Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Poisoned Milk, a Pressing Iron… and Murder in the Parlour? Welcome to the very first episode of Tudor True Crime – where real historical crimes are darker than fiction. In 1551, respected businessman Thomas Arden of Faversham was brutally murdered. But the killer wasn’t a stranger… It was his own wife, Alice Arden, along with her lover and a gang of hired assassins. In this episode, I’ll uncover:...

On this day in Tudor history — 17th July 1537 — Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, was dragged to Castle Hill in Edinburgh and burned at the stake. The charge? Treason. The truth? Far more sinister. She was a noblewoman. A widow. A Douglas. And that last detail may have sealed her fate. Accused of plotting to poison King James V of Scotland, Lady Glamis was caught in the deadly crossfire of royal revenge...

Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, is often reduced to a footnote in history — simply the mother of the tragic Lady Jane Grey. But who was she really? In this episode, I dive into the life of Frances Brandon, born on 16th July 1517 — niece of Henry VIII, daughter of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and a woman maligned by centuries of misrepresentation. Was she truly the cold, cruel mother some have cl...

What do you get when you mix Tudor poetry, court politics, and an invisibility cloak? Meet William Neville — born on this day in Tudor history, 15th July 1497. A respected courtier and poet... who later found himself accused of something out of a fantasy novel: trying to make himself invisible! In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History, I uncover the strange tale of Neville — from his allego...

In today’s podcast, we’re heading slightly beyond the Tudor world — north to Scotland — to uncover the story of a young queen who deserves far more recognition than she gets. On this day in 1486, Queen Margaret of Denmark, consort of James III of Scotland, died at just 30 years old. But her brief life left a permanent mark on British history. Because of Margaret, Orkney and Shetland became — and r...

What happens when centuries of British history meet thousands of Lego bricks? In this special interview, I’m joined by author Andrew Redfern, the creator of "Minifigure Monarchs: A History of Great Brits in Little Bricks" — an exciting new book that tells the story of British monarchs through brilliant Lego creations. We chat about Andy’s love of history, how this creative project came about, what...

During a peaceful walk through the Gloucestershire countryside, I stumbled upon a village church with a powerful story — one that changed the course of English history. Little Sodbury is one of only a handful of Thankful Villages in England, where all soldiers returned from both World Wars. But this place is also where William Tyndale, the brilliant scholar and Bible translator, heard his call to...

In today’s podcast, I’m diving into a thought-provoking—and often heartbreaking—topic: mental illness in Tudor England. From moon-induced madness and “uterine vapours” to melancholy queens and frenzied courtiers, the Tudor understanding of mental health was a complex mix of medicine, superstition, religion, and fear. Did you know Jane Boleyn’s breakdown led Henry VIII to change the law  so she cou...

On 3rd or 4th July 1594, Catholic priest John Cornelius was executed at Dorchester, along with three loyal men: Thomas Bosgrave, John Carey, and Patrick Salmon. Their crime? Helping a priest in Protestant Elizabethan England. In today’s video, I share the story of John Cornelius—from his Irish-Cornish roots and education at Oxford, to his exile, priesthood, arrest at Chideock Castle, and eventual...

Why were Henry VIII and Elizabeth I part of a dynasty called “Tudor”?  In this podcast, historian and author Claire Ridgway explores the fascinating Welsh origins of the name Tudor—from its Brythonic meaning to how a noble family from Anglesey became one of the most famous royal houses in English history. Discover how: - The name “Tudor” evolved from patronymic Welsh naming traditions - Owain ap M...

From the rise in population and bad harvests to the closing of the monasteries and harsh Poor Laws, we’ll explore the causes of poverty, the categories of the poor, and how Elizabethan England created one of the earliest welfare systems in Europe. Learn about: - The 1601 Elizabethan Poor Law - Almshouses, houses of correction, and the “poor rate” - The impact of enclosure and inflation - Tudor vie...

On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1601, Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby, died of fever at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Born in exile during the reign of Mary I, Bertie was the son of Katherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk and widow of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. A soldier, a diplomat, and a loyal servant to Elizabeth I, Bertie led troops in the Netherlands, fought at the Battle of Zut...

