Hawkwood 12 In Service of the Pope - Members Only

Hawkwood’s reputation, already riding high from recent victories when he met the Visconti at Montechiari. But soon afterwards, a change in Gregory XI’s policy would turn the political situationRead More

Hawkwood Omnibus 3 EPs 10-12 - Members Only

Between 1368 and 1375, Hawkwood’s reputation and bargaining power was greatly enhanced. He was becoming a recognised player in Italian politics

JH11 Rising Star - Members Only

A matter of honour and professional pride? Or a contract negotiation? One of Hawkwood’s greatest victories appears not to ease relationships with the Visconti

Hawkwood 10 Cascina 2.0 - Members Only

A wedding, and a return to the scene of his greatest defeat as an independent captain – to Cascina. Would history repeat itself?

Hawkwood 9 Against the World - Members Only

1365-7 were confused years for Hawkwood without a consistent employer, and faced with the Papal anti mercenary league of Urban V – as well as picking up some payRead More

Hawkwood Omnibus 2 EPs 7-9 - Members Only

From 1364 Hawkwood’s status would grow, becoming an untitled head of the English mercenaries in Italy. But his employment was fractured and difficult.

Hawkwood 8 Cascina - Members Only

In 1364, Hawkwood received his full command,and took the Pisan armies out to face the opponents at Florence. The results would be …mixed. Good in parts. Could do better.

Hawkwood 7 Pisa - Members Only

In 1363, Sterz and Hawkwood’s efforts helped bring the Visconti to a reluctant and truculent peace. Ironically they’d just done themselves out of a job. But never mind – theRead More

Announcing the Members’ Mobile App - Members Only

Gentle listeners we have produced an app for you so you can find what you want and listen really easily, and listen to the History of England and HiTRead More

Hawkwood 6 The Vipers of Milan - Members Only

The Visconti of Milan had risen to power by defeating their local rivals. They constantly sought to use the fabulous wealth of the city to extend their patrimony, often confrontedRead More

Hawkwood Omnibus 2 EPs 4-6 - Members Only

The Pope did what many were forced to do with mercenaries – paid them to go away. Sterz took the White Company to northern Italy to fight for Montferrat, andRead More

Hawkwood 5 A Geographical Expression - Members Only

The Hawkwood into which Sterz led the White Company in 1361 was a patchwork of loyalties, families, political ambitions and trade wars – and it was rich beyond theRead More

Hawkwood 4 Go South, Young Man - Members Only

For 12,000 hardened warriors, Pont St Esprit was the perfect target – owned by the richest man in Christendom, the Pope, and vulnerable. So, a good place to pick upRead More

Anne and Elizabeth by Leah Garden - Members Only

A fascinating relationship – what influence did Anne Cleves have when she befriended the young Princess Elizabeth, and did her example shape England’s future? Transcript This article is by LeahRead More

Hawkwood 3 To War - Members Only

The way from hearth son to captain of war

Hawkwood Omnibus 1 EPs 1-3 - Members Only

John Hawkwood’s reputation, and the little we know about his upbringing and origins, and his introduction to was in the glory days of Edward III

Hawkwood 2 Sible Hedingham - Members Only

The life of a hearth son beckoned. But John Hawkwood was not content with the idea.

Hawkwood 1 Man and Myth - Members Only

How a Condottiere's reputation has ebbed and flowed

14th Century Italy with Mike Corradi - Members Only

What world awaited John Hawkwood in 14th century Italy?

37b The English at Drink II - Members Only

The 18th century saw the start of a series of Gin crazes, and the famous English institution of the Pub appears in the 19th century. And we look atRead More

37a The English at Drink I - Members Only

‘Ale doth comfort the heavy and troubled mind’. The story of the English and their drink to the 18th century; a story of nourishment, fellowship and resistance.

