Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the war poet Siegfried Sassoon. In 1916 the Military Cross was awarded to a captain in the Royal Welch Fusiliers for "conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy's trenches". The citation noted that he had braved "rifle and bomb fire" and that "owing to his courage and determination, all the killed and wounded were brought in". The hero in question was the poet, Siegfried Sassoon. And yet a year later, and at great personal risk, Sassoon publicly denounced the conduct of the war in which he had fought so well.Although famous for his bitter, satirical verses and his denunciation of the conduct of the war which landed him in Craiglockhart mental hospital there is much more to this man of contradictions. A mentor to Wilfred Owen, arch enemy of T.S. Eliot and the Modernist movement, his life included a string of homosexual affairs, a failed marriage, a religious conversion and several tumultuous arguments with literary friends. Notably Robert Graves. He was also an obsessive diarist and writer of autobiography and he continued to write poetry until his death, from cancer, in 1967. But how significant a poet is Siegfried Sassoon, what version of Englishness did this half-Jewish, homosexual cricket lover invent for himself and how do you explain the mind of a man who bitterly opposed the First World War, yet fought in it with an almost insane ferocity?With Jean Moorcroft Wilson, Lecturer in English at Birkbeck, University of London and a biographer of Sassoon; Fran Brearton, Reader in English and Assistant Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at the University of Belfast; Max Egremont, a biographer of Siegfried Sassoon

Philosopher and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg delves into William of Ockham's influential ideas, including Ockham's Razor and his turbulent life. The discussion explores Ockham's impact on political philosophy, his clashes with the Pope, and his enduring legacy in modern thought.

Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into the Siege of Orléans, discussing Joan of Arc's pivotal role in rescuing the city from the English. They explore the complex dynamics of French court politics, military incompetence, and religious hysteria. The podcast reflects on the significance of the battle in changing the course of the 100 Years' War and the histories of England and France.

Scientists delve into the world of Gravitational Waves, discussing their elusive nature, connection to Einstein's theories, and potential to reveal cosmic secrets. They explore the challenges of detecting these cosmic ripples, their impact on our understanding of the universe, and the technologies involved in their detection.

Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into Victorian Pessimism, exploring themes of anxiety, faith, and the future. Discussions range from Matthew Arnold's Dover Beach to Thomas Hardy's novels, reflecting on societal fears, religious challenges, and Darwin's impact on society. The episode uncovers the pessimistic tone of the era, addressing concerns about race, class, and cultural evolution in 19th-century England.

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Dutch Jewish Philosopher Spinoza with experts, exploring his radical departure from traditional beliefs, one substance philosophy, determinism challenging free will, knowledge grades, and intellectual passion. Controversial views on God, religion, and influence on Enlightenment and 19th-century thinkers like Walter, Diderot, and George Eliot.

Exploring the shift from epic narratives to intimate expressions in love poetry; Sappho's unconventional love triangles challenging norms; Evolution of love poetry from Greek to Roman times with deep emotional and political themes; Reflection on the decline of Roman love poetry under Augustus

Delve into the allure of symmetry in nature, art, and mathematics, from its aesthetic appeal to its pivotal role in understanding the universe. Explore its evolution from an artistic concept to a fundamental tool in group theory and quantum physics. Uncover the significance of symmetry in physics, Renaissance mathematics, and modern theories like special relativity. Gain insights into the mysterious monster symmetry and its connections to number theory. Discover the practical applications of group theory in neuroscience and balance, along with proposed new symmetries in fundamental physics.

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Opium Wars, a series of conflicts in the 19th Century which had a profound effect on British Chinese relations for generations. Thomas De Quincey describes the pleasures of opium like this: “Thou hast the keys of Paradise, O just, subtle and mighty opium”. The Chinese had banned opium in its various forms several times, citing concern for public morals, but private British traders continued to smuggle large quantities of opium into China from India. In this way, the opium trade became a way of balancing a trade deficit brought about by Britain's own addiction...to Indian tea.The Chinese protested against the flouting of the ban, even writing to Queen Victoria. But the British continued to trade, leading to a crackdown by Lin Tse-Hsu, a man appointed to be China's Opium Drugs Czar. He confiscated opium from the British traders and destroyed it. The British military response was severe, leading to the Nanking Treaty which opened up several of China's ports to foreign trade and gave Britain Hong Kong. The peace didn't last long and a Second Opium War followed. The Chinese fared little better in this conflict, which ended with another humiliating treaty.So what were the main causes of the Opium Wars? What were the consequences for the Qing dynasty? And how did the punitive treaties affect future relations with Britain?With Yangwen Zheng, Lecturer in Modern Chinese History at the University of Manchester; Lars Laamann, Research Fellow in Chinese History at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London; Xun Zhou, Research Fellow in History at SOAS, University of London

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 7th century saint, Hilda, or Hild as she would have been known then, wielded great religious and political influence in a volatile era. The monasteries she led in the north of England were known for their literacy and learning and produced great future leaders, including 5 bishops. The remains of a later abbey still stand in Whitby on the site of the powerful monastery she headed there. We gain most of our knowledge of Hilda's life from The Venerable Bede who wrote that she was 66 years in the world, living 33 years in the secular life and 33 dedicated to God. She was baptised alongside the king of Northumbria and with her royal connections, she was a formidable character. Bede writes: “Her prudence was so great that not only indifferent persons but even kings and princes asked and received her advice”. Hild and her Abbey at Whitby hosted the Synod which decided when Easter would be celebrated, following a dispute between different traditions. Her achievements are all the more impressive when we consider that Christianity was still in its infancy in Northumbria. So what contribution did she make to establishing Christianity in the north of England? How unusual was it for a woman to be such an important figure in the Church at the time? How did her double monastery of both men and women operate on a day-to-day basis? And how did she manage to convert a farmhand into England's first vernacular poet?With John Blair, Fellow in History at The Queen's College, Oxford; Rosemary Cramp, Emeritus Professor in Archaeology at Durham University; Sarah Foot, Professor of Early Medieval History at Sheffield University.