Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

The Secret Power Grab After Henry VIII’s Death!

Imagine this—England’s most infamous king is dead. His nine-year-old son is set to inherit the throne, but behind closed doors, a secretive power struggle is already unfolding. For three days, Henry VIII’s death was kept hidden while his advisors scrambled to secure control.
 
Enter Edward Seymour, the young king’s ambitious uncle. As Henry VIII’s body grew cold, Seymour was already positioning himself as the true ruler of England. But was this a necessary move to protect the realm, or a ruthless grab for power?
 
- What really happened in those crucial days?
- How did Seymour outmanoeuvre the other councillors?
- And why did the public have no idea what was going on?
 
This is the dramatic beginning of Edward VI’s reign—one shaped by secrecy, political intrigue, and ambition. Don’t miss this deep dive into a moment that changed Tudor England forever.
 
Listen now to uncover the truth!
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #OnThisDay #HistoryUncovered #TheTudors #RoyalIntrigue #16thCentury

Catherine of Aragon at the Heart of Scandal

When we think of Catherine of Aragon, we think of a pious and dignified queen—but did you know that, before she even married Henry VIII, she was at the centre of a royal scandal?
- Her confessor, Fray Diego Fernández, became more than just her spiritual advisor.- His influence over her raised eyebrows, sparked gossip, and even angered kings.- Was Catherine blindly loyal, or was there more to their relationship than meets the eye?
This is a fascinating and rarely told chapter in Catherine’s life—one that shaped her future in the treacherous world of Tudor politics.
Listen now to uncover the full story!
#TudorHistory #CatherineOfAragon #HenryVIII #Scandal #HistoryMystery #OnThisDay #TudorSecrets

The Gunpowder Plot: The Forgotten Traitors

A daring conspiracy. A near-catastrophic explosion. A brutal punishment.
 
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is one of history’s most infamous assassination attempts—but it wasn’t just Guy Fawkes who paid the price. On this day in 1606, four of his fellow conspirators met a gruesome end at St Paul’s Churchyard. Their execution was a chilling warning to all who dared to defy the crown.
 
What really led them to this fate?
How close did they come to changing history forever?
And why does this plot still capture our imagination today?
 
Join me as I uncover the full story behind the Gunpowder Plot and the men who risked everything for their cause.
 
#GunpowderPlot #HistoryMystery #GuyFawkes #TudorHistory #StuartHistory #OnThisDay #RememberRemember

The Tragedy That Sealed Anne Boleyn's Fate

On this day in Tudor history, Queen Anne Boleyn suffered a devastating miscarriage, on the very same day her predecessor, Catherine of Aragon, was laid to rest.
 
This wasn’t just a personal tragedy for Anne—it was a turning point that left her dangerously vulnerable. Without the male heir Henry VIII so desperately craved, and with Catherine gone, Anne’s position as queen began to crumble.
 
But what really happened on that fateful day? And what myths have surrounded Anne’s miscarriage for centuries?
 
Join me as I uncover the truth about this tragic event and explore how it marked the beginning of the end for Anne Boleyn.
 
Listen now to discover the story behind the loss that changed Tudor history forever.
 
#AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #HistoricalMysteries #HistoryLovers

A Monumental Day in Tudor History

The Story of Three Kings
 
28th January is a date packed with significance for the Tudors—marking the birth of Henry VII, the death of Henry VIII, and the accession of Edward VI.
 
From Henry VII’s rise from exile to establish the Tudor dynasty, to Henry VIII’s dramatic reign that forever changed England, and Edward VI’s short but impactful time as the Boy King—this day is a snapshot of Tudor triumphs, transformations, and tragedies.
 
How did these three events shape history? And what legacies did these kings leave behind?
 
Discover the stories of ambition, reform, and succession in today’s podcast!
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVII #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #OnThisDay #HistoryLovers

A Tudor Martyr’s Final Stand

What would you do if your beliefs could cost you your life? On this day in 1556, Protestant lawyer Bartholomew Green faced that exact question—and paid the ultimate price.
Burned at the stake at Smithfield alongside six others, Green’s story is one of unshakable faith, courage, and defiance in the face of Queen Mary I’s brutal crackdown on Protestantism.
How did this Oxford-educated lawyer end up on the wrong side of Mary’s laws? What role did secret communions, controversial letters, and his rejection of Catholic doctrines play in his downfall?
Join me as we uncover the gripping and tragic tale of Bartholomew Green—a story of conviction and sacrifice in one of the most turbulent periods of Tudor history.
What do you think of Bartholomew Green’s story? 
#TudorHistory #MaryI #ProtestantMartyrs #HistoryUncovered #OnThisDay

Who’s the Mystery Woman in Queen Elizabeth I’s Chequers Ring?

This tiny mother-of-pearl ring, once owned by Elizabeth I, holds a fascinating secret. Inside its locket are two miniature portraits: one of the queen herself and the other of a woman in 1530s fashion wearing a French hood. But who is this mysterious figure?
 
Could it be Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn? Or perhaps her stepmother, Catherine Parr? Some even suggest it’s a younger version of Elizabeth. Theories abound, but the truth may surprise you.
 
Join me as we dive into this Tudor treasure, unravel the clues, and explore the historical significance of this stunning artefact.
 
#ElizabethI #ChequersRing #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HistoryMystery #HistoricalJewelry

Did Archbishop Thomas Cranmer Really Smuggle His Secret Wife in a Box?

It sounds like something out of a Tudor drama—an archbishop sneaking his wife across England in a ventilated chest! But is there any truth to this wild claim? 
 
Join me as we uncover the fascinating story of Thomas Cranmer and his secret marriage to Margarete, the niece of a Lutheran preacher. How did they keep their union hidden during a time when clerical celibacy was law? And where did the bizarre tale of the "ventilated chest" come from? 
 
This is a story of secrecy, scandal, and a smear campaign designed to tarnish Cranmer’s reputation.
 
Listennow to separate fact from fiction in this colourful Tudor tale!
 
#TudorHistory #ThomasCranmer #HistoricalMystery #HistoryUncovered #TheTudors