Tudor History with Claire Ridgway | Podcast Guru

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Step back into a world of intrigue, passion, and ruthless ambition — welcome to Tudor England. Join historian and bestselling author Claire Ridgway as she uncovers the riveting stories of the Tudor dynasty. From the scandalous love affairs of King Henry VIII to the tragic fall of Anne Boleyn, the fierce reign of Elizabeth I, and the lesser-known secrets of Tudor court life, this podcast brings history to life in vivid detail. Hear dramatic tales of betrayal, execution, forbidden love, and political manoeuvring that shaped England forever. Discover daily Tudor history with fascinating “On This Day” episodes — unique insights you won’t find in typical history books. Get behind-the-scenes stories from Claire’s own research trips to historic sites like the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle, and more. Enjoy interviews with top historians and experts in Tudor studies, plus lively Q&A sessions tackling listeners’ burning Tudor questions. 🖋 Who is Claire Ridgway? Claire is the author of the bestselling On This Day in Tudor History series and numerous other Tudor books loved by readers around the world. She founded The Tudor Society, connecting enthusiasts with experts through live online events, and runs the hugely popular history websites The Anne Boleyn Files and www.ClaireRidgway.com. Her mission: to uncover the human stories behind the crown — the hopes, fears, and triumphs of not only kings and queens but also the courtiers, rebels, and ordinary people who lived under the Tudor rose. What can you expect? - Gripping accounts of famous events like the Field of Cloth of Gold, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, or the Babington Plot. - Intimate portraits of Tudor figures: Anne Boleyn’s charm and downfall, Thomas Cromwell’s rise and brutal fall, Elizabeth I’s cunning survival. - Dark mysteries and unsolved deaths — who really killed Amy Robsart? Was Katherine Howard truly guilty? - Special episodes on Tudor fashion, food, medicine, and the day-to-day lives of Tudor men and women. Join thousands of Tudor fans worldwide Never miss an episode — subscribe now and become part of a global community that can’t get enough of Tudor drama. Explore more with Claire’s books, free resources, and live historical events at www.ClaireRidgway.com. Ready to travel back 500 years? Press play and let the adventure begin.

Recent Episodes

Who Killed the Princes in the Tower? One of History's Greatest Mysteries

MAY 6, 2026

Who Killed the Princes in the Tower? One of History's Greatest Mysteries

Two young princes vanished inside the Tower of London, and history has never agreed on what happened next.In 1483, Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, disappeared from public view after their uncle seized the throne as King Richard III. Were they murdered? If so, who was responsible?For centuries, suspicion has fallen on Richard III, but was the case really that simple?In this video, I explore:• the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower• Richard III and the evidence against him• the role of Buckingham, Henry VII, and Margaret Beaufort• medieval politics and rival claimants• Thomas More and the James Tyrell confession story• the mystery of Perkin Warbeck and survival theories• the bones discovered in the Tower of London• what contemporary sources actually tell usWas this a royal murder, a political conspiracy, or one of history’s greatest misunderstandings?Let me know your theory in the comments.#PrincesInTheTower #RichardIII #WarsOfTheRoses

26 MIN

The Wars of the Roses Explained | The Civil War That Created the Tudors

APR 29, 2026

The Wars of the Roses Explained | The Civil War That Created the Tudors

Kings were overthrown, noble families destroyed, princes vanished, and England descended into decades of civil war.In this Beginner’s Guide to the Wars of the Roses, I explore the dynastic conflict between the rival houses of Lancaster and York, a struggle that would bring down the Plantagenets and pave the way for the Tudor dynasty.From the weak reign of Henry VI and the rise of Richard, Duke of York, to the battles of St Albans, Towton, Barnet, and Tewkesbury, this video untangles the complex family rivalries, political tensions, betrayals, and battles that shaped fifteenth-century England.We’ll also explore:- Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou- Richard Neville “the Kingmaker”- Edward IV and the Woodvilles- The Princes in the Tower- Richard III’s rise to power- Henry Tudor’s claim to the throneWhether you’re completely new to the Wars of the Roses or looking for a clear overview before diving deeper into Tudor history, my hope is that this guide will help you understand one of the most dramatic periods in English history.#WarsoftheRoses #RichardIII #HenryVI #EdwardIV #TudorHistory #Plantagenets #HistoryDocumentary

23 MIN

Did Anne Boleyn really marry Henry VIII twice?

