The English Heritage Podcast

By English Heritage

What's The English Heritage Podcast about?

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites, and brings the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The English Heritage Podcast episodes:

04.25.2024
Episode 264 - Ask the Experts - Everything You Wanted to Know About Medieval Knights and Jousts
We’re joined by English Heritage curator of collections and interiors Dickon Whitewood and jouster, author and scholar of arms and armour Tobias Capwell to answer all the questions we received about medieval knights and jousts from English Heritage members and followers...
04.18.2024
Episode 263 - Saving our Paintings: Jan Wijnants at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections, Eleanor Matthews and Louise Cooling, to mark the acquisition of a painting by Dutch artist Jan Wijnants, which has a close link with Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire. Join us...
04.11.2024
Episode 262 - Behind the Lord Warden's Secret Door at Walmer Castle
This week we’re in Kent to take a peek into the hidden history of Walmer Castle, one of Henry VIII’s Device Forts on England’s southeast coast, where visitors are being invited to explore the private apartments of the Lord Warden...
04.04.2024
Episode 261 - 900 years of history at Furness Abbey
Nine hundred years after a community of monks settled in the ‘vale of nightshade’ on the Furness peninsular, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter and site manager Juliet Fellows to look back at the history of Furness...
03.28.2024
Episode 260 - The military history of the Isles of Scilly
We’re heading to the Isles of Scilly – a small cluster of islands off the tip of Cornwall in the south-west of England. Today, this peaceful archipelago is treasured for its natural beauty and holiday charm, but, in centuries past,...
03.21.2024
Episode 259 - Long lost shells returned: from Captain Cook’s voyage to Chesters Roman Fort (via a skip)
This week we’re discussing the story of Bridget Atkinson, a Cumbrian woman who amassed a huge collection of shells from across the globe during the 18th century. We’re joined by English Heritage Collections Curator Dr Frances McIntosh, Principal Curator at the...
03.14.2024
Episode 258 - Seeing Belsay Hall in a new light with artist Ingrid Pollard
We're joined by Turner Prize-nominated artist and photographer, Ingrid Pollard, to discuss her new art installation, titled 'There is Light in the Fissures', at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland. Discover what inspired her artwork and what you can expect...
03.07.2024
Episode 257 - Mum's the word: an exploration of maternity and motherhood
This week, as we approach Mother's Day here in the UK, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and senior lecturer in history at the University of Derby Dr Ruth Larsen to examine how mothers raised their children...
02.29.2024
Episode 256 - What happened after the Romans left Britain?
Britain was part of the Roman Empire for over three-and-a-half centuries. Following the invasion under the emperor Claudius in AD 43, the province was part of a political union that covered most of Europe. But what happened in Britannia when...
02.22.2024
Episode 255 - Walking Offa's Dyke
This week, we head to Gloucestershire for a stroll along a section of Offa's Dyke — the great earthwork boundary dyke built along the Anglo-Welsh border by Offa, King of Mercia, and one of the most remarkable structures in Britain. We're...
02.15.2024
Episode 254 - Art and activism: the life and legacy of Derek Jarman
We're joined by senior historian for the blue plaques scheme Howard Spencer and writer and performer Mark Farrelly to explore the life and legacy of filmmaker, artist and activist Derek Jarman, who died 30 years ago and was commemorated by...
02.08.2024
Episode 253 - True romances: the perfect partnerships made at our sites
Valentine's Day is on its way and romance is most definitely in the air, so we're focusing our attention on a selection of the love stories that played out at English Heritage sites. Joining us to discuss the true romances formed...
02.01.2024
Episode 252 - Uncovering the mystery of the Corbridge dodecahedra
Hidden among the collections at Corbridge Roman Town on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland are a series of dodecahedra (12 sided objects) made of copper alloy that have been puzzling archaeologists since the 18th century. Each one is slightly different, but...
01.25.2024
Episode 251 - The remarkable rise and fall of Old Sarum
This week, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Steven Brindle and historian John McNeill to discuss the story of Old Sarum in Wiltshire — one of the most eclectic and important sites in southern England, with over 2,000 years...
01.18.2024
Episode 250 - Eels: medieval England's forgotten currency
This week, we're tracing the fascinating story of an almost forgotten currency. In early medieval England, eels were exchanged for goods and services and to settle debts. We're joined by medievalist and cartographic historian Dr John Wyatt Greenlee to reveal how...
01.11.2024
Episode 249 - Leap years, Candlemas and other archaic calendar traditions
We're joined in the studio by senior properties historian Michael Carter to take a look at the annual traditions and events that mark the early part of the year — some we still celebrate today, while others have slipped into...
01.04.2024
Episode 248 - England’s lost composer: George Jeffreys at Kirby Hall
