Today is a date packed with significance in Tudor history – it’s Henry VII’s birthday, the anniversary of the death of Henry VIII, and the anniversary of the accession of Edward VI.
Let’s take a closer look at how these three monumental events shaped the Tudor dynasty.
First, let’s go back to 28th January 1457, when Henry Tudor was born at Pembroke Castle in Wales.
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Henry VIII wasn’t just a king, he was also a composer. One of his beautiful creations, the carol “Green Groweth the Holly,” has sparked centuries of debate.
Was this lyrical masterpiece a heartfelt love song for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon? Or was it simply an exercise in courtly love and poetry?
In this post, I delve into the fascinating lyrics, the rich symbolism of holly and ivy, and the context in which it was written. Was it composed during the early days of their passionate romance? Or does its timing suggest it might not have been about Catherine at all?
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On this day in Tudor history, Protestant exile and businesswoman Rose Lok was born in London (1526), Henry VIII made some changes to his will (1546), and the Feast of St Stephen was celebrated…
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On this day in Tudor history, 24th December, King Henry VIII made his final speech to Parliament (1545); Sir Thomas Cornwallis, comptroller of the household of Mary I and member of Parliament, died (1604); and Christmas Eve was celebrated…
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On this day in history, 29th October, Henry VIII bid farewell to his “loving brother”, his French counterpart, Francis I (1532); and courtier, explorer, author and soldier Sir Walter Ralegh was executed (1618)…
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On this day in Tudor history, 30th September, a victorious Henry VIII returned to England after the French surrender of Boulogne; and Mary I’s coronation procession took place in London…
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On this day in Tudor history, Henry VIII rode triumphantly through the streets of Boulogne after the French surrendered it to him; and Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon, a prospective bridegroom for both of Henry VIII’s daughters, died…
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On this day in Tudor history, 28th June, King Henry VIII was born at Greenwich Palace: rebel Sir James Tuchet, 7th Baron Audley, was executed; and Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel and a man condemned for treason in Elizabeth I’s reign, was born…
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On this day in Tudor history, Catherine of Aragon became betrothed to Prince Henry, the future Henry VIII, and Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France, sister of Henry VIII and wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, died at the age of 37…
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On this day in Tudor history, 21st June, Henry VIII travelled from Greenwich to the Tower of London; Catherine of Aragon gave an impassioned speech at the Legatine Court; letters patent were issued stating that Edward VI’s heir was Lady Jane Grey…
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On this day in Tudor history, 16th February, Sir William Stanley, was executed for treason, the German humanist reformer and scholar, Philipp Melancthon was born, and Henry VIII was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor…
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What happened on this day in history, 6th January, in the Tudor period?
Here are some event from 6th January in the reigns of the Tudor monarchs…
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What happened on this day in Tudor history, 5th January, in Tudor times?
Let me share with you some events from 5th January during the reigns of the Tudor kings and queens…
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Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose, sank in 1545 with her crew and the ship’s dog, Hatch.
Find out more about Hatch and what he was doing on board The Mary Rose…
For today’s Advent treat, I’m sharing this Teasel’s Tudor Trivia video from a few years ago. It’s about Henry VIII and what he used to help him read as his eyesight worsened with age.
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On this day in Tudor history, 11th October 1521, Pope Leo X conferred on King Henry VIII the title of Fidei Defensor, “Defender of the Faith”.
This was a reward for Henry VIII writing his pamphlet Assertio septem sacramentorum adversus Martinum Lutherum, “Declaration of the Seven Sacraments Against Martin Luther”, which was dedicated to the Pope. The pamphlet defended the Catholic Church against Reformer Martin Luther’s work, “De captivitate Babylonica”, “On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church”, which had been published in 1520.
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On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1503, seventeen-year old Catherine of Aragon became betrothed to the nearly twelve-year old Prince Henry, second son of King Henry VII.
Catherine had been widowed in April 1502 when her husband, Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, eldest son of Henry VII, died. The king was keen to keep hold of her dowry so negotiated with her parents, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, for her to marry his second son.
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As today is the anniversary of Queen Anne Boleyn’s execution on 19th May 1536, I thought I’d share with you this talk I did a few years ago on Anne Boleyn’s fall.
In it, I examine the roles of Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII in those bloody events. Did Thomas Cromwell plot all by himself or was he simply his master’s servant? Was Henry VIII ultimately responsible? Why did Anne Boleyn have to die?
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As today is the anniversary of King Henry VIII’s accession to the throne, I thought I’d share this talk by historian and author Gareth Russell on Henry VIII’s successes and failures as a military leader.
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Historian Claire Ridgway’s next online event, Henry VIII and His Six Wives, is open for registration with an early bird discount coupon!
Register now and join Claire, Dr Tracy Borman, Dr Linda Porter, Gareth Russell, Dr Owen Emmerson and Kate McCaffrey as they delve into the lives of this iconic king and his six queens consort.
Henry VIII and His Six Wives is a completely online event and its starts properly on 22nd May 2023. However, Claire is hosting zoom video calls twice a month leading up to the event so participants can get to know each other and talk Tudor. The zoom calls start on 12th February and the topic for discussion is Henry VIII in film and on TV.
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As today is the anniversary of Henry VIII’s return from France on 30th September 1544 after the English victory at the Siege of Boulogne, I thought I’d share this expert talk from our archives.
Historian and author Gareth Russell discusses the successes and failures of Henry VIII as a military leader…
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On this day in Tudor history, 30th September 1544, fifty-three-year-old King Henry VIII returned to England from France.
The king was returning in victory following the French surrender of Boulogne to him and his troops.
Hear a contemporary account of what happened during the siege of Boulogne and how and why the French surrendered to Henry VIII…
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On this day in Tudor history, 28th June 1557, Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel, was born at Arundel House, the Strand, London.
Arundel ended up being condemned to death for treason and dying of alleged poisoning in 1589, when he was just 32.
Let me tell you more about Arundel and his rather sticky end…
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On this day in Tudor history, 21st June 1509, the new king, the nearly 18-year-old Henry VIII, travelled from Greenwich to the Tower of London.
Why was Henry VIII going to the Tower?
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I thought we’d celebrate Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s wedding anniversary, which was yesterday, by testing your knowledge of them and their marriage.
Get those little grey cells working with this fun quiz and do feel free to share your score.
Good luck!
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On this day in Tudor history, 7th June 1594, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the queen’s physician, Roderigo Lopez, was hanged, drawn and quartered after being accused of plotting to poison the queen.
Find out more about Lopez and what happened…
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On this day in Tudor history, 10th May 1533, the Great Matter, Henry VIII’s quest for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, neared its conclusion.
Find out what happened on this day in 1533, and what happened next…
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How much do you know about Henry VIII’s family members?
Test yourself with this fun word search puzzle, and remember, the words can go in any direction!
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