Today, we’re gearing up for the Battle of Hastings. Or at least, its re-enactment next month by 500 history enthusiasts in the location where this key turning point in English history took place. Of course, many of us know the story, including that unforgettable date: 1066. But what happened in the build-up to the battle, and who had the strongest claim to be king? Joining us to answer these questions and more are senior properties curator Roy Porter and curator of collections and interiors Dr Kathryn Bedford. 

To learn more about the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/1066-and-the-norman-conquest

Episode 130 - 1066 and all that: The events and people behind the Battle of Hastings

This week we’re investigating some of the medieval beliefs and practices that existed to keep illness and death at bay in the Middle Ages. At a time when good health was far from guaranteed, discover how many people turned to England’s monasteries as the healthcare providers of the day, while others put their faith in magic, miracles and the supernatural. Joining us to reveal more are senior properties historian, Dr Michael Carter and Professor Catherine Rider from the University of Exeter’s Department of History.
                                               
To watch our video about medieval medicine, go to youtu.be/fuEuaSmDOec

Episode 135 – Medieval medicine, magic and superstition

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 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 English Heritage’s curator of collections and interiors Dr Peter Moore and Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences archivist Sandra Jane Freshney to reveal how Audley End House in Essex became home to a diverse collection of natural history specimens and curiosities dating back to the 19th century.

Discover the story of amateur scientific collectors Richard and Jane Neville, how and where they obtained their specimens and the objects from their collection that visitors to Audley End can see during a visit today.

To find out more or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/audleyend.

Episode 215 - Natural history at home: scientific collecting at Audley End in the Victorian era

When people think of the medieval peasant, they may conjure up images of the character Baldrick from the TV series Blackadder, who has arguably become the poster boy of peasantry. For most, the term ‘peasant’ suggests poverty, ignorance, missing teeth, threadbare rags and poor personal hygiene, but how close is this negative image to the truth? And what was daily life actually like for them?

Joining us to separate fact from fiction are English Heritage properties historian Al Oswald and Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Leicester Christopher Dyer, who were both involved in the investigations at the famous deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire.
 
To find out more about Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wharram-percy.

Episode 220 - Exploring the real lives of the English peasant at Wharram Percy

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Paul Pattison and senior properties curator Roy Porter to answer all the questions we received about the English Civil Wars and Restoration from English Heritage Members and followers on our social media. 

Join us to discover the origins of the war, if the Roundheads always intended the country to become a republic and the role of Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the conflicts. We’ll also reveal if Oliver Cromwell really did cancel Christmas, how Charles II evaded the Parliamentary soldiers and what provided the turning point between the execution of Charles I and his son being crowned king.  
 
To learn more about the origins, events and legacy of the English Civil Wars, go to  www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/the-english-civil-wars-history-and-stories/the-english-civil-wars.

Episode 227 - Ask the experts: Everything you want to know about the Civil Wars and the Restoration

This week, we’re heading behind the scenes at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens as the finishing touches are put on the major project to conserve and transform this historic country estate in Northumberland.

Joining us to talk us through the project – which was partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – and the history that has been brought to life as a result are national project manager Cheryl Moore, properties historians' team leader Dr Andrew Hann and senior gardens advisor Dr Michael Klemperer.

To discover more about Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay.

Episode 229 - Reawakening Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

This week, we’re celebrating a historic landmark for the London Blue Plaques scheme after our 1,000th plaque was unveiled to commemorate the work of the Women’s Freedom League.

To help us understand more about the plaque and the league’s role in the suffrage movement in the early 20th century, we’re joined by English Heritage’s blue plaque historian Howard Spencer, historian Susan Skedd and writer and historian Jill Liddington.

For details of our blue plaques scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques.

Episode 233 - Celebrating the Women’s Freedom League with our 1,000th blue plaque

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

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 233 - Celebrating the Women’s Freedom League with our 1,000th blue plaque

English Heritage

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