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 Aug 20, 2021
Did Elizabeth of York really have an affair with Richard III?
Friday Aug 20, 2021
Friday Aug 20, 2021
Thank you to Sebnem for asking "Did Elizabeth of York really have an affair with Richard III?", something which has been popularised by the "Cousins' War" series of novels by Philippa Gregory and the TV adaptations of them.
Is there any truth to this idea? Was Elizabeth of York in love with Richard III? Did Richard and his niece become lovers? And did Richard III poison Anne Neville, his queen? Historian Claire Ridgway looks at what history tells us about Elizabeth of York and her uncle, Richard III.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/SiIWLs0X00E
Book recommendation: Elizabeth of York: The Forgotten Tudor Queen by Amy Licence
Article for further reading: https://nerdalicious.com.au/history/elizabeth-of-york-and-her-kings-richard-iii/
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Claire RidgwayHistorian and author, founder of the Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Societywww.theanneboleynfiles.comwww.tudorsociety.com
www.elizabethfiles.comhttps://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFileshttp://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles
https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/https://twitter.com/thetudorsocietyhttps://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/
https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/



Thursday Aug 19, 2021
Tudor History Challenge XI
Thursday Aug 19, 2021
Thursday Aug 19, 2021
Thank you to all our wonderful subscribers, we can't believe that we've reached 60,000! Enjoy this quiz and let us know how you get on!
The questions are here and the answers are below (no cheating!)
1) Who said: “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too”?
2) Who was this priest describing - “a tyrant more cruel than Nero, for Nero destroyed but part of Rome, but this tyrant destroyeth this whole realm”?
3) “If my head would win him a castle in France, it should not fail to go” was said of Henry VIII, but who said it?
4) “Much suspected of me, nothing proved can be, quod Elizabeth the prisoner” - The Lady Elizabeth, future Elizabeth I, was said to have etched this on a window during her house arrest at Woodstock, but why was she a prisoner?
5) Who is being described in these words: “For her behaviour, manners, attire and tongue she excelled them all...”?
6) Who wrote to their former tutor saying: “I cannot marvel at thee and lament the case that thou sometimes was the lively member of Christ but now a deformed imp of the Devil”?
7) That homicide and unnatural tyrant which now unjustly bears dominion over you” Who said it and who was it about? 2 points
8) “Little man, the word ‘must’ is not to be used to princes” - Who said this?
9) “When I think again that you shall depart from me again it makes my heart die to think what fortune I have that I cannot always be in your company” - who wrote these words in a letter and to whom? 2Points
10) Who was apologising for their eyesight, and therefore poor handwriting, with these words: “I beseech you to pardon me, for verrayly Madame my sight is nothing so perfitt as it has ben”?
11) Who wrote: “Princes at all times have not their wills, but my heart being my own is immutable”?
12) Who ended a letter “Lastly, I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things” and to whom were they writing? 2 points.
ANSWERS-------
1- Elizabeth I to the troops at Tilbury, August 1588.2- Henry VIII during the Pilgrimage of Grace Rebellion 15363- Sir Thomas More4- Mary I and her privy council believed that Elizabeth was involved in Wyatt’s Rebellion5- Anne Boleyn, described by Lancelot Carles, secretary to the French ambassador6- While she was in the Tower, Lady Jane Grey wrote this to her former tutor, Thomas Harding, who had converted to Catholicism.7- This is how Henry described Richard III in letters sent to those who were in support of his claim to the throne.8- Elizabeth I said this to Robert Cecil, her Secretary of State, when she was dying and he advised her to take to her bed.9- Catherine Howard to Thomas Culpeper10-Henry VII to Lady Margaret Beaufort11-Mary, Queen of Scots, to Ambassador Randolph12-The dying Catherine of Aragon to her former husband Henry VIII.



