The English Heritage Podcast

Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Erroll Flynn and Sean Connery are just a few of the actors who have performed as Robin Hood on the big screen. But who was this legendary English outlaw, whose name continues to be recognised worldwide centuries later?Helping us to understand the story of Robin Hood and his connection to English Heritage sites you can visit today are our two guests: English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and professor of late medieval and Reformation history at the University of Liverpool, Dr Martin Heale.To plan a visit to the English Heritage sites referenced in this episode, go to: Whitby Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitby Rievaulx Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey Roche Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/roche-abbey Rufford Abbey: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rufford-abbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections and interiors, Louise Cooling and Peter Moore, to paint a picture of one of the greatest portrait artists of the 18th century, Sir Joshua Reynolds.Discover the story of his life and art, the Reynolds paintings you can find on display at Kenwood in London today and how we’re celebrating the 300th anniversary of his birth.To discover more about Kenwood or plan a visit to see its art collection yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we head into the summer holidays, we’re turning back time to the early 20th century to explore the world with a very well-heeled couple. Stephen and Virginia Courtauld lived at Eltham Palace in southeast London, but when they weren’t in residence, which was often during the British winter, they could be found cruising the world in luxury on board ocean-going liners or their own private yacht. And their well-documented travels provide a fascinating insight into the lifestyles of the 1930s wealthy elite and an era before commercial flights had gone mainstream.Taking a trip with us — and the Courtaulds — is English Heritage’s properties historians team leader Dr Andrew Hann.To read more about the Courtauld’s travels, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/courtaulds-cruisesTo read more about Eltham Palace or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage properties curator Win Scutt at Arthur’s Stone in Herefordshire. We will be exploring the history of this 5,000-year-old neolithic tomb, where a team of archaeologists are about to embark on the latest round of excavations to uncover its secrets.Join us as we discuss why this fascinating site was built, who used it, what we’re hoping to discover and how you can join us to see the excavations taking place.To find out more about Arthur’s Stone or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/arthursstone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When people think of the medieval peasant, they may conjure up images of the character Baldrick from the TV series Blackadder, who has arguably become the poster boy of peasantry. For most, the term ‘peasant’ suggests poverty, ignorance, missing teeth, threadbare rags and poor personal hygiene, but how close is this negative image to the truth? And what was daily life actually like for them? Joining us to separate fact from fiction are English Heritage properties historian Al Oswald and Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Leicester Christopher Dyer, who were both involved in the investigations at the famous deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire. To find out more about Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wharram-percy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re out for a walk to celebrate an anniversary. The Ridgeway is sometimes referred to as England's oldest road — and this year also marks its 50th anniversary as a designated National Trail. But how far back into history does this track go? What can you find along its route? And what is its link to the summer solstice?Joining us to show us the way are anthropologist, TV presenter and author Mary-Ann Ochota and English Heritage properties historian Dr Jennifer Wexler.To find out more about The Ridgeway or plan your own walk along the National Trail, go to www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/the-ridgeway.To find out more about the Uffington Castle — White Horse and Dragon Hill or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/uffington-castle-white-horse-and-dragon-hill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you maintain a castle? And not just any castle – one that’s stood tall for over 850 years but has recently started to show its age. Well, that’s the question we’re putting to our English Heritage experts following a £1 million conservation project to rescue the unique keep of Orford Castle in Suffolk. This eye-catching stronghold has weathered many storms – both physical and metaphorical – in its time and, after a much-needed facelift, is ready to welcome a new generation of visitors.Talking us through the transformation are head historic properties curator and castle expert Dr Jeremy Ashbee and senior properties curator Dr Shelley Garland.To find out more or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/orford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage’s head of learning and interpretation Dr Dominique Bouchard and interpretation coordinator Nick Collinson to shine a light on the lives of the LGBTQ+ people from the past who have a connection to our properties or are commemorated through London blue plaques.Join us to discover the stories of Lord Beauchamp, Anne Seymour Damer, Virginia Woolf and Radclyffe Hall, and what we’re doing to share more stories of LGBTQ+ people at our sites.To discover more LGBTQ+ history, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/lgbtq-history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage properties historian Andrew Roberts and curator Cameron Moffet to explore the story of Wroxeter Roman city in Shropshire.Though a small village today, Wroxeter was once the fourth largest town in Roman Britain, when it was known as Viriconium. It was almost the same size as Pompeii in Italy and its true size can best be judged by the scale of the surviving defences and ramparts. Discover how the city grew out of a legionary fortress, what life would have been like for its residents and how we’re sharing its story in new ways with visitors today.To find out more or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wroxeter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by English Heritage’s curator of collections and interiors Dr Peter Moore and Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences archivist Sandra Jane Freshney to reveal how Audley End House in Essex became home to a diverse collection of natural history specimens and curiosities dating back to the 19th century.Discover the story of amateur scientific collectors Richard and Jane Neville, how and where they obtained their specimens and the objects from their collection that visitors to Audley End can see during a visit today.To find out more or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/audleyend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices