The Tudor Courtier Who Tried to Make Himself Invisible

What do you get when you mix Tudor poetry, court politics, and an invisibility cloak? Meet William Neville — born on this day in Tudor history, 15th July 1497. A respected courtier and poet... who later found himself accused of something out of a fantasy novel: trying to make himself invisible! In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History, I uncover the strange tale of Neville — from his allegorical poetry and service in Cardinal Wolsey’s household to accusations of treason, sorcery, and near financial ruin. A poet, a courtier, and maybe… an alchemist? Had you heard of William Neville before? What do you make of his “invisibility attempt”? Do share your views in the comments. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more curious and compelling stories from Tudor history. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #TudorCourt #ClaireRidgway #HistoryMystery  #HenryVIII #16thCentury #TudorTrueCrime #HistoricalFigures #HiddenHistory #InvisibilitySpell

In today’s podcast, we’re heading slightly beyond the Tudor world — north to Scotland — to uncover the story of a young queen who deserves far more recognition than she gets. On this day in 1486, Queen Margaret of Denmark, consort of James III of Scotland, died at just 30 years old. But her brief life left a permanent mark on British history. Because of Margaret, Orkney and Shetland became — and remained — part of Scotland. A forgotten dowry, a pledged territory, and a queen who quietly changed the map of the British Isles. But there’s so much more to her than diplomacy.  Join me as I delve into the fascinating story of Margaret of Denmark — her Danish roots, her turbulent royal marriage, her influence on Scottish politics, and the tragic mystery of her early death. Had you heard of Margaret before? What do you think of her impact? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more history videos every week! #OnThisDay #MargaretOfDenmark #ScottishHistory #QueenMargaret #Orkney #Shetland #TudorEra #MedievalQueens #JamesIII #JamesIV #WomenInHistory #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles

What happens when centuries of British history meet thousands of Lego bricks? In this special interview, I’m joined by author Andrew Redfern, the creator of "Minifigure Monarchs: A History of Great Brits in Little Bricks" — an exciting new book that tells the story of British monarchs through brilliant Lego creations. We chat about Andy’s love of history, how this creative project came about, what it’s like recreating iconic historic scenes in Lego, and of course, his favourite monarchs and builds! From the Anglo-Saxons to the Windsors, this is history like you’ve never seen it before — colourful, creative, and completely brick-tastic. Find out more about the book and support Andy’s Kickstarter project:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/minifiguremonarchs/minifigure-monarchs Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews and fascinating Tudor content!   #LEGOHistory #MinifigureMonarchs #LEGOArt #BritishMonarchy #KickstarterProject #ClaireRidgway #HistoryBookLaunch #LEGOCollectors #HistoricalLEGO #TudorHistory #HistoryNerdsUnite #CreativeHistory #LEGODesign

During a peaceful walk through the Gloucestershire countryside, I stumbled upon a village church with a powerful story — one that changed the course of English history. Little Sodbury is one of only a handful of Thankful Villages in England, where all soldiers returned from both World Wars. But this place is also where William Tyndale, the brilliant scholar and Bible translator, heard his call to make Scripture accessible to everyone. In this podcast, I’ll take you to St Adeline’s Church, rebuilt using the stones of the original chapel where Tyndale once preached. It was here, as chaplain to the Walsh family at Little Sodbury Manor, that he began developing his radical ideas — ideas that would influence Anne Boleyn, shake the foundations of the church, and ultimately lead to his execution. Learn how Tyndale’s The Obedience of a Christian Man found its way into the hands of Henry VIII. Discover the Reformation roots hidden in this tiny village and hear how one man’s mission to bring the Bible to the people led to betrayal, martyrdom… and a legacy that shaped the English-speaking world. Want to know how Anne Boleyn played a part in this story? Watch my video at  https://youtu.be/icpG3g08QKI Subscribe for more hidden Reformation sites, Tudor travel stories, and forgotten voices of the past. #WilliamTyndale #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #ChurchHistory #Reformation #HiddenEngland #ThankfulVillage

In today’s podcast, I’m diving into a thought-provoking—and often heartbreaking—topic: mental illness in Tudor England. From moon-induced madness and “uterine vapours” to melancholy queens and frenzied courtiers, the Tudor understanding of mental health was a complex mix of medicine, superstition, religion, and fear. Did you know Jane Boleyn’s breakdown led Henry VIII to change the law so she could be executed? Or that people paid to watch the inmates of Bedlam Hospital for entertainment? And what about Richard Pace, Henry VIII’s secretary, who was said to tear his clothes and rant? I’ll explore how Tudor people defined and treated mental illness, the roles of institutions like Bedlam, beliefs about the four humours, “wandering wombs,” and how the Dissolution of the Monasteries impacted care for the mentally ill. We’ll meet real historical figures—from Queen Mary I to court fools considered holy—and look at how the legal system, family, and Church responded to mental illness. Inspired by my research with Clare Cherry and Amelia Sceats’ brilliant thesis, this is a deep dive into a rarely discussed but important aspect of Tudor life. Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments—how do you think society's view of mental illness has changed? #TudorHistory #MentalHealthHistory #JaneBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #Bedlam #HistoryVideo #ClaireRidgway #TudorMadness #HistoricalTruths #HenryVIII Sceats, Amelia G. (2016) Rationality and reality: perspectives of mental illness in Tudor England, 1485- 1603. Masters thesis, University of Huddersfield - https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/31474/ 

