Fern Riddell

Why do we celebrate Christmas with cards, crackers and a tree? Join us as we travel back and explore the weird and wonderful history of the Victorian Christmas. Just who the Dickens had the idea to bring trees indoors? Can a soft-drinks firm really take credit for Father Christmas’s red suit? And why did the Victorians send each other such bizarre Christmas cards? Greg Jenner is joined in the studio by historian Dr Fern Riddell and comedian Russell Kane. Produced by Cornelius Mendez Scripted and researched by Greg JennerA Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4

In this engaging discussion, historian Fern Riddell, author of "Victoria's Secret: The Private Passion of a Queen," dives into the controversial rumored romance between Queen Victoria and her Highland servant John Brown. Riddell reveals her exciting discoveries, including new letters that hint at their deep emotional connection and societal implications of their bond. The conversation explores the intriguing possibility of a secret marriage and a potential child, while re-framing Queen Victoria's emotional complexity beyond her widowhood.

AN Wilson, a biographer and historian, teams up with Fern Riddell, a historian focused on Victorian sexuality, Sarah Williams, a research professor on Victorian social reform, and Matthew Stallard, an expert on Victorian imperialism. Together, they unpack misconceptions of 'Victorian values' and discuss the complexities of Victorian sexual culture, social reformations like the fight against child labor, and the legacy of figures such as Josephine Butler. They explore the intricate contradictions of the era, from civic pride to the darker aspects of power and morality.