Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

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/ [https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1075/]  – Rich and Poor in Tudor Times by Peter D. Riley - Borrow at https://archive.org/details/richpoorintudort0000rile [https://archive.org/details/richpoorintudort0000rile]  And my article on Anne Boleyn’s charitable giving at: https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-and-charity/ [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