Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Betrayal, Power & Paranoia

The Fall of the Duke of Buckingham 
 
Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, had everything—royal blood, vast wealth, and a place at the heart of Henry VIII’s court. But in 1521, his world came crashing down. Accused of treason, condemned in a rigged trial, and executed on Tower Hill, Buckingham’s downfall was a chilling warning to the nobility.
 
Was he truly plotting against the king, or was he a victim of Henry VIII’s paranoia and Cardinal Wolsey’s political scheming?
 
A powerful noble, a dramatic trial, and a brutal execution—this is the story of one of the Tudor era’s most shocking betrayals.
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #DukeOfBuckingham #TudorScandal #RoyalBetrayal

Did Henry VIII & Arthur Tudor Have a Close Bond?

Henry VIII and his older brother, Arthur Tudor—were they close siblings or distant strangers? The answer might surprise you!
 
Despite being brothers, their lives were shaped by duty, distance, and very different upbringings. Arthur, as the heir to the throne, was raised in his own household, away from court, while young Henry was spoiled, surrounded by women, and never trained as a future king.
 
By the time Arthur tragically died at just 15, Henry had barely spent any time with him. But there’s one thing they did share… a wife!
 
So, was Henry’s relationship with Arthur truly distant, or is there more to the story? Find out in today’s Quick Q&A!
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ArthurTudor #TudorTrivia #RoyalBrothers #HistoryLover #MedievalHistory

Cardinal Wolsey’s Secret Family: A Scandalous Tudor Tale

When you think of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, you imagine power, influence, and unwavering loyalty to Henry VIII. But behind the grandeur of Tudor politics lies a secret life filled with intrigue and scandal. Did you know that Wolsey, the Church’s highest-ranking official, had a mistress and two children?
 
Who was the mysterious Mistress Larke? What became of their children? And how did Wolsey juggle his sacred vows with his hidden family? Discover the story of a man torn between ambition, faith, and forbidden love.
 
Dive into the secret life of one of Tudor England’s most powerful figures—Cardinal Wolsey.
 
#TudorHistory #CardinalWolsey #Scandal #HenryVIII #HiddenHistory #HistoryRevealed #TudorSecrets 
 

The Secret Power Grab After Henry VIII’s Death!

Imagine this—England’s most infamous king is dead. His nine-year-old son is set to inherit the throne, but behind closed doors, a secretive power struggle is already unfolding. For three days, Henry VIII’s death was kept hidden while his advisors scrambled to secure control.
 
Enter Edward Seymour, the young king’s ambitious uncle. As Henry VIII’s body grew cold, Seymour was already positioning himself as the true ruler of England. But was this a necessary move to protect the realm, or a ruthless grab for power?
 
- What really happened in those crucial days?
- How did Seymour outmanoeuvre the other councillors?
- And why did the public have no idea what was going on?
 
This is the dramatic beginning of Edward VI’s reign—one shaped by secrecy, political intrigue, and ambition. Don’t miss this deep dive into a moment that changed Tudor England forever.
 
Listen now to uncover the truth!
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #OnThisDay #HistoryUncovered #TheTudors #RoyalIntrigue #16thCentury

Catherine of Aragon at the Heart of Scandal

When we think of Catherine of Aragon, we think of a pious and dignified queen—but did you know that, before she even married Henry VIII, she was at the centre of a royal scandal?
- Her confessor, Fray Diego Fernández, became more than just her spiritual advisor.- His influence over her raised eyebrows, sparked gossip, and even angered kings.- Was Catherine blindly loyal, or was there more to their relationship than meets the eye?
This is a fascinating and rarely told chapter in Catherine’s life—one that shaped her future in the treacherous world of Tudor politics.
Listen now to uncover the full story!
#TudorHistory #CatherineOfAragon #HenryVIII #Scandal #HistoryMystery #OnThisDay #TudorSecrets

The Gunpowder Plot: The Forgotten Traitors

A daring conspiracy. A near-catastrophic explosion. A brutal punishment.
 
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is one of history’s most infamous assassination attempts—but it wasn’t just Guy Fawkes who paid the price. On this day in 1606, four of his fellow conspirators met a gruesome end at St Paul’s Churchyard. Their execution was a chilling warning to all who dared to defy the crown.
 
What really led them to this fate?
How close did they come to changing history forever?
And why does this plot still capture our imagination today?
 
Join me as I uncover the full story behind the Gunpowder Plot and the men who risked everything for their cause.
 
#GunpowderPlot #HistoryMystery #GuyFawkes #TudorHistory #StuartHistory #OnThisDay #RememberRemember

The Tragedy That Sealed Anne Boleyn's Fate

On this day in Tudor history, Queen Anne Boleyn suffered a devastating miscarriage, on the very same day her predecessor, Catherine of Aragon, was laid to rest.
 
This wasn’t just a personal tragedy for Anne—it was a turning point that left her dangerously vulnerable. Without the male heir Henry VIII so desperately craved, and with Catherine gone, Anne’s position as queen began to crumble.
 
But what really happened on that fateful day? And what myths have surrounded Anne’s miscarriage for centuries?
 
Join me as I uncover the truth about this tragic event and explore how it marked the beginning of the end for Anne Boleyn.
 
Listen now to discover the story behind the loss that changed Tudor history forever.
 
#AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #HistoricalMysteries #HistoryLovers

A Monumental Day in Tudor History

The Story of Three Kings
 
28th January is a date packed with significance for the Tudors—marking the birth of Henry VII, the death of Henry VIII, and the accession of Edward VI.
 
From Henry VII’s rise from exile to establish the Tudor dynasty, to Henry VIII’s dramatic reign that forever changed England, and Edward VI’s short but impactful time as the Boy King—this day is a snapshot of Tudor triumphs, transformations, and tragedies.
 
How did these three events shape history? And what legacies did these kings leave behind?
 
Discover the stories of ambition, reform, and succession in today’s podcast!
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVII #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #OnThisDay #HistoryLovers