In this festive episode, I ask lots of wonderful people all about early modern Christmas and how it impacted domestic life. We cover everything from clothes to music, entertainment, fasting and feasting, and even a bit of decorating! For a Christmas treat, we hear from Brett Dolman, Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, as well as the wonderful Roxanne Bennis, living historian Esme Wise, historian Nic Fulcher, and literary scholar, Dr. Joan Fitzpatrick. Listen, enjoy and be merry!

Introducing the Christmas Special! Filled with fun and informative explorations of all things festive in the early modern period. The episode goes live on December 23rd.

In this episode, Anjna talks all things fitness: body and mind! We learn all about the power of music and dance with former Director of Music at Shakespeare's Globe, Bill Barclay, and historian, Roxanne Bennis. The social and cultural signficiance of exercise is covered by Dr. Eleanor Rycroft and the marvellous Dr. Sara Read (whose book about Gossips is defo where it's at!). Voicework is from Tim Atkinson, Will Harrison-Wallace, Jonathan McGarrity, Constanza Ruff, Neil Hancock, Sarah Horner and Rich Bunn.

Thou shalt follow me on the Ter of Twits thusly: @ShakespearesPa2

In this episode, we learn all about meal times, cutlery, dining etiquette, what people were eating and where it came from, as well as concerns over snacking and sugar! Fascinating insights from Prof. Rebecca Earle, Dr. Joan Fitzpatrick, Esme Wise, Amie Bolissian, and Dr. Sara Read, with gorgeous voice performances from Rich Bunn, Tim Atkinson, Will Harrison-Wallace, and Neil Hancock.

Please do rate and review my pod if you can, and head over to Twitter land where you can contact me @ShakespearesPa2. Thank you so very much for listening, folks!

This episode is all about the world of beauty in early modern England. What counted as beautiful in the period, and how did people keep themselves looking fabulous? I also discuss hair, beards and how all of this manifests itself in Shakespeare's plays. Absolutely packed with insight from Dr. Edith Snook, Dr. Eleanor Rycroft, Dr. Alun Withy, Esme Wise and the glorious voices of Rich Bunn, Tim Atkinson, Sarah Horner, Donald Craigie, Neil Hancock, Will Harrison-Wallace, and Jonathan McGarrity.

Get thee to Twitter, anon: @ShakespearesPa2

This episode is all about the experience of getting and being pregnant, as well as the process of childbirth. Lots of fantastic insight from Lorna Giltrow-Shaw, Dr. Hannah Lilley, Amie Bolissian, Dr. Sara Read, Lesley Smith and Dr. Tara Hamling. Featuring the beautiful voices of Richard Bunn, Sarah Horner and Tim Atkinson.

This episode is all about how the various institutions conceptualised sexual activity in early modern England and what the rules were. It includes words like 'dildo', 'masturbation' and involves a copper wire up a private part - so if any of this sounds awful, this won't be for you!

In this episode, Anjna explores the ins and outs of emptying one's bowels and asks whether any of it was considered remotely funny during Shakespeare's lifetime. Invaluable insights from Dr Pete Smith, Dr Sara Read, Dr Tara Hamling and rollicking readings from Rich Bunn, Charlie Clee, Donald Craigie and Neil Hancock.
Please rate and review my little pod where possible, and follow me on Twitter: @ShakespearesPa2.