Sunday Aug 08, 2021
8 August - Princess Margaret Tudor marries James IV of Scotland
Sunday Aug 08, 2021
Sunday Aug 08, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1503, King Henry VII's eldest daughter, Margaret Tudor, married King James IV of Scotland.
Find out more about their marriage, and how it was arranged, in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/rcBOxk8Emw4
Claire is the founder of the Tudor Society, an online membership site for those who love Tudor history. There, you can learn from Claire and many other expert historians and authors, enjoy Tudor-focused magazines and live Q&A sessions with experts, and have access to all kinds of talks, articles, quizzes, virtual tours and more. Try it with a 14-day free trial - https://www.tudorsociety.com/signup/
Claire has written some bestselling Tudor history books:
On This Day in Tudor History - https://amzn.to/3oceahH
The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown - https://amzn.to/3m8KaSi
George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat - https://amzn.to/2TdwyZr
The Anne Boleyn Collection - https://amzn.to/3kiQc1T
The Anne Boleyn Collection II - https://amzn.to/3o9LUwi
The Anne Boleyn Collection III - https://amzn.to/3kiQc1T
The Life of Anne Boleyn Colouring Books - https://amzn.to/3jkJ5Vz
Claire has also done an online history course, The Life of Anne Boleyn, for MedievalCourses.com - https://medievalcourses.com/overview/life-anne-boleyn-mc06/
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 Aug 07, 2021
7 August - Sir Robert Dudley, Dudley's illegitimate son
Saturday Aug 07, 2021
Saturday Aug 07, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, 7th August 1574, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester's illegitimate son, Sir Robert Dudley, was born at Sheen.
Find out more about Sir Robert Dudley, who grew up to be a mariner, cartographer and landowner, in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/5rASbuoCxZ8
Find out more about his mother, Douglas Sheffield, who claimed to be Dudley’s legal wife, in Claire video - https://youtu.be/rhP-Z89CbEg



Friday Aug 06, 2021
6 August - Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare
Friday Aug 06, 2021
Friday Aug 06, 2021
On this day in history, 6th August 1623, Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare, the famous playwright, died.
Find out a bit more about Anne Hathaway, and hear the tomb inscription written about her by her son in law, in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/FvQ-tVf60Q8



Thursday Aug 05, 2021
August 2021 on the Tudor Society - Lots of Tudor history to enjoy!
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
As well as running her Podcast and YouTube channel, author and historian Claire Ridgway runs the Tudor Society membership site. What's happening in August over at the Tudor Society?
Find out all about August 2021's events from Claire. There's so much Tudor history to enjoy!
Try out the Tudor Society with a 14-day free trial at https://www.tudorsociety.com/signup/ref/1



Thursday Aug 05, 2021
5 August - Sir Reginald Bray
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
Thursday Aug 05, 2021
On this day in Tudor history, 5th August 1503, in the reign of King Henry VII, administrator Sir Reynold or Reginald Bray died.
Who was Bray? What offices had he held? And what are his links to Westminster Abbey and St George's Chapel?
Find out more in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/fHKZMaQZwe4



Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
4 August - Elizabeth I's spirit, William Cecil
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
On 4th August 1598, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, died. He'd been Elizabeth's chief advisor and a man she called her spirit.
Hear a few more William Cecil facts in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/YUQaeGO2bo4
Claire is the founder of the Tudor Society, an online membership site for those who love Tudor history. There, you can learn from Claire and many other expert historians and authors, enjoy Tudor-focused magazines and live Q&A sessions with experts, and have access to all kinds of talks, articles, quizzes, virtual tours and more. Try it with a 14-day free trial - https://www.tudorsociety.com/signup/
Claire has written some bestselling Tudor history books:
On This Day in Tudor History - https://amzn.to/3oceahH
The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown - https://amzn.to/3m8KaSi
George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat - https://amzn.to/2TdwyZr
The Anne Boleyn Collection - https://amzn.to/3kiQc1T
The Anne Boleyn Collection II - https://amzn.to/3o9LUwi
The Anne Boleyn Collection III - https://amzn.to/3kiQc1T
The Life of Anne Boleyn Colouring Books - https://amzn.to/3jkJ5Vz
Claire has also done an online history course, The Life of Anne Boleyn, for MedievalCourses.com - https://medievalcourses.com/overview/life-anne-boleyn-mc06/
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.