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?

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