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



Saturday Jun 06, 2020
June 7 - A water pageant for Jane Seymour
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 7th June 1536, there were celebrations for England’s new queen, Jane Seymour, third wife of King Henry VIII.
The celebrations consisted of a river pageant on the River Thames in London, from Greenwich Palace to Whitehall (York Place).
Find out all about this river pageant 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/qTzCcTLoHuo
Also on this day in Tudor history, 7th June 1520, the historic Field of Cloth of Gold meeting between Kings Henry VIII and Francis I began. Find out more about this meeting, and how the two kings tried to outdo each other, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/HMNqsgPDcIo



Friday Jun 05, 2020
June 6 - Trouble brews in Bodmin
Friday Jun 05, 2020
Friday Jun 05, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 6th June 1549, an army of rebels assembled at Bodmin in Cornwall, and there was a town meeting in which the rebels' demands were put forward.
What were these rebels rebelling against?
The recent religious changes, particularly the new law concerning the Book of Common Prayer.
Trouble ensued and their grievances became a full-blown rebellion, the Prayer Book Rebellion. You can find out what happened next and how the rebellion ended 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/y1eIshncBH8
Other videos on the Prayer Book Rebellion:
August 5 - Rebels defeated near Exeter - Battle of Clyst St Mary - https://youtu.be/jK_lEDaLfD4 August 6 - Cruel was the fight - Battle of Clyst Heath - https://youtu.be/IABiBMQ3ACs
Also on this day in Tudor history, 6th June 1522, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII made a grand entry into the city of London. Find out more about the pageantry involved in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/JCIH_7jrtl0



Thursday Jun 04, 2020
June 5 - Maria de Salinas, Catherine of Aragon's friend
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 5th June 1516, Spaniard Maria de Salinas married William, 10th Lord Willoughby of Eresby.
Maria and William were the parents of Catherine Willoughby, who went on to marry Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Maria was also a good friend of Catherine of Aragon and managed to be with the queen in her final hours, even though she wasn't supposed to be there.
Find out more about Maria de Salinas in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/KA4YUJ0Gsng
You can find out more about Maria's daughter, Catherine Willoughby, in this video - https://youtu.be/dVz3KEzvYso
Also on this day in Tudor history, 5th June 1604, Tudor physician and naturalist Thomas Moffet, or Muffet, physician and naturalist, died at Wilton in Wiltshire. He is known for a poem on silkworms and his daughter is linked to a famous nursery rhyme. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/V-8A9OB5fqU



Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
June 4 - Lightning strikes St Paul's
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
On the afternoon of this day in Tudor history, Wednesday 4th June 1561, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, London was hit by a tremendous thunderstorm. Fires caused by lightning strikes destroyed one church and damaged St Paul's Cathedral.
Find out more about the storm, how St Paul's was damaged, the reactions to the lightning strike, what Queen Elizabeth I did, and what happened next, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books.
https://youtu.be/W3wCUDA2IcE
Also on this day in Tudor history, 4th June 1550, sweethearts Robert Dudley and Amy Robsart tied the knot at the royal palace of Sheen at Richmond in a service attended by King Edward VI. This marriage was a love-match, but it lasted just ten years, ending with Amy's death in 1560, a death which is surrounded by controversy. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/ntXH7_kxRng



Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
June 3 - The Royal Supremacy
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 3rd June 1535, Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII's vicar-general, issued orders regarding the royal supremacy to the bishops of the kingdom.
But what was the royal supremacy and what were the clergy expected to do?
Find out all about the royal supremacy, the orders sent and how bishops reacted, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/ZRqZXbE_G_4
Also on this very same day in history, 3rd June 1535, Sir Thomas More was interrogated in the Tower. You can find out more about what happened in last year’s “on this day” video - https://youtu.be/bd65f6g2eis
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com
https://www.tudorsociety.com
https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/
https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles
https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety
https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/
https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/



Monday Jun 01, 2020
June 2 - Queen Jane Seymour
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Monday Jun 01, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 2nd June 1536, Jane Seymour made her first public appearance at Greenwich Palace.
She'd married King Henry VIII on 30th May, and this public appearance was just two weeks after Anne Boleyn's execution, so it must have caused quite a stir. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/9IxCCgFHPQM
Find out more about this public appearance, and also about Jane Seymour herself, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown".
Also on this day in Tudor history, 2nd June 1572, thirty-four-year-old Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was beheaded on Tower Hill for high treason. Norfolk was a Knight of the Garter, he'd served as Earl Marshal and Lord High Steward, he'd presided over Queen Elizabeth I's coronation, so what had led him to this sticky end and how was he involved with Mary, Queen of Scots? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/URsHZ5Iif1M
You can find Claire at:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com
https://www.tudorsociety.com
https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/
https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles
https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety
https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/
https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/



Sunday May 31, 2020
June 1 - Christopher Marlowe's death and inquest
Sunday May 31, 2020
Sunday May 31, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 1st June 1593, the inquest into the death of playwright, poet and translator Christopher Marlowe took place.
Twenty-nine-year-old Marlowe, writer of such famous works as “Tamburlaine”, “Dr Faustus” and “The Jew of Malta”, had been fatally stabbed at a house in Deptford Strand, London, by a man named Ingram Frizer on 30th May 1593, but what happened?
In today's "on this day" talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares William Danby's coroner's report on what happened that fateful day.
Also on this day in Tudor history, 1st June 1533, Whitsunday, a pregnant Queen Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony performed by her good friend, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/RODcq1iD2lI
You can find out more about Marlowe and the theories regarding his death in Claire's video for February 26 – Christopher Marlowe – a rather colourful character! - https://youtu.be/QnT2Qp7RuXc
The books Claire mentioned can be read online:
Christopher Marlowe by Frerick S Boas - https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.461513/page/n295/mode/2up
The Death of Christopher Marlowe by J Leslie Hotson - https://archive.org/details/deathofchristoph008072mbp/page/n39/mode/2up



Saturday May 30, 2020
May 31 - Henry VIII's annulment and a special Blackfriars court
Saturday May 30, 2020
Saturday May 30, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 31st May 1529, a special legatine court opened at Blackfriars in London. The court’s purpose was to hear the case for an annulment of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and it was presided over by papal legate Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
Find out about the context of this court, what happened at the court and what happened next in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/2yV0iepaqvI
Catherine’s speech - https://youtu.be/mV9DknPWlJA
Also on this day in Tudor history, 31st May 1533, Anne Boleyn’s coronation procession took place. Find out more about this huge procession, which included including lavish pageants, orations, music, and wine flowing in the conduits and in fountains, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/ruzJyIMRgXs

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.