TudorRebellion #BritishHistory #ClaireRidgway  

How Edward Seymour Went from Power to the Scaffold   On this day in Tudor history, 8 October 1549, England's most powerful man became its newest traitor. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and uncle to the boy-king Edward VI, had ruled England as Lord Protector since 1547.    He pushed bold reforms (the Act of Uniformity and the Book of Common Prayer) but rebellion, rivalry, and ambition brought him down. When unrest broke out in 1549 - the Prayer Book Rebellion and Kett's Rebellion - Somerset's authority crumbled. He panicked, calling men to arms and taking the young king to Windsor. His enemies, led by John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, moved fast. On 8 October 1549, the Privy Council branded Somerset a traitor. By the 11th, he had surrendered. Within days, he was in the Tower; his protectorate abolished.   But this is Tudor England… and there's always a twist. Somerset returned to power briefly, only to be accused of plotting against Northumberland and executed in January 1552.   Join me, historian and author Claire Ridgway, as we explore how ambition, politics, and faith brought down the “Good Duke".   Was Somerset a reformer out of his depth, or a ruthless operator undone by his own hand? Tell me in the comments!   Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor history deep dives.   #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #EdwardVI #DukeOfSomerset #EdwardSeymour #Reformation #KettsRebellion #PrayerBookRebellion #JohnDudley #TudorPolitics #TowerOfLondon #TudorTok #HistoryTok #ClaireRidgway #BritishHistory

On this day in Tudor history, 7 October 1589, the bells of Deptford tolled for William Hawkins: merchant, sea captain, three-time mayor of Plymouth, and the steadier, quieter elder of the famous Hawkins brothers. Buried at St Nicholas's, his monument is lost, but his impact isn't. In this episode, I trace how Hawkins turned Plymouth into a launchpad for Elizabethan sea power: From Brazil voyages with his father to a Plymouth shipowner and civic powerhouse Privateering in the Channel during the 1557–58 war and pushing London for reprisals after San Juan de Ulúa Building Plymouth's infrastructure (new water conduit, weighhouse, grain transport) and securing Hawkins' Quay Leading a bold 1582–83 venture via Cape Verde to the Caribbean (Margarita, Puerto Rico) Backing, and benefiting from, ventures tied to the 1560s transatlantic slave trade Helping marshal seven Plymouth ships against the Spanish Armada in 1588 Not a household name like Drake or John Hawkins, William was the engineer of capacity - the quay-master, quartermaster, and mayor who kept ships, money, and men moving when England needed them most. Had you heard of this Hawkins before today? Tell me in the comments, and if you enjoy daily Tudor deep dives, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell.   #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #ElizabethanEngland #WilliamHawkins #SpanishArmada

On 6 October 1557, John Capon, also known as John Salcot, died, probably of influenza.    His career charts the shifting winds of Tudor religion: Benedictine monk, abbot, court preacher, reformer under Henry VIII and Edward VI, and Catholic persecutor under Mary I.    Was he a survivor, an opportunist, or both?    In today's “On This Day” we explore how one bishop's career became a case study in Tudor adaptability. What do you think: principled conformer or clerical chameleon? Share your thoughts below! #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #JohnCapon #MaryITudor #HenryVIII #AnneBoleyn #Reformation #TudorChurch #HistoryTok #ClaireRidgway

A spring morning in 1573. A respected London merchant leaves a friend's house near Woolwich… and ends up dead by Shooter's Hill. The killer, Captain George Brown, is caught within days. But the real shock wasn't the killer's identity, it was the letter that told him exactly where to strike… and who wanted George Saunders gone. I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In this Tudor true-crime deep dive, we follow the manhunt, the Privy Council's rapid crackdown, and the chain of clues later dramatised in "A Warning for Fair Women", from “a white doublet and blue breeches” to blood on a suspect's hose and a waterman's damning testimony. What unfolds reaches far beyond a highway ambush, right into Saunders's inner circle. In this episode you'll hear about: The ambush near Shooter's Hill and John Beane's miraculous survival How the Council moved: arrest at Rochester, Tower examinations, and swift justice at Smithfield The mysterious letter and the go-between who carried messages Why the case obsessed Elizabethan England: status, scandal, and a rich paper trail (pamphlets, ballad, Privy Council orders, and a stage play) The final twist that stunned London If you love Tudor true crime, hit like, subscribe, and ring the bell.   #truecrime #tudortruecrime #tudorhistory #tudormurder #georgesaunders #elizabethandrama

Historian Elizabeth Norton joins me to talk about her new book Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy—from ancient queens to early modern powerhouses. We cover how she chose her rulers, the thorny language of “queen” vs “female king,” why so many societies accepted women only in crises, and the single pattern she kept seeing across five millennia. We also chat process: research vs writing, routines, and beating writer's block. What we discuss: Who made the cut (and who nearly did), and why “Queen” (consort/regnant) vs “female king” - does wording shape power? Forward-thinking cultures and serial roadblocks for ruling women Most transformative ruler vs most disastrous Empress Matilda & Lady Jane Grey: why are their reigns still “denied”? Why modern states still hesitate over female heads of government Research systems, note-tracking, daily rhythm, and tips for blocks Three-word lightning round and dream dinner with global rulers Question for you: Which ruling woman most deserves a rethink, and why? If you enjoy deep dives into monarchy and women's power, like, subscribe, and hit the bell. Find Elizabeth Norton's book and socials here:  https://www.amazon.com/Women-Who-Ruled-World-Monarchy/dp/1804441139 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Women-Who-Ruled-World-Monarchy/dp/1804441139 Social media platforms - look for @ENortonHistory

Was Mary Boleyn really “the pretty one”, or is that just fiction? I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and today I'm pulling apart the myths to ask what we can actually say about Mary's appearance. In this podcast you'll learn: Where our assumptions on Mary come from. How a 17th-century portrait type has been re-identified as Mary Boleyn using dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), provenance, and family inscriptions. Why ermine doesn't disqualify the sitter (and what William Carey's status means). What Mary's children's portraits (Catherine & Henry Carey) do, and don't, tell us. No line-by-line Tudor description survives. But wood science + Carey/Wharton family links + studio copies by Remigius van Leemput point to a fair/light-complexioned Mary with hazel-to-light-brown eyes and dark-blonde/light-brown/auburn hair, and a softly rounded face. Tell me in the comments: does this portrait type convince you, or is Mary still a mystery? If you enjoyed this deep dive, please like, subscribe, and tap the bell, and check my Mary Boleyn playlist for more - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrKSxTbgPHf6SjqFnqv_-pQ-   Further reading - http://jordaensvandyck.org/mysterious-woman-in-royal-collection-portrait-identified-as-mary-boleyn/   #MaryBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #TheOtherBoleynGirl #TudorHistory #History #ArtHistory #RoyalCollection #HeverCastle #BoleynFamily #PortraitResearch #EarlyModern

On this day in Tudor history, 3 October 1559, Sir William Fitzwilliam, gentleman of Prince Edward's privy chamber, MP, court insider, and later deputy chancellor in Ireland under Mary I, died and was honoured with burial in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was one of those capable, steady figures who moved quietly through the Henrician, Edwardian, and Marian courts, and kept being trusted. Who was he? Born to a family steeped in royal service. Gray's Inn training - legal polish for a life in administration. Household service to Sir William Fitzwilliam, later Earl of Southampton MP for Guildford (1542), New Shoreham (1547), Berkshire (1553, 1559). At court: to Prince Edward's privy chamber (1544), rising to chief gentleman (1545); trusted by Somerset and Northumberland. Knighted and made Lieutenant of Windsor Castle & Keeper of Windsor Great Park by 1552. Under Mary I: dispatched to Ireland, on the council; deputy chancellor (1555); exposed misconduct by Sir Anthony Leger; rewarded with a 21-year lease of Donaghmore. Quick note: he's not the later Elizabethan Lord Deputy with the same name. Why he matters: a Dublin-born second son who, through competence, discretion, and flexibility, became a trusted royal servant across three reigns - from household retainer to the prince's inner circle and high Irish office. If you enjoy meeting the Tudors' unsung power-brokers, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily “On This Day” history.   #OTD #SirWilliamFitzwilliam #EdwardVI #MaryI #StGeorgesChapel #TudorCourt #PrivyChamber #GraysInn #OrderOfTheGarter #IrishHistory #Baggotrath #WindsorGreatPark #Henrician

