Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

The Priest They Tried to Silence

The Tragic Martyrdom of John Boste - They wouldn’t even let him speak.On this day in Tudor history, 24th July 1594, Catholic priest John Boste stood on the scaffold in Durham, condemned for treason simply for doing his job — ministering in secret during Elizabeth I’s reign.When guards silenced his final words, Boste prayed Psalm 116 in Latin instead. And then came the most brutal punishment of all — he was hanged, drawn, and quartered.I take you through Boste’s story — from gifted Oxford scholar to hunted man of God, betrayed, tortured by Topcliffe himself, and executed for his faith.Whether you view him as a traitor or a saint, John Boste’s courage, conviction, and dignity in the face of unimaginable suffering demand to be remembered.Please do like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from the shadowy corners of Tudor life.#TudorHistory #JohnBoste #CatholicMartyrs #ElizabethI #TudorExecutions #ReligiousPersecution #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #FaithAndCourage #TheAnneBoleynFiles

The Tudor Lord with 9 Lives

John Scrope, 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton
 
This Tudor baron backed the losing side again and again… and still kept his head. Today, I’m exploring the incredible life of John Scrope, 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton — a nobleman who seemed to have nine lives.He fought at Towton, rebelled against Edward IV, supported Richard III, backed the pretender Lambert Simnel against Henry VII, and even attacked York...And yet, he was pardoned. Every. Single. Time.So, how did he do it? Was Scrope a master strategist, politically untouchable, or just plain lucky?Join me as I uncover:- Scrope’s wild ride through the Wars of the Roses- His rebellion, capture, and miraculous reprieves- The secret to his Tudor survival streakLet me know in the comments — was Scrope savvy, slippery, or just well-connected? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring that bell for more Tudor tales like this one.#JohnScrope #TudorHistory #WarsOfTheRoses #HenryVII #RichardIII #LambertSimnel #AnneBoleynFiles #HistoryNerd #MedievalSurvivor #OnThisDay #BritishHistory

Tudor Money Explained – Elizabeth I’s Bold Coin Reform & Tower Mint Secrets

What if your everyday coins could get you executed?On this day in Tudor history, 10th July 1561, Queen Elizabeth I visited the Tower of London’s Mint — not just for ceremony, but to tackle an economic disaster left by her father and brother.In this deep dive, I explore:- The shocking chaos of debased Tudor currency- How Elizabeth I’s smart recoinage of 1561 helped save England’s economy- The hidden dangers of the Tower Mint (including deadly fumes and lost fingers!)- The story of a man who fell into a 14-day coma — at the Mint!- And why clipping coins could cost you your life...Learn how Tudor money worked and why Elizabeth’s economic reforms were so vital.
Don’t forget to like, comment with your favourite Tudor coin, and subscribe for more hidden Tudor tales!#TudorHistory #ElizabethI #TudorEconomy #TowerMint #TudorMoney #OnThisDay #TudorCoins #Debasement #HistoryDeepDive #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #RoyalReforms #HistoricalCurrency

When Spain Came to England: Philip of Spain’s Grand Arrival

12,000 soldiers. 300+ servants. Fireworks. Tapestries. Jewels.*On this day in Tudor history, 20th July 1554, Prince Philip of Spain landed in England to marry Queen Mary I — and he didn’t exactly travel light!I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and in today’s video I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the most politically charged royal arrivals in English history.Philip wasn’t just Mary’s groom — he was heir to one of the most powerful empires in Europe, and his visit sparked rebellion, changed English law, and led to one of the most controversial marriages in the Tudor period.Discover:- Why Parliament restricted Philip’s power before he even set foot on English soil- How his epic journey was marked by **diplomatic theatre and imperial symbolism**
- The tension between Spanish ambition and English sovereignty- And whether this marriage was doomed from the start…From triumphant pageantry to political paranoia — this is the full story of Philip of Spain’s dramatic entry into Tudor England.Also watch: Mary I marries Philip of Spain – 25 July 1554 - https://youtu.be/289MSTDoZHAFull source: Philip’s Journey to England – Spanish Relaciones (PDF)] - https://uvadoc.uva.es/bitstream/handle/10324/58553/TFG_F_2022_043.pdf?sequence=1Let me know in the comments — **Was Philip’s marriage to Mary political brilliance, a mistake, personal tragedy… or all of them?Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more Tudor deep dives every week.

