Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Did Henry VIII Write a Love Song for Catherine of Aragon?

Did King Henry VIII’s carol “Green Groweth the Holly” carry a hidden message of love for Catherine of Aragon? Or was it simply a poetic exercise?
 
That's the question I'm answering in my new Sunday Quick Q&A!
 
This beautiful Tudor-era song is filled with symbolism—holly and ivy, fidelity and love—but who was it really for? Published in 1522, the lyrics promise devotion, but by then, Henry and Catherine’s marriage was already strained. Could it have been written earlier, during their fairytale romance? Or was it inspired by someone else entirely?
 
Join me as we unravel the mystery of this royal composition and explore its possible meanings. Let me know your thoughts—was this a tribute to Catherine, or does it hold another secret?
 
Link to video of the song being sung - https://youtu.be/eepnixfObTM
 
#TudorQandA #HenryVIII #CatherineOfAragon #GreenGrowethTheHolly #TudorHistory #OnThisDay 

Did Thomas More Predict His Own Downfall

Thomas More knew the risks of serving King Henry VIII—but he chose to serve him anyway. Why? 
 
Join me as we uncover the fascinating story of More’s rise as Lord Chancellor, his sharp insight into Henry’s dangerous nature, and the principles that ultimately led to his tragic end. Was he a loyal servant or a man who couldn’t abandon his convictions?
 
Discover the truth behind one of Tudor England’s most brilliant minds and his chilling prophecy:
"If my head would win him a castle in France, it should not fail to go."
 
Watch now and let me know—was More’s loyalty admirable or naïve?
 
#TudorTriviaSaturday #ThomasMore #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #TudorTrivia #HistoricalMysteries #TudorCourt

Keeping Time for a Queen

The Clockmaker Bartholomew Newsam
What if I told you that a forgotten Tudor craftsman helped keep Queen Elizabeth I’s court running on time?
 
Bartholomew Newsam (Newsum) wasn’t a noble, a soldier, or a politician—he was a clockmaker. But in Tudor England, clocks weren’t just practical devices—they were symbols of power, status, and prestige. And Newsam, one of England’s first native clockmakers, found himself at the heart of this world, trusted to repair the royal clocks for Queen Elizabeth I herself.
 
Born during the reign of Henry VIII, Newsam lived through some of the most dramatic events in English history. He crafted clocks and sundials that combined beauty and precision, at a time when most clocks were imported from Europe. His work stood out—and some of it still survives today in prestigious museums.
 
Want to know more about Bartholomew Newsam’s life and legacy? Watch now to learn how this clockmaker left his mark on Tudor England.
 
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#TudorHistory #QueenElizabethI #TudorCourt #BartholomewNewsam #Clockmaker #HistoricalFigures #OnThisDay #HistoryFacts #HiddenHistory #BritishMuseum #MetMuseum

The Man Who Told Henry VIII He Was Dying

Imagine being the one person entrusted to deliver the most terrifying news to the most powerful king in English history. 
 
Anthony Denny wasn’t a nobleman or a great warrior—he was a trusted confidant of Henry VIII. As Groom of the Stool, Keeper of the Privy Purse, and holder of the king’s dry stamp, Denny had intimate access to the king, power over royal decisions, and the authority to sign documents in Henry’s name. But his greatest task? Telling the aging, ailing king to prepare for death. 
 
Denny’s story shows that in the dangerous world of Tudor politics, survival wasn’t about titles or swords—it was about trust, loyalty, and knowing when to stay in the shadows. But was he a loyal servant or a master manipulator?
 
Find out the full story of Anthony Denny’s rise to power, his role in the king’s final moments, and the legacy he left behind.
 
Watch now for a fascinating glimpse into the quiet figure who shaped Tudor history behind the scenes.
 
#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #AnthonyDenny #RoyalConfidant #HistoricalMysteries #HistoryTok #TudorCourt #TudorEngland #TudorSecrets

The Forgotten Duchess

Jane Dudley and the Fall of the Dudley Dynasty 
 
What happens when you’re married to one of the most powerful men in England—only to see it all come crashing down?
 
Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland, lived through a series of devastating events that could have destroyed her. She saw her family rise to incredible heights and then fall dramatically from grace. But her story isn’t just about tragedy—it’s about resilience, quiet strength, and survival in the cutthroat world of Tudor politics.
 
