The Tudor Society

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  • May 25 – Lady Jane Grey becomes Lady Jane Dudley

    11 months ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    The Streatham Portrait of Lady Jane Grey by an unknown artist, and a 19th century portrait of Lord Guildford Dudley

    On this day in Tudor history, 25th May 1553, in the reign of King Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey married Lord Guildford Dudley at Durham Place, the Dudley family’s London residence.

    Jane was the daughter of Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, and Frances Brandon, and granddaughter of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and Guildford was the son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and Jane Guildford, and the grandson of Edmund Dudley, one of Henry VII’s chief advisors.

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  • May 23 – Henry Grey is installed as a Knight of the Garter

    11 months ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 23rd May 1547, in the reign of King Edward VI, Henry Grey, 3rd Marquis of Dorset was installed as a Knight of the Garter.

    Grey had longed to be a garter knight for years, but even though his father-in-law, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, nominated him annually, he was not elected. Things changed in Grey’s favour when Edward VI became king.

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  • May 7 – An English assault on Leith

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 7th May 1560, in the reign of Elizabeth I, English troops charged the wall of Leith at the siege of Leith.

    In 1548, during the War of the Rough Wooing, which had broken out over Scotland’s refusal to marry Mary Queen of Scots off to Edward VI, Scotland had invited French troops to protect the port of Leith. They set up a garrison and were still there 12 years later. Protestant reformers turned to England to help them remove these French Catholics.

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  • April 1 – Author and soldier Thomas Churchyard

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Title page of Thomas Churchyard's work "The Miserie of Flaunders"

    On this day in Tudor history, 1st April 1604, author and soldier Thomas Churchyard died in Westminster, London.

    Churchyard started writing in the reign of Edward VI and some of his poems were published in “Tottel’s Miscellany”.

    Churchyard was also an active soldier, serving with the Duke of Somerset in Scotland and fighting as a mercenary for Protestants in Europe.

    Let me share with you a few facts about this man…

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  • March 24 – Judge and Speaker of the House of Commons Sir James Dyer

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A portrait of judge Sir James Dyer

    On this day in Tudor history, 24th March 1582, , Sir James Dyer, judge, law reporter, Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Commons, died at the age of 72. His other offices included King’s Sergeant-at-Law, Judge of the Common Pleas and Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. He was buried at Great Staughton Church in Huntingdonshire, next to his wife.

    Dyer was Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of King Edward VI and served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from January 1559 until his death.

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  • March 14 – Arthur Bulkeley, Bishop of Bangor, chaplain to Charles Brandon and Thomas Cromwell

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment
    Photo of the quire of Bangor Cathedral by John Armagh

    On this day in Tudor history, 14th March 1553, in the reign of King Edward VI, Arthur Bulkeley, Bishop of Bangor, died at his home in Bangor. He was buried in the cathedral quire.

    Bulkeley, who was originally from Beaumaris in Anglesey, had been bishop since 1541. He’d previously served as chaplain to Charles Brandon and Thomas Cromwell.

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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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  • February 26 – George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Miniature of George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon, by Nicholas Hilliard

    On this day in Tudor history, 26th February 1548, in the reign of King Edward VI, George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon, was born. He was the eldest son of Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon, and Anne Morgan, and the grandson of Mary Boleyn.

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  • February 17 – Henry Radcliffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Arms of Henry Radcliffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex

    On this day in Tudor history, 17th February 1557, Henry Radcliffe, 2nd Earl of Sussex, died at Cannon Row in Westminster. He was buried firstly at St Laurence Pountney and then moved to Boreham in Essex.

    Sussex, who was about 50 at his death, was the son of courtier and soldier Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex. He accompanied the king and Anne Boleyn on their 1532 Calais visit and was made a Knight of the Bath in the celebrations for Anne’s coronation in 1533. He commanded men under the Duke of Norfolk in Henry VIII’s French campaign in 1544 and was lord sewer at Edward VI’s coronation in 1547.

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  • February 6 – Edmund Plowden

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A line engraving of Edmund Plowden by T. Stayner

    On this day in Tudor history, 6th February 1585, lawyer, legal scholar and law reporter, Edmund Plowden, died in London.

    Plowden was laid to rest in the Middle Temple Church.

