Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

On this day in Tudor history, 22nd September 1560, Amy Dudley (née Robsart), wife of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was buried in the chancel of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford.   Amy had been found dead at the foot of the stairs of her home and the subsequent inquest had ruled her death as caused by "misfortune". She was buried in a lavish ceremony which cost her widower over £2,000.   Find out more about her burial, and who attended, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/vfvbXAM2XuY   Book recommendation: “Amy Robsart: A Life and Its End” by Christine Hartweg   Find out more about Amy's death and the theories regarding it in my video on her death - https://youtu.be/Dmsqlfm09ZM   This day in Tudor history, 22nd September 1515, is the traditional birthdate of Anne of Cleves, a woman who would become King Henry VIII's fourth wife and queen consort, but only for six months! She may have only been queen for a short time, but Anne of Cleves outlived Henry and all of his wives, and seems to have had a very good life. Find out more about her and how she came to be Henry VIII's queen in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/zvuUNFA8U3Q

On this day in Tudor history, 21st September 1557, Henry Pendleton, theologian, chaplain and friend of Bishop Bonner, was buried at St Stephen's, Walbrook, London.    Pendleton is known not only for his strong preaching, which led to him being shot at once, but also for his changing religious faith. He went from staunch Catholic to zealous Protestant to staunch Catholic, even taking part in disputations with his former friends and seeing them imprisoned and burnt.   Find out more about Henry Pendleton, his life, career and changing religious beliefs, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/5unuKHk6G4I   Also on this day in Tudor history, Sunday 21st September 1578, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, married Lettice Dereveux (née Knollys) in a secret marriage at his house. So secret was it that he only told his chaplain and his friends the day before. Leicester was marrying the woman Elizabeth I had dubbed "the she-wolf", so he knew that his queen would not be happy. Find out more about the secret wedding and Leicester’s bride, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/PkC3Y-pbuYA 

On this day in Tudor history, 20th September 1586, Anthony Babington, John Ballard, John Savage, Chidiock Tichborne and three other conspirators were executed near St Giles-in-the-Fields in London.  They suffered full traitors' deaths, being hanged, drawn and quartered, after being found guilty of treason for plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I in the famous Babington Plot, which sought to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots.   Find out more about Anthony Babington, the Babington Plot, the men involved, how it was discovered, and how it led to Mary, Queen of Scots' execution, 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/XJIrGAWx7ao   Also on this day in Tudor history, 20th September 1486, Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, the first son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, was born at Winchester. There were high hopes for this boy named after the legendary King Arthur, and King Henry VII believed that son would be a powerful king who would bring a golden age to the country. Of course, things wouldn't go according to plan. Find out more about Arthur Tudor, who was, of course, Catherine of Aragon's first husband, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/qYZLYzGU5NE 

On this day in Tudor history, 19th September 1560, explorer, navigator and privateer Thomas Cavendish was baptised at St Martin's Church, Trimley St Martin in Suffolk.  Cavendish is known for his imitation of Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe, which he undertook in 1586, and for being the first Englishman to explore the island of St Helena, in the mid-Atlantic, but he also had a reputation as a spendthrift and his final voyage was a failure.   Find out more about Thomas Cavendish in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of several Tudor history books.   Also on this day in Tudor history, 19th September 1555, in the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary I, Protestants Robert Glover and Cornelius Bungey, were burned at the stake for heresy in Coventry. They were two of twelve martyrs burned in the city between 1511 and 1555. Find out more about them and Glover's experience as he was taken to the site of execution in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/zgwbWZpMqUM 

On this day in Tudor history, 18th September 1556, Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon, died from a fever at Padua in Italy.  Courtenay had been sent overseas after he was implicated in Wyatt's Rebellion as a future husband and consort of Queen Mary I's half-sister, Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth I. In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway tells us more about this Earl of Devon and how he was a prospective bridegroom for both of Henry VIII's daughters. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/7m95NDwTb_k   Also on this day in history, 18th September 1544, Henry VIII rode triumphantly through the streets of Boulogne. The French had surrendered Boulogne on 13th September 1544, following a siege, and King Henry VIII entered it and was given its keys by his good friend, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, on 18th September. England was victorious but his ally, the Holy Roman Emperor, wasn't behaving himself. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/lkaKQH7Gb8o 

