British History Podcast

Hello and Welcome! I'm Philippa and it’s great to see you here. I was honoured to be granted the first interview with Gareth Russell about his forthcoming book, a biography of James I of England/VI of Scotland, titled 'Queen James. The Life and Loves of Britain's First King' in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and ' The Six Loves of James I' in the USA and Canada. The release date for G...

Exactly 12 years apart, Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads to the axe. In Cromwell's case over 2 years after he'd died! In this episode, recorded live, Philippa covers how a king could be tried for treason (a crime which hitherto was a crime committed against a king), the reaction to the king's death and the revenge his son, Charles II took on his corpse! Useful Links: Wars of the Rose...

I had a great time chatting with Jonathan Healey about the 17th century. Rather than the political classes, which usually get the attention when talking about the upheavals of the 17th century, we talked about the what was happening to the people of England and in turn what influence they had on events. I would thoroughly recommend Jonathan's book 'The Blazing World. A New History of Revolutionary...

In this episode of 'British History Live' Philippa looks at the events of 29th January 1536. As Katherine of Aragon was laid to rest as Dowager Princess of Wales at Peterborough Cathedral, Anne Boleyn miscarried. Philippa explores Katherine's banishment, death, funeral and how, just as Anne thought her position was at its strongest and most secure, it all began to fall apart. Hi! I'm Philippa, wel...

Philippa is back, at a new time, for The British History Live Show, a live show discussing history stories and history in the news, every 2 weeks at 6:30pm UK time. This week sees the anniversaries of the coronation of England's Danish King Canute, the death of Edward the Confessor and the coronation of Harold Godwinson. Philippa discusses how Canute came to power in the beginning, how he elevated...

Barbara Villiers was Charles II's mistress from the time he became King (perhaps before) at the Restoration in 1660. I talked to Andrea Zuvich, the author of a new book 'Ravenous! Charles II's Most Infamous Mistress, Barbara Villiers' about Barbara's colourful life! Paid Substack subscribers have early access to this podcast episode. It will go on general release on 23rd October 2024 where it can...

Today I covered my recent private tour of Hatfield House where I was able to view the recently restored 'Rainbow Portrait' of Elizabeth I. I go into the symbolism and meaning in this famous image of the final Tudor monarch. Mentioned in this episode. Interview with Eleri Lynn on Tudor Fashion Find the Extended version and bonus material at Patreon.com/BritishHistory This is a public episode. If yo...

I am on the road today (check out my Instagram to see what I am up to @british_history_tours) but I have pre-recorded a special episode of Tea Time History Chat Live. Special guest, Amanda Glover joined me to talk about her groundbreaking research into the letter supposedly written by Anne Boleyn, to her husband Henry VIII, 4 days into her incarceration at the Tower of London and 13 days before he...

Last weekend I was at Bosworth for their annual medieval festival and battle reenactment where I met up with historian and author Nathen Amin to talk about his latest book 'Son of Prophecy. The Rise of Henry Tudor'. You can also watch this on Youtube and listen to it on the podcast. Join Patreon for an extra bonus 11 minutes with Nathen. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...

Welcome to this latest episode of Tea Time History Chat (almost) Live - this is a special episode as I am joined by Clare Clinton from West Horsley Place to talk about this one-time home of Henry VIII and the incredible history being uncovered! Links mentioned in this episode: WEST HORSLEY PLACE See what’s on and support this incredible place in its conservation and research into its history by vi...

In the run up to the release of her new book 'Republic. Britain's Revolutionary Decade 1649 - 1660' Professor Alice Hunt joined me for a fascinating interview about this country's only time without a monarch. Was it a 'blip', as the restored monarchy were keen to characterise it, or was there a good chance that the monarchy in Britain may never have been restored? We discussed the infighting, the...

In this special episode, I am very happy to bring you a walk around Hever Castle, reimagined as Anne Boleyn and her family, who lived here in the 16th century, would recognise it, with assistant curator Kate McCaffrey. Kate is an incredibly talented historian who loves to share her findings and work with as wide an audience as possible and is one of the brains behind this wonderful new permanent e...

