Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

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The Banker Who Tried to Overthrow Queen Elizabeth I

2025-11-1712:27

The Ridolfi Plot Explained He wasn’t a soldier, a spy, or a nobleman, but a Florentine banker who nearly toppled a queen. In 1571, Roberto di Ridolfi masterminded one of the boldest conspiracies of Elizabeth I’s reign, a plan backed by the Pope, Philip II of Spain, and Mary, Queen of Scots. His goal? To invade England, overthrow Elizabeth, and restore Catholic rule, all funded through secret banking channels. But one intercepted letter at Dover changed everything. Join me, historian Claire Ridgway, for the true story of The Ridolfi Plot, a tale of spies, Spanish gold, and the banker who talked too much. #ElizabethI #TudorHistory #RidolfiPlot #MaryQueenOfScots #TudorConspiracies

Elizabeth I’s Forgotten Festival

2025-11-1605:12

How England Celebrated Accession Day Like a National Holiday Every year on 17th November, England erupted in bells, bonfires, and jousting tournaments, all to celebrate Queen Elizabeth I’s Accession Day. It wasn’t just royal pageantry, it was faith, theatre, and politics rolled into one. Knights broke lances before the Queen, the people burned effigies of the Pope, and Elizabeth became “England’s Deborah,” the saviour of Protestant England. Discover how one day in 1558 became the biggest celebration in Tudor England, and how it lived on for centuries after the Virgin Queen’s death. Listen now to uncover the story behind England’s greatest royal festival. #ElizabethI #TudorHistory #AccessionDay #Gloriana #TudorEngland #History

A Beginner's Guide to Henry VII

2025-11-1510:32

A thin, cautious man stepped onto a Welsh beach in August 1485 with fewer soldiers than his enemy, and more to lose than anyone in England. Three weeks later, he had killed a king, married his rival’s niece, and founded a dynasty that still shapes Britain. He was Henry VII - quiet, calculating, and absolutely not boring. In this beginner’s guide, I explore how the first Tudor monarch ended the Wars of the Roses, rebuilt royal authority, and quietly transformed England from chaos to stability. Forget the myth of the miserly king in his counting house, this Henry knew how to wield power, throw a party with dragons and castles on wheels, and plan dynasties like a master strategist. In this podcast: • How Henry won Bosworth and united Lancaster and York • His clever diplomacy, finances, and propaganda • The truth behind his “boring” reputation • The personal losses that reshaped his reign • How his quiet vision laid the groundwork for Henry VIII and Elizabeth I If Henry VIII was fireworks, Henry VII was the fuse, less flashy, but far more important. Recommended reading: Nathen Amin, Son of Prophecy Tell me in the comments: what surprised you most about Henry VII? #HenryVII #TudorHistory #WarsOfTheRoses #TudorDynasty #BritishHistory #ClaireRidgway #HistoryYouTube #BeginnerHistory

Did Mary, Queen of Scots’ Husband Kill Her Lover, or His Own?

2025-11-1408:12

A jealous husband. A royal favourite. A queen held at gunpoint. On the night of 9 March 1566, David Rizzio, secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, was dragged from her side and stabbed over fifty times in Holyrood Palace, while the pregnant queen was forced to watch. But what really lay behind this shocking act? Was Rizzio Mary’s lover? Or was her husband, Lord Darnley, jealous for a different reason? Or was Rizzio just a scapegoat? Join me as I explore the true story behind the Rizzio Murder, where court gossip, sexual scandal, and ruthless politics collided, setting Mary on the path to her downfall. Listen to uncover: - Why Rizzio rose so quickly in Mary’s service - How Darnley’s ambition and insecurity turned deadly - The truth behind those rumours of a royal love triangle - How one murder changed the fate of Scotland’s most tragic queen History, passion, and power — Tudor and Stuart style. Subscribe for more true historical scandals and royal mysteries. #MaryQueenOfScots #LordDarnley #DavidRizzio #TudorHistory #StuartHistory #RoyalScandal #HistoryYouTube #ClaireRidgwa

