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
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
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.
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 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...
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
187 Edward V
The reign of Edward V is one of the great controversies of English history. This episode is as uncontroversial – just what happened. Then in 2 weeks time – weRead More
186 The King is Alive!
It was critical that the heir to the throne, the young Edward, was tutored and governed to be brought up to be a successful king – and so Rivers wasRead More
185 Edward the King
The 1470's were a marked contrast to the 1460's; a decade of complete calm, of control and authority. How did Edward do it? 185 Edward the King EdwardRead More
184 Edward’s Foreign Glory
Edward IV fancied himself as a latter day Edward III, and with his love of the Garter tradition on the one hand and his determination to gain revenge for FrenchRead More
183 The Brothers York
They had a complicated relationship – Edward, Clarence and Richard; Clarence and Richard had often been left together with Cecily and Margaret while Edward was with his father. In the 1470s,Read More
181 The 15th C Rural Economy
We know that the Magnates and peerage made some cutbacks and prettified fewer of their residences – but what of the Gentry, who by and large would have 1 or 2Read More
180 Lives and Loves of the Gentry
Through the 15th century the Gentry become firmly established as the real rulers of the localities; and an enterprising part of England's economy. So it seems worth finding out a bit moreRead More
179 The New Farmers
After a period of grace, the 15th Century posed serious challenges for Magnates and the rural economy – prices fell, wages rose, Magnates had to cancel parties. But every cloud hasRead More
178 The 15th C Economy I
A rest from politics. The population of England remained stagnant or falling throughout 15th century. But that didn't meant there was no opportunity for towns or for commerce. You justRead More
177 High Noon at Tewkesbury
Edward's troubles were not over with the victory at Barnet. He still faced two more invasions – the Queen and Prince, and Fauconberg in the South East. It was the final showdownRead More
176 The Readeption
In 1470, Henry VIth was released by Warwick from the Tower, and re-established as the rightful king of England. The Usurper Edward IV was banished forever. Sadly for the Lancastrians,Read More
175 An Unholy Alliance
In 1470 the spin of the wheel of fortune was dizzying. Warwick had won, lost, won…where it ended nobody knew. But the most extraordinary thing of all was an alliance toRead More
174 Warwick’s Rubicon
In 1468, Warwick had a decision to make – as he himself said, 'It is a matter of being either Master or Varlet'. 174 Warwick's Rubicon George Neville, Archbishop ofRead More
173 Rivers Rising
There was a new faction at court – the Woodvilles, and they were there en masse. Were they really so bad? Had Edward boobed? And what did Warwick thinkRead More
172 A Royal Marriage
The first three years of Edward's reign were spent dealing stamping on the fires of the Lancastrian resistance. But then, he found time for something much more controversial than dis-embowelling,Read More