Tudor History with Claire Ridgway
824 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 59 ratingsTudor history podcasts from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History" and many other bestselling Tudor books. Claire also runs the Tudor Society.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
August 13 - The sad ends of Friar Conn O'Rourke and Partick O'Healey, Bishop of Mayo
August 12, 2020 22:00 - 5 minutes - 3.74 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 13th August 1579, Roman Catholics Friar Conn, or Connatius, O'Rourke and Patrick O'Healy, Bishop of Mayo, were hanged just outside Kilmallock, co. Limerick. So desperate was Sir William Drury, Lord President of Munster, to get rid of these two Catholics, that he used martial law to find them guilty of treason, rather than giving them a trial. Find out why, what Drury did to poor Bishop O'Healey, and what happened to their remains afterwards, in today's video fr...
August 12 - Ursula Pole, Baroness Stafford, daughter of Margaret Pole
August 11, 2020 22:15 - 4 minutes - 2.78 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 12th August 1570, Lady Ursula Stafford died. She was the daughter of the late Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, sister of Cardinal Reginald Pole, and wife of Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford. She had Plantagenet blood being the granddaughter of George, Duke of Clarence. Find out more about the life of this interesting Tudor lady, and the tragic fall of her family, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the fo...
August 11 - Sir Maurice Berkeley and his royal career
August 10, 2020 22:15 - 5 minutes - 4.1 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 11th August 1581, Sir Maurice Berkeley, former gentleman usher of Henry VIII's Privy Chamber, died. You may not have heard of Sir Maurice Berkeley, but he had a wonderful court career, serving Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I, and proving his loyalty to Mary I by arresting rebel leader, Thomas Wyatt the Younger. Find out more about this lesser-known Tudor man in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books. You can see this p...
August 10 - Drownings at London Bridge
August 09, 2020 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.6 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 10th August 1553, the same day that Queen Mary I held requiem mass for the soul of her late half-brother, Edward VI, seven men died at London Bridge. They were drowned. Find out more about what happened to these men - one of whom was Thomas Brydges, the son of Sir Thomas Brydges, Deputy Lieutenant of the Tower of London - how the Thames was the preferred way of travelling around London, and how and why it could be dangerous around London Bridge, in today's talk...
August 9 - Elizabeth I's words cause horror among her clergy
August 08, 2020 22:15 - 5 minutes - 3.84 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 9th August 1561, while on a visit to Ipswich, in Suffolk, Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal mandate forbidding women to reside in cathedrals and colleges. Although she wasn't going as far as banning clerical marriage, her mandate caused concern, and even horror, among her clergy, particularly her married Archbishop of Canterbury, who was a huge supporter of clerical marriage. Find out more about what Elizabeth I ordered, the reactions of William Cecil, Matthew ...
August 8 - Edward VI's Burial
August 07, 2020 22:15 - 5 minutes - 3.78 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1553, fifteen-year-old King Edward VI was buried in Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey in a funeral service performed by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Although his Catholic half-sister, Mary, was on the throne, Edward was buried with Protestant rites and it was the first time the English Book of Common Prayer was used for the funeral of a monarch. Find out more about Edward VI's funeral, how Mary I marked his passing, and Edw...
August 7 - Mary, Queen of Scotland sets off for a new life in France
August 06, 2020 22:15 - 4 minutes - 2.96 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 7th August 1548, five-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots set sail from Dumbarton in Scotland bound for France. A marriage had been agreed between Mary and Francis, the Dauphin, so Mary was going to be brought up at the French court. Mary travelled with her maids of honour, the Four Marys, or the Queen's Maries: Mary Fleming, Mary Beaton, Mary Seton and Mary Livingston. Find out more in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". Yo...
August 6 - Margaret Tudor's secret marriage
August 05, 2020 22:15 - 7 minutes - 5.07 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 6th August 1514, Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and Regent of Scotland, married for a second time. The widow of King James IV of Scotland married Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, the most important Scottish magnate, in a secret ceremony at Kinnoull in Perthshire. When news got out, it led to Margaret losing the Regency of Scotland. Find out what happened next and how things turned out with Margaret and Angus, and how and why Margaret sought refuge ...
August 5 - Two brothers killed in suspicious circumstances
August 04, 2020 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.78 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 5th August 1600, John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, and his brother, Alexander Ruthven, Master of Ruthven, were killed in mysterious circumstances at Gowrie House near Perth in Scotland. Why am I talking about a Scottish event? Well, because the brothers were killed as they allegedly tried to kidnap, King James VI of Scotland, who, in 1603, inherited the English throne from Queen Elizabeth I. But what happened? Did these men really try to kidnap the king or w...
August 4 - Rebels fight most valiantly
August 03, 2020 22:15 - 3 minutes - 2.38 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 4th August 1549, in the reign of King Edward VI, the Battle of Woodbury Common, part of the Prayer Book Rebellion, took place on Woodbury Common, near the village of Woodbury in East Devon. The battle was between the rebels and the crown troops commanded by John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford. Although the rebels fought valiantly, they were defeated. Find out more about the battle and what caused the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 in today's talk from Clai...
August 3 - A notorious Tudor rake!
August 02, 2020 22:15 - 6 minutes - 4.65 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 3rd August 1562, Essex magnate and notorious rake, John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford, died at his home, Hedingham Castle in Essex. Oxford served four Tudor monarchs and was great chamberlain at the height of his career, but he had a rather colourful reputation. Find out more about the life of this Earl of Oxford and what gave him his reputation in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at the f...
August 2 - Spaniards land in Cornwall and cause trouble
August 01, 2020 22:15 - 5 minutes - 3.6 MBOn 2nd August 1595, as part of the Anglo-Spanish War of 1585-1604, four galleys containing somewhere between 200 and 400 Spanish soldiers landed at Mount's Bay on the coast of western Cornwall. The local militia fled and so the Spaniards went on to cause devastation in the area. Find out exactly what the Spaniards did in Cornwall in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway, who shares primary source accounts. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/f...
August 1 - A young blind woman is burnt for heresy
July 31, 2020 22:15 - 5 minutes - 4.09 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 1st August 1556, a blind woman named Joan Waste was burnt in Derby for heresy after she refused to recant her Protestant faith. Joan was just twenty-two when she died and had learnt the New Testament by having people read it to her. Find out more about Protestant martyr, Joan Waste, her short life and her sad end, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/BUmhF-nFVUE Also on t...
July 31 - Henry Grey, father of Lady Jane Grey, is released from the Tower
July 30, 2020 22:15 - 7 minutes - 4.84 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 31st July 1553, Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, was “discharged out of the Tower by the Earle of Arundell and had the Quenes pardon.” Suffolk had, of course, been imprisoned after Mary I had overthrown his daughter, Queen Jane, or Lady Jane Grey, and his release was down to his wife, Frances, interceding with the queen and begging for mercy. But who was Henry Grey and how did he go from being pardoned to being executed in 1554? Find out in today's talk from C...
July 30 - Elizabeth leaves Somerset House to meet Mary
July 29, 2020 22:15 - 4 minutes - 3.34 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 30th July 1553, Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, left her new home, Somerset House, to ride to Wanstead and greet her half-sister, Mary, who'd been officially proclaimed queen on 19th July. Somerset House was Elizabeth's new London residence and you can find out more about how Elizabeth acquired it and who built it originally in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this podcast as a video...
July 29 - England's clever tactics against the Spanish Armada
July 28, 2020 22:15 - 3 minutes - 2.3 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 29th July 1588, the English naval fleet attacked the Spanish Armada in a battle known as the Battle of Gravelines. England defeated Spain and it was down to the new tactics they'd learned from previous encounters with the Armada and from capturing a Spanish ship, as well as weather conditions. What were these new and successful tactics and what happened at the Battle of Gravelines? Find out in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this pod...
July 28 - A botched execution for Thomas Cromwell
July 27, 2020 22:15 - 5 minutes - 3.68 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 28th July 1540, the same day that Henry VIII married Catherine Howard, Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, the king’s former chief advisor, was beheaded on Tower Hill having been found guilty of corruption, heresy and treason. Find out about Cromwell's botched execution and his execution speech in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/vPSl-CrGg4g Also on th...
July 27 - A Welshman comes to a sticky end on Anglesey
July 26, 2020 22:15 - 7 minutes - 5.03 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 27th July 1593, Roman Catholic priest and martyr, Blessed William Davies, was hanged, drawn and quartered at Beaumaris Castle on the Island of Anglesey. You may not have heard of William Davies, but he is believed to have been involved in the printing of “Y Drych Christianogawl”, or The Christian Mirror, an important early Welsh Catholic book and the first book to be printed on Welsh soil, while he was hiding in cave! Find out more about Davies, how he ...
July 26 - Anne Boleyn and St Anne
July 25, 2020 22:15 - 4 minutes - 3.22 MBToday, 26th July, is the feast day of St Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ. Happy St Anne's Day to any Annes or Annas out there! Have a wonderful day! St Anne was very important to Queen Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I, and a pageant at her coronation procession in 1533 took St Anne, combined with Anne Boleyn's falcon badge, as its theme. Find out more about the pageant at Anne Boleyn's coronation, and why St Anne w...
July 25 - A fool gets into big trouble
July 24, 2020 22:15 - 4 minutes - 3.24 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 25th July 1535, the Feast of St James, Eustace Chapuys, the imperial ambassador wrote about a furious King Henry VIII who’d apparently been nearly driven to commit murder! What had angered the king? Well, it involved Henry VIII's fool and some foolish name-calling. Find out more in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/QPDa1fnBQqw Links to related videos: Tudor Court Fools - http...
July 24 - Richard Hesketh and his plot to depose Elizabeth I
July 23, 2020 22:15 - 4 minutes - 3.29 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 24th July 1553, merchant and conspirator Richard Hesketh was born in Lancashire. Hesketh is known for the Hesketh Plot of 1593, when he urged Ferdinando Stanley, 5th Earl of Derby, to lead a rebellion to claim the throne of England. But who was Richard Hesketh and why did he plot against Queen Elizabeth I? What happened to him and what happened to Ferdinando Stanley? And why did Stanley take bezoar stone and uncorn horn? Find out all about Hesketh, his backgr...
July 23 - Baby Mary, Queen of Scots escapes with her mother
July 22, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.83 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 23rd July 1543, or 24th according to some sources, Marie de Guise and her baby daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, escaped from Linlithgow Palace, helped by Cardinal David Beaton, and taken to Stirling Castle. Why? What was going on in Scotland at this time? Find out all about Mary's early months as Queen of Scots, and why Beaton helped her and her mother to move to Stirling, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can ...
July 22 - Playwright Edward Sharpham and his Cupid's Whirligig
July 21, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.25 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 22nd July 1576, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, playwright and pamphleteer, Edward Sharpham, was baptised at Colehanger, East Allington, in Devon. Sharpham is thought to have written the plays “The Fleire” and “Cupid's Whirligig”, and fellow playwright Ben Jonson referred to him as a rogue. Find out more about this lesser known Tudor man and his comedy Cupid's Whirligig in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the...
July 21 - The arrest of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland
July 20, 2020 21:15 - 8 minutes - 5.85 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 21st July, 1553, just days after he’d left London with an army to apprehend Mary, half-sister of the late king, Edward VI, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland was arrested near Cambridge. But how and why did the man who had ruled England on Edward VI’s behalf, as Lord President of his privy council, come to this? Historian Claire Ridgway explains his role in the accession of Lady Jane Grey as Queen Jane in July 1553 and what happened when Mary overthrew Queen...
