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.

Transcript for Marshal 24

John’s comeback plan in France relied on timing as exquisite as the delivery of a comedian’s punchline, the co-ordination of 3 armies. And I am sure I have read moreRead More

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

Transcript for Marshal 23

When John had demanded another Marshal son as a hostage, William and Isabel had dithered. They’d dithered a significant dither but in the end decided that the risks dictated thatRead More

293 Sex and Marriage

By David Crowther 2 weeks agoJul 05, 2020 2 Comments

Dudley was for long considered the front runner for any possible marriage; but there was a long list of suitors. And Elizabeth was under pressure from the badgersRead More

HoS 44 Reformation - Members Only

Through the Reformation parliament of 1560 and over the following decades, the Reformed Kirk for the most part became part of the Scottish peoples’ pride and identity

292 The Queen’s Marriage

By David Crowther 2 weeks agoJul 05, 2020 7 Comments

What were the issues around marriage for Elizabeth and her subjects? Because as the continuing barney between the two of them would prove, it really mattered to both parties. Read More

Transcript for HoS 44

Last time, the good burgers of Perth had been persuaded that nothing good could come from standing against the Regent, persuaded among others by the protestant Lord James Stewart. TheyRead More

The History of England Shop

By David Crowther 3 weeks agoJun 22, 2020 3 Comments

The History of England Shop returns! Some of you may remember that a shop appeared for a while last year – mugs and shirts. I closed it because of, wellRead More

HoS 43 Mary of Guise and Franco Scotland - Members Only

In the 1550’s, Mary of Guise became Regent. She was respected even by those inclined to be her political enemies, but as the decade wore on, the question ofRead More

Transcript for HoS43

Now then, in the last few episodes we have danced gaily through the meadow of James V’s reign, frolicked carelessly in the pastures of the early years of the Mary’sRead More

291 Queen and Court

By David Crowther 4 weeks agoJun 28, 2020 4 Comments

How did Elizabethan government work, and what was Elizabeth’s court like? Transcript This week I thought we should have a bit of context, why don’t we? Over the nextRead More

HoS 42 The Rough Wooing - Members Only

In the 1540s the betrothal of Mary, daughter of James V and Mary of Guise, to the dauphin of France created a ‘Battle for Britain’, as the battle of religion alsoRead More

Transcript for HoS 42

So, I have spent a deal of time on the last 30 years, time to summarise James V’s reign. Two contemporary opinions for you then which demonstrate that the pendulumRead More

Marshal Omnibus 7 EPs 20-22 - Members Only

From Richard I to John, changing fortunes for Marshal

Transcript for Marshal 22

There was a reason why the expected peace and quiet was not forthcoming – and it wasn’t specifically John pursuing Marshal for personal reasons to be fair, though probably makingRead More

Marshal 22 Irish Magnate - Members Only

A life or death struggle with his king

290 The Religious Settlement

By David Crowther 1 month agoJun 14, 2020 7 Comments

Elizabeth’s England was awash with expectation – from Mary’s bishops demanding that no change be made to Mary’s church, to a wave of Protestant Marian exiles returning with visions ofRead More

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

Transcript for Marshal 20

Honestly, I was tempted to tell the story of Richard and Mercardier in front of the castle of Chalus one more time, just so that I could re-use the ‘shallRead More

HoS41 The French Alliance - Members Only

To ally with France or England? That is the question

Transcript for HoS 41

Last time we heard that, whatever the consequences, James V was very skilled at inter pocket accounting, using the cash from the Church pocket to support the monarchy. The approachRead More

289 Elizabeth Regina

By David Crowther 2 months agoJun 01, 2020 8 Comments

A game of 2 halves this week; the major themes of Elizabeth’s reign and then the Funeral of Mary and Elizabeth’s coronation . Ooh, and the appointment of Cecil asRead More

HoS 40 Church and State - Members Only

The monarchs of Scotland achieved a clever balancing act of maintaining a full blown rennaisance court – with a minimum of taxation. How did they manage it? And atRead More

Transcript for HoS 40

In general James successfully re-established the best of laissez faire Scottish monarchy; a light touch on the vast majority of subjects, allowing magnates to exercise authority and justice in theirRead More

288 Elizabeth I and the Historians

By David Crowther 3 months agoMay 10, 2020 10 Comments

Transcript Hello everyone and welcome to the History of England Episode 288 Elizabeth I and the Historians. We left Elizabeth passing through Temple Bar, with professions of loveRead More

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

Transcript for Marshal 19

On Richard’s stool of state, It was the Longchamp’s leg that appeared first to be shorter than the others and create a disturbing wobble. As we all know, there isRead More

Transcript for Marshal 18

OK onward; remember that HII has popped his clogs, shuffled on this mortal coil, gone to meet his maker and ceased to be. Marshal has gone to meet theRead More

287 Enter Good Queen Bess

By David Crowther 3 months agoApr 26, 2020 24 Comments

Transcript Let me take you to London on a January morning in 1559. It’s cold, and there had been a light dusting of snow, and in January London 1559 letRead More

Marshal 17 To the Devil - Members Only

'God’s legs, Marshal, don’t kill me! It wouldn’t be right – I’m quite unarmed'

HoS 39 Jeddart Justice - Members Only

Firm justice or malice and tyranny?

HoS 38 The Minority of James V - Members Only

All the chaos of a Scottish minority. Then some.

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

Transcript for HoS 39

Jane Dawson in her book ‘Scotland Re-Formed’, with a hyphen, does a piece on the really very lovely looking ceiling of St Machar’s cathedral in Aberdeen. I have been toRead More

Transcript for HoS 38

Last time I left you in 1513, bereft, bereft of the mighty and glorious James IV, dead in the Northumbrian mud, alongside a significant number of his political elite. InRead More

Transcript for Marshal 16

But, just as every slivery lining has its cloud, so the reverse is true. The scales were lifted from Young Henry’s eyes. ‘Tell me what to do!’’ he cried. EnterRead More

A History of England announcement - Members Only

For those of you who also subscribe to the HoE podcast feed this may be a redundant post. I am attempting to reach all subscribers and members to keep youRead More

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…

Shopping cart