Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) want a story of a girl knight. So they tell the story of Joan of Arc, the French heroine who turned the tide of The Hundred Years War.----more----   We learn how England’s Henry V and his archers crushed the French knights at the Battle of Agincourt. He then agreed to that he will succeed the old French king. Everything is thrown into turmoil when Henry V dies. The French King’s son, the Dauphin fights back. But the English archers are invincible, the English occupy Paris, and the Dauphin can’t even be properly crowned King at the traditional Cathedral of Rheims.   Then a French peasant girl, Joan of Arc, appears at the French Court. She had made her way there across enemy territory disguised as a man. She says that angels have told her to help throw the English out of France. At first the Dauphin does not believe her. But he and the priests test her and she passes every test.   They give her armour and a banner and she leads his armies in battle at the critical battle of Orleans. Joan and her army smash through the English lines and save the city. Then in the pursuit there is a pitched battle between the English and the French. This time the French knights ride down the English archers in a stunning victory. The military power of the English is broken. Joan and the Dauphin march on Rheims and the Dauphin is crowned King. Joan continues fighting. But the French nobles do not support her. In one battle she is pulled off her horse and captured. The English put her on trial for saying that angels were talking to her and for dressing as a man. They find her guilty and she is burned to death at the stake. But her efforts had turned the tide. The French went on to win The Hundred Year War. If you liked this episode you might like our episode on “Jousting with the Royal Armouries” which includes a description of a Tournament in the Hundred Years War. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/jousting-with-the-royal-armouries/ Or you might like our story of Richard III and the Wars of the Roses. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-wars-of-the-roses-and-richard-iii/  

Cleopatra echoes through history. But who really was she? Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) explore her life. We hear of her dreams for Egypt, her alliance with Rome and her love for Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony.----more---- We explore how she was maligned by Roman historians. But through the trials and tribulations are the tale of a brave woman confronting the prejudices of her age. We explore her world of Ptolemaic Egypt and how it differed from Ancient Egypt. We live her battle with her brother as she grows up in a sexist, patriarchal society. We follow her as she is delivered by carpet to Caesar (DHL and Fedex eat your heart out). We appreciate how Roman jealously of her, and of Caesay destroyed Rome from within. Then in a twist we see how her love affair with Mark Antony led to the final destruction of the Roman Republic and the Emperorship of Octavian / Augustus. All with songs, music and sound effects. - What was Egypt under the Ptolemies. - Who really was Cleopatra - What was happening in the Roman Republic - Of Caesar and Pompey - Caesar’s defence of Alexandria - How Cleopatra and Caesar fell in love – the carpet - Caesar’s conquest of the East – Veni, Veni, Veci - Roman jealously against Caesar - The Ides of March - The betrayal of Brutus - The Murder of Caesar - The revenge of Octavian and Antony - The Second Triumvirate - The breach between Octavian and Antony - The Battle of Actium - The Death of Antony - The Death of Cleopatra - The Empire of Augustus If you like this episode then you might like our Roman Empire Episode: https://www.historystorytime.com/e/roman-empire-people-and-society/ Or our Hannibal episode: https://www.historystorytime.com/e/hannibal-and-his-elephants-cross-the-alps/ Or our Boudicca episode: https://www.historystorytime.com/e/boudicca-and-the-roman-conquest-of-britain/ Or our Fall of Rome episode: https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-and-the-end-of-roman-britain/  

This week Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (age 5) team up with Chloe from the Royal Armouries – the UK’s National Museum of Arms and Armour - to tell the story of Jousting. We follow the history of jousting from its beginnings as training for warfare to an increasingly stylised spectator sport. We track some of the great tournament specialists – the celebrities of their age. And we dive into one of the Great Tournaments of medieval England.----more----   We learn the rules of jousting – what to do and what not to do. We see the comparisons between the film the Knight’s Tale and the real thing. We experience the drama as knights get trapped in their helmets and a King of France is killed while jousting. We discover the growing importance of chivalry as part of what it meant to be a knight. We learn how the equipment started to serve a decorative, fashion purpose. We discover the different aspects to a tournament – it was not just about the jousting. We follow the crowd in England as they enjoy a spectacular tournament and we experience it through the eyes of a medieval observer. Noble ladies lead knights by silver chains through the streets of London to cheering crowds. And a French knight wins an English Grand Tournament in London in the middle of the Hundred Years’ War.   We also see how and why the joust declined and then ended as a sport.   If you like this episode you might also like our episode on Matilda and the Anarchy. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/queen-matilda-knights-and-eels/   Or you might also like our episode on the Wars of the Roses and Richard III. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-wars-of-the-roses-and-richard-iii/   You can find out more about the Royal Armouries, their spectacular Museum in Leeds, their Fort Nelson in Portsmouth, and their displays of armour and guns at the Tower of London here: https://royalarmouries.org/

Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690, and how it helped secure the Glorious Revolution for William, Prince of Orange. ----more---- James II is King of England, Scotland and Ireland. But he is also a Catholic. Many people – especially in England and Scotland are very worried about that. So William of Orange is invited over with his wife Mary to become King of England, Scotland and Ireland. James flees to France rather than fight. William and the English Parliament agree a new constitutional settlement. A Protestant supremacy is secured and also the rights of Parliament are guaranteed. Meanwhile an ambitious King Louis XIV sees his plans for European domination damaged. So he helps James II to try to retake his throne. This time though Louis is up against not just the Protestant countries but the Pope and his allies too. Everyone is scared of Louis’ ambition. James’ army find the gates of Londonderry / Derry shut to them by the Ulster Protestants. This gives time for William to come to Ireland with his well trained but pan European army. He defeats the James II at the Battle of the Boyne. James flees to France again. William and Mary now rule England, Scotland and Ireland. The Glorious Revolution is secure. We cover how much of the war was really about geo-politics and a family feud and rather than just religion. And we talk about the irony that a battle which is seen as symbolic of the wars between Protestants and Catholics actually had the Pope on the so called Protestant side. Having had help from the excellent Museum of the Battle of the Boyne we also talk about how some of the weaponry of the period actually worked. Explore Protestant and Catholic Europe Learn how James II loses the confidence of his nobles We learn of the secret communications between William and the English nobility We follow William’s invasion We see how James II fled rather than fight for his throne We understand the settlement that William came to which led to the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement. We put these in their historical context. We follow the machinations of King Louis XIV, determined to rebuild his alliances. We follow James’ army as it marches to Londonderry / Derry. We hear the closing of the gates by the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Finally we re-live the excitement of the Battle of the Boyne. William’s outflanking manouvre fails. But his Dutch Guards storm across the River Boyne Held up by Jacobite cavalry charges, the battle is won when William gets his Ulster cavalry across the river. James then flees to France again. The Glorious Revolution is secure We finally discuss how some people celebrate the battle today on Orange marches in Northern Ireland. If you are interested in more on this period you might like our Great Fire of London Episode Apple: https://link.historystorytime.com/Apple-Great-Fire-London Other: https://link.historystorytime.com/Great-Fire-London Or you might like our War of Austrian Succession and Jacobite Rebellion episode in which James’ Grandson, Bonnie Prince Charlie, tried to avenge the Battle of the Boyne with the Highlanders at Culloden. Apple: https://link.historystorytime.com/Apple-Austrian-Succession Other: https://link.historystorytime.com/Austrian-Succession      

Sophie and Ellie tell the story about Alexander Hamilton to help them understand the story told in the Musical – which comes out on Disney this week. The girls have heard some of the songs from Hamilton the Musical. But they don’t really understand the full story. So together we learn the life story of Alexander Hamilton. ----more---- Obviously we don’t use any of the songs. But we do explain some of the phrases used in the musical through some of the lines. For example, we explain what the phrase “right hand man” means and what the US constitution is and what the Federalist Papers were. And we echo some of the concerns that are raised by the Musical about the rights of women and black people by the musical. We tell the story of: Hamilton’s birth and upbringing Hamilton’s friendships in America How Britain and America came to war in the Revolutionary War The efforts of loyalists like Sam Seabury The intervention of the French and Lafayette The Battle of Yorktown The French Revolution and how Hamilton kept America out of it The election of 1800 and the election of Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton and the Reynolds affair The duel with Aaron Burr We also explain how the benefits of the revolution did not come to women or to black people And we explain why the cast of Hamilton are black and latino. Finally we explain how people felt about Alexander Hamilton after he was gone. If you are interested in finding out more about Alexander Hamilton or George Washington then you might like our Battle of Yorktown episode. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/george-washington-and-the-battle-of-yorktown/ You can also find out more about George Washington’s early life in our War of Jenkins Ear episode. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-war-of-jenkins-ear-and-washingtons-home/ And you can learn about the founding of America in our Jamestown episode https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-jamestown-settlement-and-the-real-pocahontas/  

