Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Step back into a world of intrigue, passion, and ruthless ambition — welcome to Tudor England. Join historian and bestselling author Claire Ridgway as she uncovers the riveting stories of the Tudor dynasty. From the scandalous love affairs of King Henry VIII to the tragic fall of Anne Boleyn, the fierce reign of Elizabeth I, and the lesser-known secrets of Tudor court life, this podcast brings history to life in vivid detail. Hear dramatic tales of betrayal, execution, forbidden love, and political manoeuvring that shaped England forever. Discover daily Tudor history with fascinating “On This Day” episodes — unique insights you won’t find in typical history books. Get behind-the-scenes stories from Claire’s own research trips to historic sites like the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle, and more. Enjoy interviews with top historians and experts in Tudor studies, plus lively Q&A sessions tackling listeners’ burning Tudor questions. 🖋 Who is Claire Ridgway? Claire is the author of the bestselling On This Day in Tudor History series and numerous other Tudor books loved by readers around the world. She founded The Tudor Society, connecting enthusiasts with experts through live online events, and runs the hugely popular history websites The Anne Boleyn Files and www.ClaireRidgway.com. Her mission: to uncover the human stories behind the crown — the hopes, fears, and triumphs of not only kings and queens but also the courtiers, rebels, and ordinary people who lived under the Tudor rose. What can you expect? - Gripping accounts of famous events like the Field of Cloth of Gold, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, or the Babington Plot. - Intimate portraits of Tudor figures: Anne Boleyn’s charm and downfall, Thomas Cromwell’s rise and brutal fall, Elizabeth I’s cunning survival. - Dark mysteries and unsolved deaths — who really killed Amy Robsart? Was Katherine Howard truly guilty? - Special episodes on Tudor fashion, food, medicine, and the day-to-day lives of Tudor men and women. Join thousands of Tudor fans worldwide Never miss an episode — subscribe now and become part of a global community that can’t get enough of Tudor drama. Explore more with Claire’s books, free resources, and live historical events at www.ClaireRidgway.com. Ready to travel back 500 years? Press play and let the adventure begin.
Episodes
Episodes



Monday Sep 30, 2019
September 30 - A coronation procession for Mary I
Monday Sep 30, 2019
Monday Sep 30, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, Saturday 30th September 1553, Queen Mary I processed through the streets of London, from the Tower of London to Westminster on her coronation procession.
The procession was a mile and a half long and must have been such a spectacle for the citizens of London. There were also pageants, wine flowing in the conduits, streets hung with tapestries, and a new queen to see.
Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, shares details of that day, along with how Mary I was dressed for what must have been a triumphant day for her.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/IvNqB9PTfp0
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/



Sunday Sep 29, 2019
September 29 - Elizabeth I tickles Robert Dudley while making him an earl!
Sunday Sep 29, 2019
Sunday Sep 29, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 29th September 1564, Michaelmas, the queen’s favourite, Robert Dudley, was made Earl of Leicester and Baron Denbigh in front of the Scottish ambassador, Sir James Melville.
Elizabeth I made Dudley an earl so that he'd be suitable as a potential bridegroom for Mary, Queen of Scots, but she couldn't refrain from a display of affection during the ceremony, tickling him on the neck!
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", explains why Elizabeth I was prepared to marry her favourite off to Mary, Queen of Scots, what happened on this day in 1564, and what happened next.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/yljT1Qjod5U
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/



Saturday Sep 28, 2019
September 28 - Mary and Elizabeth travel to the Tower
Saturday Sep 28, 2019
Saturday Sep 28, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 28th September 1553, thirty-seven-year-old Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, travelled in a decorated barge to the Tower of London. She was accompanied by her half-sister, Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
Mary was going to the Tower to prepare for her coronation, which was scheduled for 1st October 1553.
Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books, explains more in today's talk.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/N7ggywf__Rk
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/



Friday Sep 27, 2019
September 27 - Catherine of Aragon leaves Spain
Friday Sep 27, 2019
Friday Sep 27, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 27th September 1501, Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, set sail for England from Laredo, Spain.
Catherine was leaving her homeland to marry Arthur Tudor, son and heir of King Henry VII, a marriage arranged by her parents and the English king in the Treaty of Medina del Campo.
This was Catherine's second attempt at sailing to England, but this time she was successful.
Claire Ridgway, author of "On this Day in Tudor History", explains the background to Catherine's journey, along with what happened when she first set sail in August 1501.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/xozODpaaNSo
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/



Thursday Sep 26, 2019
September 26 - Sir Francis Drake, the Golden Hind and a whole lot of treasure
Thursday Sep 26, 2019
Thursday Sep 26, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 26th September 1580, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Drake returned from his 3-year circumnavigation of the Globe. Drake landed at the port of Plymouth, in his ship, The Golden Hind, which was laden with treasure and spices.
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society and Anne Boleyn Files, tells us about his circumnavigation of the Globe, what he brought back, and how Queen Elizabeth I rewarded him for his efforts.
You can find out more about Sir Francis Drake's life, death, and the two legends associated with him, in my video from 27th January - https://youtu.be/LCgBJbxsDds



Wednesday Sep 25, 2019
September 25 - A pope, death cap mushrooms and poisoned candles
Wednesday Sep 25, 2019
Wednesday Sep 25, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 25th September 1534, Pope Clement VII (Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici) died in Rome. It was rumoured that he died from eating death cap mushrooms or from fumes from poisoned candles placed in his room, but it was more likely to have been from natural causes.
In today's video, Claire Ridgway, author of "on this day in Tudor history", introduces this pope, who was leader of the Catholic Church at rather an interesting time, and also looks at the rumours surrounding his death and what eating a death cap mushroom does. Lovely stuff!



Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
September 24 - Prince Arthur's christening
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 24th September 1486, Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales and son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was christened at a lavish ceremony at Winchester Cathedral.
His mother's confinement, his birth, his christening and early upbringing had all been carefully 'choreographed' by his paternal grandmother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, and in today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", shares details from Margaret Beaufort's "Ordinances" regarding the christening of a royal prince or princess, as well as sharing specific details of Prince Arthur Tudor's christening.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/PF5kvS4mKuY
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/



Monday Sep 23, 2019
September 23 - Bishop taken ill while preaching
Monday Sep 23, 2019
Monday Sep 23, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 23rd September 1571, after being taken ill while preaching a sermon in Lacock, Wiltshire, forty-nine-year-old John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury, died at Monkton Farleigh Manor. He was laid to rest in Salisbury Cathedral.
Not many people have heard of John Jewel, but he had an interesting life which spanned the reigns of King Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I - time of religious change. He was a clergyman, a Protestant exile, a theologian and bishop, and someone who spoke up for what he believed.
Find out more about John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury in Queen Elizabeth I's reign, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/P5CBC_FLhP4
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/

I'm historian Claire Ridgway
I'm the best-selling author of 13 history books and the founder of the TheAnneBoleynFiles.com, Elizabethfiles.com and The Tudor Society.
I help Tudor history lovers worldwide to gain access to experts and resources to discover the real stories behind myths and fiction, so that they grow in knowledge while connecting with like-minded people and indulging their passion for history.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. I was a contributor for the BBC docudrama The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family, and have been featured in BBC History Extra, USA Today, History of Royals Magazine, the Express, and Refinery 29, as well as on podcasts including Suzannah Lipscomb's Not Just the Tudors, Gareth Russell's Single Malt History, Natalie Grueninger's Talking Tudors, Hever Castle's Inside Hever, James Boulton's Queens of England, and many more.









