Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

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

The Shocking Fate of William Carter

What if printing a book could cost you your life? In Tudor England, it could—and it did. 
On 11th January 1584, William Carter, a Catholic printer, was brutally executed for treason after publishing a book that allegedly encouraged the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I. But was he really a traitor—or simply a man of faith in the wrong place at the wrong time?
From secret printing presses to interrogation by one of Elizabeth’s most notorious torturers, Carter’s story shines a light on the harsh reality of religious persecution in the Elizabethan era. He faced imprisonment, torture, and unimaginable loss—all for his Catholic beliefs.
So, what did this forbidden book say that led to Carter’s horrific execution? And why was his death part of a wider crackdown on Catholics under Elizabeth I's rule?
Discover the tragic story of William Carter—his courage, his faith, and the brutal price he paid.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #WilliamCarter #ElizabethI #CatholicHistory #ReligiousPersecution #HistoryMatters #HistoricalMysteries #Treason #Martyrs #TudorEngland #FaithAndCourage #HistoryLover

King John II: What If Lady Jane Grey Had Been Lord John Grey?

What if Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen, had been born a boy—Lord John Grey?Would England’s history have been completely rewritten?
In 1553, the Protestant King Edward VI skipped over his Catholic sister Mary and named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his successor. But imagine if Jane had been a male heir instead. Would Mary have still managed to rally support and claim the throne?
A male Lord John Grey would have been far more acceptable to Tudor society, and it’s likely he would have succeeded in becoming king. But what would that have meant for England’s future?
- Would England have become a Puritan state?- What would have happened to Mary Tudor?- Would Elizabeth I have ever taken the throne?
In this fascinating alternate history, I explore how England’s politics, religion, and culture might have changed if a Protestant King John II had ruled instead of Mary I.
It’s a "what if" scenario with huge implications. Let me know in the comments:Would King John have ushered in a Puritan regime? Or would civil unrest have toppled him?
Watch the full video to dive into this Tudor history twist!
#TudorHistory #LadyJaneGrey #WhatIfHistory #KingJohnII #HistoricalMysteries #AlternateHistory #NineDaysQueen #TudorEngland #OnThisDay #RoyalDrama #ReligiousReformation 

Tudor Scandal, of Course! What happens when a Tudor bad boy meets a powerful Habsburg duchess?

In 1513, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk—Henry VIII’s best friend and notorious rogue—caused an international incident by flirting with Margaret of Austria, a duchess and regent of the Habsburg Netherlands.
It all started as innocent courtly love, but Brandon took things too far when he stole a ring from Margaret's finger and refused to return it.Even worse? Henry VIII jokingly hinted at marriage between them!
The result? Rumours of a scandalous betrothal shocked Europe and upset Margaret's father, the Holy Roman Emperor. Poor Margaret had to explain herself, while Brandon walked away with no consequences.
But this wasn’t the first time Brandon caused scandal. From secret marriages to broken promises, he seemed to leave controversy in his wake wherever he went.
Was Margaret just another victim of Charles Brandon’s recklessness?And did Henry VIII let his best friend get away with too much?
Dive into the full story of Margaret and Brandon’s ill-fated flirtation—and the scandal that followed—in my latest video!
#TudorHistory #HistoricalScandals #CharlesBrandon #MargaretofAustria #RoyalDrama #OnThisDay #CourtlyLove #HabsburgHistory #HistoryMysteries #TudorCourt

Did Christopher Columbus Really See Mermaids?

In 1493, Christopher Columbus recorded a bizarre sighting in his journal: his crew claimed to have seen three mermaids rise out of the sea! But instead of the beautiful creatures of legend, they described them as having "masculine traits" and looking far less attractive than expected.
But Columbus wasn’t alone in these strange sightings. Throughout history, explorers and sailors—like Henry Hudson—have reported encounters with mermaids, which later found their way into maps, medieval art, and even royal portraits. But were they really seeing mythical beings, or were they just mistaking manatees and dugongs for something more magical?
Join me as I explore real historical accounts of mermaid sightings, their connections to Tudor and Renaissance symbolism, and how Queen Elizabeth I herself used mermaid imagery as propaganda.
Mermaids may be mythical, but their influence on history, folklore, and even politics is very real.
Want to know more? Watch now to uncover the truth behind mermaid myths!
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #MermaidMyths #HistoricalMysteries #RenaissanceHistory #QueenElizabethI #Columbus #HenryHudson #SeaLegends #RoyalPropaganda #ManateesOrMermaids

A Queen Cast Aside for Another - And it's not Catherine of Aragon

In 1499, King Louis XII of France had his 22-year marriage annulled to marry Anne of Brittany, one of the most powerful women in Europe. But what drove Louis to discard his first wife, Queen Joan (Jeanne) of France, after more than two decades of marriage?
This is a story of royal scheming, political marriages, and a forgotten queen who would go on to become a saint. From childhood betrothals and strategic unions to claims of witchcraft, it’s a tale filled with scandal, betrayal, and resilience.
Discover how this marriage changed the fate of Brittany and France forever — and what happened to the loyal queen who was cast aside.
History isn’t just about kings and queens—it’s about the people who shaped their world. Subscribe for more tales from the dangerous world of Tudor and Renaissance Europe!
 #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #AnneOfBrittany #LouisXII #RoyalScandals #HistoricalMysteries #QueenJoanOfFrance #RenaissanceHistory #RoyalIntrigue #PowerPlays #MedievalHistory

Two Queens, One Tower

What do Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and the Tower of London have in common? Balthasar Guercy, an Italian physician who served both queens—and found himself imprisoned for his controversial beliefs.
Originally from Milan, Guercy rose to prominence at the Tudor court, healing some of the most powerful figures of the day. But in 1543, he was arrested for supporting papal authority, a dangerous stance under Henry VIII’s reign. Facing potential execution, Guercy’s life hung in the balance… until Holy Roman Emperor Charles V stepped in to save him.
From royal service to religious exile and a brush with death, Guercy’s life reveals the dangerous tightrope Tudor physicians walked in a time of political and religious upheaval.
Want to know more about this unsung figure of Tudor history? Watch now to uncover his incredible story of resilience, survival, and service to royalty.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #AnneBoleyn #CatherineOfAragon #TudorCourt #TowerOfLondon #HistoricalMysteries #RoyalIntrigue #TudorMedicine #RenaissanceHistory

A Literary Genius or a Tudor Scoundrel

Kidnapping, violence, treason… Not exactly what you'd expect from the man behind one of the most influential literary works of Elizabethan England! But George Puttenham’s life was anything but ordinary.
On 6 January 1591, Puttenham was laid to rest, yet the scandals surrounding him remain unforgettable. From kidnapping a teenage girl to accusations of high treason and violent disputes, this literary critic’s life reads more like a Tudor crime drama.
Did his brilliant mind get tangled in bad choices and worse luck, or was he simply a deeply flawed man whose scandals eclipsed his achievements? Join me as I uncover the shocking secrets of a man who left his mark on Tudor literature—and scandal sheets!
You won’t believe the twists in this tale… Watch now to find out more!
#GeorgePuttenham #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #LiteraryScandals #ElizabethanEra #TudorDrama