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



Sunday Jul 14, 2019
July 14 - The Brandon boys are no more
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 14th July 1551,fifteen-year-old Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, and his fourteen-year-old brother, Charles, 3rd Duke of Suffolk, both sons of Catherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk, and the late Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, died at Buckden.
The boys had been taken ill in a sweating sickness epidemic that had hit Cambridge.
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, tells us exactly what happened on that sad day.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/oSNvXjyiFDY
You can find out more about sweating sickness in Claire's video at https://youtu.be/qwSjvIixzP8
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 Jul 13, 2019
July 13 - The overshadowed Robert Sidney
Saturday Jul 13, 2019
Saturday Jul 13, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 13th July 1626, Tudor poet and courtier, Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester, brother of Sir Philip Sidney, died at Penshurst Place, the family seat in Kent.
Sir Philip Sidney is known as one of the great poet and scholars of the Tudor age, but his brother, Robert, was also a talented poet.
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, tells us a bit more about how historians discovered Robert's work, as well as sharing one of his sonnets with us.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/3mb_HSVgM_I
You can read more about the sonnets here:
https://www.bl.uk/eblj/1975articles/pdf/article14.pdf
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 Jul 12, 2019
July 12 - Henry VIII gets married for the sixth and final time
Friday Jul 12, 2019
Friday Jul 12, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 12th July 1543, Henry VIII got married for the sixth and final time.The fifty-two-year-old king married thirty-one-year-old Catherine Parr, Lady Latimer, in the Queen's Closet of the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", gives a contemporary account of the wedding service, as well as telling us about who attended the ceremony.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/3ZX9HMVMzcg
You can find Claire at:https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com https://www.tudorsociety.comhttps://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFileshttps://twitter.com/thetudorsocietyhttps://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/ https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/



Thursday Jul 11, 2019
July 11 - The Pope's had enough of Henry VIII!
Thursday Jul 11, 2019
Thursday Jul 11, 2019
There's only so much a pope can take from a misbehaving king, isn't there? And Pope Clement VII had had enough of Henry VIII by 11th July 1533.
But how had this English king gone from being lauded as Defender of the Faith to being threatened with excommunication? What had he done to upset the Pope?
In today's "on this day in Tudor history" talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", gives details on Henry VIII's misbehaviour, the ultimatum that the pope gave Henry, and what happened next.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/WepPlD4RW60
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/



Wednesday Jul 10, 2019
July 10 - Queen Jane and the boy with no ears
Wednesday Jul 10, 2019
Wednesday Jul 10, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1553, Lady Jane Grey was officially proclaimed "Queen Jane" at the Tower of London, in Cheapside and Fleet Street. However, one young man could not keep quiet about his views regarding Mary being the rightful queen and he suffered a nasty punishment as a result.
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books, shares a contemporary account of what happened on that day in London.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/dWcNfJCLqkw
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/



Tuesday Jul 09, 2019
July 9 - Anne of Cleves, "right entirely beloved sister"
Tuesday Jul 09, 2019
Tuesday Jul 09, 2019
On this day in history, 9th July 1540, Anne of Cleves went from being Henry VIII's queen consort to being his "right dear and right entirely beloved sister" after their marriage was annulled.
Why was their marriage annulled? How did Anne of Cleves react to the news? What happened to her and Henry VIII afterwards?Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in History", explains the situation in today's talk.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/DUblFQhi58M
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 Jul 08, 2019
July 8 - Mary declares herself queen!
Monday Jul 08, 2019
Monday Jul 08, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 8th July 1553, two days after her half-brother King Edward VI's death and one day after hearing news of his death, Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, declared that she was Edward VI's heir and so was queen - Queen Mary I.
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains what had led Mary to this point and why Mary had fled London.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/M4uasqpXbHs
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 Jul 07, 2019
July 7 - The Dudley Conspiracy and plotters
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
Sunday Jul 07, 2019
On this day in Tudor history, 7th July 1556, in the reign of Queen Mary I, Henry Peckham and John Danyell were hanged, drawn and quartered after being found guilty of treason for their involvement in the Dudley Conspiracy.
But what was the Dudley Conspiracy? And who was involved in it? What happened?
Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in History", explains all in today's talk.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/Q9M_UKKxUws
Further reading: "Two Tudor Conspiracies" by David Loades - http://viewbook.at/davidloades
You can find Claire at:https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com https://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/

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.









