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
Sh 36a British Constitution and Law The Early Middle Ages - Members Only
We discuss what a Constitution is; and then go in search of one and the development of justice in English Medieval history, from the Anglo Saxons to Edward IIRead 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
Margaret Omnibus 3 EPs 7-9 - Members Only
Margaret and Henry Stafford made a home at Woking Palace during a time of changing lifestyles which prompted changes to the great houses. Despite a seemingly happy life, the vicissitudesRead More
Margaret 9 Readeption - Members Only
Warwick the Kingmaker supreme
Margaret 8 The Life Domestic - Members Only
Margaret seems to have fallen on her feet and her marriage from 1458-1471, as far as we can tell, would seem to have been happy and fulfilled, working together onRead 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
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
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
Margaret 2 Family - Members Only
Margaret's family history would shape her life
Margaret 1: Margaret through Time - Members Only
Margaret Beaufort through the eyes of historians
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
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?
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?
Sea 4 Pirates and Privateers - Members Only
The seamen of Devon and Cornwall will be one of England's secret weapons. But in Scotland came a development which would change the face of England's navy.
HiT Braveheart
I, David Crowther, have managed to get to 54 without seeing Braveheart ended to end. I thought I cannot do this podcast without watching it. Find out if that proved aRead More
Sea 3 Catching a Crabbe - Members Only
Private enterprise, piracy and sate collusion – seafaring in the in 13th and 14th centuries
Shedcast 21 English Placenames II - Members Only
The place names of England by theme and time
231b Medieval Castles by George of The World of Castles
George gives a survey of the medieval castle, from its first appearance in Europe to its eventual demise as gunpowder worked its changes. Go and look at The World ofRead More
Shedcast 20 Place Names I – Going Somewhere - Members Only
First of 3 episodes about English place names. An Introduction and the origins of Street and Road
222a The Tower of London by James Holdstock
James Holdstock is a big fan of The Tower of London; he talks about a fortress which has a history as winding, bloody, mysterious and inspiring as England’s, and is a mustRead More
220a An Oasis Discovered
Here’s my story of the church St Bartholomew the Grand and its founder. There are pictures and the text at St Bartholomew the Great
Shedcast 11b The Tournament: Rise and Fall - Members Only
The tournament grew in sophistication until it was focused around the individual challenge of the Joust. But the fundamentals of warfare and society changed and tournaments lost their relevance.
Shedcast 11a The Medieval Tournament: Beginnings - Members Only
The original melee was preparation for war. And like war, it was fought between two teams, was violent and resulted in death - and was banned by the church.
Shedcast 8b A Sense of England – Consciousness - Members Only
Could England be described by 1500 as a nation? Did the English share a story, language, and territory? Was the political community oriented around the king or nation, or theRead More
Shedcast 8a A Sense of England – Nationalism - Members Only
Concepts and interpretations of Nationalism
Shedcast 4 The Indispensable Dr Morton - Members Only
The impressive career of a man of humble origin who rose to the top of society through the Wars of the Roses
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
Shedcast 2 Fun with Wills and Words - Members Only
Wills are a fascinating historical record, giving some insight into the what really mattered to people of their time. Plus some delightful oddities...
Shedcast 1 The practice of Diplomacy - Members Only
In 1400, diplomacy was the business of kings. More than almost any other activity, what we might now call foreign policy was purely the king’s affair – one ruler, lord,Read More
195 The History of Europe Part VIII
15th Century European kingdoms were wracked by internal division as well as international war. By the end of the century, many nations had achieved unity and some degree of internalRead More
194 The Wars of the Roses
When to declare the Wars of the Roses all finished and done? There are as many choices as there are for start dates. 1485 and the Battle of Bosworth has beenRead More
193 The Blood of Innocents
In 1483, the gates of the Tower of London closed on two innocent and defenceless boys; one, Edward, 12, captured and the other Richard, 10, given up by his mother.Read More
192 Bosworth
At last in 1485 Richard got to meet his challenger in person at the Battle of Bosworth – a meeting he needed every bit as much as Henry Tudor. 192Read More
191 The Reign of Richard III
Unfortunately for Richard he was never able to simply concentrate of governing the realm; the hangover of his accession, the presence of Henry Tudor abroad – these things constantly tookRead More
190 Good King Richard?
Part of the story to counter the propaganda of the Tudors is the view that Richard promised to be an exceptionally good ruler. The brevity of Richard's reign make an assessment difficultRead More
189 The Most Untrue Creature
Richard sought to start the reconciliation of the factions in the realm. But despite his triumphant progress through the Kingdom to York, trouble was brewing – including from the most unlikelyRead More
188 Richard III – Knave, Fool or Saviour?
The time has for the Richard III podcast episode and vote. 3 of the no doubt many possible interpretations of the events of 1483 - did Richard plan to usurp theRead More
187a Jane Shore by James Boulton
Jane Shore lives among the list of the most famous mistresses – along with the likes of Roseamund Clifford, Alice Perrers. Like Alice, Jane lives and loved at the veryRead More