The English Heritage Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 106 - Changing fortunes: At home with the Hattons at Kirby Hall Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

Kirby Hall is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th-century houses, once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I. However, the Hall’s fortunes declined in line with those of its owners.

We’re joined by senior properties historian Megan Leyland, interpretation manager Nadine Langford and curator of collections and interiors Dickon Whitewood to discover the story of the Hall, its former owners, servants and guests – and the new project to bring these to life for visitors.

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

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Episode 105 - Saints, gospels and vicious Viking raids: The story of Lindisfarne Priory Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by senior properties historian Michael Carter to discuss the 1,400 year-long history of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, in Northumberland, which has been a hub of early Christianity, a monastery, a site of pilgrimage to its former bishop, Saint Cuthbert, and a victim of a devastating Viking raid. It was also the birthplace of the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the most spectacular manuscripts to survive from Anglo-Saxon England, which was thought to have been created in Cuthbert’s honour.

To discover more about Lindisfarne Priory or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lindisfarne.

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Episode 104 - Digging for history at Tintagel Castle Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

Following the completion of the five-year long Tintagel Castle Archaeological Research Project, we are joined by Properties Curator Win Scutt and Archaeologist Jaqueline Nowakowski to find out about the project and what it has revealed about Tintagel’s early medieval history.

Discover why English Heritage decided to launch the project, what has happened over the last five years, the structures and key artefacts that have been discovered, and the analytical work that has happened since.

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

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Episode 103 - At your service: The remarkable working women at our historic houses Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

All too often during Women’s History Month, stories of high-status women outshine those of unsung working women. In this episode, we’re joined in the studio by English Heritage’s senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and properties historians’ team Leader Dr Andrew Hann to discover a selection of the working women who played their part in shaping the stories of English Heritage’s sites.

Charting the rise of women in domestic service from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century – and taking in the stories of everyone from weeding women to governesses and cooks – this episode champions the extraordinary women whom history has overlooked.

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

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Episode 102 - A costume drama: Storytelling at Bolsover Castle Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

This week we’re looking at the colourful lives of a 17th century couple and their pleasure palace in Derbyshire. In the 1600s, William and Margaret Cavendish used Bolsover Castle as a place for entertaining and pursuing their personal interests. Today, this creative couple and their fairy tale mansion are the focus of a new project designed to bring their stories to life for visitors through theatrical costumes and interactive props.

We’re joined by senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland, costume designer Sophie Fretwell and Illustrator Mel Northover to find out more.

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

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Episode 101 - Woman at war: Eleanor de Montfort at Dover Castle Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

This week we’re travelling back to the 13th century to tell the story of the woman at the centre of the 1265 siege of Dover Castle. Eleanor de Montfort was the wife of the powerful earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort. He led baronial opposition to King Henry III, which spilled out into conflict in 1263. A year into the war, Henry and his heir Prince Edward were captured at the Battle of Lewes, and Simon become the de facto ruler of England. But Prince Edward escaped from captivity in May 1265 and began to turn the tide of the war. In August, Eleanor's husband and son were killed at the Battle of Evesham, and Eleanor was left isolated in her stronghold of Dover Castle.

Joining us to pick up the story is English Heritage curator of collections and interiors for the south east region, Kathryn Bedford.

To discover more about Eleanor de Montfort, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/eleanor-de-montfort

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Episode 100 - Hide and seek with kings and priests at Boscobel House and the Royal Oak Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

For the 100th episode of the podcast we’ve made the journey over to Boscobel House and the Royal Oak in Shropshire to search out the story of the king who hid in an oak tree. Charles II will forever be linked to Boscobel House and the tree that saved his life. But how did a king end up seeking sanctuary here and what was the state of England at the time?

We’re joined by site manager Daisy Lambert, garden supervisor Andrew Degg and national project manager Tracy Simmons to reveal the results of a major project to share one of England’s greatest adventure stories and create a great day out for visitors.

To discover more about Boscobel House and the Royal Oak or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/boscobel

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Episode 99 - Conserving works of art – and how to look after your own Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Responsible for caring for 1,300 artworks in properties across the country, along with 15 in situ painted decorative schemes and the nation’s largest collection of wall paintings, English Heritage’s paintings conservators have their work cut out.

We’re joined by senior collections conservator Rachel Turnbull, to discover what goes in to caring for and restoring this fine art collection – and what art lovers can do to care for their own paintings at home.

To discover more about the work of our painting conservators, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/conservation/paintings-conservation

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Episode 98 - Eleanor of Castile: Spanish princess and English queen Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Nick Holder and author Sara Cockerill to look back at the remarkable but largely untold story of Eleanor of Castile. Born in 1241, she was raised as a Spanish princess, before becoming queen consort to Edward I in England.

Join us as we discuss her devoted relationship with her husband, and how she helped him to survive civil war, a crusade to the Holy Land and accumulate a large property empire for the English Crown. We also reveal how Eleanor’s legacy can be traced across a number of English Heritage sites that featured in her life, while her cultural influence in architecture, design and even gardening still survives to this day.

To read about the Eleanor Cross in Geddington – one of 12 crosses Edward I erected at the places where Eleanor’s body rested during the journey south to Westminster Abbey after her death – go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eleanor-cross-geddington

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Episode 97 - A tale of two castles: The Bigods, royal rebellions and Framlingham and Orford Castles Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

This week we’re joined by head properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee to discover a real-life Games of Thrones story involving one powerful family, two castles, five successive kings, rebellion and restitution. Listen on to learn about three generations of the powerful Bigod family, their royal rumbles and the rise, fall and rebuilding of their home at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk.

To discover more about the history of Framlingham Castle or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/framlingham

To discover more about Orford Castle, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle

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