In this first part of This Week in Tudor History for week beginning 29th March, historian Claire Ridgway talks about William Wager, a playwright and clergyman who picked wonderful titles for his works; the interesting life and career of Sir Ralph Sadler, who started out working for Thomas Cromwell and who went on to serve Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Jane (Lady Jane Grey) and Elizabeth I - oh, and Claire will tell us about his bigamous marriage! Then, finally, Claire will leave us with the dying King Henry VIII making his last will and testament.

 

29th March 1591 - The burial of playwright and Church of England clergyman, William Wager, at his church, St Benet Gracechurch. His plays included “Enough is as Good as a Feast” and “The Longer thou Livest the More Fool thou art”.

 

30th March 1587 - The death of diplomat and administrator, Sir Ralph Sadler, in his 80th year. He was laid to rest in St Mary’s Church, Standon.

 

31st March 1509 - The dying Henry VII made his last will and testament at Richmond Palace. He died three weeks later.

 

Sir Ralph Sadler's letters and speeches can be read at https://archive.org/details/statepaperslette01sadluoft/page/n3/mode/2up?view=theater

and https://archive.org/details/statepapers02sadl/page/n9/mode/2up?view=theater 

 

Other Tudor history events for these dates:

March 29 - As foul a lady as the smallpox could make her - https://youtu.be/OkBlboV2G8o

March 29 - Children encourage John Laurence at his sad end - https://youtu.be/ToYVgj9hQqI

March 30 - Thomas Cranmer and his protestation - https://youtu.be/P78Iz-2dLVA

March 30 - A "pregnant" Mary I makes her will - https://youtu.be/LWrcLR61Kbo

March 31 - John Donne, the bell tolls for thee - https://youtu.be/w7Gv5Dw8EJQ

March 31 - King Henry VIII as King Ahab, Anne Boleyn as Jezebel - https://youtu.be/fm1xJmzIyIA