As complex figures go, you can’t get much more complex than Sir Thomas More. Was he a Saint? Was he a Sinner? Was he simply a man of his time?

Dr Joanne Paul seeks to answer these questions in her book ‘Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England’ which explores More’s roles as a statesman, scholar, and martyr, and understand how his beliefs, actions, and the historical context shaped his enduring reputation.

(WE WILL BE COVERING JOANNE'S BOOK IN BOOK CLUB ON 24TH MAY - JOIN IN AT PATREON.COM/BRITISHHISTORY)

In my interview with Joanne, filmed at the Harvington History Festival 2025, I asked her about Thomas More's multifaceted identity, his role in Henry VIII's court, his religious beliefs and persecution of heretics, and his influence on political and religious history.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thomas More and his significance

01:45 Different ways people encounter Thomas More

02:40 Was Thomas More as complex as his legacy suggests?

03:46 The importance of understanding his life in context

05:46 More's family and personal beliefs

07:53 The roots of his religious fervor and fear

08:54 His stance on heretics and persecution

10:53 His beliefs about society and community

12:55 The impact of the Reformation on his views

13:46 Where to find more about Joanne Paul and her work

Buy the book at Blackwells for Worldwide Delivery - Click Here

If you've enjoyed this please follow and rate this podcast.

Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. 

Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. 

Buy books from these incredible historians, shipped worldwide from Blackwells - click here (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you).

Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month.

You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa

You can support me for free by commenting and rating this episode. 

Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events.

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About Philippa

Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.

Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack 

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rogues, scallywags, fraudsters and criminals have all trodden the corridors of the UK Houses of Parliament. In this conversation with Philippa Lacey, Debbie Kilroy discusses the themes of her new book ‘Members Behaving Badly.’

The discussion covers political misbehaviour over the past 4 centuries, exploring various scandals, notorious figures, and the evolution of public perception regarding politicians. We talked about the patterns of corruption and sexual scandal seen throughout all the periods of history covered by Debbie in her book, as well as the importance of engaging with politics, and what happens when people feel disillusioned with their leaders.

The discussion highlights the need for understanding historical context and the human nature of politicians, emphasising that while many have committed egregious acts, they can also possess redeeming qualities.

Buy 'Members Behaving Badly' - click here

Find Debbie on Instagram 'debbiekilroyauthor' and her website debbiekilroy.com and gethistory.co.uk

Chapters

00:00 The Book's Inspiration and Themes

08:24 Historical Figures and Their Misdeeds

14:20 Patterns of Political Misbehaviour

20:23 Cultural Reflections in Political Behaviour

24:46 The Legacy of Lord Thomas Cochrane

29:18 Understanding Historical Morality

31:29 The Nature of Political Power

36:14 Public Tolerance for Political Scandals

43:12 The Evolution of Political Systems

49:12 Engaging with Political Discourse

Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more historian interviews here for you to enjoy including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Castor, Helen Carr and many more.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my conversation with historian Dr. Lauren Johnson we discussed her biography of Margaret Beaufort, exploring Margaret’s complex life, maternal relationships, and political influence during the Wars of the Roses. We delved into Margaret's nurturing nature, her traumatic experiences as a mother, and her significant role in the Tudor dynasty. Lauren also addressed misconceptions about Margaret, highlighting her intelligence and agency in a male-dominated society.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Lady Margaret Beaufort

03:27 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

05:17 Margaret Beaufort's Relationships and Networks

08:11 Maternal Instincts and Early Life of Henry Tudor

11:06 Margaret's Role in Political Alliances

14:22 The Secret Marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York

16:59 Margaret Beaufort's Image and Vowess Attire

32:17 The Complexity of Margaret's Wardrobe

33:05 Contrasting Appearances: External vs. Internal

34:53 Health Implications of Fasting and Mortification

36:15 Margaret's Views on Henry's Governance

40:04 The Cycle of Joy and Hardship

40:56 Margaret's Emotional State in Her Final Years

46:52 Challenging Misconceptions about Margaret

48:26 A Pivotal Decision: Margaret's Choice Against Richard III

51:24 Margaret's Conversation with Richard III

Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more historian interviews for you to enjoy including interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Castor, Helen Carr and many more.

You can also watch all the interviews on Youtube.com/@BritishHistory

Join Patreon.com/BritishHistory to watch the ad-free, extended edit with bonus content, and for your opportunity to ask future guests your own questions.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I LOVED this conversation with Dr. Chris Laoutaris when I was able to ask him about the significance of Shakespeare's First Folio, the individuals involved in its creation, and the financial and legal challenges faced during its publication. Chris also talked about the role of John Hemmings and Henry Condal, the professionalisation of playwriting, and the impact of published plays on society. The discussion also touches on the controversial use of the term 'works' in the context of Shakespeare's plays, the mystery of the False Folio, and Shakespeare's potential intentions for publishing his works during his lifetime.

This episode was recorded at the Harvington History Festival 2025, at Harvington Hall in Worcestershire. Tickets for the 2026 festival will be on sale at the end of February 2026 from HarvingtonHall.co.uk - and I will be back there too, bringing you more interviews with these fascinating historians.

Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. You can also watch this interview on my Youtube channel - click here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chris Littaris and the Shakespeare Institute

00:59 The Significance of the First Folio

02:48 The Role of Hemmings and Condal in Shakespeare's Legacy

06:10 The Financial Backing Behind the First Folio

08:51 Target Audience and Professionalization of Playwriting

12:11 The Challenges of Copyright and Rights Negotiation

14:51 The Controversial Use of 'Works' in the First Folio

17:58 The Mystery of the False Folio

20:56 The Impact of Published Plays on Society

23:49 Shakespeare's Intentions for His Works

26:00 Conclusion and Further Resources

Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month.

You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa

You can support me for free by commenting on this episode and subscribing to the channel.

Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events.

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

About Philippa

Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.

Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Amy Jeffs and I delve into the themes of Amy's book 'Old Songs', exploring the intricate relationship between traditional ballads and social history. We discussed the unique structure of the book, which combines fiction and nonfiction, and the role of illustrations and music in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the origins and evolution of ballads, the impact of historical context, and the recurring themes of voyeurism and gender dynamics. We also discussed the modern resonance of these ancient tales and the connection between landscape and storytelling, encouraging readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of traditional narratives.

You can watch this interview on Youtube on the 'British History' channel. Click Here

Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this interview, Tracy Borman delves into the complexities surrounding the succession of the English crown from Elizabeth I to James VI of Scotland. She reveals how the story was manipulated through political spin and deceit. Philippa and Tracy talked about the various claimants to the throne, the challenges James faced during his reign, and the implications of Elizabeth's decisions regarding her succession.

If you've enjoyed this please follow and rate this podcast.

For over 10 minutes of BONUS CONTENT go to Patreon.com/BritishHistory where members also get to submit their own questions for my guests, as well as many other history lover perks.

Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel.

Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more.

Buy books from these incredible historians, shipped worldwide from Blackwells - click here (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you).

Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month.

You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa

You can support me for free by commenting and rating this episode.

Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events.

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

About Philippa

Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.

Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my conversation with Iain Dale, recorded at the Warwick Words History Festival, we explore the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher, focusing on her impact on British politics, her foreign policy, and the challenges she faced as a female leader. The discussion highlights the myths surrounding her leadership and aims to provide a nuanced understanding of her political strategies and decisions.

Iain is an author, podcast host, and presenter on LBC.

Chapters

00:00 The Legacy of Margaret Thatcher

02:52 Understanding Thatcher's Impact on Modern Politics

05:51 Thatcher's Foreign Policy and Global Influence

08:53 Challenges of Leadership: Misogyny and Political Dynamics

11:36 The Iron Lady: Image and Perception

14:42 Dispelling Myths: The Pragmatic Politician

Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Philippa and historian Breeze Barrington, author of "The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of the Women at the Restoration Court,” where we delved into the lives of women at the court of Charles II and James II, focusing on Maria of Modena and the remarkable community of women she gathered. 

Breeze shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of these women, highlighting their contributions to art, literature, and politics during a transformative period in British history. 

This a under told story of resilience and creativity that deserves to be better known.

You can watch this episode on Youtube - click here

Buy Breeze's book (shipped worldwide) - Click Here for Blackwells

Join Philippa's 'British History' Patreon to access ad-free, extended historian interviews and to subnit your own questions for future guests - click here.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been long revealed that women worked at Bletchley Park, the top-secret codebreaking British intelligence service Head Quarters during World War II, but up until now it was thought that they were in menial administration roles, or tea makers! Dermot Turing's investigative work shows that many actually played a pivotal role in the codebreaking efforts of World War II and that this has long been overlooked!

You can watch this episode on Youtube - click here

Buy Dermot's book (shipped worldwide) - Click Here for Blackwells

Join Philippa's 'British History' Patreon to access ad-free, extended historian interviews and to submit your own questions for future guests - click here.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Elizabeth Norton joined me to discuss female monarchs throughout history, exploring the challenges they faced, their roles in governance, and the cultural attitudes towards women in power. We talked about the complexities of female rule, the unique challenges of female-child monarchs, and why being a woman in power does not mean they are a feminist!

Elizabeth is the author of a brand-new book 'Women Who Ruled. 5000 Years of Female Monarchy,' available now from all good book shops and on audible.

You can buy Elizabeth's book and get it shipped worldwide from Blackwells. Click Here (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you).

Watch this interview on Youtube.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the British History Channel

01:59 Exploring Female Monarchs: Challenges and Discoveries

05:40 Cleopatra: The Co-Ruler's Dilemma

08:41 Catherine the Great: Seizing Power in Russia

12:42 Aggression and Female Rulers: A Complex Dynamic

15:30 Child Monarchs: The Unique Challenges of Queens

20:40 Cultural Attitudes Towards Female Monarchs

24:36 Exceptional Women: Monarchs and Feminism

27:32 Queen Victoria: Power and Perception

31:41 The Last Queen of Hawaii: Gender and Power Dynamics

33:31 Elizabeth II: A Trailblazer for Future Monarchs

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.