Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

In this instalment of her "Questions about Anne Boleyn" series, Claire Ridgway, author of several books on Anne Boleyn, answers the question "What was Anne Boleyn's real name?" by looking at how her surname was spelled in the primary sources, such as letters and documents, as well as how Anne signed her name and how it appeared on family brass memorials, and taking into account Tudor spelling, or lack of it!    Claire also considers the myth that the Boleyns changed the spelling of their name.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/kCVZ-9msYFc   Links for further reading and viewing:   Boleyn or Bullen – The Spelling of Boleyn and the Myth that Anne Boleyn Changed It - https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/boleyn-bullen-spelling-boleyn-myth-anne-boleyn-changed/ Horrible Histories Spelling Bee - https://youtu.be/VoRk3k_yykg spelling bee

On this day in Tudor history, 5th July 1589, three Essex women were hanged at Chelmsford, Essex, after being found guilty of murder by witchcraft. Their names were Joan Cunny, Joan Prentice and Joan Upney.   In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains how these women came to be accused of witchcraft and why they were hanged.  If you’re a Tudor Society member, you can listen to historian Kate Cole’s wonderful talk on the Witches of Elizabethan and Stuart Essex on the website - https://www.tudorsociety.com/expert-talk-the-witches-of-elizabethan-and-stuart-essex-kate-cole/    You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/hpmkvJyc6x8

On this day in Tudor history, 4th July 1533, two men were burnt at the stake at Smithfield for heresy: reformer and theologian John Frith, for his belief that Purgatory didn't exist and that his views on the sacrament, and tailor's apprentice Andrew Hewt for his belief regarding the sacrament.    In today's talk, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains just what was 'wrong' with these men's beliefs and how these men were betrayed, as well as sharing contemporary sources about these men's courageous ends.   Link for further reading about Frith and Hewet - https://www.exclassics.com/foxe/foxe179.htm     You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/IKhab0W7IuQ   You can find Claire at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com  https://www.tudorsociety.com https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/ https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/ https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles  https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety  https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/  https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/  

Oh dear! Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII, had a bit of a bad day on this day in Tudor history, 3rd July 1533. Not only had she trodden on a pin and was suffering with a bad cough, but she was also told that she had to stop calling herself queen - not likely!   In today's "on this day" video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, shares Thomas Cromwell's letter to Catherine's chamberlain on this matter, and also gives Catherine's reaction to it. She was a spirited and strong lady!   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/DAOboUEh6uo   You can find Claire at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com  https://www.tudorsociety.com https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/ https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/ https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles  https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety  https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/  https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/  

Today is the anniversary of the birth of that famous Tudor clergyman, statesman, theologian, scholar and highly intelligent man, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was born on 2nd July 1489 at Aslockton in Nottinghamshire.   Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", thought she'd mark the occasion by sharing a few facts that you might not know about this Tudor birthday boy. Thomas Cranmer is a fascinating Tudor man.   Link to article on the life of Thomas Cranmer - https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/the-life-of-archbishop-thomas-cranmer/4902/ for more information.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/hsz09DoX9oU

On this day in Tudor history, 1st July 1543, in the reign of King Henry VIII, the Treaties of Greenwich were signed.   These treaties were between the kingdoms of Scotland and England, and, amongst other terms, was the agreement of a marriage between Prince Edward, the future King Edward VI, and Mary, Queen of Scots.   Scotland's subsequent rejection of the treaties led to a war known as the Rough Wooing - a great name!   In today's podcast, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", explains what these treaties were all about and what happened in the war known as the Rough Wooing, and why it was called that. You can get the book here: http://getbook.at/onthisday   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/0Xmp5ar3MkUMy video on the Battle of Ancrum Moor can be found at https://youtu.be/0Xmp5ar3MkU

Things seemed all peachy as King Henry VIII and his fifth wife, Queen Catherine Howard, set off on their progress to the north of England on this day in Tudor history, 30th June 1541. Little did the king know that he'd be stood up by his nephew and that his world would come crashing down on him on his return.   In today's video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explains the motives behind this huge undertaking, what happened on the progress, and why Henry's life changed so dramatically when he got back.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/YJqgOXlqxYo   You can find Claire at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com  https://www.tudorsociety.com https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/ https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/ https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles  https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety  https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/  https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/

Today is the anniversary of the death of sixty-six-year-old Lady Margaret Beaufort on 29th June 1509, just four days after she enjoyed the coronation celebrations of her grandson King Henry VIII and his queen consort. Catherine of Aragon.   Margaret Beaufort was the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty and was an amazing woman, in many ways, yet she is surrounded by myth and it seems fashionable to see her as a religious zealot. But who was this influential Tudor lady? What did she do?   In today's video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, fleshes out Margaret Beaufort with a few facts about her and her life.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/RGbjeIrxtKc   You can find Claire at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com  https://www.tudorsociety.com https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/ https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/ https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles  https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety  https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/  https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/

Yes, on this day in Tudor history, 28th June 1491, King Henry VIII, the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty, was born at Greenwich Palace.    This second son, the spare, of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York ended up becoming King Henry VIII in April 1509 and although in many ways could be seen as a monstrous tyrant, he did achieve much during his reign.   In today's video, Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History", gives an overview of this man, his life and his reign.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/nJcCrPch9rI   You can find Claire at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com  https://www.tudorsociety.com https://www.facebook.com/theanneboleynfiles/ https://www.facebook.com/tudorsociety/ https://twitter.com/AnneBoleynFiles  https://twitter.com/thetudorsociety  https://www.instagram.com/tudor.society/  https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynfiles/

On this day in Tudor history, 27th June 1505, thirteen-year-old Henry, Prince of Wales, only surviving son of King Henry VII, broke up with nineteen-year-old Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, by repudiating their two-year betrothal.   It was the eve of their wedding, so why would Henry do this to Catherine?   Let Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, explain exactly what happened on this day in 1505 and how the couple ended up getting married four years later.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/1NQwFu6ryoM

On this day in Tudor history, 26th June 1535, in the reign of King Henry VIII, a new commission of oyer and terminer was appointed in the case against Sir Thomas More, Henry VIII's former Lord Chancellor and good friend. More was being indicted for high treason, and, of course, would eventually be executed.   How had this Tudor statesman come to this?   In today's video, Claire Ridgway, author of "On this Day in Tudor History", explains why More was accused of high treason.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/kPmBz6T7oJI  

On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1533, Mary Tudor, former Queen of France, wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and sister of King Henry VIII, died at her home in Suffolk. She was just thirty-seven years old. In today's video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society and Anne Boleyn Files websites, talks about Mary's ill-health, her death and funeral.

24th June is the Feast of St John the Baptist, an important celebration in the medieval and Tudor periods, with it coinciding with Midsummer. Fairies, fires, dancing, feasting and drinking were all part of the celebrations.   In today's extra "on this day in Tudor history" talk, Claire not only explains how this feast day was marked in the Tudor period, but she also talks about how it is still celebrated today in her local area.   Book recommendations: "The English Year" by Steve Roud; "The Stations of the Sun" by Ronald Hutton; "Tudor Feast Days" e-book by the Tudor Society - https://www.tudorsociety.com/   You can view this presentation on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/Y-XPm3n-udc

On this day in Tudor history, 24th June 1509, Midsummer’s Day and the Feast of St John the Baptist, seventeen-year-old King Henry VIII and his queen consort, Catherine of Aragon, were crowned king and queen at a joint coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. In today's "on this day in Tudor history" video, Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society, draws on contemporary sources to tell us more about what happened that day. https://www.tudorsociety.com