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  • March 10 – William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Portrait of William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, holding the white staff of the office of Lord High Treasurer, NPG.

    On this day in Tudor history, 10th March 1572, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, nobleman and administrator William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, died at his home Basing House in Hampshire. He was said to be 97 years of age at his death. He was laid to rest in the parish church at Basing on 28th April.

    Paulet’s offices under Henry VIII included Lord Treasurer, Great Master of the Household and Lord Great Chamberlain, and he also served the king’s children, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, in their reigns.

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  • March 6 – Lord Chancellor Thomas Wriothesley is accused of abusing his authority

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Miniature of Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, by Hans Holbein the Younger

    On this day in Tudor history, 6th March 1547, in the reign of King Edward VI, former Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, lost the Great Seal of his Lord Chancellorship and was confined to his home at Ely Place for abusing his authority.

    Wriothesley was found guilty of issuing a commission without the knowledge or permission of the other executors of Henry VIII’s will, but it was probably more to do with his opposition to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, becoming Lord Protector.

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  • January 12 – William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, Lord Admiral

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Painting of William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, English School

    On 12th January 1573, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham, died at Hampton Court Palace.

    The diplomat, soldier and naval commander was buried at Reigate Church.

    Howard had served four Tudor monarchs: Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, and had been Lord Admiral and Lord Chamberlain of the Household. At one point, he was convicted of misprision of treason, but was fortunately pardoned.

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  • April 6 – A spymaster and a serial secret husband

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in history, 6th April 1621, in the Stuart period, Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford, died at around the age of 81.

    Now, Hertford is known for his secret marriage to Lady Katherine Grey, sister of Lady Jane Grey, and their conjugal visits in the Tower of London, but Hertford had a thing for secret marriages, and his son and grandson followed in his footsteps!

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  • September 2021 – Star Crossed Lovers

    2 years ago Author: ADMIN Tim
    2 Comments

    Tragic Tudor romances are always fascinating to learn about, and we’ve dedicated this months magazine to this topic. Romeo and Juliet always come to mind when you mention star crossed lovers but there are so many more real-life couples to learn about.

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  • 31 July – A butcher kills a baron

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 31st July 1549, Edmund Sheffield, 1st Baron Sheffield, was killed by a butcher during Kett’s Rebellion in East Anglia.

    What happened?

    Find out…

    [Read More...]

  • August 2021 – Tudor Life – All About Anne

    2 years ago Author: ADMIN Tim
    2 Comments

    This month's magazine is all about Tudor people called Anne. We obviously have Anne Boleyn, but also plenty of other interesting women to learn about. [Read More...]

  • Teasel’s Tudor Trivia – Books on the Tudor Kings and Queens

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    In this latest edition of Teasel’s Tudor Trivia, Tudor experts, historian Claire Ridgway and her researcher, Teasel the rescue dog, introduce their top picks for non-fiction books on the Tudor kings and queens.

    The books featured are all excellent reads and are well-referenced – perfect for those just wanting to know more about the monarch or those who are using them for research.

    Please do share in the comments if you have a favourite book on the Tudor monarchs.

    [Read More...]

  • 13 June – George Neville, a man with a very mixed court career

    2 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On 13th June 1535, courtier George Neville, 3rd Baron Bergavenny, died. He'd done well for himself in the reigns of King Richard III and Henry VII, but came undone in Henry VIII's reign.

    What happened to George Neville?

    Find out a bit more about him...

    [Read More...]

  • Artists in the Spotlight – Kristina

    2 years ago Author: Emma
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    In this weeks artists in the spotlight we are looking at the beautiful art of Kristina. She is a 31 years old illustrator and graphic novelist from Hamburg, Germany. She focuses on historical and fantasy subjects and makes digital drawings.

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  • A murdered French duke, Margaret Douglas’s bad news, a Tudor countess, and Lady Katherine Grey

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    In this second part of “This week in Tudor history” for the week beginning 15th February, I talk about how the death of a French duke led to an awful massacre, and how the imprisoned Margaret Douglas heard of her son’s murder, as well as introducing a countess who served all six of Henry VIII’s wives and who was close to his daughter Mary, and a noblewoman who managed to give birth twice while imprisoned in the Tower of London.