On the anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, Sophie and Ellie tell the story of the ship of West Indians that transformed Britain and what happened next. ----more----   They learn about the Windrush’s journey from the Jamaica to Britain and the West Indians who came looking for jobs in a Britain rebuilding after the War. We listen to a newsreel of how the Windrush immigrants were perceived as they first arrived. We learn how they struggled with their first few weeks in the underground station at Clapham. Then see how they found jobs and settled in places like Brixton and Notting Hill. We see how the NHS, London Transport and other actively recruited people from the West Indies. But we also learn about the racism that the West Indians experienced.   The girls talk about their own mixed race background to put it in context. They learn about how their Great Grandfather came to Britain as a West Indian immigrant in the 1940s. The whole immigration discussion is placed in the context of this historic immigration from ancient times. We use an original song to illustrate this.   We end by celebrating how our diversity is the strength of Britain. What is immigration Immigration through the ages The post war labour shortage in Britain The Windrush sets sail News coverage of the arrival of the Windrush How the Windrush passengers stayed underground at first in Clapham Why so many of the Windrush generation settled in Brixton and Notting Hill The efforts made to encourage more West Indians to come to Britain The racism experienced by West Indians, including by some police. An extensive discussion between the girls of what racism means to them The culture that the West Indians brought with them that became part of British culture.   If you like this episode you might like our Slave Trade episode https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-slave-trade/

On the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 5) explore the famous battle which ended Napoleon’s rule. ----more---- We start with the French revolution and how that led to the Napoleonic Empire. We then learn how a disastrous march on Moscow saw Napoleon’s army destroyed by the Russian winter. Chased across Europe, Napoleon is forced to abdicate and the old Bourbon rulers return. Just a few month later Napoleon makes a daring escape in what became known as the Hundred Days. We follow his small army as his confront the King’s army and through through the force of his own personality persuaded them to join him. All of Europe unites against him. But Napoleon attacks first. Crossing the border into Belgium he defeats Marshal Blucher at Ligny. Thinking the Prussians are now out of it, Napoleon attacks Wellington at Waterloo. We follow the seesaw of the Battle of Waterloo as French attacks and British counter attacks go in. Then we relive the high drama as Napoleon realises that Marshal Blucher has come to attack him. Then Napoleon makes the fateful decision to sent in his Imperial Guard for one final attack on the British lines. All brought to life with music, song and lots of excitement French revolution Napoleon becomes Emperor Success built on domestic reforms and military success Disaster in Russia sees the destruction of Napoleon’s empure and his abdication. Napoleon returns for the Hundred Days and makes himself Emperor again. Napoleon smashes Blucher at the Battle of Ligny Napoleon and Wellington face off at Waterloo We learn about the Wellington’s strong position at Waterloo and his tactics Napleons attacks go in but are blunted The Prussians arrive Napoleon sends in his Imperial Guard The Imperial Guard are defeated and the French army are routed for the Waterloo battlefield Napoleon is exiled and imprisoned on the barren Island of St Helena. If you like this episode then you might like our episode about the French revolution: https://www.historystorytime.com/e/the-french-revolution-and-the-guillotine/

