Tudor History with Claire Ridgway
History Podcasts
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.
Location:
Spain
Genres:
History Podcasts
Description:
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.
Twitter:
@AnneBoleynFiles
Language:
English
Contact:
648254666
Episodes
From Exile to Baron: Robert Willoughby, Henry VII's Loyal Supporter
9/27/2025
Imagine standing shoulder to shoulder with Henry Tudor in exile, then riding back to win a crown at Bosworth. Today we meet Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke: sheriff, soldier, royal fixer and one of Henry VII’s most loyal supporters, who died on 28 September 1502 at Callington, Cornwall. In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History, I, Claire Ridgway (historian & author), trace Willoughby’s journey from West Country administrator to exile in Brittany, his role at Bosworth (22 Aug 1485), and the rewards that followed: Knight of the Body, Lord Steward of the Household, Order of the Garter, and more. It’s a story of risk, resilience, and how loyalty shaped the early Tudor court. What you’ll learn:
If you enjoy daily Tudor deep-dives, like, subscribe, and tap the bell. Want bonus content, my digital magazine The Privy Chronicle, and members-only Q&As? Join my channel membership! #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #HenryVII #Bosworth #WarsOfTheRoses #RobertWilloughby #ClaireRidgway #TudorDynasty #HistoryYouTube #MedievalHistory
Duration:00:04:24
Helene Harrison on The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn
9/26/2025
Who’s the “real” Anne Boleyn—the medal, the portraits, or the version we’ve imagined? In this interview, Helene Harrison joins me to discuss her book The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Interpreting Image and Perception—not a biography, but a study of how Anne has been seen across centuries. We explore:
I’m Claire Ridgway, historian, author, and host of the Anne Boleyn Files & Tudor Society. If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. Get Helene’s book & follow her work: Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Many-Faces-Anne-Boleyn-Interpreting/dp/1036105024/ Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/Many-Faces-Anne-Boleyn-Interpreting/dp/1036105024/ Website - https://tudorblogger.com/
Duration:00:53:49
Spies, Sonnets & a Sword
9/25/2025
The Short, Daring Life of Thomas Watson On this day in Tudor history, 26 September 1592, poet and translator Thomas Watson was buried at St Bartholomew-the-Less. You may not know his name, but in Elizabethan circles he was the rule-bender who wrote 18-line “sonnets”, carried letters for Sir Francis Walsingham, supplied lyrics for William Byrd, and once landed in prison after stepping between Christopher Marlowe and a blade. I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In this episode you’ll discover: Where to start reading: dip into Hekatompathia for the form-breaking love poems, then try The Tears of Fancie to hear his later English voice. Question for you: Had you heard of Watson before? Which Elizabethan poet deserves more attention? If you enjoyed this “On This Day,” please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor & Elizabethan deep dives. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #Elizabethan #ThomasWatson #ChristopherMarlowe #Walsingham #WilliamByrd #RenaissancePoetry #Sonnets #LondonHistory #EarlyModern #EnglishLiterature
Duration:00:04:46
Fotheringhay Bound: Mary, Queen of Scots
9/24/2025
The Day Mary, Queen of Scots’ Fate Was Sealed On this day in Tudor history, 25 September 1586, Mary, Queen of Scots was escorted to Fotheringhay Castle. She would never leave. That same week, Elizabeth I agreed to appoint 36 commissioners to try her cousin. The road from captive to condemned began here. I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In this episode, I set the scene and trace the chain:
Question for you: Was Elizabeth defending her realm, or crossing a line no monarch should? Tell me in the comments. If this “On This Day” was useful, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor history. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #MaryQueenOfScots #ElizabethI #Fotheringhay #BabingtonPlot #Walsingham #EnglishHistory #EarlyModern #16thCentury
Duration:00:04:07
Born in the Tower
9/23/2025
On this day in Tudor history, 24 September 1561, a baby with a claim and a cloud was born inside the Tower of London. Meet Edward Seymour, Viscount Beauchamp, son of Lady Katherine Grey (Jane Grey’s sister) and Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, a couple who secretly married without Elizabeth I’s permission. The queen refused to recognise the union, branding their Tower-born child illegitimate… yet his pedigree ran straight through Mary Tudor, Queen of France, per Henry VIII’s will. In this episode: Question for you: Should Elizabeth have recognised Katherine Grey’s marriage, or was she right to keep rival claims on a tight leash? If you enjoy these daily Tudor dives, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #KatherineGrey #ViscountBeauchamp #Seymour #SuccessionHistory #TowerOfLondon
Duration:00:05:08
“Truce”… then Cannon Fire: San Juan de Ulúa (1568) - The Road to the Armada
9/22/2025
On this day in Tudor history, 23 September 1568, a tense “harbour truce” at San Juan de Ulúa (Veracruz) exploded into close-quarters battle. Spanish warships surged in; cannon roared; John Hawkins and his young kinsman Francis Drake barely escaped with the Minion and Judith as the flagship Jesus of Lübeck was wrecked. Many English sailors were captured, some facing the Inquisition. I’m Claire Ridgway. In this episode, I unpack the ambush that hardened English attitudes, reshaped the navy, and helped set the course toward the Spanish Armada, including the uncomfortable truth that Hawkins’s ventures were tied to the transatlantic slave trade, central to both profit and Spanish fury. What you’ll learn: Why Hawkins sought shelter at San Juan de Ulúa, and the “safe-conduct” deal that failed
The battle itself: ship list, tactics, and how Drake cut free
Two empires, two narratives: “treachery” vs “piracy”
Long consequences: Hawkins’s navy reforms and the rise of race-built galleons
How Ulúa forged the mindset behind later Elizabethan raids and 1588
If this “On This Day” deep dive gripped you, please like, subscribe, and tell me in the comments: Treachery or piracy, how do you read Ulúa? #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #SanJuanDeUlua #JohnHawkins #FrancisDrake #SpanishArmada #NavalHistory #EarlyEmpire
Duration:00:04:33
The Carpenter Who Built Henry VIII’s World
9/21/2025
Ever looked up at Hampton Court’s Great Hall and wondered who made that jaw-dropping roof? On this day in Tudor history, 22 September 1544, James Nedeham, master carpenter, architect and Surveyor of the King’s Works, died while on campaign with Henry VIII at Boulogne. You may not know his name, but you know his work: Hampton Court’s Great Hall roof, Traitors’ Gate timbering at the Tower of London, and key projects at Whitehall and beyond. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway. In this episode, meet the craftsman who helped stage Tudor power. What you’ll learn:
Question for you: If you could time-travel through one Tudor space, which would it be—Hampton Court, Whitehall, or the Tower—and why? If you enjoy the “hidden makers” of Tudor England, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily On This Day history. Hashtags: #TudorHistory #HamptonCourt #HenryVIII #TowerOfLondon #Whitehall #OnThisDay #ArchitecturalHistory #GreatHall #TraitorsGate
Duration:00:05:02
A Duchess’s Cry for Help
9/20/2025
Content note: This video discusses historical allegations of domestic abuse. Imagine being one of the highest-ranking women in England, then writing that you were locked away, stripped of your jewels, pinned until you spat blood, and dragged from bed by your hair. Those are the claims of Elizabeth Howard, Duchess of Norfolk, set down in letters to Thomas Cromwell, and answered by her husband, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. I’m Claire Ridgway. Today we examine Elizabeth’s marriage, her letters, Norfolk’s rebuttal, and what this case shows about coercive control and power at the Tudor court. In this episode:
Read the letters (primary sources): - Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies of Great Britain, Vol. II, pp. 218–225; p. 358 onwards: https://archive.org/details/lettersroyaland00greegoog/page/n242/mode/2up - Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, Vol. VI, pp. 96–100: https://archive.org/details/lettersroyaland06greegoog/page/n116/mode/2up If this topic interests you, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts: Do you find Elizabeth’s testimony or Norfolk’s defence more convincing, and why?
#TudorHistory #TrueCrime #ElizabethHoward #DukeOfNorfolk #ThomasCromwell #DomesticAbuseHistory #AnneBoleyn #HistoryDocumentary
Duration:00:07:43
From “Looking for Richard” to Writing Richard III — Wendy Johnson Interview
9/19/2025
Villain or maligned? In this interview, historical novelist Wendy Johnson—a founding member of Philippa Langley’s “Looking for Richard” project—joins me to discuss her debut novel, The Traitor’s Son, which traces Richard III’s formative decade (1461–1471). We explore:
Plus: Wendy’s top Ricardian must-visit sites, the scene she’d film first, and one non-fiction pick to read next. I’m Claire Ridgway. Thanks for watching. Please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below! #RichardIII #WarsOfTheRoses #HistoricalFiction #LookingForRichard #Plantagenets #MedievalHistory
Duration:00:48:33
Katherine Willoughby: Duchess, Exile, Survivor
9/18/2025
On this day in Tudor history, 19 September 1580, Katherine Willoughby (Katherine Brandon, later Katherine Bertie), Duchess of Suffolk, died after a long illness and was laid to rest at Spilsby, Lincolnshire. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today I’m telling the story of one of my favourite Tudor women, a brilliant, resilient figure who moved from court glitter to deepest grief, from duchess to exile and back again, guided by a sharp mind and a fiercer faith. In this episode:
If you enjoy deep dives into remarkable Tudor women, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #KatherineWilloughby #DuchessOfSuffolk #CharlesBrandon #Reformation #SweatingSickness #ElizabethI
Duration:00:05:09
Heir, Hostage, Court Favourite… Dead at 15 - Henry Brandon’s Story
9/17/2025
On this day in Tudor history, 18 September 1535, Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, was born at Chartley in Staffordshire. The eldest son of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Catherine Willoughby, Henry’s life was full of promise, until it was heartbreakingly cut short.
