In 1590, Catholic gentleman John Hocknell — imprisoned in Chester Castle for his faith — didn’t die of plague, hunger, or age. 
He was murdered… by his own gaoler. 
The weapon? A pitchfork. 
The killer? The castle’s underkeeper, i.e. Hocknell's gaoler. 
 
In this episode of Tudor True Crime, I, historian and author Claire Ridgway, uncover the shocking story of Hocknell’s repeated imprisonments for recusancy, his bizarre brush with “false prophecies,” and the brutal killing that cut his life short just months before his release. 
 
We’ll explore:
<ul>
<li>What life was like for Catholic recusants in Elizabeth I’s reign</li>
<li>How Hocknell’s defiance — and a strange prophecy — landed him in prison</li>
<li>The network of imprisoned Catholic gentlemen in Chester Castle</li>
<li>How a gaoler’s deadly act led to a rare Tudor murder conviction</li>
<li>It’s a grim but fascinating glimpse into religious persecution, political paranoia, and the darker side of Tudor justice.</li>
</ul>
Like if you love discovering hidden Tudor tales 
Subscribe for more Tudor history and true crime 
Join my YouTube Tudor court for exclusive content, live Zoom discussions, and my monthly magazine. 
 
#TudorTrueCrime #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #CatholicHistory #Recusancy #TrueCrimeHistory #TudorEngland

In 1590, Catholic gentleman John Hocknell — imprisoned in Chester Castle for his faith — didn’t die of plague, hunger, or age. He was murdered… by his own gaoler. The weapon? A pitchfork. The killer? The castle’s underkeeper, i.e. Hocknell's gaoler. In this episode of Tudor True Crime, I, historian and author Claire Ridgway, uncover the shocking story of Hocknell’s repeated imprisonments for recusancy, his bizarre brush with “false prophecies,” and the brutal killing that cut his life short just months before his release. We’ll explore: What life was like for Catholic recusants in Elizabeth I’s reign How Hocknell’s defiance — and a strange prophecy — landed him in prison The network of imprisoned Catholic gentlemen in Chester Castle How a gaoler’s deadly act led to a rare Tudor murder conviction It’s a grim but fascinating glimpse into religious persecution, political paranoia, and the darker side of Tudor justice. Like if you love discovering hidden Tudor tales Subscribe for more Tudor history and true crime Join my YouTube Tudor court for exclusive content, live Zoom discussions, and my monthly magazine. #TudorTrueCrime #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #CatholicHistory #Recusancy #TrueCrimeHistory #TudorEngland

Murder Behind Bars in Tudor England – A Shocking True Story

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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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.

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&amp;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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