The English Heritage Podcast

We're joined in the studio by senior properties historian Michael Carter to take a look at the annual traditions and events that mark the early part of the year — some we still celebrate today, while others have slipped into obscurity. Join us to discover the origins of Plough Monday, St Hilary's Day, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday and more. Plus, we reveal why we have leap years and why these take place on 29 February.To learn more about Candlemas and why you shouldn't take your Christmas decorations down until 2 February, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/leaving-up-christmas-decorations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're honouring the life of a 17th-century composer, who lived and worked at Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire. George Jeffreys was both a steward and in-house musician for the Hattons — a wealthy family who became entangled in the Civil Wars. But now, his music and memory have been reborn, thanks to a new album recorded on-site at Kirby Hall.We're joined by curator of collections Dickon Whitewood, musicologist and performer Professor Jonathan Wainwright and Solomon's Knot artistic director Jonathan Sells to discover Jeffreys story and listen to his music in the place it was created.To learn more about Kirby Hall or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kirby-hall.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're in Kent in southeast England to meet English Heritage properties historians Dr Jennifer Wexler and Dr Alastair Oswald and visit an ancient sacred site with a fascinating story.Kit's Coty House and its neighbour, Little Kit's Coty House, are the remains of two megalithic 'dolmen' burial chambers. Discover who built them, how they were used and why this is a great time to visit on the 150th anniversary of Kits Coty House becoming a scheduled monument.To learn more about Kits Coty House or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kits-coty-house-and-little-kits-coty-house/history.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined in the studio by properties historian Dr Will Wyeth, senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and properties historian team leader Dr Andrew Hann to answer all the questions we received about the history of Christmas from English Heritage Members and followers on our social media accounts.Join us to discover how the origins of Christmas date back over 2,000 years, when geese were first swapped for turkeys on the dinner table, how Boxing Day got its name and much more. To learn more 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

This week, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to find out how people in the past entertained themselves during the cold and dark midwinter — and the festive mischief they got up to at this time of year.Join us to learn about Christmas irreverence through the ages, the curious traditions of boy bishops, the Bean King and the Lord of Misrule, and the English Heritage sites where these festivities took place.To learn more about the Lord of Misrule, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/members-area/members-magazine/2021/the-lord-of-misrule.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Christmas party season gets into full swing, we're taking a look back at the history of alcoholic drinks through the ages. From mead to mulsum, beer to brandy, and wine to whisky — they're all on the menu in our figurative festive pub. Joining us to raise a glass and explain all are English Heritage curator of collections Cameron Moffett and drinks expert and writer Jane Peyton.To learn more about mead and find some mead cocktail recipes, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/search-news/mead-resurgence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter to reveal the story of St Milburga, who was a princess, the second abbess of Wenlock Priory, and a woman of international renown. Discover the story of her royal roots, her rise to Christian renown and the miraculous cures attributed to this little-known saint.To learn more about St Milburga, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wenlock-priory/history/st-milburga.To plan a visit to Wenlock Priory, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wenlock-priory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re exploring the secrets to living a healthy life in Roman Britain. The Roman’s well documented love of bathing was one aspect of this, along with exercise, ancient medical science, religion and even superstition. Joining us to shine a light on Roman medicine and healthcare are English Heritage properties historian Dr Andrew Roberts and curators Cameron Moffett and Dr Frances McIntosh.Content warning: this podcast contains graphic descriptions of historic medical procedures that some listeners might find uncomfortable.To learn more about baths and bathing in Roman Britain, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans/roman-bathing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re looking back at the story of the man who brought free healthcare to the UK in the years after the Second World War. Aneurin Bevan – also known as Nye Bevan – was the founding father of the National Health Service or NHS, which 75 years on, remains at the heart of British life.Joining us to discuss Bevan’s life and legacy, and the London blue plaque commemorating his achievements, is senior historian for the blue plaques scheme, Howard Spencer.To learn more about our London blue plaques scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re holding our noses to tackle the history of toilets through the ages, from latrines, privies and reredorters to garderobes and even thunderboxes!Joining us to flush out the stories of long drops, dung gatherers and the first public conveniences are senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and historical archaeologist Dr Ian West.To learn more about toilets through time, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/top-10-toilets-through-time. To find out more about Joseph Bazalgette and the location of his blue plaque, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/joseph-william-bazalgette/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices