Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Who’s the Mystery Woman in Queen Elizabeth I’s Chequers Ring?

This tiny mother-of-pearl ring, once owned by Elizabeth I, holds a fascinating secret. Inside its locket are two miniature portraits: one of the queen herself and the other of a woman in 1530s fashion wearing a French hood. But who is this mysterious figure?
 
Could it be Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn? Or perhaps her stepmother, Catherine Parr? Some even suggest it’s a younger version of Elizabeth. Theories abound, but the truth may surprise you.
 
Join me as we dive into this Tudor treasure, unravel the clues, and explore the historical significance of this stunning artefact.
 
#ElizabethI #ChequersRing #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HistoryMystery #HistoricalJewelry

Did Archbishop Thomas Cranmer Really Smuggle His Secret Wife in a Box?

It sounds like something out of a Tudor drama—an archbishop sneaking his wife across England in a ventilated chest! But is there any truth to this wild claim? 
 
Join me as we uncover the fascinating story of Thomas Cranmer and his secret marriage to Margarete, the niece of a Lutheran preacher. How did they keep their union hidden during a time when clerical celibacy was law? And where did the bizarre tale of the "ventilated chest" come from? 
 
This is a story of secrecy, scandal, and a smear campaign designed to tarnish Cranmer’s reputation.
 
Listennow to separate fact from fiction in this colourful Tudor tale!
 
#TudorHistory #ThomasCranmer #HistoricalMystery #HistoryUncovered #TheTudors

Anne Boleyn – Was She Really the Great Scandal of Christendom

When Henry VIII sought to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn became the focus of court gossip, religious upheaval, and shocking accusations. Catherine herself called Anne “the great scandal of Christendom,” but was she truly deserving of that title?
 
From forbidden romances and court scandals to her controversial rise as queen and tragic downfall, Anne’s life was full of intrigue and drama. But how much of it was true, and how much was manufactured by her enemies?
 
Join me as I uncover the truth behind Anne’s life, her relationships, and the events that shook England to its core. Was she truly a manipulative seductress, or a victim of ambition, politics, and a society that vilified strong women?
 
Listen now to explore one of history’s most captivating figures!
 
#AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #Scandal #HistoryMystery #TudorDrama

The Treaty That Changed British History

On this day in Tudor history, 24th January 1502, King Henry VII and King James IV of Scotland signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace—a bold agreement to end centuries of conflict between England and Scotland.
 
This treaty promised "good, real, and sincere peace… to last all time coming" and was sealed with a royal marriage: Margaret Tudor and James IV. 
 
But did this ambitious peace truly last? Just 11 years later, war erupted, and James IV met a tragic end at the Battle of Flodden. Yet, this treaty laid the groundwork for something extraordinary—the eventual Union of the Crowns in 1603. 
 
What happened to this grand vision of peace? And how did it shape the future of England and Scotland? Dive into this fascinating story of diplomacy, war, and legacy.
 
Watch now to uncover the twists and turns of this pivotal moment in Tudor history!
 
#TudorHistory #TreatyOfPerpetualPeace #HenryVII #JamesIV #MargaretTudor #UnionOfTheCrowns #BattleOfFlodden #HistoricalEvents #OnThisDay

Assassination, intrigue, and betrayal - The Murdered Regent

On this day in history, 23rd January 1570, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray and regent for King James VI, was assassinated—the first head of government in history to be killed by a firearm.
 
Discover how Moray, the illegitimate son of a king and half-brother to Mary, Queen of Scots, rose to power, ruled during turbulent times, and met a tragic end at the hands of a gunman in Linlithgow. What drove his enemies to such extremes? And what became of the infamous assassin?
 
Dive into this gripping tale of power, revenge, and survival in a deadly political landscape. Don’t miss the full story—listen now!
 
#TudorHistory #MaryQueenOfScots #JamesVI #EarlOfMoray #ScottishHistory #RegentAssassination #OnThisDay #HistoricalDrama

The Rise and Fall of England's Uncrowned King

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, ruled England as Lord Protector during Edward VI's reign, wielding power like a king—but his story ended on the scaffold.
 
From his meteoric rise as Henry VIII's trusted brother-in-law and a staunch Protestant reformer to the catastrophic rebellions and political rivalries that sealed his fate, Somerset's journey is one of ambition, betrayal, and leadership gone awry.
 
How did this once-powerful man lose it all? And was his downfall due to his own flaws, or the cutthroat politics of the Tudor court?
 
Explore the dramatic highs and devastating lows of Edward Seymour’s life in this fascinating Tudor tale.
 
#TudorHistory #EdwardSeymour #LordProtector #TowerHill #Rebellion #EdwardVI #HenryVIII #HistoricalDrama #TudorCourt #HistoryLovers

Mary I's saviour

Eustace Chapuys—diplomat, protector, and Mary I’s unsung hero.
 
When Princess Mary was declared illegitimate, banished, and threatened by her own father, Chapuys stood by her side. From daring escape plans to life-saving advice, he risked everything to keep her safe.
 
How far would you go to save a princess in peril? Discover the incredible story of Chapuys’ courage and cunning in the shadow of Henry VIII’s court.
 
#TudorHistory #EustaceChapuys #MaryI #HenryVIII #HistoricalDrama #HiddenHistory #TudorCourt

Queen Mary I’s Final Parliament

On this day in Tudor history, 20th January 1558, Queen Mary I opened her fifth Parliament—a moment steeped in political tension, personal heartbreak, and the shadow of impending loss. 
 
By this point in her reign, Mary was facing immense challenges, and this Parliament marked one of her final public appearances.
 
But Mary’s legacy is far more complex than her struggles. She was a queen who fought for her throne, restored Catholicism, and ruled with determination during one of England’s most tumultuous periods.
 
Join me as I explore this pivotal moment in Mary’s reign, the context of her fifth Parliament, and the tragic end of her story. Was her marriage to Philip of Spain her greatest mistake—or a bold political move?
 
#TudorHistory #QueenMaryI #OnThisDay #TudorEngland #MaryI #HistoricalDrama #EnglishHistory #TudorCourt