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.

The History of England Tour 2022 - Members Only

Gentle listeners – there is news! There will be a History of England Tour in 2022. I know, this long awaited Tour has crashed and burned at the hands ofRead More

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

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

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 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

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

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

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