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

January 2 - A visit for the dying Catherine of Aragon

On this day in Tudor history, 2nd January 1536, imperial ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, visited his good friend, Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII and a woman who was now officially called the Dowager Princess of Wales.
 
Catherine was seriously ill, in fact she was dying, and this would be the last time that Chapuys saw her.
 
Find out from Chapuys' own account, read by Claire Ridgway, Tudor history author, what happened in the four days he spent with Catherine of Aragon.
 
You can read Chapuys' full letter to Emperor Charles V at https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol5/no2/pp1-10  - document number 3.
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/XptvWNA3RBo
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 2nd January 1492, the Moors surrendered Granada to the forces of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Find out more about this in last year's talk - https://youtu.be/YkTKaX4tpMA
 
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com 
https://www.tudorsociety.com
https://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/
 

December 26 - Boxing Day and Henry VIII's will

Happy St Stephen's Day! Happy Boxing Day!
 
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of  "On This Day in Tudor History", explains how St Stephen's Day was celebrated in Tudor times and why it's known as Boxing Day, before moving on to today's "on this day event".
 
On this day in Tudor history, 26th December 1546, an ill Henry VIII made some changes to his will in preparation for his nine-year-old son, Edward, inheriting the throne. Claire explains all...
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCmnejkr0xc
 
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com 
https://www.tudorsociety.com
https://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/
 

December 23 - Nicholas Udall and the White Falcon

On this day in Tudor history, 23rd December 1556, in the reign of Queen Mary I, Nicholas Udall (Yevedale), schoolmaster, cleric, humanist and playwright, was buried at St Margaret's, Westminster. 
 
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", introduces this Tudor man and also shares a ballad he wrote for Queen Anne Boleyn's coronation celebrations in 1533. His ballad was about Anne Boleyn's falcon badge and how it related to the queen.
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/22JA60AlzA8
 
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com 
https://www.tudorsociety.com
https://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/

December 22 - Bishop Fisher begs for a shirt

On this day in Tudor history, 22nd December 1534, John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, who was a prisoner in the Tower of London, wrote to Thomas Cromwell. 
 
In his letter to Cromwell, the poor bishop begged him for a shirt, sheet, food and books, as well as asking him to intercede with King Henry VIII on his behalf.
 
It is so sad that a man who had served the king so loyally in the past had come to this, and, of course, the king's mercy would only stretch to commuting his method of execution to beheading.
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/9EwSBKVB16E
 
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com 
https://www.tudorsociety.com
https://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/