In 1193 Richard was held hostage by the Holy Roman Emperor. It was up to Eleanor to get him back before John took his kingdom. Eleanor’s Letters It isRead More
274 Not to Destroy but to Build
Catherine Willoughby leaves England to become one of the Marian Exiles. When Pole told parliament that he came to build he meant what he said, and would deliver, in part.Read More
Eleanor 21 Crusade - Members Only
How to manage when you go away and leave your things with an evil brother itching to get his hands on them
HiT Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
The 1989 film’s trip through time started by being received heinously by critics, and yet it’s journey has been most unprecedented until now it is remembered excellently. Though probably notRead More
HoS 37 The Road to Flodden - Members Only
James IV's road to glory and immortality
Eleanor 20 Freedom - Members Only
In 1189 in Winchester castle, Eleanor saw an entourage approach the gate led by a man from her past – William the Marshal. He had come with news.
273 Pope II – The Return
In 1554, 300 schoolboys of London played out the divisions of their parents on the fields of Finsbury. It was an instructive backdrop to the return of Papal authority inRead More
HiT Made in Dagenham
The 2010 movie depicts the fight for women’s rights at the Ford Dagenham site in 1968. Loads of fun and laughter all mixed up with serious issues produces a really goodRead More
272 The Spanish Marriage
In July 1554 Philip finally landed in England, and all went very well; Mary and Philip were married, and were kind to each other, there was a great pageant ofRead More
Eleanor Omnibus 5 EPs 17-19 - Members Only
In 1173 Eleanor took a decision about whom she would back - husband or sons. She would be paying the consequences for the next 15 years.
Eleanor 19 Squabbles - Members Only
There is no let up to the family feuding. In fact it gets worse.
HiT Selma
The historical drama directed by Ava DuVernay is about personal bravery, about moving, dramatic – and controversial events. Did it tell the story fairly? And did it convey the drama and engageRead More
HoS 36 The Renaissance Prince - Members Only
James IV made the tortured finances of royalty work, and kept his demands on parliament low. That his rather irregular methods did not provoke rebellion was due to his politicalRead More
Eleanor 18 Captivity - Members Only
Escape to Chartres!
271 Most Faithful Subject
Once Wyatt had been dealt with, Gardiner, Renard,Mary – all could see a greater target in their sights. The surely the Lady Elizabeth had been involved, and here was the chanceRead More
Eleanor 17 Rebellion - Members Only
Henry threw a massive party in the Auvergne and afterwards at Limoges. As he left the party, Raymond of Toulouse gave him a grim warning – and the hangover wasRead More
Intelligent Speech Conference
I am slightly terrified to tell you that I shall be speaking at a day’s conference on 29th June in New York City. But it will be worth it, becauseRead More
HoS 35 The Prince and his Wings - Members Only
James IV of Scotland finds his wings and opens them
HiT Henry V
In celebration of St George’s Day, we watched Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V. Was it a triumph of the order of Agincourt’s, or worse than the Duke of Bedford’s haircut?
270 Wyatt’s Doom
Mary faced the biggest challenge to her reign in 1554 as the London Trained Bands, the White Coats, joined Wyatt’s army of Kent. She responded like a Tudor appealing toRead More
Eleanor 16 The Devil’s Brood - Members Only
Henry and Eleanor were well aware of the potential problem of all those boys. So they tried to sort things out for their brood nice and early.
Eleanor Omnibus 4 EPs 14-16 - Members Only
The 1160s and into the 1170s saw growing children, and a growing distance between Eleanor and Henry. Both would promise trouble
HoS 34 The Legacy Of Sauchieburn - Members Only
The first gift of Sauchieburn - yet another minority
Eleanor 15 - Members Only
Eleanor’s rule in Aquitaine was proving somewhat frustrating when four blokes barged into Canterbury cathedral
269 Scorn and Ill Will
In 1553, Mary’s real religious policy become clear. More worrying for many was the announcement of her choice of husband Philip of Spain. Some blokes met in a pub to figureRead More
Eleanor 14 Home Rule - Members Only
Eleanor is At Home to the shedlingas
Marshal Omnibus 2 Eps 4-7 - Members Only
Marshal goes from green esquire to green knight
Marshal 7 Knight - Members Only
War is hell, but for a young 12th century esquire it's the kind of hell they need
HiT Das Boot
Not quite sure how many times I have watched Das Boot, but it is legion. A story of the war in one campaign, of the comradeship on board, and the terrorsRead More
Eleanor 13 Home - Members Only
A new strategy was needed to govern Aquitaine
Eleanor Omnibus 3 Eps 10-13 - Members Only
From 1152 to 1172, from Poitiers to Poitiers
Marshal 6 Court and Kit - Members Only
The life and kit of the aspirant esquire
268a Thomas Cranmer with Diarmaid MacCulloch
Cranmer’s reputation has run from dishonest, ambitious politician to gentle, moderate Anglican. Prof. Diarmaid MacCulloch shed light on the life and motivations of the man central to the English Reformation. Read More
HiT The Lost City of Z
It’s an adventure, exploration yarn! Good solid honest stuff – British explorer Percy Fawcett journeys into the Amazon, where he discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization. ButRead More
268 This Hand Offendeth
After Mary rode into London in August 1553, Thomas Cranmer must have known he would be in the firing line – and yet at first nothing happened. And it wasRead More
Eleanor 12 Partners - Members Only
The Toulouse Campaign and the start of tension
267 Girt with a Sword
Mary was well aware that it was critical for her to establish her right and authority as equal to that of any king; and she consciously pursued that aim. WhichRead More
HoS 33 Trading Places - Members Only
The dramatic end of James III and Scotland's trading places
266 Mary – Bloody or Otherwise
After her brave and audacious rebellion, Mary became Queen in 1553. Historians have not been kind to Mary for many centuries. What have they been saying? What are they sayingRead More
HiT Robin and his Various Hoods
Glen Longwell joins Wolf and I to compare and contrast 3 Robin Hood movies. Plus we had some questions so hie thee to the Facebook group to pitch in. WeRead More
HoS 32 Blind Harry’s Bane - Members Only
The object of Harry's ire - James III
HiT Papillon
When I was at school we constantly discussed the book; we were fascinated by it, including where they kept their money (really? Ewe). So what about the film? How did theRead More
Marshal 5 Tancarville - Members Only
Around 1160, William left home to the sound of his family’s tears, and travelled to Tancarville to learn the skills of courtesie.
Gold, Praise and Glory
Same Hume introduces English trade and exploration in the Tudor era – the trade companies that spring up after 1550 and the discovery ventures that follow. With a bit ofRead More
Joseph Lancaster
Joseph Lancaster is little known today, but in the first half of the 19th century his name was everywhere. He was described as ‘the poor child’s friend’ as he made educationRead More
Eleanor 11 Power - Members Only
Queen of England: Power or pawn?
Marshal 4 Fathers and Sons - Members Only
The story of John Marshal, William’s father with a big of wandering around in the genesis of the legendary King Arthur, king of the Britons.
Eleanor 10 Queen 2 - Members Only
Escape to Poitiers - and the search for a protector
Marshal Omnibus 1 EPs 1-3 - Members Only
We set the scene – William’s background and lineage, and the Anarchy – until William himself appears strapped to a trebuchet at Newbury. As you do
Marshal 3 Hammer and Anvil - Members Only
During the Anarchy, John Marshal makes hay - and William joins our story at last