Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Diplomat, Spy, or Traitor

The Double Life of Sir Edward Stafford
 
What if one of Elizabeth I’s trusted ambassadors was secretly working for Spain?
 
On this day in history, 5th February 1605, Sir Edward Stafford—diplomat, MP, and suspected traitor—died, leaving behind a legacy of espionage, scandal, and mystery.
 
He had royal blood, powerful connections, and a prestigious role as England’s ambassador to France. But whispers of betrayal followed him… He took bribes, had ties to Spain, and somehow, the Spanish always seemed to know England’s military plans. Was Stafford the leak?
 
Strangely, he was never punished. Did he escape justice due to lack of evidence? Was he protected by powerful allies? Or was he a double agent, secretly working for England all along?
 
The truth remains elusive, but one thing is certain—his story is a gripping tale of diplomacy, deception, and survival in the cutthroat world of Tudor politics.
 
Spy, traitor, or survivor?
 
#TudorHistory #ElizabethanSpies #TudorScandal #Espionage #Treason #HistoryUncovered #OnThisDay

A Royal Princess & A Disgraced Noble

On this day in 1495, Anne of York, daughter of Edward IV and sister of Queen Elizabeth of York, married Thomas Howard, the future 3rd Duke of Norfolk. But this was far more than just a royal love story—it was a political gamble that shaped the future of the powerful Howard family.
 
Just ten years earlier, Thomas Howard’s family had been on the losing side at the Battle of Bosworth. His father and grandfather had fought for Richard III against Henry Tudor, and yet now, Henry VII had approved a marriage between his own sister-in-law and the son of a former enemy.
 
- Why did Henry VII allow this match?
- How did it shape the Howards' future at the Tudor court?
. And what happened to Anne after this grand wedding?
 
Listen now to uncover the strategic marriage that helped forge one of Tudor England’s most powerful families!
 
#TudorHistory #AnneOfYork #ThomasHoward #TudorCourt #RoyalMarriage #HistoryLovers #MedievalHistory 

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