The English Heritage Podcast

We’re joined by English Heritage Properties Curator Roy Porter and Senior Properties Historian Paul Pattison to trace the series of events, imprisonments and escapes that led up to the execution of King Charles I. The Stuart king remains the only British monarch to have been tried and executed for treason, marking one of the most gruesome chapters in the English Civil War – and we are picking up the story in 1646, when the Scots handed Charles over to the English Parliament.To discover more about Charles I’s imprisonment at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/carisbrooke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we approach St George’s Day on 23 April, we’re investigating the origins of dragon myths. George, of course, is England’s patron saint and as the legend goes, he slew a deadly fire-breathing dragon. While these legendary beasts might not be real, there's nothing mythical about their place in cultures throughout history, and around the world.Joining us to delve into the origins of the dragon myth is Professor Carolyne Larrington, who is a professor of medieval European literature at the University of Oxford.To read more of Carolyne’s thoughts on dragon myths, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/articles/dragons-and-their-origins/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re marking a slightly unusual milestone in the long history of Stonehenge, because this year marks a hundred years since the closure of the Stonehenge aerodrome. Of course, there’s no obvious trace of this when you visit the famous stones today. But in the early 20th century, just a few hundred yards from the monument’s southern edge was a large First World War aviation training complex.We’re joined by Senior Property Curator of Stonehenge, Heather Sebire, and Martyn Barber from Historic England’s Aerial Investigation and Mapping Department to discover why it was here, how it was used and if there is any truth to the story that the stones were used for target practice!To learn more about the Stonehenge aerodrome, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history-and-stories/first-world-war-aerodrome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirby Hall is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan and 17th-century houses, once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I. However, the Hall’s fortunes declined in line with those of its owners.We’re joined by senior properties historian Megan Leyland, interpretation manager Nadine Langford and curator of collections and interiors Dickon Whitewood to discover the story of the Hall, its former owners, servants and guests – and the new project to bring these to life for visitors.To discover more about Kirby Hall or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kirby-hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by senior properties historian Michael Carter to discuss the 1,400 year-long history of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, in Northumberland, which has been a hub of early Christianity, a monastery, a site of pilgrimage to its former bishop, Saint Cuthbert, and a victim of a devastating Viking raid. It was also the birthplace of the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the most spectacular manuscripts to survive from Anglo-Saxon England, which was thought to have been created in Cuthbert’s honour.To discover more about Lindisfarne Priory or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lindisfarne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the completion of the five-year long Tintagel Castle Archaeological Research Project, we are joined by Properties Curator Win Scutt and Archaeologist Jaqueline Nowakowski to find out about the project and what it has revealed about Tintagel’s early medieval history.Discover why English Heritage decided to launch the project, what has happened over the last five years, the structures and key artefacts that have been discovered, and the analytical work that has happened since.To discover more about Tintagel Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/tintagel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All too often during Women’s History Month, stories of high-status women outshine those of unsung working women. In this episode, we’re joined in the studio by English Heritage’s senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and properties historians’ team Leader Dr Andrew Hann to discover a selection of the working women who played their part in shaping the stories of English Heritage’s sites.Charting the rise of women in domestic service from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century – and taking in the stories of everyone from weeding women to governesses and cooks – this episode champions the extraordinary women whom history has overlooked.To discover more stories of women in history, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re looking at the colourful lives of a 17th century couple and their pleasure palace in Derbyshire. In the 1600s, William and Margaret Cavendish used Bolsover Castle as a place for entertaining and pursuing their personal interests. Today, this creative couple and their fairy tale mansion are the focus of a new project designed to bring their stories to life for visitors through theatrical costumes and interactive props.We’re joined by senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland, costume designer Sophie Fretwell and Illustrator Mel Northover to find out more.To discover more about Bolsover Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsover Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re travelling back to the 13th century to tell the story of the woman at the centre of the 1265 siege of Dover Castle. Eleanor de Montfort was the wife of the powerful earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort. He led baronial opposition to King Henry III, which spilled out into conflict in 1263. A year into the war, Henry and his heir Prince Edward were captured at the Battle of Lewes, and Simon become the de facto ruler of England. But Prince Edward escaped from captivity in May 1265 and began to turn the tide of the war. In August, Eleanor's husband and son were killed at the Battle of Evesham, and Eleanor was left isolated in her stronghold of Dover Castle.Joining us to pick up the story is English Heritage curator of collections and interiors for the south east region, Kathryn Bedford.To discover more about Eleanor de Montfort, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/eleanor-de-montfort Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the 100th episode of the podcast we’ve made the journey over to Boscobel House and the Royal Oak in Shropshire to search out the story of the king who hid in an oak tree. Charles II will forever be linked to Boscobel House and the tree that saved his life. But how did a king end up seeking sanctuary here and what was the state of England at the time?We’re joined by site manager Daisy Lambert, garden supervisor Andrew Degg and national project manager Tracy Simmons to reveal the results of a major project to share one of England’s greatest adventure stories and create a great day out for visitors.To discover more about Boscobel House and the Royal Oak or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/boscobel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices