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 loyalty was displayed, and favour was won (or lost). Welcome to Day 3 of my Tudor Christmas Advent series. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we’re stepping inside the astonishing world of Tudor gift-giving. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why New Year’s Day was the true “gift season” - How Henry VIII used gifts to reward, punish, and send unmistakable signals - What Anne Boleyn gave (and what Henry gave her in return!) - The lavish presents exchanged across the reigns of Mary I and Elizabeth I - Why gifts were not sentimental… but political tools From Holbein-designed silver fountains to early wristwatches, from embroidered coats to gold whistles, Tudor New Year’s gifts tell us everything about power, favour, and desire at court. If you enjoy this deep dive into Tudor ritual, please like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments: Which Tudor monarch would YOU choose a gift for, and what would you give them?   #TudorChristmas #TudorHistory #HenryVIII #AnneBoleyn #NewYearsDay #RoyalHistory #HistoryWithClaire #TudorCourt #OnThisDay #HistoricalFacts