The Human Cost of the Dissolution

On this day in Tudor history, 23 October 1538, a frightened monk put pen to paper as the world he knew collapsed. Thomas Goldwell, prior of Christ Church, Canterbury, wrote a desperate letter to Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief adviser and the man overseeing the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Goldwell begged to keep his “poor lodging” for life, adding the heartbreaking words: “I would rather die than live, if it were God’s pleasure.” I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today I’ll take you inside that moment, when monasteries were being dissolved, fortunes seized, and centuries of service, learning, and charity wiped away in a few short years. Goldwell’s letter shows us the human side of the Reformation. Behind every confiscated abbey and looted shrine was a person left wondering how to live in a changed world. If you found this glimpse of Tudor faith, fear, and survival moving, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor stories. Watch next: The Dissolution of the Monasteries - https://youtu.be/aELw2ss-xM8 #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #DissolutionOfTheMonasteries #HenryVIII #ThomasCromwell #ChristChurchCanterbury #ReformationHistory #ClaireRidgway #TudorEngland

On this day in Tudor history, 22 October 1521, Sir Edward Poynings, soldier, administrator, and diplomat,died at his manor of Westenhanger in Kent. He’s not a household name, but if you’ve ever heard of “Poynings’ Law,” you already know his legacy. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s episode we meet the Kentish gentleman who helped Henry VII restore royal control in Ireland, hunted pirates off the Flemish coast, and later steered diplomacy for Henry VIII. From rebellion and exile to power and reform, Poynings’ life shows how Tudor government really worked, through loyal, tireless fixers. His “law” would shape Irish governance until the late 18th century. If you enjoy discovering the forgotten figures behind Tudor power, please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor stories.

On this day in Tudor history, 21 October 1554, John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick, died at Penshurst in Kent, just days after being released from the Tower of London. The son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, and brother of Robert Dudley and Guildford Dudley, Warwick was born to power and promise. Knight of the Bath, Master of the Horse, and one of Edward VI’s glittering young courtiers, his rise seemed assured. But the failed attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne destroyed the family’s fortunes. Imprisoned, condemned for treason, and stripped of his titles, Warwick’s freedom came too late. He died in quiet disgrace at his brother-in-law Henry Sidney’s home, aged only in his twenties. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we remember the overshadowed John Dudley, Earl of Warwick. #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #Dudley #LadyJaneGrey #EdwardVI #MaryI #PenshurstPlace #TudorTragedy #JohnDudley #TowerofLondon

Most people know Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Thomas Cromwell, but not the man who kept their orders moving, their money counted, and their papers straight. John Uvedale (or Woodall) royal service took him from Henry VII to Edward VI, and he even held the title of secretary to Queen Anne Boleyn. He worked the border wars, the Council of the North, and the quiet engine room of Tudor power: the Exchequer. On this day in Tudor history, 20 October 1549, he died after nearly fifty years of service. Discover the world of Tudor clerks, paymasters, and fixers, the men who kept things running smoothly behind the scenes of Tudor government. #OnThisDay #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #EdwardVI #TudorHistory #JohnUvdeale #Cromwell #CouncilOfTheNorth #TudorBureaucracy #HiddenTudors

When you picture Elizabeth I, you probably imagine the Armada or Ditchley portraits - alabaster skin, red wig, pearls, and poise. But how close were those famous images to the real Elizabeth? In this episode, I trace the evolution of her image, from the poised princess of the 1540s to the ageless Virgin Queen of legend, using eyewitness accounts, surviving portraits, and the propaganda that shaped her face for history. Who was the woman beneath the heavy makeup and myth? Discover the features that never changed, and meet Elizabeth as her contemporaries saw her: intelligent, complex, and utterly human. Watch until the end to see how artists and ambassadors together shaped one of history’s most iconic faces. And tell me in the comments: which Elizabeth feels most real to you - the young scholar, the new queen, or the ageing monarch behind the mask? #ElizabethI #VirginQueen #TudorHistory #AnneBoleynFiles #ClaireRidgway #TudorPortraits #RenaissanceArt #BritishHistory #TudorMonarchy #HistoryDocumentary #WomenInHistory