The Abbot Who Defied Henry VIII

2025-11-1306:08

The Martyrdom of Hugh Faringdon On this day in Tudor history, 14 November 1539, a man of God was executed at the gate of his own abbey. His name was Hugh Faringdon, Abbot of Reading, a scholar, royal chaplain, and faithful servant of the Church, condemned as a traitor and hanged like a criminal. Join me as I tell the powerful and tragic story of Abbot Hugh Faringdon, who tried to balance loyalty to King Henry VIII with faith in the old Church, and paid with his life. Discover: The rise of Hugh Faringdon from monk to abbot of one of England’s greatest monasteries How he served Henry VIII faithfully before the Dissolution of the Monasteries Why refusing to surrender Reading Abbey made him a target of Thomas Cromwell’s regime The brutal execution that shocked Tudor England And how, centuries later, he was beatified as Blessed Hugh Faringdon, a martyr of conscience. Today, the ruins of Reading Abbey still stand as a silent witness to his courage and conviction. #HughFaringdon #HenryVIII #DissolutionOfTheMonasteries #TudorHistory #ReadingAbbey #TudorMartyrs #OnThisDay #EnglishReformation #TudorFaith #TheAnneBoleynFiles #ClaireRidgway #CatholicHistory #TudorEngland

Jane Seymour’s Final Journey

2025-11-1204:40

On this day in Tudor history, 13 November 1537, England mourned its queen. Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife and the mother of Prince Edward, was laid to rest in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Her death twelve days after childbirth plunged court and kingdom into grief. Join me as I retrace Jane’s final journey from Hampton Court Palace, where she gave birth and died, to Windsor, where her body was borne in a grand procession of torches, banners, and black-clad mourners. Discover: Details on the procession and service Lady Mary’s role as chief mourner The city-wide mourning in London, with bells tolling across every parish And the poignant detail that Jane’s heart and entrails were buried separately. Jane Seymour’s funeral marked the end of a brief, brilliant chapter - the queen who gave Henry VIII the son he longed for and, in death, secured her place beside him for eternity. #TudorHistory #JaneSeymour #HenryVIII #SixWives #WindsorCastle #HamptonCourt #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles

When Mary I Turned Back the Clock

2025-11-1105:24

On this day in Tudor history, 12 November 1555, Queen Mary I turned back the religious clock. Parliament passed the Second Statute of Repeal, restoring papal authority and reuniting England with the Catholic Church after more than twenty years of upheaval. I explore how Mary achieved what had once seemed impossible: Undoing her father Henry VIII’s break with Rome and her brother Edward VI’s Protestant reforms Bringing England spiritually home to the Pope Balancing faith and politics by protecting nobles’ monastic lands And why, intriguingly, she kept the title “Supreme Head of the Church” even as she restored papal power For three short years, England was once again Catholic, until Mary’s death in 1558 and Elizabeth I’s sweeping reversal. Was Mary’s vision of unity ever possible in a country so divided by faith? Share your thoughts in the comments below. #TudorHistory #MaryI #CounterReformation #Reformation #QueenMaryI #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles

The Tudor Day of Feasting, Faith… and the Winter Kill

2025-11-1006:44

Today, 11 November, is Martinmas, the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours. In Tudor England, it was far more than a saint’s day. It marked the great “winter slaughter”, when families across the realm, from manor to cottage, salted and cured their meat to survive the long months ahead. In this video, I explore the man behind the feast, St Martin, the Roman soldier who became a saint after cutting his cloak in half to clothe a beggar, and reveal how faith, food, and survival intertwined in Tudor life. Discover: The story of St Martin of Tours and why 11 November became his feast day How Tudor households prepared for winter by salting meat and preserving food The meaning of old sayings like “His Martinmas will come, as it does to every hog” Why salt was treasured as life itself And how Spain’s La Matanza still echoes the traditions that fed the Tudors Martinmas was the Tudor turning point, the end of harvest, the beginning of winter, and a moment of gratitude for what the land and animals provided. #Martinmas #TudorLife #SaintMartin #TudorHistory #MedievalTraditions #HistoryOfFood #FeastDays #TudorEngland #TudorFeast #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles #TudorCustoms #TudorFarm #HistoryYouTube

