Elizabeth’s reign famously saw England enter the search for new markets with which to trade and explore. In this episode, we focus on trade with West Africa, and John Hawkins’ infamousRead More
Margaret 4 A Short Marriage - Members Only
Against a background of increasing political turmoil and military violence, Margaret turned 12 and was married in 1455. Despite her tender age, she was soon pregnant as she and EdmundRead More
299 West Africa
A horribly brief introduction to the West African kingdoms with which the Portuguese started to trade and a smidge of their backstory, before the English began to arrive inRead More
Sh 33 Thomas Gresham - Members Only
Written up as a sort of national patriotic hero by the Victorians, Thomas Gresham was in fact as hard as nails, a deal maker, a money man, a controller. ButRead More
Margaret Omnibus 1 EPs 1-3 - Members Only
Margaret's reputation, lineage and childhood
298 A Curate’s Egg
What started as a curate’s egg of an episode, ends up with an introduction to a new player, Francis Walsingham, and the story of the St Bartholomew’s Day massacreRead More
Margaret 3 A Short Childhood - Members Only
Margaret's childhood was short, but seemingly happy
Margaret 2 Family - Members Only
Margaret's family history would shape her life
297 Servant of Crime
Through the 1560s, the progress of the reformation gave both the Protestant Godly and Catholics much leeway and wriggle room. A series of events in the late 1560’s and earlyRead More
Margaret 1: Margaret through Time - Members Only
Margaret Beaufort through the eyes of historians
296 Rising of the North
The saga of the life and times of Mary Queen of Scots continues, but in 1568 something stirs in the north of England… Transcript Last time, I left you withRead More
Marshal 26 No Finer Knight - Members Only
Just the French and the Grim Reaper to go...
Marshal Omnibus 8 EPs 23-26 - Members Only
From zero to hero and back to zero
295 Marvellous Good Order
In Scotland Mary’s grasp on her kingdom begins to wobble. In 1566, Elizabeth’s parliament also gives her serious grief, drawing an increasingly waspish response. Read More
25 Guardian - Members Only
As John lay dying at Newark he dictated his will. It laid down that Henry III’s minority should be managed by 13 Ordainers. So how did we get fromRead More
294 Alarms and Excursions
Did Elizabeth have a foreign ‘policy’? If so what principles drove it – dynasty, parsimony, protestantism? This week Elizabeth intervenes in Scotland and France. Transcript This week,Read More
Marshal 24 The Barons’ War - Members Only
Enough was enough. The baron’s decide now is the time to bring their wayward king to heel.
Marshal 23 Rehabilitation - Members Only
John gets his fingers burned and needs friends. This is good news for Marshal – bad news for the Briouse family
293 Sex and Marriage
Dudley was for long considered the front runner for any possible marriage; but there was a long list of suitors. And Elizabeth was under pressure from the badgersRead More
292 The Queen’s Marriage
What were the issues around marriage for Elizabeth and her subjects? Because as the continuing barney between the two of them would prove, it really mattered to both parties. Read More
The History of England Shop
The History of England Shop returns! Some of you may remember that a shop appeared for a while last year – mugs and shirts. I closed it because of, wellRead More
291 Queen and Court
How did Elizabethan government work, and what was Elizabeth’s court like? Transcript This week I thought we should have a bit of context, why don’t we? Over the nextRead More
Marshal Omnibus 7 EPs 20-22 - Members Only
From Richard I to John, changing fortunes for Marshal
Marshal 22 Irish Magnate - Members Only
A life or death struggle with his king
290 The Religious Settlement
Elizabeth’s England was awash with expectation – from Mary’s bishops demanding that no change be made to Mary’s church, to a wave of Protestant Marian exiles returning with visions ofRead More
Marshal 21 Humiliation - Members Only
In 1203 John”s actions broke the loyalty of his French barons in Normandy and Anjou. And in the new world, Marshal got a taste of what living without the king’sRead More
Marshal 20 Unfailing Pride - Members Only
A French cook means a change of master for the Marshal
289 Elizabeth Regina
A game of 2 halves this week; the major themes of Elizabeth’s reign and then the Funeral of Mary and Elizabeth’s coronation . Ooh, and the appointment of Cecil asRead More
288 Elizabeth I and the Historians
Transcript Hello everyone and welcome to the History of England Episode 288 Elizabeth I and the Historians. We left Elizabeth passing through Temple Bar, with professions of loveRead More
Marshal Omnibus 6 EPs17-19 - Members Only
William coping with 2 liege lords - Henry II and Richard I
Marshal 19 Coeur de Lion - Members Only
The arrival of a new boss is always a tricky moment. Especially if he thinks you tried to kill him.
Marshal 18 Magnate - Members Only
With the accession of Richard, Marshal faced an uncertain future at the hands of the man who he’d bested in battle. He waited at Fontvraud to hear his fate.Read More
287 Enter Good Queen Bess
Transcript Let me take you to London on a January morning in 1559. It’s cold, and there had been a light dusting of snow, and in January London 1559 letRead More
Marshal 17 To the Devil - Members Only
'God’s legs, Marshal, don’t kill me! It wouldn’t be right – I’m quite unarmed'
286 Sex and the Reformation of Manners
What concerned society about sexual behaviour and why ? How did they intervene in the way people lived their lives; what did you have to do to be whipped at fourRead More
285 Reformation of Manners
How far did parish life change in the 16th century, and how far was the Reformation responsible? What did 16th century folk enjoy themselves, and how did that change over the century? Read More
Marshal 16 Holy Land - Members Only
William and his beloved Young King come to the parting of the ways
Marshal Omnibus 5 Eps 14-16 - Members Only
William and his beloved Young King are parted - reunited - and parted again
A History of England announcement - Members Only
For those of you who also subscribe to the HoE podcast feed this may be a redundant post. I am attempting to reach all subscribers and members to keep youRead More
Marshal 15 The Fall - Members Only
Marshal was at the top of his game, feted and lauded. But success attracts the envious, and pride goes before a fall…
284 Popular Culture in the Ritual Year
The Lord of Misrule, the Boy Bishop. dancing the Morris and May games. A little about the celebrations of the ritual year, and how things changed. Transcript Last timeRead More
TTME The Beatles
Do I need to introduce them? A boy band basically, popular back in the 60-s and early 70s. Can a 4 piece really be part of what makesRead More
283 Little Commonwealth
The patriarchy, love and marriage, gender roles and huswifery, the daily grind and a bit about food and clothing. It’s a smorgasbord. Transcript We have a few times talkedRead More
Marshal 14 Hubris - Members Only
William was now a big name on the tournament circuit, and it made him a tidy income. And he indulged himself in more ways than one, and gloried in hisRead More
282 Parish and Protest
The parish was the essential and ever present canvas on which most lives were painted in early modern England. We discuss how it changes, it’s harmonies and the context of protestRead More
Sh 31f LLASE Going Nuclear - Members Only
As lords intensified their demands, as pressure on land increased the search was on for more productive ways to farm the land. One impact was the introduction of open field systems andRead More
281 Winners and Losers
The population growth and inflation of the 16th century had different impacts depending on your situation. And the difference was land. Plus we talk about the regions and landscapes ofRead More
Sh 31e LLASE The Manor - Members Only
From the 9th century, the need of warfare and resulting taxation drove an ever greater bureaucracy. Meantime trade and population both grew, and towns with it. All these produced profoundRead More
Marshal Omnibus 4 EPs 11-13 - Members Only
William joined the court of the Young King, but it was not a happy place. William would be at Henry’s side throughout, and help his young master find a new role.
Marshal 13 The Circuit - Members Only
Marshal and the Young King were getting hammered. So they needed to sort that out – and still enjoy all the fun of the tournament occasion