Podcast
Tudor History with Claire Ridgway
Hosted by Claire Ridgway · EN
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.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Gossip, the Murmuring, the Speed: Henry VIII and Jane Seymour in 1536
1w ago00:08:56Tap to summarizeOn 20th May 1536, just one day after Anne Boleyn’s execution, Henry VIII became formally betrothed to Jane Seymour. Even by Tudor standards, many saw the speed of the relationship as shocking and unseemly. In this off-the-cuff video, I explore the gossip and murmuring at court following Anne’s fall, ask why Henry was in such a desperate hurry, and consider whether fears of pregnancy may have played a role. I also reflect on what the atmosphere at court must have been like after the sudden destruction of the Boleyn faction — Anne gone, George Boleyn dead, courtiers executed, and two men still imprisoned in the Tower. How did people react? What did they really think? And what did this sudden betrothal reveal about Henry VIII? #HenryVIII #JaneSeymour #AnneBoleyn #TudorHistory #Tudors #OnThisDay #History
Transcribe →Who Killed the Princes in the Tower? One of History's Greatest Mysteries
3w ago00:26:10Tap to summarizeTwo young princes vanished inside the Tower of London, and history has never agreed on what happened next. In 1483, Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, disappeared from public view after their uncle seized the throne as King Richard III. Were they murdered? If so, who was responsible? For centuries, suspicion has fallen on Richard III, but was the case really that simple? In this video, I explore: • the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower • Richard III and the evidence against him • the role of Buckingham, Henry VII, and Margaret Beaufort • medieval politics and rival claimants • Thomas More and the James Tyrell confession story • the mystery of Perkin Warbeck and survival theories • the bones discovered in the Tower of London • what contemporary sources actually tell us Was this a royal murder, a political conspiracy, or one of history’s greatest misunderstandings? Let me know your theory in the comments. #PrincesInTheTower #RichardIII #WarsOfTheRoses
Transcribe →The Wars of the Roses Explained | The Civil War That Created the Tudors
4w ago00:23:34Tap to summarizeKings were overthrown, noble families destroyed, princes vanished, and England descended into decades of civil war. In this Beginner’s Guide to the Wars of the Roses, I explore the dynastic conflict between the rival houses of Lancaster and York, a struggle that would bring down the Plantagenets and pave the way for the Tudor dynasty. From the weak reign of Henry VI and the rise of Richard, Duke of York, to the battles of St Albans, Towton, Barnet, and Tewkesbury, this video untangles the complex family rivalries, political tensions, betrayals, and battles that shaped fifteenth-century England. We’ll also explore: - Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou - Richard Neville “the Kingmaker” - Edward IV and the Woodvilles - The Princes in the Tower - Richard III’s rise to power - Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne Whether you’re completely new to the Wars of the Roses or looking for a clear overview before diving deeper into Tudor history, my hope is that this guide will help you understand one of the most dramatic periods in English history. #WarsoftheRoses #RichardIII #HenryVI #EdwardIV #TudorHistory #Plantagenets #HistoryDocumentary
Transcribe →Did Anne Boleyn really marry Henry VIII twice?