Feeling rushed and over-screened? Author Laura Loney joins me to share Tudor-inspired ways to slow down—from cosy crafts and communal rituals to simple “micro-swaps” you can try this week. We talk about her festive collaboration with illustrator Kathryn Holeman on ’Twas the Night Before Tudor Christmas, and her witty, useful new book In Praise of Tudor (100 ideas to bring Tudor calm to modern chaos). In this conversation: How a Canadian fell for the Tudors, and who hooked her first 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - story + Tudor-Christmas primer + activities for families & classrooms Creative teamwork with Kathryn Holeman: mood boards, references, division of labour Tudor micro-swaps for work, rest, and connection Favourite crafts/recipes/games, and one tradition she’d revive today What In Praise of Tudor really is Writing life: routines, research vs. word count, notebooks vs. digital Tudor health & hygiene: what holds up… and what to avoid! Quickfire: 3 words for Tudor Christmas, 24 hours in Tudorland, carols, what’s next And Anne Boleyn! Question for you: Which Tudor habit would you try first? If you enjoy Tudor history goodies like this, then please do like, subscribe and ring the bell!   #TudorHistory #LauraLoney #InPraiseOfTudor #TwasTheNightBeforeTudorChristmas #CalmNotChaos #CraftsAndActivities #CosyHistory #KathrynHoleman #MindfulLiving

On this day in Tudor history, 17 October 1592, Frances Brooke, Lady Cobham died and was buried at Cobham in Kent. You may already know her face: she appears in the famous Cobham Family Portrait of 1567, that beautiful Elizabethan painting capturing an entire household, from Frances and her husband to six of their children. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s episode I’ll introduce you to the woman behind the portrait: a loyal attendant who moved through the very heart of Elizabeth I’s court. Frances served as Mistress of the Robes and Lady of the Bedchamber, rose high, briefly fell after her husband’s involvement in the Ridolfi Plot, and was later restored to favour. Her story is one of quiet endurance, family alliances, and a life spent in the Queen’s shadow, from Cobham Hall to the privy chamber itself. Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor history, and tell me in the comments: Do you love the Cobham Family Portrait as much as I do? Link to portrait - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/William_Brooke%2C_10th_Baron_Cobham_and_family.jpg   #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #FrancesBrooke #LadyCobham #CobhamHall #TudorCourt #BessOfHardwick #TudorWomen #16thCentury #WomensHistory  

On this day in Tudor history, 16 October 1594, Cardinal William Allen died in exile in Rome. To Catholics, he was the shepherd who kept the old faith alive. To Elizabeth I’s government, he was a traitor who conspired with England’s enemies. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we’re exploring the life of the man who founded the English colleges at Douai, Reims, and Rome; who helped bring the Douai-Reims Bible into print; and who sent secret missionary priests back to England, knowing that discovery meant death. But Allen’s story darkened when he threw his support behind Philip II of Spain and justified Elizabeth’s deposition as a heretic. Was he a man of faith or a man of treason? Judge for yourself as we trace the choices that made him both hero and villain in Tudor eyes. Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more daily Tudor history, and tell me in the comments: Was William Allen a saintly reformer… or a danger to his queen?   #TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ElizabethI #WilliamAllen #SpanishArmada #CounterReformation #DouaiReimsBible #16thCentury #Tudors #EnglandVsSpain #CatholicPersecution

Before Henry VIII, there was another heir. Prince Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, married to Katharine of Aragon, and dead at fifteen. In this interview, Gareth Streeter (author of Arthur, Prince of Wales: Henry VIII’s Lost Brother and founder of Royal History Geeks) explores the prince’s real life beyond the footnotes. We discuss: - Why Arthur, not Henry, was central to Henry VII’s vision & propaganda - Reconstructing the Arthur–Katharine marriage - The big one: consummation, weighing contemporary evidence vs later “Great Matter” claims - Education, character & the king Arthur might have become - Illness and cause of death: what we know, what remains mystery - Gareth’s research process, sources that changed his mind, and advice for new history writers Find Gareth & the book: Arthur, Prince of Wales: Henry VIII’s Lost Brother - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arthur-Prince-Wales-Henry-Brother-ebook/dp/B0C6NLT7NJ/, https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Prince-Wales-Henry-Brother-ebook/dp/B0C6NLT7NJ/ Royal History Geeks - https://www.royalhistorygeeks.com/ If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments: What kind of king do you think Arthur would have been, and why? #ArthurTudor #PrinceOfWales #TudorHistory #HenryVII #KatharineOfAragon #WarsOfTheRoses #GarethStreeter #HistoryInterview

On this day in Tudor history, 15 October 1542, William Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton, died on campaign at Newcastle, serving Henry VIII one last time. He’d been by the king’s side since childhood; a boyhood companion who became a soldier, sailor, ambassador, and royal enforcer. From the naval battles of 1512, to the splendour of the Field of Cloth of Gold, and even the downfall of Wolsey, Anne Boleyn, and Cromwell, Fitzwilliam’s career ran through the heart of Tudor power. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s episode, I uncover the life of the man who was always there when Henry VIII needed something done - on land, at sea, or in the shadows of court politics. #TudorHistory #WilliamFitzwilliam #HenryVIII #TudorCourt #HistoryTok #BritishHistory #OnThisDay #TudorNavy #AnneBoleyn #ThomasCromwell