The Tudor Society

YOUR SEARCH UNCOVERED 261 RESULTS

  • 27 February – The ends of 3 Catholics at Tyburn

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 27th February 1601, Benedictine monk Mark Barkworth (also known by the alias Lambert), Jesuit Roger Filcock, and widow Anne Line were executed at Tyburn.

    Barkworth and Filcock had been found guilty of treason for being priests and were given the full traitor’s death, i.e. they were hanged, drawn and quartered. Anne Line was sentenced to death for harbouring a priest and was hanged.

    Find out more about these Catholics, who were victims of Queen Elizabeth I’s legislation against Jesuits, in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 10 February – Catherine Howard goes to the Tower

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th February 1542, Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII’s fifth wife, was escorted by barge from Syon House, where she’d been kept since November 1541, to the Tower of London in preparation for her execution.

    Sadly, the queen would have seen the heads of her former lover, Francis Dereham, and her sweetheart, Thomas Culpeper, as she made her way to the Tower – a reminder of her own fate.

    Find out more in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 26 December – Boxing Day and Henry VIII’s will

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    2 Comments

    In today’s talk, I explain how St Stephen’s Day was celebrated in Tudor times and why it’s known as Boxing Day, before moving on to today’s “on this day event”.

    On this day in Tudor history, 26th December 1546, an ill Henry VIII made some changes to his will in preparation for his nine-year-old son, Edward, inheriting the throne. I explain all…

    [Read More...]

  • 17 December – Henry VIII is excommunicated

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 17th December 1538, Pope Paul III announced the excommunication of King Henry VIII.

    Henry VIII had been threatened with excommunication several times, but his desecration of one of the holiest shrines in Europe was the final straw for the pope.

    Find out how Henry VIII, who had once been “Defender of the Faith”, had upset the Pope and what had been the final straw for the papacy in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 9 December -The King is a beast and worse than a beast!

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 9th December 1538, Sir Edward Neville, courtier, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber and son of George Neville, 2nd Baron Bergavenny, was beheaded on Tower Hill.

    He had been condemned to death for treason, accused of conspiring against the king in the Exeter Conspiracy of 1538, along with members of the Pole family. He was also accused of saying “The King is a beast and worse than a beast”, which is not a wise thing to be overheard saying in Tudor England.

    Find out more about Neville’s life and downfall in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 25 November – The coronation of Elizabeth of York

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 25th November 1487, the Feast of St Catherine, Elizabeth of York, queen consort of Henry VII and mother of one-year-old Arthur Tudor, was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey.

    In today’s talk, I share details of Elizabeth of York’s coronation, including Elizabeth’s apparel, and who attended, plus a list of some of the interesting dishes served at Elizabeth of York’s coronation banquet which included swan and seal!

    [Read More...]

  • 7 November – Queen Catherine Howard confesses

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, Monday 7th November 1541, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, visited Catherine Howard, fifth wife of King Henry VIII, in her chambers at Hampton Court Palace.

    Catherine had been confined to her chambers and Archbishop Cranmer’s job was to get the now hysterical queen to talk, to confess. He visited her a few times over a period of 24 hours and finally got a confession from her. But what did Catherine have to say?

    Find out all about Catherine Howard’s confessions, and there were several, in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 26 October – Sir Thomas More is sworn in as Lord Chancellor

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    2 Comments

    On this day in Tudor history, 26th October 1529, Sir Thomas More took his oath as Lord Chancellor, replacing Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who was charged with praemunire.

    It was an important day for Sir Thomas More, who was described as “an upright and learned man”, but, little did he know that his loyal service to the king would lead to his undoing.

    Find out all about this day in 1529 in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 25 October – Henry VIII, Francis I and a gift for Anne Boleyn

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 25th October 1532, Henry VIII returned to Calais following his visit to the French court at Boulogne, and he took the French king, Francis I, with him. But first, Francis I wanted to honour two English noblemen by making them Knights of the Order of St Michel.

    After that ceremony, the two kings travelled on to Calais, where they were greeted in a spectacular fashion, and Francis I sent Henry VIII’s sweetheart, Anne Boleyn, Marquess of Pembroke, a rather splendid gift.

    In today’s talk, I explain just what happened on this day in Boulogne and Calais, as well as giving details of the gift that Anne Boleyn received.

    [Read More...]

  • 21 October – Henry VIII leaves Anne Boleyn behind in Calais

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 21st October 1532, King Henry VIII left his sweetheart, Anne Boleyn, behind in Calais while he travelled to Boulogne to spend a few days at the French court with Francis I.

