• Gentleman of the privy chamber (daily access to the king)
• Keeper of the armoury at Greenwich (1541)
• Steward & constable of Castle Rising (1542)
• French campaign with Henry VIII and knighthood after Boulogne (1545)
• Local authority & Parliament: steward of estates, MP for Norfolk, J.P.
• Crisis manager: helped quell Kett’s Rebellion (1549)
• Family life: marriage to Agnes Leigh; heir Henry (aged 4 at Thomas’s death), with Agnes pregnant with Edward

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On this day in Tudor history, 3rd September 1553, Edward Courtenay was created Earl of Devon by Queen Mary I. It was a stunning reversal of fortune for a man who had spent 15 years imprisoned in the Tower of London after his father, the Marquess of Exeter, was executed for treason. In this podcast, I trace the extraordinary life of Edward Courtenay:

• His royal blood as a great-grandson of King Edward IV
• His childhood imprisonment and forgotten years in the Tower
• His dazzling restoration under Mary I — knighted, cheered by Londoners, even carrying the sword of state at Mary’s coronation
• Hopes that he might marry Mary (or even Elizabeth) instead of Philip of Spain
• His entanglement in Wyatt’s Rebellion and return to prison
• Exile abroad and rumours of conspiracies, assassination plots… and finally poison
• His sudden death in Padua in 1556, aged just thirty

Courtenay’s story is one of royal promise turned to tragedy — a man hailed as “the flower of English nobility,” yet destined to be remembered as a prisoner, pawn, and victim of Tudor politics. Do you think Edward Courtenay could ever have been a successful husband for Mary or Elizabeth? Share your thoughts in the comments! If you enjoyed this dive into Tudor history, please like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode. For even more Tudor treasures — including exclusive talks, printable resources, Zoom chats, and my monthly digital magazine The Privy Chronicle — consider joining my YouTube as a channel member. #TudorHistory #MaryI #WyattsRebellion #EdwardCourtenay #AnneBoleynFiles

On 2nd or 3rd September 1507, Thomas Savage, Archbishop of York, died at Cawood Castle in Yorkshire. Savage wasn’t just a churchman — he was one of Henry VII’s most trusted servants, a skilled diplomat, and a powerful royal official in the turbulent north of England. In this video, I uncover his remarkable story: - His family connections to the influential Stanley clan - His education at Oxford, Bologna, and Padua - His rise from royal chaplain in 1485 to Archbishop of York in 1501 - His role in negotiating Prince Arthur’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon - His escort of Princess Margaret Tudor to Scotland for her historic marriage to James IV - His dangerous rivalry with the Earl of Northumberland - And his final years at Cawood Castle, with his body buried in York Minster and his heart laid to rest in Macclesfield Though not a household name today, Thomas Savage played a vital role in Tudor politics and diplomacy, and his career reminds us how powerful churchmen could be in shaping both the kingdom and the dynasty. Had you heard of Archbishop Thomas Savage before? Let me know in the comments! If you enjoyed this deep dive into Tudor history, please give the podcast a like, subscribe, and ring the bell so you never miss my next episode. Want even more Tudor treasures? Join my channel as a member to access exclusive posts, behind-the-scenes content, printable resources, Zoom discussions, and my monthly digital magazine The Privy Chronicle. #TudorHistory #HenryVII #ArchbishopOfYork #AnneBoleynFiles

What if Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s elder brother, had survived? In this special interview, I sit down with novelist Leah Toole to talk about her fascinating book "The Rose and The Pomegranate" — an alternative history novel that asks one of Tudor history’s biggest “what ifs.” In Leah’s world, Arthur Tudor doesn’t die in 1502 — and the ripple effects are enormous. Katherine of Aragon’s destiny changes, Henry VIII’s life takes a very different course, and familiar figures like the Boleyns, Wolsey, and Cromwell walk entirely new paths. In this conversation we explore: - Why Arthur Tudor and this “what if”? - How Leah balanced historical accuracy with imagination. - Arthur and Katherine’s marriage — and how it might have unfolded. - A reimagined Henry VIII without the six wives we know so well. - Which events Leah chose to keep… and which to reshape. - How a single turning point could have reshaped England, Europe, and the Church. It’s a thoughtful, imaginative, and meticulously researched take on Tudor history that fans won’t want to miss! "The Rose and The Pomegranate" is available now:

In 1537, Cromwell had to investigate a sordid rumour about William Webbe's "pretty wench" and Henry VIII. It claimed the king had not only been unfaithful to his new queen, Jane Seymour, but had stolen another man’s mistress and kept her for himself. The story spread so widely it ended up in Alison Weir’s modern-day "Henry VIII: King and Court" and even inspired a scene in Showtime's "The Tudors" series. But what really happened? In this podcast, I investigate the 16th century sources to find out what really went on. Was this tale evidence of adultery, malicious gossip, or something darker? And what does it reveal about Henry VIII’s reputation in the shadow of Anne Boleyn’s downfall and his hasty marriage to Jane Seymour? Listen to discover: - The original 1537 letter that spread the rumour. - How Cromwell’s investigation handled it and his conclusion. - Why The Tudors dramatised the story and changed the timeline. - Whether Henry’s reputation was already beginning to unravel. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor scandal, rumour, and history, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and consider joining my channel membership for exclusive talks, resources, and my monthly magazine The Privy Chronicle. #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #JaneSeymour #TheTudors #History

On 28th August 1588, the year of the Spanish Armada, a young Franciscan friar named Thomas Felton was hanged near Brentford, Middlesex. Felton’s “crime”? His Catholic faith, and his refusal to acknowledge Elizabeth I as head of the Church. The son of Blessed John Felton (executed in 1570 for posting the papal bull of Elizabeth’s excommunication), young Thomas endured brutal imprisonment and torture — confined in the Little Ease, flogged, and even hanged by his hands until they bled. Yet he refused to betray his faith or the priests who sheltered English Catholics. He was just 21 years old when he went to the gallows — turning down a pardon rather than compromise his beliefs. In this podcast, I, Claire Ridgway, historian and author, share the tragic yet inspiring story of Thomas Felton, and why his courage deserves to be remembered. If you enjoy deep dives into Tudor history, please like and subscribe, and consider joining my channel membership for exclusive talks, resources, and a monthly Tudor magazine. #TudorHistory #ElizabethI #SpanishArmada #CatholicMartyrs #OnThisDay