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.
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



Thursday Apr 02, 2020
April 3 - Peace between Elizabeth I, France and the Empire
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 3rd April 1559, the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis was signed between King Henry II of France and King Philip II of Spain. The previous day, 2nd April 1559, it had been signed between Elizabeth I and Henry II.
The treaty, or rather treaties, brought the Italian Wars to an end. But what were these wars? How was England involved? And what were the terms of the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis? Find out more 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/-ay-k25_ZBs
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/



Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
April 2 - The death of Prince Arthur
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 2nd April 1502, Arthur, Prince of Wales, son and heir of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, died at Ludlow Castle. He was just fifteen years old, and had only been married to the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon for four and a half months.
In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", discusses his death and the theories regarding Arthur's cause of death, which include sweating sickness, consumption, testicular cancer and Atypical Cystic Fibrosis.
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/eEanoR-aHRs
Also on this day in Tudor history, 2nd April 1552, King Edward VI fell ill with measles and smallpox. Find out more in last year's video - https://youtu.be/165sCxJn3KQ



Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
April 1 - William Harvey, his experiments and blood circulation
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 1st April 1578, English physician William Harvey, was born in Folkestone, Kent. Harvey has gone down in history as being the man who discovered the circulation of blood, and he was also physician extraordinary to King James I and King Charles I.
How did Harvey work out that the heart pumped the blood around the body and how was his challenge of Galen's work received?
Find out more about William Harvey's work, and also his role in the pardoning of women accused of witchcraft, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society.
Harvey’s work “On the motion of the heart and blood in animals” can be found at https://archive.org/details/onmotionheartan00harvgoog/page/n7/mode/2up
You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:
https://youtu.be/xxMha0DQle4
Also on this day in Tudor history, 1st April 1536, imperial ambassador Eustace Chapuys recorded King Henry VIII courting a woman who wasn’t his wife, the woman was Jane Seymour. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/MORzUuPS8ec



Monday Mar 30, 2020
March 31 - John Donne, the bell tolls for thee
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
On this day in history, 31st March 1631, the Tudor and Stuart metaphysical poet, satirist, lawyer and clergyman John Donne died.
Donne had an amazing career, going on voyages, serving as a royal chaplain and diplomat, and writing sermons, songs, satires and poetry, including an erotic poem, "The Flea".
Find out more about John Donne and hear some of his work in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History".
Read more about John Donne and his work on the Poetry Foundation website - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-donne
Mediation 17 can be read at http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/meditation17.php
The Flea can be read at https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2019/dec/09/poem-of-the-week-the-flea-by-john-donne
Also on this day in Tudor history, 31st March 1532, Henry VIII was left fuming after Friar William Peto likened him to King Ahab and Anne Boleyn to Queen Jezebel, and preached against his quest for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/fm1xJmzIyIA



Sunday Mar 29, 2020
March 30 - Thomas Cranmer and his protestation
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 30th March 1533, at the Passion Sunday service, Thomas Cranmer, Archdeacon of Taunton, was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury.
His consecration was not like those of others before him, however, because as well as making the usual oath promising to be faithful to the papacy and to denounce heretics, he also made a protestation to show that his oath would not conflict with his loyalty to King Henry VIII and his commitment to reforming the church. Hmmmm.... complicated.
Find out more 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/P78Iz-2dLVA
Other videos on Thomas Cranmer:
July 2 - 13 things you probably didn't know about Thomas Cranmer - https://youtu.be/hsz09DoX9oU September 12 - Thomas Cranmer is in big trouble! - https://youtu.be/GaDQduKl0nA December 4 - The beginning of the end for Thomas Cranmer - https://youtu.be/KRuycWXw1Jo March 21 - This unworthy right hand - The end of Thomas Cranmer - https://youtu.be/7P-aGWg92qk
Also on this day in Tudor history, 30th March 1558, Queen Mary I wrote her will. She did it because she believed that she was just about to give birth, and, obviously, childbirth was a risky process. Find out more about her will, and what happened with this “pregnancy”, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/LWrcLR61Kbo



Saturday Mar 28, 2020
March 29 - Children encourage John Laurence at his sad end
Saturday Mar 28, 2020
Saturday Mar 28, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 29th March 1555, in the reign of Queen Mary I, Protestant and former Dominican priest, John Laurence, was burned at the stake for heresy in Colchester.
At his burning, young children encouraged him with their prayers.
Find out more about his John Laurence's sad end 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/ToYVgj9hQqI
Also on this day in Tudor history, 29th March 1551, Mary Dudley, eldest daughter of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, married Henry Sidney. Find out more about them, and also how Mary suffered so terribly with smallpox after nursing Queen Elizabeth I, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/OkBlboV2G8o
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/



Friday Mar 27, 2020
March 28 - The amazing Raphael
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Friday Mar 27, 2020
This day in history, 28th March 1483, is one of the dates out forward as the birthdate of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, or Raphael as he is known, the Italian Renaissance artist and architect.
Did you know that Henry VII owned a piece of art by Raphael and that Henry VIII admired his work?
Find out a bit more about Raphael and see some of his beautiful works of art 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/S7eQEQttjWs
Also on this day in Tudor history, John Skip, Bishop of Hereford, and a man who’d served Anne Boleyn as her chaplain and almoner, died. Find out more about his time serving Queen Anne Boleyn and a controversial sermon he preached in 1536, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/yk_TxLMtiPM



Thursday Mar 26, 2020
March 27 - Arrangements are made for Prince Arthur to marry Catherine of Aragon
Thursday Mar 26, 2020
Thursday Mar 26, 2020
On this day in Tudor history, 27th March 1489, the Treaty of Medina del Campo was signed between England and Spain. One part of it was the arrangement of the marriage between Arthur, Prince of Wales, and Catherine (or Catalina) of Aragon. It was signed by Spain on this day and ratified in 1490 by Henry VII.
Find out more about this treaty and the betrothal and marriages (yes, plural!) of Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, and Catherine of Aragon 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/ivJa_K_8dh0
Also on this day in Tudor history, 27th March 1555, nineteen-year-old apprentice William Hunter was burned at the stake for heresy after being caught reading a Bible in church. Yep! Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/nItFisCuqFU
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/

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.









