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 24, 2013 • 33min
94a The Mysterious Death of Edward II
Listen, think and vote at www.thehistoryofengland.com or The History of England Podcast facebook groupNow, traditionally, Edward II is supposed to have died after an unfortunate meeting with a red hot poker. Which has always been my firmly and fondly held belief. But ladies and gentlemen,History sleuths, other views are, in fact, available. So this episode is all about whether Edward was A) Murdered in 1327 on the orders of Roger Mortimer ORB) Escaped and with the active conivance and knowledge of said Mortimer lived incognito for many years as an ex-pat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 11, 2013 • 31min
94 The Reign of Isabella and Mortimer
After Edward II's abdication in January 1327, England was ruled on behalf of the new King Edward III by Queen Isabella. But while Isabella probably wanted a life of respect, comfort and personal wealth Mortimer was hungry for power. This wasn't to be a story about the forces of life overturning the power of darkness. It was to be a new tyranny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 4, 2013 • 29min
93 The Wages of Tyranny
With the fall of Lancaster, the Despencers were off the leash, and able to vent the full force of their avarice on England. Their power and Edward's inability to control them even came between the king and Isabella - so that after a diplomatic mission to France Isabella refused to return. And then in 1326, she landed in England with 1,500 men and her rebel lover, Roger Mortimer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 20, 2013 • 34min
92 The Fall of Lancaster
In 1322, things finally came to a head, and rebellion was out in the open. Lancaster must have had a fighting chance, but it all goes to show that the reign of Edward is essentially about a struggle between mediocrities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2013 • 29min
91 The New Favourites
In the 1310's, Robert Bruce's ambitions grew - not simply content with throwing the English out of Scotland, or burning the north of England - he now wanted to establish his own Empire. And so his brother Edward was sent to invade Ireland, where he would face the king's friend - Roger Mortimer. Meanwhile in England Edward and Lancaster tried to work it out and live together in peace and harmony - and failed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 30, 2013 • 32min
90 How to hold a parliament
The modus tenendi parliamentum is a very unusual document from around this time. It describes how parliaments should be held, but also includes a number of very interesting claims about the primacy of the commons. It's interesting for the procedures and atmosphere around parliaments - as long as we take it with a pinch of salt. Also this week we hear and the political war with Lancaster, the physical war with the Scots and defeat at Bannockburn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 23, 2013 • 28min
89 The Great Famine
For a long time we have been having a ball, economy wise - the medieval warm period, towns springing up all over the place, prices gently rising, population growing. So the Great Famine of 1315-1317 came as a terrible shock. Over 500-750,000 people died, as years of bad weather destroyed the feeling of economic well being. The question is whether or not this was a blip or part of a wider trend? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 23, 2013 • 31min
88 Politics, scandal, intrigue and turmoil
The period between 1308 and 1311 was dominated by the attempts of the barons to resolve the issues left unsolved from Edward I's reign; and by the scandal and disruption caused by the king's favourite, Piers Gaveston. The conflict and turmoil led to another constitutional shuffle forward with the powers and role of parliament in the Ordinances of 1311. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 16, 2013 • 30min
87 Scandal was brought upon the People
This week, and introduction to Edward II, quite probably the most reviled king in English history. So this week he have a bit of a survey of how history has treated the lad, and the chroniclers that have given him his reputation. And then we kick of the reign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 10, 2013 • 31min
86 Handing over
In 1305 two Scottish lords had a fall out next to the altar of a church in Dumfries. One them, Robert Bruce, resolved the argument by sticking a knife in the other, John the Red Comyn. Robert then raised the standard of rebellion and with the support of Robert Wishart, and the Scottish war was back on. Two years later, campaigning in Scotland, Edward finally reached the end of his death. Hate him or loathe him, Edward can at least say that no-one could ignore him. And there is something relentless about his tomb and inscription that sums up the man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
