Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Tobacco in Tudor and Stuart England

Sir Walter Ralegh may get the credit, but tobacco’s story in England started long before he lit up — and it’s far more surprising than you might think.
In this video, we explore how tobacco travelled from sacred Native American ceremonies to Tudor England’s courtly circles. From its use in healing rituals to its rise as a fashionable trend—and finally to King James I’s fiery condemnation in A Counterblaste to Tobacco—this is the fascinating tale of how one plant sparked one of history’s first public health debates.
We’ll look at how sailors, explorers, physicians, poets, and monarchs all played a part in the spread (and backlash) of this smoky habit. From nose cancer to nose-wrinkling monarchs, Tudor tobacco was anything but boring.
Let me know in the comments—were you surprised by any of these tobacco twists?
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more intriguing dives into Tudor life, culture, and controversy.
#TudorHistory #TobaccoHistory #SirWalterRalegh #KingJamesI #CounterblasteToTobacco #OnThisDay #HistoryTube #TudorLife #ElizabethI #16thCentury #EarlyModernMedicine #TobaccoFacts

Scholar, King, and Unifier of Crowns - James VI and I

On this day in Tudor-Stuart history, 19th June 1566, King James VI of Scotland and I of England was born at Edinburgh Castle—an infant who would one day unite two crowns and leave a lasting legacy on British history.
The only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley, James became King of Scotland at just 13 months old following his father’s murder and his mother’s forced abdication. Raised as a Protestant in a volatile Scotland, James matured into a politically astute and scholarly monarch.
In 1603, he succeeded Queen Elizabeth I of England, uniting the thrones and becoming the first monarch to rule both Scotland and England. His reign was marked by events both dramatic and defining: the Gunpowder Plot, the publication of the King James Bible, witch hunts, and his vision for a united Britain.
James was a complex figure — a believer in the divine right of kings, a published author on monarchy and morality, a man whose close male relationships stirred controversy, and a ruler who sought peace over war.
In this podcast, we explore the life, reign, and legacy of one of the most fascinating monarchs in British history.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into Tudor and Stuart history!#JamesVI #JamesI #TudorHistory #StuartHistory #OnThisDay #GunpowderPlot #KingJamesBible #MaryQueenOfScots #BritishMonarchy

Henry VIII’s Illegitimate Son: Henry Fitzroy

On this day in Tudor history — traditionally 15th June 1519 — Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate but much-loved son of King Henry VIII and Elizabeth “Bessie” Blount, was born at the Priory of St Lawrence in Essex.
Acknowledged by his father and showered with titles, Fitzroy was raised for greatness. At just six, he became Duke of Richmond and Somerset, Earl of Nottingham, and Knight of the Garter—unprecedented honours for a royal bastard.
He was educated like a prince, married into the powerful Howard family, and held top-level posts including Lord Admiral and President of the Council of the North. There were even whispers he might be legitimised and named heir.
But in July 1536, aged only seventeen, Fitzroy died suddenly—likely from tuberculosis—just weeks after witnessing the fall of Anne Boleyn. His father was devastated.
Had Fitzroy lived, could he have succeeded his father as king? Was England robbed of a strong, adult heir? Let me know in the comments—and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more Tudor history stories.
#TudorHistory #HenryFitzroy #HenryVIII #BessieBlount #OnThisDay #RoyalBastards #TudorHeir #16thCentury #HistoryTube #TudorPrince #AnneBoleyn
 

The Dastardly Richard Rich: Tudor Villain or Political Survivor?

On this day in Tudor history, 12th June 1567, Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, died—and few figures in the Tudor era have earned the label "villain" quite like him. From betraying Sir Thomas More to personally torturing Protestant martyr Anne Askew, Rich’s name is forever tied to some of the darkest episodes of Henry VIII’s reign.But was he simply ruthless—or just a master of survival in a dangerous political landscape?In this podcast, I take a closer look at Richard Rich’s life and legacy—from his legal rise and key government roles, to his shocking betrayals, opportunism, and his surprisingly charitable acts later in life. He served under Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I… but not Elizabeth I. And yet, his impact on Tudor England is undeniable.Let me know in the comments—Tudor villain or savvy survivor?Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Tudor deep dives.
#TudorHistory #RichardRich #AnneAskew #SirThomasMore #TudorVillains #OnThisDay #HistoryTube #16thCentury #TudorPolitics #Reformation #TudorDrama

How the Tudors Slept: Rituals, Remedies, and Nighttime Beliefs

Tossing and turning at night? The Tudors may have had the answer.In this video, we dive into the fascinating world of Tudor sleep—where bedtime wasn’t just about rest, but about health, virtue, and even the soul. From feather mattresses and “sleep tight” rope beds to nighttime prayers, herbal pouches, and warm possets, sleep in Tudor England was a carefully managed ritual.Did you know Tudors often had a first sleep and second sleep, waking in between to read, pray, or talk quietly by candlelight? Or that the wrong sleeping position could disrupt your digestion—or invite nightmares?Join me as I explore what the Tudors believed about sleep, how they prepared for bed, the beds they slept in, and how their nightly habits could still teach us something today.Whether you're a history lover or a fellow night owl—this one’s for you.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more glimpses into daily life in Tudor England. Sleep tight!
 
