Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

July 15 - The tide turns from Jane to Mary

July 14, 2019 22:15 - 9 minutes - 6.2 MB

This day in Tudor history, 15th July 1553, was a key point in the events of summer 1553. For it was on this day that royal ships, ships that were supposed to be Queen Jane's and who were guarding the coast off East Anglia to stop Mary fleeing England or any of her supporter invading England, swapped sides and gave declared for Queen Mary. Oh dear! Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains the context, the lead-up to this day, and also what happened to make the crews of these sh...

July 14 - The Brandon boys are no more

July 13, 2019 22:15 - 5 minutes - 3.92 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 14th July 1551,fifteen-year-old Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, and his fourteen-year-old brother, Charles, 3rd Duke of Suffolk, both sons of Catherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk, and the late Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, died at Buckden. The boys had been taken ill in a sweating sickness epidemic that had hit Cambridge. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, tells us exactly what happened on that sad day. You can see t...

July 13 - The overshadowed Robert Sidney

July 12, 2019 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.16 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 13th July 1626, Tudor poet and courtier, Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester, brother of Sir Philip Sidney, died at Penshurst Place, the family seat in Kent. Sir Philip Sidney is known as one of the great poet and scholars of the Tudor age, but his brother, Robert, was also a talented poet. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, tells us a bit more about how historians discovered Robert's work, as well as sharing one of his sonnets wi...

July 12 - Henry VIII gets married for the sixth and final time

July 11, 2019 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.38 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 12th July 1543, Henry VIII got married for the sixth and final time. The fifty-two-year-old king married thirty-one-year-old Catherine Parr, Lady Latimer, in the Queen's Closet of the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", gives a contemporary account of the wedding service, as well as telling us about who attended the ceremony. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link...

July 11 - The Pope's had enough of Henry VIII!

July 10, 2019 22:15 - 4 minutes - 3.01 MB

There's only so much a pope can take from a misbehaving king, isn't there? And Pope Clement VII had had enough of Henry VIII by 11th July 1533. But how had this English king gone from being lauded as Defender of the Faith to being threatened with excommunication? What had he done to upset the Pope? In today's "on this day in Tudor history" talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", gives details on Henry VIII's misbehaviour, the ultimatum that the pope gave Henry, and...

July 10 - Queen Jane and the boy with no ears

July 09, 2019 22:15 - 4 minutes - 2.94 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1553, Lady Jane Grey was officially proclaimed "Queen Jane" at the Tower of London, in Cheapside and Fleet Street. However, one young man could not keep quiet about his views regarding Mary being the rightful queen and he suffered a nasty punishment as a result. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books, shares a contemporary account of what happened on that day in London. You can see this podcast as a video at the follo...

July 9 - Anne of Cleves, "right entirely beloved sister"

July 08, 2019 22:15 - 10 minutes - 7.32 MB

On this day in history, 9th July 1540, Anne of Cleves went from being Henry VIII's queen consort to being his "right dear and right entirely beloved sister" after their marriage was annulled. Why was their marriage annulled? How did Anne of Cleves react to the news? What happened to her and Henry VIII afterwards? Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in History", explains the situation in today's talk. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/DUblFQhi58M...

July 8 - Mary declares herself queen!

July 07, 2019 22:15 - 5 minutes - 3.99 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 8th July 1553, two days after her half-brother King Edward VI's death and one day after hearing news of his death, Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, declared that she was Edward VI's heir and so was queen - Queen Mary I. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains what had led Mary to this point and why Mary had fled London. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/M4uasqp...

July 7 - The Dudley Conspiracy and plotters

July 06, 2019 22:15 - 11 minutes - 7.67 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 7th July 1556, in the reign of Queen Mary I, Henry Peckham and John Danyell were hanged, drawn and quartered after being found guilty of treason for their involvement in the Dudley Conspiracy. But what was the Dudley Conspiracy? And who was involved in it? What happened? Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in History", explains all in today's talk. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/Q9M_UKKxUws Further reading: "Tw...

July 6 - The king is dead, long live the queen!

July 05, 2019 22:15 - 10 minutes - 6.98 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 6th July 1553, fifteen-year-old King Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace leaving the throne to his cousin's eldest daughter, Lady Jane Grey. Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", shares details of Edward's final illness and last days, his "Devise for the Succession", and Lady Jane Grey's reaction at being told that she was Edward's successor. Another big event happened on this day in Tudor history, the execution of Sir Thomas More in 1535, ...

Boleyn or Bullen - What was Anne Boleyn's real name?

July 04, 2019 22:30 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MB

In this instalment of her "Questions about Anne Boleyn" series, Claire Ridgway, author of several books on Anne Boleyn, answers the question "What was Anne Boleyn's real name?" by looking at how her surname was spelled in the primary sources, such as letters and documents, as well as how Anne signed her name and how it appeared on family brass memorials, and taking into account Tudor spelling, or lack of it! Claire also considers the myth that the Boleyns changed the spelling of their name...

July 5 - The Essex Witches

July 04, 2019 22:15 - 7 minutes - 5.42 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 5th July 1589, three Essex women were hanged at Chelmsford, Essex, after being found guilty of murder by witchcraft. Their names were Joan Cunny, Joan Prentice and Joan Upney. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains how these women came to be accused of witchcraft and why they were hanged. If you’re a Tudor Society member, you can listen to historian Kate Cole’s wonderful talk on the Witches of Elizabethan and Stuart Essex on t...

