Claire | June 25, 2022
On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1503, in the reign of King Henry VII, the nearly twelve-year-old Henry, Prince of Wales, the future King Henry VIII, got betrothed to seventeen-year-old Catalina de Aragón (Catherine of Aragon). The betrothal took place at the Bishop of Salisbury’s palace in Fleet Street, London. Henry was the […]
Claire | June 20, 2022
On this day in Tudor history, 20th June 1540, five months into their marriage, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, got rather cross about her husband’s inappropriate behaviour. Anne complained to her advisor about they king’s interest in one of her maids of honour, a certain Catherine Howard. What exactly was going on and […]
Claire | May 9, 2022
On this day in history, 9th May 1536, a week after Queen Anne Boleyn’s arrest, her husband, Henry VIII, wanted an update on the investigation into Anne. Let me explain what was happening at court on 9th May 1536… Do remember that tomorrow, Tuesday 10th May, I’m doing a live talk and Q&A session on […]
Joel Ridgway | April 1, 2022
On this day in Tudor history, 1st April 1578, English physician William Harvey, was born in Folkestone, Kent. Harvey has gone down in history as being the man who discovered the circulation of blood, and he was also physician extraordinary to King James I and King Charles I. How did Harvey work out that the […]
Joel Ridgway | March 15, 2022
On this day in Tudor history, 15th March 1532, King Henry VIII used what was described as “foul language” to William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry VIII also threatened the poor man, and it is amazing that Warham kept his head as the king was furious. What happened? Find out what Warham did to upset […]
Joel Ridgway | March 10, 2022
On this day in Tudor history, 10th March 1513, magnate John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford, died at his home at Castle Hedingham in Essex. Oxford was a key figure in the Wars of the Roses and played an important role in the Battle of Bosworth Field. Find out more about his life and […]
Joel Ridgway | March 8, 2022
On this day in Tudor history, 8th March 1516, Sir John Wiltshire wrote to King Henry VIII from the English territory of Calais warning him that a couple of gifts were on their way to the king from the Duke of Ferrara. The gifts were a courser (a horse) and a “lebard” (a leopard or […]
Joel Ridgway | March 4, 2022
On this day in history, 4th March 1609, Tudor spelling reformer and grammarian William Bullokar died at Chichester in West Sussex. William Bullokar is known for writing the first grammar book of English, the “Pamphlet for Grammar”, and for his work reforming the alphabet to improve literacy. Find out more about him and what he […]
