Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

What links Kate Bush and Anne Boleyn

What connects legendary singer Kate Bush and Tudor queen Anne Boleyn? In this fascinating and inspiring interview, I chat with novelist Natalia Richards, author of The Falcon’s Rise and The Falcon’s Flight—two beautifully written novels exploring Anne Boleyn’s early life and rise to power.Natalia shares how she transitioned from the world of music (yes, Kate Bush really did ask her to be a backing singer at 18!) to historical fiction, and why Anne Boleyn has captivated her imagination for so many years.We discuss:- The real Anne Boleyn behind the myths and portrayals- Natalia’s research process and writing rituals- Her emotional connection to key scenes and characters- The places that inspire her work- And more!Whether you’re a fellow Anne Boleyn enthusiast, a writer, or just love hearing about the creative process, you’ll love this rich, warm, and insightful conversation.Find Natalia Richards’ books here:
http://getbook.at/falconsrisehttp://getbook.at/falconsflight

Still Fighting the Dead: Germain Gardiner’s Scathing Attack on Martyr John Frith

On this day in Tudor history, 1st August 1534, Catholic gentleman Germain Gardiner published a scathing posthumous attack on Protestant martyr John Frith—over a year after Frith had been burned at the stake.But who was Frith? Why did Gardiner care enough to write such a fiery rebuttal after his death? And how did both men end up executed for their beliefs?In this episode, I explore:
Frith’s radical theology and links to William Tyndale
His arrest, trial, and execution in 1533 for denying purgatory and transubstantiation
Gardiner’s 1534 printed rebuttal, full of fire, fury, and calls for obedience to Church authority
The wider implications of their feud for the English Reformation
And the tragic irony of Gardiner’s own fate—hanged, drawn and quartered a decade later
This is a powerful story of belief, print, polemic—and two men caught in the firestorm of Tudor religion.Read Gardiner’s full tract here: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A01469.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltextDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more true Tudor tales from the archives of history.#TudorHistory #JohnFrith #GermainGardiner #EnglishReformation #ReligiousHistory #TudorExecutions  #ProtestantMartyrs #CatholicMartyrs #16thCentury #OnThisDay

Killed by a Butcher

The Shocking End of a Tudor Baron - Edmund Sheffield’s Fall
 
He was a baron, courtier, soldier, and poet... with powerful patrons like Thomas Cromwell and George Boleyn. But on 31st July 1549, during the chaos of Kett’s Rebellion, 28-year-old Edmund Sheffield met a shocking and brutal end—not on a battlefield, but in a muddy ditch at the hands of a rebel butcher.In this episode, I delve into the life—and haunting death—of a man often overlooked in Tudor history. Raised under Anne Boleyn’s brother, praised for his musical talents, and loyal to the crown, Sheffield’s story offers a poignant reminder of how quickly fortune could turn in Tudor England.Join me as we explore:- Sheffield’s powerful connections and noble rise- His role in the 1549 Norwich campaign- The deadly street fighting of Kett’s Rebellion- And the emotional tributes left by those who loved himHad you heard of Edmund Sheffield before? Let me know in the comments—and if you enjoy these lesser-known Tudor tales, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell.#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #KettRebellion #EdmundSheffield #DarkHistory #TudorEngland #ClaireRidgway #TudorTok #16thCentury #RebelRebellion #NorwichHistory #HistoryYouDidntKnow

The Wind That Saved England: How the Spanish Armada Was Scattered

Storms at sea. Panic at court. And a queen under guard.On this day in Tudor history — 30th July 1588 — England’s fate shifted with the wind. The once-mighty Spanish Armada, already damaged by the Battle of Gravelines, was now scattered and driven northwards by violent storms. Many in England saw it as divine intervention — a “Protestant Wind” sent by God to defend the realm.In this podcast, I explore:- How the Spanish fleet faltered in the aftermath of Gravelines- Why Sir Francis Drake was so delighted- The stormy fate of the Armada- Queen Elizabeth I’s cautious moves to protect herself- And how the events of that day fed into national pride and Protestant identityI’m Claire Ridgway, author and historian, and I invite you to join me as we revisit one of the most dramatic moments of Elizabeth I’s reign.Do you think it was just a coincidence—or was there something more at work?Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Tudor history.#TudorHistory #SpanishArmada #ElizabethI #ProtestantWind #ClaireRidgway #TudorEngland #OnThisDay #TudorQueen #StormsOfHistory #Gravelines #FrancisDrake #TudorWar #AnneBoleynFiles #TrueTudorTales #TudorNavy #MaritimeHistory #DivineIntervention

The Stepfather Who May Have Changed History

He didn’t wear a crown… but his choice may have changed the course of English history.On 29th July 1504, Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, died quietly at his manor in Lancashire. But nearly two decades earlier, at the bloody Battle of Bosworth, his decision to support his stepson — Henry Tudor — was a turning point in English history, ending centuries of Plantagenet rule and beginning the Tudor era.Some say he stood back and watched until the moment was right. Others claim he crowned Henry on the battlefield with Richard’s fallen crown.Was Thomas Stanley a loyal stepfather… or a master manipulator who waited to see which way the wind would blow?In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History,I take you beyond the battlefield drama to explore:
Stanley’s powerful family background and early royal service
His two politically significant marriages — including to Lady Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother
His pivotal role at Bosworth and its aftermath
Why he became Earl of Derby and godfather to Prince Arthur
And whether he was a kingmaker… or just playing both sides to stay on top
He may have moved in the background, but his actions helped shape the Tudor dynasty. Listen now to discover the real Thomas Stanley — and decide for yourself whether he was loyal, opportunistic… or both.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ThomasStanley #BattleOfBosworth #HenryVII #MargaretBeaufort #TudorDynasty #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #RoyalHistory #Plantagenets #YorkvsLancaster #TudorNerds

The Forgotten Tudor Wife Who Drank Her Own Urine to Survive - TUDOR TRUE CRIME

Starved. Poisoned. Locked in a castle tower.In Tudor England, one woman endured unthinkable cruelty at the hands of her noble husband—imprisoned in a tower, reduced to drinking her own urine to survive, and desperate enough to smuggle a secret letter to Thomas Cromwell begging for rescue.Her name was Elizabeth Hungerford.Her husband? Walter Hungerford—a man later executed for treason, sorcery, and what the records chillingly called “the abominable vice of bu****y.”But Elizabeth’s story is the real tragedy—one of domestic abuse, survival against the odds, and a rare voice speaking out in an era when women had little power or protection.In this episode of Tudor True Crime, I uncover:
Who Walter Hungerford really was
The disturbing charges brought against him
Elizabeth’s smuggled plea for help
And what became of her after his execution
This is not just the story of a disgraced nobleman—it’s the haunting tale of a woman who endured and survived.Let’s give Elizabeth Hungerford the place in history she deserves.
Have you heard of her before? Let me know in the comments.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more true stories from the dark heart of Tudor England.Watch my other Tudor True Crime videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrKAY-100rX6GckUPzgS8GAy#TudorTrueCrime #ElizabethHungerford #WalterHungerford #TudorHistory #WomensHistory #DarkHistory #TrueCrime #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles

The Tiny Tudor Ship That Crossed the Atlantic

What if I told you that England’s very first official voyage of exploration to the New World didn’t begin in London—or even under an Englishman’s command?Join me, Claire Ridgway, historian and author, as I tell you about "The Matthew", the tiny replica ship moored in Bristol that once carried explorer John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) across the Atlantic in 1497. Backed by Henry VII, Cabot’s bold journey from Bristol to the coast of North America marked the quiet beginnings of England’s imperial story—decades before Henry VIII or Elizabeth I ever dreamed of global power.In this episode, we’ll uncover:- How Cabot persuaded Henry VII to fund his voyage (well… sort of!)- Why this humble 50-ton ship was key to England’s first steps toward overseas discovery- What Cabot found—and why his landing was more significant than he realised- The legacy of The Matthew, its 1997 commemorative voyage, and how Bristol remembers its most daring sailor
Learn more at https://matthew.co.ukLike, comment, and subscribe for more untold Tudor tales every week.
Had you heard of John Cabot before? Let me know in the comments!#JohnCabot #TudorHistory #TheMatthew #BristolHistory #MaritimeHistory #HenryVII #AnneBoleynFiles #BritishHistory #TudorTok #OnThisDay #HistoryTok #Newfoundland #AgeOfExploration #CabotVoyage #TudorAdventure

The Colour of Darkness - Claire Interviews author Toni Mount

Join me, Claire Ridgway, as I sit down with historian and bestselling author Toni Mount to celebrate the release of The Colour of Darkness — book 13 in the gripping Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery series.In this fascinating interview, Toni Mount takes us behind the scenes of her writing process, research into 15th-century London, and the creation of her beloved protagonist, artist and reluctant sleuth Seb Foxley.We discuss everything from:- How Seb came to life- What it was like to research crime and justice in Edward IV’s reign- Balancing historical accuracy with storytelling- The origins and future of the seriesAnd what readers can expect next!The Colour of Darkness plunges us into a sweltering London gripped by plague, suspicion, and witchcraft, where nothing is as it seems, and danger is never far from home.Whether you’re already a fan of Seb Foxley or love medieval historical fiction with a twist of mystery, you’ll love hearing from Toni about her inspiration, process, and plans.Available now in paperback and on Kindle — and free to read with Kindle Unlimited!Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more author interviews, Tudor history, and behind-the-scenes chats.#ToniMount #SebastianFoxley #MedievalMystery #HistoricalFiction #TheColourOfDarkness #AuthorInterview #ClaireRidgway #MedievalLondon #TudorHistory #Witchcraft #Plague #BookLaunch