Not Just the Tudors From Succession to Codpieces: Your Tudor Questions Answered
Dec 18, 2025
Join historians Alec Ryrie and Maria Hayward as they dive into the captivating world of the Tudors. Ryrie explores how religion was communicated during this turbulent time, revealing the subtle art of oaths and the underground culture of skepticism. Hayward brings a fashionable flair, discussing the social significance of Tudor knitting and the evolution of the iconic codpiece, from practical wear to a symbol of masculinity. Their insights shed light on the era’s intricacies, blending history with unexpected topics!
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Edward VI Had Several Political Betrothals
- Edward VI was formally betrothed multiple times, notably to Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth de Valois, but none resulted in marriage.
- Suzannah Lipscomb notes age norms and health concerns meant marriages typically waited until mid-teens.
Church Liturgy As Tudor Mass Media
- The Tudor state used the church liturgy as a mass-communication system to direct religious change across thousands of parishes.
- Alec Ryrie explains the Book of Common Prayer and mandated pulpit readings acted like an early broadcast technology.
Enforce Change Through Clergy And Oaths
- Use clergy-read proclamations and required oaths to ensure legal and doctrinal changes reach ordinary people.
- Alec Ryrie shows Tudor rulers relied on pulpit readings and oaths because other channels had poor reach.