Tudor Villains: Power, Myth & Misdeeds in a Dangerous Dynasty
Behind every triumph of the Tudor dynasty lies a darker world of ambition, betrayal, cruelty… and myth.
Some Tudor figures truly earned their vicious reputations. Others had it thrust upon them by propaganda, politics, or centuries of misunderstanding.
Join historian and author Claire Ridgway for a 7-day immersive event exploring the most notorious “villains” of Tudor England - the real monsters, the misunderstood manipulators, and the maligned souls who never deserved their infamy.
Dates: 20 - 26 March 2026
Early Bird Price: $89 (approximately £66.70, AUD 134.00, €76.40) if you register before 31 January 2026. Full price after that $129.
REGISTER NOW
A 7-day online deep-dive with historian Claire Ridgway — uncover the true villains, the wrongly accused, and the deadly politics that shaped Tudor England.
Through gripping storytelling and fresh historical insight, this event separates fact from fiction, revealing:
- Who truly deserves the title “Tudor villain”
- Who was framed by history
- Who acted from ambition, fear or desperation
- And how these lives shaped the destiny of the Tudor world
This is an intimate event — just you and Claire — perfect for anyone who loves Tudor history, true crime, political intrigue, or myth-busting.
Event Schedule
- Day 1 — The Court’s True Villains: Cruelty, Corruption & Power - Meet the men whose actions genuinely scarred Tudor England: Richard Rich, Stephen Gardiner (“Wily Winchester”), Edmund “Bloody” Bonner, Thomas Howard, Richard Topcliffe, Richard Southwell, Brian Darcy. Torture, persecution, brutality — these men earned their reputations. Informal zoom chat and "get to know you".
- Day 2 — Villains Born of Weakness & Ambition - Not evil masterminds, but deeply dangerous. Lord Darnley, Thomas Seymour, Robert Devereux, Edward Seymour (Somerset), and Edmund Tudor. Their insecurity, ego, and poor judgement unleashed chaos, rebellion, betrayal… and murder. Zoom Q&A on "The Court's True Villains" with Claire.
- Day 3 — Maligned Women of the Tudor World - History has been unkind to many Tudor women. We examine those branded “scheming”, “dangerous”, or “unnatural”, including: Margaret Beaufort, Jane Boleyn, Anne Boleyn, Anne Stanhope, Frances Brandon, Lettice Knollys and Margaret Douglas. Were they villains, or victims of politics and patriarchy? Zoom Q&A on "Villains Born of Weakness & Ambition" with Claire.
- Day 4 — Monster Monarchs? Henry VIII, Mary I & Elizabeth I - These Tudor monarchs have been called villains. Today, we ask: Did they deserve it? How much was necessity… and how much was brutality? A balanced, gripping reassessment of the three most controversial rulers of the age. Zoom Q&A on "Maligned Women of the Tudor World" with Claire.
- Day 5 — Spies, Plots & Shadow Warfare - The murkiest corners of Tudor intrigue. Assassination attempts, propaganda, surveillance states, and plots that shaped the crown. We explore men like Walsingham, Cecil, Babington, Throckmorton, Standen — heroes to some, villains to others. Zoom Q&A on "Monster Monarchs" with Claire.
- Day 6 — Maligned & Misjudged: The Tudor Villains Who Weren’t - Time to rehabilitate the reputations of men long painted as monsters: John Dudley, Thomas Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell, and Robert Dudley. History made them villains — Claire shows you the truth. Q&A on "Spies, Plots & Shadow Warfare" with Claire.
- Day 7 - End of event Zoom discussion.
What’s Included
- Six in-depth video talks by historian Claire Ridgway
- Seven live Q&A and discussion sessions with Claire
- Two bonus pre-event zooms for discussion in January and February
- Replay access for all talks and Q&As
- PDF resources & reading lists
- Private Facebook group for participants
Why Join This Event?
- Because Tudor history isn’t just dates — it’s people, choices, power, fear, and consequence.
- Because some “villains” deserve justice — and others deserve exposure.
- Because history is far more thrilling when we meet the humans behind the legends.
- And because this is a chance for an intimate, interactive, myth-busting experience with Claire.
Reserve Your Place Now
Step into the darker side of Tudor England, and discover the truth behind the legends.
It's been wonderful to listen to the presentations, and I plan to listen to them again! This whole program has been a real pleasure!
