The Stepfather Who May Have Changed History

The Stepfather Who May Have Changed History

He didn’t wear a crown… but his choice may have changed the course of English history. On 29th July 1504, Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, died quietly at his manor in Lancashire. But nearly two decades earlier, at the bloody Battle of Bosworth, his decision to support his stepson — Henry Tudor — was a turning point in English history, ending centuries of Plantagenet rule and beginning the Tudor era. Some say he stood back and watched until the moment was right. Others claim he crowned Henry on the battlefield with Richard’s fallen crown. Was Thomas Stanley a loyal stepfather… or a master manipulator who waited to see which way the wind would blow? In this episode of On This Day in Tudor History,I take you beyond the battlefield drama to explore:

  • Stanley’s powerful family background and early royal service
  • His two politically significant marriages — including to Lady Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother
  • His pivotal role at Bosworth and its aftermath
  • Why he became Earl of Derby and godfather to Prince Arthur
  • And whether he was a kingmaker… or just playing both sides to stay on top

He may have moved in the background, but his actions helped shape the Tudor dynasty. Listen now to discover the real Thomas Stanley — and decide for yourself whether he was loyal, opportunistic… or both.

#TudorHistory #OnThisDay #ThomasStanley #BattleOfBosworth #HenryVII #MargaretBeaufort #TudorDynasty #ClaireRidgway #AnneBoleynFiles #RoyalHistory #Plantagenets #YorkvsLancaster #TudorNerds

Episoder(999)

How the Tudors Decorated for Christmas

How the Tudors Decorated for Christmas

Forget fairy lights and tinsel, Tudor Christmas decorations were deeply symbolic, richly traditional, and filled with myth and meaning. Hello, I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and welcome to ...

6 Des 20255min

From St Nicholas to Santa Claus

From St Nicholas to Santa Claus

Welcome to Day 6 of my Tudor Christmas Advent series! Today we’re diving into one of the most enchanting feast days of the Tudor calendar, St Nicholas’s Day, and uncovering how this 4th-century bishop...

5 Des 20257min

The REAL Twelve Days of Christmas

The REAL Twelve Days of Christmas

Did you know the Tudors didn’t end Christmas on 25th December… they started it? I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s episode of my Tudor Christmas Advent series, we’re walking thro...

4 Des 20256min

How the Tudors Had Fun by the Fire: Tudor Christmas Fun

How the Tudors Had Fun by the Fire: Tudor Christmas Fun

What did Tudor families do at Christmas once the feasting slowed, the music quietened, and the Yule log glowed on the hearth? They played games, and some of them are still incredibly fun today. Welc...

3 Des 20256min

Gifts Fit for a King or Queen: The Secret Politics of Tudor New Year Gifts

Gifts Fit for a King or Queen: The Secret Politics of Tudor New Year Gifts

Did you know the Tudors didn’t give gifts at Christmas? For them, New Year’s Day was the most political, strategic, and nerve-wracking day of the entire festive season; a glittering ritual where loya...

2 Des 20256min

£13.5 Million Christmas? Inside Henry VIII’s Royal Feast

£13.5 Million Christmas? Inside Henry VIII’s Royal Feast

Welcome to Day 2 of my Tudor Christmas Advent series! Today, we’re stepping into the smoky, bustling, gloriously extravagant royal kitchens of Henry VIII to uncover the unforgettable dishes served at ...

1 Des 20256min

What Advent REALLY Meant in Tudor England

What Advent REALLY Meant in Tudor England

Most of us think Advent means calendars, chocolate, and switching on the Christmas playlist… But for our medieval and Tudor ancestors, Advent meant something completely different. Welcome to Day 1 of...

30 Nov 20256min

When England Apologised to the Pope

When England Apologised to the Pope

On this day in Tudor history, 30 November 1554, England did something astonishing: Parliament itself asked to be forgiven for the kingdom’s break from Rome. This was the crucial first step toward the...

29 Nov 20254min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
mikkels-paskenotter
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
foreldreradet
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
treningspodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
rss-bisarr-historie
rss-kull
rss-sunn-okonomi
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf
sinnsyn
rss-kunsten-a-leve
hagespiren-podcast
gravid-uke-for-uke
hverdagspsyken
tomprat-med-gunnar-tjomlid
fryktlos
rss-bak-luftfarten