Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Step back into a world of intrigue, passion, and ruthless ambition — welcome to Tudor England. Join historian and bestselling author Claire Ridgway as she uncovers the riveting stories of the Tudor dynasty. From the scandalous love affairs of King Henry VIII to the tragic fall of Anne Boleyn, the fierce reign of Elizabeth I, and the lesser-known secrets of Tudor court life, this podcast brings history to life in vivid detail. Hear dramatic tales of betrayal, execution, forbidden love, and political manoeuvring that shaped England forever. Discover daily Tudor history with fascinating “On This Day” episodes — unique insights you won’t find in typical history books. Get behind-the-scenes stories from Claire’s own research trips to historic sites like the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle, and more. Enjoy interviews with top historians and experts in Tudor studies, plus lively Q&A sessions tackling listeners’ burning Tudor questions. 🖋 Who is Claire Ridgway? Claire is the author of the bestselling On This Day in Tudor History series and numerous other Tudor books loved by readers around the world. She founded The Tudor Society, connecting enthusiasts with experts through live online events, and runs the hugely popular history websites The Anne Boleyn Files and www.ClaireRidgway.com. Her mission: to uncover the human stories behind the crown — the hopes, fears, and triumphs of not only kings and queens but also the courtiers, rebels, and ordinary people who lived under the Tudor rose. What can you expect? - Gripping accounts of famous events like the Field of Cloth of Gold, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, or the Babington Plot. - Intimate portraits of Tudor figures: Anne Boleyn’s charm and downfall, Thomas Cromwell’s rise and brutal fall, Elizabeth I’s cunning survival. - Dark mysteries and unsolved deaths — who really killed Amy Robsart? Was Katherine Howard truly guilty? - Special episodes on Tudor fashion, food, medicine, and the day-to-day lives of Tudor men and women. Join thousands of Tudor fans worldwide Never miss an episode — subscribe now and become part of a global community that can’t get enough of Tudor drama. Explore more with Claire’s books, free resources, and live historical events at www.ClaireRidgway.com. Ready to travel back 500 years? Press play and let the adventure begin.
Episodes
Episodes



2 days ago
2 days ago
Poisoned Milk, a Pressing Iron… and Murder in the Parlour?Welcome to the very first episode of Tudor True Crime – where real historical crimes are darker than fiction.In 1551, respected businessman Thomas Arden of Faversham was brutally murdered. But the killer wasn’t a stranger…It was his own wife, Alice Arden, along with her lover and a gang of hired assassins.In this episode, I’ll uncover:- How a snow-covered trail led back to the murder scene- Why Alice’s first attempt to poison her husband failed
- The gory details of how Thomas was actually killed
- The sensational trial and the brutal executions that followed
- And how this true crime became legendary on the Tudor stageThis isn't just a story of jealousy—it’s a chilling look at the passions and power plays beneath the surface of everyday Tudor life.If you enjoy a good historical scandal, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more shocking stories in Tudor True Crime.#TudorTrueCrime #ThomasArden #AliceArden #MurderInHistory #FavershamMurder #TudorScandal #TrueCrimeHistory #ElizabethanDrama #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #OnThisDay #ShakespeareEra #HistoricalTrueCrime #DarkHistory



3 days ago
3 days ago
On this day in Tudor history — 17th July 1537 — Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, was dragged to Castle Hill in Edinburgh and burned at the stake. The charge? Treason. The truth? Far more sinister.She was a noblewoman. A widow. A Douglas. And that last detail may have sealed her fate.Accused of plotting to poison King James V of Scotland, Lady Glamis was caught in the deadly crossfire of royal revenge. Her brother had once been the king’s hated stepfather. And Janet? She became the perfect target.But was she really a traitor? Or a scapegoat for a monarch out for blood?In today's "on this day" podcast, I uncover the tragic and unjust story of Lady Glamis — a tale of political paranoia, family loyalty, and one of the most brutal executions in 16th-century Scotland.If this powerful story moved you, please give the podcast a like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. Have you heard of Janet Douglas before?#JanetDouglas #LadyGlamis #TudorHistory #ScottishHistory #TrueCrimeHistory #WitchTrial #RoyalScandal #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #TudorTok #HistoryNerds #HistoricalJustice #AnneBoleynFiles



4 days ago
4 days ago
Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, is often reduced to a footnote in history — simply the mother of the tragic Lady Jane Grey. But who was she really?In this episode, I dive into the life of Frances Brandon, born on 16th July 1517 — niece of Henry VIII, daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and a woman maligned by centuries of misrepresentation.Was she truly the cold, cruel mother some have claimed? Or has one quote from a teenage Lady Jane Grey unfairly shaped her legacy?I'll explore:- Frances’s elite Tudor lineage
- Her controversial portrayal as a harsh mother
- Her entanglement in the 1553 succession crisis
- The truth behind the myths, with insight from historian Susan Higginbotham
And the softer side of Frances, seen in her later love match and quiet life after tragedyJoin me in uncovering the real story of a woman who deserves more than the shadow of her daughter’s brief reign.Read Susan Higginbotham’s full article:https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/the-maligned-frances-grey-guest-post-by-susan-higginbotham/If you enjoyed this video, please give it a like, subscribe to the channel, and ring that bell for more fascinating dives into Tudor lives — both famous and forgotten.
#FrancesGrey #LadyJaneGrey #TudorHistory #WomenInHistory #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorCourt #ForgottenWomen #HistoryMatters #OnThisDay #TudorWomen #MaryTudor #CharlesBrandon #JaneGrey #HistoricalMisconceptions #RethinkingHistory #TheTudors



5 days ago
5 days ago
What do you get when you mix Tudor poetry, court politics, and an invisibility cloak?Meet William Neville — born on this day in Tudor history, 15th July 1497. A respected courtier and poet... who later found himself accused of something out of a fantasy novel: trying to make himself invisible!In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History, I uncover the strange tale of Neville — from his allegorical poetry and service in Cardinal Wolsey’s household to accusations of treason, sorcery, and near financial ruin.
A poet, a courtier, and maybe… an alchemist?Had you heard of William Neville before? What do you make of his “invisibility attempt”? Do share your views in the comments.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more curious and compelling stories from Tudor history.#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #TudorCourt #ClaireRidgway #HistoryMystery #HenryVIII #16thCentury #TudorTrueCrime #HistoricalFigures #HiddenHistory #InvisibilitySpell



6 days ago
6 days ago
In today’s podcast, we’re heading slightly beyond the Tudor world — north to Scotland — to uncover the story of a young queen who deserves far more recognition than she gets.On this day in 1486, Queen Margaret of Denmark, consort of James III of Scotland, died at just 30 years old. But her brief life left a permanent mark on British history.Because of Margaret, Orkney and Shetland became — and remained — part of Scotland. A forgotten dowry, a pledged territory, and a queen who quietly changed the map of the British Isles.But there’s so much more to her than diplomacy. Join me as I delve into the fascinating story of Margaret of Denmark — her Danish roots, her turbulent royal marriage, her influence on Scottish politics, and the tragic mystery of her early death.Had you heard of Margaret before? What do you think of her impact? Let me know in the comments below!And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more history videos every week!
#OnThisDay #MargaretOfDenmark #ScottishHistory #QueenMargaret #Orkney #Shetland #TudorEra #MedievalQueens #JamesIII #JamesIV #WomenInHistory #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles



Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
What happens when centuries of British history meet thousands of Lego bricks?In this special interview, I’m joined by author Andrew Redfern, the creator of "Minifigure Monarchs: A History of Great Brits in Little Bricks" — an exciting new book that tells the story of British monarchs through brilliant Lego creations.We chat about Andy’s love of history, how this creative project came about, what it’s like recreating iconic historic scenes in Lego, and of course, his favourite monarchs and builds! From the Anglo-Saxons to the Windsors, this is history like you’ve never seen it before — colourful, creative, and completely brick-tastic.Find out more about the book and support Andy’s Kickstarter project:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/minifiguremonarchs/minifigure-monarchsDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews and fascinating Tudor content!
#LEGOHistory #MinifigureMonarchs #LEGOArt #BritishMonarchy #KickstarterProject#ClaireRidgway #HistoryBookLaunch #LEGOCollectors #HistoricalLEGO#TudorHistory #HistoryNerdsUnite #CreativeHistory #LEGODesign



Friday Jul 11, 2025
The Quiet Church Which Holds a Secret That Changed England
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 11, 2025
During a peaceful walk through the Gloucestershire countryside, I stumbled upon a village church with a powerful story — one that changed the course of English history.Little Sodbury is one of only a handful of Thankful Villages in England, where all soldiers returned from both World Wars. But this place is also where William Tyndale, the brilliant scholar and Bible translator, heard his call to make Scripture accessible to everyone.In this podcast, I’ll take you to St Adeline’s Church, rebuilt using the stones of the original chapel where Tyndale once preached. It was here, as chaplain to the Walsh family at Little Sodbury Manor, that he began developing his radical ideas — ideas that would influence Anne Boleyn, shake the foundations of the church, and ultimately lead to his execution.Learn how Tyndale’s The Obedience of a Christian Man found its way into the hands of Henry VIII. Discover the Reformation roots hidden in this tiny village and hear how one man’s mission to bring the Bible to the people led to betrayal, martyrdom… and a legacy that shaped the English-speaking world.Want to know how Anne Boleyn played a part in this story? Watch my video at https://youtu.be/icpG3g08QKISubscribe for more hidden Reformation sites, Tudor travel stories, and forgotten voices of the past.#WilliamTyndale #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #ChurchHistory #Reformation #HiddenEngland #ThankfulVillage



Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Madness, Melancholy, and Moonbeams: Mental Illness in Tudor Times
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
In today’s podcast, I’m diving into a thought-provoking—and often heartbreaking—topic: mental illness in Tudor England.
From moon-induced madness and “uterine vapours” to melancholy queens and frenzied courtiers, the Tudor understanding of mental health was a complex mix of medicine, superstition, religion, and fear.
Did you know Jane Boleyn’s breakdown led Henry VIII to change the law so she could be executed?Or that people paid to watch the inmates of Bedlam Hospital for entertainment?And what about Richard Pace, Henry VIII’s secretary, who was said to tear his clothes and rant?
I’ll explore how Tudor people defined and treated mental illness, the roles of institutions like Bedlam, beliefs about the four humours, “wandering wombs,” and how the Dissolution of the Monasteries impacted care for the mentally ill.
We’ll meet real historical figures—from Queen Mary I to court fools considered holy—and look at how the legal system, family, and Church responded to mental illness.
Inspired by my research with Clare Cherry and Amelia Sceats’ brilliant thesis, this is a deep dive into a rarely discussed but important aspect of Tudor life.
Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments—how do you think society's view of mental illness has changed?
#TudorHistory #MentalHealthHistory #JaneBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #Bedlam #HistoryVideo #ClaireRidgway #TudorMadness #HistoricalTruths #HenryVIII
Sceats, Amelia G. (2016) Rationality and reality: perspectives of mental illness in Tudor England, 1485- 1603. Masters thesis, University of Huddersfield - https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/31474/

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.