Sophie and Ellie ask about the Black Lives Matter protests. So we tell the story about the Slave Trade and the legacy it leaves. We learn about the transatlantic slave triangle of Europe, West Africa and the Americas. Sophie tells us about the brutality of slavery. Both children are astonished to hear of their own slave ancestry from the West Indies. But then they look on aghast as they discover their own family history includes not just slaves but also a slaver. ----more----   They reflect on how so many people got rich from slavery. They discuss how they feel about people like Edward Colston, the rich Bristol slaver, who got rich from slavery but spent the money on schools and hospitals. Finally we reflect on the words of Martin Luther King and how we should all strive to judge people by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin. Black Lives Matter protests The history of slavery in the ancient and medieval world The economics of the slave trade – the Triangle The involvement of Africans nations in slavery Why African nations got involved in selling slaves The Europeans build forts and trading posts in Africa The infamous “middle passage” and the horrors of slavery The slave markets and practice of slavery in the Americas Family history in which Sophie and Ellie learn there are slaves and slavers in their family Understanding how countries like Britain got rich from slavery Discussing how we feel about the fact that the wealth from slavery built so many good things but off the misery of so many Learning about Edward Colston and his involvement in the slave trade and the life of Bristol. Reflecting on the wise words of Martin Luther King on race.   If you like this episode then you might also like our Columbus episode which instigates the Transatlantic slave trade era. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/columbus-and-the-discovery-of-the-new-world/   Or you might like our episode on the Roman Empire in which we learn about another slave society. https://www.historystorytime.com/e/roman-empire-people-and-society/

This week is the anniversary of the 1940 evacuation at Dunkirk in World War Two. Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 5) tell the story of how against all the odds the British army was saved from the Dunkirk beaches.   ----more---- Hitler’s plans for victory in World War Two are thwarted as the British Army makes its escape. The story is full of twists and turns so extraordinary that it became known as the Miracle of Dunkirk. We feel the fear as the German tanks close in on Dunkirk thanks to their Blitzkrieg tactics. Sophie and Ellie put themselves in shoes of a British solder waiting on the beaches for rescue. An original song brings the excitement to life as the Small Ships come into view. Afterwards Winston Churchill reminds the country that wars are not won by evacuations. Songs, music, sound and humour bring the story to life. Germany attacks Poland We learn about the Blitzkrieg tactics The Germans outflank the Maginot line The Panzers race behind the British and French Armies The British and French fall back on Dunkirk The French buy time with a brave defence at Lille Hitler give his “Halt” order to the Panzers. We explore the different reasons why Hitler gave this order The Royal Navy tries to rescue the soldier from the beaches We discuss why this was so difficult The call goes out for the small ships to help. We experience life on board one of the small ships as it faces German air attack We learn what people thought back home of the soldiers Winston Churchill’s words ring out across time as we hear his actual radio address Britain may have got her army home, but we learn how it is denuded of tanks and equipment. Britain now lies defended only by the Navy and Airforce The scene is set for the Battle of Britain. If you like this episode you might also enjoy our Battle of Britain episode: https://www.historystorytime.com/e/ww2-the-battle-of-britain-and-winston-churchill/

We learn about the Fall of the Roman Empire and the End of Roman Britain. Sophie and Ellie help tell the story of how the continuous barbarian attacks, corruption, overmighty generals and a manpower shortage led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. We dive into the story of Britain to show what this meant for one part of the Empire. Then we go to Rome itself for the Sacking of Rome in 410AD. Sophie sings a song which brings to life the abandonment of Britain by Rome. ----more---- Britain is now reconciled to Roman rule. The era of Boudicca is long past. Britain is heavily garrisoned with Roman soldiers to keep out the Irish, the Picts, the Angles and the Saxons. But the Roman Empire is getting weak. It is so big that the Empire is divided into a Western and an Eastern half. But this just fatally weakens it more. Corruption takes money away from funding the army Disease sweeps through the empire giving it a manpower problem The Roman Empire reacts by inviting tribes into the Empire to help defend it. But this just brings their enemies within the borders The Generals all want to be Emperor themselves. Their fighting weakens the Roman Empire Magnus Maximus takes the Roman legions to the continent to help make himself Emperor When he loses the legions are not replaced. Soldiers are taken off Hadrians Wall to defend Rome Then the final Roman soldiers go to help drive back the Goths who have stormed across the frozen River Rhine. Britain is defenceless. The Roman Emperor writes to the Britons to tell them that they are on their own. But none of this is enough to save the Western Roman Empire The Goth storm the city and sack Rome. After more and more attacks the Western Roman Empire is abolished. If you’ve liked this episode you might like Our story of how Hannibal tried to defeat Rome with his elephants https://www.historystorytime.com/e/hannibal-and-his-elephants-cross-the-alps/ Our story of Boudicca’s doomed revolt against Rome https://www.historystorytime.com/e/boudicca-and-the-roman-conquest-of-britain/ Or our exploration of the Roman Empire at the height of its power https://www.historystorytime.com/e/roman-empire-people-and-society/