    Cambridge University’s libraries and the British Library contain manuscripts of his commentaries and opinions, and he is known for his 1571 volume of law reports covering cases during the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I.

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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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  • December 7 – The execution or rebel Robert Kett

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 7th December 1549, in the reign of King Edward VI, Robert Kett, the former leader of Kett’s Rebellion, was executed.

    The rebel leader was hanged from the walls of Norwich Castle after being found guilty of treason. His brother William was hanged the same day, but from the steeple of Wymondham Church.

    You can find out all about Robert Kett and his rebellion in this video:

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  • December 6 – Sir Hugh Paulet

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Portraits of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I

    On this day in Tudor history, 6th December 1573, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Hugh Paulet died at his home in Hinton St George in Somerset.

    Paulet distinguished himself as a soldier in Henry VIII’s reign, and in Edward VI’s reign he served as Governor of Jersey. Although he was a Protestant, he served as Vice-President of the Welsh Marches in Mary I’s reign, and went on to have a successful career in Elizabeth I’s reign.

    Paulet was an important man and a royal servant, but still managed to die a natural death at his home.

    Find out more about Sir Hugh Paulet…

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  • December 4 – Thomas Cranmer is no longer Archbishop of Canterbury

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Portrait of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.

    On this day in Tudor history, 4th December 1555, in the reign of Queen Mary I, papal sentence was passed in Rome on Thomas Cranmer, who had served as Archbishop of Canterbury in the reigns of King Henry VIII and King Edward VI.

    The papal sentence deprived Cranmer of his archbishopric and gave permission for his fate to be decided by the secular authorities.

    Let me explain what led Cranmer to this day and also what happened next…

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  • November 29 – Anthony Browne, a man close to the monarchs and who kept his head!

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    Portrait of Sir Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu, by Hans Eworth.

    On this day in Tudor history, 29th November 1528, in the reign of King Henry VIII, Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu, was born.

    Montagu began his court career with the help of his father in Henry VIII’s reign. He was made a Knight of the Bath when Edward VI became king, served as a privy councillor in Queen Mary I’s reign and died a natural death in Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. Montagu even survived being implicated in a rebellion!

    Who was Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu, and just how did he manage to not only have an excellent court career, but leave a fortune to his grandson, when he was a Catholic in Elizabeth I’s reign?

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  • November 24 – The death of John Knox

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 24th November 1572, John Knox died at his home in Edinburgh.

    The Scottish clergyman, famous Reformer, royal chaplain, and founder of Presbyterianism had a peaceful end, dying as his second wife, Margaret, read aloud from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

    John Knox is known for bringing the Protestant reformation to the church in Scotland and for his controversial views about women rulers. Knox was also chaplain to King Edward VI and had a very eventful life, being taken prisoner by the French and being forced into service on the galleys of their fleet at one point.

    Find out more about John Knox, his life and career…

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  • Talks about Jane Seymour

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    A portrait of Jane Seymour by Hans Holbein the Younger

    As this week has been the anniversary of Jane Seymour giving birth to Edward VI. I thought I’d share with you these expert talks on Jane Seymour from the Tudor Society archives…

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  • October 11 – Prayers for Queen Jane Seymour for her difficult labour

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 11th October 1537, in the reign of King Henry VIII, London was praying for the king’s third wife, Queen Jane Seymour.

    Jane was in labour with her first and only child, and the labour was long and difficult. On 11th October 1537, there was a solemn procession in the city of London to pray for her. After about thirty hours, Jane gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who would become King Edward VI.

    Let me share some contemporary sources about the procession and Jane’s labour…

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  • September 23 – Bishop John Jewel dies

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 23rd September 1571, John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury, died at Monkton Farleigh Manor. He was laid to rest in Salisbury Cathedral.

    Forty-nine-year-old Jewel had been taken ill while preaching a sermon in Lacock, Wiltshire.

    Jewel’s life and career spanned the reigns of King Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I – a time of huge religious change. He was a clergyman, a Protestant exile, a theologian and bishop, and someone who spoke up for what he believed.

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  • September 17 – The Earl of Rutland dies of plague

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 17th September 1563, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland, died.

    The courtier and soldier died during an outbreak of the plague, which was rife in London that year and killed about 24% of London’s citizens.

