The Tudor Society
  • Teasel’s Tudor Trivia – 4 December – Henry VIII’s dogs

    Did you know that Henry VIII was a dog-lover? Yes, he wasn’t all bad!

    In today’s Teasel’s Tudor Trivia, Teasel the ex-street-dog shares some information on two of Henry VIII’s very favourite dogs, Cut and Ball.

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  • 4 December – The beginning of the end for Thomas Cranmer

    On this day in Tudor history, 4th December 1555, in Rome, papal sentence was passed on Thomas Cranmer, resulting in Cranmer being deprived of his archbishopric. Permission was also granted for his fate to be decided by the secular authorities.

    In today’s “on this day in history”, I explain what led Cranmer to this day and also what happened next. Thomas Cranmer went on to recant his Protestant faith on several occasions, but was still executed by being burned at the stake. Why?

    Find out more in today’s talk.

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  • Teasel’s Tudor Trivia – 3 December

    In today’s Teasel’s Tudor Trivia, Dr Teasel, as she’s now taken to referring to herself, shares some of her very favourite Tudor remedies for common ailments. These are all remedies taken from works of the Tudor period, but Dr Teasel is a bit of a charlatan really (shhhh! Don’t tell her I said that!) as she hasn’t actually tried them for herself.

    Please don’t try any of these at home!

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  • 3 December – Henry VIII pardons rebels

    On this day in Tudor history, 3rd December 1536, a proclamation was made to the rebels of the Pilgrimage of Grace offering them a pardon.

    Yes, Henry VIII was offering the rebels “free pardons” for their rebellion against him, his advisors and his religious measures.

    In today’s “on this day in Tudor history”, I give a reminder of what the Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion was about and how, even though a free pardon was offered, prominent rebels ended up being executed.

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  • Live Transcript – Gayle Hulme – Mary, Queen of Scots

    Here’s the transcript of the lively livechat that we had with Gayle Hulme over the weekend. All full members are welcome to join us at these events and you can either just watch or join in as you wish.

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  • Teasel’s Tudor Trivia – 2 December

    Teasel the dog just loves King Henry VIII. He may have been a tyrant in many ways, but he does seem to have have been a dog-lover and that makes him ok to Teasel.

    Teasel has been engrossed in Henry VIII’s inventory, carefully supervised, and has found out so much about the king and his belongings. Today’s advent treat is about what Henry VIII used to help him read.

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  • 2 December – Henry Howard is arrested

    On this day in Tudor history, 2nd December 1546, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, poet, courtier, soldier and the eldest son of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, was arrested after Richard Southwell, his former friend, gave evidence against him.

    King Henry VIII had just weeks to live and was increasingly paranoid, so Southwell’s ‘evidence’ was just what Surrey’s enemies needed to bring the earl down.

    Find out more about the Earl of Surrey’s downfall, and how his father managed to keep his head, in today’s talk.

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  • 1 December – Thomas Culpeper and Francis Dereham found guilty

    On this day in Tudor history, 1st December 1541, Thomas Culpeper, a member of King Henry VIII’s privy chamber, and Francis Dereham, a secretary to Queen Catherine Howard, were tried for high treason at Guildhall, London. Both men had been linked romantically with the queen.

    They were both found guilty of treason and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

    But what about Catherine Howard and her lady, Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, who had also been arrested. What was happening with them? Find out more about them, and the trial of Dereham and Culpeper, in today’s talk.

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  • Teasel’s Tudor Trivia – 1 December

    YouTube thumbnail showing Teasel the dog and a mastiff

    Each year, I like to do some Tudor-themed Advent treats and this year, Teasel, our newly rescued canine friend, is helping me out. Each day, she’ll be bringing us a piece of Tudor trivial. I do hope you enjoy these little Tudor tidbits.

    Here’s Day 1!

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  • The Plays of William Shakespeare Crossword Puzzle

    As it was the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway this week, I thought we’d celebrate their union with a crossword puzzle on Shakespeare’s plays. How much do you know about the Bard’s works? Test yourself with this fun puzzle.

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  • 1 December 1581 – The martyrdom of St Alexander Briant

    Today marks the feast day of St Alexander Briant, the Roman Catholic priest who was hanged, drawn and quartered on 1st December 1581 at Tyburn.

    Briant studied at Hart Hall and Balliol College, Oxford, where his tutors included Richard Holtby and Robert Persons, who later became Jesuits. Their influence led to him abandoning his studies and joining the seminary at Douai. On 29th March 1578, he was ordained as a priest and in August 1579, he was sent on a mission to England.

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  • 1483: The Year of Three Kings – Matthew Lewis – Expert Talk

    This month we have the wonderful Matthew Lewis telling us about a very eventful year – Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III. This is an exceptional talk and we know you’ll enjoy it.

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