Educated alongside Prince Edward (the future Edward VI), Henry thrived at court: he carried the orb at Edward’s coronation, ran at the ring, and studied at Cambridge under some of the greatest humanist tutors of the day. He was a young noble who seemed destined for greatness. But in the summer of 1551, the dreaded sweating sickness struck. Within hours, Henry and his younger brother Charles were dead, snuffing out the Brandon male line in one cruel blow. In this podcast, I share Henry’s brief but brilliant story, his education, his role at court, and the tragedy that ended his family’s hopes. If you enjoy daily Tudor stories, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. And let me know in the comments: which Tudor “might-have-been” do you wish had lived to fulfil their promise? #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #HenryBrandon #EdwardVI #TudorTragedy #ClaireRidgway
Duration:00:05:14
The Quiet Power Behind the Reformation: Bullinger
9/16/2025
On 17 September 1575, Zurich lost one of its great reformers: Heinrich (Henry) Bullinger. While Luther thundered, Calvin systematised, and Zwingli fought and died, Bullinger quietly anchored the Swiss Reformation, and his writings reached far beyond Switzerland, shaping the faith of Tudor England. In this episode, I explore: Bullinger’s death on this day in 1575 marked the end of an era, but his influence endured - quiet, steady, and lasting. Had you heard of Bullinger before today? And which Reformation voice - Luther, Zwingli, Bullinger, or Calvin - do you find most compelling? Tell me in the comments. If you enjoy these daily glimpses into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell. For exclusive extras—zoom calls, behind-the-scenes content, and my monthly magazine—consider joining my channel membership. \#OnThisDay #TudorHistory #Reformation #Bullinger #ChurchHistory #ProtestantReformers #ClaireRidgway #ElizabethanEngland
Duration:00:05:07
Walter Devereux: Poison Plot or Tragic Misfortune
9/15/2025
On 16 September 1539, Walter Devereux was born at Chartley in Staffordshire. Nobleman, soldier, coloniser—and father to Robert Devereux, Elizabeth I’s brilliant but doomed favourite—Walter’s life was full of ambition, controversy, and whispers that outlived him.
From his meteoric rise at Elizabeth’s court to his brutal and ill-fated campaign in Ireland, Walter seemed destined for greatness. But at just 37, he died suddenly in Dublin in 1576. Official cause? Dysentery. The rumours? Poison… perhaps even at the hands of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester—who later married Walter’s widow, Lettice Knollys.
In this episode, I trace Walter’s journey from Chartley heir to Irish commander, explore his marriage into the Boleyn-Knollys family, and ask:
Why did his Irish venture turn so grim?
Was his death really natural—or the result of a Tudor plot?
How did his early end shape the fate of his son, the tragic Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex?
Poison or misfortune? You decide in the comments.
If you enjoyed this Tudor true-crime style tale, please like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss tomorrow’s story from Tudor history.
#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #Essex #WalterDevereux #HistoryTok #ClaireRidgway
Duration:00:04:51
What did Henry VIII REALLY look like?
9/14/2025
When you picture Henry VIII, do you see Holbein’s towering figure in furs and jewels—broad, bearded, and imposing? That image is iconic... but it’s not the full story. In this video, I’m going back to the start of Henry’s reign to ask: What did Henry VIII really look like when he took the throne in 1509? Before the tyranny, before the weight gain, before the codpieces and propaganda, Henry was something else entirely. Discover how contemporary eyewitnesses described him What portraits and armour tell us about his build and features And why our mental image of Henry is shaped more by politics than portraits Who would you cast as young Henry in a film or series? Let me know in the comments! Watch next: Tracking Henry VIII’s Weight Gain… Through His Armour - https://youtu.be/sesuSTxpXMs?si=rZ1_jWVl1l-jQ8FZ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tap the bell for more myth-busting Tudor history from The Anne Boleyn Files. #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #YoungHenryVIII #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorMonarchy #HolbeinMyth #TudorPortraits #EarlyModernHistory
Duration:00:04:47
Tudor Quiz - 75 THOUSAND Youtube Subscribers - Play Along!
9/13/2025
I can't believe that I've got over 75,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel, and to celebrate it, my lovely husband, Tim, put together a "mastermind" style expert round quiz to test my knowledge on the Tudors and especially the Boleyn family. There's a quick-fire round of two minutes where I have to answer as many questions correctly as I can, and then a slightly more leisurely round where I get some bonus questions. Let me know how many questions you got right by playing along now... THANK YOU to every single one of my subscribers, I really appreciate your support and I read every comment you leave.
