The Tudor court was all about competitive displays of power and wealth. This series examines the influence of music and entertainment on the balance of power. In this talk historian Suzannah Lipscombe explores the role of the fool at the Tudor court, calling into question the myths surrounding these entertainers. This talk was originally recorded at Hampton Court Palace in 2017. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories  

Playing the Fool with Suzannah Lipscomb

Historic Royal Palaces are a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. This fortnightly podcast brings you the history and stories of those palaces. 
 

You’ll hear from our experts and the people who bring our palaces to life, as we create space to explore how history moves us, telling stories about the monarchs you know, and uncovering the lives and histories of the people you don’t. 


Just like our palaces, this podcast is a mix of old and new. Each episode will have a different feel, from previously recorded live talks, to exciting new discussions and discoveries. You’ll have every opportunity to share in the history we love.     


Explore more history and stories from our six palaces hrp.org.uk

History

Society & Culture

 Leech is a man who knows about fire, how it burns and how it feels. But when Whitehall Palace, the largest palace in Europe, becomes the greatest kindling pile for a seemingly unquenchable blaze, even he is left dazzled. Everything burns, even the home of kings.     Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site    Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast.    To read more about the lost palace of Whitehall go to:      https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/      https://artsandculture.google.com/project/banqueting-house              

Outliers – Crack of Thunder

 As lady-in-waiting to an ageing queen and wife to a failed adventurer, Bess Raleigh has learnt to fight her corner against all adversity. Her life is spent in the shadow of the Tower of London with her husband Sir Walter Raleigh. But will she manage to keep her head whilst others around her lose theirs?        Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site    Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast.  

Outliers – Fresh Sweat and Cloves

 Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows.    It’s late spring in 1726 at Kensington Palace, and the lavish court of King George I is in residence. Meanwhile, Mehmet, the Turkish valet to the King, is having some problems with Peter from Hanover, 'the wild boy' who is kept for the King’s amusement. A comical cat-and-mouse chase ensues, but perhaps it is Peter who has some unexpected lessons to teach Mehmet.    Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site    To find out more about Peter’s life go to:    https://www.hrp.org.uk/blog/peter-the-wild-boy-from-hanover/      Untold Lives is an exhibition that explores the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago.       https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives     Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast.  

Outliers – Mehmet and Peter

 The practice of journeying around the country on royal progress is one that monarchs used to strengthen their rule. But they can reveal a lot more than you’d think about kingship and queenship, even for tried and tested subjects such as Henry VIII and his six Queens.       We follow Post-Doctoral Research Assistant Kirsty Wright, as she guides us through the importance of new research into where and why Henry VIII went on royal progress. Kirsty also reveals how the progresses of Henry’s Queens are contributing to highlighting their individual roles and personalities, helping to answer bigger questions about 16th century queenship and monarchy.     In this series, we'll be exploring fresh research that is taking place in our Palaces. We won't be releasing this series sequentially, so these episodes will appear throughout the year.    To find out more about the Henry VIII on Tour research project go to:      www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/research/henry-viii-on-tour-tudor-palaces-and-royal-progresses/ 

Henry VIII's Royal Progresses - New Research at the Palaces

 The Yeoman Warders have guarded the Tower of London for 500 years, and is perhaps the oldest of jobs that still exists in our palaces today. In this final episode of a Day in the Life, we meet the Chief Yeoman Warder himself, Rob Fuller, and Curator Charles Farris fills us in on the storied history of this role.    To find out more about the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago, a new exhibition is opening at Kensington Palace.    https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives/        

Playing the Fool with Suzannah Lipscomb

Download our free app to listen on your phone