Sir Walter Ralegh may get the credit, but tobacco’s story in England started long before he lit up — and it’s far more surprising than you might think. In this video, we explore how tobacco travelled from sacred Native American ceremonies to Tudor England’s courtly circles. From its use in healing rituals to its rise as a fashionable trend—and finally to King James I’s fiery condemnation in A Coun...

On this day in Tudor-Stuart history, 19th June 1566, King James VI of Scotland and I of England was born at Edinburgh Castle—an infant who would one day unite two crowns and leave a lasting legacy on British history. The only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley, James became King of Scotland at just 13 months old following his father’s murder and his mother’s forced abdication. Raised as...

On this day in Tudor history — traditionally 15th June 1519 — Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate but much-loved son of King Henry VIII and Elizabeth “Bessie” Blount, was born at the Priory of St Lawrence in Essex. Acknowledged by his father and showered with titles, Fitzroy was raised for greatness. At just six, he became Duke of Richmond and Somerset, Earl of Nottingham, and Knight of the Garter—unp...

On this day in Tudor history, 12th June 1567, Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, died—and few figures in the Tudor era have earned the label "villain" quite like him. From betraying Sir Thomas More to personally torturing Protestant martyr Anne Askew, Rich’s name is forever tied to some of the darkest episodes of Henry VIII’s reign. But was he simply ruthless—or just a master of survival in a dangerous...

Tossing and turning at night? The Tudors may have had the answer. In this video, we dive into the fascinating world of Tudor sleep—where bedtime wasn’t just about rest, but about health, virtue, and even the soul. From feather mattresses and “sleep tight” rope beds to nighttime prayers, herbal pouches, and warm possets, sleep in Tudor England was a carefully managed ritual. Did you know Tudors oft...

On this day in Tudor history, 5th June 1516, Maria de Salinas married Lord Willoughby of Eresby. But this Spanish noblewoman would be remembered not for her marriage, but for her fierce loyalty to Queen Catherine of Aragon. Maria’s story is one of deep friendship, political influence, and unwavering devotion. She followed Catherine from Spain to England, stood by her through triumph and tragedy, a...

On this day in history, Anne Boleyn reached the pinnacle of her triumph. After six years of struggle, scandal, and seismic political and religious change, Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England in a glittering ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Dressed in purple velvet, barefoot and crowned with the Crown of St Edward—a crown usually reserved for monarchs—Anne processed through a sea of blue cloth,...

Ever wondered how people in the Tudor period told the time—long before smartphones or wristwatches? In this video, I explore the fascinating ways our medieval and Tudor ancestors kept track of their day. From monastery bells marking the canonical hours to the rise of mechanical town clocks in the 14th century, Tudor timekeeping was far more advanced than you might expect. We’ll look at sundials, w...

On 24th May 1612, one of the most powerful men of the Elizabethan and early Stuart courts—Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury—died on his way home from taking the waters at Bath. He was just 48, but his political career was nothing short of extraordinary. The son of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Robert Cecil overcame physical disability, courtly mockery, and fierce political rivalries to become Se...

In the early hours of 19th May 1536, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was woken with chilling news—his friend Alexander Alesius had dreamt of Anne Boleyn’s severed neck. He had no idea that Anne was due to be executed that very morning… In this moving video, we trace Anne Boleyn’s final hours: from her quiet early morning Mass and her careful choice of crimson and ermine attire, to her composed speech on...

Did you need a priest to be married in Tudor England? A church? Witnesses? The truth might surprise you. In the 16th century, a simple exchange of vows—followed by consummation—could be enough to make a marriage fully legal.   In this video, we explore the fascinating (and often confusing) rules around marriage in Tudor times. From secret unions to royal annulments, handfasting to public ceremonie...

On this day in history, 13th May 1619, Westminster Abbey hosted a grand and costly funeral for a queen consort who is often overshadowed in British royal history. But who was Anne of Denmark? What role did she really play at the courts of Scotland and England—and why did her relationship with King James sour so drastically in her final years?   In this podcast, I explore the intriguing life, cultu...

Why did people like Anne Boleyn, George Boleyn, and Lady Jane Grey use their final words to  praise  the monarch who condemned them to die? Were they afraid? Following orders? Or was there something deeper at work? In this podvast, I explore the rituals, beliefs, and expectations behind execution speeches in the Tudor period. From religious symbolism to social pressure and political theatre, the s...