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
David Crowther
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
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
280 The Land was Never So Full
The start of a suite of 7 episodes about social and economic issues charts the changes in population and how the society it affected described itself. Transcript Now then, as promised,Read More
279 Who Wished All for the Best
1558 was a fateful year for England which would have a fundamental impact on its future. Find out why. Transcript Last time we heard about how a fortuitous doomedRead More
HiT Bajirao Mastani
An Indian epic of epic proportions – colour, drama,. music, dancing, big stars, big budget – on the story of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I (1700–1740 AD) and his second wife,Read More
278 The King’s Honour
The return of the King meant demands for the English to enter a war they did not want, and in which none of their interests were really at stake. Transcript The DukeRead More
HiT The Fall of the Roman Empire
Samuel Bronston’s whopping epic, directed by Anthony Mann, failed to win audiences and was a financial disaster for Bronston. But it presents a well worked view of why Rome fell,Read More
277 A Firm Hand
The story of the Marian persecution. And of a Queen’s need to have her Prince at her side to help with the alarms and excursions of protestant rebels. TranscriptRead More
HiT Immortal Beloved
The story of Beethoven’s life and music, through the lens of the mystery he left behind – who was the ‘Immortal Beloved?’ The Music is great, by the way.
276 The Reformation of England
The plan was that 1555 saw the transformation of England – the birth of an heir for Mary and Philip, the launch of a new Reformation Anglicae to re-invigorate Roman CatholicismRead More
HiT Paths of Glory
Paths of Glory is an anti war movie released in 1957, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas. Who does take his shirt off. It’s based a novel butRead More
275 The Time of Trial
Once Pole had returned and parliament had re-enacted the heresy legislation after the brief Edwardian holiday, the Marian church could at last exercise the full force of the law against protestants. JohnRead More
HiT A Knights Tale
A romp, ladies and gentlemen. Chaucer walking naked after betting his shirt, peasants jousting as knights, rock music at medieval jousts. A bit of fun or hideous tosh?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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