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    History

    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.

    Advertise

    Copyright: Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved.

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    Latest Episodes:
    Blown to Bits in Battle: The Tudor Rogue Who Might’ve Been Henry VIII’s Son Aug 04, 2025
    Show notes

    He dreamt of invading Ireland with Spanish gold and papal blessing…
    Instead, he died in a Moroccan ditch, his legs blown off by cannon fire.
    This is the incredible, tragic, and chaotic story of Thomas Stukeley—Tudor adventurer, mercenary, spy, and the man rumoured to be King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son.
    I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and today we’re diving into the Battle of Alcácer Quibir on 4th August 1578—also known as the **Battle of the Three Kings**—where Stukeley died alongside kings and thousands of European soldiers.
    In this video, I'll explore:
    - The rumour that Stukeley was Henry VIII’s son
    - Why Stukeley was chosen to lead a crusade into Morocco
    - The bloody battle that killed three kings and shattered Portugal’s future
    - How one English rogue became a legend (and a tragedy)
    Want to know more about Stukeley’s life as a pirate, papal favourite, and Elizabethan thorn-in-the-side? Watch my full video here: https://youtu.be/Cq11kP14kek
    Let me know in the comments—had you heard of Thomas Stukeley before? Do you think he could have been Henry VIII’s son?
    #ThomasStukeley #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #OnThisDay #BattleOfThreeKings #SebastianOfPortugal #TudorAdventurers #ClaireRidgway #HistoryTube #DarkHistory #TudorMyths #RoyalBastards #Stukeley

    The Fairest Church in England Aug 03, 2025
    Show notes

    You’re walking through a busy modern city—and then a towering Gothic church stops you in your tracks. That’s exactly what happened to me in Bristol, when I stumbled upon St Mary Redcliffe, a church Queen Elizabeth I herself called “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England.”
    I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and in this episode I share the story behind this incredible Tudor site—from Elizabeth’s 1574 visit, to her letters patent for its restoration, to the royal grammar school she founded right next door.
    Did you know a statue of Elizabeth I from her lifetime still survives—inside this very church?
    Join me as I explore this hidden Tudor gem and reveal why it should be on every history lover’s travel list. I also share a few other places to visit in Bristol, including the nearby cathedral and the fascinating M Shed museum.
    Explore further:
    - Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_Redcliffe
    - Stunning photos: https://www.geograph.org.uk/of/st+mary+redcliffe
    * Statue of Elizabeth I: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1413938
    Have you visited St Mary Redcliffe—or Bristol in general? Let me know in the comments!
    And if you enjoyed this Tudor travel detour, please like and subscribe for more stories from history.
    #ElizabethI #TudorHistory #TudorArchitecture #StMaryRedcliffe #BristolHistory #QueenElizabethI #TudorTravel #HiddenHistory #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles #OnThisDay #VisitBristol

    What links Kate Bush and Anne Boleyn Aug 02, 2025
    Show notes

    What connects legendary singer Kate Bush and Tudor queen Anne Boleyn? In this fascinating and inspiring interview, I chat with novelist Natalia Richards, author of The Falcon’s Rise and The Falcon’s Flight—two beautifully written novels exploring Anne Boleyn’s early life and rise to power.
    Natalia shares how she transitioned from the world of music (yes, Kate Bush really did ask her to be a backing singer at 18!) to historical fiction, and why Anne Boleyn has captivated her imagination for so many years.
    We discuss:
    - The real Anne Boleyn behind the myths and portrayals
    - Natalia’s research process and writing rituals
    - Her emotional connection to key scenes and characters
    - The places that inspire her work
    - And more!
    Whether you’re a fellow Anne Boleyn enthusiast, a writer, or just love hearing about the creative process, you’ll love this rich, warm, and insightful conversation.
    Find Natalia Richards’ books here:

    http://getbook.at/falconsrise
    http://getbook.at/falconsflight

    Still Fighting the Dead: Germain Gardiner’s Scathing Attack on Martyr John Frith Aug 01, 2025
    Show notes

    On this day in Tudor history, 1st August 1534, Catholic gentleman Germain Gardiner published a scathing posthumous attack on Protestant martyr John Frith—over a year after Frith had been burned at the stake.
    But who was Frith? Why did Gardiner care enough to write such a fiery rebuttal after his death? And how did both men end up executed for their beliefs?
    In this episode, I explore:

    • Frith’s radical theology and links to William Tyndale
    • His arrest, trial, and execution in 1533 for denying purgatory and transubstantiation
    • Gardiner’s 1534 printed rebuttal, full of fire, fury, and calls for obedience to Church authority
    • The wider implications of their feud for the English Reformation
    • And the tragic irony of Gardiner’s own fate—hanged, drawn and quartered a decade later

    This is a powerful story of belief, print, polemic—and two men caught in the firestorm of Tudor religion.
    Read Gardiner’s full tract here: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A01469.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext
    Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more true Tudor tales from the archives of history.
    #TudorHistory #JohnFrith #GermainGardiner #EnglishReformation #ReligiousHistory #TudorExecutions #ProtestantMartyrs #CatholicMartyrs #16thCentury #OnThisDay

    Killed by a Butcher Jul 31, 2025
    Show notes

    The Shocking End of a Tudor Baron - Edmund Sheffield’s Fall He was a baron, courtier, soldier, and poet... with powerful patrons like Thomas Cromwell and George Boleyn. But on 31st July 1549, during the chaos of Kett’s Rebellion, 28-year-old Edmund Sheffield met a shocking and brutal end—not on a battlefield, but in a muddy ditch at the hands of a rebel butcher.
    In this episode, I delve into the life—and haunting death—of a man often overlooked in Tudor history. Raised under Anne Boleyn’s brother, praised for his musical talents, and loyal to the crown, Sheffield’s story offers a poignant reminder of how quickly fortune could turn in Tudor England.
    Join me as we explore:
    - Sheffield’s powerful connections and noble rise
    - His role in the 1549 Norwich campaign
    - The deadly street fighting of Kett’s Rebellion
    - And the emotional tributes left by those who loved him
    Had you heard of Edmund Sheffield before? Let me know in the comments—and if you enjoy these lesser-known Tudor tales, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell.
    #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #KettRebellion #EdmundSheffield #DarkHistory #TudorEngland #ClaireRidgway #TudorTok #16thCentury #RebelRebellion #NorwichHistory #HistoryYouDidntKnow

    The Wind That Saved England: How the Spanish Armada Was Scattered Jul 30, 2025
    Show notes

    Storms at sea. Panic at court. And a queen under guard.
    On this day in Tudor history — 30th July 1588 — England’s fate shifted with the wind. The once-mighty Spanish Armada, already damaged by the Battle of Gravelines, was now scattered and driven northwards by violent storms. Many in England saw it as divine intervention — a “Protestant Wind” sent by God to defend the realm.
    In this podcast, I explore:
    - How the Spanish fleet faltered in the aftermath of Gravelines
    - Why Sir Francis Drake was so delighted
    - The stormy fate of the Armada
    - Queen Elizabeth I’s cautious moves to protect herself
    - And how the events of that day fed into national pride and Protestant identity
    I’m Claire Ridgway, author and historian, and I invite you to join me as we revisit one of the most dramatic moments of Elizabeth I’s reign.
    Do you think it was just a coincidence—or was there something more at work?
    Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Tudor history.
    #TudorHistory #SpanishArmada #ElizabethI #ProtestantWind #ClaireRidgway #TudorEngland #OnThisDay #TudorQueen #StormsOfHistory #Gravelines #FrancisDrake #TudorWar #AnneBoleynFiles #TrueTudorTales #TudorNavy #MaritimeHistory #DivineIntervention

    The Stepfather Who May Have Changed History Jul 29, 2025
    Show notes

    He didn’t wear a crown… but his choice may have changed the course of English history.
    On 29th July 1504, Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, died quietly at his manor in Lancashire. But nearly two decades earlier, at the bloody Battle of Bosworth, his decision to support his stepson — Henry Tudor — was a turning point in English history, ending centuries of Plantagenet rule and beginning the Tudor era.
    Some say he stood back and watched until the moment was right. Others claim he crowned Henry on the battlefield with Richard’s fallen crown.
    Was Thomas Stanley a loyal stepfather… or a master manipulator who waited to see which way the wind would blow?
    In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History,I take you beyond the battlefield drama to explore:

    • Stanley’s powerful family background and early royal service
    • His two politically significant marriages — including to Lady Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother
    • His pivotal role at Bosworth and its aftermath
    • Why he became Earl of Derby and godfather to Prince Arthur
    • And whether he was a kingmaker… or just playing both sides to stay on top

    He may have moved in the background, but his actions helped shape the Tudor dynasty. Listen now to discover the real Thomas Stanley — and decide for yourself whether he was loyal, opportunistic… or both.