    Manners had served King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, so had a long and interesting career, which also saw him imprisoned at one point.

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  • September 13 – The birth of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 13th September 1520, in the reign of King Henry VIII, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, was born in Bourne in Lincolnshire.

    William Cecil was Queen Elizabeth I’s chief advisor and a man she called her “spirit”.

    Cecil is a fascinating man whose court career took him from serving King Edward VI to Queen Elizabeth I.

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  • September 10 – The 1547 Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, Saturday 10th September 1547, the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh took place in Edward VI’s reign.

    The battle, also known as the Battle of Pinkie, took place near Musselburgh, in Scotland, on the banks of the River Esk. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, led the English forces and defeated the Scots, killing between 6,000 and 15,000 of them.

    It was a bloody battle, but it had started off well for the Scots.

    What happened?

    Let me share an eye-witness account of how the battle changed so dramatically…

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  • September 9 – Mary, Queen of Scots is crowned

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 9th September 1543, nine-month-old Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned queen at the Chapel Royal of Stirling Castle.

    It was the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden and the death of Mary’s grandfather, King James IV of Scotland.

    Find out more about how Mary came to the throne, her coronation ceremony, in which Mary howled, and how she was already promised in marriage to Henry VIII’s son, the future Edward VI…

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  • August 25 – Norwich is attacked by rebels

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 25th August 1549, in the reign of King Edward VI, the rebels of Kett’s Rebellion launched an attack on the south side of Norwich and burned a number of buildings.

    Kett’s Rebellion lasted from July 1549 until the 27th August 1549, when they were defeated by Crown forces at the Battle of Dussindale.

    But what was it all about? What were the rebels’ grievances?

    Find out more about this rebellion…

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  • August 23 – The 1548 Siege of Haddington

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 23rd August 1548, in the reign of King Edward VI, Francis Talbot, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury, arrived at the Siege of Haddington, in East Lothian, Scotland, with a large army.

    The Siege of Haddington was part of the Anglo-Scottish war known as the War of the Rough Wooing between England and Scotland, which had started when Scotland backed out of the treaties which arranged the marriage of Edward VI and Mary, Queen of Scots.

    What happened at this siege and to Haddington after it?

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  • August 11 – Sir Maurice Berkeley dies

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 11th August 1581, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Maurice Berkeley died.

    You may not have heard of Sir Maurice Berkeley, but he had a wonderful court career. He served Henry as a gentleman usher of Henry VIII’s Privy Chamber, and also served Edward VI and Elizabeth I. He proved his loyalty to Mary I by arresting rebel leader, Thomas Wyatt the Younger.

    Find out more about this lesser-known Tudor man…

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  • August 3 – Lord Russell marches his troops to face rebels, and a notorious Tudor rake

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 3rd August 1549, in the reign of King Edward VI, Lord Russell marched his troops from Honiton to Woodbury.

    They were off to put down the Prayer Book Rebellion.

    Find out more in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts…

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  • July 21 – John Dudley is arrested

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
    1 Comment

    On this day in Tudor history, 21st July, 1553, two days after Mary I had been proclaimed queen, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland was arrested near Cambridge.

    This was just days after Northumberland had left London with an army to apprehend Mary, on behalf of his daughter-in-law, Queen Jane (Lady Jane Grey).

    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 in July 1553 and what happened when Mary overthrew Queen Jane…

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  • July 12 – Mary rallies support while Queen Jane makes a mistake that will cost her dearly

    1 year ago Author: Claire Ridgway
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    On this day in Tudor history, 12th July 1553, Mary (future Mary I), the half-sister of the late King Edward VI, moved from Kenninghall to Framlingham Castle. There, she set about rallying support for her claim to the throne.

    Lady Jane Grey, Mary’s cousin’s daughter, had been proclaimed queen on 10th July but Mary believed the crown was hers.

    Sir Thomas Cornwallis was able to intercept Mary on her journey to Framlingham and pledge his loyalty to her. He wasn’t the only one flocking to her cause.

    Meanwhile, back in London, the new queen, Queen Jane, made a serious mistake by refusing to send her father to go and apprehend Mary.

    Why was this a mistake?

    Find out what was going on back in 1553 in this video…

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