In 1539, Henry became convinced that religious reform was going too far. Cromwell and Cranmer failed to see the signs and during the 1539 the act of Six Articles shocked evangelists.Read More
236 The Burning of Derfel Gadarn
In 1537 and 1538 the doctrinal debate intensified with the Evangelical cause appeared to advance step by step. Cromwell discredited the monastic movement by attacking the veneration of relics. The execution of JohnRead More
HoS13 Scandinavian Scotland - Members Only
The Norse settlements were a collection of lordships, petty kingdoms and farmer republics
228 Mistress Anne Boleyn, Scandal of Christendom
The start of 4 weeks of fun, debate, voting and prizes as we consider the life of Anne Boleyn and decide whether Catherine was being fair in describing Anne as theRead More
Shedcast 17 Thomas Wyatt by Steve Cloutier - Members Only
Thomas Wyatt - Courtier, Poet and friend of Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell - and possibly Anne's lover?
219 Cloth of Gold
Enter Thomas Boleyn, courtier, and the realities of being a courtier. And the field of the cloth of Gold; Henry and Wolsey’s mission to uphold the treaty of universal peace.Read More
HoS 8 Pictland United - Members Only
The 7th and 8th centuries saw the interplay between the Britons of Alt Clut, the Picts, Gaels and English of Bernicia. By the end of the reign of Onuist in 761, it was clear who dominated northern Britain.
215 Hero of War
In 1513 there were two English victories. One of them would have a profound effect on English history. The other one was mainly a mad dash in pursuit of aRead More
211a The Shakespeare Controversy
Released as a bonus Shedcast a few weeks ago, here’s Eddy McLain’s take on the Shakespeare controversy. For a number of centuries, people celebrated William Shakespeare and his works and talents.Read More
212 Pleasure and Liberty
Henry VIII was released by this accession to the courtly, chivalric life of the hunt, and masque, and tournaments. In this he was encouraged by by Council – while his father’s ‘peaceRead More
HoS 4 Becoming Picts - Members Only
The first reference to the Picts comes in 297 from a Roman text. Where did the Picts come from, and what happened to the Caledonii and Maiathai?
210 Bloody Beast
How Henry has been assessed by historians through the ages, and the controversies of his reign. And assessments of the man himself. The famous Holbein mural was designed to greetRead More
209 Exploration
Through the 15th century, Portugal explored the African coast in search of the Indies and the fabulous wealth of the trading networks with the East – such as those ofRead More
207 The Underworld
While the young prince Henry built a group of aristocratic companions and longed desperately for the joust, his father drove his hatchet men Dudley and Empson ever further into the darkRead More
HoS 1 Before the Romans Came - Members Only
The new History of Scotland starts with the first 10,000 years!
206 Descent to the Underworld
Henry had found two hatchet men to replace Reginald Bray – Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley. They spread their tentacles and contacts through London and England, and used the Council LearnedRead More
Shedcast 7 Some Visitors views of 16th century England - Members Only
Visitors from Italy, Spain and Scotland and their thoughts of England in the 16th century
204 Governing the Early Tudor State
Henry made changes to the English court, administration and legal system. But many of his actions would be seen as setting a path to tyranny and avarice later in theRead More
Shedcast 5 Mountjoy, the New Learning and a Princely Education - Members Only
William Blount, 4th Lord Mountjoy was appointed as Prince Henry’s Socius Studiorum in 1499, when the future Henry VIII was but 8 years old. He was to have an impact onRead More
203 The Spanish Princess
After negotiations that would win prizes, it was finally time for Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth’s pride and joy Prince Arthur to marry the Spanish Princess, Catherine of Aragon. CatherineRead More
202 Scotland, Cornwall and Warbeck
The travels of Perkin Warbeck take him to Scotland, marriage and war; which leads to taxes, which leads to rebellion. T’was ever thus. Whether Perkin was an imposter and pretenderRead More
201 Poyning’s Law
Ireland in 1495 was almost 3 societies living side by side. We take a trip to Ireland, hear about the Great Earl, and the law that became known as Poyning’sRead More
Shedcast 3 The Great Earl and his Arm - Members Only
The Great Earl's gesture of friendship to Black James may have led to the expression of chancing your arm