British History Podcast

Today I am joined live by historian, author and presenter, Gareth Russell (from a cafe so apologies in advance for the poor sound quality in parts) ahead of The Rise of the Tudors Tour which we are hosting from 21st-27th September. Hear about where we are going and who is joining us along the way.

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Book a tour at www.BritishHistoryTours.com. Get priority booking by becoming a member of my Patreon at Patreon.com/BritishHistory .

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This week I was chatting about the best places, accessible to the public, for exploring Roman Britain. We are fortunate in that there are many to choose from so I have selected a number, spread across England and Wales which are available to visit and give incredible insight into life in the far reaches of the Roman Empire!

Join me each week at 3pm (UK time) for a relaxed history chat, themed each week around a topic. . You can get exclusive content in my Patreon at Patreon.com/BritishHistory . You can join one of my history tours at www.BritishHistoryTours.com

Today I covered my recent private tour of Hatfield House where I was able to view the recently restored 'Rainbow Portrait' of Elizabeth I. I go into the symbolism and meaning in this famous image of the final Tudor monarch.

Mentioned in this episode.

Interview with Eleri Lynn on Tudor Fashion

Find the Extended version and bonus material at Patreon.com/BritishHistory

I am on the road today (check out my Instagram to see what I am up to @british_history_tours) but I have pre-recorded a special episode of Tea Time History Chat Live. Special guest, Amanda Glover joined me to talk about her groundbreaking research into the letter supposedly written by Anne Boleyn, to her husband Henry VIII, 4 days into her incarceration at the Tower of London and 13 days before her execution. Historians have long debated the letter’s authenticity and whether Anne did actually write the letter. Amanda’s research adds more clues to this long debated mystery.

You can also watch this episode on Youtube at youtube.com/BritishHistory

Last weekend I was at Bosworth for their annual medieval festival and battle reenactment where I met up with historian and author Nathen Amin to talk about his latest book 'Son of Prophecy. The Rise of Henry Tudor'.

You can also watch this on Youtube and listen to it on the podcast.

Join Patreon for an extra bonus 11 minutes with Nathen.

Welcome to this latest episode of Tea Time History Chat (almost) Live - this is a special episode as I am joined by Clare Clinton from West Horsley Place to talk about this one-time home of Henry VIII and the incredible history being uncovered!

Links mentioned in this episode:

WEST HORSLEY PLACE See what’s on and support this incredible place in its conservation and research into its history by visiting their website: www.westhorsleyplace.org

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INTERVIEW WITH PROF ALICE HUNT In the run up to the release of her new book 'Republic. Britain's Revolutionary Decade 1649 - 1660' Professor Alice Hunt joined me for a fascinating interview about this country's only time without a monarch. Was it a 'blip', as the restored monarchy were keen to characterise it, or was there a good chance that the monarchy in Britain may never have been restored? We discussed the infighting, the lack of democracy of the new regime and the quick unravelling which led to Charles Stuart being invited back to restore the monarchy. Watch on Youtube:

Listen on Spotify:

In the run up to the release of her new book 'Republic. Britain's Revolutionary Decade 1649 - 1660' Professor Alice Hunt joined me for a fascinating interview about this country's only time without a monarch. Was it a 'blip', as the restored monarchy were keen to characterise it, or was there a good chance that the monarchy in Britain may never have been restored? We discussed the infighting, the lack of democracy of the new regime and the quick unravelling which led to Charles Stuart being invited back to restore the monarchy.

Paying Substack Subscribers get early access to this, and all other historian interviews.

Members of my Patreon were able to submit their own questions for Alice. If you would like to hear those, and get the opportunity to submit your own questions for future guests, as well as benefitting from other history lover benefits such as Book Club and exclusive posts, click on the button below.

In this special episode, I am very happy to bring you a walk around Hever Castle, reimagined as Anne Boleyn and her family, who lived here in the 16th century, would recognise it, with assistant curator Kate McCaffrey. Kate is an incredibly talented historian who loves to share her findings and work with as wide an audience as possible and is one of the brains behind this wonderful new permanent exhibition.

Watch this episode on Youtube

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On the anniversary of the birth of a very important little boy, we look at how his death almost exactly 11 years later led to a regime change for the British Isles.

Join me for Tea Time History Chat Live this, and every Wednesday, at 3pm UK time. I stream live on Youtube and Facebook.

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⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ About Philippa

Philippa is the owner and managing director of British History Tours, a tour company for those who love British History. She lives in Central England and is well respected in her field as a historian and tour organiser. Philippa entertains thousands each week with her videos and stories from across the UK and British History. This ability to engage an audience, as well as being an expert in travelling the historical sites of the UK, makes her your perfect guide.

I actually have two special places for you today!

Hever Castle

Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn has always been a special place to visit, not least because you are moving around the space that she and her family once lived. With a new permanent exhibition at the Castle it is now easy to feel like you have travelled back in time and to the house of Thomas and Elizabeth Boleyn and their children Mary, Anne and George. I went to visit the castle recently and am very grateful to Assistant Curator Kate McCaffrey for showing me around the new rooms and giving me a fascinating insight into the research that went into the exhibition and also what the curatorial team's research has revealed about how the rooms were used and what happened here during Anne's time. You can hear mine and Kate's chat, as we walk around the rooms, on this channel, it will be released in August.

Watch this episode on Youtube

BONUS - West Horsley Place.

I also visited West Horsley Place, in Surrey, this week. Unsure of what I was to find, I didn't initially include it in the title and thumbnail for this episode but WOW that a fascinating and historically significant place it turned out to be! Owned twice by Henry VIII, who made alterations and additions to the property showing that he must have used it with some frequency, but also the venue for a dinner for him when his cousin, Henry Courtney, lived there - a dinner for which the menu survives!! That is just the beginning, join me as I reveal to you some of the history which I myself have only just learned this week, thank to the generous staff at West Horsley Place with a special mention to Clare Clinton. To donate to the conservation of West Horsley Place please go to: https://www.westhorsleyplace.org/donate/donate/5/credit-card .

Visit Hever Castle on The Anne Boleyn Tour, May 2025

Come with myself and historian Gareth Russell and stay at Hever Castle in May 2025 on 'The Anne Boleyn Tour'. You will stay at the castle for 4-nights, enjoy expert guided visits to Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London as well as an after-hours tour of Hever castle and dinner in its Great Hall! Also along the way you will meet Dr Tracy Borman OBE and Kate McCaffrey! To Book, go to www.britishhistorytours.com for full details and to download a booking form.