The English Heritage Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 186 - Ask the experts: everything you want to know about England's country houses Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Amy Boyington to answer all the questions we received about England’s grand country houses from English Heritage Members and followers on our social media accounts.

Discover what the difference is between a house, hall, manor, palace, and stately home, what working life was like for the staff and how accurate the depictions in series such as Bridgerton and Downton Abbey really are.

To find out more about our historic houses, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/group-visits/inspiring-itineraries/historic-houses

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Episode 185 - Feasts through history: a royal reception at Gainsborough Old Hall Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

For the third and final course of our mini-series on feasts enjoyed at English Heritage sites through the ages, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Nick Holder and Senior Curator Kevin Booth to look back at the feasting and food preparation that took place at one of England’s biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses: Gainsborough Old Hall. Discover who built the hall, who worked in its kitchens and the kings who came to dine here.

To find out more or plan a visit to Gainsborough Old Hall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/gainsborough-old-hall.

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Episode 184 - Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby Abbey and the Victorian Gothic Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter and Dr Mary Going, a Research Associate at the University of Sheffield, to discuss how the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire played their part in inspiring Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel Dracula.

Discover what brought Stoker to the abbey, how the author developed his famous story and the Guinness World Record attempt inspired by the 125th anniversary of the publication of the book.

To find out more about Whitby Abbey and Dracula, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/history-and-stories/dracula

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Episode 183 - Revenants and Remains: using the dead to bring medieval monasteries back to life Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

As the autumn nights draw in and our thoughts turn to chilling tales of death, darkness and the afterlife, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter to discuss historical beliefs about the supernatural and commemoration, and their significance to monastic sites in English Heritage's care.

Learn about ghost-story-loving monks, the Gothic imagination and a new series of free events that will use the dead to bring the past vividly back to life for today’s visitors.

To find out more or book one of the upcoming Revenants and Remains events, go to www.revenantsandremains.mmu.ac.uk

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Episode 182 - Circles of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

Join us for a sneak preview of the latest special exhibition at Stonehenge, which reveals the surprising parallels between our most famous Neolithic monument and the stone circles created in Japan at Isedotai and Ōyu during the same period.

Talking us through the similarities – and differences – are Interpretation Manager Melanie Coussens and Dr Simon Kaner, the executive director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. Plus, we reveal the must-see exhibits, the colourful characters that have been created to guide visitors and what the objects in the exhibition tell us about prehistoric life at Stonehenge.

To find out more or plan your visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge

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Episode 181 - The surprising history of Wellington Arch Sep 22, 2022

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle to discuss the story of one of London’s more usual landmarks – the Wellington Arch.

Discover why it was built, how it came to be in one of the capital’s most coveted locations and why it’s giant quadriga sculpture courted controversy. We’ll also reveal the many ways it has been used over the last 200 years and what you can expect to find during a visit today.

To find out more about the Wellington Arch or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wellington-arch

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Episode 180 - 1066 and all that: the rise, reign and fall of Harold Godwinson Sep 08, 2022

Show notes

As we prepare to recreate the events of the Battle of Hastings, we’re profiling the man who lost on that battlefield in 1066. A man who (if you believe a certain tapestry) was killed by an arrow to the eye. Here to talk about the rise, reign and fall of Harold Godwinson is historian, author and expert on the middle ages, Dr Marc Morris.

Plus, we’re joined by English Heritage Event Manager Diana Evans to find out what you can expect to see at this year’s re-enactment.

To plan a visit to 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, or book your place at this year’s event, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/battle

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Episode 179 - Bringing in the harvest at Brodsworth Hall and Leigh Court Barn Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

As summer turns to autumn and harvest time approaches, we’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Eleanor Matthews and properties curator Winn Scutt to learn about the agricultural history of two very different properties – Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire and Leigh Court Barn in Worcestershire. Join us to discover how they were farmed, what working life at both sites was like and what would have been happening here during harvest time.

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

To discover more about Leigh Court Barn or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/leigh-court-barn.

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Episode 178 - Restormel Castle and the Duchy of Cornwall Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by Head Properties Curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, to explore the history of Restormel Castle in Cornwall.

Standing in ruins surrounded by beautiful countryside in a valley with views down to the River Fowey, Restormel is one of the most remarkable castles in Britain. We discuss who built it, how it was used, its royal visitors and its links with the Duchy of Cornwall.

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

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Episode 177 - Ask the experts: everything you want to know about the Romans Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by Properties Historian, Dr Andrew Roberts, and Curator of Hadrian's Wall, Dr Frances McIntosh, to answer all of your questions about the Romans. Discover why the Romans never conquered all the British Isles, how long it took to get a letter to Rome from Hadrian’s Wall, whether Romans ever really used urine as a mouthwash and much more!

To discover more about life in Roman Britain, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans

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