The History of England
David Crowther
This my re-telling of the story of England. I aim to be honest, and rigorous - but always loving of my country's history. It is a regular, chronological podcast, starting from the end of Roman Britain. There are as many of the great events I can squeeze in, of course, but I also try to keep an eye on how people lived, their language, what was important to them, the forces that shaped their lives and destinies, that sort of thing. To listen free of adverts, support the podcast, access a library of 150+ hours of shedcasts of me warbling on, and get new shedcasts every month, why not become a member at https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/become-a-member ? You know it makes sense... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 21, 2017 • 32min
214 The Road to War
The path of Renaissance diplomacy was both torturous and without scruple; as Henry finds out as he thirsts for glory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14, 2017 • 31min
213 Background to War
Historians have identified the 16th and 17th centuries as a time of revolutionary change in Europe, driven by military technology. We talk a bit about that, and about the personalities Henry VIII was up against. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 30, 2017 • 31min
212 Pleasure and Liberty
Henry VIII was released by this accession to the courtly, chivalric life of the hunt, and masque, and tournaments. In this he was encouraged by by Council - while his father's 'peace party' got on with the business of ruling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 16, 2017 • 33min
211 Heaven Smiles Earth Rejoices
The accession of Henry VIII was greeted with a huge sigh of relief and great enthusiasm. His court was to change immediately, and politics for ever. Although the Book of the Courtier would not appear until 1528, it could have been written for the Tudor court to explain how to win the favour of the Prince. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2017 • 36min
210 Bloody Beast
How Henry has been assessed by historians through the ages, and the controversies of his reign. And assessments of the man himself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 26, 2017 • 38min
209 Exploration
Through the 15th century, Portugal explored the African coast in search of the Indies and the fabulous wealth of the trading networks with the East - such as those of Mansa Musa from Timbuktu. Until the great expeditions of Columbus and Da Gama led to the opening of contact with the Americas and Asia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 19, 2017 • 30min
208 I Heart Henry
What happened when Henry was gone. And the report card - was Henry an incompetent tyrant, a fun loving saviour of England's future - or something in between? Should we listen to Francis Bacon or to Henry himself? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 5, 2017 • 29min
207 The Underworld
While the young prince Henry built a group of aristocratic companions and longed desperately for the joust, his father drove his hatchet men Dudley and Empson ever further into the dark world of extortion and oppression. But in 1509, Henry fell ill again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 26, 2017 • 30min
206 Descent to the Underworld
Henry had found two hatchet men to replace Reginald Bray - Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley. They spread their tentacles and contacts through London and England, and used the Council Learned to drive their master's policy to extort every possible fee 'to the king's advantage'. And did pretty well for themselves too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 19, 2017 • 33min
205 Do Not Let Me Perish
In the early 1500's Henry VII saw many of his closest confidentes and supporters die. Catherine of Aragon was to be one of those who suffered as a result. He also built the rather magnificent palace at Sheen, renaming it Richmond; not knowing that in a few years, it would be the place of his death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
