The English Heritage Podcast

This week we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter to discuss how he came across a previously unpublished list of relics that were at Battle Abbey in the mid-15th century. Discover how he has been able to show that at least some of the relics were likely the gift of William the Conqueror and had originally been in the Anglo-Saxon royal treasury, and that others were given by King John, having been collected by his brother, Richard I, while on Crusade in the Holy Land. Plus, we explore the wider medieval belief in relics and pilgrimage – and other English Heritage sites where relics were kept. To find out more about Battle Abbey and plan a visit, go to www.englishheritage.org.uk/battle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley has fascinated people for more than 450 years. Their relationship has been explored in books, films and on TV, most recently by Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes in the film Elizabeth, and by Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons in the series Elizabeth I. They certainly shared an emotional connection on each other throughout their lives, but were they ever really lovers? Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we interview head properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee to reveal the real story of their supposed romance and Dudley’s now legendary attempt to woo England’s ‘Virgin Queen’ over 19 days in 1575 at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. To find out more about Kenilworth Castle and plan a visit, go to www.englishheritage.org.uk/kenilworth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following an archaeological dig to discover the secrets of the Root House that once sat in the mysterious Mithraic Glade of Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, we meet senior properties historian Dr Andrew Hann and PhD student Jemima Hubberstey to reveal why the glade was created and the literary inspiration behind it. Plus, we reveal what the Root House was, how it was used, and its unique connection to the story of this spectacular estate. To find out more about Wrest Park and plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re at Dover Castle in Kent to take an exclusive tour of the ‘Dumpy’ level of its secret underground tunnels with Cold War expert Mark Bennett. Once fully equipped and designed to keep those inside 'safe' from nuclear fall-out, the austere rooms and tunnels are now largely devoid of their equipment, furnishings, fixtures and fittings, but still retain a chilling air of the Cold War. Discover when the tunnels were built, why Dover Castle was selected and how you can take a tour of the tunnels today. To find out more about Dover Castle and our exclusive Members’ tours of the ‘Dumpy’ level of the secret war tunnels, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/dover Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve managed to convince English Heritage head gardener John Watkins to down tools and join us for a one-to-one gardeners’ question time to talk us through what goes into maintaining our historic gardens. Discover how our gardening teams are busy preparing for spring, the key jobs they can be found doing over the winter period and the sites where you can eat the produce from our historic kitchen gardens. To find out more about our gardens and plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/historic-gardens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined in the studio by two experts on Roman history – English Heritage Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and Curator for the north east Rachel Wilkinson – to reveal what life would have been like for the Roman soldiers stationed and living along Hadrian’s Wall. Discover what garrison life would have been like, how the soldiers coped with the harsh British winters and the artefacts that offers clues to their daily life in our museums today. To find out more about Hadrian’s Wall or plan a visit to any of the English Heritage sites along it, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re inspired to try something new in 2020 then volunteering with English Heritage might just be what you’ve been looking for. We head behind the scenes at Stonehenge to meet three volunteers with very different roles to find out what a day in their volunteering life is like – and we reveal the other opportunities available to get involved across the country. To find out more about volunteering with English Heritage, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/volunteer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year from English Heritage. If you’re looking for inspiration for places to visit over the months ahead, then this is the episode for you. We’re joined in the studio by head historic properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, head of learning and Interpretation Dr Dominique Bouchard, and senior properties historian Dr Steven Brindle to discover the English Heritage sites where the course of history was changed forever. Listen on to find out what three sites and events each of our experts nominated, why they were pivotal to English and even global history, and what you need to know about each of them. To plan a visit to any of the sites mentioned, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve come over all festive this week as we take a break from the studio to reveal the history of carolling with English Heritage Trustee Ronald Hutton and bring you an exclusive carol concert from Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire in time for the big day! Get in the Christmas spirit with The Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir as they sing a selection of festive favourites and discover the story behind each of them. To plan a visit to Bolsover Castle, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsover Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re in the studio with English Heritage Trustee Ronald Hutton to discuss many of the weird and wonderful Christmas traditions that many of us take for granted. Listen on to discover the story behind Santa Claus, the yule log and Christmas cards, trees and stockings, not to mention the puzzling traditions of kissing under mistletoe, wassailing, Mummers' plays and the Lord of Misrule. To read about the history of Christmas through the ages go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by Osborne curator Michael Hunter to reveal how Queen Victoria and Prince Albert celebrated Christmas. Discover how the royal couple popularised a new way of seeing in the festive season, how Prince Albert was instrumental in bringing German traditions to Britain, such as the Christmas tree, and what Christmas was like for the servants working at Osborne. For more information or to plan a visit to Osborne, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/osborne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once the Vikings’ drink of choice, mead now has a new and growing following who are putting a modern twist on the historical classic. To celebrate the revival of this golden brew, we head into the studio with resident expert Cameron Moffett to discover the history of the world’s oldest alcoholic drink, how English Heritage became the UK’s largest retailer of it and how modern cocktails have helped to reinvent mead for a new generation of fans. For three mead cocktail recipes to try at home, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/mead-resurgence/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

480 years since Henry VIII started building his ‘device forts’ in 1539, we travel to Deal Castle in Kent to meet senior properties historian Paul Pattison and discover the story of this string of artillery forts along the southern English and Welsh coast. Find out why these unique defences were built, what distinguishes them architecturally and which forts you can visit today. For more information about Deal Castle and to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/deal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 160th anniversary of publication of 'On the Origin of Species', we pay a visit to Down House in Kent to interview Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle, senior gardener Kristyna Slivova and historic properties steward Kim Durham about Darwin’s time at Down House, the experiments he performed there and the legacy of his seminal work today. For more information about Down House, Home of Charles Darwin and to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re back on the road to experience a new sound installation created by the world’s most performed living composer Arvo Pärt and Arup, the great engineers and designers . We meet curator Clare Farrow and site manager Samantha Shotten to find out what visitors can expect and how installations such as this are helping to bring the history of English Heritage sites to life in new and innovative ways. For more information about Belsay Hall and Gardens and to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay Music credits: Spiegel im Spiegel, Für Alina and Silentium (from the second movement of Tabula Rasa) by Arvo Pärt © ECM Records. All music is used in agreement with ECM Records, Universal Edition and Arvo Pärt Centre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of Armistice Day on 11 November, we talk to senior properties historian Dr Andrew Hann to find out how Wrest Park, the magnificent former seat of the De Grey family in Bedfordshire, was reinvented as a country house convalescent home and later a military hospital during the First World War. Discover the stories of the nurses who worked here, what the soldiers did to keep their spirits up and the disaster that forced it to close. For more information about Wrest Park and to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re back in the studio with English Heritage’s publishing manager Katherine Davey and literary reviewer and journalist James Kidd to discuss These Our Monsters, our new book of short stories by eight contemporary novelists inspired by the myths, legends and folklore connected to our sites. Join Charles, Katherine and James as they discuss the concept of the book and James’s own involvement, before looking at how the writers took on the challenge of re-imagining the stories of the past. To order a copy of These Our Monsters, go to https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/books-media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re at Apsley House in London, the grand former home of the Duke of Wellington, to meet keeper of the Wellington Collection Josephine Oxley. Listen on to discover why this beautiful Georgian building in the heart of the capital was once known as 'Number 1 London', its role in honouring the Iron Duke’s great victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and why it is home to one of the finest art collections in London. For more information or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/apsley-house/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To mark the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death a new exhibition has been launched at Kenwood, the London home of the Dutch artist’s most famous painting, Self-portrait with Two Circles. The exhibition, called #nofilter, sees the painting re-presented alongside a new digital artwork which will be comprised of ‘selfies’ taken by visitors. We meet senior curator Wendy Monkhouse to find out more about the enduring appeal of the painting, how it came to be at Kenwood and what visitors can expect during a visit to see it and the rest of Kenwood’s remarkable collection of art today. For more information or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenwood/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We head to 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield in East Sussex to discover what goes into recreating history at our infamous annual Battle of Hastings re-enactment on the very site where the armies of King Harold and William the Conqueror clashed. We meet events manager Diane Evans and re-enactor Nigel Amos, who has played both King Harold and William the Conqueror in previous years, to reveal what is involved in organising and taking part in the biggest event in the entire English Heritage calendar. To find out more or plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we interview historian Howard Spencer to reveal the story behind the new blue plaque at the Chelsea house where reggae singing sensation Bob Marley lived in 1977 after fleeing from Jamaica. It was while living here that Marley and his band the Wailers finished recording songs for what became the Exodus album, including Waiting in Vain, Three Little Birds, One Love and Jamming. The house is also near the pitches in nearby Battersea Park where Marley and his bandmates played football. To find out more about our blue plaque scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined in the studio by Senior Collections Conservator Rachel Turnbull and Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle to find out about a new project to protect and conserve England’s largest collection of historic wall paintings. Learn the stories behind these rare and fragile works of art, how much work is going to be involved in their conservation and the work underway to ensure these precious paintings don’t vanish forever. To find out more, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wallpaintings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re at Beeston Castle, one of the most spectacular medieval sites in England, to meet the team behind a project to build a replica of a Bronze Age Roundhouse in its grounds and bring its prehistory to life for visitors. Discover what goes into building a prehistoric home, the difference between an Iron Age and Bronze Age roundhouse and how it will be