The English Heritage Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 56 - Mary Queen of Scots at Carlisle Castle Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

On 16 May 1568, a small fishing boat carrying Mary Queen of Scots set sail from Scotland for English shores. After months of conflict and turmoil in Scotland, she had decided to entrust her fate to her cousin, Elizabeth I of England. Two days later Mary was escorted to Carlisle Castle in Cumbria – and so began almost 19 years as a prisoner, before her eventual execution in 1587.

To find out how and why the story unfolded, we’re joined by senior properties historian Steven Brindle who reveals why she sought refuge in England and how her two-month stay at Carlisle turned into the rest of her life held captive.

To discover more about Carlisle Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carlisle-castle

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Episode 55 - Saint, soldier, slayer: who was the real St. George? Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

As we approach St. George’s Day on 23 April, we’re investigating the man behind the myth and the sites connected with his story.

Joining us to unravel the secrets of our heroic patron saint is Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter. Listen on to discover where he lived, how he died, why he was sainted and the truth behind that legendary fight with a dragon.

For more myth busting and interesting facts about St George, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/st-georges-day/9-things-you-didnt-know-about-st-george/

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Episode 54 - The history of the hunt: how an Easter tradition was hatched Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

It’s almost Easter, when egg hunts take place in gardens across the country, but have you ever wondered how and why this curious seasonal tradition started?

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Dr Andrew Hann to reveal why eggs were first hidden for children to find, how the tradition has since evolved, and when natural eggs were replaced by the chocolate variety we’re more familiar with today.

To find out more, read Andrew’s blog post on Easter egg hunts at http://blog.english-heritage.org.uk/the-history-of-the-egg-hunt/

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Episode 53 - On the edge of the Roman Empire: the forts of Hadrian’s Wall Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

After Carrawburgh Roman Fort and Temple of Mithras in Northumberland became the latest Hadrian’s Wall site to be cared for by English Heritage, we’re joined by Properties Curator Mark Douglas to discuss the stories of this and the other key forts we look after.

Discover what purpose they served, what daily life would have been like for the soldiers stationed at them, the artefacts that have since revealed their secrets and how their stories have been brought to life for visitors today.

To discover more about the Hadrian’s Wall sites that we look after, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall/

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Episode 52 - Power and Influence: the remarkable women who changed history at our sites Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

To mark the end of Women’s’ History Month, we’re joined in the studio by Senior Properties Historian Dr Megan Leyland and Curator of Collections Olivia Fryman to discuss the lives and accomplishments of a selection of the most remarkable women with a connection to our historic sites.

Discover the stories of Henrietta Howard at Marble Hill House in London, Bess of Hardwick at Hardwick Old Hall in Derbyshire, Lady Anne Clifford at Brough and Brougham Castles in Cumbria and Emma Darwin, wife to the famous scientist Charles Darwin.

To learn about the stories of more remarkable women with a connection to our sites, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/

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Episode 51 - Voices of England: how pre-Christian beliefs shaped our landscape, landmarks & language Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

This year we’re celebrating the many ways the past has shaped our nation through our year-long ‘Voices of England’ campaign – and here on the podcast we’re launching our own investigations, starting with an interview with English Heritage trustee Professor Ronald Hutton to discuss the legacy of pre-Christian beliefs.

Discover what the earliest settlers in England believed, the evidence that can still be found in our historic landscapes, our ancient ritual monuments and our language, and how the arrival of Christianity changed English society as a whole.

To find out more about our Voices of England campaign, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/voicesofengland

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Episode 50 - Wind of change: saving Saxtead Green Post Mill Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

This week we’ve travelled to Saxtead Green Post Mill in Suffolk to meet Jonathan Sullivan, whose family have owned and run the mill for generations, along with English Heritage national project manager Joseph James and millwright Tim Whiting to reveal the work that has just gone into restoring and repairing this unique agricultural gem.

Discover the mill’s history, the challenges of caring for it and what visitors can expect during a visit today.

To find out more about the mill or plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/saxtead-green-post-mill/

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Episode 49 - The blue plaque women who changed the course of English history Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate, we’re joined in the studio by English Heritage’s Curatorial Director Anna Eavis, to discuss the stories of a selection of the inspirational women who are honoured with blue plaques at their former London homes.

Learn about the lives and accomplishments of women’s rights campaigners Millicent Garrett Fawcett and Emmeline and Sylvia Pankhurst, pioneering chemist Rosalind Franklin, journalist Martha Gelhorne and more – and discover how English Heritage are hoping to attract more female blue plaque nominations in future.

To find out more about the blue plaques scheme, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/support-the-scheme/

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Episode 48 - How to cook the Victorian way with Mrs Crocombe at Audley End Feb 27, 2020

Show notes

Ahead of the launch of new cookery book, How to Cook the Victorian Way with Mrs Crocombe, we meet the book’s authors, senior properties historian Andrew Hann and food historian Annie Gray, to discover the story of Audley End’s former head cook Avis Crocombe and the recipes she left behind.

Learn about Mrs Crocombe’s working life at Audley End, why Bob Stride, a descendent of the Crocombe family, decided to donate her original recipe book to English Heritage, and how she has since become an unlikely YouTube sensation.

To find out more about Audley End House and Gardens, and plan a visit, go to www.englishheritage.org.uk/audley

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Episode 47 - Saints and crusaders: medieval relics and pilgrimage at Battle Abbey Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

This week we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter to discuss how he came across a previously unpublished list of relics that were at Battle Abbey in the mid-15th century.

Discover how he has been able to show that at least some of the relics were likely the gift of William the Conqueror and had originally been in the Anglo-Saxon royal treasury, and that others were given by King John, having been collected by his brother, Richard I, while on Crusade in the Holy Land.

Plus, we explore the wider medieval belief in relics and pilgrimage – and other English Heritage sites where relics were kept. To find out more about Battle Abbey and plan a visit, go to www.englishheritage.org.uk/battle

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