July 4 - The awful ends of John Frith and Andrew Hewet

July 03, 2019 22:15 - 9 minutes - 6.53 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 4th July 1533, two men were burnt at the stake at Smithfield for heresy: reformer and theologian John Frith, for his belief that Purgatory didn't exist and that his views on the sacrament, and tailor's apprentice Andrew Hewt for his belief regarding the sacrament. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains just what was 'wrong' with these men's beliefs and how these men were betrayed, as well as sharing contemporary sources about t...

July 3 - Catherine of Aragon, you're not queen

July 02, 2019 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.66 MB

Oh dear! Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, had a bit of a bad day on this day in Tudor history, 3rd July 1533. Not only had she trodden on a pin and was suffering with a bad cough, but she was also told that she had to stop calling herself queen - not likely! In today's "on this day" video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, shares Thomas Cromwell's letter to Catherine's chamberlain on this matter, and also gives Catherine's reaction to it. She was a spirited an...

July 2 - 13 things you probably didn't know about Thomas Cranmer

July 01, 2019 22:15 - 9 minutes - 6.42 MB

Today is the anniversary of the birth of that famous Tudor clergyman, statesman, theologian, scholar and highly intelligent man, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was born on 2nd July 1489 at Aslockton in Nottinghamshire. Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", thought she'd mark the occasion by sharing a few facts that you might not know about this Tudor birthday boy. Thomas Cranmer is a fascinating Tudor man. Link to article on the life of Thomas Cranmer - h...

July 1 - An interesting marriage agreement and rough wooing!

June 30, 2019 22:15 - 10 minutes - 7.11 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 1st July 1543, in the reign of King Henry VIII, the Treaties of Greenwich were signed. These treaties were between the kingdoms of Scotland and England, and, amongst other terms, was the agreement of a marriage between Prince Edward, the future King Edward VI, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Scotland's subsequent rejection of the treaties led to a war known as the Rough Wooing - a great name! In today's podcast, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor His...

June 30 - Henry VIII and Catherine Howard's ill-fated northern progress

June 29, 2019 22:15 - 9 minutes - 6.78 MB

Things seemed all peachy as King Henry VIII and his fifth wife, Queen Catherine Howard, set off on their progress to the north of England on this day in Tudor history, 30th June 1541. Little did the king know that he'd be stood up by his nephew and that his world would come crashing down on him on his return. In today's video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains the motives behind this huge undertaking, what happened on the progress, and why Henry's life changed so dramat...

June 29 - Lady Margaret Beaufort

June 28, 2019 22:15 - 10 minutes - 7.32 MB

Today is the anniversary of the death of sixty-six-year-old Lady Margaret Beaufort on 29th June 1509, just four days after she enjoyed the coronation celebrations of her grandson King Henry VIII and his queen consort. Catherine of Aragon. Margaret Beaufort was the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty and was an amazing woman, in many ways, yet she is surrounded by myth and it seems fashionable to see her as a religious zealot. But who was this influential Tudor lady? What did she do? In today's...

June 28 - Happy Birthday King Henry VIII

June 27, 2019 22:15 - 7 minutes - 5.49 MB

Yes, on this day in Tudor history, 28th June 1491, King Henry VIII, the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty, was born at Greenwich Palace. This second son, the spare, of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York ended up becoming King Henry VIII in April 1509 and although in many ways could be seen as a monstrous tyrant, he did achieve much during his reign. In today's video, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", gives an overview of this man, his life and his reign....

June 27 - Prince Henry breaks up with Catherine of Aragon

June 26, 2019 22:15 - 9 minutes - 6.64 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 27th June 1505, thirteen-year-old Henry, Prince of Wales, only surviving son of King Henry VII, broke up with nineteen-year-old Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, by repudiating their two-year betrothal. It was the eve of their wedding, so why would Henry do this to Catherine? Let Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explain exactly what happened on this day in 1505 and how the couple ended up getting m...

June 26 - Sir Thomas More the traitor

June 25, 2019 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.44 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 26th June 1535, in the reign of King Henry VIII, a new commission of oyer and terminer was appointed in the case against Sir Thomas More, Henry VIII's former Lord Chancellor and good friend. More was being indicted for high treason, and, of course, would eventually be executed. How had this Tudor statesman come to this? In today's video, Claire Ridgway, author of "On this Day in Tudor History", explains why More was accused of high treason. You can see th...

June 25 - The death of Mary Tudor, Queen of France

June 24, 2019 22:15 - 10 minutes - 8.12 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1533, Mary Tudor, former Queen of France, wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and sister of King Henry VIII, died at her home in Suffolk. She was just thirty-seven years old. In today's video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society and Anne Boleyn Files websites, talks about Mary's ill-health, her death and funeral.

Midsummer and St John the Baptist

June 24, 2019 11:38 - 9 minutes - 6.82 MB

24th June is the Feast of St John the Baptist, an important celebration in the medieval and Tudor periods, with it coinciding with Midsummer. Fairies, fires, dancing, feasting and drinking were all part of the celebrations. In today's extra "on this day in Tudor history" talk, Claire not only explains how this feast day was marked in the Tudor period, but she also talks about how it is still celebrated today in her local area. Book recommendations: "The English Year" by Steve Roud; "The...

June 24 - A midsummer coronation for Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

June 23, 2019 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.75 MB

On this day in Tudor history, 24th June 1509, Midsummer’s Day and the Feast of St John the Baptist, seventeen-year-old King Henry VIII and his queen consort, Catherine of Aragon, were crowned king and queen at a joint coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. In today's "on this day in Tudor history" video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, draws on contemporary sources to tell us more about what happened that day. https://www.tudorsociety.com