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



6 days ago
Why Were They Called the Tudors?
6 days ago
6 days ago
Why were Henry VIII and Elizabeth I part of a dynasty called “Tudor”? In this podcast, historian and author Claire Ridgway explores the fascinating Welsh origins of the name Tudor—from its Brythonic meaning to how a noble family from Anglesey became one of the most famous royal houses in English history.Discover how:- The name “Tudor” evolved from patronymic Welsh naming traditions- Owain ap Maredudd ap Tudur rose from Welsh nobility to royal service- His descendants shaped the Tudor dynasty- Henry VII proudly claimed his Welsh heritage in his rise to power- And why he used a red dragon in his armsFrom rebellion and exile to royal marriage and the Battle of Bosworth—this is the real story behind the name Tudor.Did you know the Tudors were Welsh? Share your favourite Tudor trivia in the comments! Subscribe for more Tudor deep-dives every week!#TudorHistory #WelshHistory #HenryVII #ElizabethI #TudorDynasty #OwenTudor #ClaireRidgway #BritishMonarchy #RoyalHistory #HouseOfTudor



Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Tudor Poverty and Poor Relief - The Harsh Reality behind Elizabeth I's Golden Age
Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Saturday Jun 28, 2025
From the rise in population and bad harvests to the closing of the monasteries and harsh Poor Laws, we’ll explore the causes of poverty, the categories of the poor, and how Elizabethan England created one of the earliest welfare systems in Europe.Learn about:- The 1601 Elizabethan Poor Law- Almshouses, houses of correction, and the “poor rate”- The impact of enclosure and inflation- Tudor views on charity and vagrancyPlus examples of real local initiatives to support the poor.
For further reading, see: – Poor Relief in Tudor England by Edith Burrows - https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1075/ – Rich and Poor in Tudor Times by Peter D. Riley - Borrow at https://archive.org/details/richpoorintudort0000rile And my article on Anne Boleyn’s charitable giving at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-and-charity/
#TudorHistory #ElizabethanPoorLaw #TudorEngland #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #TudorSociety #TudorLife



Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
The Untold Story of Peregrine Bertie
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1601, Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby, died of fever at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Born in exile during the reign of Mary I, Bertie was the son of Katherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk and widow of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. A soldier, a diplomat, and a loyal servant to Elizabeth I, Bertie led troops in the Netherlands, fought at the Battle of Zutphen, and helped defend England during the time of the Spanish Armada.
In this podcast, I look at the life and legacy of this often-overlooked Tudor figure, from his birth abroad to his final days at the Anglo-Scottish border.
#TudorHistory #PeregrineBertie #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorSoldier #ElizabethanEra #OnThisDay #HistoryVideo #ClaireRidgway



Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Tobacco in Tudor and Stuart England
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
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



Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Scholar, King, and Unifier of Crowns - James VI and I
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
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



Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Henry VIII’s Illegitimate Son: Henry Fitzroy
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
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



Thursday Jun 12, 2025
The Dastardly Richard Rich: Tudor Villain or Political Survivor?
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
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



Sunday Jun 08, 2025
How the Tudors Slept: Rituals, Remedies, and Nighttime Beliefs
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
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

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.