Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

The Forgotten Duchess

Jane Dudley and the Fall of the Dudley Dynasty 
 
What happens when you’re married to one of the most powerful men in England—only to see it all come crashing down?
 
Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland, lived through a series of devastating events that could have destroyed her. She saw her family rise to incredible heights and then fall dramatically from grace. But her story isn’t just about tragedy—it’s about resilience, quiet strength, and survival in the cutthroat world of Tudor politics.
 
On this day in Tudor history, 15th January 1555, Jane Dudley passed away. But her legacy, through her children and her loyalty to her cause, endures.
 
How did this forgotten duchess navigate the dangerous world of the Tudor court? And what price did her family pay for ambition?
 
Let’s uncover the story of a woman who, despite incredible loss, left a lasting mark on English history. 
 
#TudorHistory #DudleyDynasty #JaneDudley #HistoricalMysteries #OnThisDay #HistoryTok #TudorEngland #RoyalDrama #WomenInHistory #Resilience

Love, Rebellion, and the Price Paid

What happens when a Tudor princess defies royal duty, breaks all the rules, and marries for love? Scandal, outrage, and the fury of two kings!
 
On this day in Tudor history, 14th January 1515, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was sent to France on a mission to bring the recently widowed Mary Tudor, Queen of France, back to England. But instead of following orders, the king’s best friend and favourite sister had a secret plan—a scandalous marriage that rocked two thrones.
 
Mary Tudor had been forced into a political marriage with a king old enough to be her grandfather. When he died, she seized her chance to follow her heart. But her choice—Charles Brandon—could’ve cost them everything.
 
The new King of France, Francis I, was furious. Henry VIII, her brother, was enraged. Brandon’s life hung in the balance… until Mary struck a deal that cost her dearly.
 
Despite the scandal, their marriage became one of the few genuinely happy royal marriages in Tudor history. But it came at a price.
 
Would you risk everything to marry for love in Tudor times?
 
Join me as we explore the rebellious romance that rocked Europe! 
 
#TudorHistory #CharlesBrandon #MaryTudor #TudorScandal #HistoricalMysteries #OnThisDay #TudorLoveStory #RoyalDrama #HistoryFacts #TudorEngland

From Queen's Confidante to a Leader in Exile

What if I told you that one of Queen Mary I’s closest confidantes defied Queen Elizabeth I, became a leader of Catholic exiles in Spain, and even tried to influence the future of the English throne? 
 
Meet Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria—a woman who lived between two worlds: Tudor England and Catholic Spain. Loyal to Mary I until the end, Jane didn’t fade into the background after Elizabeth’s accession. Instead, she became a powerful figure in exile, opening her home to English Catholics, supporting the Jesuits, and working to shape Philip of Spain’s policies towards England.
 
From the glamorous Tudor court to a life of exile, Jane’s story is one of resilience, defiance, and faith. And despite immense personal loss, she never gave up her cause.
 
But how did a noblewoman from Buckinghamshire end up at the heart of Spain’s Catholic resistance?
And why did her efforts to influence England’s future fail?
 
Discover the incredible, often-overlooked story of a woman who refused to be silenced.
 
Watch now to explore Jane Dormer’s remarkable life and legacy!
 
#TudorHistory #JaneDormer #QueenMaryI #ElizabethanHistory #CatholicResistance #RoyalWomen #HiddenFigures #TudorCourt #HistoryTok #OnThisDay #WomenInHistory

From Prisoner to Power

How William Howard Survived Tudor England
The Tudor court was a treacherous place where even the slightest misstep could cost you your head. For William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, survival wasn’t just luck—it was a carefully calculated game of loyalty, adaptability, and knowing when to keep quiet.
On this day in Tudor history, 12th January 1573, William Howard died at Hampton Court Palace. But how did this man navigate the reigns of four Tudor monarchs without meeting the same grisly fate as many of his relatives—like Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard?
Howard’s story is one of resilience. He rose to power as a soldier, diplomat, and even Lord Admiral. But he wasn’t without controversy—he faced imprisonment after getting caught up in Queen Catherine Howard’s scandal and even defended London during Wyatt’s Rebellion. Despite his family's dangerous reputation, he managed to rebuild his career and regain royal favour under both Mary I and Elizabeth I.
So, what made William Howard different? What allowed him to endure when so many others fell?Let’s uncover the remarkable story of a man who knew how to play the Tudor game of thrones—without losing his head.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #WilliamHoward #HowardFamily #TudorCourt #AnneBoleyn #CatherineHoward #ElizabethanHistory #TudorPolitics #SurvivalInTudorEngland

The Shocking Fate of William Carter

What if printing a book could cost you your life? In Tudor England, it could—and it did. 
On 11th January 1584, William Carter, a Catholic printer, was brutally executed for treason after publishing a book that allegedly encouraged the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I. But was he really a traitor—or simply a man of faith in the wrong place at the wrong time?
From secret printing presses to interrogation by one of Elizabeth’s most notorious torturers, Carter’s story shines a light on the harsh reality of religious persecution in the Elizabethan era. He faced imprisonment, torture, and unimaginable loss—all for his Catholic beliefs.
So, what did this forbidden book say that led to Carter’s horrific execution? And why was his death part of a wider crackdown on Catholics under Elizabeth I's rule?
Discover the tragic story of William Carter—his courage, his faith, and the brutal price he paid.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #WilliamCarter #ElizabethI #CatholicHistory #ReligiousPersecution #HistoryMatters #HistoricalMysteries #Treason #Martyrs #TudorEngland #FaithAndCourage #HistoryLover

King John II: What If Lady Jane Grey Had Been Lord John Grey?

What if Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen, had been born a boy—Lord John Grey?Would England’s history have been completely rewritten?
In 1553, the Protestant King Edward VI skipped over his Catholic sister Mary and named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his successor. But imagine if Jane had been a male heir instead. Would Mary have still managed to rally support and claim the throne?
A male Lord John Grey would have been far more acceptable to Tudor society, and it’s likely he would have succeeded in becoming king. But what would that have meant for England’s future?
- Would England have become a Puritan state?- What would have happened to Mary Tudor?- Would Elizabeth I have ever taken the throne?
In this fascinating alternate history, I explore how England’s politics, religion, and culture might have changed if a Protestant King John II had ruled instead of Mary I.
It’s a "what if" scenario with huge implications. Let me know in the comments:Would King John have ushered in a Puritan regime? Or would civil unrest have toppled him?
Watch the full video to dive into this Tudor history twist!
#TudorHistory #LadyJaneGrey #WhatIfHistory #KingJohnII #HistoricalMysteries #AlternateHistory #NineDaysQueen #TudorEngland #OnThisDay #RoyalDrama #ReligiousReformation 

Tudor Scandal, of Course! What happens when a Tudor bad boy meets a powerful Habsburg duchess?

In 1513, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk—Henry VIII’s best friend and notorious rogue—caused an international incident by flirting with Margaret of Austria, a duchess and regent of the Habsburg Netherlands.
It all started as innocent courtly love, but Brandon took things too far when he stole a ring from Margaret's finger and refused to return it.Even worse? Henry VIII jokingly hinted at marriage between them!
The result? Rumours of a scandalous betrothal shocked Europe and upset Margaret's father, the Holy Roman Emperor. Poor Margaret had to explain herself, while Brandon walked away with no consequences.
But this wasn’t the first time Brandon caused scandal. From secret marriages to broken promises, he seemed to leave controversy in his wake wherever he went.
Was Margaret just another victim of Charles Brandon’s recklessness?And did Henry VIII let his best friend get away with too much?
Dive into the full story of Margaret and Brandon’s ill-fated flirtation—and the scandal that followed—in my latest video!
#TudorHistory #HistoricalScandals #CharlesBrandon #MargaretofAustria #RoyalDrama #OnThisDay #CourtlyLove #HabsburgHistory #HistoryMysteries #TudorCourt

Did Christopher Columbus Really See Mermaids?

In 1493, Christopher Columbus recorded a bizarre sighting in his journal: his crew claimed to have seen three mermaids rise out of the sea! But instead of the beautiful creatures of legend, they described them as having "masculine traits" and looking far less attractive than expected.
But Columbus wasn’t alone in these strange sightings. Throughout history, explorers and sailors—like Henry Hudson—have reported encounters with mermaids, which later found their way into maps, medieval art, and even royal portraits. But were they really seeing mythical beings, or were they just mistaking manatees and dugongs for something more magical?
Join me as I explore real historical accounts of mermaid sightings, their connections to Tudor and Renaissance symbolism, and how Queen Elizabeth I herself used mermaid imagery as propaganda.
Mermaids may be mythical, but their influence on history, folklore, and even politics is very real.
Want to know more? Watch now to uncover the truth behind mermaid myths!
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #MermaidMyths #HistoricalMysteries #RenaissanceHistory #QueenElizabethI #Columbus #HenryHudson #SeaLegends #RoyalPropaganda #ManateesOrMermaids