APR 23, 2026

Did Anne Boleyn really marry Henry VIII twice?

In this episode of my Anne Boleyn series, we explore one of the most fascinating and controversial moments in Tudor history, the possibility of a secret marriage in November 1532, followed by a formal wedding in January 1533, all before the king’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon had been officially annulled.After years of frustration during the Great Matter, Henry stopped waiting for Rome and began acting on what he believed to be the truth: that his first marriage was invalid in the eyes of God.But why the urgency?What changed after the Calais meeting with Francis I of France?And how did these secret decisions lead to one of the most spectacular coronations England had ever seen?In this video, we examine: The evidence for a possible November 1532 marriage The well-attested January 1533 wedding at Whitehall Anne Boleyn’s pregnancy and the question of legitimacy The final resolution of the Great Matter under Thomas Cranmer The pageantry, symbolism, and political messaging of Anne’s coronation After years of struggle, delay, and risk, Anne Boleyn was finally queen.Read more on this topic:https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/14-november-1532-first-secret-marriage/https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/25-january-1533-marriage-of-henry-viii-and-anne-boleyn/Watch the full Anne Boleyn series:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrK-zOYsEHo618JwNPMyOK6M#AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #BritishHistory #HistoryDocumentary #HistoryYouTube #RoyalHistory #TheTudors #ElizabethI #HistoryLovers

17 MIN

Henry VIII’s Most Powerful Courtier? His Toilet Attendant

APR 17, 2026

Henry VIII’s Most Powerful Courtier? His Toilet Attendant

What if one of the most powerful men in Tudor England was responsible for helping the king go to the toilet?It sounds like the lowest of the low, but the Groom of the Stool was anything but a menial servant. In fact, this role placed a man at the very heart of royal power.In this video, I explore the surprisingly influential position of the Groom of the Stool under Henry VIII. From managing the king’s private chambers and personal belongings to controlling the privy purse and overseeing daily finances, this role was built on trust, access, and intimacy.And in the Tudor court, access to the monarch meant influence.Men like William Compton and Henry Norris held this office, men who weren’t just attendants, but key figures in the political world surrounding the king.I also look at how queens such as Mary I of England and Elizabeth I relied on their own trusted attendants for similarly intimate roles.#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #RoyalHistory #HistoryExplained #BritishHistory #AnneBoleyn #HistoryFacts #Tudors #HistoryChannel #OnThisDay

5 MIN

Henry VIII Used the Bible to Justify His Annulment… But Was He Wrong?

APR 12, 2026

Henry VIII Used the Bible to Justify His Annulment… But Was He Wrong?

Did Henry VIII really have a biblical reason to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon… or was he interpreting scripture to suit his own desires?In this video, we explore the religious argument at the heart of the King’s Great Matter: Henry VIII’s claim that his marriage was against God’s law.Using Leviticus 20:21, Henry argued that marrying his brother’s widow brought divine punishment. But there’s a problem: his marriage wasn’t childless, and his queen strongly denied ever being truly his brother’s wife.We’ll also examine the apparent contradiction in Deuteronomy 25:5, which seems to command the very marriage Henry claimed was sinful.So were these verses truly in conflict?Did Leviticus really take precedence?Or was this a matter of interpretation and power?We’ll also explore the role of canon law, papal authority, and the irony of Henry later marrying Anne Boleyn after a relationship with her sister.This isn’t just a theological debate.It’s the moment a personal crisis became a religious revolution.Watch my full episode: The Six-Year Wait: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Great Matter (1527–1533)https://youtu.be/rVVoxkGSz0o If you enjoy Tudor history, don’t forget to subscribe - I’m working towards 100,000 subscribers this year!#HenryVIII #AnneBoleyn #CatherineOfAragon #GreatMatter #TudorHistory#BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #HistoryYouTube #Reformation#RoyalHistory #HistoryNerd #HistoryChannel #LearnHistory

6 MIN