This week we're honouring the life of a 17th-century composer, who lived and worked at Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire. George Jeffreys was both a steward and in-house musician for the Hattons — a wealthy family who became entangled in the...
12.28.2023
Episode 247 - Kits Coty House and the Medway Megaliths
Today, we're in Kent in southeast England to meet English Heritage properties historians Dr Jennifer Wexler and Dr Alastair Oswald and visit an ancient sacred site with a fascinating story. Kit's Coty House and its neighbour, Little Kit's Coty House, are...
12.21.2023
Episode 246 - Ask the experts: everything you wanted to know about the history of Christmas
We're joined in the studio by properties historian Dr Will Wyeth, senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and properties historian team leader Dr Andrew Hann to answer all the questions we received about the history of Christmas from English Heritage...
12.14.2023
Episode 245 - Christmas misbehaviour and the Lords of Misrule
This week, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to find out how people in the past entertained themselves during the cold and dark midwinter — and the festive mischief they got up to at this time of...
12.07.2023
Episode 244 - Mead, mulsum and merrymaking: a brief history of booze
As the Christmas party season gets into full swing, we're taking a look back at the history of alcoholic drinks through the ages. From mead to mulsum, beer to brandy, and wine to whisky — they're all on the menu...
11.30.2023
Episode 243 - St Milburga: princess, abbess, miracle worker
Today, we're joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to reveal the story of St Milburga, who was a princess, the second abbess of Wenlock Priory, and a woman of international renown. Discover the story of her...
11.23.2023
Episode 242 - How to stay healthy in Roman Britain
This week, we’re exploring the secrets to living a healthy life in Roman Britain. The Roman’s well documented love of bathing was one aspect of this, along with exercise, ancient medical science, religion and even superstition. Joining us to shine...
11.16.2023
Episode 241 - Nye Bevan and the founding of the National Health Service
Today, we’re looking back at the story of the man who brought free healthcare to the UK in the years after the Second World War. Aneurin Bevan – also known as Nye Bevan – was the founding father of the...
11.09.2023
Episode 240 - A history of England in stinking sewage
This week, we’re holding our noses to tackle the history of toilets through the ages, from latrines, privies and reredorters to garderobes and even thunderboxes! Joining us to flush out the stories of long drops, dung gatherers and the first public...
11.02.2023
Episode 239 - The Lady of the Isle: Isabella de Fortibus and Carisbrooke Castle
Join us to discover the story of one of England’s wealthiest and most powerful medieval noblewomen, Isabella de Fortibus (1237–1293). Married at an early age before becoming a wealthy young widow and heiress, she was pursued by many ambitious suitors...
10.26.2023
Episode 238 - Stonehenge and the Festival of Neolithic Ideas
This week, we’re making history at Stonehenge, as our most famous prehistoric site hosts its first ever Festival of Neolithic Ideas on 11 and 12 November 2023. Joining us to tell us more about the event and how our understanding of...
10.19.2023
Episode 237 - The horrifying history of Farleigh Hungerford Castle
As the nights grow long and Halloween approaches, we’re discussing the dark and sinister history of Farleigh Hungerford Castle near Bath. Home to the Hungerford family for over 300 years, it’s a place where you can see Britain’s best collection...
10.12.2023
Episode 236 - Unlocking the story of Portchester's black and mixed-heritage prisoners of war
This week we’re shifting our attention to Portchester Castle in Hampshire on England’s south coast. Situated at the northern end of Portsmouth Harbour, this site has a history stretching back as far as the Romans. The later castle was also...
10.05.2023
Episode 235 - Ask The Experts: everything you want to know about the Battle of Hastings
We’re joined in the studio by senior properties curator Roy Porter and curator of collections and interiors Kathryn Bedford to answer all the questions we received about the Battle of Hastings from English Heritage Members and followers on our social...
09.28.2023
Episode 234 - A royal raid: the 1303 burglary of the Crown Jewel treasury
This week, we’re tracing the story of a historic heist. But it’s not the one from the 1660s involving the Crown Jewels and the Tower of London that some people might recognise. This raid dates back more than 700 years...
09.21.2023
Episode 233 - Celebrating the Women’s Freedom League with our 1,000th blue plaque
This week, we’re celebrating a historic landmark for the London Blue Plaques scheme after our 1,000th plaque was unveiled to commemorate the work of the Women’s Freedom League. To help us understand more about the plaque and the league’s role in...
09.14.2023
Episode 232 - A delight for the senses at our historic gardens
This week you find us Audley End in Essex, where we’re joined by English Heritage landscape advisor and historian, Louise Crawley and PHD student, Helen Brown, to learn how our historic gardens were designed to stimulate different senses. Join us to...
09.07.2023
Episode 231 - History lesson: education at medieval schools