    The kings were beautifully attired for their meeting and there was a bit of a bromance, with Henry calling Francis his “beloved brother” and Francis instructing his sons to be “loving always” to Henry. However, Anne Boleyn was disappointed with the situation and you can find out more in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 15 October – Edward VI’s christening and who was there

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 15th October 1537, Prince Edward ( future King Edward VI), son of King Henry VIII and his third wife, Queen Jane Seymour, was christened in a lavish ceremony in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. He was three days old.

    In today’s talk, I share details of Edward VI’s christening, including who played prominent roles, who stood as godparents and what gifts were given to little Prince Edward. Edward’s half-sisters, the future Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I were both there.

    [Read More...]

  • 14 October – The trial of Mary, Queen of Scots

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 14th October 1586, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots, began at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire.

    Although Mary did not recognise the authority of the commission and had threatened not to attend, she had been informed that the trial would go ahead with or without her and so attended.

    Find out all about Mary’s trial, what she was charged with and the evidence that Sir Francis Walsingham had gathered in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 9 October – Mary Tudor and Louis XII get married

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 9th October 1514, eighteen-year-old Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII and daughter of the late Henry VII, married fifty-two year-old King Louis XII of France at Abbeville in France.

    In today’s talk, I share contemporary accounts of Mary’s lavish entry into Abbeville on 8th October and the wedding on 9th October, including descriptions of Mary and her apparel.

    Of course, Mary wasn’t married to Louis for long as he died on 1st January 1515.

    [Read More...]

  • 2 October – William Tyndale, Anne Boleyn and a book for “all Kings to read”

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    2 Comments

    On this day in Tudor history, 2nd October 1528, reformer and Bible translator William Tyndale’s book “The Obedience of a Christian Man” was published in Antwerp.

    A copy of this book owned by Anne Boleyn ended up being a catalyst of the English Reformation when it was confiscated from the suitor of one of Anne’s ladies as a heretical book. Henry VIII ended up reading it and proclaiming that “This Book is for me and all Kings to read.” It set him on his path to the break with Rome and saw him marrying Anne Boleyn as his second wife.

    Find out the full story in this talk…

    [Read More...]

  • 12 July – Henry VIII gets married for the sixth and final time

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 12th July 1543, Henry VIII got married for the sixth and final time.

    The fifty-two-year-old king married thirty-one-year-old Catherine Parr, Lady Latimer, in the Queen’s Closet of the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace.

    In today’s talk, I share a contemporary account of the wedding service, as well as telling you about who attended the ceremony.

    [Read More...]

  • 6 July – The king is dead, long live the queen!

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    2 Comments

    On this day in Tudor history, 6th July 1553, fifteen-year-old King Edward VI died at Greenwich Palace leaving the throne to his cousin’s eldest daughter, Lady Jane Grey.

    I share details of Edward’s final illness and last days, his “Devise for the Succession”, and Lady Jane Grey’s reaction at being told that she was Edward’s successor.

    [Read More...]

  • 30 June – Henry VIII and Catherine Howard’s ill-fated northern progress

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    Things seemed all peachy as King Henry VIII and his fifth wife, Queen Catherine Howard, set off on their progress to the north of England on this day in Tudor history, 30th June 1541. Little did the king know that he’d be stood up by his nephew and that his world would come crashing down on him on his return.

    In today’s video, I explain the motives behind this huge undertaking, what happened on the progress, and why Henry’s life changed so dramatically when he got back.

    [Read More...]

  • 29 June – Lady Margaret Beaufort

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    2 Comments
    A portrait of Lady Margaret Beaufort

    Today is the anniversary of the death of sixty-six-year-old Lady Margaret Beaufort on 29th June 1509, just four days after she enjoyed the coronation celebrations of her grandson King Henry VIII and his queen consort. Catherine of Aragon.

    Margaret Beaufort was the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty and was an amazing woman, in many ways, yet she is surrounded by myth and it seems fashionable to see her as a religious zealot. But who was this influential Tudor lady? What did she do?

    In today’s video, I flesh out Margaret Beaufort with a few facts about her and her life.

    [Read More...]

  • 2 June – The end of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment
    The National Portrait Gallery portrait of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk

    On this day in Tudor history, 2nd June 1572, thirty-four-year-old Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, was beheaded on Tower Hill for high treason.

    Norfolk was a Knight of the Garter, he’d served as Earl Marshal and Lord High Steward, he’d presided over Queen Elizabeth I’s coronation, so what had led him to this sticky end and how was he involved with Mary, Queen of Scots?

    Let me tell you a bit more about this Tudor man and what led him to end his life on the scaffold.

    [Read More...]

  • 26 May – Mary seeks Thomas Cromwell’s help

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 26th May 1536, Henry VIII’s daughter, Mary, sought the help of Thomas Cromwell, the king’s right-hand man. Now that Anne Boleyn was dead and gone, Mary hoped for a reconciliation with her father the king.

    What did she want Cromwell to do?

