Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

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.

  1. 4D AGO

    Anne Boleyn’s Last 18 Days: The Fall That Shocked Tudor England

    In May 1536, Anne Boleyn went from Queen of England to execution in just eighteen days. It remains one of the most shocking political collapses in English history - a moment that destroyed families, reshaped the Tudor court, and sent shockwaves across Europe. Having researched Anne Boleyn’s life and fall since 2009, I still find these events deeply affecting. Each return to the primary sources - letters, trial records, ambassadorial reports and eyewitness accounts - raises the same question:  Was Anne Boleyn’s fall truly a tragedy… or had her fate already been decided? To mark the 490th anniversary, I’m hosting a live anniversary intensive exploring Anne Boleyn’s final weeks through contemporary evidence and Tudor political reality. If you’d like to study these events in depth with me, you can find full details here: https://claireridgway.com/events/last-18/ Early Bird Offer ends 27 February Use code AB2026 for $20 off. Thank you for supporting my work and for continuing to explore Tudor history with me.

    5 min

  2. 5D AGO

    The Secret Promise, The Poet, and the Myths: Anne Boleyn Before Henry VIII

    In 1522, Anne Boleyn returned to the English court, and within a few years, she was already at the centre of political tension, whispered promises, and poetic legend. Long before Henry VIII began his pursuit, Anne was linked to two influential men: Henry Percy, heir to the Earl of Northumberland, and Sir Thomas Wyatt, courtier and poet. Did Anne Boleyn and Henry Percy secretly promise to marry? Was there a binding precontract, something that, under Tudor canon law, could have invalidated a later royal marriage? Why did Cardinal Wolsey intervene? And what really lies behind Wyatt’s famous poem “Whoso List to Hunt” and its haunting line: “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am”? In this episode, I explore: Anne Boleyn’s place in the Tudor marriage market The political implications of a precontract The Cavendish account of Percy and Anne The later denials in 1532 and 1536 The myths surrounding Thomas Wyatt The Spanish Chronicle story How Anne’s reputation began forming long before she became queen Subscribe for more Tudor history deep dives, myth-busting, and documentary-style episodes on Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII, and the Tudor court.    #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HenryPercy #ThomasWyatt #HenryVIII

    25 min

  3. FEB 13

    Mary I’s Pregnancies Explained: London Celebrated a Prince… But There Was No Baby

    In 1555, London celebrated the birth of a prince. Church bells rang. Te Deums were sung. Birth announcements were prepared. Only… there was no baby. Mary I didn’t just believe she was pregnant, she showed physical signs.   But there was no baby. In this video, I take a closer look at Mary I’s two mysterious pregnancies - in 1554–55 and again in 1557–58 - and explore what may really have happened. Was it: • A genuine but failed pregnancy? • A phantom pregnancy (pseudocyesis) brought on by immense pressure to produce an heir? • Or something medical - possibly a pituitary tumour, as suggested by Milo Keynes? I examine the historical evidence, contemporary reports, Mary’s long-standing health issues, and the medical theories that may explain her symptoms: missed periods, milk secretion, abdominal swelling, headaches, failing eyesight, depression, and confusion in her final year. If you haven’t yet watched my full Beginner’s Guide to Mary I, I recommend starting there for the wider context of her life and reign - https://youtu.be/P_HVywkSww0 If you enjoy thoughtful, evidence-based deep dives into Tudor lives and mysteries, don’t forget to subscribe. #MaryI #BloodyMary #TudorHistory #PhantomPregnancy #Tudors #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #BritishHistory #WomenInHistory #HistoryExplained

    10 min

  4. FEB 10

    The Truth Behind “Bloody Mary” - A Beginner’s Guide

    When you hear the name Mary I, you probably hear one phrase: “Bloody Mary”. A queen of fire and fear. A religious fanatic. A failure compared to Elizabeth I. But that version of Mary is a shortcut, and it isn’t good history. Before the burnings, Mary was Henry VIII’s celebrated heir. A princess educated to rule. A woman who endured humiliation, illegitimacy, and political coercion, and survived. In 1553, when Edward VI died and her succession was challenged, England rallied behind her. She became the first woman to rule England in her own right. In this Beginner’s Guide to Mary I, we explore: • Her celebrated birth in 1516 • The trauma of her parents’ annulment • Her years of resistance under Henry VIII • Her open defiance under Edward VI • How she won the throne in 1553 • What she actually tried to achieve as queen • The context and consequences of the Marian burnings Yes, we discuss the burnings. But in context, not isolation. Mary was not a caricature. She was a politically intelligent, legally minded, deeply devout Tudor shaped by fear, faith, and survival. If you think you know Mary I… think again. Recommended reading: Linda Porter - The Myth of "Bloody Mary": The First Queen of England Anna Whitelock - Mary Tudor Princess, Bastard, Queen Melita Thomas - The King's Pearl Research by Johanna Strong & Peter Stiffell - Google them! Or access talks by them, Melita Thomas, Linda Porter and more in my Discovering Mary I course - https://claireridgway.com/history-event-archive/discovering-mary-i-instant-access-replay/ I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and this is part of my Beginner’s Guide series exploring Tudor lives and turning points in depth. If you enjoy serious, nuanced Tudor history, don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications, there’s much more to come. #MaryI #BloodyMary #TudorHistory #HistoryExplained #WomenInHistory #HenryVIII #ElizabethI #EnglishReformation

