A medal for a massacre. A Te Deum for thousands of deaths. A celebration that still shocks centuries later. 
 
On this day in history—11 September 1572—Pope Gregory XIII ordered Rome to give thanks for not one, but two "victories": the Catholic triumph over the Ottomans at Lepanto and the mass slaughter of French Protestants during the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. 
 
In this episode: 
 

<ul>
<li>The shocking papal reaction to the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre</li>
<li>The political and religious tensions behind Gregory’s “thanksgiving”</li>
<li>Why he linked the massacre with the naval victory at Lepanto</li>
<li>The commemorative medal and what it tells us about 16th-century propaganda</li>
<li>Gregory XIII’s surprising legacy—from calendar reform to Jesuit patronage</li>
</ul>
To some, it was divine justice. To others—then and now—it was unthinkable. 
 
Watch next: 
The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre – <a href='https://youtu.be/1DmTMXr0TcQ'>https://youtu.be/1DmTMXr0TcQ</a> 
The Gregorian Calendar - <a href='https://youtu.be/VRz98plSjqk'>https://youtu.be/VRz98plSjqk</a> 
 
Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily deep dives into Tudor and early modern history. 
 
#OnThisDay #StBartholomewsDay #Lepanto #GregoryXIII #TudorHistory #Reformation #CounterReformation #ClaireRidgway #GregorianCalendar #HistoryDebate #ReligiousHistory #EarlyModernEurope

A medal for a massacre. A Te Deum for thousands of deaths. A celebration that still shocks centuries later. On this day in history—11 September 1572—Pope Gregory XIII ordered Rome to give thanks for not one, but two "victories": the Catholic triumph over the Ottomans at Lepanto and the mass slaughter of French Protestants during the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. In this episode: The shocking papal reaction to the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre The political and religious tensions behind Gregory’s “thanksgiving” Why he linked the massacre with the naval victory at Lepanto The commemorative medal and what it tells us about 16th-century propaganda Gregory XIII’s surprising legacy—from calendar reform to Jesuit patronage To some, it was divine justice. To others—then and now—it was unthinkable. Watch next: The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre – https://youtu.be/1DmTMXr0TcQ The Gregorian Calendar - https://youtu.be/VRz98plSjqk Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily deep dives into Tudor and early modern history. #OnThisDay #StBartholomewsDay #Lepanto #GregoryXIII #TudorHistory #Reformation #CounterReformation #ClaireRidgway #GregorianCalendar #HistoryDebate #ReligiousHistory #EarlyModernEurope

A medal for a massacre. A Te Deum for thousands of deaths. A celebration that still shocks centuries later. 
 
On this day in history—11 September 1572—Pope Gregory XIII ordered Rome to give thanks for not one, but two "victories": the Catholic triumph over the Ottomans at Lepanto and the mass slaughter of French Protestants during the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. 
 
In this episode: 
 

<ul>
<li>The shocking papal reaction to the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre</li>
<li>The political and religious tensions behind Gregory’s “thanksgiving”</li>
<li>Why he linked the massacre with the naval victory at Lepanto</li>
<li>The commemorative medal and what it tells us about 16th-century propaganda</li>
<li>Gregory XIII’s surprising legacy—from calendar reform to Jesuit patronage</li>
</ul>
To some, it was divine justice. To others—then and now—it was unthinkable. 
 
Watch next: 
The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre –&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/1DmTMXr0TcQ" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://youtu.be/1DmTMXr0TcQ</a> 
The Gregorian Calendar -&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/VRz98plSjqk" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://youtu.be/VRz98plSjqk</a> 
 
Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily deep dives into Tudor and early modern history. 
 
#OnThisDay #StBartholomewsDay #Lepanto #GregoryXIII #TudorHistory #Reformation #CounterReformation #ClaireRidgway #GregorianCalendar #HistoryDebate #ReligiousHistory #EarlyModernEurope

The Pope Who Celebrated a Massacre

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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