On this day in 1452, a boy was born at Fotheringhay Castle who would become England's last Plantagenet king: Richard III. I'm Claire Ridgway, and in today's episode we trace Richard's short, stormy road from noble son to fallen king, and the remarkable afterlife of his story, from Bosworth Field to a Leicester car park and DNA confirmation centuries later. In this podcast: Birth & family: the House of York and Cecily Neville, the “Rose of Raby” 1483: the pre-contract claim, Edward V's disinheritance, and Richard's coronation Challenges to the crown: Buckingham's rebellion & Henry Tudor's invasion Battle of Bosworth (22 Aug 1485): tactics, the Stanleys' decisive move, Richard's last charge Burial at Grey Friars, the 2012 discovery & DNA, scoliosis, and reinterment (2015) Legacy: usurper, reformer, courageous warrior, or a king made by brutal times? What's your take on Richard III—pragmatic protector, ruthless usurper, courageous warrior, or a product of his age? Tell me in the comments. If you enjoyed this On This Day, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor and late-medieval history. #OnThisDay #RichardIII #WarsOfTheRoses #Bosworth #Plantagenet #Fotheringhay #PrincesInTheTower #AnneNeville #Leicester #MedievalHistory #TudorHistory #History #Yorkist #DNA

On 1 October 1526, Dorothy Stafford was born, a woman of Plantagenet blood who would spend forty years at the heart of Elizabeth I's privy chamber. In this episode, I trace Dorothy's remarkable path: Family webs: Stafford–Pole lineage (Buckingham & Clarence), and marriage to Sir William Stafford, Mary Boleyn's widower. Exile & faith: Under Mary I she fled to Geneva; in 1556 John Calvin stood godfather to her son (then they famously fell out, and she moved to Basel). Return & rise: With Elizabeth's accession (1559), Dorothy joined the privy chamber and became one of the queen's trusted sleeping companions. When she broke her leg in 1576, the court scrambled for a replacement so the queen could sleep peacefully. Storms weathered: Even the Stafford Plot involving her son didn't unseat her. Dorothy died in 1604, remembered at St Margaret's, Westminster, as a “continual remembrancer of the suits of the poor.” A royal confidante. Mediator. Quiet backbone of a court. Had you heard of Dorothy Stafford before? Tell me in the comments! If you enjoy daily Tudor stories, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. #DorothyStafford #ElizabethI #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #PrivyChamber #Plantagenet #JohnCalvin #WomenInHistory #HistoryYouTube #ClaireRidgway

On 30 September 1515, Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII's elder sister and widow of James IV, slipped across the Scottish border into England: heavily pregnant, newly remarried, and out of power. Her dash to Harbottle Castle set up a birth with huge consequences: Lady Margaret Douglas, whose line would help unite the Tudor and Stuart claims. In this episode I set the scene: The glittering 1503 marriage to James IV and the Flodden aftermath How Margaret lost the regency by marrying for love: Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus Duke of Albany takes control, and the royal children The 1515 flight to Harbottle and the birth (8 Oct) of Lady Margaret Douglas Why Henry VIII offered hospitality, not armies Margaret's return in 1517, and how her daughter's marriage to Matthew Stewart, Earl of Lennox produced Lord Darnley, and, in the next generation, James VI & I, uniting the crowns in 1603 Question: Was Margaret's remarriage brave or reckless, or both? Tell me in the comments. If you enjoy these “On This Day” podcasts, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor history. #MargaretTudor #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #LadyMargaretDouglas #JamesVIandI #HarbottleCastle #HenryVIII #Douglas #DukeOfAlbany #UnionOfTheCrowns #HistoryYouTube #ClaireRidgway