On this day in Tudor history, 17th September 1558, Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford and grandfather of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and a favourite of Elizabeth I, died at the Devereux family seat at Chartley in Staffordshire.  Devereux had a long and distinguished court career, serving Henry VIII, Princess Mary in Ludlow, and Edward VI. He also married at around the age of 11 and was imprisoned at one point. An interesting Tudor man. Find out more about this soldier and royal servant 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/0CozrlgbsrY Also on this day in Tudor history, 17th September 1563, courtier and soldier Henry Manners, 2nd Earl of Rutland, died during an outbreak of the plague, which was rife in London that year and killed about 24% of London's citizens. He’d 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. Find out more about him in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/BL4FJYGMDXM

  On this day in Tudor history, 16th September 1519, scholar, humanist, theologian, Dean of St Paul's and founder of St Paul's School, John Colet died after suffering three attacks of sweating sickness between 1517 and 1519. Humanists such as Erasmus were influenced by Colet's work.   In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares an overview of this influential scholar's life, including the fact that he was one of 20-22 children and that he used his wealth to refound a school. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/tAB61H-nrkY   Also on this day in Tudor history, 16th September 1541, King Henry VIII entered the city of York as part of his Northern Progress with his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. This was a chance for the people of the North to show their loyalty to their king and his consort, and to make up for rebelling against him. How could they do that? Well, by getting on their knees in submission and paying him lots of money. Find out more about this progress and how the king ended up being humiliated too, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/ZSDN-C6D6ts

On this day in Tudor history, 15th September 1589, the Battle of Arques began.  This battle was part of the final war of the French Wars of Religion, a series of conflicts in France from 1562-1598 between Catholics and Huguenots. It was fought between the new French king, Henry IV, and the Catholic League led by Charles of Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, and looked bad for Henry until troops sent by Elizabeth I arrived - phew!   You can find out more about what led to this battle, what happened at the battle, and what happened next, in this talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/Ytj-i6iEaHs   Also on this day in Tudor history, 15th September 1500, John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, cardinal and Henry VII’s Lord Chancellor, died at Knole in Kent. He was not a very popular man with the English people due to his role in Henry VII's financial policies, and one tax rationale he's associated with is Morton's Fork, but was it really down to him? Find out the answer and find out more about this Tudor taxman in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/A6s_7o5jMj4 

On this day in Tudor history, 14th September 1540, Sir William Kingston, Constable of the Tower of London, Knight of the Garter and comptroller of the King's household, died at his home in Painswick in Gloucestershire.    Sir William Kingston was Constable of the Tower of London while Queen Anne Boleyn was imprisoned there in May 1536, and his letters to Thomas Cromwell are an excellent primary source for historians, but there's much more to this royal servant than that. He had a wonderful career in service to the king and benefited as a result.   Find out more about Kingston in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown".   Also on this day in Tudor history, 14th September 1538, the Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham, which had stood since the early 12th century, was destroyed on the orders of King Henry VIII. Hear contemporary accounts of the shrine's destruction, which include details of what was seized and sent to London, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/kIMSN1kR0t0 

On this day in Tudor history, 13th September 1503, poet and antiquary John Leland was born. Leland is known for his Latin poems and his antiquarian writings which included a defence of the history of King Arthur, which he presented to Henry VIII and his notes on his travels around England and Wales.   Leland also wrote verses for Queen Anne Boleyn's coronation procession and was a royal chaplain. He had a very sad end, though, suffering some kind of mental breakdown and going mad.   Find out more about John Leland, his life and works, 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/EpGiqFkJZvs   Also on this day in Tudor history, 13th September 1520, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley and Queen Elizabeth I's chief advisor, was born in Bourne in Lincolnshire. Find out more about the man Elizabeth I called her “spirit”, his court career, personal life, and his words of wisdom, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/q6YJKcWlPcQ 

