Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

By Claire Ridgway

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 d... more

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FAQs about Tudor History with Claire Ridgway:

How many episodes does Tudor History with Claire Ridgway have?

The podcast currently has 1,007 episodes available.

Tudor History with Claire Ridgway episodes:

August 08, 2025 Poisoned Cakes, Flea Traps… and Dead Hedgehogs?! Pest Control Tudor-style
Wormwood-strewn floors. Poisoned rat cakes. Bounties on hedgehogs.
No, it’s not a dark fairy tale—it’s real Tudor pest control.

In a world without bug spray or exterminators, how did the Tudors tackle fleas, flies, rats, mice… and even moths?
Let’s just say… they got creative. And ruthless.

I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author—and in today’s video, we’re diving into the bizarre, herbal, and sometimes horrifying methods the Tudors used to defend their homes (and health!) from pests.

You'll discover:

- Why strewing herbs were scattered on floors
- What the Goodman of Paris suggested for catching fleas
- The deadly ingredients in Tudor rat cakes
- Why hedgehogs were considered milk thieves
- And the law that made people bounty hunters

If you enjoy strange corners of history, click Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell to get more true Tudor tales every week.

Want exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, printable resources, and my monthly digital magazine "The Privy Chronicle"?
Click Join and become part of my Tudor inner circle today!

#TudorHistory #WeirdHistory #PestControlHistory #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorLife #HistoricalFacts #FleasAndFlames #DeadHedgehogs #TrueHistory #HistoryNerd #MedievalHygiene #OnThisDay #StrangeButTrue #HorribleHistory
...more
9min
August 07, 2025 She Was 13. He Was 30. This Royal Wedding Changed British History Forever
A teenage English princess.
A powerful Scottish king nearly two decades older.
A lavish wedding that would shape the future of the British Isles.

On this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1503, Princess Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII, married James IV of Scotland in a glittering ceremony filled with royal pageantry, political strategy—and secrets.

But behind the boar’s head feasts, jewel-encrusted robes, and dancing nobles… was a fragile peace deal between two ancient rivals. And a young girl stepping into a world of power, heartbreak, and destiny.

She became queen consort, regent, exile, and ultimately the great-grandmother of King James VI—the man who would unite the English and Scottish crowns.

In this video, I’ll take you inside:

- The grand wedding at Holyroodhouse
- The strange politics of marrying your enemy
- Margaret’s rollercoaster life as queen, widow, and power player
- And how her bloodline still sits on the throne today

Remember to like and subscribe if you enjoyed the podcast.
Want even more Tudor goodness—including exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, and a beautifully curated monthly digital magazine?
Click the YouTube Join button and become part of my Tudor inner circle!

#TudorHistory #MargaretTudor #RoyalWeddings #JamesIV #TudorQueens #OnThisDay #BritishMonarchy #HistoryYouTube #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #ScotlandHistory #TudorDrama #TrueHistory #PowerfulWomen #QueenMothers
...more
9min
August 06, 2025 Lovechild and bigamist – Sir Robert Dudley, son of Elizabeth I’s favourite
He was born a lovechild, died an exiled nobleman—and in between, he explored the West Indies, built ships for Italian dukes, and underwent a bigamous marriage.

On this day in Tudor history, 7th August 1574, Sir Robert Dudley was born—the illegitimate son of Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Lady Douglas Sheffield.

I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and today I’m uncovering the dramatic tale of this brilliant yet controversial Tudor figure:
- Explorer.
- Cartographer.
- Naval innovator.
- Bigamist.

He tried to prove he was legitimate in a Star Chamber case, claimed his parents had married in secret, and later left England in scandal—running off with his teenage cousin and marrying her in Italy, despite having a wife (and seven daughters) back home.

From secret weddings and shady inheritances to pioneering naval design and creating the first maritime atlas by an Englishman, Dudley's life was one of ambition, scandal… and survival.

Was he a scoundrel, a genius, or both?

Watch now and decide for yourself.

If you enjoyed this dive into Tudor history, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and click the bell icon.

Want exclusive livestreams, behind-the-scenes videos, printable resources, and even a Tudor-themed monthly magazine?
Click the Join button to become a channel member—I’d love to welcome you to the Tudor court!

