I’ve loved and lived with the story of the history of the English for as long as I can remember. This is my retelling of that story, in a regular, chronological podcast; we go from the cataclysmic end of Roman Britain, and at some point will get all the way through to the present day. The History of England is available on iTunes and a podcatcher near you.
268a Thomas Cranmer with Diarmaid MacCulloch
Cranmer’s reputation has run from dishonest, ambitious politician to gentle, moderate Anglican. Prof. Diarmaid MacCulloch shed light on the life and motivations of the man central to the English Reformation. Read More
268 This Hand Offendeth
After Mary rode into London in August 1553, Thomas Cranmer must have known he would be in the firing line – and yet at first nothing happened. And it wasRead More
267 Girt with a Sword
Mary was well aware that it was critical for her to establish her right and authority as equal to that of any king; and she consciously pursued that aim. WhichRead More
266 Mary – Bloody or Otherwise
After her brave and audacious rebellion, Mary became Queen in 1553. Historians have not been kind to Mary for many centuries. What have they been saying? What are they sayingRead More
Gold, Praise and Glory
Same Hume introduces English trade and exploration in the Tudor era – the trade companies that spring up after 1550 and the discovery ventures that follow. With a bit ofRead More
Joseph Lancaster
Joseph Lancaster is little known today, but in the first half of the 19th century his name was everywhere. He was described as ‘the poor child’s friend’ as he made educationRead More
Elizabeth Chadwick and Eleanor of Aquitaine
Author Elizabeth Chadwick gives her insights into the life and times of Eleanor of Aquitaine. To find out more about Elizabeth’s three Eleanor novels, visit her website https://elizabethchadwick.com/eleanor-of-aquitaine/
Elizabeth Chadwick and William Marshal
Elizabeth Chadwick is the author of many fine historical novels, and her most recent is on William’s life in the Holy Land. Elizabeth was kind enough to share herRead More
265a Nicola Tallis and the Crown of Blood
I chat with historian Nicola Tallis about the life, times and death of Lady Jane Grey. And also there are prizes and things.
265 Live Still to Die
After Mary’s victory, Jane Grey was imprisoned comfortably in the Tower, and spent her time studying – and had a reasonable expectation of long, if a little dull, life. Until in 1554Read More
264g Rebel Queen 8 The Duke
The game played out, the Mary entered London and the Duke was to die. But Northumberland had one more surprise to spring To find out more about our programme, andRead More
264f Rebel Queen 7 Regina
Whether Jane and Guildford understood the commotion in the city outside the Tower we do not know, but it was the duty of her father, the Duke of Suffolk, to breakRead More
264e Rebel Queen 6 The Fleet
Around the 14th July a ship called the Greyhound sailed into Orwell Haven. Its captain was in gaol in Lowestoft, its crew had smashed open the cash box. Meeting withRead More
264d Rebel Queen 5 Resistance
Northumberland made good speed towards East Anglia and Mary, and his army swelled with troops and artillery. But in London, the mood was ugly, and Mary was having some success too.Read More
264c Rebel Queen 4 War
Mary’s letter of 10th July brought home an uncomfortable truth that Northumberland had expected to avoid – that Jane must fight for her crown. If an army could be found ToRead More
264b Rebel Queen 3 Rivals
Mary had a decision to make – submit, fight or flee. She took the decision with her household – and they raised the rafters with their cheers. To findRead More
264a Rebel Queen 2 Proclamation
On the morning of 9th July 1553 the 16 year old Jane was walking in the Grey manor at Chelsea in blissful ignorance. Then the Duke of Northumberland’s daughter, Mary Sidney,Read More
264 Rebel Queen 1 The Gathering
The life of Lady Jane Grey to 1553, and the fate of Edward VI is settled as the vultures gather. The first in our series on the succession crisis of 1553.Read More
263 The Devise
Edward VI’s ‘Devise for the Succession’ would plunge England into turmoil. Was it his own work, or was it the work of a manipulative and power hungry Northumberland? Here’s what happened.Read More
262 Northumberland
John Dudley, as Duke of Northumberland for a while dominated the King’s Council – and was a man with the imagination to change the rules. And the Edwardian Reformation continued,Read More
261a Professor MacCulloch talks Cromwell
Diarmaid MacCulloch brings wonderful scholarship, wit and humanity with a delightfully fresh biography of Thomas Cromwell, shot through with new insights. And I got to meet him! Here is what we talkedRead More
261 The Trouble with Mary
In 1550 Edward’s views on reformation began to harden – and brought him into conflict with his sister. Under pressure from King and Council, Mary decided that she must fleeRead More
260 A Double Coup
Somerset came away from the Commotion Time with a wobbly reputation. Could he survive politically ? Transcript Let me take you to London. The year is 1548, about aRead More
259 The Time of Camps
1549 was a year of upheaval which led to rebellions which offer a fascinating window into English society. It also saw the publication of the Book of Common Prayer,Read More
258 Protector Somerset
Somerset was an effective soldier, and as uncle to the king he seemed like an ideal choice as Protector. Would he prove an effective political? Good Duke, Bad Duke or justRead More
257 His Blood Crieth out against Thee
Within week, Edward Seymour was safely ensconced on the seat of power. But brother Thomas was not impressed, and would involve three women – Catherine Parr, Princess Elizabeth and JaneRead More
256 The Boy King
Poor Edward’s reign tends to be ignored, sandwiched as it is. This week we pay it proper respect – what has history had to say of the lad, what were theRead More
255 Europe XI The Spanish Century
By 1600, the Spain and her Empire was acknowledged as the richest and most powerful state in Europe. the hardworking Phillip II worked into the night deep in his massive palaceRead More
253 Europe IX Confessionalism Unleashed
How the rise of Calvinism, the Catholic Reformation and the peace of Augsberg combined with attitudes towards heresy to divide Europe along harsher, confessional lines. The Hapsburg Empire under Charles VRead More
Roman Bath Museum Worship
Discussing what the Roman Baths can tell us about Religious worship in the Roman world, and introducing two of the Roman Baths’ most illustrious characters – the Goddess, Sulis Minerva, andRead More
The History of the Vikings by Noah Tetzner
The History of Vikings features in depth discussions with world-class scholars from Oxford, Harvard, and Yale University, and dives into Norse Mythology and Viking history. From myths and raids, toRead More
252 Henry VIII – Judgement Day and results
Posted on 5th August: Results now in! It was very close as the table below shows. But int he end, the History of England listeners declared that while Henry VIIIRead More
Introducing History in Technicolour
Announcing a new podcast from Wolf O’Neil and me, David Crowther. This is a superbrief explanation and a few tiny snippets which will hopefully give you a feel for itRead More
TTME Cricket
The greatest game invented by the human race. An Indian game accidentally invented by the English. A game for heroes. But we are not talking about tiddlywinks here – instead, this weekRead More
Roman Bath Museum Day to Day
The second episode in our series looks at how the Roman Baths operated day to day, the infrastructure and technology, how they were managed, what went on when visitors enteredRead More
251a Henry VIII Abroad by Zack Twambley
Zack returns! Yay! Zack, of the ‘When Diplomacy Fails’ Podcast, survey’s Henry VIII’s foreign policy and weighs it up – is the word policy too complimentary? To find out moreRead More
251 The End of Days
In 1546, Gardiner and the religious conservatives moved their sights from Cranmer, to the new darling of the evangelical cause – the Queen. Getting evidence from Anne Askew was the keyRead More
Roman Bath Museum Discovery
This is the first of three special episodes from the wonderful Roman Bath Museum at Bath. Experts from the museum talk about Bath’s history, from before Rome to Georgian Bath toRead More
250 Catherine and Anne
In 1545 the struggle between conservative and evangelical, between mumpsimus and sumpsimus grew more intense as Catherine Parr’s household shed an evangelical light over the court. And into this situation cameRead More
248 To Arms!
In 1544 Henry traveled to France and hauled himself into the saddle for his last chance to emulate Henry V. A little like his predecessor, he was also investing in a royal Read More
249 Knaves I Cannot Rule
It’s time for a naval encounter, marked by the sinking of the Mary Rose, and then we set the scene for the cut-throat politics of the last years with Richard Rich,Read More
247a Roanoke – England’s First Colony by Joel Kindrick
In 1585, a colony was established at Roanoke, sponsored by Walter Raleigh. Find out what happens from historian and Birkenstock wearer Joel Kindrick.
247 Queen Catherine the Third
The arrival of Catherine Parr (and family) and preparations for war in France. And rather a lot of digressions. Transcript Last week I mentioned that after his despair at CatherineRead More
246 A Rough Wooing
In 1542, Henry’s sought war with France; but before that, he must make sure his northern borders were safe. So began the Rough Wooing, as Henry sought to bring a Pro-EnglishRead More
245 The Prebendaries Plot
In 1543 religious conservatives were in the ascendant, dominated the aristocratic Privy Council and a wave of prosecutions for heresy followed. When some of Archbishop Cranmer’s own parishioners of Kent soughtRead More
244 No More Time to Dance
Catherine had made a decent start of being queen. And it was really in no body’s interest to reveal her old life. But dangers and memories were all around –Read More
243 A Jewel for Womanhood
In 1540 a new member at court, Catherine Howard, caught the eye of a king struggling with his marriage to Anne. By July Anne was gone and Catherine had embarkedRead More
242 Anne and Thomas
Anne arrived in England to be greeted by 6 burly disguised middle aged men. 1540 was a year neither Anne of Cleves nor Thomas Cromwell were to remember – with affectionRead More
241 The Illness of King Henry
Henry’s attitude to illness, and possible medical explanations for his character and events of his realm. And a negotiation starts for a new wife. A royal marriage proposal: Amelia andRead More
240 Henry VIII in Ireland and Wales
The 1530’s saw radical changes in both Ireland and Wales, following Cromwell’s same policy as applied to the northern borders. The outcomes though, were to be very different. IRead More