Apr 2300:17:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of my Anne Boleyn series, we explore one of the most fascinating and controversial moments in Tudor history, the possibility of a secret marriage in November 1532, followed by a formal wedding in January 1533, all before the king’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon had been officially annulled. After years of frustration during the Great Matter, Henry stopped waiting for Rome and began acting on what he believed to be the truth: that his first marriage was invalid in the eyes of God. But why the urgency? What changed after the Calais meeting with Francis I of France? And how did these secret decisions lead to one of the most spectacular coronations England had ever seen? In this video, we examine: The evidence for a possible November 1532 marriage The well-attested January 1533 wedding at Whitehall Anne Boleyn’s pregnancy and the question of legitimacy The final resolution of the Great Matter under Thomas Cranmer The pageantry, symbolism, and political messaging of Anne’s coronation After years of struggle, delay, and risk, Anne Boleyn was finally queen. Read more on this topic: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/14-november-1532-first-secret-marriage/ https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/25-january-1533-marriage-of-henry-viii-and-anne-boleyn/ Watch the full Anne Boleyn series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrK-zOYsEHo618JwNPMyOK6M #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #BritishHistory #HistoryDocumentary #HistoryYouTube #RoyalHistory #TheTudors #ElizabethI #HistoryLovers
Transcribe →Henry VIII’s Most Powerful Courtier? His Toilet Attendant
Apr 1700:05:44Tap to summarizeWhat if one of the most powerful men in Tudor England was responsible for helping the king go to the toilet? It sounds like the lowest of the low, but the Groom of the Stool was anything but a menial servant. In fact, this role placed a man at the very heart of royal power. In this video, I explore the surprisingly influential position of the Groom of the Stool under Henry VIII. From managing the king’s private chambers and personal belongings to controlling the privy purse and overseeing daily finances, this role was built on trust, access, and intimacy. And in the Tudor court, access to the monarch meant influence. Men like William Compton and Henry Norris held this office, men who weren’t just attendants, but key figures in the political world surrounding the king. I also look at how queens such as Mary I of England and Elizabeth I relied on their own trusted attendants for similarly intimate roles. #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #RoyalHistory #HistoryExplained #BritishHistory #AnneBoleyn #HistoryFacts #Tudors #HistoryChannel #OnThisDay
Transcribe →Henry VIII Used the Bible to Justify His Annulment… But Was He Wrong?
Apr 1200:06:24Tap to summarizeDid Henry VIII really have a biblical reason to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon… or was he interpreting scripture to suit his own desires? In this video, we explore the religious argument at the heart of the King’s Great Matter: Henry VIII’s claim that his marriage was against God’s law. Using Leviticus 20:21, Henry argued that marrying his brother’s widow brought divine punishment. But there’s a problem: his marriage wasn’t childless, and his queen strongly denied ever being truly his brother’s wife. We’ll also examine the apparent contradiction in Deuteronomy 25:5, which seems to command the very marriage Henry claimed was sinful. So were these verses truly in conflict? Did Leviticus really take precedence? Or was this a matter of interpretation and power? We’ll also explore the role of canon law, papal authority, and the irony of Henry later marrying Anne Boleyn after a relationship with her sister. This isn’t just a theological debate. It’s the moment a personal crisis became a religious revolution. Watch my full episode: The Six-Year Wait: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Great Matter (1527–1533) https://youtu.be/rVVoxkGSz0o If you enjoy Tudor history, don’t forget to subscribe - I’m working towards 100,000 subscribers this year! #HenryVIII #AnneBoleyn #CatherineOfAragon #GreatMatter #TudorHistory #BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #HistoryYouTube #Reformation #RoyalHistory #HistoryNerd #HistoryChannel #LearnHistory
Transcribe →The Six-Year Wait: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Great Matter (1527–1533)
