When you think of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, you imagine power, influence, and unwavering loyalty to Henry VIII. But behind the grandeur of Tudor politics lies a secret life filled with intrigue and scandal. Did you know that Wolsey, the Church’s highest-ranking official, had a mistress and two children? Who was the mysterious Mistress Larke? What bec…

Imagine this—England’s most infamous king is dead. His nine-year-old son is set to inherit the throne, but behind closed doors, a secretive power struggle is already unfolding. For three days, Henry VIII’s death was kept hidden while his advisors scrambled to secure control. Enter Edward Seymour, the young king’s ambitious uncle. As Henry VIII’s bo…

When we think of Catherine of Aragon, we think of a pious and dignified queen—but did you know that, before she even married Henry VIII, she was at the centre of a royal scandal? - Her confessor, Fray Diego Fernández, became more than just her spiritual advisor. - His influence over her raised eyebrows, sparked gossip, and even angered kings. - Was…

A daring conspiracy. A near-catastrophic explosion. A brutal punishment. The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is one of history’s most infamous assassination attempts—but it wasn’t just Guy Fawkes who paid the price. On this day in 1606, four of his fellow conspirators met a gruesome end at St Paul’s Churchyard. Their execution was a chilling warning to all …

On this day in Tudor history, Queen Anne Boleyn suffered a devastating miscarriage, on the very same day her predecessor, Catherine of Aragon, was laid to rest. This wasn’t just a personal tragedy for Anne—it was a turning point that left her dangerously vulnerable. Without the male heir Henry VIII so desperately craved, and with Catherine gone, An…

The Story of Three Kings 28th January is a date packed with significance for the Tudors—marking the birth of Henry VII, the death of Henry VIII, and the accession of Edward VI. From Henry VII’s rise from exile to establish the Tudor dynasty, to Henry VIII’s dramatic reign that forever changed England, and Edward VI’s short but impactful time as the…

What would you do if your beliefs could cost you your life? On this day in 1556, Protestant lawyer Bartholomew Green faced that exact question—and paid the ultimate price. Burned at the stake at Smithfield alongside six others, Green’s story is one of unshakable faith, courage, and defiance in the face of Queen Mary I’s brutal crackdown on Protesta…

This tiny mother-of-pearl ring, once owned by Elizabeth I, holds a fascinating secret. Inside its locket are two miniature portraits: one of the queen herself and the other of a woman in 1530s fashion wearing a French hood. But who is this mysterious figure? Could it be Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn? Or perhaps her stepmother, Catherine Parr? Som…

It sounds like something out of a Tudor drama—an archbishop sneaking his wife across England in a ventilated chest! But is there any truth to this wild claim? Join me as we uncover the fascinating story of Thomas Cranmer and his secret marriage to Margarete, the niece of a Lutheran preacher. How did they keep their union hidden during a time when c…

When Henry VIII sought to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn became the focus of court gossip, religious upheaval, and shocking accusations. Catherine herself called Anne “the great scandal of Christendom,” but was she truly deserving of that title? From forbidden romances and court scandals to her controversial rise as queen an…

On this day in Tudor history, 24th January 1502, King Henry VII and King James IV of Scotland signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace—a bold agreement to end centuries of conflict between England and Scotland. This treaty promised "good, real, and sincere peace… to last all time coming" and was sealed with a royal marriage: Margaret Tudor and James IV…

On this day in history, 23rd January 1570, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray and regent for King James VI, was assassinated—the first head of government in history to be killed by a firearm. Discover how Moray, the illegitimate son of a king and half-brother to Mary, Queen of Scots, rose to power, ruled during turbulent times, and met a tragic end a…

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, ruled England as Lord Protector during Edward VI's reign, wielding power like a king—but his story ended on the scaffold. From his meteoric rise as Henry VIII's trusted brother-in-law and a staunch Protestant reformer to the catastrophic rebellions and political rivalries that sealed his fate, Somerset's journey is…

Eustace Chapuys—diplomat, protector, and Mary I’s unsung hero. When Princess Mary was declared illegitimate, banished, and threatened by her own father, Chapuys stood by her side. From daring escape plans to life-saving advice, he risked everything to keep her safe. How far would you go to save a princess in peril? Discover the incredible story of …

On this day in Tudor history, 20th January 1558, Queen Mary I opened her fifth Parliament—a moment steeped in political tension, personal heartbreak, and the shadow of impending loss. By this point in her reign, Mary was facing immense challenges, and this Parliament marked one of her final public appearances. But Mary’s legacy is far more complex …

Thomas More knew the risks of serving King Henry VIII—but he chose to serve him anyway. Why? Join me as we uncover the fascinating story of More’s rise as Lord Chancellor, his sharp insight into Henry’s dangerous nature, and the principles that ultimately led to his tragic end. Was he a loyal servant or a man who couldn’t abandon his convictions? D…

Did King Henry VIII’s carol “Green Groweth the Holly” carry a hidden message of love for Catherine of Aragon? Or was it simply a poetic exercise? That's the question I'm answering in my new Sunday Quick Q&A! This beautiful Tudor-era song is filled with symbolism—holly and ivy, fidelity and love—but who was it really for? Published in 1522, the lyri…

