Keeping Time for a Queen

Tudor History with Claire Ridgway

The Clockmaker Bartholomew Newsam
What if I told you that a forgotten Tudor craftsman helped keep Queen Elizabeth I’s court running on time? Bartholomew Newsam (Newsum) wasn’t a noble, a soldier, or a politician—he was a clockmaker. But in Tudor England, clocks weren’t just practical devices—they were symbols of power, status, and prestige. And Newsam, one of England’s first native clockmakers, found himself at the heart of this world, trusted to repair the royal clocks for Queen Elizabeth I herself. Born during the reign of Henry VIII, Newsam lived through some of the most dramatic events in English history. He crafted clocks and sundials that combined beauty and precision, at a time when most clocks were imported from Europe. His work stood out—and some of it still survives today in prestigious museums. Want to know more about Bartholomew Newsam’s life and legacy? Watch now to learn how this clockmaker left his mark on Tudor England. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to join me for more intriguing Tudor tales! #TudorHistory #QueenElizabethI #TudorCourt #BartholomewNewsam #Clockmaker #HistoricalFigures #OnThisDay #HistoryFacts #HiddenHistory #BritishMuseum #MetMuseum