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
Jun 23, 2013 • 32min
97 Above all Princes of his Age
In 1330 a group of Edward's friends gathered together at the foot of the rock on which Nottingham castle stands. They had learnt of a secret passage that led to Mortimer's private chambers, and were looking to free their lord from Mortimer's fierce grip. This week, then, the start of Edward's majority, a survey of how history has treated Edward, and a few of the Chroniclers we will talk about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 8, 2013 • 36min
96 A History of Medieval Europe Part IV
With the defeat of the Hohenstaufen, surely the Papacy had finally won it's battle for supremacy? Actually not. A new challenge rode into town in the form of Phillip IVth of France. And meanwhile the very success of the struggle against the Emperor was to contribute towards the start of the end for that most medieval thing - the unity of Christendom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26, 2013 • 32min
95 The History of Medieval Europe - Part III
Frederick II renewed the argument that had been going on since the time of Otto the Great - Emperor or Pope? This time there would be a solution one way or t'other. Meanwhile the unity of Christendom itself was under threat - ironically from one of it's greatest thinkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