On this day in Tudor history, 12th September 1573, Protestant reformer, and leading politician in the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, died suddenly at Barbreck. He had got married six weeks earlier and had shown no signs of illness before retiring to bed.   Argyll was the third most important noble in Scotland, the most important highland chief, and a founder of the Lords of the Congregation. He went from opposing Mary, Queen of Scots, to leading her troops in battle.   Why?   Find out all about this interesting Scot's life and career 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/4l7Q4_2W4e4   Also on this day in Tudor history, 12th September 1555, in the reign of Catholic Queen Mary, the trial of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, began in Oxford. Find out what happened at his trial, and what happened next, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/GaDQduKl0nA 

On this day in Tudor history, 11th September 1581, Barnaby Fitzpatrick, 2nd Baron of Upper Ossory, died in Dublin, at the home of surgeon, William Kelly.   In his youth, Fitzpatrick had been friends with Prince Edward (the future Edward VI) and had been educated with him. Historians once believed him to have been the young king's "whipping boy". He went on to serve Edward as a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber when Edward became kin, but ended his days as a prisoner.   Find out more about Barnaby Fitzpatrick, his life and career, and how he came to such a sad end, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/QnunusH92-E   You can read letters from Barnaby to King Edward VI at https://archive.org/details/literaryremains00clubgoog/page/n463/mode/2up    Also on this day in Tudor history, 11th September 1561, eighteen-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots, began her first royal progress in Scotland. Mary had been in Scotland for less than a month, having returned from France, and so wanted to see her homeland and her people, as well as showing her people their queen. But this royal progress was to be an eventful one for Mary, Queen of Scots - a brush with death and a violent altercation were included! Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/IW98y2cX2e4 

On this day in Tudor history, Saturday 10th September 1547, in the reign of King Edward VI, the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, also known as the Battle of Pinkie, took place near Musselburgh, in Scotland, on the banks of the River Esk. The English forces, led by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, defeated the Scots, killing thousands.   It was a bloody battle, but started off well for the Scots. In today's talk, historian Claire Ridgway shares an eye-witness account of how the battle changed so dramatically, leading to the loss of between 6,000 and 15,000 Scots.   Roger Knox's video on the battle  - https://youtu.be/C9M_dbLCuPg    William Patten's detailed account - https://archive.org/details/tudortracts00polliala/page/106/mode/2up Also on this day in Tudor history, 10 September 1533, King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn's daughter, Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth I), was christened at the Church of Observant Friars in Greenwich. Elizabeth I's christening service was a lavish ceremony presided over by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, who also stood as the little girl's godfather. Find out more about Elizabeth’s christening and the celebrations that followed, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/gBTYJ6_BxTg

On this day in Tudor history, 9th September 1543, the 30th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden, Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned queen at the Chapel Royal of Stirling Castle. Mary was just nine months old.   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, 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/LRVro8KO3R8   You can find out more about Mary, Queen of Scots’ very eventful life in my Mary, Queen of Scots playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrIIC1eB75JBP8xYcqnqTHt6 Also on this day in Tudor history, 9th September 1513, while Catherine of Aragon was acting as regent for Henry VIII, who was campaigning in France, English and Scottish forces clashed at the bloody Battle of Flodden. The Scots were defeated and King James IV was killed, but what happened to his body? Find out in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/scoxeEPvLk4 

On this day in Tudor history, 8th September 1601, John Shakespeare, father of playwright William Shakespeare, was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.   John was a glover and whittawer, and also an important man in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, serving as high bailiff, chief alderman and deputy bailiff, and being given the right to educate his children at the local grammar school for free. However, he also ran into trouble at times.   Find out more about the life of William Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link: https://youtu.be/7T5hcKhecYI   Also on this day in Tudor history, 8th September 1560, the body of Amy Robsart, wife of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was found at the bottom of some stairs in her rented home, Cumnor Place in Oxfordshire. What had happened to Amy? Was her death a result of "misfortune", as decided by the coroner, or was it suicide or murder? Did Robert Dudley kill his wife? Did William Cecil kill Amy? Find out a bit more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/Dmsqlfm09ZM