The Tower of London is almost synonymous with the idea of torture, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. When we think of this iconic historic site, the history of violence is one of the first things to come to mind, yet to what extent is this a fabrication of history?

In this episode, Dr Catherine Jenkinson from the University of Oxford talks us through one of the latest research projects at Historic Royal Palaces, the question of how the history of torture is, and should be told at the Tower of London. 

To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/ 

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, PhD student Ellis Huddart joins Lucy Worsley to explore the history of the Royal Yacht.

Ellis’ PhD hopes to examine how Royal Yachts existed as places outside of the usual rules and conventions of both royal palaces and royalty. They can therefore reveal a lot about the material culture of British Imperialism in the Victorian era, and the changing image of royalty.

This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces.

Explore more about research at Historic Royal Palaces.

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, PhD student Gabrielle Fields joins Lucy Worsley to explore the life of Queen Victoria through the books she read.  

Gabrielle’s PhD introduces a new lens through which to examine Queen Victoria through her reading materials. It ultimately aims to reveal Queen Victoria’s efforts to educate herself politically, her attempts at self-improvement, and crucially the way she chose to present herself to the  world.   

This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces. 

Read more about Queen Victoria's early biography. 

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, Dr Holly Marsden joins Lucy Worsley to explore the many identities of Mary II, disentangling her story from that of her husband and co-ruler William III.

The product of four years of research, Holly’s PhD ultimately aims to disrupt the perception that Mary did not have political agency.

This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces.

Explore more about research at Historic Royal Palaces.

From Tudor and Medieval Christmas tide celebrations, to Queen Victoria and Albert’s newer traditions, we’re re-releasing our Christmas episode to reveal the history of Christmas at our palaces.  

Curator Charles Farris is joined by Historic Kitchens Manager Richard Fitch, and Curator Lee Prosser, as they begin the holiday season with some festive tomfoolery. 

Make our Victorian Christmas pudding recipe with mashed potatoes. 

Explore what’s on in our Palaces this Christmas from Ice Skating at Hampton Court Palace to Queen Victoria's Childhood Christmas at Kensington Palace. 

Elizabeth I’s propaganda images of Gloriana and the Virgin Queen have hugely impacted her reputation as the last Tudor Monarch. Yet the twilight years of her reign were both personally and politically difficult.  

In this final episode in our series, Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman is joined by renowned historian Dr Helen Castor. Together they contemplate which female relationships shaped this time, and ultimately, how Elizabeth I’s gender has shaped her historic image.  

This is the final Episode in our Elizabeth I series where we explore the women who shaped a queen. 

Read about Elizabeth I’s life as the last Tudor. 

Elizabeth I’s relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the most pivotal of her entire life, and yet they never met.  

In this second episode in our series, Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman is joined by Dr Andrea Clarke, to discuss how as confidantes and rival queens, Elizabeth and Mary’s relationship would shape the image that Elizabeth would adopt for herself, that of Gloriana. 

Read about Elizabeth’s brush with death at Hampton Court, the crisis that magnified the succession question.  

This is the second Episode in our Elizabeth series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.

Elizabeth I was profoundly shaped by the women around her, and this series will explore these pivotal relationships throughout her life. 

Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman opens our series with Dr Nicola Tallis, and together they explore the young Elizabeth, before she came to the throne. The formative relationships she experienced during this time shaped the queen she would become; her mother Anne Boleyn, her stepmother Katherine Parr, and her sister Mary I.  

Read about Elizabeth's Summer with Katherine Parr at Hampton Court, and see the book Elizabeth embroidered as a gift for her stepmother.  

This is the first episode in our Elizabeth series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.

This new three-part series on the Historic Royal Palaces Podcast will explore Elizabeth I, and the women who shaped a queen.

Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman will take us on a journey from Elizabeth's early life, right the way through to the challenging final years of her reign.

We'll learn which pivotal female relationships made her the queen we know today, and how these nurturing and often challenging relationships, can reveal the most about the real Elizabeth I? 

When James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I, he sparked the English witch hunts into a fire. They would become one of the largest miscarriages of justice against women in the 17th century, but what prompted them, and why did James become such a ruthless champion of this war on women? 

For this Halloween Episode, we join Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman and historian Gareth Russell, as they explore the witch hunts under James I.

Please be aware that this episode contains themes of sexual violence and torture that some listeners may find distressing.