How to manage when you go away and leave your things with an evil brother itching to get his hands on them
HiT Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
The 1989 film’s trip through time started by being received heinously by critics, and yet it’s journey has been most unprecedented until now it is remembered excellently. Though probably notRead More
Transcript for Eleanor 22
John’s reaction to the news of Richard’s capture was immediate. He went straight to Paris and to Philip. He went straight to Paris, he did not pass go, and heRead More
Transcript for Eleanor 21
The council of Nonancourt in 1190 was an assembly of the most important and influential people in Richard’s realm, and their attitude and actions would be utterly critical if RichardRead More
HoS 37 The Road to Flodden - Members Only
James IV's road to glory and immortality
Eleanor 20 Freedom - Members Only
In 1189 in Winchester castle, Eleanor saw an entourage approach the gate led by a man from her past – William the Marshal. He had come with news.
273 Pope II – The Return
In 1554, 300 schoolboys of London played out the divisions of their parents on the fields of Finsbury. It was an instructive backdrop to the return of Papal authority inRead More
Transcript for HoS 37
The point of a Renaissance Prince was to astound the world with their magnificence, erudition and glory, bringing lustre to themselves, their dynasty and to their people. The world lookedRead More
Transcript for Eleanor 20
In 1188, Henry and Philip sat at the Elm tree at Gisors and carried away by mutual enthusiasm, both declared that they would go on Crusade to free Jerusalem onceRead More
Join us at Flick Chat
Come and join the fun with other History of Englanders at Flick chat by following the link: The history of England at Flick Chat and then use this link: https://flickchat.page.link/qUFi2Ss2o8j3fX3k6
HiT Made in Dagenham
The 2010 movie depicts the fight for women’s rights at the Ford Dagenham site in 1968. Loads of fun and laughter all mixed up with serious issues produces a really goodRead More
272 The Spanish Marriage
In July 1554 Philip finally landed in England, and all went very well; Mary and Philip were married, and were kind to each other, there was a great pageant ofRead More
Eleanor Omnibus 5 EPs 17-19 - Members Only
In 1173 Eleanor took a decision about whom she would back - husband or sons. She would be paying the consequences for the next 15 years.
Eleanor 19 Squabbles - Members Only
There is no let up to the family feuding. In fact it gets worse.
HiT Selma
The historical drama directed by Ava DuVernay is about personal bravery, about moving, dramatic – and controversial events. Did it tell the story fairly? And did it convey the drama and engageRead More
HoS 36 The Renaissance Prince - Members Only
James IV made the tortured finances of royalty work, and kept his demands on parliament low. That his rather irregular methods did not provoke rebellion was due to his politicalRead More
Eleanor 18 Captivity - Members Only
Escape to Chartres!
Transcript for HoS 36
On 7th August 1503 Edinburgh was buzzing. Nope not the Festival, not yet anyway, no sign of parents dragging reluctant daughters behind them, but there was a festival atmosphere, theRead More
Transcript for Eleanor 19
The latest scheme to provide for the plantagenet children was an obsession. I must confess that it is a little difficult to understand why is was quite such a problem;Read More
Transcript for Eleanor 18
On the road to Chartres and safety, Eleanor and her household rode hard. But they were being pursued, and they knew it, and hard as they tried their pursuers cameRead More
271 Most Faithful Subject
Once Wyatt had been dealt with, Gardiner, Renard,Mary – all could see a greater target in their sights. The surely the Lady Elizabeth had been involved, and here was the chanceRead More
Eleanor 17 Rebellion - Members Only
Henry threw a massive party in the Auvergne and afterwards at Limoges. As he left the party, Raymond of Toulouse gave him a grim warning – and the hangover wasRead More
Transcript for Eleanor 17
Despite this lack of guntlement, the assembly at Montferrat gathered by Henry was truly magnificent; it included king Alfonso II of Aragorn, and Count Raymond of Toulouse, as well asRead More
Intelligent Speech Conference
I am slightly terrified to tell you that I shall be speaking at a day’s conference on 29th June in New York City. But it will be worth it, becauseRead More
HoS 35 The Prince and his Wings - Members Only
James IV of Scotland finds his wings and opens them
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?
270 Wyatt’s Doom
Mary faced the biggest challenge to her reign in 1554 as the London Trained Bands, the White Coats, joined Wyatt’s army of Kent. She responded like a Tudor appealing toRead More
Eleanor 16 The Devil’s Brood - Members Only
Henry and Eleanor were well aware of the potential problem of all those boys. So they tried to sort things out for their brood nice and early.
Transcript for Eleanor 16
I have to say that when I refer to the Devils Brood I thought I was referring to a contemporary quote. In fact I was realise I was not, IRead More
Eleanor Omnibus 4 EPs 14-16 - Members Only
The 1160s and into the 1170s saw growing children, and a growing distance between Eleanor and Henry. Both would promise trouble
Early Modern Scottish Earldoms
A handy chart of the holders of 5 politically influential Scottish Earldoms in the 16th century.
Transcript for HoS 34
Writing a couple of decades after King James IV’s death, David Lindsay reflected the opinions of the majority of his contemporaries in his admiration of James as a monarch who had, ‘the glory of all princely governing’ he enthused. ARead More
HoS 34 The Legacy Of Sauchieburn - Members Only
The first gift of Sauchieburn - yet another minority
Eleanor 15 - Members Only
Eleanor’s rule in Aquitaine was proving somewhat frustrating when four blokes barged into Canterbury cathedral
Transcript for Eleanor 15
We are in the dead of winter, 29th December 1170, and we are in Canterbury Cathedral. It’s late afternoon, and there is the sound of the chanting of monks asRead More
269 Scorn and Ill Will
In 1553, Mary’s real religious policy become clear. More worrying for many was the announcement of her choice of husband Philip of Spain. Some blokes met in a pub to figureRead More
Eleanor 14 Home Rule - Members Only
Eleanor is At Home to the shedlingas
Marshal Omnibus 2 Eps 4-7 - Members Only
Marshal goes from green esquire to green knight
Transcript for Marshal 7
Before he got a chance to prove himself though, William would have heard, in 1165, of the death of his father John; it’s odd that the Histoire makes no mentionRead More
Marshal 7 Knight - Members Only
War is hell, but for a young 12th century esquire it's the kind of hell they need
HiT Das Boot
Not quite sure how many times I have watched Das Boot, but it is legion. A story of the war in one campaign, of the comradeship on board, and the terrorsRead More
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Eleanor 13 Home - Members Only
A new strategy was needed to govern Aquitaine
Eleanor Omnibus 3 Eps 10-13 - Members Only
From 1152 to 1172, from Poitiers to Poitiers
Marshal 6 Court and Kit - Members Only
The life and kit of the aspirant esquire
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
Transcript for Marshal 6
The Histoire tells us nothing about the daily life at Tancarville’s court; I suppose the poet might have wondered why you’d talk about something so commonplace. None the less weRead More
Thomas Cranmer: A Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch
An exceptional biography that allows the man to emerge from the history
HiT The Lost City of Z
It’s an adventure, exploration yarn! Good solid honest stuff – British explorer Percy Fawcett journeys into the Amazon, where he discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization. ButRead 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