Episodes

  • Episode 294 - The 1266 siege of Kenilworth Castle
    Nov 21 2024
    In the summer of 2024, eight catapult shot were discovered at Kenilworth Castle during a project to improve paths in and around the castle. Ranging in weight between 1kg and 105kg, the stone balls are believed to have been fired during the momentous 172-day-long siege of the castle in 1266. We’re joined by properties historian Dr William Wyeth to discover the story of the siege, the people who took part and its legacy today. To discover more about the history of Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/history-and-stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • Episode 293 - A delicious history of the English pie
    Nov 14 2024
    This week, we’ve got a mouthwatering treat for you as we’re joined by food historian Sam Bilton to dig into the story and evolution of this much-loved winter warmer. Discover what constitutes a pie, the earliest record of one, the ingredients pie makers through the ages experimented with and whether the humble pie still has a place in our 21st century, health-conscious world. To discover more about the history of the English pie, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/a-history-of-the-english-pie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Episode 292 - Hailes Abbey and the Holy Blood
    Nov 6 2024
    This week, we’re looking back at the history of Hailes Abbey, a ruined monastery in the Cotswold countryside, which was once one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in medieval England. For centuries, visitors flocked here to see the Holy Blood of Hailes – a prized relic said to be a portion of the blood of Jesus Christ. We’re joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and Hailes Abbey’s property manager Jess Eyres to discover how the Holy Blood came here, the miracles attributed to it, what happened to it and everything today’s visitors can expect to find. To discover more about the story of Hailes Abbey and the Holy Blood, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hailes-abbey/history-and-stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 291 - Ask the experts: England’s medieval kings and queens
    Oct 31 2024
    Today, we’re joined by English Heritage’s senior properties historian, Dr Steven Brindle, and head properties curator, Dr Jeremy Ashbee, to answer all your questions about England’s medieval kings and queens. Join us as we reveal which medieval monarch had the greatest impact on English history, the perils of being a member of the Royal Family at the time, what happened to Henry VIII’s tomb and more. To discover more about England’s kings and queens through history, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/monarchy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Episode 290 - Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
    Oct 24 2024
    As we head into the darker part of the year, we’re preparing for a trio of historical events designed to commemorate the dead. Everyone knows Halloween, of course, but what about All Saints' Day and All Souls’ Day, which follow straight after? We’re joined by English Heritage’s senior properties historian, Dr Michael Carter, to find out more. To discover more, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/halloween-saints-souls/ For more spooky stories, gruesome tales and unmissable Halloween events, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/Halloween Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Episode 289 - Women in politics in the 1920s
    Oct 17 2024
    Today, we’re marking 100 years since the 1924 general election, which saw 41 women compete for seats in the UK’s House of Commons. One of the candidates that year was Mary Katherine Middleton of Belsay Hall in Northumberland, northeast England. Joining us to talk about her life, her accomplishments, and the women’s political movement of the time are properties historian Andrew Roberts and historian of women and politics in modern Britain Dr Lisa Berry Waite. To learn more about the Mary Middleton’s story, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/mary-middleton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Episode 288 - Revealing the historic voices of Brixton
    Oct 10 2024
    We’re joined in the studio by the founders and young members from the Voices Project to learn about a new walking tour they’re creating to celebrate the Black history of Brixton, London. Discover the stories they uncovered, the blue plaques that feature on their route and what they hope their new tour will help to achieve. To learn more about English Heritage’s youth engagement project, Shout Out Loud, go to www.shoutoutloud.org.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • Episode 287 - Beyond 1066: who was William the Conqueror?
    Oct 3 2024
    Many of us are familiar with ‘William the Conqueror’, but he was also William, Duke of Normandy and William the Bastard. So how did a duke with questionable legitimacy rise through the nobility on the opposite side of the Channel then seize a foreign crown? Who was he? What did he do after the invasion? And how did his story end? Joining us with the answers are senior properties curator Roy Porter and curator of collections and interiors Dr Kathryn Bedford. To learn more about the legacy of William the Conqueror, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/what-was-the-legacy-of-william-the-conqueror Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins