Lady Jane was the first leading role for a very young Helena Bonham Carter, and a film debut for the renowned theatre director Trevor Nunn. Plus its an amazing story. So,Read More
Eleanor 3 Education - Members Only
As a child growing up in the Ducal household, Eleanor would have been presented to the noble families she would know for the rest of her life Transcript I’ve blathered on aboutRead 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
Was Edward VI’s Devise for the Succession lawful?
Mr Justice Tyrwhit argues that Montagu was right, and Edward did not have the power to make Jane Queen
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
Books for Eleanor of Aquitaine
Here is a very short booklist for Eleanor enthusiasts who would like to go to the horse’s mouth Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France, Queen of England. Ralph Turner,Read More
Eleanor 2 Land and Lineage - Members Only
The land Eleanor inhabited, and her family history
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
Family Trees: Succession in Henry VIII’s will
Rebel Queen
Rebel Queen – podcasts, games and prizes!
Eleanor 1 Legends - Members Only
The life of Eleanor of Aquitaine - and the legends that surround her name
Maps: Eleanor of Aquitaine
These are maps to support the serialised biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine
Regnal Lists: Comitial list of Angevin Aquitaine
This is a list of the major counties of Aquitaine in the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine
Regnal List: Rulers in the time of the Angevins
This regnal list includes some counties of Northern France and is designed to accompany the serialised biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine and William the Marshal
Transcript for Eleanor 1
Hello everyone, and welcome to the very first of a brand new shiny series – a serialised biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine. A series I have failed continually to produce.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
HiT Lawrence of Arabia
This is one of the two movies my father picked out for me when I was nobbut a lad. It won 5 Oscars, was voted 3 on the BFI’sRead More
William the Marshal
William the Marshal (c.1146-1219) (don’t shout at me about the ‘the’. William THE Marshall. Winnie THE Poo. This is the way life is for me) was a younger son ofRead More
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine (c1124-1204) can be counted one of medieval Europe’s the most powerful women. We love Eleanor’s story because of its extraordinary variety, but also because she defied theRead More
Chaucer, the English and the Sea
Matt Firth writes about what Chaucer and his Shipman tell us of England and the sea
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
Thomas Cromwell: A Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch
This will be the definitive biography for decades. Because it combines superb scholarship with wit and insight.
HoS 30 Lord of the Isles - Members Only
The Lordship of the Western Isles
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
HiT The Last Emperor
The story of PuYi the Last Emperor of China is the MOST sumptuous of films, beautifully shot, it’s an extraordinary story, and the history it passes through is fascinating. WasRead More
Transcript for HoS 30
Let us start with a very famous quote. This appears in the excellent Fordun chronicles, probably in the 1380s. Fordun is describing all the inhabitants of Scotland. The manners andRead 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
TTME Queuing
The English queue even in a crowded bar, when the casual observer might see no physical evidence. But is this any different to the Canadians, or Singaporeans, both highRead More
HoS 29 The Wolf of Badenoch - Members Only
The Wolf of Badenoch broke the rules of his society and class, terrorising the people he was meant to protect
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
HiT A Bridge Too Far
Once you’ve watched A Bridge too Far, you realise that you have just been playing with history movies. This film sets out its stall to tell you everything you everRead More
Transcript for Sea 4
Hello everyone and welcome to the Shedcast Britain and the Sea number 4 – Pirates and Privateers. It has been a while since we have been to the seaside, andRead More
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.
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
HiT The Madness of King George
Alan Bennett’s play and film is a triumph on so many levels – it’s sensitivity towards mental health, the rehabilitation of the character of a king from unfair historical judgement,Read More
HoS 28 The War of Three Kings - Members Only
In 1332 Edward Balliol was crowned king at Scone with English and Scottish backing. The Bruce king, 8 year old David II would have to fight for the throne.
HiT Braveheart
I, David Crowther, have managed to get to 54 without seeing Braveheart ended to end. I thought I cannot do this podcast without watching it. Find out if that proved aRead 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
TTME Fashion
England has had a reputation for a certain kind of traditional fashion (suits, boots and so on) for a while, but in the 60’s English Fashion surprised the world.Read More
Transcript for HoS28
Back in the mists of time then, we left Scotland in a bit of a pickle. Although Edward III of England had sworn through gritted teeth to give up anyRead More
Geronimo An American Legend
The 1993 film which tries to present a balanced picture of Geronimo and his armed resistance – through the eyes of a young US army officer. Geronimo: An American Legend covers justRead More
Elizabeth on the History in Technicolor podcast
The 1998 film ‘Elizabeth’ covers the reign of Queen Mary, and Elizabeth’s early years – and her arrival at a critical decision. Wolf and David talk about film, and its historical accuracy.Read 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
Sh 30 Hero of the People - Members Only
Robert Kett and the Rebels of Mousehold in Norfolk are part of a proud tradition of English protest
Robert Kett’s Petition, 1549
The Petition of the Rebels from Mousehold Heath, July 1549 The year is 1549. Henry VIII is two years in his grave, and the Boy King, Edward VI has beenRead More
TTME Magna Carta
Magna Carta has a reputation as one of the foundational documents in the development of the rights of the individual and in limiting he powers of monarchs. What does it actuallyRead 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