Two young princes vanished inside the Tower of London, and history has never agreed on what happened next.

In 1483, Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, disappeared from public view after their uncle seized the throne as King Richard III. Were they murdered? If so, who was responsible?

For centuries, suspicion has fallen on Richard III, but was the case really that simple?

In this video, I explore:
• the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower
• Richard III and the evidence against him
• the role of Buckingham, Henry VII, and Margaret Beaufort
• medieval politics and rival claimants
• Thomas More and the James Tyrell confession story
• the mystery of Perkin Warbeck and survival theories
• the bones discovered in the Tower of London
• what contemporary sources actually tell us

Was this a royal murder, a political conspiracy, or one of history’s greatest misunderstandings?

Let me know your theory in the comments.

#PrincesInTheTower #RichardIII #WarsOfTheRoses

Kings were overthrown, noble families destroyed, princes vanished, and England descended into decades of civil war.

In this Beginner’s Guide to the Wars of the Roses, I explore the dynastic conflict between the rival houses of Lancaster and York, a struggle that would bring down the Plantagenets and pave the way for the Tudor dynasty.

From the weak reign of Henry VI and the rise of Richard, Duke of York, to the battles of St Albans, Towton, Barnet, and Tewkesbury, this video untangles the complex family rivalries, political tensions, betrayals, and battles that shaped fifteenth-century England.

We’ll also explore:
- Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou
- Richard Neville “the Kingmaker”
- Edward IV and the Woodvilles
- The Princes in the Tower
- Richard III’s rise to power
- Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne

Whether you’re completely new to the Wars of the Roses or looking for a clear overview before diving deeper into Tudor history, my hope is that this guide will help you understand one of the most dramatic periods in English history.

#WarsoftheRoses #RichardIII #HenryVI #EdwardIV #TudorHistory #Plantagenets #HistoryDocumentary

In this episode of my Anne Boleyn series, we explore one of the most fascinating and controversial moments in Tudor history, the possibility of a secret marriage in November 1532, followed by a formal wedding in January 1533, all before the king’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon had been officially annulled.

After years of frustration during the Great Matter, Henry stopped waiting for Rome and began acting on what he believed to be the truth: that his first marriage was invalid in the eyes of God.

But why the urgency?
What changed after the Calais meeting with Francis I of France?
And how did these secret decisions lead to one of the most spectacular coronations England had ever seen?

In this video, we examine:

• The evidence for a possible November 1532 marriage
• The well-attested January 1533 wedding at Whitehall
• Anne Boleyn’s pregnancy and the question of legitimacy
• The final resolution of the Great Matter under Thomas Cranmer
• The pageantry, symbolism, and political messaging of Anne’s coronation

After years of struggle, delay, and risk, Anne Boleyn was finally queen.

Read more on this topic:
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/14-november-1532-first-secret-marriage/
https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/25-january-1533-marriage-of-henry-viii-and-anne-boleyn/

Watch the full Anne Boleyn series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLepqWJ7TpkrK-zOYsEHo618JwNPMyOK6M

#AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #TudorHistory #BritishHistory #HistoryDocumentary #HistoryYouTube #RoyalHistory #TheTudors #ElizabethI #HistoryLovers

What if one of the most powerful men in Tudor England was responsible for helping the king go to the toilet?

It sounds like the lowest of the low, but the Groom of the Stool was anything but a menial servant. In fact, this role placed a man at the very heart of royal power.

In this video, I explore the surprisingly influential position of the Groom of the Stool under Henry VIII. From managing the king’s private chambers and personal belongings to controlling the privy purse and overseeing daily finances, this role was built on trust, access, and intimacy.

And in the Tudor court, access to the monarch meant influence.

Men like William Compton and Henry Norris held this office, men who weren’t just attendants, but key figures in the political world surrounding the king.

I also look at how queens such as Mary I of England and Elizabeth I relied on their own trusted attendants for similarly intimate roles.

#TudorHistory #HenryVIII #RoyalHistory #HistoryExplained #BritishHistory #AnneBoleyn #HistoryFacts #Tudors #HistoryChannel #OnThisDay

• Henry VIII’s biblical arguments 
• Catherine of Aragon’s powerful resistance
• The Legatine Court at Blackfriars and its dramatic collapse
• The downfall of Cardinal Wolsey
• The influence of reformist ideas and Anne Boleyn’s role in shaping them
• The shift from papal authority to royal supremacy
• Anne’s rise in status, including her creation as Marquess of Pembroke
• The 1532 Calais meeting with Francis I
• And the intriguing possibility of a secret marriage before 1533

Easter Sunday marks one of the most important moments in Christian history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In this video, I explore the events of that first Easter morning through the Gospel of John, including Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb and her powerful encounter with the risen Christ. I also share a passage from William Tyndale's Bible, a version of the New Testament that brought these words to English readers in the 16th century.

But how was Easter Sunday celebrated in Tudor England?

From darkened churches being filled with light again, to the opening of the Easter sepulchre and joyful feasting after Lent, this video looks at both the spiritual meaning of Easter and the traditions that surrounded it.

We also explore the symbolism that continues today, from roast lamb to Easter eggs, all reflecting themes of resurrection, renewal, and hope.

Do you celebrate Easter? I’d love to hear your traditions in the comments.

#EasterSunday #EasterHistory #ChristianHistory #TudorHistory #Resurrection #OnThisDay #BibleHistory #EasterTraditions

Elizabeth I’s reign is often remembered as a Golden Age, a time of stability, cultural flourishing, and triumph over the Spanish Armada.

But was it really golden for everyone?

In this video, I go beyond the myth to explore the realities beneath the surface of Elizabeth I’s England, because while this period brought opportunity and power for some, for others it was marked by poverty, conflict, and fear.

We’ll look at:

• The growing gap between rich and poor
• Rising inflation, poor harvests, and economic hardship
• The devastating impact of war in Ireland
• England’s early involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, including the voyages of John Hawkins
• The increasing danger faced by Catholics after Elizabeth’s excommunication

This is not about dismissing Elizabeth’s achievements, but about understanding the full picture of her reign.

Watch next: My video on Elizabeth's Golden Age and why she's seen by many as England's greatest monarch - https://youtu.be/0rEsyt_7PHE
Let me know in the comments: Do you think Elizabeth’s reign deserves to be called a Golden Age?

#TudorHistory #ElizabethI #BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #Tudors #GoldenAge #HistoryMatters #WomensHistory #EarlyModernHistory

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a moment at the heart of the Christian faith, remembered as the ultimate act of sacrifice and redemption.

But how was Good Friday marked in Tudor England?

In this video, I explore both the meaning of Good Friday and the powerful, physical rituals that shaped its observance in medieval and Tudor times.

From the biblical account of Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate and crucifixion at Calvary, to the dramatic church practices of the period, including the Easter Sepulchre and the deeply symbolic ceremony of “creeping to the cross”.

By the reign of Henry VIII, even the monarch took part in these rituals, approaching the cross on his knees in an act of humility. But the Reformation brought change and controversy. Under Edward VI, such practices were abolished, only to be restored with intensity under Mary I of England, whose Good Friday ceremonies also included the blessing of cramp rings and the royal healing touch.

With the reign of Elizabeth I, these traditions were once again swept away, reflecting the shifting religious landscape of the Tudor period.

This is a glimpse into a world where faith was not just believed, it was expressed physically, emotionally, and publicly, by both ordinary people and monarchs.

How is Good Friday marked where you are? Let me know in the comments.

#TudorHistory #GoodFriday #HenryVIII #MaryTudor #ElizabethI #BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #Reformation #Easter #OnThisDay

Maundy Thursday is often overlooked today, but in Tudor England it was marked with powerful and symbolic royal rituals.

In this video, I explore the meaning of Maundy Thursday - from the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples’ feet, to the development of royal Maundy ceremonies in medieval and Tudor England.

By the reign of Henry VIII, the monarch would wash the feet of poor people and give alms, with the number of recipients reflecting the monarch’s age.

We also have a fascinating eyewitness account from the reign of Mary I of England, showing just how personal and devotional this ceremony could be, with the queen washing, drying, and even kissing the feet of poor women before giving them gifts.

Although the foot-washing ritual eventually ended, the tradition of Maundy money continues today. Charles III still distributes Maundy coins each year in recognition of service to the community.

This is a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of Tudor life,  one that combines faith, monarchy, and charity.

Do you mark Maundy Thursday in your community? Let me know in the comments.  

Elizabeth I is often remembered as England’s greatest monarch, but why?

Her reign lasted over 44 years and saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the rise of Shakespeare and the arts, and the emergence of England as a global power. It’s often described as a Golden Age, but how did Elizabeth achieve all of this?

In this beginner’s guide to Elizabeth I’s reign, I explore how a woman who began life as the daughter of an executed “traitor”, declared illegitimate and even imprisoned in the Tower of London, rose to become one of England’s most iconic rulers.

We’ll look at:

• How Elizabeth secured her power as a female monarch
• Why she refused to marry and called herself “married to her kingdom”
• Her religious settlement and attempts to heal a divided nation
• Her diplomatic strategy and how she avoided major wars
• The flourishing of culture during the Elizabethan Golden Age
• And the dramatic defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588

In the next part, we’ll explore the darker side of Elizabeth’s reign - poverty, conflict, and religious persecution - and ask whether it really was a Golden Age for everyone.

If you enjoy Tudor history, do subscribe (please!) and join me for more deep dives into the Tudor world.

#ElizabethI #TudorHistory #ElizabethanEra #BritishHistory #HistoryExplained #Tudors #AnneBoleyn #HenryVIII #SpanishArmada #GoldenAge #HistoryYouTube #LearnHistory