The English Heritage Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 206 - Launceston Castle and the whale Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

This week, we reveal the colourful history of Launceston Castle. This site has served as the administrative headquarters for the Duchy of Cornwall, a courthouse, a prison, a pleasure garden and a Second World War hospital. The castle is also home to an intriguing collection of artefacts discovered during site excavations, including a near-complete whale vertebra measuring more than half-a-metre across.

Joining us to pick up the story are Curator of Collections Ian Leins and Head of Historic Properties for Cornwall and Devon Georgia Butters.

To discover more about Launceston Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/launceston

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Episode 205 - Celebrating the great and good of women's history Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

Women's history is often lost to the ages, obscured or even unexplored. But there are numerous examples of women from the past who have played a pivotal role in shaping England and who are linked to sites that are now in the care of English Heritage.

Joining us to discuss some of these stories, and to explore why it's important to celebrate the achievements of women in the past, are Senior Properties Historian for English Heritage Dr Amy Boyington and British art historian Dr Janina Ramirez.

To discover more stories of inspiring women throughout English history, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history

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Episode 204 - Building a legacy: the life and designs of Sir Christopher Wren Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle to discuss the life and legacy of Britain’s most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren, as we approach the 300th anniversary of his death.

We discuss how he discovered his talent for design, his commission to create St Paul’s Cathedral and a possible link to Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

To discover the story of Christopher Wren’s blue plaque at his former London home, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/christopher-wren

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Episode 203 - An ancient landscape: Thornborough Henges Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

This week, we’re talking about one of the oldest and most important Neolithic sites in Britain, which has recently come into English Heritage’s care. Thornborough Henges comprises three circular earthworks that dot the landscape about seven miles north of the cathedral city of Ripon in North Yorkshire.

We’re joined by former Senior Properties Historian Dr Susan Greaney and Senior Interpretation Manager Joe Savage to reveal the history of these henges, their significance and how their story will be told to future visitors.

To learn more about English Heritage’s prehistoric sites or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/prehistoric-monuments

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Episode 202 - Roman reverence at the Temple of Mithras Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

One of 16 forts along Hadrian’s Wall, Carrawburgh Roman Fort is also home to the Temple of Mithras, which was built to worship a Persian god. But who was Mithras, what was Mithraism and why was the temple built here, in northern England?

Joining us to reveal all are Senior Properties Historian Paul Pattison and Curator of Hadrian’s Wall and the North East Dr Frances McIntosh.

To learn more about Roman life along Hadrian’s Wall or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall

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Episode 201 - Exploring the history of Neolithic pottery at Stonehenge Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by two ancient pottery technology specialists – father and daughter team Graham Taylor and Sarah Lord – and Stonehenge Interpretation Manager Melanie Coussens to explore potted history at our most famous Neolithic site.

Discover the role of eating and drinking vessels in prehistoric daily life, where they’ve been found in the landscape, what they were made of and how replicas of them made today are helping visitors get closer to the ancient past.

To learn more about prehistoric life at Stonehenge or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge

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Episode 200 - Little wonders: six hidden historic gems to visit in 2023 Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

This week, we’re making our own little piece of history as we reach episode 200 of the English Heritage Podcast.

To celebrate, we’re joined by English Heritage’s Chief Executive Kate Mavor and Head of Learning and Interpretation Dr Dominique Bouchard to discuss six amazing but little-known sites to visit in 2023, which have all benefitted from a major project to re-tell their stories in new and exciting ways.

To plan a visit to any of our sites, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit

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Episode 199 - Lady Anne Clifford and the fight for five castles Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle and historian Karen Hearn to discuss the story of Lady Anne Clifford (1590–1676).

As High Sheriff of Westmorland and the last member of one of England’s great medieval dynasties, she became something of a legend in her own lifetime and has remained a celebrated figure in the history of northern England ever since. We’ll reveal how, after fighting a 40-year battle for her right to inherit her father’s estates, she devoted herself to restoring and enhancing the castles and churches on her lands.

To read more about Lady Anne Clifford’s life, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/anne-clifford

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Episode 198 - Osborne and Victorian politics, diplomacy and Empire Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re returning to Osborne, Queen Victoria’s home on the Isle of Wight. With its sandy beach and beautiful gardens, it’s often been depicted as something of a holiday home for Victoria and her family. But, as we’ll discover, this impressive island retreat was also a real political powerhouse.

Joining us to explain more are English Heritage’s Properties Historians’ Team Leader Dr Andrew Hann and Dr Lee Butcher, who researched Osborne’s place as a global diplomatic hub as part of his PhD studies.

To discover more about Osborne or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/osborne

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Episode 197 - Ask the experts: everything you want to know about the Tudors Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

This week, we’re joined in the studio by Senior Properties Historian Dr Amy Boyington and Properties Curator Roy Porter to answer all your questions about the Tudors.

Discover what Henry VIII’s relationship was like with his father, if Jane Seymour was the favourite of his six wives and whether he bonded with his own children. Plus, we’ll reveal what treats you might have found at a Tudor feast, what sports the Tudors liked to play and which Tudor monarch might be considered the greatest of them all.

To learn more about life in Tudor England, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/tudors

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