    18th February 1563 – Francis, Duke of Guise, was wounded by a Huguenot assassin at the Siege of Orléans. He died a few days later and his death was a factor in the 1572 St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.

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  • This week in Tudor History – 11 – 17 January – Part 1

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    3 Comments

    This week, I thought I’d split the week into two, so this video covers Tudor history events that took place on 11th, 12th and 13th January – the execution of a printer, the death of a baron, soldier and naval commander, the death of a godson of Henry VIII…

    Below, you’ll also find videos from previous years that cover these dates.

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  • 19 November – Lord John Grey and how he escaped the axeman

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 19th November 1564, Lord John Grey, youngest son of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, died.

    He’s not the Lord John Grey of the wonderful Outlander series, but he is just as interesting.

    In Mary I’s reign, he was involved in a rebellion with his brothers, Lord Thomas Grey and Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, but unlike them was not executed.

    How did Lord John Grey escape execution? And why did he get into trouble again in Elizabeth I’s reign.

    Find out all about this Tudor lord in today’s talk.

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  • 14 October – Sir Thomas Chaloner and his very strong teeth

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 14th October 1565, diplomat and poet, Sir Thomas Chaloner the Elder, died at his home in Clerkenwell, London. He was just forty-four years old. He’d served four Tudor monarchs as a diplomat, but he also wrote English and Latin works.

    Find out more about Thomas Chaloner, his life, his career, and how his teeth saved him from death, in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 13 October – Mary I’s secret meetings with ambassadors in disguise

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 13th October 1553, Queen Mary I wrote a very interesting letter to the imperial ambassador, Simon Renard. In it, she asked the ambassador to meet with her secretly, and she’d encouraged him previously to come to her secretly and in disguise.

    Why? What was going on? And why did Mary seem to trust the emperor and his ambassadors more than her own council?

    Find out more about the situation in today’s talk.

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  • 10 October – The funeral of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth I’s favourite

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 10th October 1588, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was buried in the Beauchamp Chapel of the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, according to his instructions.

    His funeral was well-attended and his widow, Lettice, a woman known by Elizabeth I as “the she-wolf”, erected a monument to “her best and dearest husband” in the chapel, which was also the resting place of the couple’s young son, Robert, “the noble impe”.

    Find out more about Leicester’s funeral and resting place, and see some photos of his tomb, in today’s talk.

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  • 24 September – The executions of a Roman priest and the man who sheltered him

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 24th September 1589, Roman Catholic priest, William Spenser, and layman Robert Hardesty were executed at York. Spenser was executed for being a priest, and Hardesty for sheltering Spenser.

    The two men were beatified in 1987 as two of the Eight-five Martyrs of England and Wales.

    Find out more about William Spenser and Robert Hardesty, and how they came to their awful ends, in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 17 September – Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 17th September 1558, Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford and grandfather of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and a favourite of Elizabeth I, died at the Devereux family seat at Chartley in Staffordshire.

    Devereux had a long and distinguished court career, serving Henry VIII, Princess Mary in Ludlow, and Edward VI. He also married at around the age of 11 and was imprisoned at one point. An interesting Tudor man.

    Find out more about this soldier and royal servant in today’s talk:

    [Read More...]

  • 22 August – The end of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 22nd August 1553, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was beheaded on Tower Hill for his part in putting his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, on the throne. Northumberland’s friends and supporters, Sir John Gates and Sir Thomas Palmer, were also executed.

    Northumberland was actually scheduled to die the previous day and the crowd turned up to see, the scaffold was prepared and even the executioner was ready… but, instead, the duke was taken to church.

    Why?

    Find out why and also hear a contemporary account of the duke’s execution in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 14 August – William Parr, brother of Queen Catherine Parr

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 14th August 1513, William Parr, Marquess of Northampton and brother of Queen Catherine Parr, was born.

    William Parr is a fascinating man. He had a wonderful court career, his first wife eloped and left him, his divorce was granted and then rescinded, he was imprisoned in the Tower but then released, his marital happiness was rather shortlived… but he died a natural death!