On 3rd or 4th July 1594, Catholic priest John Cornelius was executed at Dorchester, along with three loyal men: Thomas Bosgrave, John Carey, and Patrick Salmon. Their crime? Helping a priest in Protestant Elizabethan England. In today’s video, I share the story of John Cornelius—from his Irish-Cornish roots and education at Oxford, to his exile, priesthood, arrest at Chideock Castle, and eventual execution. A tale of courage, faith, and one man’s final decision to become a Jesuit before facing death.   A sobering glimpse into the dangers faced by Catholics in Tudor England.   Subscribe for more true stories from Tudor history: betrayals, bravery, reform, rebellion—and everything in between.   #TudorHistory #CatholicMartyrs #ElizabethI #JohnCornelius #TudorExecutions #ChideockCastle

Why were Henry VIII and Elizabeth I part of a dynasty called “Tudor”?  In this podcast, historian and author Claire Ridgway explores the fascinating Welsh origins of the name Tudor—from its Brythonic meaning to how a noble family from Anglesey became one of the most famous royal houses in English history. Discover how: - The name “Tudor” evolved from patronymic Welsh naming traditions - Owain ap Maredudd ap Tudur rose from Welsh nobility to royal service - His descendants shaped the Tudor dynasty - Henry VII proudly claimed his Welsh heritage in his rise to power - And why he used a red dragon in his arms From rebellion and exile to royal marriage and the Battle of Bosworth—this is the real story behind the name Tudor. Did you know the Tudors were Welsh? Share your favourite Tudor trivia in the comments! Subscribe for more Tudor deep-dives every week! #TudorHistory #WelshHistory #HenryVII #ElizabethI #TudorDynasty #OwenTudor #ClaireRidgway #BritishMonarchy #RoyalHistory #HouseOfTudor

From the rise in population and bad harvests to the closing of the monasteries and harsh Poor Laws, we’ll explore the causes of poverty, the categories of the poor, and how Elizabethan England created one of the earliest welfare systems in Europe. Learn about: - The 1601 Elizabethan Poor Law - Almshouses, houses of correction, and the “poor rate” - The impact of enclosure and inflation - Tudor views on charity and vagrancy Plus examples of real local initiatives to support the poor. For further reading, see:  – Poor Relief in Tudor England by Edith Burrows - https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1075/  – Rich and Poor in Tudor Times by Peter D. Riley - Borrow at https://archive.org/details/richpoorintudort0000rile  And my article on Anne Boleyn’s charitable giving at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-and-charity/ #TudorHistory #ElizabethanPoorLaw #TudorEngland #ClaireRidgway #OnThisDay #TudorSociety #TudorLife

On this day in Tudor history, 25th June 1601, Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby, died of fever at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Born in exile during the reign of Mary I, Bertie was the son of Katherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk and widow of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. A soldier, a diplomat, and a loyal servant to Elizabeth I, Bertie led troops in the Netherlands, fought at the Battle of Zutphen, and helped defend England during the time of the Spanish Armada. In this podcast, I look at the life and legacy of this often-overlooked Tudor figure, from his birth abroad to his final days at the Anglo-Scottish border. #TudorHistory #PeregrineBertie #AnneBoleynFiles #TudorSoldier #ElizabethanEra #OnThisDay #HistoryVideo #ClaireRidgway

Sir Walter Ralegh may get the credit, but tobacco’s story in England started long before he lit up — and it’s far more surprising than you might think. In this video, we explore how tobacco travelled from sacred Native American ceremonies to Tudor England’s courtly circles. From its use in healing rituals to its rise as a fashionable trend—and finally to King James I’s fiery condemnation in A Counterblaste to Tobacco—this is the fascinating tale of how one plant sparked one of history’s first public health debates. We’ll look at how sailors, explorers, physicians, poets, and monarchs all played a part in the spread (and backlash) of this smoky habit. From nose cancer to nose-wrinkling monarchs, Tudor tobacco was anything but boring. Let me know in the comments—were you surprised by any of these tobacco twists? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more intriguing dives into Tudor life, culture, and controversy. #TudorHistory #TobaccoHistory #SirWalterRalegh #KingJamesI #CounterblasteToTobacco #OnThisDay #HistoryTube #TudorLife #ElizabethI #16thCentury #EarlyModernMedicine #TobaccoFacts