July 20 - Queen Claude of France
July 19, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 4.02 MBOn this day in history, 20th July 1524, Queen Claude of France, consort of Francis I, died at the age of just twenty-four at the Royal Chateau of Blois. She was temporarily laid to rest there and then later moved to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis just outside Paris. Brantôme declared that Claude’s husband, Francis I, gave her “the pox, which shortened her days”, meaning syphilis, but the cause of her death is not known for certain. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tu...
July 19 - The sinking of the Mary Rose
July 18, 2020 21:15 - 6 minutes - 4.25 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 19th July 1545, Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose, sank right in front of his eyes in the Battle of the Solent between the English and French fleets. But why did the Mary Rose sink? In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares the various theories on the sinking of the Mary Rose, as well as talking about the salvage operations over time, her raising in 1983, and the work of the Mary Rose Trust. See https://maryrose.org/ for details on visiting the ship...
July 18 - Queen Jane is betrayed and Queen Mary wins
July 17, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.11 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 18th July 1553, while her father-in-law and his forces made their way from Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds to stand against the forces of Mary, and Jane was busy writing to men requesting them to muster forces to support her, Jane was being betrayed by members of her council. William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and Henry Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, called a council meeting and Pembroke was even said to have threatened council members with a sword! They then proclaim...
July 17 - Richard Carew, a multi-talented man
July 16, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 2.94 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 17th July 1555, Richard Carew, was born at Antony House, Torpoint, in Cornwall. As well as serving his county and country in several offices, Carew was also an antiquary, bee-keeper, translator and poet. He is known for his book a "Survey of Cornwall", which has been reprinted on several occasions over the centuries. You can read it at https://archive.org/stream/surveycornwalla00caregoog#page/n10/mode/2up Find out all about this multi-talented Tudor man in to...
July 16 - The death of Anne of Cleves, fourth wife of Henry VIII
July 15, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.76 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 16th July 1557, forty-one-year-old Anne of Cleves, fourth wife of King Henry VIII, died at her home, Chelsea Old Manor. She'd been ill for a few months. Anne of Cleves was a warm and generous lady, something which is shown in her last wishes with the bequests to her household, friends and stepdaughters. Find out more about her bequests and her funeral arrangements in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast a...
July 15 - The Newbury Martyrs
July 14, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.88 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 15th July 1556, the trial of Julins Palmer, John Gwyn and Thomas Robyns, men now known as the Newbury Martyrs, opened at St Nicholas Church in Newbury. The men were accused of sedition and heresy. But how did Julins Palmer, a formerly staunch Catholic end up being executed for heresy in Mary I's reign? Find out more about Palmer, his trial and the executions of the Newbury Martyrs in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books. You ...
July 14 - Richard Taverner and his Bible
July 13, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.7 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 14th July 1575, evangelical reformer and translator, Richard Taverner, died at Woodeaton in Oxfordshire. He was laid to rest in the parish church at Woodeaton. Richard Taverner is mainly known for his Bible translation, "Taverner's Bible", but there is far more to him than that, including his time as Thomas Cromwell's chief propagandist. Find out all about Richard Taverner's life and career in today's talk from Tudor history author, Claire Ridgway. You can se...
July 13 - Unease among Queen Jane's councillors
July 12, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.02 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 13th July 1553, while John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was preparing to leave London to apprehend the late Henry VIII’s daughter, Mary, members of the new Queen Jane's council were meeting with the imperial ambassadors. What was the meeting about? What was the news from East Anglia? And why were councillors beginning to feel uneasy? Find out what was going on in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this p...
July 12 - Men flock to Mary's cause and Jane makes a mistake
July 11, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.07 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 12th July 1553, Mary (future Mary I) moved from Kenninghall to Framlingham and set about rallying support. Sir Thomas Cornwallis was able to intercept her on her journey and pledge his loyalty to her. He wasn't the only one flocking to her cause. Meanwhile, back in London, the new queen, Queen Jane (Lady Jane Grey), made a serious mistake by refusing to send her father to go and apprehend Mary. Why was this a mistake? Find out what was going on back in 1553 ...
July 11 - Men change sides from Queen Jane to Mary
July 10, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.46 MBOn this day in history, 11th July 1553, in Ipswich, Suffolk, Sir Thomas Cornwallis, sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, Lord Thomas Wentworth, and some other prominent Suffolk gentlemen declared for Queen Jane (Lady Jane Grey) and publicly proclaimed her the rightful queen. However, the following day, Cornwallis recanted and proclaimed Mary as queen. Why? What happened to make this sheriff change his mind so soon? Find out more about the situation in July 1553 in today's talk from Claire Ridg...
July 10 - The Throckmorton Plot against Elizabeth I
July 09, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.9 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1584, Catholic conspirator, Francis Throckmorton, was executed at Tyburn for high treason after the Throckmorton Plot had been discovered. The Throckmorton Plot was a plot to depose Elizabeth I and to replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots, but why did Francis Throckmorton plot against his queen? Who did he plot with and how was the plot discovered? Find out more about Francis Throckmorton and his plot in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. Y...
July 9 - Mary wants to avoid bloodshed and vengeance
July 08, 2020 21:15 - 6 minutes - 4.41 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 9th July 1553, three days after the death of her half-brother, King Edward VI, and the day after she'd proclaimed herself queen at her estate at Kenninghall, Mary (future Mary I), daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, wrote to the late king's privy council regarding "some evil" that she'd heard. But what was going on? What had Mary heard and what was she going to do about it? Find out more about the situation and Mary's letter in today's talk from C...
July 8 - Thomas Boleyn's important duty
July 07, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.38 MBOn this day in Tudor history, on 8th July 1503, during the reign of King Henry VII, Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, left Collyweston in Northamptonshire to undertake an important job for the king. He was to be part of a retinue escorting King Henry VII's eldest daughter, Margaret Tudor, to Scotland, for her marriage to King James IV. Find out more about the retinue and journey in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at t...
July 7 - William Turner, Father of English botany
July 06, 2020 21:15 - 6 minutes - 4.57 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 7th July 1568, naturalist, herbalist, ornithologist, reformer and physician, William Turner, died. Turner is known as “the father of English botany and of ornithology”, but why and who exactly was he? In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway gives an overview of Turner's life and career, including his attacks on Bishop Gardiner and his time in exile, plus a bit of trivia about the training of his little dog. You can see this podcast as a video at the followin...
July 6 - The execution of Sir Thomas More
July 05, 2020 21:15 - 8 minutes - 5.95 MBOn this day in Tudor history, Tuesday 6th July 1535, Henry VIII’s former friend and Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas More, was beheaded on Tower Hill as a traitor. In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares accounts of his execution, including one that gives real insight into More's personality, with his black humour on the scaffold. Claire also gives details on the fate of Sir Thomas More's head and what his daughter, Margaret Roper, did with it. You can see this podcast as a video at ...
July 5 - Sir Thomas More's last letter
July 04, 2020 21:15 - 9 minutes - 6.29 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 5th July 1535, Henry VIII’s former Lord Chancellor and good friend, Sir Thomas More, wrote his final letter. More's last letter was addressed to his beloved daughter Margaret (Meg) Roper and it was written in coal. It is a touching letter and includes instructions and messages for other members of the family. In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares Sir Thomas More's letter and gives details on the people mentioned, along with explaining the meaning o...
July 4 - Gregory Cromwell - who was he?
July 03, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 4.04 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 4th July 1551, Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell, died of sweating sickness at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire. He was laid to rest at the abbey’s chapel on 7th July. Gregory Cromwell was the son of the more famous Thomas Cromwell, but what do we know about him and what happened to him after his father's fall in 1540? Find out about the life and career of Gregory Cromwell in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at...
July 3 - Pretender Perkin Warbeck lands
July 02, 2020 21:15 - 6 minutes - 4.46 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 3rd July 1495, the pretender Perkin Warbeck landed at Deal in Kent with men and ships. In the ensuing battle, the Battle of Deal, with Kentish men who supported King Henry VII, around 150 of Warbeck’s men were killed and over 160 captured. Warbeck managed to escape, fleeing to Ireland. Who was Warbeck claiming to be? Whose support did her have? And what happened next? Find out more about claimant Perkin Warbeck in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of...
July 2 - Thomas Boleyn's loss is Cromwell's gain
July 01, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.24 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 2nd July 1536, Thomas Cromwell, the king’s right hand man, was formally appointed Lord Privy Seal. The previous holder of the office had been Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, who'd been stripped of the office following the falls of his children, Queen Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn, Lord Rochford. But what is a privy seal and what does the Lord of the Privy Seal do? Find out more in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. Yo...
July 1 - Sir Thomas More is found guilty
June 30, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 4.08 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 1st July 1535, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Sir Thomas More, Henry VIII’s former Lord Chancellor, was tried for high treason by a special commission of oyer and terminer. The commission found him guilty and he was executed on 6th July 1535. But how did More, a faithful and loyal servant of the king, end up in this mess? Who was on the commission and what exactly happened? Find out all about the fall of Sir Thomas More in today's talk from historian Claire...
June 30 - A mortal head wound for a jousting King of France
June 29, 2020 21:15 - 5 minutes - 3.59 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 30th June 1559, keen sportsman, King Henry II of France, suffered a mortal head wound while jousting. He died on 10th July and was succeeded by his son, Francis II. Jousting was a dangerous sport and Henry was fatally injured when splinters from his opponent's lance entered his right eye. Awful! Find out more about Henry II's accident and death, and also his reign, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this...
June 29 - Henry Percy, sweetheart of Anne Boleyn
June 28, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.2 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 29th June 1537, just over a year after the execution of his former sweetheart, Anne Boleyn, Henry Algernon Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland, died at around the age of thirty-five. He'd been ill for some time and had actually collapsed after he sat in judgement on Anne Boleyn and her brother, George, in May 1536. But who was Henry Percy and what happened between him and Anne? Find out more about him in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "The Fall of ...
June 28 - A Catholic earl and poisoned roasted teal
June 27, 2020 21:15 - 7 minutes - 4.86 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 28th June 1557, Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel, was born at Arundel House, the Strand, London. Philip ended up being condemned to death for treason and dying of alleged poisoning in 1589, when he was just 32, so let me historian Claire Ridgway tell you a bit more about him and what led him to that very sticky end. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/2-J0omtzi3E Also on this day in Tudor history, 28th June 1491, Kin...
June 27 - Two Cornishmen gain fame permanent and immortal
June 26, 2020 21:15 - 4 minutes - 3.33 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 27th June 1497, in the reign of King Henry VII, lawyer and member of Parliament Thomas Flamank and blacksmith Michael Joseph (known as Michael an Gof), two of the chief commanders of the Cornish rebels, were hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn in London. What had led them to this awful end? What was the Cornish Rebellion about and why do they have "fame permanent and immortal"? Find out more about them and their ends in today's talk from historian Claire Ridg...
June 26 - Farther than Wingfield, no man dares to go
June 25, 2020 21:15 - 7 minutes - 4.85 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 26th June 1596, soldier Sir John Wingfield was buried in the cathedral at Cadiz in southern Spain. Wingfield had been shot in the head in the attack on Cadiz on 21st June. John Stow recorded that at his funeral "the generalls threw their handkerchiefs wet from their eyes into the grave" and poet John Donne wrote "Farther than Wingfield, no man dares to go", but who was this courageous soldier? Find out more about him and how he died in today's talk from Clair...
June 25 - Prince Henry (Henry VIII) gets betrothed
June 24, 2020 21:15 - 3 minutes - 2.52 MBOn this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1503, the nearly twelve-year-old Henry, Prince of Wales, eldest surviving son of King Henry VII, got betrothed to seventeen-year-old Catherine of Aragon at the Bishop of Salisbury’s palace in Fleet Street, London. But why did it take them until 1509 to get married? What happened? Find out about their betrothal and their subsequent break-up in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at th...