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
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