used once it has been completed. To find out more about Beeston Castle’s history or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/beeston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the new Downton Abbey film opens in cinemas, we head over to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens in South Yorkshire to meet curator Eleanor Matthews and discover how the story of this Victorian country house and its inhabitants can be compared to the fictional world of Downton Abbey. Learn about the Thellusson family who lived here, what the house would have been like during its Victorian heyday and how, after years of gentle decay, it was finally saved for the nation. To find out more about Brodsworth Hall and Gardens or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter to discover the story of the J.W. Evans silver factory with the founder’s grandson Tony Evans. Listen on to find out what life would have been like working here during the factory’s heyday in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the difference between die sinkers and drop stampers and how this industrial treasure house came to be under the care of English Heritage today. To find out more or book a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/j-w-evans-silver-factory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 240th anniversary of the creation of the iconic Iron Bridge in Shropshire, we meet head collections curator Matt Thompson to find out how its creation marked a turning point in engineering history, how it revolutionised the use of iron, and how it’s paved the way for other engineering projects. To find out more about the Iron Bridge or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/ironbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Stott Park Bobbin Mill on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, we meet site manager Michael Callaghan and historic property supervisor Tracy Shaw to discover the story of this unique industrial heritage site. We reveal what life would have been like for the ‘Bobbin Boys’ who worked here, the secrets of producing the perfect bobbin and the challenges of maintaining the mill as they fire up their repaired steam-powered boiler. To plan a visit to see it yourself, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/stottpark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we join head historic properties curator Jeremy Ashbee at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk to discover how it came to be at the centre of a succession crisis in 1553, which saw the crowning of England’s first official queen. Listen on to discover how the castle played a key role in events leading up to Mary’s coronation and why her subsequent reign was ultimately cut short. For more details about Framlingham Castle and to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/framlingham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Tintagel Castle opens its new landmark bridge to visitors this weekend, we welcome Head Historic Properties Curator Jeremy Ashbee, Head of National Projects Nichola Tasker and Senior National Project Manager Reuben Briggs to the studio to find out more. Discover why the bridge has been constructed, how the winning design was selected and what has gone into creating this spectacular feat of engineering. To read more about Tintagel Castle’s history and book a bridge crossing, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We interview fashion historian and presenter of our popular historic makeup tutorials on YouTube, Amber Butchart, to trace the big developments in English fashion history, discover how much effort goes into making historically accurate costumes and reveal the most outrageous fashion statements through the centuries. To watch Amber’s latest video on Georgian makeup, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5wYPgaMabY or check out our series of history inspired makeup tutorials at https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishHeritageFilm/playlists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As our new season of legendary jousts gets underway, we head behind the scenes at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire to discover what goes into recreating medieval history with joust organiser Diana Evans and professional jouster Dominic Sewell. Discover when jousting was invented, how it has evolved over time and the skills involved in becoming a modern day hero on horseback for the crowds. For details of all of our joust events taking place over summer, visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/knights-jousts-events/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate the launch of our new digital project, Stonehenge Skyscape, allowing everyone anywhere to watch the sun, moon and stars above Britain’s most famous prehistoric monument, we join space scientist and BBC’s The Sky at Night presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock to find out more. Discover the role astronomy might have played in prehistoric life, the meaning of archeoastronomy and what you should look out for in the sky above the stones. To experience Stonehenge Skyscape for yourself, go to https://www.stonehengeskyscape.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A century after the unveiling of the original Cenotaph memorial in London, we are joined by senior properties historian Dr Steven Brindle and Dr Lucy Noakes, professor of modern history at the University of Essex to discover its story. Listen on to find out how and why this famous First World War memorial was created for the Peace Day celebrations of 19 July 1919 and how it’s come to inspire the designs of other memorials to conflict all over the world. To find out more about the World War I memorials in our care, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/20th-century/london-wwi-memorials/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten years since our gardening team recreated the Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle, we meet landscapes advisor Emily Parker and head gardener Fiona Tansey to discover the story behind the garden, the Elizabethan garden style, the planting and features of the garden that visitors should look out for during a visit today and the activities planned to mark the anniversary, including 19 days of celebrations planned to commemorate Elizabeth I’s historic 19-day visit to the castle in the summer of 1575. To take an interactive tour of the garden and find out more visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/history-and-stories/elizabethan-garden/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As thoughts turn to holidays ahead, we join senior properties historian Andrew Hann to discover the role of the Victorians in popularising British beach holidays and seaside resorts. Learn how many of the things we now associate with a trip to the British seaside (fish and chips, promenades and piers) have their