Mark Smeaton - the Queen's Musician - Claire Interviews Martha Johnson

What if Mark Smeaton—the lowly court musician caught up in the deadly fall of Anne Boleyn—had a voice of his own?In this special interview, I chat with historical fiction author Martha Jean Johnson, whose novel "The Queen’s Musician" retells the tragic final months of Anne Boleyn’s life through the eyes of the man history forgot. We talk about what drew her to Mark Smeaton’s story, how she researched life at Henry VIII’s court, the challenges of writing historical fiction, and what readers can expect from this beautifully crafted, thought-provoking tale."The Queen’s Musician" offers a fresh and moving perspective on one of the most dramatic episodes in Tudor history. 
Out now!
https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Musician-Martha-Jean-Johnson/dp/1684633109/#AnneBoleyn #HistoricalFiction #MarkSmeaton #TudorHistory #TheQueensMusician #MarthaJeanJohnson #TudorCourt #ClaireRidgway #TudorBookClub

Tudor True Crime – The Shocking Murder of Thomas Arden

Poisoned Milk, a Pressing Iron… and Murder in the Parlour?Welcome to the very first episode of Tudor True Crime – where real historical crimes are darker than fiction.In 1551, respected businessman Thomas Arden of Faversham was brutally murdered. But the killer wasn’t a stranger…It was his own wife, Alice Arden, along with her lover and a gang of hired assassins.In this episode, I’ll uncover:- How a snow-covered trail led back to the murder scene- Why Alice’s first attempt to poison her husband failed
- The gory details of how Thomas was actually killed
- The sensational trial and the brutal executions that followed
- And how this true crime became legendary on the Tudor stageThis isn't just a story of jealousy—it’s a chilling look at the passions and power plays beneath the surface of everyday Tudor life.If you enjoy a good historical scandal, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more shocking stories in Tudor True Crime.#TudorTrueCrime #ThomasArden #AliceArden #MurderInHistory #FavershamMurder #TudorScandal #TrueCrimeHistory #ElizabethanDrama #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #OnThisDay #ShakespeareEra #HistoricalTrueCrime #DarkHistory

Royal Revenge? Why Lady Glamis Was Really Burnt at the Stake

On this day in Tudor history — 17th July 1537 — Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, was dragged to Castle Hill in Edinburgh and burned at the stake. The charge? Treason. The truth? Far more sinister.She was a noblewoman. A widow. A Douglas. And that last detail may have sealed her fate.Accused of plotting to poison King James V of Scotland, Lady Glamis was caught in the deadly crossfire of royal revenge. Her brother had once been the king’s hated stepfather. And Janet? She became the perfect target.But was she really a traitor? Or a scapegoat for a monarch out for blood?In today's "on this day" podcast, I uncover the tragic and unjust story of Lady Glamis — a tale of political paranoia, family loyalty, and one of the most brutal executions in 16th-century Scotland.If this powerful story moved you, please give the podcast a like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. Have you heard of Janet Douglas before?#JanetDouglas #LadyGlamis #TudorHistory #ScottishHistory #TrueCrimeHistory #WitchTrial #RoyalScandal #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #TudorTok #HistoryNerds #HistoricalJustice #AnneBoleynFiles

The Maligned Mother of Lady Jane Grey – Victim or Villain?

Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, is often reduced to a footnote in history — simply the mother of the tragic Lady Jane Grey. But who was she really?In this episode, I dive into the life of Frances Brandon, born on 16th July 1517 — niece of Henry VIII, daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and a woman maligned by centuries of misrepresentation.Was she truly the cold, cruel mother some have claimed? Or has one quote from a teenage Lady Jane Grey unfairly shaped her legacy?I'll explore:- Frances’s elite Tudor lineage 
- Her controversial portrayal as a harsh mother
- Her entanglement in the 1553 succession crisis
- The truth behind the myths, with insight from historian Susan Higginbotham
And the softer side of Frances, seen in her later love match and quiet life after tragedyJoin me in uncovering the real story of a woman who deserves more than the shadow of her daughter’s brief reign.Read Susan Higginbotham’s full article:https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/the-maligned-frances-grey-guest-post-by-susan-higginbotham/If you enjoyed this video, please give it a like, subscribe to the channel, and ring that bell for more fascinating dives into Tudor lives — both famous and forgotten.
 
#FrancesGrey #LadyJaneGrey #TudorHistory #WomenInHistory #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorCourt #ForgottenWomen #HistoryMatters #OnThisDay #TudorWomen #MaryTudor #CharlesBrandon #JaneGrey #HistoricalMisconceptions #RethinkingHistory #TheTudors