On this day in Tudor history, 15th January 1555, Jane Dudley passed away. But her legacy, through her children and her loyalty to her cause, endures.
 
How did this forgotten duchess navigate the dangerous world of the Tudor court? And what price did her family pay for ambition?
 
Let’s uncover the story of a woman who, despite incredible loss, left a lasting mark on English history. 
 
#TudorHistory #DudleyDynasty #JaneDudley #HistoricalMysteries #OnThisDay #HistoryTok #TudorEngland #RoyalDrama #WomenInHistory #Resilience

Love, Rebellion, and the Price Paid

What happens when a Tudor princess defies royal duty, breaks all the rules, and marries for love? Scandal, outrage, and the fury of two kings!
 
On this day in Tudor history, 14th January 1515, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was sent to France on a mission to bring the recently widowed Mary Tudor, Queen of France, back to England. But instead of following orders, the king’s best friend and favourite sister had a secret plan—a scandalous marriage that rocked two thrones.
 
Mary Tudor had been forced into a political marriage with a king old enough to be her grandfather. When he died, she seized her chance to follow her heart. But her choice—Charles Brandon—could’ve cost them everything.
 
The new King of France, Francis I, was furious. Henry VIII, her brother, was enraged. Brandon’s life hung in the balance… until Mary struck a deal that cost her dearly.
 
Despite the scandal, their marriage became one of the few genuinely happy royal marriages in Tudor history. But it came at a price.
 
Would you risk everything to marry for love in Tudor times?
 
Join me as we explore the rebellious romance that rocked Europe! 
 
#TudorHistory #CharlesBrandon #MaryTudor #TudorScandal #HistoricalMysteries #OnThisDay #TudorLoveStory #RoyalDrama #HistoryFacts #TudorEngland

From Queen's Confidante to a Leader in Exile

What if I told you that one of Queen Mary I’s closest confidantes defied Queen Elizabeth I, became a leader of Catholic exiles in Spain, and even tried to influence the future of the English throne? 
 
Meet Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria—a woman who lived between two worlds: Tudor England and Catholic Spain. Loyal to Mary I until the end, Jane didn’t fade into the background after Elizabeth’s accession. Instead, she became a powerful figure in exile, opening her home to English Catholics, supporting the Jesuits, and working to shape Philip of Spain’s policies towards England.
 
From the glamorous Tudor court to a life of exile, Jane’s story is one of resilience, defiance, and faith. And despite immense personal loss, she never gave up her cause.
 
But how did a noblewoman from Buckinghamshire end up at the heart of Spain’s Catholic resistance?
And why did her efforts to influence England’s future fail?
 
Discover the incredible, often-overlooked story of a woman who refused to be silenced.
 
Watch now to explore Jane Dormer’s remarkable life and legacy!
 
#TudorHistory #JaneDormer #QueenMaryI #ElizabethanHistory #CatholicResistance #RoyalWomen #HiddenFigures #TudorCourt #HistoryTok #OnThisDay #WomenInHistory

From Prisoner to Power

How William Howard Survived Tudor England
The Tudor court was a treacherous place where even the slightest misstep could cost you your head. For William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, survival wasn’t just luck—it was a carefully calculated game of loyalty, adaptability, and knowing when to keep quiet.
On this day in Tudor history, 12th January 1573, William Howard died at Hampton Court Palace. But how did this man navigate the reigns of four Tudor monarchs without meeting the same grisly fate as many of his relatives—like Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard?
Howard’s story is one of resilience. He rose to power as a soldier, diplomat, and even Lord Admiral. But he wasn’t without controversy—he faced imprisonment after getting caught up in Queen Catherine Howard’s scandal and even defended London during Wyatt’s Rebellion. Despite his family's dangerous reputation, he managed to rebuild his career and regain royal favour under both Mary I and Elizabeth I.
So, what made William Howard different? What allowed him to endure when so many others fell?Let’s uncover the remarkable story of a man who knew how to play the Tudor game of thrones—without losing his head.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #WilliamHoward #HowardFamily #TudorCourt #AnneBoleyn #CatherineHoward #ElizabethanHistory #TudorPolitics #SurvivalInTudorEngland