Apr 700:28:48Tap to summarizeAnne Boleyn said yes to Henry VIII in 1527, but she didn’t become his queen until 1533. Why did it take six years? In this video, I explore the dramatic and complex story of Henry VIII’s “Great Matter” - his attempt to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. What began as a question of conscience soon spiralled into an international crisis involving the Pope, Emperor Charles V, and the balance of power in Europe. We’ll look at: Henry VIII’s biblical arguments Catherine of Aragon’s powerful resistance The Legatine Court at Blackfriars and its dramatic collapse The downfall of Cardinal Wolsey The influence of reformist ideas and Anne Boleyn’s role in shaping them The shift from papal authority to royal supremacy Anne’s rise in status, including her creation as Marquess of Pembroke The 1532 Calais meeting with Francis I And the intriguing possibility of a secret marriage before 1533 This wasn’t just a royal annulment; it was the beginning of a chain of events that would lead to England breaking with Rome and change the course of English history forever. And Anne Boleyn? She wasn’t simply waiting in the wings. This video explores how she was far more involved, informed, and influential than many people realise. What do you think: Was Henry driven by genuine religious conviction, or by his desire to marry Anne Boleyn? This is part of my Anne Boleyn series, which you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrK-zOYsEHo618JwNPMyOK6M #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #GreatMatter #TudorHistory #CatherineOfAragon #EnglishReformation #BritishHistory #HistoryYouTube #HistoryExplained #Tudors
Transcribe →From Empty Tomb to Easter Feast: Easter Sunday in Tudor Times
Apr 400:04:20Tap to summarizeEaster Sunday marks one of the most important moments in Christian history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this video, I explore the events of that first Easter morning through the Gospel of John, including Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb and her powerful encounter with the risen Christ. I also share a passage from William Tyndale's Bible, a version of the New Testament that brought these words to English readers in the 16th century. But how was Easter Sunday celebrated in Tudor England? From darkened churches being filled with light again, to the opening of the Easter sepulchre and joyful feasting after Lent, this video looks at both the spiritual meaning of Easter and the traditions that surrounded it. We also explore the symbolism that continues today, from roast lamb to Easter eggs, all reflecting themes of resurrection, renewal, and hope. Do you celebrate Easter? I’d love to hear your traditions in the comments. #EasterSunday #EasterHistory #ChristianHistory #TudorHistory #Resurrection #OnThisDay #BibleHistory #EasterTraditions
Transcribe →The Dark Side of Elizabeth I’s Golden Age (What They Don’t Tell You)
Apr 300:07:41Tap to summarizeElizabeth I’s reign is often remembered as a Golden Age, a time of stability, cultural flourishing, and triumph over the Spanish Armada. But was it really golden for everyone? In this video, I go beyond the myth to explore the realities beneath the surface of Elizabeth I’s England, because while this period brought opportunity and power for some, for others it was marked by poverty, conflict, and fear. We’ll look at: The growing gap between rich and poor Rising inflation, poor harvests, and economic hardship The devastating impact of war in Ireland England’s early involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, including the voyages of John Hawkins The increasing danger faced by Catholics after Elizabeth’s excommunication This is not about dismissing Elizabeth’s achievements, but about understanding the full picture of her reign. Watch next: My video on Elizabeth's Golden Age and why she's seen by many as England's greatest monarch - https://youtu.be/0rEsyt_7PHE Let me know in the comments: Do you think Elizabeth’s reign deserves to be called a Golden Age? #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #Tudors #GoldenAge #HistoryMatters #WomensHistory #EarlyModernHistory
Transcribe →Good Friday in Tudor England: Ritual, Power, and the Reformation
Apr 200:07:49Tap to summarizeGood Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a moment at the heart of the Christian faith, remembered as the ultimate act of sacrifice and redemption. But how was Good Friday marked in Tudor England? In this video, I explore both the meaning of Good Friday and the powerful, physical rituals that shaped its observance in medieval and Tudor times. From the biblical account of Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate and crucifixion at Calvary, to the dramatic church practices of the period, including the Easter Sepulchre and the deeply symbolic ceremony of “creeping to the cross”. By the reign of Henry VIII, even the monarch took part in these rituals, approaching the cross on his knees in an act of humility. But the Reformation brought change and controversy. Under Edward VI, such practices were abolished, only to be restored with intensity under Mary I of England, whose Good Friday ceremonies also included the blessing of cramp rings and the royal healing touch. With the reign of Elizabeth I, these traditions were once again swept away, reflecting the shifting religious landscape of the Tudor period. This is a glimpse into a world where faith was not just believed, it was expressed physically, emotionally, and publicly, by both ordinary people and monarchs. How is Good Friday marked where you are? Let me know in the comments. #TudorHistory #GoodFriday #HenryVIII #MaryTudor #ElizabethI #BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #Reformation #Easter #OnThisDay
Transcribe →