The Other Tudors: The Forgotten Figures Who Shaped a Dynasty
Place: Online, here!
Dates: 7 - 15 December 2025
Price: Early Bird Price: $129 Until 17 October (approximately £95.00, AUD 193.70, €110.00) | Full Price: $179.
Use coupon code EBOTUDORS for the early bird discount!
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NOTE: full price from 18 October will be $179 so act NOW to save $50!
History remembers Henry VIII, his six wives, and Elizabeth I... but what about the others?
The Tudor period is full of fascinating figures who were close to the throne, had Tudor blood, or played pivotal roles in shaping history—yet many remain overlooked. In this exclusive 9-day online event, expert historians will uncover the hidden stories of The Other Tudors—those who lived in the shadow of their more famous relatives but whose lives were just as dramatic, scandalous, and influential.
Join us as we explore their stories, separate fact from fiction, and discover their true legacies.
What You’ll Get When You Join Us
- 9 Days of Expert Talks – Dive deep into the hidden history of these forgotten Tudors with pre-recorded lectures by leading historians.
- Live Interactive Q&As – Join real-time Zoom sessions with the speakers to ask your questions and discuss the topics in depth.
- Pre-Event Zoom Discussions – Two bonus informal discussions before the event, so you can start exploring the topics early.
- Private Facebook Community – Connect with fellow history enthusiasts, discuss the talks, and share your thoughts throughout the event.
- Lifetime Access to All Content – Can’t attend live? No problem! All talks and Q&A sessions will be recorded so you can watch at your convenience.
- Learn from Home – Experience an immersive history event from the comfort of your own home, with no travel required!
Who Are The Other Tudors?
- The Welsh Tudors: The Dynasty’s Forgotten Founders – Before Henry VIII’s six wives, before Elizabeth I’s Golden Age, there was a Welsh family fighting for survival. Owen Tudor, Edmund Tudor, and Jasper Tudor are often overshadowed, but without them, the Tudor dynasty would never have existed. Claire Ridgway will flesh out these men - Owen Tudor, a Welsh courtier who secretly married a queen and became the ancestor of kings. Edmund Tudor, father of Henry VII, whose marriage to Margaret Beaufort brought together two influential bloodlines in the Wars of the Roses. Jasper Tudor, the warrior noble who risked everything to protect his nephew, Henry Tudor, and helped him win the Battle of Bosworth.
- Arthur, Prince of Wales, the Forgotten Tudor Prince – For too long, Arthur Tudor has been remembered only for what he never became. The boy who died, paving the way for the tumultuous reign of his brother, Henry VIII.
But though his life was short, Arthur spent his days at the epicentre of a fascinating period of England’s history. He witnessed feuds and survived rebellions. At just six years of age he became the figurehead of an expansive regional government. As he grew, men of influence submitted to Arthur’s Lordship and ambassadors petitioned the prince on matters of international significance. From his earliest years, Arthur was the central figure in his father’s foreign policy, culminating in the boy’s short marriage to the Spanish Princess, Katherine of Aragon. His premature death at just 15 years of age deprived England of one of the best educated and thoroughly prepared rulers in its history.
Gareth Streeter's talk will demonstrate that Arthur was more than a Prince who died. He was a boy who really lived. It will explore the big questions that surround the Prince’s life and legacy, such as the nature of his relationship with his young bride. But it will also stress that no one’s life should be reduced to a solitary question around what may or may not have happened during a young couple’s wedding night. - Died, Divorced, Survived: the three husbands of Margaret Tudor – For centuries, we have been gripped by the fascinating and occasionally grisly details of Henry VIII's marital exploits, but what about the three marriages of his elder sister Margaret, which are perhaps just as dramatic and full of romance, tragedy and, ultimately, betrayal.
Historian and author Melanie Clegg explores the marriages of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland. - Mary Tudor: Princess, Queen and Duchess – When we think of Mary Tudor, we generally think of Mary I of England, daughter of Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragon, but her aunt was also an incredible woman who is often left in the shadows of her domineering family.
Amy McElroy's talk will look at Mary’s relationship with her siblings and the relationships she formed as a youth, we will discuss how Mary was influential at the Tudor court and how she used her influence for charitable causes.
There is much more to Mary Tudor, and it is time to bring her out of the shadows.. - Lady Margaret Douglas, the Tudor rebel in the shadows - Claire Ridgway will explore the life of Lady Margaret Douglas, the niece of Henry VIII, the cousin of Mary I, the mother-in-law of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the grandmother of James VI & I—but Lady Margaret Douglas is often a forgotten figure in Tudor history.
Margaret’s life was shaped by scandal, ambition, and relentless political manoeuvring. Twice imprisoned for forbidden love, she survived the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, navigating treacherous political waters while plotting for her descendants to claim the English throne. - Henry Fitzroy: The King’s Bastard Who Might Have Worn the Crown – He was Henry VIII’s only acknowledged illegitimate son, raised with privilege, given titles fit for a prince, and some say, groomed for the throne. But at just 17, Henry Fitzroy’s promising life was cut short. Who was Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset? Why did Henry VIII favour him so much? Could he have been a serious contender for the throne? Claire Ridgway will explore the life, rise, and tragic death of Henry Fitzroy, revealing how this illegitimate son may have changed history—if only he had lived.
- The Brandons & The Greys: A Cursed Family? – They were royal, but their Tudor blood was a blessing and a curse. The descendants of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, Henry VIII’s beloved sister, should have had everything. Instead, they found themselves caught in the deadly web of Tudor politics. Lady Jane Grey - the tragic 'Nine Days’ Queen'. Katherine Grey - imprisoned for a forbidden marriage. Mary Grey - the forgotten sister who defied the queen. Frances and Eleanor Brandon - the powerful women behind the next generation. Lady Margaret Clifford - a woman nearly brought down by a claim of witchcraft. Their royal blood made them dangerous, but did they deserve their fates? Claire Ridgway will explore one of the most ill-fated families in Tudor history.
Meet Your Historians
Melanie Clegg
Fascinated by history from a very early age, Melanie Clegg graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in History of Art. She originally turned to writing historical fiction and her women's history blog, Madame Guillotine, as a means of escaping from the dull admin jobs that she found herself doing, before becoming a full time writer and historian. She has written biographies of Margaret Tudor, Marie de Guise, Henrietta Anne, Empress Alexandra, and Marie Antoinette.
Amy McElroy
Amy McElroy is the author of Educating the Tudors (2023), Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era (2024), and Mary Tudor, Queen of France (2025). Amy has long had an interest in history, beginning with a blog where she shared her love of books before culminating in her own book, Educating the Tudors. Amy is currently writing her fourth book, Desiderius Erasmus and has a fifth in the pipeline with many more ideas for the future. Amy co-hosts the blog, The Tudor Notebook, on Substack. She has appeared on numerous podcasts including Talking Tudors, Royals, Rebels, and Romantics, and Tudors Dynasty. Amy has also spoken at events including the Wolves Literature Festival and After Hours at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Gareth Streeter
Gareth Streeter is a Devon-based history writer. When it comes to history, Gareth has a special focus on the Wars of the Roses and the early Tudor period. He is the creator of “Royal History Geeks”, a blog and social media experience that engages with 60,000 history lovers across facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
In 2023, Pen & Swords history published Gareth’s first book, “Arthur, Prince of Wales”, a biography of the forgotten older brother of Henry VIII. Gareth is currently working on his next
book, which he will complete in 2025.
Gareth is currently conducting post-graduate research at the University of Exeter around the role of Devon-based landowners in the overthrow of Richard III between 1483-85.
Claire Ridgway
Historian Claire Ridgway is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the best-selling author of 15 history books, including the "On This Day in Tudor History" series, "The Boleyns of Hever Castle" (co-written with Dr Owen Emmerson), "The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown", and "George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat".
Claire is also the founder of The Anne Boleyn Files and Elizabeth Files blogs, The Tudor Society, and the popular Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society YouTube Channel. She contributed to the BBC docudrama "The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family", has written for BBC History Extra and All About History Magazine, and been featured on a number of podcasts and radio stations internationally.
Claire will be doing four talks for us and will act as host for our zoom call discussions.
Event schedule from 7 - 15 December 2025
- Day 1 – The Welsh Tudors: The Dynasty’s Forgotten Founders – Talk by Claire Ridgway. + Informal Zoom Chat
- Day 2 – Arthur, Prince of Wales, the Forgotten Tudor Prince – Talk by Gareth Streeter + Zoom Q&A on The Welsh Tudors
- Day 3 – Died, Divorced, Survived: the three husbands of Margaret Tudor – Talk by Melanie Clegg + Zoom Q&A on Arthur Tudor
- Day 4 – Mary Tudor: Princess, Queen and Duchess – Talk by Amy McElroy + Zoom Q&A on Margaret Tudor
- Day 5 – Lady Margaret Douglas: Henry VIII’s Rebellious Niece – Talk by Claire Ridgway + Zoom Q&A on Mary Tudor
- Day 6 – Henry Fitzroy: Henry VIII’s Forgotten Son – Talk by Claire Ridgway + Zoom Q&A on Lady Margaret Douglas
- Day 7 – The Brandons & Greys: A Cursed Family? – Talk by Claire Ridgway + Zoom Q&A on Henry Fitzroy
- Day 8 – Live Zoom Q&A on The Brandons & Greys
- Day 9 – Final Informal Zoom Chat to wrap up the event
Surprise someone with a gift certificate for The Other Tudors: The Forgotten Figures Who Shaped a Dynasty, an immersive online event exploring the fascinating figures who were close to the Tudor throne. Perfect for history lovers and curious minds. Available now — let them experience a journey through time!Order your gift certificate today!
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Thank you, Claire, for bringing these fabulous historians to us and allowing us to spend a little time with them. It truly is a privilege to talk to them one on one and gain insight and perspective on the history they have explored with such dedicated passion.