    What happened to Mary after Anne Boleyn’s death? How was she treated?

    In today’s video,I consider Mary’s situation and what happened between her and her father after this point.

    [Read More...]

  • 25 May – A triple Tudor wedding

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 25th May 1553, Lady Jane Grey got married to Lord Guildford Dudley, son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland.

    They weren’t the only couple to get married in the ceremony at Durham House, Jane’s sister, Katherine, and Guildford’s sister, Catherine, also got married.

    In today’s video, I give more details and consider who was behind this triple Tudor wedding.

    [Read More...]

  • 15 May – Mary, Queen of Scots, marries for the third time

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 15th May 1567, the recently widowed Mary, Queen of Scots, married for the third time, taking James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell and Duke of Orkney, as her husband.

    You can find out more about Bothwell in Claire's video from April 14 - https://youtu.be/XRU_nEsUxFw - and in today's video, I tell you all about the bride, Mary, Queen of Scots.

    Also on this day in history:

    • 1464 – Execution of Henry Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, immediately after the Battle of Hexham. He was buried in Hexham Abbey.
    • 1536 - Trials of Anne Boleyn and George Boleyn in the King's Hall at the Tower of London. They were both found guilty and sentenced to death. Click here to read about Anne's trial and here to read about George's.
    • 1537 – Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy, and his cousin, John Hussey, 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford, were tried for treason at Westminster after being implicated in the Pilgrimage of Grace. “Letters and Papers” recorded the verdict as guilty and the sentence was “Judgment as usual in cases of high treason. Execution to be at Tyburn.” They were actually beheaded.
    • 1555 – Death of Sir Thomas Bromley, judge. Mary I made him her first Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench, but was unhappy when Nicholas Throckmorton was acquitted in 1554.
    • 1556 – John Knox appeared in Edinburgh to face heresy charges.

  • 12 May – Martin Luther’s books are burned in London

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 12th May 1521, reformer Martin Luther was proclaimed a heretic by Bishop John Fisher and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey at St Paul’s in London, and his works were burned.

    Hear a contemporary account of what happened on this day in 1521 in today’s video:

    [Read More...]

  • 2 May – Mary, Queen of Scots escapes!

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 2 May 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, who had recently been forced to abdicate in favour of her son, King James VI, successfully escaped from Lochleven Castle.

    How did she end up a prisoner at Lochleven? How did she escape? And what happened next?

    Let me explain…

    [Read More...]

  • 1 May – The Evil May Day Riot

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 1st May 1517, foreign traders in London had their shops and property vandalised and damaged by a mob of angry apprentices and labourers.

    What sparked off this “Evil May Day Riot”? What happened to the troublemakers? And how did Queen Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII’s sisters, Margaret and Mary, get involved? Let me explain…

    [Read More...]

  • 22 April – Gaol Fever Hits!

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 22 April 1598, Justice Francis Beaumont died after contracting gaol fever at the Black Assizes of the Northern Circuit.

    But what exactly was gaol fever?

    Let me explain…

    [Read More...]

  • 7 April – Elizabeth Boleyn, mother of Queen Anne Boleyn, is laid to rest

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On this day in Tudor history, 7th April 1538, Elizabeth Boleyn, (née Howard), Countess of Wiltshire and Ormond, was laid to rest at St Mary’s Church, Lambeth.

    In today’s video, I give details on Elizabeth’s burial and her resting place, which is now a Garden Museum, and her ledger stone. You can also see my photos of the former church.

    [Read More...]

  • 27 February – The Battle of Ancrum Moor and a legendary stone

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    On 27th February 1545, the Battle of Ancrum Moor, part of the War of the Rough Wooing, took place near Jedburgh in Scotland.

    In today’s video, I explain what caused the War of the Rough Wooing and what happened when the English and Scots’ forces clashed that day. I also talk about the legend surrounding Lilliard’s Stone, which can be found on the battlefield.

    [Read More...]

  • 10 February – The murder of Lord Darnley

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On 10th February 1567, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered at Kirk o’Field in Edinburgh. In today’s video, I tell you what happened.

    [Read More...]

  • This week in history 24 – 30 December

    5 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    No comment yet

    24th December:

    1545 – King Henry VIII made his final speech to Parliament. Historian Robert Hutchinson describes it as “both measured and compelling”, and writes of how Henry wanted “to impart a stern message” to all of his subjects.
    1604 – Death of Sir Thomas Cornwallis, Comptroller of the household of Mary I and member of Parliament, at the age of eighty-six. He was buried at Brome in Suffolk. Cornwallis was active in putting down Kett’s Rebellion in 1549 and in 1553, after originally proclaiming Lady Jane Grey as Queen in Ipswich, he swapped sides and swore allegiance to Mary I.

    [Read More...]