Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

21 April - A new king for England!

On this day in Tudor history, 21st April 1509, Henry VII died and his son came to the throne as Henry VIII.
 
What did the people think of this news?
 
In this #TudorHistoryShorts, historian Claire Ridgway shares two contemporary sources about Henry VIII's accession. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/00-OnueuwAg
 
Find out more about Henry VII's death and Henry VIII's accession in this more detailed video - https://youtu.be/ngAH2vn7l40

20 April - An oath to swear

On this day in Tudor history, on 20th April 1534, in the reign of King Henry VIII, prominent Londoners were called to swear a special oath.
Just what was the Oath of the Act of Succession? What were people swearing to? Find out in this latest #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:https://youtu.be/L3nxUpHU4VQ

19 April - Being a Tudor bookseller was a risky business!

Being a bookseller in Tudor times could be a risky business, particularly if you had the wrong kind of books on your premises!
On 19th April 1601, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, bookseller James Duckett was hanged at Tyburn. Find out why in this #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.

18 April - A short-lived reward for Cromwell

On this day in Tudor history, 18th April 1540, just three months before he went to the scaffold, Thomas Cromwell was given two rewards by King Henry VIII.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/wi3m44kzrVA
Find out more about these rewards in this #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.
 

20 Interesting Facts about Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour was the third wife of King Henry VIII, the mother of King Edward VI and the sister of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector, and Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley.
Even though she was queen for a relatively short period, Jane Seymour is still an interesting Tudor lady, and in this latest "Facts about..." instalment, Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books, shares 20 interesting facts about her. Did you know all of them?

17 April - A stolen head!

On this day in Tudor history, 17 April 1554, in the reign of Queen Mary I, celebrations for the acquittal of a Tudor courtier led to the head of his fellow rebel being stolen. It was the head of Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger.
 
Find out what happened in this video from Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/R40p3TkcnOQ
 
Here is a link to a more detailed video on Throckmorton's trial:
April 17 - What happens when a jury doesn't do what the Crown wants? - https://youtu.be/4Vzg9fo8Zww

16 April - The Mary Rose

On this day in Tudor history, in the reign of King Henry VIII, a ship that would become the king's favourite flagship began her first tour of duty.
 
Find out more about The Mary Rose's career in this video from Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/8NxjFeZfa3s
 
Here are links to more detailed videos on The Mary Rose:
August 10 - The Mary Rose's first battle - https://youtu.be/2Btr6lCMYko
July 19 - The sinking of the Mary Rose - https://youtu.be/Bq7oWs73I18

Did Henry VIII and Francis I really wrestle?

Thank you to Leah for her excellent question regarding a scene from Showtime's "The Tudors" series in which Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII challenges  Emmanuel Leconte as Francis I to a wrestling match at the Field of Cloth of Gold meeting.
 
Did Henry VIII and Francis I really wrestle? And, if so, what happened?
 
Find out all about the history behind this scene from historian Claire Ridgway.