John Clare was for a while a sensation – a poet who gives us access to nature, and also the lives of England’s villagers and society in a time ofRead More
Margaret 7 The Great House - Members Only
The image is of the Great Hall at Haddon Hall. Note the wooden screen in front of the 3 arches, which in rutn lay before the Buttery and Pantry, andRead More
MB Omnibus 2 EPs 4-6 - Members Only
In an extraordinarily dramatic few years, the painfully young Margaret goes through the events that will shape her life – two marriages and a child.
Margaret 6 After Towton - Members Only
Margaret’s marriage to Henry Stafford appears to have started as it would go on – reasonably happily as far as we can tell. But the political chaos of theRead More
Margaret 5 Widow’s Weeds - Members Only
Though protected by the walls of Pembroke Castle, the death of Margaret’s husband left her vulnerable – something of a catch on the marriage market. Margaret, probably on the advice andRead 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
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
Margaret 3 A Short Childhood - Members Only
Margaret's childhood was short, but seemingly happy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
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
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
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
Marshal 12 Tournament - Members Only
Henry the Young King needed a career. Maybe the answer lay in the tourney.
Marshal 11 Rebellion - Members Only
The Young King throws his toys out of the pram
Sh 32 Christine de Pisan with Caitlin Chapman - Members Only
Christine de Pizan (1364 – c. 1430) was a prolific and versatile French poet and author. Her diverse writings include numerous poems of courtly love, a biography of Charles V ofRead More
Sh 31d LLASE Warland - Members Only
Away from the Inland estates, the Anglo Saxon peasantry and thegnage often held their lands of ancient right, and the land they held defined their public obligations as well asRead More
Sh 31c Life on the Inland - Members Only
The arrival of resident landowners and the ever present danger of economic disaster would change the way many lived their lives and create the system of serfdom so centralRead More
Marshal Omnibus 3 EPs 8-10 - Members Only
If William’s career was a landscape, this episode would be taking us into the deepest of valleys. From thrusting young esquire, to the pit of despair. And back? WELL you’llRead More
Marshal 10 Rescue - Members Only
William is at a low point. a landless knight, held in captivity, with a hideous leg wound and no bandages. plus, no great value in the ransom market and therefore his futureRead More
Marshal 9 Ambush! - Members Only
Back home in 1168 with fears of the rest of his life as a dull hearth son, William would instead find his way quickly back into danger
Sh 31b LLASE Life on the Scir - Members Only
New petty kingdoms and lordships, scirs, began to form around tribal groups and identities, and then to consolidate into Anglo Saxons kingdoms we will begin to recognise. How were thoseRead More
Eleanor Omnibus 6 EPs 20-24 - Members Only
The last 15 years of Eleanor’s life saw her more able than ever to exercise influence and even to see her daughters; but retirement to Fontevraud was constantly interrupted. TellRead More
Eleanor 24 The End of Days - Members Only
The last years were no less busy than any of the others. And please, feedback here on the poll.
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?
Eleanor 23 John - Members Only
The Struggle for Angevin France is on
Eleanor 22 Retirement - Members Only
In 1193 Richard was held hostage by the Holy Roman Emperor. It was up to Eleanor to get him back before John took his kingdom. Eleanor’s Letters It isRead More
Eleanor 21 Crusade - Members Only
How to manage when you go away and leave your things with an evil brother itching to get his hands on them
Eleanor 20 Freedom - Members Only
In 1189 in Winchester castle, Eleanor saw an entourage approach the gate led by a man from her past – William the Marshal. He had come with news.
Eleanor Omnibus 5 EPs 17-19 - Members Only
In 1173 Eleanor took a decision about whom she would back - husband or sons. She would be paying the consequences for the next 15 years.
Eleanor 18 Captivity - Members Only
Escape to Chartres!
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
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