The English Heritage Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 96 - Adventures in architecture: Sir Charles Monck and the creation of Belsay Hall & Gardens Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Imagine you're living in the 1800s, with the vision (and budget) to build a glorious new home. How would you go about making your grand design a reality?

We’re joined by properties historian team leader Dr Andrew Hann and landscape advisor Emily Parker to discuss how Sir Charles Monck did just that at Belsay Hall in Northumberland, and the influence of his travels on his grand home and gardens.

To discover more about the history of Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay

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Episode 95 - English Heritage in ruins Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

So many English Heritage sites are ruined – famously lots of abbeys and castles, but also houses, parish churches and chapels, Roman villas and bath-houses – but this does not detract from their importance or the enjoyment of visiting them.

We’re joined by head properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee and properties curator Sam Stones to discuss the challenges of conserving them, why English Heritage don’t rebuild them and how they help visitors to get the most out of them.

To discover how you can play your part in helping English Heritage to protect and conserve the nation’s most vulnerable historic properties, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/our-appeals

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Episode 94 - The life and work of St Aelred of Rievaulx Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and interpretation assistant Nick Collinson to discover the story of the most important churchman in 12th century England.

At the time of his death in 1167, Aelred of Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire was immediately regarded as a saint. During his life, he accomplished many things, serving as a royal steward, an emissary to the Pope and abbot of Rievaulx, as well as demonstrating his talent as an author, preacher and spiritual mentor to his monks.

And today, as we will discover, he is also starting to be considered a medieval gay icon. To learn more about Rievaulx Abbey, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulx

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Episode 93 - Superstition, magic and the Evil Eye in the Roman world Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

This week, we’re joined by curator of collections Cameron Moffett and curator of collections (Hadrian’s Wall & the North East) Frances McIntosh to discover what we know about the Romans’ beliefs in magic, superstitions and the ‘Evil Eye’.

And we’ll look at the evidence for these at English Heritage sites, including the discovery of some rather surprising objects thought to protect the holder against bad luck.

To read more about Hadrian’s Wall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall

To discover more about Wroxeter Roman City, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wroxeter

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Episode 92 - Time to change: The history of our calendar Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

As many of us prepare to hang up a new calendar for the year ahead, we’re joined by Professor Robert Poole to reveal the surprising history of our calendar.

Discover how Britain switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in the 18th century, why the change was necessary to catch up with most of Europe, and the truth behind the 'calendar riots' of 1752. We’ll also discuss the problem with Easter and how the changes continue to affect us today.

To read more about Lord Chesterfield, who introduced the legislation to switch to the Gregorian calendar while living at Ranger’s House in London, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rangers-house-the-wernher-collection/history-and-stories/lord-chesterfield

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Episode 91 - The pagan winter customs that shaped Christmas Dec 24, 2020

Show notes

This week we’re joined by English Heritage Trustee Professor Ronald Hutton to discuss the pagan winter customs behind the Christmas traditions we take for granted today. Discover the ancient origins of winter feasting, Christmas carols, present giving, kissing under the mistletoe and more!

To read about the history of Christmas, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas

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Episode 90 - Festive feasts through the ages Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

It’s traditional to eat a lot at Christmas, but did you know that winter has been a time of feasting for far longer?

This week we’re joined by Properties Historians Team Leader, Dr Andrew Hann, and Properties Historian, Dr William Wyeth to discuss delectable dinners and diners through the ages, from prehistory to the near present. We’ll look at what was eaten, where and when, including at Stonehenge, medieval castles, a deserted village and grand residences such as Belsay Hall in Northumberland and Audley End House in Essex.

To find out more about medieval Christmas food, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/medieval-christmas-food

To read about the history of the Christmas pudding, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/2016/a-history-of-the-christmas-pudding

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Episode 89 - Thomas Becket’s murder and Dover Castle’s Great Tower Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

On the 850th anniversary of an event that shook medieval Europe, we’re joined by senior properties historian Steven Brindle to look back at the murder of Thomas Becket, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and how it happened.

We’ll also discuss how King Henry II, whose knights carried out this crime in 1170, tried to salvage his tattered reputation. And we’ll investigate how the building of Dover Castle’s Great Tower for the king can be traced back to Becket’s assassination.

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

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Episode 88 - Medieval ghosts, ghouls and hauntings Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

This week expect winter chills as we’re joined by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to delve into stories of ghosts, ghouls and hauntings at our sites.

Join us as we learn about the monks who loved a spooky story, medieval beliefs about death and the afterlife, remarkable revenants and the impact of the Reformation on people’s beliefs in ghosts.

To discover some more spooky stories connected to English Heritage sites, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/halloween/spooky-stories

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Episode 87 - A marvellous menagerie: The animals that made history Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

Here on the podcast we spend most of our time discussing the actions of people at the places where they worked or lived through the ages. But far less well known are the stories of the animals and pets that lived alongside them.

This week, we’re joined by properties historians team leader Dr Andrew Hann, senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and landscape advisor Emily Parker to discuss some of the remarkable animals that played their own part in making history at our sites, from dancing horses and talking parrots to ring-tailed lemurs and royal elephants!

To learn about another story of exotic animals on an aristocratic estate, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chiswick-house/history-chiswick-menagerie

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