I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author. On 29 September, the Tudors celebrated Michaelmas, the feast of St Michael the Archangel, heaven's champion and defender of the Church. Beyond the bells and processions, Michaelmas was one of the four quarter days, the moment the Tudor year turned. In this video: What Michaelmas meant in scripture & worship (Michael vs. the dragon) Quarter day basics: new agricultural year, rents & accounts due, hiring/statute fairs The menu: why Tudors roasted “stubble-goose” (and the saying that it kept you in money) Folklore: don't pick blackberries after Michaelmas—the devil's said to spoil them! Echoes today: why Oxford, Cambridge and the law courts still call it Michaelmas term What would be on your table: goose, apples, or a blackberry tart (picked before today, of course)? Tell me in the comments! If you enjoyed this slice of seasonal Tudor life, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily “On This Day” history. #Michaelmas #OnThisDay #TudorFeastDays #TudorHistory #StMichael #EarlyModernLife #TudorFood #SeasonalHistory #HistoryYouTube #QuarterDays #BritishFolklore

Imagine standing shoulder to shoulder with Henry Tudor in exile, then riding back to win a crown at Bosworth. Today we meet Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke: sheriff, soldier, royal fixer and one of Henry VII's most loyal supporters, who died on 28 September 1502 at Callington, Cornwall. In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History, I, Claire Ridgway (historian & author), trace Willoughby's journey from West Country administrator to exile in Brittany, his role at Bosworth (22 Aug 1485), and the rewards that followed: Knight of the Body, Lord Steward of the Household, Order of the Garter, and more. It's a story of risk, resilience, and how loyalty shaped the early Tudor court. What you'll learn: Willoughby's early service in Cornwall & Devon Backing Buckingham's 1483 rebellion and fleeing to Brittany Fighting with Henry Tudor at Bosworth High offices and lands granted by Henry VII Why Willoughby mattered to the new Tudor regime If you enjoy daily Tudor deep-dives, like, subscribe, and tap the bell. Want bonus content, my digital magazine The Privy Chronicle, and members-only Q&As? Join my channel membership! #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #HenryVII #Bosworth #WarsOfTheRoses #RobertWilloughby #ClaireRidgway #TudorDynasty #HistoryYouTube #MedievalHistory

Who's the “real” Anne Boleyn—the medal, the portraits, or the version we've imagined? In this interview, Helene Harrison joins me to discuss her book The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Interpreting Image and Perception—not a biography, but a study of how Anne has been seen across centuries. We explore: What readers should unlearn about Anne's image Beyond the 1534 medal: which likeness may come closest—and which is most misleading Foreign observers (ambassadors, visitors): who reads Anne well, and who writes with an agenda? Evidence vs. imagination: where the record ends and interpretation begins Stage/film/TV: what one portrayal gets right—and what most get wrong I'm Claire Ridgway, historian, author, and host of the Anne Boleyn Files & Tudor Society. If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. Get Helene's book & follow her work: Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Many-Faces-Anne-Boleyn-Interpreting/dp/1036105024/ Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/Many-Faces-Anne-Boleyn-Interpreting/dp/1036105024/ Website - https://tudorblogger.com/

