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
HiT Mary Queen of Scots
We discuss the intricate and fascinating story of Mary Queen of Scots and the new 2018 movie – along with the 1971 movie too. A chance to see how the ourRead More
Eleanor 9 Hunted - Members Only
Escape meant avoiding the wolves that blocked the path to Aquitaine
Eleanor Omnibus 2 EPs 6-9 - Members Only
We take in the full extent of Eleanor’s time as Queen of France – through her struggle for his sister, the dramatic 2nd Crusade and her final dash for freedom
Elizabeth Chadwick and Eleanor of Aquitaine
Author Elizabeth Chadwick gives her insights into the life and times of Eleanor of Aquitaine. To find out more about Elizabeth’s three Eleanor novels, visit her website https://elizabethchadwick.com/eleanor-of-aquitaine/
HiT The Witch
The first of an occasional series where we look at the representation of folk tales and beliefs of the past, and how accurately film has presented them. We are joined inRead More
Eleanor 8 Outremer - Members Only
The story of Eleanor and the Second Crusade
Marshal 2 Lineage - Members Only
Setting the scene before William - John the Marshal; and the Anarchy
Marshal 1 Reputations - Members Only
Is the Marshal we know man or myth?
Elizabeth Chadwick and William Marshal
Elizabeth Chadwick is the author of many fine historical novels, and her most recent is on William’s life in the Holy Land. Elizabeth was kind enough to share herRead More
Eleanor 7 Sisters - Members Only
Eleanor's little sister scandalises the Church
HiT The Lion in Winter
Such a classic – Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole giving it large, plus the world’s most appalling article of clothing (see if you can spot which). Was it accurate? WasRead More
Eleanor 6 Queen (1) - Members Only
Elanor sticks out her elbows and creates some room for herself at court
Eleanor Omnibus 1 (Episodes 1-5) - Members Only
The omnibus edition for all those insomniacs out there!
Eleanor 5 Bride - Members Only
Marriage to a young prince of 17 - Louis of France
Eleanor 4 Heiress - Members Only
in 1137, Eleanor's father Duke William X set off for Santiago on pilgrimage
265a Nicola Tallis and the Crown of Blood
I chat with historian Nicola Tallis about the life, times and death of Lady Jane Grey. And also there are prizes and things.
HiT The Battle of Algiers
Made in 1966 by Italian neo-realist director Gillo Pontecorvo, the film is based the actions of rebels and French government during the Algerian War of 1954–62. So realistic was it,Read More
265 Live Still to Die
After Mary’s victory, Jane Grey was imprisoned comfortably in the Tower, and spent her time studying – and had a reasonable expectation of long, if a little dull, life. Until in 1554Read More
HoS 31 Jameses 1 and II - Members Only
The murder of Douglas at the Black Dinner speaks of violent times- but the foundations of the renaissance monarchy were laid
264g Rebel Queen 8 The Duke
The game played out, the Mary entered London and the Duke was to die. But Northumberland had one more surprise to spring To find out more about our programme, andRead More
264f Rebel Queen 7 Regina
Whether Jane and Guildford understood the commotion in the city outside the Tower we do not know, but it was the duty of her father, the Duke of Suffolk, to breakRead More
HiT Lady Jane
Lady Jane was the first leading role for a very young Helena Bonham Carter, and a film debut for the renowned theatre director Trevor Nunn. Plus its an amazing story. So,Read More
Eleanor 3 Education - Members Only
As a child growing up in the Ducal household, Eleanor would have been presented to the noble families she would know for the rest of her life Transcript I’ve blathered on aboutRead More
264e Rebel Queen 6 The Fleet
Around the 14th July a ship called the Greyhound sailed into Orwell Haven. Its captain was in gaol in Lowestoft, its crew had smashed open the cash box. Meeting withRead More
264d Rebel Queen 5 Resistance
Northumberland made good speed towards East Anglia and Mary, and his army swelled with troops and artillery. But in London, the mood was ugly, and Mary was having some success too.Read More
264c Rebel Queen 4 War
Mary’s letter of 10th July brought home an uncomfortable truth that Northumberland had expected to avoid – that Jane must fight for her crown. If an army could be found ToRead More
264b Rebel Queen 3 Rivals
Mary had a decision to make – submit, fight or flee. She took the decision with her household – and they raised the rafters with their cheers. To findRead More
264a Rebel Queen 2 Proclamation
On the morning of 9th July 1553 the 16 year old Jane was walking in the Grey manor at Chelsea in blissful ignorance. Then the Duke of Northumberland’s daughter, Mary Sidney,Read More
Eleanor 2 Land and Lineage - Members Only
The land Eleanor inhabited, and her family history
264 Rebel Queen 1 The Gathering
The life of Lady Jane Grey to 1553, and the fate of Edward VI is settled as the vultures gather. The first in our series on the succession crisis of 1553.Read More
Eleanor 1 Legends - Members Only
The life of Eleanor of Aquitaine - and the legends that surround her name
263 The Devise
Edward VI’s ‘Devise for the Succession’ would plunge England into turmoil. Was it his own work, or was it the work of a manipulative and power hungry Northumberland? Here’s what happened.Read More
HiT Lawrence of Arabia
This is one of the two movies my father picked out for me when I was nobbut a lad. It won 5 Oscars, was voted 3 on the BFI’sRead More
262 Northumberland
John Dudley, as Duke of Northumberland for a while dominated the King’s Council – and was a man with the imagination to change the rules. And the Edwardian Reformation continued,Read More
HoS 30 Lord of the Isles - Members Only
The Lordship of the Western Isles
261a Professor MacCulloch talks Cromwell
Diarmaid MacCulloch brings wonderful scholarship, wit and humanity with a delightfully fresh biography of Thomas Cromwell, shot through with new insights. And I got to meet him! Here is what we talkedRead More
HiT The Last Emperor
The story of PuYi the Last Emperor of China is the MOST sumptuous of films, beautifully shot, it’s an extraordinary story, and the history it passes through is fascinating. WasRead More
261 The Trouble with Mary
In 1550 Edward’s views on reformation began to harden – and brought him into conflict with his sister. Under pressure from King and Council, Mary decided that she must fleeRead More
TTME Queuing
The English queue even in a crowded bar, when the casual observer might see no physical evidence. But is this any different to the Canadians, or Singaporeans, both highRead More
HoS 29 The Wolf of Badenoch - Members Only
The Wolf of Badenoch broke the rules of his society and class, terrorising the people he was meant to protect