British History Podcast

In this episode, Amy shares her extensive knowledge of the legendary King Arthur, exploring its origins, evolution, and cultural significance across Britain and Europe. Discover how myths are shaped by history, politics, and storytelling traditions, and learn about the places and characters that bring Arthur's legend to life. Watch this episode on Youtube - click here Buy Amy's Brilliant b...

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Gloucester History Festival, Philippa took to the stage with Andrew Ziminski, Master Mason and author of the fabulous book, 'Church Going.' As someone who has turned her passion for travelling the historical sites of the UK into a business, a job and a hobby all combined I absolutely delight in visiting churches. They come in all shapes and sizes, ages a...

In this interview with Dr Joanne Paul, to celebrate the paperback publication of her book 'Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England', we discussed Thomas More's relationship with Erasmus, More's surprisingly scatological response to Luther, his surprising views on Henry VIII's break with Rome and More's imprisonment and execution. There is bonus content available for this interview, at Patre...

Step beyond the myth and into the murky reality of one of Britain’s most infamous figures. In this episode, Philippa is joined by Mat Braddy and Darren Rapier, co-writers of a gripping new audio production, Turpin, which re-examines the life of the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin. Far from the romanticised rider of folklore, Turpin’s true story is darker, more complex, and rooted in the harsh rea...

The 1381 Peasant's Revolt has gone down in history as the first popular uprising in England, a violent reaction to a new tax, but that is no where near the full story. . Historian, author and presenter Matt Lewis (History Hit, the Gone Medieval podcast) joined me at Warwick Words history Festival ahead of his talk about this pivotal moment in history. . The website Matt mentioned is https://www.13...

Historian Nathen Amin sat down with me at Warwick Words History Festival before his talk on "The year of the 3 kings, 1483" to discuss Edward IV's lack of forward planning, the course of events which brought Edward V to London and into the Tower, and when Nathen thinks Richard, then Duke of Gloucester, decided he should not just act as Regent for his nephew, but take his crown and become king. Use...

Over the past few years Mudlarking, the pastime of scouring river banks for archeology, has become incredibly popular both with those who do it, and those who like to watch videos of, of hear about, new finds. Expert Mudlarker, Lara Maiklem joined me at Harvington History Festival where we talked about how tidal rivers become archaeological treasure troves, the challenges mudlarks face, and what i...

In Philippa’s discussion with historian Nicola Tallis about Lady Jane Grey, we covered some of her true story, achievements, and how perceptions have been shaped over time. We explored her intelligence, potential, and the importance of re-evaluating her legacy. This interview is also available to watch on the British History Youtube channel - click here Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Reflect...

Philippa sat down for a fascinating conversation with Ruth Goodman, a living history expert, and author of the ever popular 'How To Be a Tudor', among other books. Ruth explained her approach to living history and casual experimentation to verify historical practices, the importance of practical research in understanding daily routines, how clothing inventories and household tools reveal regional...

Tracy Borman joined Philippa on the British History channel to talk about her new novel ‘The House of Boleyn’. Get early access, BONUS content and ad-free viewing go to www. Patreon.com/BritishHistory and join for this and many other history lover benefits including discounts on events, exclusive talks, and to put your questions to future guests. This interview is out on 12th April on the British...

Through the eyes of Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray, collectively known as 'Roman Found,' we uncover the fascinating world of metal detecting. They share their journey—from their first finds to the stories behind ancient objects. We explore their passion for history, the research involved, and their plans for the future discoveries, as well as highlighting the importance of responsible archaeology...

In this episode, Jason tells us about his journey from his working-class background to becoming a celebrated Belfast historian, and surprising stories like the Belfast city cemetery's underground wall and Charlie Chaplin’s Belfast connection. We also talked about the challenges and rewards of being a public historian and content creator, and his upcoming books on Belfast’s streets and the Irish re...