Further Reading:
https://archive.org/details/voyageofrobertdu00warnrich
Journal article “A Letter from Robert, Earl of Leicester, to a Lady” by Conyers Read
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3818131?read-now=1&seq=7#page_scan_tab_contents
https://allthingsrobertdudley.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/letter-to-a-lady/

#TudorHistory #TudorTrueCrime #RobertDudley #ElizabethI #Leicester #HistoryScandal #HistoryTok #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #OnThisDay #TudorTok #TudorSecrets #EarlyModernHistory
...more
9min
August 05, 2025 Tudor True Crime: The Baron, the Grudge, and the Double Murder
Welcome to another chilling instalment of Tudor True Crime with me, historian and author Claire Ridgway. Today, we uncover the dark story of Charles Stourton, 8th Baron Stourton—a nobleman whose pride and rage ended in cold-blooded murder… and a very public hanging.

What started as a bitter land feud
Escalated into a siege at a church
Ended with two bound men, a candlelit killing, and a secret burial in the cellar

But someone talked—and justice was swift.

Join me as I delve into this gripping tale of power, vengeance, and the brutal fall of a Tudor peer.
Listen to the end to find out why even a baron couldn’t escape the hangman’s rope.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more true crime stories from the Tudor world.

#TudorTrueCrime #TrueCrime #TudorHistory #CharlesStourton #HistoryMystery #ClaireRidgway #MurderInHistory #AnneBoleynFiles #HistoricalTrueCrime #TudorJustice #BaronAndTheNoose #DarkHistory #OnThisDay #CrimeAndPunishment #HistoryYouTube
...more
12min
August 04, 2025 The Man Who Helped Make Henry VII King
The Untold Story of Sir Reginald Bray - He wasn’t a king… but he helped make one.

Sir Reginald Bray may not be a household name, but this quiet powerhouse of the Tudor court knew Henry VII from boyhood, helped plan the invasion that toppled Richard III, and then served as one of the most powerful men in England.

- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- Spymaster
- Master of royal revenues
- Patron of grand Tudor architecture
- Head of the dreaded Council Learned in the Law

From buying young Henry Tudor his first bow and arrows… to financing the very rebellion that launched a dynasty… to managing the wealth and secrets of a king — Bray was everywhere.

In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History, I explore the fascinating life and legacy of Sir Reginald Bray, who died on 5 August 1503. Discover the man behind the monarch — the loyal servant who helped build the Tudor world from the shadows.

Watch now to learn how one administrator helped shape a dynasty.

Like, subscribe, and comment: Had you heard of Reginald Bray before today?

Want even more hidden Tudor figures and behind-the-scenes power players? Browse the channel and join my Tudor inner circle through memberships!

#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #HenryVII #SirReginaldBray #MargaretBeaufort #BattleOfBosworth #TudorCourt #ClaireRidgway #TudorSecrets #HistoryYouTube #HiddenFigures #TudorDynasty
...more
5min
August 03, 2025 Blown to Bits in Battle: The Tudor Rogue Who Might’ve Been Henry VIII’s Son
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?

#ThomasStukeley #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #OnThisDay #BattleOfThreeKings #SebastianOfPortugal #TudorAdventurers #ClaireRidgway #HistoryTube #DarkHistory #TudorMyths #RoyalBastards #Stukeley
...more
8min
August 02, 2025 The Fairest Church in England
You’re walking through a busy modern city—and then a towering Gothic church stops you in your tracks. That’s exactly what happened to me in Bristol, when I stumbled upon St Mary Redcliffe, a church Queen Elizabeth I herself called “the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England.”

I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author, and in this episode I share the story behind this incredible Tudor site—from Elizabeth’s 1574 visit, to her letters patent for its restoration, to the royal grammar school she founded right next door.

Did you know a statue of Elizabeth I from her lifetime still survives—inside this very church?

Join me as I explore this hidden Tudor gem and reveal why it should be on every history lover’s travel list. I also share a few other places to visit in Bristol, including the nearby cathedral and the fascinating M Shed museum.

