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



Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Shakespeare's Leading ManShakespeare's Leading Man
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
On this day, March 13, 1619, the stage lost one of its greatest stars. Richard Burbage wasn’t just an actor—he was Shakespeare’s leading man, the original Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear. But his impact went far beyond the stage.
From his early years in London to his legendary performances at The Globe Theatre, Burbage helped shape the golden age of English drama. He was a close friend of Shakespeare, a theatre pioneer, and a performer whose talent left an indelible mark on history.
Join me as we uncover the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Richard Burbage—the man who first brought Shakespeare’s greatest characters to life.
If you love Tudor and Elizabethan history, don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more deep dives into the past!
#shakespeare #theglobe #actors



Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Thomas Boleyn: The Man, The Myths, The Truth
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Mar 12, 2025
Thomas Boleyn has long been painted as a ruthless social climber who exploited his daughters for power and wealth. But does history support this image, or have we been misled by fiction?
On the anniversary of his death in 1539, let’s uncover the real Thomas Boleyn—the diplomat, scholar, and trusted courtier of two Tudor kings. His rise at court had nothing to do with his daughters; in fact, he was already a key political figure before Anne and Mary ever entered Henry VIII’s orbit.
In this video, I’ll explore the facts behind the myths, including his diplomatic achievements, patronage of learning, and role in the Tudor court. Was he truly the villain history has made him out to be, or is it time to rethink his legacy?
Watch now to discover the truth about Thomas Boleyn! Has history been unfair to Thomas Boleyn?
#ThomasBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #TheBoleyns #HenryVIII #TudorDynasty #FactVsFiction #TudorMyth



Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
The Medici Pope Who Ignited the Reformation
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
On March 11, 1513, Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici became Pope Leo X, a ruler who would shape the Renaissance papacy with grandeur, patronage, and controversy. A lover of art and luxury, Leo transformed Rome into a cultural powerhouse, supporting artists like Raphael. But his extravagant spending led him to promote the sale of indulgences—a move that angered a certain monk named Martin Luther and helped ignite the Protestant Reformation.
How did Leo X’s decisions change history? Did he see the Reformation coming, or was he too focused on wealth and power? And what was his ironic connection to Henry VIII?
Join me as we unravel the fascinating legacy of Pope Leo X—one of the most influential and controversial popes in history? What do you think of Leo X?
Subscribe for more Tudor & Renaissance history.
#PopeLeoX #Medici #Reformation #MartinLuther #TudorHistory #Renaissance #CatholicChurch #HenryVIII #OnThisDay #HistoryLover #AnneBoleynFiles #ChurchHistory



Monday Mar 10, 2025
The Tudor Survivor Who Bent Like Willow
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
William Paulet and how he served FOUR monarchs & kept his head
In Tudor England, where one wrong move could mean the Tower, how did one man manage to serve four monarchs and die peacefully in his 90s? William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, had a secret: adapt or die.
From the reign of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, Paulet mastered the art of political survival. He wasn’t a radical reformer or a man of unshakable principle—he was something far more valuable: flexible. He knew when to bend, when to switch allegiances, and when to make himself indispensable.
Today, I'm exploring how Paulet rose from humble beginnings to become Lord Treasurer under four rulers, outlasting rivals and avoiding the deadly fate of men like Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, and John Dudley. Was he a brilliant politician, or just lucky? Let’s find out.
#TudorHistory #Tudors #WilliamPaulet #AnneBoleynFiles #HenryVIII #MaryI #ElizabethI #TudorSurvivors #TudorCourt #BritishHistory #HistoryLover



Sunday Mar 09, 2025
What If Catherine of Aragon Had Gone to a Nunnery?
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
What if Catherine of Aragon had stepped aside and entered a nunnery? Could it have saved her daughter Mary’s legitimacy? Would Anne Boleyn have had a son? And most importantly—would England have remained Catholic?
In this video, we explore a fascinating Tudor ‘What If’—how history might have changed if Catherine had accepted Henry VIII’s demands. Would the Reformation still have happened? Would Henry have still married six wives? And what about the dissolution of the monasteries?
Thank you to Charliebeth for this thought-provoking question!
#TudorHistory #CatherineOfAragon #HenryVIII #AnneBoleyn #WhatIfHistory #AlternateHistory #EnglishReformation #RoyalHistory #16thCentury #HistoryDebate



Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Did Elizabeth I Poison Herself? The Truth About Tudor Makeup!
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Did Elizabeth I really poison herself with lead makeup? It’s a Tudor myth! While Venetian ceruse—white lead makeup—did exist, there’s no real evidence the Queen actually used it. So where did this ghostly image of Elizabeth come from? The Victorians!
But Tudor beauty wasn’t exactly safe… From toxic rouges made of mercury to fake blue veins and even urine hair dye (yes, really!), Tudor cosmetics were both fascinating and horrifying.
In this video, we debunk myths about Elizabeth I’s makeup, explore real Tudor beauty trends, and ask: 500 years from now, will people look back at our beauty routines the same way?
#TudorHistory #ElizabethI #HistoricalBeauty #TudorMyths #HistoryDebunked #WeirdHistory #RoyalBeauty #MakeupHistory #16thCentury #FunHistory



Friday Mar 07, 2025
Treason, Faith & Betrayal
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Germain Gardiner and the Prebendaries' Plot
In the 1540s, England was a nation in religious turmoil, and those who resisted Henry VIII’s supremacy over the church risked everything.
I uncover the dramatic downfall of Germain Gardiner, John Larke, and others caught in the deadly Prebendaries' Plot—a conspiracy that sought to halt Protestant reforms and nearly brought down Thomas Cranmer.
Why was John Heywood, the famous playwright, almost executed but spared? And who truly masterminded this failed coup against Henry VIII’s Church?
Treason, faith, and betrayal—this is the untold story of the Prebendaries’ Plot.
Watch to discover:
- How a secret Catholic movement tried to remove Cranmer
- Why Germain Gardiner became the scapegoat for the conspiracy
- The brutal fates of John Larke, John Ireland, and Robert Singleton
- How John Heywood narrowly escaped death
Were these men martyrs or casualties of Tudor politics? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!



Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Henry VIII’s Loyal but Ruthless Servant
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
On 6th March 1547, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton and former Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII, suffered a dramatic fall from power, losing the Great Seal of his Lord Chancellorship. But was this really about his overreach, or was it part of a larger power struggle?
Wriothesley had been one of Henry VIII’s most trusted advisors. He played a key role in major Tudor events, including Catherine Howard’s downfall, Anne Askew’s trial, and Henry VIII’s final days. Yet, his opposition to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, sealed his fate.
Join me as I explore the life, power, and downfall of this controversial Tudor figure.
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ThomasWriothesley #WolfHall #AnneBoleynFiles #OnThisDay #HistoryLovers #Tudors #BritishHistory #RenaissanceHistory #HouseOfTudor

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.