We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle and Professor Lindy Grant from the University of Reading to look back at the remarkable life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. One of 12th century Europe’s richest and most powerful women, she became Queen of France as the wife of King Louis VII and then Queen of England as the wife of Henry II. Discover the story of her remarkable rise to power, her imprisonment following a plot to remove her second husband as king and her return to power as queen dowager. 
 
To discover more about Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/eleanor-aquitaine

Episode 151 - The extraordinary life and times of Eleanor of Aquitaine

As Christmas festivities get into full swing, we’re delving into the history of the Roman midwinter festival Saturnalia to discover what it was, how it was observed and its role in influencing today’s traditions. Guiding us through the history of this ancient pagan celebration is Curator for Hadrian’s Wall and the North East region, Dr Frances McIntosh.

To find out more about the history of Christmas, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas

Episode 193 - Celebrating Saturnalia: the history and traditions of the Roman midwinter festival

This week, we’re taking a very festive look back at the Christmas traditions that started in the Victorian period and are still with us today. We'll also examine the role that Charles Dickens played in shaping Christmas as we know it – and find out how the man himself celebrated the festive season with his family. Joining us are Properties Historians’ Team Leader, Dr Andrew Hann, and Director of the Dickens Museum in London, Dr Cindy Sughrue. 

To learn more about the Victorian origins of some of today’s Christmas traditions, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/victorian-christmas-traditions

Episode 194 - From St Nicholas to Scrooge: exploring Victorian Christmas traditions

This week, we’re joined by two ancient pottery technology specialists – father and daughter team Graham Taylor and Sarah Lord – and Stonehenge Interpretation Manager Melanie Coussens to explore potted history at our most famous Neolithic site. Discover the role of eating and drinking vessels in prehistoric daily life, where they’ve been found in the landscape, what they were made of and how replicas of them made today are helping visitors get closer to the ancient past.  
 
To learn more about prehistoric life at Stonehenge or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge

Episode 201 - Exploring the history of Neolithic pottery at Stonehenge

This week, we’re talking about one of the oldest and most important Neolithic sites in Britain, which has recently come into English Heritage’s care. Thornborough Henges comprises three circular earthworks that dot the landscape about seven miles north of the cathedral city of Ripon in North Yorkshire. We’re joined by former Senior Properties Historian Dr Susan Greaney and Senior Interpretation Manager Joe Savage to reveal the history of these henges, their significance and how their story will be told to future visitors.

To learn more about English Heritage’s prehistoric sites or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/prehistoric-monuments

Episode 203 - An ancient landscape: Thornborough Henges

Women's history is often lost to the ages, obscured or even unexplored. But there are numerous examples of women from the past who have played a pivotal role in shaping England and who are linked to sites that are now in the care of English Heritage. 

Joining us to discuss some of these stories, and to explore why it's important to celebrate the achievements of women in the past, are Senior Properties Historian for English Heritage Dr Amy Boyington and British art historian Dr Janina Ramirez.
 
To discover more stories of inspiring women throughout English history, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history

Episode 205 - Celebrating the great and good of women's history

This week we’re joined by Collections Curator Susan Harrison, Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle and Interpretation Manager Ruth Haycock to discuss a new project to bring the story of Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island in Northumberland to life. 

Learn about the monks who lived here, the cult of St Cuthbert, the famous Lindisfarne Gospels, the vicious Viking raid of AD 793 and the new displays, artefacts and experiences that you can discover during a visit.

To discover more or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lindisfarne

Episode 208 - Illuminating Lindisfarne Priory

As a new school year gets underway, we’re joined by senior properties historian Michael Carter to discover what education was like in the Middle Ages and how it compared to today’s classrooms.

Discover the different forms of medieval schools, the role of the monasteries as educators and how the educational opportunities differed for boys and girls. We’ll also reveal what the curriculum comprised, what a medieval school day looked like and where you can find out more today. 
 
For details of the school visit opportunities at our historic sites, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/school-visits.

Episode 231 - History lesson: education at medieval schools

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties curator Roy Porter and curator of collections and interiors Kathryn Bedford to answer all the questions we received about the Battle of Hastings from English Heritage Members and followers on our social media accounts.

Join us to discover the conflict behind the battle, how the Normans managed to transport their cavalry from France and if Harold really did get killed by an arrow to the eye. Plus, we reveal how life changed for the average person in England following the battle and what might have happened if William the Conqueror had lost.
 
To learn more about the origins, events and legacy of the Battle of Hastings, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/1066-and-the-norman-conquest.

Episode 235 - Ask The Experts: everything you want to know about the Battle of Hastings

We’re in the studio with English Heritage Trustee Ronald Hutton to discuss many of the weird and wonderful Christmas traditions that many of us take for granted. Listen on to discover the story behind Santa Claus, the yule log and Christmas cards, trees and stockings, not to mention the puzzling traditions of kissing under mistletoe, wassailing, Mummers' plays and the Lord of Misrule.

To read about the history of Christmas through the ages go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas

Episode 38 - A weird and wonderful history of Christmas

This week we’re joined by English Heritage Trustee Professor Ronald Hutton to discuss the pagan winter customs behind the Christmas traditions we take for granted today. Discover the ancient origins of winter feasting, Christmas carols, present giving, kissing under the mistletoe and more!  
To read about the history of Christmas, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas

Episode 91 - The pagan winter customs that shaped Christmas

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites, and brings the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. 

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Episode 205 - Celebrating the great and good of women's history

English Heritage

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