March 6 - The Dissolution of the Monasteries

On this day in Tudor history, 6th March 1536, King Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries began when the “Act for the Suppression (or Dissolution) of the Lesser Monasteries” was introduced into the Reformation Parliament. 
 
The Dissolution of the Monasteries had a major impact on England and her people, but was of great benefit to the king, his nobles and the gentry. Find out what happened, why and its impact in this talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society and Anne Boleyn Files.
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/aELw2ss-xM8
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 6th March 1492, scholar and humanist Juan Luis Vives was born. He advised Catherine of Aragon on Princess Mary’s education. Find out all about what he advised in last year’s video. https://youtu.be/B18CK9M_glg 

February 28 - Thomas Forret, a chief heretic and teacher of heresy

On this day in Tudor history, 28th February 1540, Protestant Thomas Forret was burned at the stake in Castle Hill, Edinburgh, in the presence of King James V.
 
Forret was a former Augustinian monk and had spent his career teaching the common people and helping those in need. How did he come to this awful end in Edinburgh? Find out all about Thomas Forret, and why he was accused of heresy, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History".
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/f3_SnmqCcmk
 
Also on this day in history, 28th February 1525, the wizard earl, Gerald Fitzgerald, 11th Earl of Kildare, was born. He spent much of his life on the run and I tell you all about it in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/UBeu4Gz9CNM 

February 14 - Being a royal favourite doesn't save you

On this day in Tudor history, 14th February 1539, Sir Nicholas Carew, a royal favourite for over 20 years, was tried for treason after being implicated in the Exeter Conspiracy.
Spoilers - his trial didn't go well.
 
But how did a man who'd been in royal favour for so long come to such a sticky end? Find out in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History".
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/5A5CSKvzbhE
 
You can find out more about Carew's life and career in Claire's video about his execution - https://youtu.be/jRx9pKlmABQ
Also on this day in Tudor history, a prophecy was fulfilled as a dog licked up King Henry VIII’s blood. Find out more last year's video - https://youtu.be/jg-97Zi5ZLs
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.comhttps://www.tudorsociety.comhttps://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/ https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/

February 10 - Catherine Howard goes to the Tower

On this day in Tudor history, 10th February 1542, Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII’s fifth wife, was escorted by barge from Syon House, where she’d been kept since November 1541, to the Tower of London in preparation for her execution.
 
Sadly, the queen would have seen the heads of her former lover, Francis Dereham, and her sweetheart, Thomas Culpeper, as she made her way to the Tower - a reminder of her own fate.
 
Find out more in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History".
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/jYbD8-Qua-s
 
Also on this day in history, 10th February 1567, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered. You can find out more about what happened to him in last year's video - https://youtu.be/wEJqXONguns 

February 2 - Sir Francis Bryan, the Vicar of Hell

On this day in Tudor history, 2nd February 1550, Sir Francis Bryan, died suddenly in Ireland. He was a rather colourful Tudor character, known as much for his drinking, gambling and all-round bad behaviour, as his diplomacy, royal favour and gift for poetry.
 
Find out more about this one-eyed courtier and his nickname, "the vicar of hell", in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books.
 
Book recommendation: Sir Francis Bryan, Henry VIII's most notorious ambassador, by Sarah-Beth Watkins.
 
Today is also Candlemas, and you can find out more about that feast day and how it was celebrated in Tudor times in Claire's video from last year - https://youtu.be/sXj14xV4gCE 

January 21 - Henry Howard's madding time

On the night of this day in Tudor history, 21st January 1543, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, Thomas Wyatt the Younger and several other youths went on a five hour rampage in London.
Surrey regretted his actions, calling that night "a madding time", but the king and the privy council took it seriously.
Find out what happened to Surrey and his fellow vandals in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, Tudor history author.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/gdmqFS3eQnw
Also on this day in history, 21st January 1542, a bill of attainder against Queen Catherine Howard and one of her ladies, Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, was introduced into the House of Lords. Find out more in last year's video - https://youtu.be/jxxcTAxn0_k

January 17 - Poet Thomas Wyatt is arrested

On this day in Tudor history, 17th January 1541, courtier, diplomat and poet, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, was arrested and sent to the Tower of London after being accused of corresponding with Cardinal Reginald Pole, and referring to the prospect of Henry VIII’s death. 
Wyatt was taken to the Tower and it looked like he'd be executed, but he was saved by Queen Catherine Howard, but at a huge cost.
Find out more about what Wyatt was accused of, how he escaped execution and what he had to agree to, in today's talk from Tudor history author, Claire Ridgway.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/dlEQrkr8CDg
Also on this day in Tudor history, 17th January 1569, Agnes Bowker of Market Harborough, Leicestershire, allegedly gave birth to a cat. Find out more about this rather tall tale in Claire's video from last year - https://youtu.be/AVOtEP_alvc

January 3 - Martin Luther is excommunicated

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd January 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Reformer, German priest and professor of theology Martin Luther from the Catholic Church.
 
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", explains what led to Luther's excommunication, what happened when Luther was called to the Diet of Worms, and what happened next to this famous Reformer.
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/a-ZVlR9bIpg
 
Here is a link to Claire's talk from 31st October on Martin Luther and his 95 Theses - https://youtu.be/yGzHmCmLVBU  
 
Also, on this day in Tudor history, 3rd January 1540 and 1541, Anne of Cleves had very different experiences. Find out more in last year's video - https://youtu.be/kEeGEi_XSmw