Tudor Money Explained – Elizabeth I’s Bold Coin Reform & Tower Mint Secrets

What if your everyday coins could get you executed?On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1561, Queen Elizabeth I visited the Tower of London’s Mint — not just for ceremony, but to tackle an economic disaster left by her father and brother.In this deep dive, I explore:- The shocking chaos of debased Tudor currency- How Elizabeth I’s smart recoinage of 1561 helped save England’s economy- The hidden dangers of the Tower Mint (including deadly fumes and lost fingers!)- The story of a man who fell into a 14-day coma — at the Mint!- And why clipping coins could cost you your life...Learn how Tudor money worked and why Elizabeth’s economic reforms were so vital.
Don’t forget to like, comment with your favourite Tudor coin, and subscribe for more hidden Tudor tales!#TudorHistory #ElizabethI #TudorEconomy #TowerMint #TudorMoney #OnThisDay #TudorCoins #Debasement #HistoryDeepDive #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #RoyalReforms #HistoricalCurrency

Mark Smeaton - the Queen's Musician - Claire Interviews Martha Johnson

What if Mark Smeaton—the lowly court musician caught up in the deadly fall of Anne Boleyn—had a voice of his own?In this special interview, I chat with historical fiction author Martha Jean Johnson, whose novel "The Queen’s Musician" retells the tragic final months of Anne Boleyn’s life through the eyes of the man history forgot. We talk about what drew her to Mark Smeaton’s story, how she researched life at Henry VIII’s court, the challenges of writing historical fiction, and what readers can expect from this beautifully crafted, thought-provoking tale."The Queen’s Musician" offers a fresh and moving perspective on one of the most dramatic episodes in Tudor history. 
Out now!
https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Musician-Martha-Jean-Johnson/dp/1684633109/#AnneBoleyn #HistoricalFiction #MarkSmeaton #TudorHistory #TheQueensMusician #MarthaJeanJohnson #TudorCourt #ClaireRidgway #TudorBookClub

The Tudor Courtier Who Tried to Make Himself Invisible

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

The Quiet Church Which Holds a Secret That Changed England

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

Madness, Melancholy, and Moonbeams: Mental Illness in Tudor Times

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/ 

Henry VIII’s Illegitimate Son: Henry Fitzroy

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
 

Anne Boleyn Crowned Queen - A Day of Splendour and Symbolism

On this day in history, Anne Boleyn reached the pinnacle of her triumph.After six years of struggle, scandal, and seismic political and religious change, Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England in a glittering ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Dressed in purple velvet, barefoot and crowned with the Crown of St Edward—a crown usually reserved for monarchs—Anne processed through a sea of blue cloth, surrounded by nobles, clergy, and the hopes of a dynasty.This wasn’t just a coronation. It was a carefully orchestrated show of legitimacy, power, and divine approval.Join me as I take you through every detail of this extraordinary day—from the riverside arrivals and the grand abbey ceremony to the 80-dish banquet and Anne’s moment of glory beneath a cloth of estate… all while the king watched from the shadows.This was Anne Boleyn at her height. Her triumph. Her crowning moment.Listen now to relive the grandeur of 1st June 1533.#AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #AnneBoleynCoronation #HenryVIII #TudorDynasty #WestminsterAbbey #CrownOfStEdward #HistoryLovers #BritishMonarchy #HistoricalReenactment #WomenInHistory #RoyalCoronation

What Really Made a Tudor Marriage?

Did you need a priest to be married in Tudor England? A church? Witnesses? The truth might surprise you. In the 16th century, a simple exchange of vows—followed by consummation—could be enough to make a marriage fully legal.
 
In this video, we explore the fascinating (and often confusing) rules around marriage in Tudor times. From secret unions to royal annulments, handfasting to public ceremonies, find out how couples—rich and poor—sealed their unions, and how these customs led to scandal, bigamy, and disputed inheritances.
 
Discover what counted, what didn’t, and how Henry VIII used these rules to his advantage.
 
#TudorMarriage #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #AnneOfCleves #CatherineHoward #LadyKatherineGrey #16thCentury #HistoryYouTube #MarriageCustoms #Handfasting #TudorScandals #ClaireRidgway #HistoricalMarriage #MedievalMarriage #RoyalHistory #WomenInHistory