As a new school year gets underway, we’re joined by senior properties historian Michael Carter to discover what education was like in the Middle Ages and how it compared to today’s classrooms. Discover the different forms of medieval schools, the role...
08.31.2023
Episode 230 - Henry V at Kenilworth Castle and his 'pleasance in the marsh'
This week, we’re talking about King Henry V, who is famous for his victory over the French at the 1415 Battle of Agincourt, his military abilities during the Hundred Years’ War with France and the Shakespeare play named after him. Joining...
08.24.2023
Episode 229 - Reawakening Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
This week, we’re heading behind the scenes at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens as the finishing touches are put on the major project to conserve and transform this historic country estate in Northumberland. Joining us to talk us through the...
08.17.2023
Episode 228 - Flowering interest: recreating the Stonehenge Dahlia Exhibition
When we think of our most famous prehistoric site, Stonehenge, we don’t automatically think of flowers. But in 1842, the site played host to a huge dahlia exhibition, attended by around 10,000 people. Joining us to reveal the story of this...
08.10.2023
Episode 227 - Ask the experts: Everything you want to know about the Civil Wars and the Restoration
We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Paul Pattison and senior properties curator Roy Porter to answer all the questions we received about the English Civil Wars and Restoration from English Heritage Members and followers on our social...
08.03.2023
Episode 226 - Royal, rebel, suffragette: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh
This week we’re joined by broadcaster and author Anita Anand and historian Susan Skedd to reveal the story of Indian princess, campaigner for women’s votes and goddaughter of Queen Victoria, Sophia Duleep Singh. Join us as we reveal how she came...
07.27.2023
Episode 225 - The extraordinary life of Margaret Cavendish
This week we’re joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland to look back at the remarkable life and achievements of this former duchess, philosopher, poet, playwright, science-fiction pioneer and socialite on the 400th anniversary of her birth. Discover...
07.20.2023
Episode 224 - Who was the real Robin Hood?
Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Erroll Flynn and Sean Connery are just a few of the actors who have performed as Robin Hood on the big screen. But who was this legendary English outlaw, whose name continues to be recognised worldwide...
07.13.2023
Episode 223 - A portrait of artist Joshua Reynolds
This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections and interiors, Louise Cooling and Peter Moore, to paint a picture of one of the greatest portrait artists of the 18th century, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Discover the story of his...
07.06.2023
Episode 222 - Sailing the world with the Courtaulds 1930s-style
As we head into the summer holidays, we’re turning back time to the early 20th century to explore the world with a very well-heeled couple. Stephen and Virginia Courtauld lived at Eltham Palace in southeast London, but when they weren’t...
06.29.2023
Episode 221 - Unearthing the story of Arthur's Stone
This week, we’re joined by English Heritage properties curator Win Scutt at Arthur’s Stone in Herefordshire. We will be exploring the history of this 5,000-year-old neolithic tomb, where a team of archaeologists are about to embark on the latest round...
06.22.2023
Episode 220 - Exploring the real lives of the English peasant at Wharram Percy
When people think of the medieval peasant, they may conjure up images of the character Baldrick from the TV series Blackadder, who has arguably become the poster boy of peasantry. For most, the term ‘peasant’ suggests poverty, ignorance, missing teeth,...
06.15.2023
Episode 219 - The Ridgeway: a walk through time along England's oldest road
Today, we’re out for a walk to celebrate an anniversary. The Ridgeway is sometimes referred to as England's oldest road — and this year also marks its 50th anniversary as a designated National Trail. But how far back into history...
06.08.2023
Episode 218 - Within these walls: Orford Castle
How do you maintain a castle? And not just any castle – one that’s stood tall for over 850 years but has recently started to show its age. Well, that’s the question we’re putting to our English Heritage experts following...
06.01.2023
Episode 217 - Pride of place: uncovering LGBTQ+ histories at our sites
This week, we’re joined by English Heritage’s head of learning and interpretation Dr Dominique Bouchard and interpretation coordinator Nick Collinson to shine a light on the lives of the LGBTQ+ people from the past who have a connection to our...
05.25.2023
Episode 216 - Wroxeter: the heart of a Roman city
This week, we’re joined by English Heritage properties historian Andrew Roberts and curator Cameron Moffet to explore the story of Wroxeter Roman city in Shropshire. Though a small village today, Wroxeter was once the fourth largest town in Roman Britain, when...
05.18.2023
Episode 215 - Natural history at home: scientific collecting at Audley End in the Victorian era
This week, we’re joined by English Heritage’s curator of collections and interiors Dr Peter Moore and Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences archivist Sandra Jane Freshney to reveal how Audley End House in Essex became home to a diverse collection of...