He Dared to Betray the Queen

2025-11-0906:33

He was handsome, daring, and utterly reckless, the man who stole the heart of England’s greatest queen in her final years, and then broke it. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, was born on this day in 1565. He rose from ambitious courtier to Elizabeth I’s beloved favourite - charming, bold, and impossible to ignore. But his pride and defiance would destroy him. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in this episode we’ll trace the rise and ruin of the Queen’s “darling of her old age”: his dangerous ambition, his disastrous rebellion, and the shocking betrayal that ended with an axe on Tower Green. Was Robert Devereux a tragic hero, or the author of his own destruction? Watch until the end to decide for yourself. Subscribe for more Tudor history every week! #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #RobertDevereux #EarlofEssex #TudorCourt #TudorScandal #OnThisDay #AnneBoleynFiles #BritishHistory #ClaireRidgway

A Beginner’s Guide to the Tudors

2025-11-0811:27

Power. Passion. Intrigue. Revolution. The Tudors ruled England for just over a century, but they changed it forever. In this Beginner’s Guide to the Tudors, I explore how a Welsh courtier’s secret marriage to a queen created one of the most fascinating dynasties in history. From the scandalous rise of Henry VIII and his six wives, to the tragedy of Lady Jane Grey and the genius of Elizabeth I, this is the story of how the Tudors reshaped religion, monarchy, and identity itself. You’ll discover: - How the dynasty began with a forbidden royal romance. - How Henry VII built a new age from the ashes of civil war. - How Henry VIII’s obsession for an heir changed faith forever. - How Mary I’s struggle for unity divided a nation. - And how Elizabeth I turned survival into a Golden Age. If you think you know the Tudors, think again. This is your beginner’s guide to the dynasty that changed England forever. #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #TudorDynasty

The Queen’s Hidden Child

2025-11-0708:06

The Mystery of Arthur Dudley A secret heir to the English throne… or one of the cleverest impostors in Tudor history? In 1587, a young Englishman was captured by Spanish sailors off the coast of San Sebastián. He called himself Arthur Dudley, and claimed to be the illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Was he the Virgin Queen’s hidden child, smuggled away in infancy to protect a royal scandal? Or a spy sent by Walsingham’s network on the eve of war with Spain? Join me as I uncover the astonishing story of Arthur Dudley - his confession, his captivity, and the enduring mystery that still haunts Elizabeth’s legend. Listen until the end and decide for yourself: heir, hoax, or Tudor agent? #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #ArthurDudley #TudorMystery #HistoryTok #AnneBoleynFiles #RobertDudley #TheVirginQueen #HistoricalMystery

From the Tower’s Master to Its Prisoner

2025-11-0605:29

On this day in Tudor history, 7th November 1565, Sir Edward Warner, soldier, courtier, Member of Parliament, and twice Lieutenant of the Tower of London, died at his Norfolk home. He was a man who lived at the heart of Tudor politics, serving four monarchs, guarding rebels and queens alike, and somehow surviving the shifting loyalties of an age where one wrong step could mean the scaffold. Warner fought in Scotland, helped defend Norwich during Kett’s Rebellion, and rose high under Edward VI, only to fall when he sided with Lady Jane Grey and the Duke of Northumberland. Under Mary I, he found himself imprisoned in the very Tower he had once commanded. When Elizabeth I came to the throne, his fortunes reversed again, until another scandal erupted involving Lady Katherine Grey, sister of the “Nine Days’ Queen", who somehow became pregnant while in his custody. Sir Edward Warner’s story is one of duty, compassion, and danger, a Tudor survivor who lived through rebellion, imprisonment, and redemption. Join me, Claire Ridgway, as we uncover the life of this remarkable - and often forgotten - man of the Tudor age. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #TowerOfLondon #KatherineGrey #ElizabethI #HenryVIII #AnneBoleynFiles

The Rose and the Lily

2025-11-0505:04

On this day in Tudor history, 6th November 1514, the streets of Paris glittered with banners, music, and colour. Eighteen-year-old Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII, had been crowned Queen of France the day before… and now she was the radiant heart of a lavish royal procession. Imagine it: a fountain flowing with a lily and a rose, pageants of goddesses and virtues, and Mary herself portrayed as the Queen of Sheba — the bringer of peace to France’s King Louis XII. Every display was rich with meaning: divine unity, peace between nations, and the promise of a new era. But behind the splendour lay a fragile truth. Mary’s marriage to Louis would last only a few months before his death, yet for that one November day, she was the embodiment of beauty, hope, and Tudor diplomacy: the rose of England entwined with the lily of France. Join me, Claire Ridgway, as I explore the story of Mary Tudor’s triumphal entry into Paris, a breathtaking moment where art, politics, and pageantry met in perfect harmony. #MaryTudor #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #HenryVIII #QueenOfFrance #TudorDynasty #AnneBoleynFiles

