Christmas in Tudor England wasn’t a single day, it was a season. 
And Twelfth Night was its final, glittering crescendo. 
 
In this final episode of my Tudor Advent and Christmas series, I explore how Tudor people marked the end of Christmas with feasting, music, disguisings, misrule, and the famous Twelfth Night cake, complete with a hidden bean or pea to crown a King (or Lord of Misrule) for the night. 
 
I also explain:

<ul>
<li>When Twelfth Night actually was — the 5th or the 6th of January</li>
<li>Why Epiphany mattered both socially and spiritually</li>
<li>How Tudor court celebrations turned halls into living theatre</li>
<li>And how these traditions still survive today, including here in Spain with the Roscón de Reyes</li>
</ul>
Twelfth Night mattered because it ended Christmas properly, rather than Christmas just fading away. 
 
If you’ve missed earlier episodes, do watch “The Real Twelve Days of Christmas”, where I explain how the Tudors celebrated the entire festive season: 
<a href='https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs'>https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs</a> 
 
Do you celebrate Epiphany or Twelfth Night today? I’d love to hear your traditions in the comments.

Christmas in Tudor England wasn’t a single day, it was a season. And Twelfth Night was its final, glittering crescendo. In this final episode of my Tudor Advent and Christmas series, I explore how Tudor people marked the end of Christmas with feasting, music, disguisings, misrule, and the famous Twelfth Night cake, complete with a hidden bean or pea to crown a King (or Lord of Misrule) for the night. I also explain: When Twelfth Night actually was — the 5th or the 6th of January Why Epiphany mattered both socially and spiritually How Tudor court celebrations turned halls into living theatre And how these traditions still survive today, including here in Spain with the Roscón de Reyes Twelfth Night mattered because it ended Christmas properly, rather than Christmas just fading away. If you’ve missed earlier episodes, do watch “The Real Twelve Days of Christmas”, where I explain how the Tudors celebrated the entire festive season: https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs Do you celebrate Epiphany or Twelfth Night today? I’d love to hear your traditions in the comments.

Christmas in Tudor England wasn’t a single day, it was a season. 
And Twelfth Night was its final, glittering crescendo. 
 
In this final episode of my Tudor Advent and Christmas series, I explore how Tudor people marked the end of Christmas with feasting, music, disguisings, misrule, and the famous Twelfth Night cake, complete with a hidden bean or pea to crown a King (or Lord of Misrule) for the night. 
 
I also explain:

<ul>
<li>When Twelfth Night actually was — the 5th or the 6th of January</li>
<li>Why Epiphany mattered both socially and spiritually</li>
<li>How Tudor court celebrations turned halls into living theatre</li>
<li>And how these traditions still survive today, including here in Spain with the Roscón de Reyes</li>
</ul>
Twelfth Night mattered because it ended Christmas properly, rather than Christmas just fading away. 
 
If you’ve missed earlier episodes, do watch “The Real Twelve Days of Christmas”, where I explain how the Tudors celebrated the entire festive season: 
<a href="https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://youtu.be/0t61a2jATgs</a> 
 
Do you celebrate Epiphany or Twelfth Night today? I’d love to hear your traditions in the comments.

When Christmas Really Ended: Twelfth Night & Epiphany in Tudor England

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.

Education

Self-Improvement

History

Courses

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.

Share When Christmas Really Ended: Twelfth Night & Epiphany in Tudor England

Sign up to save your podcasts

When Christmas Really Ended: Twelfth Night & Epiphany in Tudor England

When Christmas Really Ended: Twelfth Night & Epiphany in Tudor England

More shows like Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

Renaissance English History Podcast: A Show About the Tudors

Rex Factor

Dan Snow's History Hit

Queens Podcast

Tudors Dynasty & Beyond

Talking Tudors

Historic Royal Palaces Podcast

British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics

Gone Medieval

Not Just the Tudors

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

History Tea Time

The Tudor Chest Podcast

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things