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



Friday Sep 06, 2024
The King Who Never Was - A Glimpse into England’s Lost Monarch
Friday Sep 06, 2024
Friday Sep 06, 2024
What if history took a different turn? Join me as we dive into the life of Arthur Tudor, the Prince of Wales who was destined to be king, but whose untimely death altered the course of history. We'll explore his upbringing, his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and the intriguing "what-ifs" that could have changed England forever. Was he the king that never was, or the legend that could have been? 🤔✨
Discover the secrets of the Tudor dynasty and imagine a world where Arthur Tudor ruled! Don't miss this deep dive into history's greatest "what if"! 🔥
#TudorHistory #ArthurTudor #WhatIf #BritishMonarchy #AlternateHistory



Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
ANOTHER OF Henry VIII’s Secret Sons?
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
In this video, I continue my deep dive into Henry VIII's alleged illegitimate children, and today we explore the intriguing case of Richard Edwards – the renowned Tudor poet, playwright, and... possibly the king’s son. 😮
Could this talented artist really be the offspring of one of England’s most notorious monarchs? Is there solid evidence, or is this just another Tudor myth? Join me as I unravel the life of Richard Edwards and uncover the truth behind this fascinating theory!
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #Mystery #RichardEdwards #IllegitimateChild #TudorSecrets #HistoryUncovered



Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Henry VIII and Mary Boleyn’s Children – Was He Their Father?
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Could Henry VIII have fathered Mary Boleyn's children, Catherine and Henry Carey? 🤔 In this episode, I explore the facts and fiction surrounding their paternity. Mary was once the king’s mistress, but how much of what we've heard holds up to scrutiny? 📜💔
Join me as I delve into the mysteries of Tudor history, examining whether the Carey children were royal bastards or if it’s just another myth. The truth might surprise you!
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #MaryBoleyn #HistoryUnveiled #RoyalSecrets #TudorIntrigue



Friday Aug 23, 2024
Claire’s Ultimate Book Challenge: Can She Name Them All?
Friday Aug 23, 2024
Friday Aug 23, 2024
In this revenge quiz, Tim has extracted the first paragraphs from Claire's Tudor history books and asks her to guess which book they come from! Maybe you can pick which book they are from the list here: On This Day in Tudor History I On This Day in Tudor History II Tudor Places of Great Britain The Anne Boleyn Collection The Anne Boleyn Collection II The Anne Boleyn Collection III Sweating Sickness in a Nutshell George Boleyn The Fall of Anne Boleyn The Tudor Puzzle Book The Tudor Puzzle Book II Two Gentlemen Poets at the Court of Henry VIII The Boleyns of Hever Castle Illustrated Kings and Queens of England



Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tudor History Challenge 13
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
We've hit over 70,000 YOUTUBE subscribers, and you know what that means—Tim is in the hot seat for another Tudor history quiz! 😄 Thanks to our amazing channel members, who’ve crafted today’s tricky questions, Tim is in for a real challenge. From annulments and treaties to executed queens and royal lineages, this quiz has it all. Will Tim ace it, or will the Tudor trivia leave him stumped? Tune in to find out!
#TudorQuiz #HistoryQuiz #TudorTrivia #QuizTime #TudorHistory #70KCelebration
Questions:
1. Question 1 is from Lisa P – Which Pope did Henry VIII ask for his marriage to Catherine of Aragon to be annulled? 2. Question 2 is from Julie – Edward VI was betrothed to Mary, Queen of Scots, by which treaty in 1543? 3. Question 3 is from Ella – Can you name all of Catherine Parr’s husbands? There are 4 of them, so a possible 4 points. 4. Question 4 is from Katie – Can you name the three queens who were executed in the month of February during the Tudor period? 3 points. 5. Question 5 is from Kathryn – In which year was Anne Boleyn executed? And for a bonus point, on what date? 6. Question 6 is from Julie - Which was part of the War of the Rough Wooing in 1547 - The Battle of Pinkie, Battle of Winkel or Battle of Towie? 7. Question 7 is from Katie - Which Tudor queen was taken hostage during the Pilgrimage of Grace? 8. Question 8 is from Laurie – Can you name a Tudor person who was executed after being found guilty by Act of Attainder rather than by trial? 9. Question 9 is from Elizabeth – Which two men were arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London during the fall of Anne Boleyn, but subsequently released? - 2 points 10. Question 10 is from Dorothy - Which 14th century English king was Henry VII descended from? 11. Question 11 is from Julie – Which Tudor monarch created the Yeoman of the Guard
Answers....
1. Pope Clement VII 2. Treaty or Treaties of Greenwich 3. Edward Burgh; John Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer; Henry VIII; and Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley. - 4 points 4. Mary, Queen of Scots – 8 Feb 1587, Catherine Howard – 13 Feb 1542, and Lady Jane Grey or Queen Jane – 12 February 1554. – 3 points 5. 1536, 19 May – 2 points 6. Battle of Pinkie (or Pinkie Cleugh) 7. Catherine Parr – she and her stepchildren were held hostage to force her husband, Baron Latimer, to join the rebels’ cause. 8. Examples are Catherine Howard, Jane Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell, Margaret Pole. Just one point. 9. Richard Page and Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder – 2 points 10. Edward III via his son, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. 11. Henry VII
18 possible points.



Friday Aug 09, 2024
The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Love, Power, and Tragedy
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Henry VIII's six marriages are some of the most famous and tumultuous unions in history. Between his accession to the throne in 1509 and his death in 1547, Henry's quest for a male heir led him through a series of marriages, each marked by intrigue, drama, and often, tragedy.
Think you know Henry VIII’s six wives? 🤔
From Catherine of Aragon’s 24-year marriage to Anne of Cleves’ 6-month alliance, each queen’s story is filled with drama, intrigue, and unexpected twists! Discover the who, why, when, and how of these iconic unions. Get ready for scandalous affairs, tragic endings, and surprising facts that’ll make you see these women in a whole new light! 👀✨
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #SixWives #CatherineofAragon #AnneBoleyn #JaneSeymour #AnneofCleves #CatherineHoward #CatherineParr
Henry VIII's six marriages are some of the most famous and tumultuous unions in history. Between his accession to the throne in 1509 and his death in 1547, Henry's quest for a male heir led him through a series of marriages, each marked by intrigue, drama, and often, tragedy.
Think you know Henry VIII’s six wives?
From Catherine of Aragon’s 24-year marriage to Anne of Cleves’ 6-month alliance, each queen’s story is filled with drama, intrigue, and unexpected twists! Discover the who, why, when, and how of these iconic unions. Get ready for scandalous affairs, tragic endings, and surprising facts that’ll make you see these women in a whole new light!
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #SixWives #CatherineofAragon #AnneBoleyn #JaneSeymour #AnneofCleves #CatherineHoward #CatherineParr



Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Was Bessie Blount’s Daughter Fathered by King Henry VIII?
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
We've all heard of Bessie Blount, King Henry VIII's mistress who gave him a son. But did she also give him a daughter? 🤔 In today's episode of my series on King Henry VIII, I delve into this intriguing mystery.
📜 Discover:
The story of Bessie Blount and her son, Henry Fitzroy.The evidence suggesting Elizabeth Tailboys might have been fathered by the king.The hidden connections and royal interventions that hint at a deeper truth.
Join me as I explore the fascinating theory proposed by historian Elizabeth Norton. Could Elizabeth Tailboys be another of Henry's illegitimate children? Watch to find out! 🎥
🔗 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #BessieBlount #RoyalMysteries #HistoricalSecrets #OnThisDay #ElizabethTailboys #AnneBoleynFiles



Friday Aug 02, 2024
Henry VIII’s Idol: The Handsome Ruler Who Inspired a King!
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Did you know the young Henry VIII had a major idol? 🤩 Discover how Philip the Handsome, a dashing European ruler, made a lasting impression on the 14-year-old prince during their fateful meeting in 1506. From his athletic prowess to his dynamic leadership, Philip left an indelible mark on the future king of England.
Join me as I dive into the fascinating story of Philip the Handsome and explore how this charismatic ruler influenced Henry VIII’s life and reign. Was Philip's impact on Henry more significant than we realise? Watch to find out! 🎥✨
#HenryVIII #PhilipTheHandsome #TudorHistory #RoyalInfluence #HistoricalFigures #RenaissanceMen #OnThisDay #HistoryUnveiled #WatchNow

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.