Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

On this day in Tudor history, 7th October 1529, Pope Clement VII wrote to King Henry VIII regarding his quest for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. It wasn't good news. Catherine of Aragon had won this battle, with the pope deciding that the marriage was valid, but she hadn't won the war. Henry VIII did get the marriage annulled in the end, but the pope didn't do it. But what was going on? Why wouldn't the pope help? What was Henry VIII's argument for an annulment and on what grounds did Catherine appeal? Find out more in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/hTJnfmsmXRU Philip Campbell’s essay on the Great Matter can be found at https://www.medievalists.net/files/11010101.pdf  Also on this day in Tudor history, 7th October 1577, author, poet, courtier and soldier George Gascoigne died in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Gascoigne was a gifted poet and was hired in 1575 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to provide entertainment for Queen Elizabeth I's visit to Leicester's home, Kenilworth Castle. This was Leicester's last ditch attempt at getting the queen to marry him and he hoped Gascoigne could help him. Find out all about Gascoigne's masque, Zabeta, and what happened at Kenilworth, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/-AaOpqjmAJY 

On this day in Tudor history, 6th October 1510, John Caius was born at Norwich. Caius was a theological scholar, founder of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, royal physician (to Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I) and author of a book on sweating sickness.   In today's "on this day" talk, historian Claire Ridgway gives an overview of John Caius' life and career, as well as sharing some of what he wrote on sweating sickness, that mystery Tudor illness. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/GPvSK4Nbt6I Also on this day in Tudor history, 6th October 1536, reformer, scholar and Bible translator William Tyndale was executed. One of Tyndale's works had helped King Henry VIII while another incurred the king's wrath and led to Tyndale's execution. Why? What happened? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/2gEP87fBOhE 

On this day in Tudor history, 5th October 1549, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector, ordered a gathering of men at Hampton Court Palace, where he was lodged with the young King Edward VI, due to tensions mounting between Somerset and John Dudley, Earl of Warwick.   What was going on and what happened when 4,000 peasants turned up? How did John Dudley react and what did King Edward VI have to say about it all?   Find out what happened, and how this led to Somerset's undoing, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/WPlTPV9cpEU   Also on this day in Tudor history, 5th October 1518, two-year-old Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, became betrothed to François, the Dauphin of France, who was just a few months old. This betrothal was part of a treaty agreed between England and France, Henry VIII and Francis I. Find out what happened at the betrothal ceremony at Greenwich Palace, as well as what else the treaty involved, and what happened to this betrothal in the end, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/v4_Y8Q0nXbA

On this day in Tudor history, 4th October 1507, Sir Francis Bigod, was born at Seaton, in Hinderwell, Yorkshire.  Bigod led an uprising in Yorkshire in January 1537,  Bigod’s Rebellion, after the rebels of the Pilgrimage of Grace had been dispersed. But who was Bigod? Why would an evangelical reformer become involved with the Pilgrimage of Grace? What was his rebellion about and what happened to him?   Find out more about Sir Francis Bigod and Bigod's Rebellion in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/rPR8AQCZA2Y   Also on this day in Tudor history, Wednesday 4th October 1536, trouble erupted in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. This was part of what we know as the Lincolnshire Rising which, in turn, was part of the famous Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion, which I have, of course, just mentioned. You can find out what happened in Horncastle, which included two murders, what the rebellion was all about, and how King Henry VIII responded to the rebel's grievances, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/9WBhp2N3hKM   

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd October 1536, imperial ambassador Eustace Chapuys wrote to Emperor Charles V informing him that Jane Seymour’s coronation was being postponed.   Several dates for Henry VIII's third wife's coronation are mentioned in the contemporary sources, but they all passed by without the coronation taking place, and building work on Westminster Palace in preparation for the coronation came to a halt.   Why wasn't Jane Seymour crowned when her predecessor, Anne Boleyn, had been given a lavish coronation?   Find out more about what happened in 1536 and 1537 in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway.    Also on this day in Tudor history, 3rd October 1518, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, sang a mass to Henry VIII and the French ambassadors at St Paul's Cathedral in celebration of a treaty between England and France. This mass wasn't the only celebration, there was also a banquet and a lavish masque of lords and ladies dressed beautifully and disguised with masking hoods. And the masque included some well-known courtiers, people like Sir Francis Bryan and Bessie Blount, the King's mistress. Hear a contemporary description of that masque in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/O1KNCNb5O7c 

