Living History with the Countess of Derby

The surrender at Yorktown is often remembered as the end of one story - Britain defeated, America free. But in reality, it was also the beginning of another: a reshaping of Anglo-American relations that continues to echo today. Andrew O'Shaughnessy joins us to reflect on Cornwallis’s legacy, both as a man and as a symbol of imperial change. Far from a coward, Cornwallis emerges as a complex reform...

The surrender at Yorktown is often remembered as a simple, symbolic defeat. But in reality, it was layered with diplomacy, ritual, and quiet gestures of civility. PhD researcher Iris joins us to examine Cornwallis’s absence from the public ceremony - often branded as cowardice - and to reveal a far more significant encounter: Cornwallis’s private meeting with Washington in the general’s oval tent....

The Siege of Yorktown was brutal, chaotic, and decisive. In this episode, Historian Andrew O’Shaughnessy takes us inside the battle: the strategies, the setbacks, the personal stories that reveal the human cost of war. French forces, enslaved fighters, and local civilians all played crucial roles. At the centre of it all stood Cornwallis, a general tasked with holding the line against impossible o...

The American Revolution was not just a colonial conflict, it was also a crisis of politics, power, and identity in Britain itself. In this opening episode, Andrew Roberts and Andrew O’Shaughnessy join us to explore how British politics shaped the path to Yorktown and beyond. We discuss Charles Cornwallis’s early opposition to the Stamp Act, his sympathy for colonial grievances, and his evolution i...

Diplomacy and Defeat: The Untold Story of Yorktown In the first season of Tribute , I explored the Legacy of the 14th Earl of Derby , a man whose instincts for reform and conciliation helped to ease tensions at home and steer Britain away from potential revolutionary upheaval. In this new season, we turn our attention to a figure, and an event, where reform proved insufficient, and the consequence...

Episode Description: In this final episode of Tribute , we explore two defining aspects of the 14th Earl of Derby’s life: his contributions to literature and his role in the abolition of slavery in the British colonies. A scholar, poet, and writer, Stanley’s extensive travels shaped both his worldview and his literary output. His encounters with different cultures and ideas influenced some of the...

Episode Description: The 14th Earl of Derby was more than a statesman—he was a visionary who shaped both British horse racing and education reform. His passion for the turf wasn’t just about sport; it reflected his belief that merit mattered more than privilege, a philosophy that carried into his political life. This episode explores how his love of racing broke down class barriers and how his 183...

Episode Description: In the heart of Parliament Square, among statues of history’s most celebrated figures, stands a tribute to a man largely overlooked today—Edward Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby. Known as The Forgotten Prime Minister , he was Britain’s longest-serving Conservative leader, a political reformer, and a champion of social progress. In this debut episode of Tribute , host Caro...

Benjamin Disraeli once said of the 14th Earl of Derby that his legacy would be that he educated Ireland, abolished slavery, and reformed Parliament. Yet today, he is known as the forgotten Prime Minister. Welcome to Tribute , a podcast dedicated to honouring history’s most impactful yet overlooked figures. In our debut season, we explore the life and legacy of the 14th Earl of Derby - a statesman...

Episode Description: Welcome to “Living History with the Countess of Derby,” where I, the Countess of Derby, take you on a journey through some of the most captivating moments in British and American history. This podcast delves into the stories behind some of the most influential figures, events, and places that have shaped our world. From the Victorian era’s most significant politicians and thei...

Episode Description: On this very special bonus episode, the Countess of Derby sits down with architectural historian Dr John Martin Robinson FSA to discuss the architecture of Knowsley Hall. In the episode, Lady Derby learns how the Stanley rebuilt their family seat after Lathom House was destroyed, and Dr Robinson explains the significant and unique architectural facets of the house, and Lady De...

Episode Description: In this episode, the Countess of Derby meets John Phibbs, Dr David Jacques and Dr Clemency Fisher to explore the fascinating story behind how the park and gardens at Knowsley were created. They discuss Capability Brown, what he did on the estate and why he’s considered England's greatest gardener. Lady Derby also learns how the 13th Earl built the largest private zoo ever and...

Episode Description: In this episode, the countess of Derby meets Geoffrey Hicks and Dr. Jennifer Davey to discuss the life of the former prime minister, the 14th Earl of Derby, and how a journey to the USA would inspire him to pass anti-slavery legislation in Britain. The team explore how the 14th Earl helped drastically reform education in Ireland and why, despite entering 10 Downing street thre...

Episode Description: In today’s episode, Lady Derby sits down Alexandra Mayson and her husband Edward 19th Earl of Derby, to explore the history & association of horse racing to the Earls of Derby. In their conversation, Alexandra and Lord Derby explain which family members had more passion than others for racing and why it isn’t just the sport of kings but has always been a sport for everyone...

Episode Description: This time on the podcast, Lady Derby meets Dr. Richard Stephens and Dr. Stephen Lloyd where we spoke about our incredible Derby Collection - and the story behind the many breathtaking and fascinating works of art that comprises it. In the episode, they discuss the many masterpieces in the Derby collection, and some that were lost to time including works by Rembrandt and da Vin...

 Episode Description: This time Lady Derby is joined by historians Professor Elspeth Graham and author Dr Vanessa Wilkie to discuss the history of patronage, theatrical performance and connection between William Shakespeare and Knowsley Hall. In the episode, they explore why theatrical performance was so important for prominent families in the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods and how this led to...

 Episode Description: In the first episode of this special season about Knowsley Hall and the history of the Stanley family, Lady Derby meets Dan Snow and Dr William Shannon to discuss the history of Knowsley Hall, Lathom House and the Stanley family, from the 14th century up until the mid-17th century. In the episode, we hear how Sir Thomas Stanley placed the English crown on his stepson, Henry...