The Short, Daring Life of Thomas Watson On this day in Tudor history, 26 September 1592, poet and translator Thomas Watson was buried at St Bartholomew-the-Less. You may not know his name, but in Elizabethan circles he was the rule-bender who wrote 18-line “sonnets”, carried letters for Sir Francis Walsingham, supplied lyrics for William Byrd, and once landed in prison after stepping between Christopher Marlowe and a blade. I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In this episode you'll discover: Hekatompathia (1582): the 100-poem love sequence with 18-line “sonnets” Watson the Latinist: Petrarch, Sophocles' Antigone, Amyntas & Amintae gaudia Music & verse: his words for Byrd and Englishings of Italian madrigals The 1589 brawl with Marlowe & William Bradley: wound, death, and a self-defence pardon Final years, plague-time death, and The Tears of Fancie (1593) Where to start reading: dip into Hekatompathia for the form-breaking love poems, then try The Tears of Fancie to hear his later English voice. Question for you: Had you heard of Watson before? Which Elizabethan poet deserves more attention? If you enjoyed this “On This Day,” please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor & Elizabethan deep dives.     #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #Elizabethan #ThomasWatson #ChristopherMarlowe #Walsingham #WilliamByrd #RenaissancePoetry #Sonnets #LondonHistory #EarlyModern #EnglishLiterature  

The Day Mary, Queen of Scots' Fate Was Sealed On this day in Tudor history, 25 September 1586,  Mary, Queen of Scots was escorted to Fotheringhay Castle. She would never leave. That same week, Elizabeth I agreed to appoint 36 commissioners to try her cousin. The road from captive to condemned began here. I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In this episode, I set the scene and trace the chain: From captivity (1568) and Pius V's excommunication (1570) to a climate ripe for plots Ridolfi, Throckmorton, and the fatal Babington Plot (Mary's “set the six gentlemen to work”) Walsingham's cipher trap and the arrests Transfer to Fotheringhay; the commissioners named Trial (14 Oct) to guilty (25 Oct) to Parliament's petition to warrant signed (1 Feb 1587) to execution (8 Feb) Question for you: Was Elizabeth defending her realm, or crossing a line no monarch should? Tell me in the comments. If this “On This Day” was useful, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor history.   #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #MaryQueenOfScots #ElizabethI #Fotheringhay #BabingtonPlot #Walsingham #EnglishHistory #EarlyModern #16thCentury 

On this day in Tudor history, 24 September 1561, a baby with a claim and a cloud was born inside the Tower of London. Meet Edward Seymour, Viscount Beauchamp, son of Lady Katherine Grey (Jane Grey's sister) and Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, a couple who secretly married without Elizabeth I's permission.    The queen refused to recognise the union, branding their Tower-born child illegitimate… yet his pedigree ran straight through Mary Tudor, Queen of France, per Henry VIII's will. In this episode: The secret marriage, Tower imprisonment, and Beauchamp's contested status Why his birth sat at the centre of England's succession web His own secret match to Honora Rogers (and the family row it sparked) How his son William Seymour later eloped with Arbella Stuart What James I did, and didn't, undo, and how Beauchamp's story ends Question for you: Should Elizabeth have recognised Katherine Grey's marriage, or was she right to keep rival claims on a tight leash? If you enjoy these daily Tudor dives, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #KatherineGrey #ViscountBeauchamp #Seymour #SuccessionHistory #TowerOfLondon

On this day in Tudor history, 23 September 1568, a tense “harbour truce” at San Juan de Ulúa (Veracruz) exploded into close-quarters battle. Spanish warships surged in; cannon roared; John Hawkins and his young kinsman Francis Drake barely escaped with the Minion and Judith as the flagship Jesus of Lübeck was wrecked. Many English sailors were captured, some facing the Inquisition. I'm Claire Ridgway. In this episode, I unpack the ambush that hardened English attitudes, reshaped the navy, and helped set the course toward the Spanish Armada, including the uncomfortable truth that Hawkins's ventures were tied to the transatlantic slave trade, central to both profit and Spanish fury. What you'll learn: Why Hawkins sought shelter at San Juan de Ulúa, and the “safe-conduct” deal that failed The battle itself: ship list, tactics, and how Drake cut free Two empires, two narratives: “treachery” vs “piracy” Long consequences: Hawkins's navy reforms and the rise of race-built galleons How Ulúa forged the mindset behind later Elizabethan raids and 1588 If this “On This Day” deep dive gripped you, please like, subscribe, and tell me in the comments: Treachery or piracy, how do you read Ulúa? #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #SanJuanDeUlua #JohnHawkins #FrancisDrake #SpanishArmada #NavalHistory #EarlyEmpire

Ever looked up at Hampton Court's Great Hall and wondered who made that jaw-dropping roof? On this day in Tudor history, 22 September 1544, James Nedeham, master carpenter, architect and Surveyor of the King's Works, died while on campaign with Henry VIII at Boulogne. You may not know his name, but you know his work: Hampton Court's Great Hall roof, Traitors' Gate timbering at the Tower of London, and key projects at Whitehall and beyond. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway. In this episode, meet the craftsman who helped stage Tudor power. What you'll learn: How a London guildsman rose to Master Carpenter & Surveyor of the King's Works The story behind Hampton Court's hammer-beam masterpiece Nedeham at the Tower of London: Jewel House & Traitors' Gate (1532) Whitehall, Canterbury, and reusing monastic sites after the Dissolution His final campaign with Henry VIII and memorial at Little Wymondley Question for you: If you could time-travel through one Tudor space, which would it be—Hampton Court, Whitehall, or the Tower—and why? If you enjoy the “hidden makers” of Tudor England, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily On This Day history. Hashtags: #TudorHistory #HamptonCourt #HenryVIII #TowerOfLondon #Whitehall #OnThisDay #ArchitecturalHistory #GreatHall #TraitorsGate

Content note: This video discusses historical allegations of domestic abuse. Imagine being one of the highest-ranking women in England, then writing that you were locked away, stripped of your jewels, pinned until you spat blood, and dragged from bed by your hair. Those are the claims of Elizabeth Howard, Duchess of Norfolk, set down in letters to Thomas Cromwell, and answered by her husband, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. I'm Claire Ridgway. Today we examine Elizabeth's marriage, her letters, Norfolk's rebuttal, and what this case shows about coercive control and power at the Tudor court. In this episode: Elizabeth Howard's background & marriage to Thomas Howard Bess Holland, household tensions, and banishment from court The letters to Cromwell: isolation at Redbourne, financial control, intimidation, and alleged assaults Norfolk's defence—and why children and kin sided against Elizabeth How historians read these sources today: myth, motive, and patterns of abuse Read the letters (primary sources): - Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies of Great Britain, Vol. II, pp. 218–225; p. 358 onwards: https://archive.org/details/lettersroyaland00greegoog/page/n242/mode/2up - Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, Vol. VI, pp. 96–100: https://archive.org/details/lettersroyaland06greegoog/page/n116/mode/2up If this topic interests you, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts: Do you find Elizabeth's testimony or Norfolk's defence more convincing, and why? #TudorHistory #TrueCrime #ElizabethHoward #DukeOfNorfolk #ThomasCromwell #DomesticAbuseHistory #AnneBoleyn #HistoryDocumentary  

Villain or maligned? In this interview, historical novelist Wendy Johnson—a founding member of Philippa Langley's “Looking for Richard” project—joins me to discuss her debut novel, The Traitor's Son, which traces Richard III's formative decade (1461–1471). We explore: What being close to the 2012 discovery in Leicester changed for her as a writer and Ricardian Why start with boyhood—and what newcomers should unlearn about Richard Fact vs fiction: where the record ends and imagination begins Favourite sources for Edward, George, and Richard Places that shaped the story: Ludlow, Middleham, London Teasers for Books 2 & 3 in the trilogy Plus: Wendy's top Ricardian must-visit sites, the scene she'd film first, and one non-fiction pick to read next. I'm Claire Ridgway. Thanks for watching. Please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below! #RichardIII #WarsOfTheRoses #HistoricalFiction #LookingForRichard #Plantagenets #MedievalHistory