The Clockmaker Bartholomew Newsam What if I told you that a forgotten Tudor craftsman helped keep Queen Elizabeth I’s court running on time? Bartholomew Newsam (Newsum) wasn’t a noble, a soldier, or a politician—he was a clockmaker. But in Tudor England, clocks weren’t just practical devices—they were symbols of power, status, and prestige. And New…

Imagine being the one person entrusted to deliver the most terrifying news to the most powerful king in English history. Anthony Denny wasn’t a nobleman or a great warrior—he was a trusted confidant of Henry VIII. As Groom of the Stool, Keeper of the Privy Purse, and holder of the king’s dry stamp, Denny had intimate access to the king, power over …

Jane Dudley and the Fall of the Dudley Dynasty What happens when you’re married to one of the most powerful men in England—only to see it all come crashing down? Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland, lived through a series of devastating events that could have destroyed her. She saw her family rise to incredible heights and then fall dramatically…

What happens when a Tudor princess defies royal duty, breaks all the rules, and marries for love? Scandal, outrage, and the fury of two kings! On this day in Tudor history, 14th January 1515, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was sent to France on a mission to bring the recently widowed Mary Tudor, Queen of France, back to England. But instead of f…

What if I told you that one of Queen Mary I’s closest confidantes defied Queen Elizabeth I, became a leader of Catholic exiles in Spain, and even tried to influence the future of the English throne? Meet Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria—a woman who lived between two worlds: Tudor England and Catholic Spain. Loyal to Mary I until the end, Jane didn’t f…

How William Howard Survived Tudor England The Tudor court was a treacherous place where even the slightest misstep could cost you your head. For William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, survival wasn’t just luck—it was a carefully calculated game of loyalty, adaptability, and knowing when to keep quiet. On this day in Tudor history, 12th Janu…

What if printing a book could cost you your life? In Tudor England, it could—and it did. On 11th January 1584, William Carter, a Catholic printer, was brutally executed for treason after publishing a book that allegedly encouraged the assassination of Queen Elizabeth I. But was he really a traitor—or simply a man of faith in the wrong place at the …

What if Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days Queen, had been born a boy—Lord John Grey? Would England’s history have been completely rewritten? In 1553, the Protestant King Edward VI skipped over his Catholic sister Mary and named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his successor. But imagine if Jane had been a male heir instead. Would Mary have still managed to…

In 1513, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk—Henry VIII’s best friend and notorious rogue—caused an international incident by flirting with Margaret of Austria, a duchess and regent of the Habsburg Netherlands. It all started as innocent courtly love, but Brandon took things too far when he stole a ring from Margaret's finger and refused to return it.…

In 1493, Christopher Columbus recorded a bizarre sighting in his journal: his crew claimed to have seen three mermaids rise out of the sea! But instead of the beautiful creatures of legend, they described them as having "masculine traits" and looking far less attractive than expected. But Columbus wasn’t alone in these strange sightings. Throughout…

In 1499, King Louis XII of France had his 22-year marriage annulled to marry Anne of Brittany, one of the most powerful women in Europe. But what drove Louis to discard his first wife, Queen Joan (Jeanne) of France, after more than two decades of marriage? This is a story of royal scheming, political marriages, and a forgotten queen who would go on…

What do Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and the Tower of London have in common? Balthasar Guercy, an Italian physician who served both queens—and found himself imprisoned for his controversial beliefs. Originally from Milan, Guercy rose to prominence at the Tudor court, healing some of the most powerful figures of the day. But in 1543, he was arr…

Kidnapping, violence, treason… Not exactly what you'd expect from the man behind one of the most influential literary works of Elizabethan England! But George Puttenham’s life was anything but ordinary. On 6 January 1591, Puttenham was laid to rest, yet the scandals surrounding him remain unforgettable. From kidnapping a teenage girl to accusations…

Was Catherine de' Medici truly the sinister puppet master behind a seductive squad of spies, or has history been far too cruel to this powerful queen? Dive into the fascinating—and often misunderstood—life of the woman who ruled France from the shadows and shaped a turbulent era. On 5 January 1589, Catherine de' Medici, Queen Consort and Queen Rege…

On this day in Tudor history, 4th January 1519, reformer Martin Luther met with papal envoy Karl von Miltitz in an attempt to reconcile with the Catholic Church. But could Luther, the man who sparked the Reformation with his Ninety-Five Theses, truly stay silent on indulgences and corruption? Witness the pivotal moment that led to his excommunicati…

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd January 1590, Robert Boyd, 5th Lord Boyd, passed away at Kilmarnock. This Scottish nobleman played a key role in the turbulent politics of Mary, Queen of Scots' reign and beyond. Once a supporter of Mary, Boyd later opposed her marriage to Lord Darnley, participated in rebellion, and even became entangled in the mu…

