Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

The Treaty That Changed British History

On this day in Tudor history, 24th January 1502, King Henry VII and King James IV of Scotland signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace—a bold agreement to end centuries of conflict between England and Scotland.
 
This treaty promised "good, real, and sincere peace… to last all time coming" and was sealed with a royal marriage: Margaret Tudor and James IV. 
 
But did this ambitious peace truly last? Just 11 years later, war erupted, and James IV met a tragic end at the Battle of Flodden. Yet, this treaty laid the groundwork for something extraordinary—the eventual Union of the Crowns in 1603. 
 
What happened to this grand vision of peace? And how did it shape the future of England and Scotland? Dive into this fascinating story of diplomacy, war, and legacy.
 
Watch now to uncover the twists and turns of this pivotal moment in Tudor history!
 
#TudorHistory #TreatyOfPerpetualPeace #HenryVII #JamesIV #MargaretTudor #UnionOfTheCrowns #BattleOfFlodden #HistoricalEvents #OnThisDay

Assassination, intrigue, and betrayal - The Murdered Regent

On this day in history, 23rd January 1570, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray and regent for King James VI, was assassinated—the first head of government in history to be killed by a firearm.
 
Discover how Moray, the illegitimate son of a king and half-brother to Mary, Queen of Scots, rose to power, ruled during turbulent times, and met a tragic end at the hands of a gunman in Linlithgow. What drove his enemies to such extremes? And what became of the infamous assassin?
 
Dive into this gripping tale of power, revenge, and survival in a deadly political landscape. Don’t miss the full story—listen now!
 
#TudorHistory #MaryQueenOfScots #JamesVI #EarlOfMoray #ScottishHistory #RegentAssassination #OnThisDay #HistoricalDrama

The Rise and Fall of England's Uncrowned King

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, ruled England as Lord Protector during Edward VI's reign, wielding power like a king—but his story ended on the scaffold.
 
From his meteoric rise as Henry VIII's trusted brother-in-law and a staunch Protestant reformer to the catastrophic rebellions and political rivalries that sealed his fate, Somerset's journey is one of ambition, betrayal, and leadership gone awry.
 
How did this once-powerful man lose it all? And was his downfall due to his own flaws, or the cutthroat politics of the Tudor court?
 
Explore the dramatic highs and devastating lows of Edward Seymour’s life in this fascinating Tudor tale.
 
#TudorHistory #EdwardSeymour #LordProtector #TowerHill #Rebellion #EdwardVI #HenryVIII #HistoricalDrama #TudorCourt #HistoryLovers

Mary I's saviour

Eustace Chapuys—diplomat, protector, and Mary I’s unsung hero.
 
When Princess Mary was declared illegitimate, banished, and threatened by her own father, Chapuys stood by her side. From daring escape plans to life-saving advice, he risked everything to keep her safe.
 
How far would you go to save a princess in peril? Discover the incredible story of Chapuys’ courage and cunning in the shadow of Henry VIII’s court.
 
#TudorHistory #EustaceChapuys #MaryI #HenryVIII #HistoricalDrama #HiddenHistory #TudorCourt

Queen Mary I’s Final Parliament

On this day in Tudor history, 20th January 1558, Queen Mary I opened her fifth Parliament—a moment steeped in political tension, personal heartbreak, and the shadow of impending loss. 
 
By this point in her reign, Mary was facing immense challenges, and this Parliament marked one of her final public appearances.
 
But Mary’s legacy is far more complex than her struggles. She was a queen who fought for her throne, restored Catholicism, and ruled with determination during one of England’s most tumultuous periods.
 
Join me as I explore this pivotal moment in Mary’s reign, the context of her fifth Parliament, and the tragic end of her story. Was her marriage to Philip of Spain her greatest mistake—or a bold political move?
 
#TudorHistory #QueenMaryI #OnThisDay #TudorEngland #MaryI #HistoricalDrama #EnglishHistory #TudorCourt

Did Henry VIII Write a Love Song for Catherine of Aragon?

Did King Henry VIII’s carol “Green Groweth the Holly” carry a hidden message of love for Catherine of Aragon? Or was it simply a poetic exercise?
 
That's the question I'm answering in my new Sunday Quick Q&A!
 
This beautiful Tudor-era song is filled with symbolism—holly and ivy, fidelity and love—but who was it really for? Published in 1522, the lyrics promise devotion, but by then, Henry and Catherine’s marriage was already strained. Could it have been written earlier, during their fairytale romance? Or was it inspired by someone else entirely?
 
Join me as we unravel the mystery of this royal composition and explore its possible meanings. Let me know your thoughts—was this a tribute to Catherine, or does it hold another secret?
 
Link to video of the song being sung - https://youtu.be/eepnixfObTM
 
#TudorQandA #HenryVIII #CatherineOfAragon #GreenGrowethTheHolly #TudorHistory #OnThisDay 

Did Thomas More Predict His Own Downfall

Thomas More knew the risks of serving King Henry VIII—but he chose to serve him anyway. Why? 
 
Join me as we uncover the fascinating story of More’s rise as Lord Chancellor, his sharp insight into Henry’s dangerous nature, and the principles that ultimately led to his tragic end. Was he a loyal servant or a man who couldn’t abandon his convictions?
 
Discover the truth behind one of Tudor England’s most brilliant minds and his chilling prophecy:
"If my head would win him a castle in France, it should not fail to go."
 
Watch now and let me know—was More’s loyalty admirable or naïve?
 
#TudorTriviaSaturday #ThomasMore #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #TudorTrivia #HistoricalMysteries #TudorCourt

Keeping Time for a Queen

The Clockmaker Bartholomew Newsam
What if I told you that a forgotten Tudor craftsman helped keep Queen Elizabeth I’s court running on time?
 
Bartholomew Newsam (Newsum) wasn’t a noble, a soldier, or a politician—he was a clockmaker. But in Tudor England, clocks weren’t just practical devices—they were symbols of power, status, and prestige. And Newsam, one of England’s first native clockmakers, found himself at the heart of this world, trusted to repair the royal clocks for Queen Elizabeth I herself.
 
Born during the reign of Henry VIII, Newsam lived through some of the most dramatic events in English history. He crafted clocks and sundials that combined beauty and precision, at a time when most clocks were imported from Europe. His work stood out—and some of it still survives today in prestigious museums.
 
Want to know more about Bartholomew Newsam’s life and legacy? Watch now to learn how this clockmaker left his mark on Tudor England.
 
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#TudorHistory #QueenElizabethI #TudorCourt #BartholomewNewsam #Clockmaker #HistoricalFigures #OnThisDay #HistoryFacts #HiddenHistory #BritishMuseum #MetMuseum