The Reformer Who Was Burned… After Death!

On this day, 28th February 1551, Martin Bucer—a theologian and reformer whose influence stretched across Europe—died in Cambridge. But his story didn’t end there…
 
Six years later, under Queen Mary I, his body was exhumed, put on trial, and burned as a heretic. Why? What made him so dangerous that even his bones had to be destroyed?
 
Join me as we uncover the extraordinary life of Martin Bucer, his struggles, his triumphs, and the posthumous trial that sealed his fate. Listen now and decide for yourself! Was Bucer a peacemaker or too willing to compromise?
 
#TudorHistory #Reformation #MartinBucer #OnThisDay #ReligiousHistory #MaryI

Sisters, Rivals, and Queens

Mary I & Elizabeth I
 
They were daughters of Henry VIII, England’s first two crowned queens regnant, and two of the most formidable women in Tudor history. Yet while Mary I’s reign lasted just five years, Elizabeth ruled for over 44 years, shaping what many consider a Golden Age.  
 
- Both fought for their thrones—Mary against Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth against Mary, Queen of Scots.  
- Both built up England’s navy, laying the groundwork for future triumphs.  
- Both were married to the state—Mary to Catholicism and Philip of Spain, Elizabeth to England itself.  
- Both could be merciful and ruthless—Mary executed Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth executed Mary, Queen of Scots.  
- Both had the famous Tudor temper!
 
But their differences defined their legacies…  
- Mary was a devout Catholic, Elizabeth a pragmatic Protestant.  
- Mary married a king, Elizabeth remained the Virgin Queen.  
- Mary’s reign is remembered for the Marian persecutions, while Elizabeth’s is hailed as a Golden Age—but is that fair?  
 
Did history unjustly overshadow Mary, or was Elizabeth truly England’s greatest queen? Let’s explore their fascinating stories—listen now!  
 
#MaryI #ElizabethI #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #TudorQueens #BritishMonarchy #HistoryMatters

What If Henry VIII Had Accepted Mary as His Heir?

Would history have changed forever if Henry VIII had fully embraced Mary as his successor? Could England have had its first official ruling queen decades before Elizabeth I? And what if Mary had married James V of Scotland—would the Tudor and Stuart dynasties have united earlier?
 
In this week’s Sunday Q&A, I explore this fascinating alternate history! From dynastic politics to the religious struggles of the 16th century, we’ll unravel what actually happened, why Henry never truly saw Mary as his heir, and how history might have taken a different course.
 
- Would the English Civil War have happened at all?
- Could Mary have become a stronger, better-prepared queen?
- And was the world ready for a female monarch before Elizabeth I?
 
Let’s dive into the heir debate that could have changed everything!
 
#TudorHistory #MaryI #HenryVIII #WhatIfHistory #TudorDynasty #RoyalIntrigue #AlternateHistory

A Tudor Martyr’s Final Stand

What would you do if your beliefs could cost you your life? On this day in 1556, Protestant lawyer Bartholomew Green faced that exact question—and paid the ultimate price.
Burned at the stake at Smithfield alongside six others, Green’s story is one of unshakable faith, courage, and defiance in the face of Queen Mary I’s brutal crackdown on Protestantism.
How did this Oxford-educated lawyer end up on the wrong side of Mary’s laws? What role did secret communions, controversial letters, and his rejection of Catholic doctrines play in his downfall?
Join me as we uncover the gripping and tragic tale of Bartholomew Green—a story of conviction and sacrifice in one of the most turbulent periods of Tudor history.
What do you think of Bartholomew Green’s story? 
#TudorHistory #MaryI #ProtestantMartyrs #HistoryUncovered #OnThisDay

Mary I's saviour

Eustace Chapuys—diplomat, protector, and Mary I’s unsung hero.
 
When Princess Mary was declared illegitimate, banished, and threatened by her own father, Chapuys stood by her side. From daring escape plans to life-saving advice, he risked everything to keep her safe.
 
How far would you go to save a princess in peril? Discover the incredible story of Chapuys’ courage and cunning in the shadow of Henry VIII’s court.
 
#TudorHistory #EustaceChapuys #MaryI #HenryVIII #HistoricalDrama #HiddenHistory #TudorCourt

Queen Mary I’s Final Parliament

On this day in Tudor history, 20th January 1558, Queen Mary I opened her fifth Parliament—a moment steeped in political tension, personal heartbreak, and the shadow of impending loss. 
 
By this point in her reign, Mary was facing immense challenges, and this Parliament marked one of her final public appearances.
 
But Mary’s legacy is far more complex than her struggles. She was a queen who fought for her throne, restored Catholicism, and ruled with determination during one of England’s most tumultuous periods.
 
Join me as I explore this pivotal moment in Mary’s reign, the context of her fifth Parliament, and the tragic end of her story. Was her marriage to Philip of Spain her greatest mistake—or a bold political move?
 
#TudorHistory #QueenMaryI #OnThisDay #TudorEngland #MaryI #HistoricalDrama #EnglishHistory #TudorCourt

The Forgotten Duchess

Jane Dudley and the Fall of the Dudley Dynasty 
 
What happens when you’re married to one of the most powerful men in England—only to see it all come crashing down?
 
Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland, lived through a series of devastating events that could have destroyed her. She saw her family rise to incredible heights and then fall dramatically from grace. But her story isn’t just about tragedy—it’s about resilience, quiet strength, and survival in the cutthroat world of Tudor politics.
 
On this day in Tudor history, 15th January 1555, Jane Dudley passed away. But her legacy, through her children and her loyalty to her cause, endures.
 
How did this forgotten duchess navigate the dangerous world of the Tudor court? And what price did her family pay for ambition?
 
Let’s uncover the story of a woman who, despite incredible loss, left a lasting mark on English history. 
 
#TudorHistory #DudleyDynasty #JaneDudley #HistoricalMysteries #OnThisDay #HistoryTok #TudorEngland #RoyalDrama #WomenInHistory #Resilience

From Queen's Confidante to a Leader in Exile

What if I told you that one of Queen Mary I’s closest confidantes defied Queen Elizabeth I, became a leader of Catholic exiles in Spain, and even tried to influence the future of the English throne? 
 
Meet Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria—a woman who lived between two worlds: Tudor England and Catholic Spain. Loyal to Mary I until the end, Jane didn’t fade into the background after Elizabeth’s accession. Instead, she became a powerful figure in exile, opening her home to English Catholics, supporting the Jesuits, and working to shape Philip of Spain’s policies towards England.
 
From the glamorous Tudor court to a life of exile, Jane’s story is one of resilience, defiance, and faith. And despite immense personal loss, she never gave up her cause.
 
But how did a noblewoman from Buckinghamshire end up at the heart of Spain’s Catholic resistance?
And why did her efforts to influence England’s future fail?
 
Discover the incredible, often-overlooked story of a woman who refused to be silenced.
 
Watch now to explore Jane Dormer’s remarkable life and legacy!
 
#TudorHistory #JaneDormer #QueenMaryI #ElizabethanHistory #CatholicResistance #RoyalWomen #HiddenFigures #TudorCourt #HistoryTok #OnThisDay #WomenInHistory