Duration:00:05:19
Was Henry VIII Really Protestant?
9/12/2025
The Truth About His Faith and the English Reformation He broke from Rome. He dissolved the monasteries. He declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England… So that makes Henry VIII Protestant, right? Not quite. In this video, we explore: Tell me in the comments: Do you think Henry ever intended to spark a Reformation? Or was it all about control? Like, subscribe, and tap the bell for more daily Tudor history from the Anne Boleyn Files. Watch next: July 30 - Reformers and Catholics executed on the same day - https://youtu.be/ZUvIWF51n_Q #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #Reformation #EnglishReformation #WasHenryVIIIProtestant #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #TudorChurch #CatholicWithoutThePope #HistoryDebunked
Duration:00:07:38
Who was Marten Micron?
9/11/2025
We rarely hear about Marten Micron, a young Dutch pastor who came to London as a refugee, and helped organise one of the most radical experiments of Edward VI’s reign: the Stranger Church at Austin Friars.
I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s video I’ll be sharing the remarkable story of Marten Micron: his ministry among London’s refugees, his influential writings on church order and catechism, his exile under Mary I, and his enduring legacy in the Reformation.
In this episode:
- Who Marten Micron was and how he came to London.
- Why the Stranger Churches were so significant in Edward VI’s England.
- Micron’s role in shaping worship, discipline, and teaching.
- His exile, death, and why his writings still mattered across Europe.
Join me as we uncover the story of a reformer too often forgotten, yet whose influence rippled far beyond Tudor England.
What do you think—should Marten Micron be remembered alongside figures like Cranmer and Calvin? Tell me in the comments!
Like, subscribe, and tap the bell so you don’t miss more daily deep dives into Tudor and Reformation history.
And if you’d like even more Tudor content—including my monthly digital magazine The Privy Chronicle—consider becoming a channel member and stepping into my Tudor court!
#TudorHistory #Reformation #MartenMicron #StrangerChurch #ClaireRidgway
Duration:00:05:33
The Pope Who Celebrated a Massacre
9/10/2025
A medal for a massacre. A Te Deum for thousands of deaths. A celebration that still shocks centuries later. On this day in history—11 September 1572—Pope Gregory XIII ordered Rome to give thanks for not one, but two "victories": the Catholic triumph over the Ottomans at Lepanto and the mass slaughter of French Protestants during the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. In this episode:
To some, it was divine justice. To others—then and now—it was unthinkable. Watch next: The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre – https://youtu.be/1DmTMXr0TcQ The Gregorian Calendar - https://youtu.be/VRz98plSjqk Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily deep dives into Tudor and early modern history. #OnThisDay #StBartholomewsDay #Lepanto #GregoryXIII #TudorHistory #Reformation #CounterReformation #ClaireRidgway #GregorianCalendar #HistoryDebate #ReligiousHistory #EarlyModernEurope
Duration:00:04:13
She Faced the Flames Cheerfully – The Martyrdom of Joyce Lewis
9/9/2025
On this day in Tudor history—10 September 1557—Joyce Lewis was led to the stake at Lichfield for her Protestant faith. Eyewitnesses said she faced the flames with cheerfulness. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s episode, I share the powerful and heartbreaking story of a Tudor gentlewoman who chose faith and conscience over compliance—with devastating consequences. In this video:
This is the story of a woman whose quiet courage still echoes today. Like, comment, and subscribe for more daily Tudor history stories. What do you think sustained Joyce Lewis’s bravery—faith, community, or sheer inner resolve? Tell me in the comments. Want more Tudor content, including my monthly digital magazine The Privy Chronicle? Consider becoming a channel member and stepping into my Tudor court! #TudorHistory #JoyceLewis #MarianMartyrs #OnThisDay #ProtestantMartyrs #MaryI #ClaireRidgway #TudorWomen #FaithAndFire #HistoryWithHeart #TudorMartyrs #ReformationHistory
Duration:00:04:12
“Near to Heaven by Sea”: Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s Last Voyage
9/8/2025
We are as near to Heaven by sea as by land.” On this day, 9 September 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s tiny ship, the Squirrel, disappeared in an Atlantic storm, and an audacious Elizabethan life ended in a flash of foam and darkness. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we follow Gilbert’s extraordinary arc: Devon gentleman and half-brother to Sir Walter Ralegh; soldier praised at Newhaven and feared in Munster for brutal tactics; polemicist for a Northwest Passage and English colonisation; MP who clashed in Parliament; and, finally, patent-holder who sailed to Newfoundland and claimed St John’s for Queen Elizabeth I, before disaster struck on the homeward voyage. In this episode:
If you enjoy these daily Tudor deep dives, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss the next one. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #Elizabethan #Exploration #Newfoundland #SirHumphreyGilbert #WalterRaleigh
Duration:00:07:23