    Find out more about William Parr in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 8 August – Edward VI’s Burial

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 8th August 1553, fifteen-year-old King Edward VI was buried in Henry VII’s Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey in a funeral service performed by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.

    Although his Catholic half-sister, Mary, was on the throne, Edward was buried with Protestant rites and it was the first time the English Book of Common Prayer was used for the funeral of a monarch.

    Find out more about Edward VI’s funeral, how Mary I marked his passing, and Edward VI’s resting place, in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 30 July – Elizabeth leaves Somerset House to meet Mary

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 30th July 1553, Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, left her new home, Somerset House, to ride to Wanstead and greet her half-sister, Mary, who’d been officially proclaimed queen on 19th July.

    Somerset House was Elizabeth’s new London residence and you can find out more about how Elizabeth acquired it and who built it originally in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 21 July – The arrest of John Dudley

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 21st July, 1553, just days after he’d left London with an army to apprehend Mary, half-sister of the late king, Edward VI, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland was arrested near Cambridge.

    But how and why did the man who had ruled England on Edward VI’s behalf, as Lord President of his privy council, come to this?

    I explain his role in the accession of Lady Jane Grey as Queen Jane in July 1553 and what happened when Mary overthrew Queen Jane.

    [Read More...]

  • 5 July – Sir Thomas More’s last letter

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 5th July 1535, Henry VIII’s former Lord Chancellor and good friend, Sir Thomas More, wrote his final letter.

    More’s last letter was addressed to his beloved daughter Margaret (Meg) Roper and it was written in coal. It is a touching letter and includes instructions and messages for other members of the family.

    In today’s talk, I share Sir Thomas More’s letter and give details on the people mentioned, along with explaining the meaning of the algorism stone.

    [Read More...]

  • 24 June – Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth I’s favourite

    3 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 24th June 1532, the feast of St John the Baptist, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I, was born.

    Elizabeth I called Leicester her “eyes” and “sweet Robin” and there was gossip over their relationship, but there was far more to Robert Dudley than his closeness to the queen. Find out all about his life and career in today’s talk:

    [Read More...]

  • Tudor History Challenge 7

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    It’s Friday and I think we’re due some fun, aren’t we? Let’s have it at Tim’s expense, he doesn’t mind.

    Here’s our latest Tudor History Challenge! Do play a long. Give yourself a point for each correct answer and there’s a bonus point if you get both parts of question 7 correct. The answers are at the bottom of this post so don’t scroll down and cheat!

    [Read More...]

  • 16 April – A fortune from drinkable gold

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 16th April 1550, alchemist, apothecary and physician Francis Anthony was born, probably in London. He had a rather eventful life, being imprisoned on several occasions, and he made his fortune from his invention aurum potabile, drinkable gold, which he claimed had amazing curative powers.

    Find out more about Francis Anthony and why he ended up in prison in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 5 March – Tobacco comes to Europe

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 5th March 1558, Spanish physician Francisco Fernandes brought back live tobacco plants and seeds from Mexico to Europe.

    In today’s “On This Day in Tudor History”, I talk about the introduction of tobacco in Europe and how it was viewed as a cure-all, and how tobacco smoking became fashionable at Elizabeth I’s court.

    [Read More...]

  • 21 February – Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 21st February 1590, Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, Master of the Ordnance and Privy Councillor, died at Bedford House on the Strand.

    Ambrose had been a loyal royal servant and was a member of that famous Tudor family, the Dudleys, with his father being John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and his brother being Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

    Find out more about Ambrose Dudley’s life and career in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]

  • 13 February – Bess of Hardwick

    4 years ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    2 Comments

    On this day in history, 13th February 1608, prominent Tudor noblewoman and one of the richest people in England, Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, more commonly known as Bess of Hardwick, died at her home at Hardwick.

    Bess of Hardwick is known for her building projects, which included Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall, her beautiful needlework and the fact that she and Shrewsbury were guardians of the captive Mary, Queen of Scots.

    Find out more about this fascinating Tudor lady in today’s talk.

    [Read More...]