Explore further:

- Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_Redcliffe
- Stunning photos: https://www.geograph.org.uk/of/st+mary+redcliffe
* Statue of Elizabeth I: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1413938

Have you visited St Mary Redcliffe—or Bristol in general? Let me know in the comments!
And if you enjoyed this Tudor travel detour, please like and subscribe for more stories from history.

#ElizabethI #TudorHistory #TudorArchitecture #StMaryRedcliffe #BristolHistory #QueenElizabethI #TudorTravel #HiddenHistory #ClaireRidgway #TheAnneBoleynFiles #OnThisDay #VisitBristol
...more
4min
August 01, 2025 What links Kate Bush and Anne Boleyn
What connects legendary singer Kate Bush and Tudor queen Anne Boleyn? In this fascinating and inspiring interview, I chat with novelist Natalia Richards, author of The Falcon’s Rise and The Falcon’s Flight—two beautifully written novels exploring Anne Boleyn’s early life and rise to power.

Natalia shares how she transitioned from the world of music (yes, Kate Bush really did ask her to be a backing singer at 18!) to historical fiction, and why Anne Boleyn has captivated her imagination for so many years.

We discuss:
- The real Anne Boleyn behind the myths and portrayals
- Natalia’s research process and writing rituals
- Her emotional connection to key scenes and characters
- The places that inspire her work
- And more!

Whether you’re a fellow Anne Boleyn enthusiast, a writer, or just love hearing about the creative process, you’ll love this rich, warm, and insightful conversation.

Find Natalia Richards’ books here:
http://getbook.at/falconsrise
http://getbook.at/falconsflight
...more
54min
July 31, 2025Still Fighting the Dead: Germain Gardiner’s Scathing Attack on Martyr John Frith
On this day in Tudor history, 1st August 1534, Catholic gentleman Germain Gardiner published a scathing posthumous attack on Protestant martyr John Frith—over a year after Frith had been burned at the stake.

But who was Frith? Why did Gardiner care enough to write such a fiery rebuttal after his death? And how did both men end up executed for their beliefs?

In this episode, I explore:
Frith’s radical theology and links to William Tyndale
His arrest, trial, and execution in 1533 for denying purgatory and transubstantiation
Gardiner’s 1534 printed rebuttal, full of fire, fury, and calls for obedience to Church authority
The wider implications of their feud for the English Reformation
And the tragic irony of Gardiner’s own fate—hanged, drawn and quartered a decade later
This is a powerful story of belief, print, polemic—and two men caught in the firestorm of Tudor religion.

Read Gardiner’s full tract here: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A01469.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more true Tudor tales from the archives of history.

#TudorHistory #JohnFrith #GermainGardiner #EnglishReformation #ReligiousHistory #TudorExecutions #ProtestantMartyrs #CatholicMartyrs #16thCentury #OnThisDay
...more
6min
July 30, 2025 Killed by a Butcher
The Shocking End of a Tudor Baron - Edmund Sheffield’s Fall

He was a baron, courtier, soldier, and poet... with powerful patrons like Thomas Cromwell and George Boleyn. But on 31st July 1549, during the chaos of Kett’s Rebellion, 28-year-old Edmund Sheffield met a shocking and brutal end—not on a battlefield, but in a muddy ditch at the hands of a rebel butcher.

In this episode, I delve into the life—and haunting death—of a man often overlooked in Tudor history. Raised under Anne Boleyn’s brother, praised for his musical talents, and loyal to the crown, Sheffield’s story offers a poignant reminder of how quickly fortune could turn in Tudor England.

Join me as we explore:

- Sheffield’s powerful connections and noble rise
- His role in the 1549 Norwich campaign
- The deadly street fighting of Kett’s Rebellion
- And the emotional tributes left by those who loved him

Had you heard of Edmund Sheffield before? Let me know in the comments—and if you enjoy these lesser-known Tudor tales, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell.

#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #KettRebellion #EdmundSheffield #DarkHistory #TudorEngland #ClaireRidgway #TudorTok #16thCentury #RebelRebellion #NorwichHistory #HistoryYouDidntKnow
...more
5min

FAQs about Tudor History with Claire Ridgway:

How many episodes does Tudor History with Claire Ridgway have?

The podcast currently has 1,007 episodes available.

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