On the anniversary of the birth of a very important little boy, we look at how his death almost exactly 11 years later led to a regime change for the British Isles. Join me for Tea Time History Chat Live this, and every Wednesday, at 3pm UK time. I stream live on Youtube and Facebook. For Book Club and to watch ad-free, extended historian interviews, join the British History Club at www. Patreon.c...

I actually have two special places for you today! Hever Castle Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn has always been a special place to visit, not least because you are moving around the space that she and her family once lived. With a new permanent exhibition at the Castle it is now easy to feel like you have travelled back in time and to the house of Thomas and Elizabeth Boleyn and the...

Arthur Tudor was the brother who died and left the way clear for his younger brother to become Henry VIII. Benjamin Streeter, who’s book ‘Arthur Prince of Wales, Henry VIII’s Lost Brother’ tells the story of Arthur’s life and early death, joined me to talk about what kind of person Arthur was, what his life was like and, of course, did he and Katherine of Aragon consummate their marriage. Paying S...

Inspired by my recent travels to Cyprus, in this episode we take a look into how the English King, Richard I, came to conquer the island of Cyprus. For Book Club and to watch ad-free, extended historian interviews, like the one I mentioned today, join the British History Club at www. Patreon.com/BritishHistory. You will also be able to pose your own questions to future guests, enjoy early access t...

I sat down over Zoom for a fascinating talk with Sharon Bennett Connolly where we discussed the women involved in the Anarchy. The main women being the Matildas; Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and Queen Matilda, wife of King Stephen. Paid Subscribers to the British History Substack enjoy early access to all the interviews released on this channel. British History is a reader-supported publi...

This week on Tea Time History Chat Live - the so-called Casket Letters and how they implicate Mary, Queen of Scots in the murder of her second husband, the father of her son James, Lord Darnley. Links also mentioned: Interview with Sharon Bennett Connolly 'The Women of the Anarchy' - This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...

I have been on the road for the past couple of days and one of my destinations was the World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey. In this episode I'll tell you about the abbey's interesting origin story and my visit. . I also have an update on 'The Catherine Howard Tour!' This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.subs...

There are many myths and legends about the so-called Peasant's Revolt of 1381. In this week's livestream I introduce you to the main elements of this uprising. What was it really about, who was involved and, what were the repercussions? Also this week, I announced a brand new tour for 2025! The Catherine Howard Tour is a 8 night/9 day tour with Catherine's biographer, award winning historian Garet...

For over 100 years we have been moving our clocks forward one hour in the Spring and back again one hour in the Autumn. In today's livestream I'll cover how this idea was first thought of and why it was introduced! I am also fresh back from The Anne Boleyn Tour so I'm sure that will come up too! You can get on the tour in 2025 by booking at www.britishhistoytours.com or emailing us at office@briti...

In 1554, Elizabeth (future Elizabeth I) was released from the Tower of London to house arrest at Woodstock. She had been held for weeks despite no evidence to implicate her in the recent Wyatt Rebellion to overthrow her half-sister Mary and put her on the throne. The date chosen was probably deliberate and could have been meant to send a message to Elizabeth that she was still alive only by the me...

This is Estelle’s second appearance on the British History channel, her first being in 2022 when we talked about Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, the focus of her brilliant book ‘Blood, Fire & Gold.’ Estelle is back to discuss the topic of her latest book, soon to be released, ‘Thorns, Lust & Glory’ which looks at Anne Boleyn’s time at, and links to, the French court, giving us a fresh perspec...

On 6th May 1682, HMS Gloucester struck a sandbank off the coast of Norfolk and sank. 250 men lost their lives. The ship had been carrying a very important person, the king's brother James, Duke of York. Some people even think he was to blame! The ship was rediscovered in 2007 and has been described as "the single most significant historic maritime discovery since the raising of the Mary Rose in 19...

When Anne Boleyn was arrested on 2nd May and taken to the Tower of London, this was the beginning of a carefully orchestrated scheme to bring down the Queen of England. Everything done was in careful balance of public and private. In this discussion I give extra insight into why Anne was not taken in through traitors' gate and why she had a private execution, and why both of these things were done...