On this day in Tudor history, 19 September 1580, Katherine Willoughby (Katherine Brandon, later Katherine Bertie), Duchess of Suffolk, died after a long illness and was laid to rest at Spilsby, Lincolnshire. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today I'm telling the story of one of my favourite Tudor women, a brilliant, resilient figure who moved from court glitter to deepest grief, from duchess to exile and back again, guided by a sharp mind and a fiercer faith. In this episode: Heiress & child-bride: ward of Charles Brandon and Duchess at 14 Court & conscience: official mourner at Catherine of Aragon's funeral; hiring Hugh Latimer to preach Tragedy in 1551: losing both sons to the sweating sickness the same day Love & exile: marriage to Richard Bertie, flight under Mary I, return under Elizabeth I Legacy: patronage of reform, Miles Coverdale in her household, and that famous little dog named “Gardiner” If you enjoy deep dives into remarkable Tudor women, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #KatherineWilloughby #DuchessOfSuffolk #CharlesBrandon #Reformation #SweatingSickness #ElizabethI

On this day in Tudor history, 18 September 1535, Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, was born at Chartley in Staffordshire. The eldest son of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Catherine Willoughby, Henry's life was full of promise, until it was heartbreakingly cut short. Educated alongside Prince Edward (the future Edward VI), Henry thrived at court: he carried the orb at Edward's coronation, ran at the ring, and studied at Cambridge under some of the greatest humanist tutors of the day. He was a young noble who seemed destined for greatness. But in the summer of 1551, the dreaded sweating sickness struck. Within hours, Henry and his younger brother Charles were dead, snuffing out the Brandon male line in one cruel blow. In this podcast, I share Henry's brief but brilliant story, his education, his role at court, and the tragedy that ended his family's hopes. If you enjoy daily Tudor stories, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. And let me know in the comments: which Tudor “might-have-been” do you wish had lived to fulfil their promise? #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #HenryBrandon #EdwardVI #TudorTragedy #ClaireRidgway  

On 17 September 1575, Zurich lost one of its great reformers: Heinrich (Henry) Bullinger. While Luther thundered, Calvin systematised, and Zwingli fought and died, Bullinger quietly anchored the Swiss Reformation, and his writings reached far beyond Switzerland, shaping the faith of Tudor England. In this episode, I explore: Bullinger's rise from Bremgarten priest's son to Zurich's leading pastor His household with Anna Adlischweiler—marriage, 11 children, orphans, and refugees His leadership after Zwingli's death in 1531, keeping Zurich's church steady The Decades - sermons that became required reading in Elizabethan England His covenant theology - grace freely offered, faith shown through conduct His role as a bridge-builder: the First and Second Helvetic Confessions, and a vast correspondence that reached Edward VI and Elizabeth I Bullinger's death on this day in 1575 marked the end of an era, but his influence endured - quiet, steady, and lasting. Had you heard of Bullinger before today? And which Reformation voice - Luther, Zwingli, Bullinger, or Calvin - do you find most compelling? Tell me in the comments. If you enjoy these daily glimpses into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. For exclusive extras—zoom calls, behind-the-scenes content, and my monthly magazine—consider joining my channel membership. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #Reformation #Bullinger #ChurchHistory #ProtestantReformers #ClaireRidgway #ElizabethanEngland

On 16 September 1539, Walter Devereux was born at Chartley in Staffordshire. Nobleman, soldier, coloniser—and father to Robert Devereux, Elizabeth I's brilliant but doomed favourite—Walter's life was full of ambition, controversy, and whispers that outlived him. From his meteoric rise at Elizabeth's court to his brutal and ill-fated campaign in Ireland, Walter seemed destined for greatness. But at just 37, he died suddenly in Dublin in 1576. Official cause? Dysentery. The rumours? Poison… perhaps even at the hands of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester—who later married Walter's widow, Lettice Knollys. In this episode, I trace Walter's journey from Chartley heir to Irish commander, explore his marriage into the Boleyn-Knollys family, and ask: Why did his Irish venture turn so grim? Was his death really natural—or the result of a Tudor plot? How did his early end shape the fate of his son, the tragic Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex? Poison or misfortune? You decide in the comments. If you enjoyed this Tudor true-crime style tale, please like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don't miss tomorrow's story from Tudor history. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #Essex #WalterDevereux #HistoryTok #ClaireRidgway  

