The English Heritage Podcast

Responsible for caring for 1,300 artworks in properties across the country, along with 15 in situ painted decorative schemes and the nation’s largest collection of wall paintings, English Heritage’s paintings conservators have their work cut out.We’re joined by senior collections conservator Rachel Turnbull, to discover what goes in to caring for and restoring this fine art collection – and what art lovers can do to care for their own paintings at home.To discover more about the work of our painting conservators, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/conservation/paintings-conservation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Nick Holder and author Sara Cockerill to look back at the remarkable but largely untold story of Eleanor of Castile. Born in 1241, she was raised as a Spanish princess, before becoming queen consort to Edward I in England.Join us as we discuss her devoted relationship with her husband, and how she helped him to survive civil war, a crusade to the Holy Land and accumulate a large property empire for the English Crown. We also reveal how Eleanor’s legacy can be traced across a number of English Heritage sites that featured in her life, while her cultural influence in architecture, design and even gardening still survives to this day.To read about the Eleanor Cross in Geddington – one of 12 crosses Edward I erected at the places where Eleanor’s body rested during the journey south to Westminster Abbey after her death – go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eleanor-cross-geddington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by head properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee to discover a real-life Games of Thrones story involving one powerful family, two castles, five successive kings, rebellion and restitution. Listen on to learn about three generations of the powerful Bigod family, their royal rumbles and the rise, fall and rebuilding of their home at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk.To discover more about the history of Framlingham Castle or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/framlinghamTo discover more about Orford Castle, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine you're living in the 1800s, with the vision (and budget) to build a glorious new home. How would you go about making your grand design a reality?We’re joined by properties historian team leader Dr Andrew Hann and landscape advisor Emily Parker to discuss how Sir Charles Monck did just that at Belsay Hall in Northumberland, and the influence of his travels on his grand home and gardens.To discover more about the history of Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many English Heritage sites are ruined – famously lots of abbeys and castles, but also houses, parish churches and chapels, Roman villas and bath-houses – but this does not detract from their importance or the enjoyment of visiting them.We’re joined by head properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee and properties curator Sam Stones to discuss the challenges of conserving them, why English Heritage don’t rebuild them and how they help visitors to get the most out of them.To discover how you can play your part in helping English Heritage to protect and conserve the nation’s most vulnerable historic properties, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/our-appeals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined in the studio by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and interpretation assistant Nick Collinson to discover the story of the most important churchman in 12th century England.At the time of his death in 1167, Aelred of Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire was immediately regarded as a saint. During his life, he accomplished many things, serving as a royal steward, an emissary to the Pope and abbot of Rievaulx, as well as demonstrating his talent as an author, preacher and spiritual mentor to his monks.And today, as we will discover, he is also starting to be considered a medieval gay icon. To learn more about Rievaulx Abbey, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by curator of collections Cameron Moffett and curator of collections (Hadrian’s Wall & the North East) Frances McIntosh to discover what we know about the Romans’ beliefs in magic, superstitions and the ‘Evil Eye’.And we’ll look at the evidence for these at English Heritage sites, including the discovery of some rather surprising objects thought to protect the holder against bad luck.To read more about Hadrian’s Wall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswallTo discover more about Wroxeter Roman City, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wroxeter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many of us prepare to hang up a new calendar for the year ahead, we’re joined by Professor Robert Poole to reveal the surprising history of our calendar.Discover how Britain switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in the 18th century, why the change was necessary to catch up with most of Europe, and the truth behind the 'calendar riots' of 1752. We’ll also discuss the problem with Easter and how the changes continue to affect us today.To read more about Lord Chesterfield, who introduced the legislation to switch to the Gregorian calendar while living at Ranger’s House in London, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rangers-house-the-wernher-collection/history-and-stories/lord-chesterfield Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by English Heritage Trustee Professor Ronald Hutton to discuss the pagan winter customs behind the Christmas traditions we take for granted today. Discover the ancient origins of winter feasting, Christmas carols, present giving, kissing under the mistletoe and more!To read about the history of Christmas, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s traditional to eat a lot at Christmas, but did you know that winter has been a time of feasting for far longer?This week we’re joined by Properties Historians Team Leader, Dr Andrew Hann, and Properties Historian, Dr William Wyeth to discuss delectable dinners and diners through the ages, from prehistory to the near present. We’ll look at what was eaten, where and when, including at Stonehenge, medieval castles, a deserted village and grand residences such as Belsay Hall in Northumberland and Audley End House in Essex.To find out more about medieval Christmas food, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/medieval-christmas-foodTo read about the history of the Christmas pudding, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/2016/a-history-of-the-christmas-pudding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices