Tudor Poverty and Poor Relief - The Harsh Reality behind Elizabeth I's Golden Age

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

The Untold Story of Peregrine Bertie

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

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.
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The Pygmy and Beagle: Robert Cecil, the Power behind Two Thrones

On 24th May 1612, one of the most powerful men of the Elizabethan and early Stuart courts—Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury—died on his way home from taking the waters at Bath. He was just 48, but his political career was nothing short of extraordinary.The son of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Robert Cecil overcame physical disability, courtly mockery, and fierce political rivalries to become Secretary of State, Lord High Treasurer, and a trusted advisor to both Elizabeth I and James I. From helping bring down the Earl of Essex to secretly securing James VI’s smooth succession, Cecil shaped the very future of the English monarchy.In this podcast, we explore his remarkable life, his rise to power, his role in uncovering the Gunpowder Plot, and his legacy—one that helped bridge the Tudor and Stuart dynasties.Listen now to discover the story of the man who proved brains could beat brawn at the heart of royal power.#RobertCecil #TudorHistory #StuartHistory #ElizabethanEra #JamesI #GunpowderPlot #TudorToStuart #OnThisDay #BritishHistory #HatfieldHouse #CecilFamily #SecretaryOfState #TudorPolitics

Priest Harbourer Countess

On 13th April 1630, a remarkable woman passed away—Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel. She was no ordinary noblewoman. In a time when Catholicism was outlawed in England, she risked everything to protect priests and defy the authorities.
 
Who was this fearless countess, and why did she go to such great lengths for her faith? Watch to uncover the fascinating and daring story of Anne Howard, the Priest Harbourer Countess.
 
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more Tudor history deep dives!
 
#TudorHistory #AnneHoward #HiddenHistories #PriestHarbourer #CatholicResistance #ElizabethanEngland #TudorNobility #TudorScandals #HistoryMakers

The Darker Side of Elizabeth I’s Reign: Was it Really a Golden Age?

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

What Really Killed the Virgin Queen: The Death of Elizabeth I

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

The Tudor Survivor Who Bent Like Willow

William Paulet and how he served FOUR monarchs & kept his head
In Tudor England, where one wrong move could mean the Tower, how did one man manage to serve four monarchs and die peacefully in his 90s? William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, had a secret: adapt or die.
From the reign of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, Paulet mastered the art of political survival. He wasn’t a radical reformer or a man of unshakable principle—he was something far more valuable: flexible. He knew when to bend, when to switch allegiances, and when to make himself indispensable.
Today, I'm exploring how Paulet rose from humble beginnings to become Lord Treasurer under four rulers, outlasting rivals and avoiding the deadly fate of men like Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, and John Dudley. Was he a brilliant politician, or just lucky? Let’s find out.
#TudorHistory #Tudors #WilliamPaulet #AnneBoleynFiles #HenryVIII #MaryI #ElizabethI #TudorSurvivors #TudorCourt #BritishHistory #HistoryLover