Here's a recipe for a Tudor posset made from eggs, milk, ale and cinnamon and ginger, which could also be infused with rose or lemonbalm - http://www.historiesofsleep.com/2017/06/27/little-moreton-halls-sleep-remedies/Further reading:Sleep in Early Modern England – Sasha Handleyhttps://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall/features/how-we-used-to-sleep
 

Maria de Salinas - The Loyal Friend Who Defied a King

On this day in Tudor history, 5th June 1516, Maria de Salinas married Lord Willoughby of Eresby. But this Spanish noblewoman would be remembered not for her marriage, but for her fierce loyalty to Queen Catherine of Aragon.Maria’s story is one of deep friendship, political influence, and unwavering devotion. She followed Catherine from Spain to England, stood by her through triumph and tragedy, and, in the end, defied royal orders to be with her dying friend.In 1536, when Catherine was banished and gravely ill at Kimbolton Castle, Maria risked everything. She rode through a bitter winter storm, suffered a riding accident, and still pushed on—claiming to have lost her permission papers, just to reach Catherine’s side. She arrived just in time. The queen died the next day.Join me as I explore the extraordinary life and character of Maria de Salinas—friend, mother, fighter, and one of the most loyal women in Tudor history.
#MariaDeSalinas #CatherineOfAragon #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #WomenInHistory #TudorCourt #TudorQueens #RealFriendship #TudorEngland #SpanishNoblewoman #KimboltonCastle #LoyaltyAndLove #HistoricalWomen #TudorDrama #AnneBoleynFiles

Anne Boleyn Crowned Queen - A Day of Splendour and Symbolism

On this day in history, Anne Boleyn reached the pinnacle of her triumph.After six years of struggle, scandal, and seismic political and religious change, Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England in a glittering ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Dressed in purple velvet, barefoot and crowned with the Crown of St Edward—a crown usually reserved for monarchs—Anne processed through a sea of blue cloth, surrounded by nobles, clergy, and the hopes of a dynasty.This wasn’t just a coronation. It was a carefully orchestrated show of legitimacy, power, and divine approval.Join me as I take you through every detail of this extraordinary day—from the riverside arrivals and the grand abbey ceremony to the 80-dish banquet and Anne’s moment of glory beneath a cloth of estate… all while the king watched from the shadows.This was Anne Boleyn at her height. Her triumph. Her crowning moment.Listen now to relive the grandeur of 1st June 1533.#AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #AnneBoleynCoronation #HenryVIII #TudorDynasty #WestminsterAbbey #CrownOfStEdward #HistoryLovers #BritishMonarchy #HistoricalReenactment #WomenInHistory #RoyalCoronation

Tudor Timekeeping: Bells, Clocks, and a Bit of Bling

Ever wondered how people in the Tudor period told the time—long before smartphones or wristwatches? In this video, I explore the fascinating ways our medieval and Tudor ancestors kept track of their day.From monastery bells marking the canonical hours to the rise of mechanical town clocks in the 14th century, Tudor timekeeping was far more advanced than you might expect. We’ll look at sundials, water clocks, astrolabes, and even the incredible astronomical clock at Hampton Court Palace. And yes—there were watches in Tudor England! Anne Boleyn owned one, and Elizabeth I had several, including a gift from Robert Dudley.Plus, I’ll share why you sometimes hear the chimes of my village clock tower in the background of my videos—and how that links us back to the soundscape of the past.Step back in time with me to discover how the Tudors measured their hours—and why timekeeping was as much about bells, beauty, and status as practicality.#TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #ElizabethI #TudorTechnology #Timekeeping #MedievalHistory #TudorLife #OnThisDay #TudorEngland #HamptonCourt #HistoricalClocks #HistoryNerd
 
Links:
Henry VIII portrait - https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw03080/King-Henry-VIII-King-Henry-VIIAnne Boleyn clock - https://www.rct.uk/collection/30018/anne-boleyn-clock  and  https://strawberryhillhouseblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/10/362/Hampton Court - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Court_astronomical_clockEarly Mechanical Clocks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock#Early_mechanical_clocks
--
Claire Ridgway
Best-selling author, historian, speaker, YouTuber and founder of the Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society websites.
https://linktr.ee/claireridgway
claireridgway.com
www.tudorsociety.com
www.theanneboleynfiles.com