roots in the Victorian summer holiday, and how Queen Victoria herself developed a love of the seaside at her own private beach at Osborne on the Isle of Wight. You can find out more about life during the Victorian era here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/victorian/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the team at Stonehenge prepare to welcome thousands of visitors to celebrate the start of summer and see the sun rise between the stones on the longest day of the year, we head behind the scenes to meet Senior Properties Historian Dr Susan Greaney and Senior Property Curator Heather Sebire. Discover how the solstice informed the formation of the stones, how the solstice was originally celebrated here, the challenges of managing the solstice celebrations today and what you need to do if you want to join the festivities. To find out more about Stonehenge and Summer Solstice, visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/plan-your-visit/summer-solstice/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Mount Grace Priory in North Yorkshire, our gardening team are growing plants inspired by medieval monks across Europe with aphrodisiac, narcotic and hallucinogenic qualities and names like mandrake and deadly nightshade. Today these might sound like the stuff of storybook spells, but for medieval monks they were ingredients in everyday remedies to treat all kinds of complaints*. We asked our Senior Gardens Advisor for the North and Midlands, Dr Michael Klemperer, to help us uncover the stories behind some of the plants you’ll find in our garden. For more information about Mount Grace Priory, visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/history-and-stories/d-day-deception *Never consume any of the plants referenced without medical advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 75th anniversary of D-Day on Tuesday, 6 June 1944, we meet English Heritage’s senior properties historian Paul Pattison to discover the story of the Normandy landings, the other operations that fed into this turning point of the Second World War and how the iconic fortress of Dover Castle played its role. For more information about the D-Day deceptions, visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/history-and-stories/d-day-deception/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 70th anniversary of the publication of author George Orwell’s most famous novel 1984, presenter Charles Rowe interviews historian Howard Spencer to discover the story behind Orwell’s blue plaque in London and discuss how accurate he was in predicting the future. To find out more about our blue plaques scheme or order a copy of our guide to London’s Blue Plaques, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Stonehenge prepares to welcome visitors to its new exhibition, Conversations in Making, which opens on 24 May 2019, we headed to artist Linda Brothwell’s studio at Spike Island in Bristol to get a preview of her artwork about to go on display. The exhibition will feature a collection of 40 copper and silver bowls, beakers and vessels that form a portrait of the area, charting the connections between Stonehenge and the communities that have lived around the monument, both past and present. For more information, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/linda-brothwell/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We travel to Hampstead Heath in London to explore the breathtaking interiors and world-class art collection of Kenwood in the company of assistant curator Louise Cooling. Discover the story of this hidden gem, its former owners and its renowned collection of paintings, which remain free for everyone to enjoy today. To learn more about the history of the house and its treasures, or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we join food historian Annie Gray at Audley End House and Gardens in Essex to discover the story of Victorian cook Avis Crocombe, whose cookbook was discovered by a relative and donated to English Heritage. It provides a fascinating insight into the food that she prepared for Lord and Lady Braybrooke and their guests. More recently Mrs Crocombe has been featured as the main character in our popular series of YouTube videos in which a re-enactor prepares a selection of her original recipes. To watch the videos, go to www.youtube.com/englishheritage and search for The Victorian Way playlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We join Guy Hayward and Jason Goodwin from the British Pilgrimage Trust to walk a section of the South Dorset Old Stones Way – one of 10 historic trails taking in English Heritage sites en-route. Listen on to discover the meaning of pilgrimage, the mental and physical benefits of exploring our past, and what you can expect to discover along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A £2.3 million project called ‘Re-discovering Walmer’s Lost Pleasure Grounds’ has enabled us to restore two previously inaccessible areas of the award-winning gardens at Walmer Castle in Kent. Presenter Charles Rowe heads down to this Tudor fortress in Kent to meet senior properties historian Paul Pattison and head gardener Mark Brent to discover the story of the castle and its gardens, and find out what visitors can expect to see when the project is completed in the coming weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year English Heritage is celebrating the myths, legends and folklore connected to our properties, but where did these stories originate and how do they become rooted in the history of places? We interview leading expert Professor Ronald Hutton to discover the key elements of a really good myth, legend or folktale, how these stories endure and why there has recently been a resurgence of mythology in popular culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we interview senior properties historian Michael Carter to find out about Whitby Abbey’s role in setting the date for Easter celebrations, why it was selected to host the Synod and the wider significance of that decision. Following the completion of a £1.6 million project to transform Whitby Abbey’s visitor centre and museum, we also discover what visitors can find during a trip to the abbey today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most important anniversaries we are celebrating this year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of both Queen Victoria (24 May, 1819) and Prince Albert (26 August, 1819). In this launch episode of the podcast, presenter Charles Rowe interviews art curator Michael Hunter at Osborne, the royal couple’s beloved former holiday home on the Isle of Wight, to find out how they celebrated their birthdays here, the gifts they gave to each other, and the new exhibition and trail planned to honour the occasion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming soon - The English Heritage Podcast by English Heritage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices