Historic Royal Palaces Podcast

Latest Episodes:

21 Questions with Tracy Borman - International Women's Day Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we're trying something new. Today is International Women's Day, and what better way to celebrate than with two special episodes featuring our Chief Curators.

In this first episode Tracy Borman answers a quick-fire round of 21 Questions. We find out about her work, historic women who inspire her and what she always has on her desk!

We'll be back tomorrow with another 21 Questions but this time with Lucy Worsley.

To find out more about our new displays at Hampton Court Palace visit:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/great-hall/

Jewish Medieval History at the Tower of London Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

The Jewish medieval history of the Tower of London remains relatively unknown to our everyday visitors, and yet it is foundational to the first 200-years of the life of the fortress, as well as medieval England itself.

In this episode Curator Charles Farris is joined by Dr Rory MacLellan and Professor Miri Rubin, to reflect on how new research at Historic Royal Palaces has helped give a more nuanced picture of life for the Medieval Jewish community in England.

For more on this subject go to:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/jewish-medieval-history-at-the-tower-of-london/

For Dr Rory MacLellan's exploration of the Jewish prisoners, sanctuary-seekers, and staff of the medieval Tower, including access to his research findings, go to:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/research/the-jewish-history-of-the-medieval-tower-of-london/

Sophia Duleep Singh - Suffragette and Revolutionary Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

For this week's episode we're bringing you a talk from our archives by journalist and author Anita Anand, on the extraordinary life of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh

As the daughter of the deposed Maharaja Duleep Singh and Goddaughter to Queen Victoria, Sophia learned to use her fame and position to passionately fight for gender equality as a suffragette. She even campaigned regularly outside Hampton Court Palace.

It's difficult to do justice to the life of this incredible woman, but Anita Anand dives into Sophia's story and brings it into the light, from her Sikh family heritage to her involvment in the fight for women's suffrage.

Further Reading:

To find out more about Sophia Duleep Singh go to https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/sophia-duleep-singh

For Anita Anand's biography on Sophia and other books

https://anitaanand.net/book-stuff/

A Space I Love - Tracy Borman in Jane Seymour's bedroom Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

This week we're back with the final episode from our mini-series on spaces we love in our palaces and what a way to end!

Chief Curator Tracy Borman has chosen to take us into a room that isn't open to visitors, but that witnessed two momentous moments in Tudor history; the birth of Henry VIII's long-awaited heir, and the death of his beloved wife Jane Seymour. Tracy explains how this room is a place of escape for her to connect with the history she loves so much.

To find out more about the life of Jane Seymour go to:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/jane-seymour

A Space I Love - Henry VIII's bedroom with Cara Gathern Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

This week is the penultimate episode in our six-part mini-series and today we are in for a treat!

Curatorial placement student Cara Gathern takes us into one of the most exciting but hidden spaces at Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's bedroom. It may not look like a royal Tudor bedroom today, but Cara will reveal how this space has transported her to the past, and particularly to the medicinal practices of the health-obsessed Tudor king.

To find out more about this subject go to:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/blog/henry-viii-medicines

To find out more about opportunities and further education at Historic Royal Palaces go to:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/research/ma-in-heritage-management

https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/apprenticeships

A Space I Love - Queen Victoria's birth place with Claudia Acott-Williams Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

In the fourth part of this series, we're taking a walk with curator Claudia Acott-Williams into her favourite space at Kensington Palace, the room where Queen Victoria was born. Claudia will explain how this room was intentionally chosen as the birthplace of the future Queen of England.

To find out more about the childhood of Queen Victoria go to:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/victoria-a-royal-childhood

A Space I Love - The Wolsey Closet with Charles Farris Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

This week is the third part of our mini-series on spaces we love. We'll be joining curator Charles Farris who has chosen to take us on a gentle stroll into a small but rather special Tudor space, hidden away in the depths of Hampton Court Palace. Charles will help us imagine how this space may have witnessed some of the biggest moments in Henry VIII's reign.

To see the Wolsey Closet up close and find out more go to https://artsandculture.google.com/story/5AUxVfi6Al_lcg

A Space I Love - Queen Charlotte's Cottage with Lee Prosser Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

This week we're continuing our mini-series on treasured spaces with a modest cottage hidden away in Kew Gardens. We'll take a walk with Curator Lee Prosser through this intimate and charming space, to learn how it was used as a retreat away from public life for Queen Charlotte, George III and the royal family.

Find more information on Queen Charlotte's Cottage here hrp.org.uk/kew-palace/whats-on/queen-charlottes-cottage

A Space I Love - Lucy Worsley and The King's Stairs Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

In this new six-part mini-series, we'll be exploring a selection of treasured spaces in our palaces with the people who know them best, our curators.

Some spaces will be grand and some modest, some aren't even open to the public. But each space has been personally chosen by our resident experts to reveal how immersing ourselves in the past can connect us to the present.

In this first episode we'll follow Chief Curator Lucy Worsley, into the pomp of Kensington Palace, to a staircase that has a lot more to reveal about the Georgian court than you would think.

To find out more about the King's stairs go to hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/the-kings-staircase

A Space I Love mini series Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

In this six-part mini-series, we'll be exploring a selection of treasured spaces in our palaces with the people who know them best, our curators.

The first epsidoe will be released on Thursday November 17th. Episodes will be released every two weeks.