The Thing that Made England Where does the flag of St George come from and why is it England’s national flag? Is it a symbol of unity or division, whyRead More
HoS 22 The Great Cause - Members Only
In 1280 there was no sign of anything other than a bright future for Scotland. But the turn of the wheel of fortune was to bring 70 years of struggle.
TTME Dunkirk
Dunkirk is of course very famous…but what was its impact? It was just the escape from a series of hideous defeats wasn’t it, best forgotten… The Battle of Dunkirk was a military operationRead More
TTME English Accents
Are English accents a joy and delight, a sign of rich diversity or irritating and divisive? And what is it about the Midlands that makes everyone think they can ignoreRead More
TTME Ska
Roifield presents the proposition that Ska is not just important because it’s the one musical form everyone can dance to. Hi all…and welcome to Episode 2, where Roifield usesRead More
TTME 1066 – A New Dawn?
Was 1066 and iconic event that made England as she is. Was it a good thing a bad thing – or just a thing?
Roman Bath Museum Discovery
This is the first of three special episodes from the wonderful Roman Bath Museum at Bath. Experts from the museum talk about Bath’s history, from before Rome to Georgian Bath toRead More
Test – Technicolour Podcast 1
this is just a test post for the technicolour podcast.
Sea 2 Eustace the Monk and the Angevins - Members Only
Britain, the sea and folktales through the story of Eustace the Monk
250 Catherine and Anne
In 1545 the struggle between conservative and evangelical, between mumpsimus and sumpsimus grew more intense as Catherine Parr’s household shed an evangelical light over the court. And into this situation cameRead More
248 To Arms!
In 1544 Henry traveled to France and hauled himself into the saddle for his last chance to emulate Henry V. A little like his predecessor, he was also investing in a royal Read More
249 Knaves I Cannot Rule
It’s time for a naval encounter, marked by the sinking of the Mary Rose, and then we set the scene for the cut-throat politics of the last years with Richard Rich,Read More
Sea 1 Origins - Members Only
The early centuries of British Navies - and a sea shanty to keep you going
Shedcast 28 In Davie’s Shed - Members Only
An interview with Davie McGirr about Sea Shanties. Well, a chat in a shed in which shanties make a brief appearance.
HoS 21 Prudent as a Serpent - Members Only
The reign of Alexander III (1249 – 1286) was a golden era of political stability, the apogee of the Canmore dynasty, and a time of continuing expansion with the Treaty of PerthRead More
247a Roanoke – England’s First Colony by Joel Kindrick
In 1585, a colony was established at Roanoke, sponsored by Walter Raleigh. Find out what happens from historian and Birkenstock wearer Joel Kindrick.
Sh 27 Norfolk and Son - Members Only
Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk was a central figure in Henry VIII’s reign – what made him tick? His son, Henry Howard, was one of England’s most important poets, and bit ofRead More
247 Queen Catherine the Third
The arrival of Catherine Parr (and family) and preparations for war in France. And rather a lot of digressions. Transcript Last week I mentioned that after his despair at CatherineRead More
246 A Rough Wooing
In 1542, Henry’s sought war with France; but before that, he must make sure his northern borders were safe. So began the Rough Wooing, as Henry sought to bring a Pro-EnglishRead More
245 The Prebendaries Plot
In 1543 religious conservatives were in the ascendant, dominated the aristocratic Privy Council and a wave of prosecutions for heresy followed. When some of Archbishop Cranmer’s own parishioners of Kent soughtRead More
HoS 20 Obsession and Acceptance - Members Only
William the Lion and Alexander II extend Scotland's borders. And find out how much Caithness cost in 1202
HoS 19 The Maiden and the Lion - Members Only
Two Grandsons of David I who struggled to maintain his legacy during the rule of the Angevins.
244 No More Time to Dance
Catherine had made a decent start of being queen. And it was really in no body’s interest to reveal her old life. But dangers and memories were all around –Read More
Sh 26 Hans Holbein - Members Only
The life and times of Hans Holbein, who brought Henry VIII's court to life for us
243 A Jewel for Womanhood
In 1540 a new member at court, Catherine Howard, caught the eye of a king struggling with his marriage to Anne. By July Anne was gone and Catherine had embarkedRead More
242 Anne and Thomas
Anne arrived in England to be greeted by 6 burly disguised middle aged men. 1540 was a year neither Anne of Cleves nor Thomas Cromwell were to remember – with affectionRead More
HoS 18 David I – Power and Ambition - Members Only
David I and his success in expanding Scotland's borders and authority
241 The Illness of King Henry
Henry’s attitude to illness, and possible medical explanations for his character and events of his realm. And a negotiation starts for a new wife. A royal marriage proposal: Amelia andRead More
HoS 17 David I – Power and Change - Members Only
David I started processes that would transform the society, economy and government of his kingdom
Sh 25b Katharine Howard Tudor Rebel - Members Only
Katharine’s is an unusual story. She raised rebellion against Henry’s agents in South Wales, forced her second husband to divorce her, may well have join the Pilgrimage of Grace, andRead More
240 Henry VIII in Ireland and Wales
The 1530’s saw radical changes in both Ireland and Wales, following Cromwell’s same policy as applied to the northern borders. The outcomes though, were to be very different. IRead More
25a Elizabeth Grey and the Fair Geraldine - Members Only
A turbulent life and a spot of poetry
239a Robin Hood by Glen Longwell
I always wanted to look at the legends of Robin Hood and try to sort fact from fiction – and never got round to it. But Luckily here is GlenRead More
HoS 16 A Troubled Succession - Members Only
The reigns of the first of Malcolm III's sons - Duncan, Edgar and Alexander
239 Henry VIII and his Realm
Henry wanted a different relationship with his nobility – a service, court based nobility. Royal power meanwhile must be extended and enhanced. Today we look at Tudor lordship and royal power inRead More
Thomas Cromwell Quiz and Prizes - Members Only
Winners!
HoS 15 St Margaret and the Canmores - Members Only
The story of Scotland's royal saint and of Malcolm Canmore
238 The Fight Back
In 1539, Henry became convinced that religious reform was going too far. Cromwell and Cranmer failed to see the signs and during the 1539 the act of Six Articles shocked evangelists.Read More
Sh 24 Placenames III – Towns - Members Only
How streets get their names
Shedcast 23c Thomas Cromwell Tyranny and Religion - Members Only
Did Cromwell help his master implement a tyranny? Was he a genuine evangelical?
Shedcast 23b Thomas Cromwell Revolution in Government - Members Only
A Revolution in Government? Or an effective minister strengthening the power of his master, the king?
Shedcast 23a Thomas Cromwell Rise and Reputation - Members Only
The extraordinary early life of an extraordinary man - and his reputation across the ages.
237 Dissolution and Destruction
At the start of 1538, the end of monasticism was widely predicted, and by 1540 the larger monasteries were all gone. Along with an assault on the veneration of relicsRead More
236 The Burning of Derfel Gadarn
In 1537 and 1538 the doctrinal debate intensified with the Evangelical cause appeared to advance step by step. Cromwell discredited the monastic movement by attacking the veneration of relics. The execution of JohnRead More
235 Pilgrimage of Grace II
By December 1536 there were 50,000 rebels camped around Pontefract Castle while inside their leader Robert Aske composed a petition of 24 articles, to re-instate traditional religion and the Pope.Read More
HoS14 The Real Macbeth - Members Only
Was Macbeth really the tyrannical betrayer and murderer of his rightful king?
Shedcast 22 Let There be Light - Members Only
The liberty to think rather than the duty to believe
Shedcast 21 English Placenames II - Members Only
The place names of England by theme and time
234 Pilgrimage of Grace I
It is not true to say that Henry died a Catholic without the Pope. The 1530’s were a time of increasing doctrinal confusion which together with the attack on monasticismRead More
HoS13 Scandinavian Scotland - Members Only
The Norse settlements were a collection of lordships, petty kingdoms and farmer republics