On this day in Tudor history, 2nd October 1514, eighteen-year-old Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII, set off from Dover to sail to France to marry fifty-two-year-old King Louis XII of France. Things hadn't gone to plan with the scheduled sailing, due to bad weather, and Mary encountered rough seas on her journey too. Find out about the arrangements for the journey, who was at Dover, Mary's crossing to Boulogne, and what happened next, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/iqhGhjbEsIg Find out about Mary's entry into Abbeville and her wedding in this video - https://youtu.be/wYYJpU893lo Also on this day in Tudor history, 2nd October 1528, reformer and Bible translator William Tyndale’s book "The Obedience of a Christian Man" was published in Antwerp. A copy of this book owned by Anne Boleyn ended up being a catalyst of the English Reformation when it was confiscated from the suitor of one of Anne's ladies as a heretical book. Henry VIII ended up reading it and proclaiming that "This Book is for me and all Kings to read.” It set him on his path to the break with Rome and saw him marrying Anne Boleyn as his second wife. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/icpG3g08QKI

On this day in Tudor history, 1st October 1500, John Alcock, Bishop of Ely, died at Wisbech Castle. Alcock wasn’t just a bishop, he was a scholar, a royal tutor, and an administrator. He served as tutor to King Edward IV's son, Prince Edward, the future King Edward V and a boy who is known for being one of the ill-fated Princes in the Tower. He also christened another prince.   Find out more about this Tudor bishop and royal servant in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/0rlHGb7wKaU   Also on this day in Tudor history, 1st October 1553, Mary I was crowned queen at Westminster Abbey by Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester. It was a moment of real triumph for Mary and she was England's first official queen regnant. In last year’s video, I shared details from primary sources about Mary's I's coronation ceremony, and also the sumptuous banquet afterwards, which saw the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Arundel on horseback in the hall, and a challenge being made. What a spectacle it must have been! https://youtu.be/2wi_K78fEpY

On this day in Tudor history, 30th September 1544, fifty-three-year-old King Henry VIII returned to England after his third invasion of France and the French surrender of Boulogne to him and his troops.   Hear a contemporary account of what happened during the siege of Boulogne and how and why the French surrendered to Henry VIII, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/rWvb9T_05X0   Also on this day in Tudor history, Saturday 30th September 1553, Queen Mary I processed through the streets of London, from the Tower of London to Westminster on her coronation procession. The procession was a mile and a half long and must have been such a spectacle for the citizens of London. There were also pageants, wine flowing in the conduits, streets hung with tapestries, and a new queen to see. Find out more about it in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/IvNqB9PTfp0 

On this day in Tudor history, 29th September 1528, the papal legate, Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio, landed at Dover on the Kent coast.   Campeggio and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who had been appointed the pope's vice-regent, were given the task of hearing Henry VIII's case for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.   Find out more about what happened when next, what happened at the special legatine court, and how Henry ended up waiting for his annulment for a few more years, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/LfHyLWTOcCI   Also on this day in Tudor history, 29th September 1564, Michaelmas, the queen’s favourite, Robert Dudley, was made Earl of Leicester and Baron Denbigh in front of the Scottish ambassador, Sir James Melville. Elizabeth I made Dudley an earl so that he'd be suitable as a potential bridegroom for Mary, Queen of Scots, but she couldn't refrain from a display of affection during the ceremony, tickling him on the neck! Why was Elizabeth prepared to marry her favourite off to Mary? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/yljT1Qjod5U 

On this day in Tudor history, 28th September 1599, Elizabeth I’s favourite, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, strode into the queen’s bedchamber unannounced and saw her without her makeup or wig, without her "mask of youth".   Why would he do such a thing?   Find out why Devereux was troubled and wanted to see the queen urgently and how Elizabeth I reacted to his visit, and what happened next, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/m4Zlq8Ctm4w   Also on this day in Tudor history, 28th September 1553, thirty-seven-year-old Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, travelled in a decorated barge to the Tower of London. She was accompanied by her half-sister, Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Mary was going to the Tower to prepare for her coronation, which was scheduled for 1st October 1553. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/N7ggywf__Rk 

On this day in history, 27th September 1442, in the reign of King Henry VI, John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, was born.  He may have been born in the Plantagenet period, but Suffolk's first wife was Lady Margaret Beaufort, the future mother of Henry VII. Suffolk went on to serve Henry VII loyally, although his son was involved in the Lambert Simnel Rebellion Find out more about John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, his life and career, and what happened with his marriage to Lady Margaret Beaufort, in today's talk from Claire Ridgway.   You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/2ZgInW4-65c   Also on this day in Tudor history, 27th September 1501, Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, set sail for England from Laredo, Spain.  Catherine was leaving her homeland to marry Arthur Tudor, son and heir of King Henry VII, a marriage arranged by her parents and the English king in the Treaty of Medina del Campo. This was Catherine's second attempt at sailing to England, but this time she was successful. Find out more in last year's video - https://youtu.be/xozODpaaNSo 

On this day in Tudor history, 26th September 1588, Sir Amias (Amyas) Paulet, administrator, diplomat, Governor of Jersey and gaoler of Mary, Queen of Scots died. He was buried in St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster.  Sir Amias Paulet acted as gaoler to Mary, Queen of Scots, and it was while he was doing this that Elizabeth wanted him to abide by the Bond of Association and assassinate Mary, Queen of Scots, so that she didn't have to sign her death warrant. What was the Bond of Association and what did Paulet do? Find out in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. Book recommendation: My Heart is My Own by John Guy Also on this day in Tudor history, 26th September 1580, Sir Francis Drake returned from his 3-year circumnavigation of the Globe. Drake landed at the port of Plymouth, in his ship, The Golden Hind, which was laden with treasure and spices. Find out more about his voyage, what he brought back and how Elizabeth I rewarded him, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/j8aQfsG7Zik

On this day in Tudor history, 25th September 1525, explorer, navigator and naval administrator Stephen Borough (Burrough) was born at Borough House, Northam Burrows, Northam, in Devon.    This Arctic explorer learnt his navigational skills from first his uncle and then Spanish pilots in Seville. He discovered Novaya Zemlya and the Viagatz Strait (Kara Strait), which was named the Burrough Strait until the late 1800s.   Hear an overview of Stephen Borough's life and career in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/U0FlpynTWPU   Also on this day in Tudor history, 25th September 1534, Pope Clement VII (Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici) died in Rome. It was rumoured that he died from eating death cap mushrooms or from fumes from poisoned candles placed in his room. Find out more about the pope and the rumours surrounding his death, plus what eating a death cap mushroom does to you, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/QLjh4V1-mjI

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 from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History". You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/VlJU6JqLHDs Also on this day in Tudor history, 24th September 1486, Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales and son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was christened at a lavish ceremony at Winchester Cathedral. His mother's confinement, his birth, his christening and early upbringing had all been carefully 'choreographed' by his paternal grandmother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, and I shared details in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/PF5kvS4mKuY

On this day in history, 23rd September 1605, in the reign of King James I, Tudor pamphleteer William Averell was buried at St Peter upon Cornhill.  Averell's first work was about two Welsh star-crossed lovers, Charles and Julia, and he also wrote a Protestant work about it raining wheat in Suffolk and Essex, an event which he saw as presaging the end of the world. Averell was an interesting character and you can find out more about him and his work in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, founder of the Tudor Society. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/PMZJ2H0IgsA Also on this day in Tudor history, 23rd September 1571, 49-year-old John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury, died after being taken ill while preaching a sermon. Not many people have heard of John Jewel, but he had an interesting life which spanned the reigns of King Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I – a time of religious change. He was a clergyman, a Protestant exile, a theologian and bishop, and someone who spoke up for what he believed. You can find out more about him in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/P5CBC_FLhP4 Averell's works: An excellent historie bothe pithy and pleasant, discoursing on the life and death of Charles and Iulia - https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A23370.0001.001?view=toc A meruailous combat of contrarieties - https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A23383.0001.001?view=toc