If It Ain't Baroque...

What do we know about the woman’s lot at the court of Charles II? Breeze Barrington’s new book The Graces (published by Bloomsbury ) explores the lives of several women of the Stuart court.  These ladies include Maria d’Este, a.k.a. Mary of Modena, consort to James VII & II, as well as those of her Maids of Honour: Anne Finch, a revered poet, Hortense Mancini, a favourite of Charles II, S...

Today we’re talking to Gareth Russell , a historian and author, whose book on the history of Hampton Court Palace we’ll be discussing today. It was published with William Collins in the UK and Atria Books in the USA. Welcome back, Gareth! Get Palace : https://www.williamcollinsbooks.co.uk/products/the-palace-from-the-tudors-to-the-windsors-500-years-of-history-at-hampton-court-gareth-russell-97800...

Today’s guest is Annie Whitehead, and we’re talking all things Mercia, the lost Kingdom of Anglo-Saxon England.  Welcome Back, Annie!  Annie Whitehead wrote a book the topic: Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom , published by Amberley . Find Annie : https://anniewhiteheadauthor.co.uk/ Murder in Anglo-Saxon England : https://www.amberley-books.com/murder-in-anglosaxon-england.html Merc...

On the 5th November 1605 many men were set up to lose their lives in a Catholic coup at the Palace of Westminster. One of those was the King of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The first British King.  Let’s talk about King James and get to know him better. Coming back to the podcast we have Steven Veerapen , who has penned James’ bio for Birlinn books, titled The Wisest Fool: The Lavish...

Today we’re talking to the Pulitzer winning author Michael Hiltzik , and we discuss his new book - The Golden State , all about the history of the great state of California. Published by Mariner Books in USA and Amberley in UK. Welcome, Michael! Get Golden State: https://www.waterstones.com/book/golden-state/michael-hiltzik/9781398109025 (UK) https://www.amberley-books.com/author-community-main-pa...

The Oscar season is around the corner, and William Shakespeare is once again frequenting the red carpet, so why not look back and talk about a film that won 7 (!) Academy Awards, and is literally one of the best films of all time when it comes to the bard. I’m talking of course, about Shakespeare in Love (1998). Joining me today is Darren Freebury-Jones, another fan of this oeuvre. Darren has writ...

Today we’re talking to Aimee Fleming , the author of the solo biography of Margaret More, the eldest daughter of Thomas More. Published by Pen & Sword. Margaret  was one of the most educated women of the Tudor era and definitely deserves her story told. Let’s find out more about her. Get Margaret More Roper : https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Female-Tudor-Scholar-and-Writer-Hardback/p/5...

Today we're talking to Vittoria, the curator at the Queen's House in Greenwich. Let's find out why this Stuart masterpiece is so special.   Find Royal Museums Greenwich : https://www.rmg.co.uk/ Find Pirates Exhibition: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/pirates Visit Greenwich (...best place to be) : https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/whats-on/pirates-exhibition-p2274551 F...

Today we’re talking to Rosemary Goring, and her latest book, which covers the exile years of one Mary, Queen of Scots. Let’s look at these years in more detail, and find out why those years hold the key to many of Mary’s mysteries. Published with Birlinn Books. Exile: https://birlinn.co.uk/product/exile/ https://www.waterstones.com/book/exile/rosemary-goring/9781780278384 Get Rosemary's Book Babi...

Today we have a very special guest, Michael Livingston and we’re going to talk about his new book - and why we need to change the label of the Hundred Years’ War. Published with Head of Zeus in UK and Basic Books in USA. Get Michael's Books : https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/two-hundred-years-war-9781035906369/ https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/agincourt-9781472855169/ https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/never...

Today our guest is Rachel Morris, who has just published a book on the home life of Renaissance Magicians, including one John Dee. Let’s cast some spells. Welcome, Rachel! Get Rachel's Books : https://septemberpublishing.org/product/the-years-of-the-wizard-the-strange-history-and-home-life-of-renaissance-magicians-hb/ https://septemberpublishing.org/product/the-museum-makers/ https://www.waterston...

Today we’re talking to Verity Babbs, who has just published a book, where she traces 500 years of art history, but in a very unique way. Welcome, Verity!  Get Verity's Book : https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/history-of-art-in-one-sentence-9781526686893/ https://www.hatchards.co.uk/book/the-history-of-art-in-one-sentence/verity-babbs/9781526686893 Find Verity : https://www.veritybabbs.com/ https:...

Let’s talk about Witches and James VI/ I. What drove him to seek action against them? Were witches persecuted under his mother MQS or his godmother Elizabeth I? What were the consequences of James’ obsession?  Today we’re talking to Steven Veerapen, who has just published a book on this topic. Get Witches: A King's Obsession : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witches-Kings-Obsession-Steven-Veerapen/d...

The 18th Century: Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Great Masculine Renunciation, life at sea, the slave trade. The new novel Ravenglass by Carolyn Kirby has all of that and more. Let’s find out how this book about Baroque-n-Roll Adventures of a Gender Fluid Seafarer came to be. Welcome, Carolyn! Get Ravenglass : https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/ravenglass-paperback Find Carolyn : https://www.car...

Today we’re talking to Olwen, a curator at Handel & Hendrix House here in London. It’s a museum where both George Frederic Handel once lived, the composer behind Zadok the Priest, used in coronations since the 18th century. Almost two centuries later, The same house was inhabited by the famous guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Let’s find out more. Find Handel & Hendrix House: https://tickets.handelh...

Please welcome Dr Elizabeth Norton back on the show, and let's talk about the female monarchs of the ages. Did you know the last elected female head of state is still alive? Did you know there exists a Queendom? How have the folk felt about reigning queens throughout time? What is the cost of female power to her and to her Kingdom? Let's dig in... Please find Dr Elizabeth Norton's books : Women Wh...

In the run up to the US Premiere of the play Three Queens by Rosamund Gravelle we are chatting to the playwright as well as not one, but two Marian historians - Dr Johanna Strong and Dr Peter Stiffell.  Three Queens is about to open at Gamut Theatre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The play is set on the eve of Jane Grey's execution, and the three royal ladies (one past ex Queen, one Queen R...

Ever wanted to time travel? Ever wanted to meet someone from the French Revolution? Well now you can. Please welcome to the show Sofia Briccio, or rather, through her we meet the witness from the Reign of Terror, Marianne. See the Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/revolution-stage-an-interactive-theatrical-experience-tickets-1514157890009 Find Marianne : https://www.instagram.com/marianne_revolut...

Please welcome to our 175th episode, which is also falls on our TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY! The playwright Liz Duffy Adams is on the podcast and today we’re talking about her play - Born with Teeth , currently at Wyndham's Theatre in London, starring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel where they play Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.  What was the inspiration behind this fictional (?) encoun...

Please welcome Dan E Parkes back to the podcast, the author of  Titanic Legacy: The Captain, the Daughter and the Spy with Amberley Publishing. He also has a Youtube channel called Captain Titanic where he searches for the truth about this great ship. This is the second part of our Titanic myth-busting, please turn your searchlights for the first part by scrolling up. There's a lot of mention...

Please welcome historian Susan Abernethy to the show, and we’ll be talking about her fabulous new book - Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza, published by Pen & Sword. Who was Catherine of Braganza? Why was this Portuguese princess best suited to be the next Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland? What dowry did she bring and what was her legacy? Let’s spill the...

Let's talk to Dr Owen Emmerson about the wonderful Anne Boleyn: The Musical , currently performed at Hever Castle. He was among the historical consultants for this masterpiece that gives life to Anne Boleyn, in a whole new way... Welcome, Owen! See the Musical: https://www.historalia.co.uk/information/ Find the Musical : https://www.instagram.com/anneboleynthemusical/ Find Owen: https://www.instag...

Today we have a very special episode: we have the writers and co-producer of the new musical The Queen is Mad about the rise and fall of Juana of Castile, the elder sister to Katharine of Aragon and daughter to Ferdinand and Isabella, the great Catholic monarchs. To make things even more special, we have acclaimed historian Heather R Darsie on the call as well to tell us what really happened back...

Today we're taking a peak behind the veil or behind the plank rather, of the new exhibition about Pirates at the National Maritime Museum in London. Let's find out what inspired this new display, and what is the journey the audience is about to embark upon...   Find Royal Museums Greenwich : https://www.rmg.co.uk/ Find Pirates: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national-maritime-museum/pirates V...

Anne Boleyn: The Musical has just opened at Hever Castle, so let's talk to Rebecca Night, who wrote its book and co-wrote its lyrics. Why is it important to tell Anne's story in her childhood home? What challenges did the production face when adapting a 16th century story for 21st century audiences? Why are we still so obsessed with Anne Boleyn? Tune in and find out...   See the Musical: http...