Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

September 6 - Martin Luther writes to the Pope

On this day in Tudor history, 6th September 1520, the famous reformer Martin Luther sent his pamphlet “On the Freedom of a Christian” (also known as “A Treatise on Christian Liberty”) to Pope Leo X. In the pamphlet, he emphasised the “two-fold nature” of Christians as saints and sinners, flesh and spirit. 
Luther is, of course, seen as the catalyst of the European Reformation, and in today's talk, Tudor history author Claire Ridgway explains why, what he believed, how he ended up being excommunicated and made an outlaw, and what happened to him. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/Hua1ahnXyGg
Also on this day in Tudor history, 6th September 1615, in the reign of King James I, Tudor physician, clergyman and inventor of modern shorthand, Timothy Bright, was buried at St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury. Find out more about this fascinating man and the works he published in Elizabeth I’s reign, which have helped people the world over, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/e_UpY0kNVDc 

September 5 - The death of Bloody Bonner

On this day in Tudor history, 5th September 1569, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London and a man nicknamed “Bloody Bonner”, died in Marshalsea Prison. He had started his career in Henry VIII's reign and was not just a churchman, he was also a diplomat.
 
In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway fleshes out this Tudor bishop who got his nickname from being in charge of burning reformers in London. Find out about his life, career and how he ended up dying in prison. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/Sfs2tJAdSE8
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 5th September 1548, Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife, died at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. At the time of her death, Catherine Parr was the wife of Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley, her fourth husband, and she had given birth to a daughter, Lady Mary Seymour, on 30th August 1548. Find out more about her burial, the discovery of her remains in the 18th and 19th centuries, and her present resting place, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/d4XIrkgjysk

September 4 - A marriage is agreed between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves

On this day in Tudor history, 4th September 1539, William, Duke of Cleves, signed the marriage treaty promising his sister, Anne of Cleves, in marriage to King Henry VIII. 
Anne would, of course, become Henry VIII's fourth wife.
Find out all about the marriage agreement and its terms, and what happened next, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/WPs_rlPhg8I
Also on this day in Tudor history, 4th September 1588, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, died at Cornbury while on his way to Buxton to take the waters for his health. The death of her favourite, and the man that is considered to be her 'true love', was a devastating blow to Elizabeth I and her reaction to the news shows just how much she loved her "sweet Robin". Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/BlUicDYZI7s 

September 3 - The death of a clown

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd September 1588, or possibly the 5th September, actor and clown, Richard Tarlton, died in Shoreditch. He was buried in St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch. 
Tarlton was a member of the Queen's Men acting company, but is famed for his post-play jigs as a clown. He was also known for being able to cheer up Queen Elizabeth I - how wonderful.
Find out more about Tudor clown Richard Tarlton, his life and career, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/FSmroPwFCp0
Also on this day in Tudor history, 3rd September 1592, Elizabethan writer and playwright Robert Greene died in London. Greene is best known for a pamphlet "Greene's Groats-worth of Wit bought with a Million of Repentance" which he wrote on his deathbed and in which he attacked Shakespeare as an “upstart crow”. Find out more about the man and his pamphlet in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/03qT91wY9FQ 

September 2 - A very wealthy Irish earl dies in the Tower

On this day in Tudor history, 2nd September 1534, Gerald Fitzgerald, 9th Earl of Kildare and Lord Deputy of Ireland, died in the Tower of London at around the age of 47. Kildare had been arrested on 29th June 1534, accused of corruption and causing rebellion in Ireland. 
 
Kildare seems to have spent most of his career being accused of crimes, but his son Silken Thomas's rebellion was his final undoing. 
 
He was already ill when he was arrested and imprisoned, suffering from the after effects of being shot, but at least his wife was able to nurse him.
 
Find out more about this Earl of Kildare, his life and career, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/iFWPVHvWirs
 
3rd February video on Kildare’s son, Silken Thomas - https://youtu.be/JA5hsZk0G3k
Also on this day in Tudor history, 2nd September 1591, naval commander and explorer Sir Richard Grenville died at sea from injuries sustained while commanding his ship, The Revenge, in the Battle of Flores. Unfortunately, Grenville's death was a result of him disobeying orders and doing his own thing. Find out more about what happened and hear excerpts from Alfred Lord Tennyon’s poem “The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet", in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/ideGMFpNrv4

September 1 - Elizabethan actor Edward Alleyn

On this day in Tudor history, 1st September 1566, Edward Alleyn, a major figure in the Elizabethan theatre, was born in the parish of St Botolph without Bishopsgate, London, and baptised the following day.
 
In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares some facts about Edward Alleyn, including his personal life, the plays he was involved in, his theatre investments, and his desire to be appointed master of the bears, bulls and mastiff dogs!
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/dNhFgZoym1w
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 1st September 1532, in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle, King Henry VIII elevated his sweetheart Anne Boleyn to the peerage by making her Marquess of Pembroke. This was a hugely significant act because Henry VIII made Anne a marquess in her own right, granted the title to her and her heirs male (legitimate or not) and gave her a title associated with his father, Henry VII, and uncle, Jasper Tudor. It also made her a rather wealthy woman, and a fitting consort for their trip to Calais to meet with King Francis I of France. Find out more about what happened on this day in 1532, who was there, and just what Anne Boleyn was given by King Henry VIII, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/AArtnjF6OlQ 

August 31 - The Bloody Flux

On this day in Tudor history, 31st August 1545, a contagious disease known as the 'Bloody flux' hit the port of Portsmouth, killing many of the men serving on the ships in its port.
 
But what was the Bloody Flux? What were its symptoms and why did it kill so many soldiers and sailors?
 
Find out about the disease, famous victims of the Bloody Flux, and how it is still affecting people today, in this talk from historian Claire Ridgway.
 
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/NjyTFCd0fpU
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 31st August 1555, in the reign of Queen Mary I, former minister Robert Samuel was burned at the stake in Ipswich, Suffolk, for heresy. He had continued to minister privately, after being deprived of his living, and he had refused to leave his wife. He stayed firm to his Protestant faith and became one of the Ipswich Martyrs as a result. Find out more about the man, his visions, his death and the women who died as a result of their connections with him, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/Nz_YxDvV4VQ 

August 30 - The Treaty of the More

On this day in Tudor history, 30th August 1525, the Treaty of the More was agreed between King Henry VIII of England and Louise of Savoy, who was acting as regent for her son, King Francis I of France, while he was imprisoned by imperial forces.
 
Why was Francis in prison? What were the terms of the Treaty of the More? How did this treaty affect Henry VIII's daughter, Mary? And what happened next.
 
Find out all about the Treaty of the More and its consequences in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society.
 
Also, on this day in Tudor history, 30th August 1548, Catherine Parr, Queen Dowager (sixth wife of King Henry VIII) and wife of Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley, gave birth to a healthy daughter at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Thomas and Catherine named the little girl Mary after her godmother, the future Queen Mary I.Lady Mary Seymour would soon be orphaned, and by the age of two she had disappeared from the records. What happened to Mary Seymour? Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/R_wMweeswm8