What's The English Heritage Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The English Heritage Podcast episodes:

Episode 264 - Ask the Experts - Everything You Wanted to Know About Medieval Knights and Jousts

Episode 263 - Saving our Paintings: Jan Wijnants at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

Episode 262 - Behind the Lord Warden's Secret Door at Walmer Castle

Episode 261 - 900 years of history at Furness Abbey

Episode 260 - The military history of the Isles of Scilly

Episode 259 - Long lost shells returned: from Captain Cook’s voyage to Chesters Roman Fort (via a skip)

Episode 258 - Seeing Belsay Hall in a new light with artist Ingrid Pollard

Episode 257 - Mum's the word: an exploration of maternity and motherhood

Episode 256 - What happened after the Romans left Britain?

Episode 255 - Walking Offa's Dyke

Episode 254 - Art and activism: the life and legacy of Derek Jarman

Episode 253 - True romances: the perfect partnerships made at our sites

Episode 252 - Uncovering the mystery of the Corbridge dodecahedra

Episode 251 - The remarkable rise and fall of Old Sarum

Episode 250 - Eels: medieval England's forgotten currency

Episode 249 - Leap years, Candlemas and other archaic calendar traditions

Episode 248 - England’s lost composer: George Jeffreys at Kirby Hall

Episode 247 - Kits Coty House and the Medway Megaliths

Episode 246 - Ask the experts: everything you wanted to know about the history of Christmas

Episode 245 - Christmas misbehaviour and the Lords of Misrule

Episode 244 - Mead, mulsum and merrymaking: a brief history of booze

Episode 243 - St Milburga: princess, abbess, miracle worker

Episode 242 - How to stay healthy in Roman Britain

Episode 241 - Nye Bevan and the founding of the National Health Service

Episode 240 - A history of England in stinking sewage

Episode 239 - The Lady of the Isle: Isabella de Fortibus and Carisbrooke Castle

Episode 238 - Stonehenge and the Festival of Neolithic Ideas

Episode 237 - The horrifying history of Farleigh Hungerford Castle

Episode 236 - Unlocking the story of Portchester's black and mixed-heritage prisoners of war

Episode 235 - Ask The Experts: everything you want to know about the Battle of Hastings

Episode 234 - A royal raid: the 1303 burglary of the Crown Jewel treasury

Episode 233 - Celebrating the Women’s Freedom League with our 1,000th blue plaque

Episode 232 - A delight for the senses at our historic gardens

Episode 231 - History lesson: education at medieval schools

Episode 230 - Henry V at Kenilworth Castle and his 'pleasance in the marsh'

Episode 229 - Reawakening Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Episode 228 - Flowering interest: recreating the Stonehenge Dahlia Exhibition

Episode 227 - Ask the experts: Everything you want to know about the Civil Wars and the Restoration

Episode 226 - Royal, rebel, suffragette: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh

Episode 225 - The extraordinary life of Margaret Cavendish

Episode 224 - Who was the real Robin Hood?

Episode 223 - A portrait of artist Joshua Reynolds

Episode 222 - Sailing the world with the Courtaulds 1930s-style

Episode 221 - Unearthing the story of Arthur's Stone

Episode 220 - Exploring the real lives of the English peasant at Wharram Percy

Episode 219 - The Ridgeway: a walk through time along England's oldest road

Episode 218 - Within these walls: Orford Castle

Episode 217 - Pride of place: uncovering LGBTQ+ histories at our sites

Episode 216 - Wroxeter: the heart of a Roman city

Episode 215 - Natural history at home: scientific collecting at Audley End in the Victorian era