The Gunpowder Plot: How Guy Fawkes Nearly Blew Up Parliament and the King

2025-11-0406:27

“Remember, remember the Fifth of November…” It’s one of the most famous rhymes in English history, but behind the fireworks and bonfires lies a night of terror, faith, and betrayal that almost changed the course of Britain forever. On 5th November 1605, guards discovered Guy Fawkes in the cellars beneath the Palace of Westminster, surrounded by 36 barrels of gunpowder. His mission? To blow up King James I, the royal family, and Parliament in one devastating explosion. In this podcast, I uncover the gripping true story of the Gunpowder Plot — how religious tension, persecution, and broken promises drove a group of young English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby, to plan the ultimate act of treason, and how it all started in Elizabeth i's reign. Discover how: - A secret undercroft was filled with gunpowder right beneath the Lords chamber - A mysterious letter betrayed the plotters’ plan - And how one night’s failure created centuries of tradition, from Bonfire Night to the cry of “Remember, remember the Fifth of November!” Recommended Reading & Viewing: – God’s Traitors by Jessie Childs – Gunpowder (BBC/HBO mini-series, starring Kit Harington) #GuyFawkes #GunpowderPlot #BonfireNight #JamesI #RobertCatesby #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #HistoryExplained #EarlyStuartHistory #TreasonAndPlot

A Tudor Scholar’s Balancing Act

2025-11-0304:33

On this day in Tudor history, 4th November 1551, theologian, royal chaplain, and scholar John Redman, the first Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, died of consumption. Redman was one of Tudor England’s most brilliant and balanced minds, a man who sought to reconcile faith, scholarship, and conscience in an age of division. Serving both Henry VIII and Edward VI, he defended traditional Catholic ideas while embracing elements of reform, earning respect from both sides of the religious divide. In this video, I explore the remarkable life of John Redman - from his early days at Oxford and Cambridge to his roles as Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, royal chaplain, and architect of Tudor theology. Discover how he helped shape the Edwardian Prayer Book, advised the crown on religion, and tried to hold England’s faith together during one of its most turbulent transformations. On This Day in Tudor History brings forgotten Tudor figures back to life. Subscribe and ring the bell for daily stories from the world of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and the people who shaped their age. #TudorHistory #JohnRedman #TrinityCollege #Cambridge #Reformation #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #OnThisDay #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles

The Brilliant Cambridge Scholar History Forgot

2025-11-0205:09

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd November 1568, a remarkable mind was lost to the world of learning. Nicholas Carr, physician, classical scholar, and Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge, died after a lifetime devoted to scholarship and teaching. Though his name is rarely remembered today, Carr stood among the generation of Tudor humanists who kept the flame of classical learning burning, following in the footsteps of John Cheke and Roger Ascham, and ensuring that Greek studies remained central to England’s universities during the Reformation. In this video, I explore Carr’s fascinating life, from his early education under Nicholas Ridley to his fellowship at Trinity College, his writings on learning and reform, and his later work as a physician supporting his family in turbulent times. Carr’s quiet legacy reminds us that not all Tudor influence was forged in courtly intrigue. Love discovering the overlooked figures of Tudor England? Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor stories, and find out more about my forthcoming event, The Other Tudors: The Forgotten Figures Who Shaped a Dynasty: https://claireridgway.com/events/the-other-tudors-the-forgotten-figures-who-shaped-a-dynasty/ #TudorHistory #NicholasCarr #Cambridge #Humanism #TudorScholar #OnThisDay #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles

The Mind Behind the Videos: An Interview with Claire Ridgway

2025-11-0156:05

What inspired me to dedicate my life to Anne Boleyn and the Tudors? Why did I move to Spain? And yes — what do my tattoos mean? In this special behind-the-scenes interview, my husband Tim takes the interviewer’s seat and asks me questions submitted by our amazing YouTube members. From my early fascination with Tudor history to the unexpected journey that led to The Anne Boleyn Files and The Tudor Society, we chat about how a lifelong passion turned into a full-time career sharing history with the world. You’ll also hear about our move to Spain, what village life is really like, how we started our publishing business, and how I balance research, writing, and running online events with everyday life. Expect laughter, honesty, and a few surprises — including stories I’ve never shared publicly before. Member shout-outs: @emilykmichaelwriter, @NYCEllieMonster, @kathrynwicklund5880, @lpatter5440, @carmeloreilly5908, @petricat666, @Elvertaw, @kimcarlisle1510, @Odanti #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #ClaireRidgway #HistoryYouTuber #Interview #BehindTheScenes #TudorSociety #TheAnneBoleynFiles

Did Henry VIII Really Sacrifice Jane Seymour? The Truth Behind the Caesarean Myth

2025-10-3109:20

When Queen Jane Seymour gave birth to Prince Edward on 12th October 1537, and sadly died on 24th October. From celebrations to tragedy in just 12 days. For centuries, a dark rumour has followed this story: that Henry VIII ordered surgeons to cut Jane open to deliver their son, sacrificing his queen for an heir. It’s a tale that fits Henry’s reputation for ruthlessness perfectly… but did it ever happen? In this episode, I dive into the real Tudor evidence — from Nicholas Sander’s anti-Henry propaganda to 17th-century historians and historic ballads — to uncover how this myth was born and why it still persists today. We’ll look at what the contemporary sources actually say, how the story evolved, and why it just can't be true. If you enjoy uncovering myths, scandals, and true stories from Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell, it really helps more people find the channel. And if you missed my podcast, Jane Seymour’s Death – A Deep Dive into the Causes, watch that next for the full medical picture - https://youtu.be/S6pFV6l6Vxg #TudorHistory #JaneSeymour #HenryVIII #TudorEngland #AnneBoleynFiles #HistoryUncovered #TudorMyths #BritishHistory #TrueHistory

What Halloween Was Really Like in Tudor England

2025-10-3005:21

Forget pumpkins and plastic skeletons, in Tudor England, Halloween was sacred. On 31st October, All Hallows’ Eve marked the start of Hallowtide, a three-day festival blending pagan Samhain customs with Christian devotion: - All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) – ringing bells, lighting bonfires, wearing masks to ward off spirits, and “souling” for cakes to pray for the dead. - All Saints’ Day (1 November) – honouring every saint and martyr in heaven. - All Souls’ Day (2 November) – remembering all the departed, especially those in Purgatory. In this episode, I step back into Tudor England to uncover: - The origins of apple bobbing and “Nutcrack Night” - How souling became the forerunner of trick-or-treating - Why Hallowtide was both festive and deeply spiritual, a time to bridge the worlds of the living and the dead So if you’ve ever wondered what Halloween meant before horror films and sweets, this is the story of how the Tudors honoured the dead, celebrated life, and kept the darkness at bay. #Halloween #TudorHistory #HalloweenHistory #Hallowtide #OnThisDay #AllHallowsEve #AllSaintsDay #AllSoulsDay #AnneBoleynFiles

Did Elizabeth I Have a Secret Baby? Roger Ascham’s 1566 Letter Examined

2025-10-2908:16

On this day in Tudor history, 30th October 1566, Queen Elizabeth I’s former tutor, Roger Ascham, wrote her a long, heartfelt letter of praise and moral guidance. Centuries later, this same letter would be twisted into something sensational, supposed proof that Elizabeth secretly married Robert Dudley and bore a child… the future philosopher Francis Bacon. But what did Ascham actually write? And how did a pious letter about kingship, learning, and virtue become “evidence” for a royal scandal? In this episode, I uncover: - Who Roger Ascham really was — Elizabeth’s beloved tutor and humanist scholar - What his 1566 letter truly says (and doesn’t say) - How Victorian writers and Baconian theorists turned scripture into scandal - Why the so-called “secret pregnancy” theory falls apart when you read the text Ascham’s Divae Elizabethae isn’t confession or gossip, it’s devotion: a dying scholar’s tribute to the queen he’d once taught. So let’s separate Tudor truth from centuries of speculation. Listen now to discover why this misunderstood letter reveals more about our obsession with the Virgin Queen’s image than about her real life. #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #RogerAscham #RobertDudley #FrancisBacon #TudorMyths #HistoryDebunked #AnneBoleynFiles

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