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 of history.

Continuously occupied since Roman times, it uniquely combines a royal castle and cathedral within the remains of an Iron Age fortification. Join us to discover how it was once the setting of the Oath of Sarum under William the Conqueror and the location of Salisbury's original Cathedral before becoming a rotten borough. 
     
To learn more about Old Sarum or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/oldsarum. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 251 - The remarkable rise and fall of Old Sarum

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

History

Society & Culture

A Major Lunar Standstill (MLS) – an astrological phenomenon which takes place once every 18.6 years, when moonrise and moonset are furthest apart along the horizon – is due to occur in 2024 and 25. It is believed that at least one MLS was marked during the early phase of Stonehenge and some academics believe there may be a connection between this and the placement of the Station Stones at Stonehenge.

Joining us to discuss the theory and the project putting it to the test are English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Jennifer Wexler, emeritus professor of archaeoastronomy at the University of Leicester Clive Ruggles and senior lecturer in archaeological modelling at Bournemouth University Dr Fabio Silva.

To learn more about Stonehenge or find out how you can get involved, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lunar-standstill.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 265 - Stonehenge and the Major Lunar Standstill

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 on our social media accounts. 

Join us to discover the rules of a joust, what a frog-mouth helmet is, the weight of a suit of armour, the practicalities of going to the toilet while wearing one and much more. 

To learn more about the history of tournaments, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/brief-history-of-knights-tournaments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 to discover the story of this and some of the other Dutch masterpieces that can be seen at both Brodsworth Hall and Kenwood in London.

To learn more about Brodsworth Hall and Gardens or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth-hall.

To learn more about Kenwood or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 of the Cinque Ports for the first time. 

We’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Kathryn Bedford to discover the history of the castle, why the Lord Warden was stationed here and what the job involves. Plus, we meet the children of a former Lord Warden to find out what it’s like growing up in one of England’s iconic fortresses.

To learn more about Walmer Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/walmer. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 Abbey – once the largest and wealthiest monastery in north-west England.

Discover how the abbey became so successful, why it was a prime target during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries and how we’re bringing its story back to life for visitors today.  

To learn more about Furness Abbey or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/furnessabbey
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 251 - The remarkable rise and fall of Old Sarum

Download our free app to listen on your phone