Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Tudor history podcasts from Claire Ridgway, author of ”On This Day in Tudor History” and many other bestselling Tudor books. Claire runs the Tudor Society, The Anne Boleyn Files and can be found on her website www.ClaireRidgway.com where she runs exclusive online historical events.
Episodes
Episodes



4 days ago
4 days ago
Elizabeth I’s reign is often celebrated as a Golden Age—a time of exploration, cultural flourishing, and military victories. But was it truly golden for everyone?
Behind the glorious image of Gloriana, there was persecution, war, economic hardship, and brutal repression. In this video, we’ll uncover the darker side of Elizabeth I’s rule—the suffering, censorship, and struggles that are often left out of history books.
Key Topics Covered:
- Religious persecution
- Economic hardship
- War and suffering
- Censorship
- Women’s lives
- Corruption and political instability in Elizabeth’s later years
Elizabeth I is often remembered as one of England’s greatest monarchs—but history is rarely that simple. For many of her subjects, life was not golden—it was a struggle for survival.
What do you think? Did Elizabeth I’s reign deserve its Golden Age reputation, or have the struggles of ordinary people been glossed over? Enjoyed this deep dive into Tudor history?
Thanks for listening, and catch you in the next podcast!
#ElizabethI #TudorHistory #GoldenAge #Tudors #History #BritishHistory #RoyalHistory #TudorMonarchy #Witchcraft #Censorship #SpanishArmada #IrishHistory #16thCentury #HistoricalTruth #HistoryLover #HiddenHistory



Monday Mar 24, 2025
What Really Killed the Virgin Queen: The Death of Elizabeth I
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
On 24th March 1603, Queen Elizabeth I passed away at the age of 69—but what exactly caused her death?
Despite being one of history’s most documented monarchs, the exact cause of Elizabeth’s death remains a mystery. Historians and medical experts have proposed various theories, including:
- A deadly tooth abscess—Could an infection have turned septic?
- Lead poisoning—Did her makeup slowly poison her?
- Pneumonia—She suffered breathing difficulties and fever.
- Streptococcus infection—Could an untreated illness have taken her life?
- Psychogenic death—Did she literally give up on life?
Elizabeth’s final weeks were filled with grief, exhaustion, and refusal of medical treatment. Was she suffering from a fatal illness, or did loneliness and heartbreak cause her slow decline?
Join me as I explore the mysteries surrounding Elizabeth’s final days and discuss the most convincing theories.
What do you think killed Elizabeth I?
#ElizabethI #TudorHistory #TheVirginQueen #Mystery #TudorDynasty #HistoryLovers #RoyalHistory #16thCentury #WhatKilledElizabethI #BritishHistory #TudorMysteries



Saturday Mar 22, 2025
Tudor Beards: A Hair-Raising History!
Saturday Mar 22, 2025
Saturday Mar 22, 2025
Beards in Tudor England weren’t just about fashion—they were symbols of masculinity, power, and even political loyalty! From Henry VIII’s beard rivalry with Francis I to Elizabeth I’s courtiers dyeing their beards red in her honor, facial hair was serious business.
Did you know that some Tudor men believed beards were proof of virility? Or that pulling another man’s beard was an insult worthy of a duel? And while it’s often claimed Henry VIII introduced a beard tax, the truth is more complicated!
Join me as we explore the wild, whiskered world of Tudor beards! Discover the 15 beard styles that dominated the era, the dangerous dyes courtiers used to match Elizabeth I’s hair, and how beards even played a role in religious identity during the Reformation.
Would you have rocked a Tudor beard? Let me know in the comments!
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Tudor history deep dives!
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #AnneBoleyn #TudorBeards #HistoryLovers #HistoricalFashion #16thCentury #TudorStyle #BritishHistory #BeardHistory #RoyalHistory



Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
The Barber Who Survived Henry VIII
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
When we think of Henry VIII’s inner circle, we usually focus on his wives, ministers, and high-ranking courtiers. But what about the man who held a razor to the king’s throat every day?
Meet Edmund Harman, Henry VIII’s personal barber—a man who not only kept the king’s hair and beard in check but also navigated the dangerous world of Tudor politics. From accusations of heresy to receiving royal land grants, Harman’s story is one of ambition, survival, and mystery.
But perhaps the most intriguing part of his legacy is his tomb in Burford Church, which features one of the earliest known depictions of Native Americans in England. What does it mean? And how did a Tudor barber come to include such imagery on his monument?
Join me as I uncover the fascinating life of Edmund Harman—his rise, his close calls, and his enduring legacy in Tudor history.
What do you think of Edmund Harman’s story? And why do you think Native Americans appear on his tomb? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more deep dives into Tudor history!
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #EdmundHarman #TudorDynasty #BritishHistory



Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Anne Boleyn vs. Catherine Howard: The Cousin Queens’ Falls Compared
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Henry VIII executed two of his six wives—two young women from the same powerful family, both elevated to queenship and both brutally cut down. But while their fates were the same, their downfalls couldn’t have been more different.
Anne Boleyn’s fall was a calculated, political execution—fast, ruthless, and built on lies.
Catherine Howard’s fall was a slow-motion disaster, the result of a real investigation that dragged on for months before the axe fell.
Why were their fates so different?
In this podcast, we’ll compare Anne and Catherine’s falls, expose the truth behind their downfalls, and reveal the real villain of these tragic stories.
Thank you to Bianca Brooke for inspiring this discussion!
What do you think? Was Henry VIII a victim of betrayal, or was he the true villain? Subscribe for more deep dives into Tudor history!
#AnneBoleyn #CatherineHoward #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #TudorQueens #AnneBoleynExecution #CatherineHowardExecution #BritishHistory #HistoryLovers #AnneBoleynVsCatherineHoward #SixWives #RoyalHistory



Saturday Mar 15, 2025
Beauty Secrets from the Past
Saturday Mar 15, 2025
Saturday Mar 15, 2025
Welcome to another episode of Tudor Trivia! Last week, we explored historical makeup, and today, we’re uncovering the fascinating world of medieval and Tudor skincare.
You might be surprised to learn that many of the remedies used centuries ago are still in use today—or are even making a comeback in the world of natural beauty! From herbal treatments to floral waters and even animal fat-based creams, our ancestors had some surprisingly effective skincare secrets.
We’ll be exploring remedies featuring ginger, rosemary, honey, aloe vera, vinegar, egg yolks, floral distillations, and even precious stones—some of which are still recommended by dermatologists today!
Would you try medieval freckle removers or a Tudor anti-aging treatment? Let me know in the comments! And if you haven’t seen my video on historical makeup, be sure to check it out - https://youtu.be/wSdoiHyif2M
#TudorTrivia #MedievalBeauty #TudorSkincare #HistoricalBeauty #NaturalSkincare #MedievalHistory #TudorHistory #HistoricalRemedies #SkincareSecrets #RenaissanceBeauty #MedievalLife #TudorLife #BeautyThroughHistory



Friday Mar 14, 2025
The Bishop Who Defied Tradition
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
On this day, 14th March 1553, a Tudor bishop passed away in Bangor, leaving behind a legacy that shaped religious life in Wales. But who was he, and why does his story matter?
From his time as chaplain to the Duke of Suffolk to his unexpected fall from favour with Thomas Cromwell, Arthur Bulkeley’s career was anything but ordinary. In an era of religious upheaval, he made a bold decision that set him apart from his predecessors—one that would change the way faith was practised in his diocese.
Why was Bulkeley’s approach so radical? And what lasting impact did he have on the Church in Wales?
Join me as we uncover the story of Arthur Bulkeley, the Bishop of Bangor who broke with tradition. Listen now to discover his legacy!
#TudorHistory #BishopOfBangor #ArthurBulkeley #WelshHistory #TudorReformation #OnThisDay #Tudors #BangorCathedral #ChurchHistory #KingEdwardVI



Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Shakespeare's Leading ManShakespeare's Leading Man
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
On this day, March 13, 1619, the stage lost one of its greatest stars. Richard Burbage wasn’t just an actor—he was Shakespeare’s leading man, the original Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear. But his impact went far beyond the stage.
From his early years in London to his legendary performances at The Globe Theatre, Burbage helped shape the golden age of English drama. He was a close friend of Shakespeare, a theatre pioneer, and a performer whose talent left an indelible mark on history.
Join me as we uncover the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Richard Burbage—the man who first brought Shakespeare’s greatest characters to life.
If you love Tudor and Elizabethan history, don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more deep dives into the past!
#shakespeare #theglobe #actors

I'm historian Claire Ridgway
I'm the best-selling author of 13 history books and the founder of the TheAnneBoleynFiles.com, Elizabethfiles.com and The Tudor Society.
I help Tudor history lovers worldwide to gain access to experts and resources to discover the real stories behind myths and fiction, so that they grow in knowledge while connecting with like-minded people and indulging their passion for history.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. I was a contributor for the BBC docudrama The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family, and have been featured in BBC History Extra, USA Today, History of Royals Magazine, the Express, and Refinery 29, as well as on podcasts including Suzannah Lipscomb's Not Just the Tudors, Gareth Russell's Single Malt History, Natalie Grueninger's Talking Tudors, Hever Castle's Inside Hever, James Boulton's Queens of England, and many more.