Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

August 10 - Drownings at London Bridge

On this day in Tudor history, 10th August 1553, the same day that Queen Mary I held requiem mass for the soul of her late half-brother, Edward VI, seven men died at London Bridge. They were drowned.
 
Find out more about what happened to these men - one of whom was Thomas Brydges, the son of Sir Thomas Brydges, Deputy Lieutenant of the Tower of London - how the Thames was the preferred way of travelling around London, and how and why it could be dangerous around London Bridge, 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/addIkGVNyXA
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 10th August 1512, the English fleet's flagship, the Mary Rose, saw battle for the first time in the Battle of Saint-Mathieu, a naval battle in the War of the League of Cambrai. The battle was fought between the English fleet and the Franco-Breton fleet just off the coast of Brest. 1,500 to 1,600 men were lost that day, but how? What happened? And who was victorious? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/2Btr6lCMYko 

August 9 - Elizabeth I's words cause horror among her clergy

On this day in Tudor history, 9th August 1561, while on a visit to Ipswich, in Suffolk, Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal mandate forbidding women to reside in cathedrals and colleges.
Although she wasn't going as far as banning clerical marriage, her mandate caused concern, and even horror, among her clergy, particularly her married Archbishop of Canterbury, who was a huge supporter of clerical marriage.
Find out more about what Elizabeth I ordered, the reactions of William Cecil, Matthew Parker and Richard Cox, and why the Protestant Elizabeth may have issued this mandate, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/3lNCVq7SOg0
Also on this day in Tudor history, 9th August 1588, Queen Elizabeth I gave her famous Tilbury Speech to the forces gathered at Tilbury Fort. It is a speech that has been immortalised on screen by the likes of Glenda Jackson and Cate Blanchett, and is famous for the line "I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too", but what words did Elizabeth really speak that day? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/0E6-wPzg9ww  

August 8 - Edward VI's Burial

On this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1553, fifteen-year-old King Edward VI was buried in Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey in a funeral service performed by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. 
 
Although his Catholic half-sister, Mary, was on the throne, Edward was buried with Protestant rites and it was the first time the English Book of Common Prayer was used for the funeral of a monarch.
 
Find out more about Edward VI's funeral, how Mary I marked his passing, and Edward VI's resting place, 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/ifwHCSZC1b4
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1588, Queen Elizabeth I decided to accept Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester's invitation to visit the troops he had gathered near Tilbury Fort to guard the eastern approach to London from the expected invasion by the Spanish Armada. Why did Leicester invite the queen to Tilbury? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/4twBiLqkxDc

August 7 - Mary, Queen of Scotland sets off for a new life in France

On this day in Tudor history, 7th August 1548, five-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots set sail from Dumbarton in Scotland bound for France. 
 
A marriage had been agreed between Mary and Francis, the Dauphin, so Mary was going to be brought up at the French court. Mary travelled with her maids of honour, the Four Marys, or the Queen's Maries: Mary Fleming, Mary Beaton, Mary Seton and Mary Livingston.
 
Find out more 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/R_DiuiK6lf8
 
Mary, Queen of Scots playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrIIC1eB75JBP8xYcqnqTHt6
Also on this day in history, 7th August 1485, Henry Tudor, the soon-to-be King Henry VII, returned from exile, landing at Mill Bay in Wales. His intention was, of course, to claim the throne of England and to depose King Richard III. Find out more about his landing and what he did next, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/MFXjSkJVi8c
 

August 6 - Margaret Tudor's secret marriage

On this day in Tudor history, 6th August 1514, Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and Regent of Scotland, married for a second time.
 
The widow of King James IV of Scotland married Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, the most important Scottish magnate, in a secret ceremony at Kinnoull in Perthshire. When news got out, it led to Margaret losing the Regency of Scotland.
 
Find out what happened next and how things turned out with Margaret and Angus, and how and why Margaret sought refuge at the English court, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/CEE88HDbM4M
 
You can also find out more about Margaret’s life in this video - https://youtu.be/4MyX4SfN5IE 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 6th August 1549, the Crown's forces met the rebels of the Prayer Book Rebellion in the Battle of Clyst Heath. Find out what happened in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/IABiBMQ3ACs 

August 5 - Two brothers killed in suspicious circumstances

On this day in Tudor history, 5th August 1600, John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, and his brother, Alexander Ruthven, Master of Ruthven, were killed in mysterious circumstances at Gowrie House near Perth in Scotland. 
Why am I talking about a Scottish event? Well, because the brothers were killed as they allegedly tried to kidnap, King James VI of Scotland, who, in 1603, inherited the English throne from Queen Elizabeth I. 
 
But what happened? Did these men really try to kidnap the king or was there more to the story?
 
Find out in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/kvlg4QDczy4
 
On this day in Tudor history, 5th August 1549, during the reign of King Edward VI, son of King Henry VIII, the Battle of Clyst St Mary took place near Exeter, in Devon. It was part of the Prayer Book Rebellion, a rebellion against the religious measures of King Edward's government. Find out what what provoked this rebellion and what happened when the Crown's forces got to Clyst St Mary in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/jK_lEDaLfD4 

August 4 - Rebels fight most valiantly

On this day in Tudor history, 4th August 1549, in the reign of King Edward VI, the Battle of Woodbury Common, part of the Prayer Book Rebellion, took place on Woodbury Common, near the village of Woodbury in East Devon. 
 
The battle was between the rebels and the crown troops commanded by John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford. Although the rebels fought valiantly, they were defeated.
 
Find out more about the battle and what caused the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 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/6QIawR0O1ME
 
Also on this day in Tudor history, 4th August 1540, thirteen men were executed in London - 12 by being hanged, drawn and quartered, and one by being hanged. Find out why these men were attainted and executed in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/KQ3wZVtYgCk 

August 3 - A notorious Tudor rake!

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd August 1562, Essex magnate and notorious rake, John de Vere, 16th Earl of Oxford, died at his home, Hedingham Castle in Essex.
 
Oxford served four Tudor monarchs and was great chamberlain at the height of his career, but he had a rather colourful reputation. Find out more about the life of this Earl of Oxford and what gave him his reputation 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/G2qJlcragRY
 
Also on this day in history, 3rd August 1553, the newly proclaimed queen, Queen Mary I, processed through the streets of London with her half-sister, the future Elizabeth I, after having been greeted as queen. It must have been a sight to see as the citizen of London celebrated the accession of Mary I, after the rather short reign of Queen Jane. Find out more about it in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/TP-an_ebQ7A