Following on from episode 130, in which we discussed the events and people behind the Battle of Hastings, we’re now shifting our attention to the turbulent years that followed. We often think of 1066 as a big turning point in English history, but it actually took another six years for the Norman Conquest to take hold. Joining us to talk through William the Conqueror’s coronation and the measures he took to assert his authority are Senior Properties Curator Roy Porter and Curator of Collections and Interiors for the South East, Kathryn Bedford.
 
To learn more about the Norman Conquest, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/1066-and-the-norman-conquest

Episode 146 - 1066 and all that: What happened after the Battle of Hastings?

To mark the 1,900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall, we’re starting a new, four-part podcast series, piecing together the story of Britain’s most famous relic of Roman rule. In this first episode, we’re joined by Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts to take a look at the story of Hadrian himself, ahead of the former emperor’s birthday on 24 January. Discover the story of his rise to become the Roman ruler, why he ordered the building of the wall along the northern frontier of the empire, and his vision for it.  
 
To learn more about Hadrian’s Wall and the stories of the sites we care for along it, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall

Episode 147 - Hadrian’s Wall part 1: The man behind the wall

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

This month marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of an English biologist, naturalist and explorer who helped develop the theory of evolution in the middle of the 19th century. No, we’re not talking about Charles Darwin, but rather his contemporary Alfred Russel Wallace. Joining us to talk about Wallace’s life, his blue plaque and the role he played in the development of evolutionary theory, is Senior Historian for the blue plaques scheme, Howard Spencer, and Head Gardener at Home of Charles Darwin – Down House, Antony O’Rourke. 

To learn more about our blue plaques scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/blue-plaques 
To plan a visit to Down House, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse

Episode 196 - The remarkable life and legacy of naturalist and explorer Alfred Russel Wallace

This week, we’re joined in the studio by Senior Properties Historian Dr Amy Boyington and Properties Curator Roy Porter to answer all your questions about the Tudors. Discover what Henry VIII’s relationship was like with his father, if Jane Seymour was the favourite of his six wives and whether he bonded with his own children. Plus, we’ll reveal what treats you might have found at a Tudor feast, what sports the Tudors liked to play and which Tudor monarch might be considered the greatest of them all. 

To learn more about life in Tudor England, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/tudors

Episode 197 - Ask the experts: everything you want to know about the Tudors

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle to discuss the life and legacy of Britain’s most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren, as we approach the 300th anniversary of his death. We discuss how he discovered his talent for design, his commission to create St Paul’s Cathedral and a possible link to Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
 
To discover the story of Christopher Wren’s blue plaque at his former London home, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/christopher-wren

Episode 204 - Building a legacy: the life and designs of Sir Christopher Wren

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

This week, we’re at a temporal and cultural crossroads in the early story of the British Isles. It’s the Iron Age – a time when the political landscape of the British Isles was complex and fragmented, with competing and collaborating groups ruling different regions. But their way of life was under threat from a powerful empire from the south: The Romans. 

We’re joined by English Heritage Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and the Curator of the European Iron Age collections at the British Museum Dr Julia Farley to discuss how two native queens responded in very different ways to full-scale Roman invasion, their fates, and, of course, their historic legacies.

To learn more about Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes, go to  www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/cartimandua

Episode 209 - Cartimandua And Boudica: Iron Age Queens

This week we’re joined by broadcaster and author Anita Anand and historian Susan Skedd to reveal the story of Indian princess, campaigner for women’s votes and goddaughter of Queen Victoria, Sophia Duleep Singh.

Join us as we reveal how she came to be part of the British royal family, her role in the Suffragette movement and the story behind her blue plaque at her former London residence near Hampton Court. 

For more details about Princess Sophia Duleep Singh’s blue plaque, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/sophia-duleep-singh. 

With thanks to The Taylormade Trio who you can hear performing at the unveiling of Sophia’s plaque, in May 2023.

Episode 226 - Royal, rebel, suffragette: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh

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 travel to Hampstead Heath in London to explore the breathtaking interiors and world-class art collection of Kenwood in the company of assistant curator Louise Cooling. Discover the story of this hidden gem, its former owners and its renowned collection of paintings, which remain free for everyone to enjoy today. 

To learn more about the history of the house and its treasures, or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood

Episode 7 - Discover the treasures of Kenwood in London

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 209 - Cartimandua And Boudica: Iron Age Queens

English Heritage

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