In this interview with renowned Tudor art and cultural historian Professor Elizabeth Goldring, we go beyond the famous portraits of Hans Holbein the Younger and into his fascinating life — exploring the man behind the masterpieces. (Get early access to all historian interviews plus bonus content and the videos ad-free, so no interruptions at Patreon.com/BritishHistory) Elizabeth shared with me ins...

As complex figures go, you can’t get much more complex than Sir Thomas More. Was he a Saint? Was he a Sinner? Was he simply a man of his time? Dr Joanne Paul seeks to answer these questions in her book ‘Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England’ which explores More’s roles as a statesman, scholar, and martyr, and understand how his beliefs, actions, and the historical context shaped his endur...

Rogues, scallywags, fraudsters and criminals have all trodden the corridors of the UK Houses of Parliament. In this conversation with Philippa Lacey, Debbie Kilroy discusses the themes of her new book ‘Members Behaving Badly.’ The discussion covers political misbehaviour over the past 4 centuries, exploring various scandals, notorious figures, and the evolution of public perception regarding polit...

In my conversation with historian Dr. Lauren Johnson we discussed her biography of Margaret Beaufort, exploring Margaret’s complex life, maternal relationships, and political influence during the Wars of the Roses. We delved into Margaret's nurturing nature, her traumatic experiences as a mother, and her significant role in the Tudor dynasty. Lauren also addressed misconceptions about Margaret, hi...

I LOVED this conversation with Dr. Chris Laoutaris when I was able to ask him about the significance of Shakespeare's First Folio, the individuals involved in its creation, and the financial and legal challenges faced during its publication. Chris also talked about the role of John Hemmings and Henry Condal, the professionalisation of playwriting, and the impact of published plays on society. The...

In this episode Amy Jeffs and I delve into the themes of Amy's book 'Old Songs', exploring the intricate relationship between traditional ballads and social history. We discussed the unique structure of the book, which combines fiction and nonfiction, and the role of illustrations and music in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the origins and evolution of ballads, the impact of histor...

In this interview, Tracy Borman delves into the complexities surrounding the succession of the English crown from Elizabeth I to James VI of Scotland. She reveals how the story was manipulated through political spin and deceit. Philippa and Tracy talked about the various claimants to the throne, the challenges James faced during his reign, and the implications of Elizabeth's decisions regarding he...

In my conversation with Iain Dale, recorded at the Warwick Words History Festival, we explore the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher, focusing on her impact on British politics, her foreign policy, and the challenges she faced as a female leader. The discussion highlights the myths surrounding her leadership and aims to provide a nuanced understanding of her political strategies and decisions. I...

In this episode Philippa and historian Breeze Barrington, author of "The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of the Women at the Restoration Court,” where we delved into the lives of women at the court of Charles II and James II, focusing on Maria of Modena and the remarkable community of women she gathered.  Breeze shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of these women, highlight...

It's been long revealed that women worked at Bletchley Park, the top-secret codebreaking British intelligence service Head Quarters during World War II, but up until now it was thought that they were in menial administration roles, or tea makers! Dermot Turing's investigative work shows that many actually played a pivotal role in the codebreaking efforts of World War II and that this has long been...

Dr. Elizabeth Norton joined me to discuss female monarchs throughout history, exploring the challenges they faced, their roles in governance, and the cultural attitudes towards women in power. We talked about the complexities of female rule, the unique challenges of female-child monarchs, and why being a woman in power does not mean they are a feminist! Elizabeth is the author of a brand-new book...

I was joined by Dr Richard Blakemore, Associate Professor of History at the University of Reading and author of 'Enemies of All: The Rise and Fall of the Pirates' at Warwick Words History Festival to talk Pirates!! I began by asking what actually is a pirate but we also talked about women pirates and the reality vs the romanticised version of the life of a pirate, often seen in films. To buy Richa...

Helen Carr, author of 'Sceptred Isle. A new history of the 14th century' | Interview with Philippa You can also watch this interview on Youtube - click here Buy Helen's Book - Click Here I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http...