In Our Time: History

In this engaging discussion, Chris Clark, a historian of modern Germany, Colin Storer, an expert on the Weimar Republic, and Anna von der Goltz, a modern German history scholar, delve into the life and legacy of Paul von Hindenburg. They explore his military fame, the controversial 'stab in the back' myth, and the political dynamics of his presidency. Key moments include his dual election victories and the fateful decision to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, revealing the complexities of his influence and the enduring questions surrounding his legacy in German history.

Holly Stevens, Derek Kramer, and Nuri Kim, esteemed scholars in Korean studies, delve into the fascinating history of the Korean Empire. They discuss King Gojong's declaration as Emperor in 1897 amidst shifting regional powers and its implications for Korean sovereignty. The guests explore Korea's struggle for independence against external threats from China and Japan, the tension between modernization and tradition, and the rise of nationalism. Their insights reveal the complex legacy of this brief but transformative period in Korean history.

In this intriguing discussion, guests Seán Duffy, a medieval historian specializing in Brian Boru, Máire Ní Mhaonaigh, an expert in Celtic studies, and Alex Woolf, who focuses on medieval culture, explore the pivotal Battle of Clontarf from 1014. They delve into the political landscape of medieval Ireland, the power struggles involving the Vikings, and Brian Boru’s tactical genius. The conversation also touches on the battle’s legacy, the varying historical accounts, and how these narratives have shaped Irish identity and resistance throughout the centuries.

In this conversation, Kathryn Tempest, a Roman history lecturer, Catherine Steel, a professor of Classics, and Federico Santangelo, an ancient history expert, delve into the tragic tale of the Gracchi brothers. They discuss Tiberius's land reforms aimed at helping soldiers and Gaius's ambitious proposals for cheap grain and senatorial accountability. The brothers’ populist efforts ignited fierce elite backlash, culminating in their assassinations, which marked a chilling turn towards political violence in Rome and foreshadowed the rise of emperors.

In this discussion, Lindsay Allen, a Senior Lecturer in Ancient Greek and Near Eastern History, Lynette Mitchell, a Professor Emerita in Classics, and Mateen Arghandehpour, a researcher at Oxford, delve into the intricate history of Cyrus the Great. They examine the dual nature of his legacy, contrasting his reputation as a liberator with his brutal conquests. The conversation highlights the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder, debates on its status as a human rights document, and how Cyrus's political strategies fostered tolerance and stability within his vast empire.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536), the youngest child of the newly dominant Spanish rulers Ferdinand and Isabella. When she was 3, her parents contracted her to marry Arthur, Prince of Wales, the heir to the Tudor king Henry VII in order to strengthen Spain's alliances, since Henry's kingdom was a longstanding trade partner and an enemy of Spain's greatest enemy, France. For the next decade Catherine had the best humanist education available, preparing her for her expected life as queen and drawing inspiration from her warrior mother. She arrived in London to be married when she was 15 but within a few months she was widowed, her situation uncertain and left relatively impoverished for someone of her status. Rather than return home, Catherine stayed and married her late husband's brother, Henry VIII. In her view and that of many around her, she was an exemplary queen and, even after Henry VIII had arranged the annulment of their marriage for the chance of a male heir with Anne Boleyn, Catherine continued to consider herself his only queen.With Lucy Wooding Langford Fellow and Tutor in History at Lincoln College, University of Oxford and Professor of Early Modern History at Oxford Maria Hayward Professor of Early Modern History at the University of SouthamptonAnd Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer Lecturer in Global Medieval and Early Modern History at the University of BristolProducer: Simon Tillotson In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Michelle Beer, Queenship at the Renaissance Courts of Britain: Catherine of Aragon and Margaret Tudor, 1503-1533 (Royal Historical Society, 2018)G. R. Bernard, The King's Reformation: Henry VIII and the Remaking of the English Church (Yale University Press, 2007)José Luis Colomer and Amalia Descalzo (eds.), Spanish Fashion at the Courts of Early Modern Europe (Centro de Estudios Europa Hispanica, 2014), especially vol 2, 'Spanish Princess or Queen of England? The Image, Identity and Influence of Catherine of Aragon at the Courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII' by Maria HaywardTheresa Earenfight, Catherine of Aragon: Infanta of Spain, Queen of England (Penn State University Press, 2022)John Edwards, Ferdinand and Isabella: Profiles In Power (Routledge, 2004)Garrett Mattingley, Catherine of Aragon (first published 1941; Random House, 2000)J. J. Scarisbrick, Henry VIII (first published 1968; Yale University Press, 1997)David Starkey, Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII (Vintage, 2004)Giles Tremlett, Catherine of Aragon: Henry's Spanish Queen (Faber & Faber, 2011)Juan Luis Vives (trans. Charles Fantazzi), The Education of a Christian Woman: A Sixteenth-Century Manual (University of Chicago Press, 2000)Patrick Williams, Catherine of Aragon: The Tragic Story of Henry VIII's First Unfortunate Wife (Amberley Publishing, 2013)Lucy Wooding, Henry VIII (Routledge, 2009)

Michael Rowe, a Reader in European History, Heidi Mehrkens, a Lecturer in Modern European History, and Colin Jones, a Professor Emeritus of History, dive into the transformative Battle of Valmy. They explore how the French army's surprising tactics turned the tide against Prussian and Austrian forces. The discussion highlights the emotional power of 'La Marseillaise' and the political ramifications of the battle, including the swift abolition of the monarchy, signaling a new era in both French and European history.

Judith Mossman, an expert in Plutarch's works, and Andrew Erskine, a specialist in ancient history, delve into the fascinating world of Plutarch's 'Parallel Lives.' They discuss how Plutarch compared famous Greeks and Romans, emphasizing virtues and vices. The duo examines his influence on Shakespeare's storytelling, particularly in works like 'Julius Caesar.' They also explore Plutarch's unique method of pairing historical figures, revealing lessons on morality and leadership that resonate through centuries.

Andreas Gestrich, a historian from Trier University, Elaine Chalus, a British history expert from the University of Liverpool, and Mark Knights, a Warwick historian specializing in political history, dive into the Hanoverian Succession crisis. They discuss the intense political maneuvering after Queen Anne's reign, the urgency for a Protestant heir, and the implications of the 1701 Act of Settlement. The complexities of British and Hanoverian relations surface as they explore tensions leading to the Jacobite Rebellion and the cultural shifts of the early 18th century.

Mike Edmunds, an expert in the Antikythera Mechanism and Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics, joins science journalist Jo Marchant and Liba Taub, Professor Emerita in the History and Philosophy of Science. They delve into the fascinating 2000-year-old artefact, revealing how it reshapes our understanding of ancient Greek astronomy. The trio discusses the intricate gear systems that model celestial movements, the cultural influences from Babylonian astronomy, and the significance of its complex engineering that challenges previous notions about ancient technology.