Margaret Omnibus 7 EPs 19-21 - Members Only

After her son become king, Margaret’s life was transformed and she was able to become the great magnate and princess she felt was her due – as great lord, benefactressRead More

Margaret 21 Death of a Princess - Members Only

By 1502 Margaret surely had nothing more to trouble her – her son’s legitimacy assures, heirs in place, status firmly established. But the wheel of Fortune had a fewRead More

Margaret 20 A Pious Legacy - Members Only

Margaret’s personal life and charitable activities were dominated by three priorities – piety, social and moral responsibility, and family, in common with many powerful women of the time. OneRead More

Margaret 19 Magnate - Members Only

From 1499, Margaret moved her main place of residence to Collyweston in Northamptonshire. Once there, she operated as the king’s agent as a regional magnate, with powers that onRead More

Sh 36e BCL Modernity and Beyond - Members Only

The 19th and 20th centuries saw the gradual arrival of universal suffrage and the bogey man – democracy. We look at theories of the British constitution and the once livelyRead More

Sh 36d BCL Enlightenment and Radicalism - Members Only

The 18th century saw a sea change in the attitudes towards constitutional reform. Enlightenment ideas drove a desire to define and systematise; and meanwhile the growth of a desireRead More

MB Omnibus 6 EPs 16-18 - Members Only

After Bosworth, to the victors, the spoils. Yet while with hindsight we might feel Margaret and her lad had reached a safe harbour – that’s not the wayRead More

Margaret 18 Securing the Dynasty - Members Only

The first 15 years of Henry VII’s reign felt as though they were on a knife edge – a stream of rebellions and external threats, a lack of legitimacy.Read More

Margaret 17 Mother in Law - Members Only

After the marriage of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII, what sort of role was left for Margaret and how did she fulfill the role of the King’s Mother?Read More

Margaret 16 Enflushment - Members Only

1485 marked a watershed in Margaret’s life; though at the time, no one would have been expecting a bowl of cherries

Sh 36c BCL Revolutions - Members Only

It all comes back to the 17th century really. At the start, a king who believes in the absolute divine right of kings, who calls parliament as he requires. AtRead More

Sh 36b King in Parliament - Members Only

The 14th to 16th centuries saw the increasingly professionalism of Common law, and the embedding of parliament at the centre of government. Jurists claimed that the people were sovereign, thoughRead More

MB Omnibus 5 EPs 13-15 - Members Only

Throughout the reign of Richard III, Margaret sought for ways to unseat the usurper who had acquired the throne of her ancestors and the King in Edward IV withRead More

Margaret 15 Gamble - Members Only

The big one – Henry Tudor risks all at Bosworth Field, while Margaret is forced to watch from the sidelines

Margaret 14 Rebel - Members Only

In 1483, someone turned Buckingham’s pretty head, and got him thinking about an even brighter future. Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville saw that brighter future too.

Margaret 13 Murderer - Members Only

In 1483 Margaret had to decide whether to play with Richard, or try to destroy him. Especially after the Princes were locked in the Tower…what was she to do aboutRead More

Sh 35 Katherine Swynford with Caitlin Chapman - Members Only

Katherine Swynford’s life was full of drama. From a relatively lowly background, she became mistress to John of Gaunt, son of Edward III. Through her, descended the Tudor dynasty.Read More

Margaret 12 Usurpation - Members Only

The death of Edward IV came as a bit of a shock to England – and to Margaret and her attempts to rehabilitate Henry. But surely, with 2 sons andRead More

Margaret Omnibus 4 EPs 10-12 - Members Only

Through the most turbulent times in English politics, Margaret’s hopes fell, rose and fell again until in 1483 her son’s fortunes seemed dangerously threatened by one of the mostRead More

Margaret 11 Stanley - Members Only

While Jasper and Henry fled to Brittany, Margaret needed to find herself a husband of suitable status, but also well connected enough to help her protect her son andRead More

Margaret 10 Thirsty for Human Blood - Members Only

In 1471 Edward of York’s struggle for the throne of England would come to a conclusion, win or lose. His opponents were powerful – the Kingmaker, Margaret of Anjou, JasperRead More

Sh 34 John Clare – the Peasant Poet - Members Only

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