    #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ThomasStanley #BattleOfBosworth #HenryVII #MargaretBeaufort #TudorDynasty #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #RoyalHistory #Plantagenets #YorkvsLancaster #TudorNerds

    The Forgotten Tudor Wife Who Drank Her Own Urine to Survive - TUDOR TRUE CRIME Jul 28, 2025
    Show notes

    Starved. Poisoned. Locked in a castle tower.
    In Tudor England, one woman endured unthinkable cruelty at the hands of her noble husband—imprisoned in a tower, reduced to drinking her own urine to survive, and desperate enough to smuggle a secret letter to Thomas Cromwell begging for rescue.
    Her name was Elizabeth Hungerford.
    Her husband? Walter Hungerford—a man later executed for treason, sorcery, and what the records chillingly called “the abominable vice of bu****y.”
    But Elizabeth’s story is the real tragedy—one of domestic abuse, survival against the odds, and a rare voice speaking out in an era when women had little power or protection.
    In this episode of Tudor True Crime, I uncover:

    • Who Walter Hungerford really was
    • The disturbing charges brought against him
    • Elizabeth’s smuggled plea for help
    • And what became of her after his execution

    This is not just the story of a disgraced nobleman—it’s the haunting tale of a woman who endured and survived.
    Let’s give Elizabeth Hungerford the place in history she deserves.
    Have you heard of her before? Let me know in the comments.
    Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more true stories from the dark heart of Tudor England.
    Watch my other Tudor True Crime videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrKAY-100rX6GckUPzgS8GAy
    #TudorTrueCrime #ElizabethHungerford #WalterHungerford #TudorHistory #WomensHistory #DarkHistory #TrueCrime #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles
    The Tiny Tudor Ship That Crossed the Atlantic Jul 27, 2025
    Show notes

    What if I told you that England’s very first official voyage of exploration to the New World didn’t begin in London—or even under an Englishman’s command?
    Join me, Claire Ridgway, historian and author, as I tell you about "The Matthew", the tiny replica ship moored in Bristol that once carried explorer John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) across the Atlantic in 1497. Backed by Henry VII, Cabot’s bold journey from Bristol to the coast of North America marked the quiet beginnings of England’s imperial story—decades before Henry VIII or Elizabeth I ever dreamed of global power.
    In this episode, we’ll uncover:
    - How Cabot persuaded Henry VII to fund his voyage (well… sort of!)
    - Why this humble 50-ton ship was key to England’s first steps toward overseas discovery
    - What Cabot found—and why his landing was more significant than he realised
    - The legacy of The Matthew, its 1997 commemorative voyage, and how Bristol remembers its most daring sailor
    Learn more at https://matthew.co.uk
    Like, comment, and subscribe for more untold Tudor tales every week.
    Had you heard of John Cabot before? Let me know in the comments!
    #JohnCabot #TudorHistory #TheMatthew #BristolHistory #MaritimeHistory #HenryVII #AnneBoleynFiles #BritishHistory #TudorTok #OnThisDay #HistoryTok #Newfoundland #AgeOfExploration #CabotVoyage #TudorAdventure

    How a Tudor Courtroom Became a Death Trap Jul 25, 2025
    Show notes

    Imagine stepping into court expecting justice… and instead walking into a death sentence.
    On this day in Tudor history, 25th July 1577, Queen Elizabeth I’s top lawyer, Nicholas Barham, died in Oxford—not by blade or betrayal, but from a silent, invisible killer: gaol fever. Within weeks, over 500 people were dead, including judges, jurors, sheriffs, and townspeople.
    In this podcast, I, Claire Ridgway, historian and author, uncover:
    - Who Nicholas Barham was and his rise to power
    - How gaol fever (epidemic typhus) spread and killed
    - What other "Black Assizes" followed
    - Why even the powerful weren’t safe from Tudor disease
    This story isn’t just about one man—it’s about the dangers of Tudor life, the limits of medical knowledge, and the shocking realities of a justice system where one infected prisoner could doom a whole court. Had you ever heard of the Black Assizes or gaol fever? Let me know in the comments.
    Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more chilling, fascinating Tudor history!
    #TudorHistory #BlackAssize #GaolFever #OnThisDay #ElizabethanEngland #HistoryTube #ClaireRidgway #PlagueHistory #TrueHistory

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