The Tudor Society
  • #OTD in Tudor history – 31 March

    Portraits of John Donne and Henry VII

    On this day in Tudor history, 31st March, the dying Henry VII made his will; Friar William Peto compared Henry VIII to Ahab and Anne Boleyn to Jezebel; and metaphysical poet and satirist John Donne died…

    [Read More...]
  • #OTD in Tudor history – 14 February

    Portraits of Sir Nicholas Carew and an older Henry VIII

    On this day in Tudor history, 14th February, former royal favourite Sir Nicholas Carew was found guilty of treason, Henry VIII’s coffin leaked yucky stuff, fulfilling a prophecy, and “William Waste-all” died…

    [Read More...]
  • June 14 – William Peto becomes a cardinal and papal legate

    Painting of William Peto from the Church of Ognissanti, Florence

    On this day in Tudor history, 14th June 1557, William Peto was made cardinal and papal legate, replacing Reginald Pole.

    During Henry VIII’s Great Matter, Friar Peto served Catherine of Aragon and Princess Mary as confessor. On Easter Sunday 1531, he angered King Henry VIII when he preached a sermon comparing Henry VIII to King Ahab and Anne Boleyn to Jezebel. He warned the king to act to avoid Ahab’s unhappy end and to avoid the dogs licking up his blood as they had Ahab’s.

    In 1547, while Henry VIII’s coffin was resting at Syon, it was said that liquid dripped out of it and that dogs did indeed lick it up.

    [Read More...]
  • June 14 – Friar Peto and Sir Christopher Danby, both lucky men

    On this day in Tudor history, 14th June 1557, in the reign of Mary I, Friar William Peto was made a cardinal and a papal legate.

    He’d done well to survive Henry VIII’s reign as he’d upset the king with a controversial sermon and was attainted at one point.

    Find out more about Peto in this short video…

    [Read More...]
  • 14 June – Friar Peto

    On 14th June 1557, in the reign of Mary I, Friar William Peto was made a cardinal and a papal legate.

    He'd done well to survive Henry VIII's reign as he'd upset the king with a controversial sermon and was attainted at one point.

    Find out more about Peto in this #TudorHistoryShorts video...

    [Read More...]

  • 31 March – King Henry VIII as King Ahab, Anne Boleyn as Jezebel

    On this day in Tudor history, 31st March 1532, Henry VIII was left fuming after Friar William Peto likened him to King Ahab and preached against his quest for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Friar Peto also made a prophecy that some believe was fulfilled after the king’s death in 1547.

    I explain exactly what happened on this day 1532 to make Henry VIII so furious, what Peto said and what happened next.

    [Read More...]
  • 14 February – The dog licks up the king’s blood

    In today’s “on this day in Tudor history”, I take you back to 1547 and a rather horrible event that was seen as the fulfilment of a prophecy. Friar William Peto had warned King Henry VIII that if he carried on with his behaviour then he would end up like King Ahab. Strong words!

    I then move on to a happier topic, Valentine’s Day in the Tudor period. Did the Tudors celebrate Valentine’s Day and what did they do to mark the occasion?

    [Read More...]