On this day in Tudor history, 2nd January 1554, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger and Sir Peter Carew were summoned to face Queen Mary I's privy council. The reason? Whispers of a bold plot to stop her marriage to Philip of Spain. Their conspiracy aimed to replace Mary with her half-sister, Elizabeth, in a coup that spiralled into rebellion. But who bet…

On this day in Tudor history, 1st January 1515, King Louis XII of France passed away at just 52 years old, less than three months into his marriage to the young and vibrant Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII. Was his death due to illness or, as the French people whispered, the toll of overexerting himself in hopes of securing an heir? 🕊️ This st…

Think Henry VII was just a penny-pinching miser? Think again! Dive into the hidden world of this Tudor monarch’s extravagant celebrations, complete with castles on wheels, knights, dragons, and pageantry fit for royalty. From dazzling Christmas revels to the legendary wedding of Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon, discover a side of Henry VII yo…

Who was Henry VII, and how did he change history forever? From his stunning victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field to his clever handling of rebellious pretenders and the economy, this video answers the top 10 most frequently asked questions about the first Tudor king. Discover how he united England, secured the Tudor dynasty, and left a legacy th…

Was Henry VIII a bold leader steering England through turbulent times, or a cruel tyrant driven by greed and paranoia? ⚔️ From his six ill-fated marriages to his brutal purges and shocking betrayals, I uncover the chilling truths behind one of history’s most infamous kings. 🏰 Discover how he shaped a nation—and destroyed lives along the way. Do we …

Henry VIII: A king of contradictions. Was he a visionary reformer, a ruthless tyrant, or both? 🤔 From his six wives and the break with Rome to his dramatic legacy, I’m tackling the top 10 questions about England's most infamous monarch. 💡 Why did he have so many wives? 💡 Who was his favorite? 💡 And why did he break from the Catholic Church? Whether…

Dive into the drama, controversy, and historical twists of Firebrand, the much-anticipated film starring Jude Law as Henry VIII and Alicia Vikander as Catherine Parr. Based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s The Queen’s Gambit, this gripping retelling reimagines Catherine Parr’s life in bold and unexpected ways. But how much of it is rooted in truth? 🤔 Join …

Queen Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth and final wife, lived a remarkable life—but her story didn’t end with her death. What followed was a shocking posthumous journey marked by centuries of neglect, gruesome discoveries, and astonishing disrespect. 🏰 From her peaceful burial at Sudeley Castle to being unearthed, inspected, and even mistreated, h…

You’ve seen my videos, read my articles, and maybe even own one of my books—but who am I? Who is Claire Ridgway? Discover the woman behind The Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society! In this video, I’ll answer your most-asked questions about my work, my research process, my inspiration, and why Anne Boleyn has me hooked. Whether you’re a longtime Tudo…

Did Henry VIII’s sixth wife narrowly escape the fate of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard? Catherine Parr faced dangerous accusations, court intrigue, and a plot that had the king’s own signature attached. How did this intelligent and courageous queen outwit her enemies and save her life? Join me as we unravel this gripping Tudor tale of survival, s…

Think you know everything about Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife? Think again! 📖✨ From being the first queen to publish books under her own name to her near brush with execution, Catherine’s story is packed with surprising twists. How many times was she married? Did she have children? What role did she play in the Reformation? And …

Was Henry VIII’s young queen really guilty of adultery, or was her fate sealed by mere suspicions and intent? Catherine Howard’s tragic story is often overshadowed by tales of infidelity and scandal, but the truth may be far more complex. In this video, we’ll dive into the evidence surrounding her alleged affair with Thomas Culpeper, explore her me…

Welcome to a journey through the life of Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard! 🌹 Often remembered for her youthful charm and tragic end, there's so much more to her story than what’s often portrayed. In today’s video, I’m diving into ten of the most-searched questions about this ill-fated queen. From her relationship with Henry VIII to the sca…

Was Anne of Cleves Henry VIII's Luckiest Queen? 🤔 When Anne of Cleves arrived in England to marry King Henry VIII, few could have predicted the twists in her royal story. From the ill-fated first encounter with her future husband to her unexpected survival in a court full of dangers, Anne's tale is one of resilience, diplomacy, and surprising fortu…

Curious about Anne of Cleves? She's the queen who defied the odds—and Henry VIII! Known as the "King's Beloved Sister," Anne of Cleves only reigned as queen for a brief six months, but her life story is packed with fascinating details and lingering questions. In this talk, I dive into 10 must-know FAQs about the queen who charmed Henry and then cho…

Have you always believed that Jane Seymour was the key reason Henry VIII reconciled with his estranged daughter, Lady Mary, who would later become Mary I? Think again! The story behind their reunion is far more complex than the popular version you've heard. In this talk, I’ll be revealing the truth behind this enduring myth, and you'll discover tha…

Who was Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's 'beloved' queen? Was she the King's favourite? Did she play a part in shaping the English Reformation? And what was her connection to the future Queen Elizabeth I? In this video, we dive into the frequently asked questions about Jane Seymour, the quiet yet pivotal third wife of Henry VIII. From her rise to queensh…