    38 min

  5. FEB 7

    Mary Boleyn’s Lost Years (1513–1522): What the Sources Actually Say

    What really happened during Mary Boleyn’s lost years? Between 1513 and 1522, Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn, slips in and out of the historical record, leaving behind one of the most debated gaps in Tudor history. Over time, that silence has been filled with confident claims: that she served Queen Catherine of Aragon, that she was present at court throughout the period, and most famously, that she was the mistress of King Francis I of France. But how much of this is supported by actual evidence, and how much is repeated assumption? In this video,I take a careful, source-led look at Mary Boleyn’s so-called “lost years,” separating what can be proven, what can be reasonably inferred, and what needs to stop being stated as fact. You’ll discover: • What we really know about Mary Boleyn’s time in France • Where the claim that she slept with Francis I comes from, and why it’s problematic • Why later hostile sources shaped Mary’s reputation • The evidence for Mary’s relationship with Henry VIII • Why 1522 is a convenient but misleading turning point • How Mary Boleyn’s life highlights the gaps in how women appear in Tudor records #MaryBoleyn #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #TudorCourt #RoyalMistress #HistoryDebunked #TudorMyths #WomenInHistory #BritishHistory #EarlyModernHistory

    18 min

  6. FEB 3

    Anne Boleyn’s Lost Future: The Marriage She Almost Had

    When Anne Boleyn returned to England from France in late 1521, she wasn’t coming back for love, ambition, or a crown. She was being recalled for politics. Her return was prompted not by royal interest, but by a proposed marriage, a diplomatic solution to a dangerous inheritance dispute in Ireland. If that plan had gone ahead, Anne might have become Countess of Ormond, living at Kilkenny Castle. No queenship. No religious revolution. No execution at the Tower of London. In this episode of my Anne Boleyn series, I explore: Why Anne was recalled from France The Ormond inheritance dispute and Tudor Ireland The political marriage planned between Anne and James Butler How marriage functioned as a tool of Tudor diplomacy Anne’s return to court and her first public appearance at Château Vert Why this moment is not the start of a royal love story with Henry VIII Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss the next episode in this series. For printable resources, a monthly Tudor magazine, and members-only Zoom discussions, check out my YouTube channel memberships. #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #TudorCourt #WomensHistory #HistoryDocumentary #BritishHistory #TudorEngland #HiddenHistory #AnneBoleynSeries

    26 min

  7. JAN 30

    The Strangest Tudor Cures (And the Ones That Actually Worked) - A Beginner’s Guide to Tudor Medicine

    Hare brains. Hedgehog testicles. Mouse skin. Live pigeons. Tudor remedies are famous for sounding grotesque, and ridiculous. But were they really nonsense? In this second part of A Beginner’s Guide to Tudor Medicine, we explore the strangest cures of the sixteenth century, and uncover the surprising truth: some of them actually worked. You’ll learn: – Why remedies were designed to move “imbalances” through the body – Which Tudor treatments are still used today – How honey, wine, moss, leeches, and maggots became modern medicine – The extraordinary 9th century eye remedy that kills MRSA Tudor healers did not have microscopes or germ theory. But they observed, tested, and remembered. And in doing so, they laid foundations we are still building on today. #TudorHistory #WeirdHistory #MedicalHistory #StrangeButTrue #HistoryFacts #TudorMedicine #OldCures #Leeches #MedievalMedicine #DidYouKnow #HistoryEducation

    8 min

  8. JAN 26

    Tudor Medicine Wasn’t Stupid, It Was a System

    Imagine waking in Tudor England with a fever and no paracetamol, no antibiotics, and no doctor to call. In this first part of A Beginner’s Guide to Tudor Medicine, we step inside the Tudor worldview,  a world where illness was not an enemy to be fought, but a sign of imbalance within the body. You’ll discover: – The theory of the Four Humours – How personality, seasons, and health were linked – Why bloodletting made sense – How astrology shaped medical treatment – What it really meant to “heal” in the sixteenth century Tudor medicine was not random superstition. It was a coherent system, built on centuries of observation and experience. In Part 2, we’ll explore the strangest Tudor cures, and the ones that actually worked.   #TudorHistory #TudorMedicine #HistoryExplained #HistoryTok #LearnHistory #MedicalHistory #EarlyModern #SixteenthCentury #FourHumours #HistoryEducation #WomensHistory #LifeInThePast #TudorLife

    15 min
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4.7
out of 5
71 Ratings

About

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.

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