When you picture Henry VIII, do you see Holbein's towering figure in furs and jewels—broad, bearded, and imposing? That image is iconic... but it's not the full story. In this video, I'm going back to the start of Henry's reign to ask: What did Henry VIII really look like when he took the throne in 1509? Before the tyranny, before the weight gain, before the codpieces and propaganda, Henry was something else entirely. Discover how contemporary eyewitnesses described him What portraits and armour tell us about his build and features And why our mental image of Henry is shaped more by politics than portraits Who would you cast as young Henry in a film or series? Let me know in the comments! Watch next: Tracking Henry VIII's Weight Gain… Through His Armour - https://youtu.be/sesuSTxpXMs?si=rZ1_jWVl1l-jQ8FZ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell for more myth-busting Tudor history from The Anne Boleyn Files. #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #YoungHenryVIII #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorMonarchy #HolbeinMyth #TudorPortraits #EarlyModernHistory

I can't believe that I've got over 75,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel, and to celebrate it, my lovely husband, Tim, put together a "mastermind" style expert round quiz to test my knowledge on the Tudors and especially the Boleyn family. There's a quick-fire round of two minutes where I have to answer as many questions correctly as I can, and then a slightly more leisurely round where I get some bonus questions. Let me know how many questions you got right by playing along now... THANK YOU to every single one of my subscribers, I really appreciate your support and I read every comment you leave.

The Truth About His Faith and the English Reformation   He broke from Rome. He dissolved the monasteries. He declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England… So that makes Henry VIII Protestant, right? Not quite. In this video, we explore: Why Henry VIII broke with the Pope (spoiler: it wasn't about theology) His 1521 book defending the Catholic sacraments against Martin Luther The Act of Supremacy and what it really meant The Six Articles and the continued persecution of Protestants What changed under Henry—and what stayed Catholic The king's final days and the beliefs he clung to on his deathbed Tell me in the comments: Do you think Henry ever intended to spark a Reformation? Or was it all about control? Like, subscribe, and tap the bell for more daily Tudor history from the Anne Boleyn Files. Watch next:  July 30 - Reformers and Catholics executed on the same day - https://youtu.be/ZUvIWF51n_Q #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #Reformation #EnglishReformation #WasHenryVIIIProtestant #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #TudorChurch #CatholicWithoutThePope #HistoryDebunked

We rarely hear about Marten Micron, a young Dutch pastor who came to London as a refugee, and helped organise one of the most radical experiments of Edward VI's reign: the Stranger Church at Austin Friars. I'm historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today's video I'll be sharing the remarkable story of Marten Micron: his ministry among London's refugees, his influential writings on church order and catechism, his exile under Mary I, and his enduring legacy in the Reformation. In this episode: - Who Marten Micron was and how he came to London. - Why the Stranger Churches were so significant in Edward VI's England. - Micron's role in shaping worship, discipline, and teaching. - His exile, death, and why his writings still mattered across Europe. Join me as we uncover the story of a reformer too often forgotten, yet whose influence rippled far beyond Tudor England.   What do you think—should Marten Micron be remembered alongside figures like Cranmer and Calvin? Tell me in the comments! Like, subscribe, and tap the bell so you don't miss more daily deep dives into Tudor and Reformation history. And if you'd like even more Tudor content—including my monthly digital magazine The Privy Chronicle—consider becoming a channel member and stepping into my Tudor court! #TudorHistory #Reformation #MartenMicron #StrangerChurch #ClaireRidgway