Episodes

  • Episode 265 - Stonehenge and the Major Lunar Standstill

    Episode 265 - Stonehenge and the Major Lunar Standstill
    May 1 2024
    A Major Lunar Standstill (MLS) – an astrological phenomenon which takes place once every 18.6 years, when moonrise and moonset are furthest apart along the horizon – is due to occur in 2024 and 25. It is believed that at least one MLS was marked during the early phase of Stonehenge and some academics believe there may be a connection between this and the placement of the Station Stones at Stonehenge. Joining us to discuss the theory and the project putting it to the test are English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Jennifer Wexler, emeritus professor of archaeoastronomy at the University of Leicester Clive Ruggles and senior lecturer in archaeological modelling at Bournemouth University Dr Fabio Silva. To learn more about Stonehenge or find out how you can get involved, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lunar-standstill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Episode 264 - Ask the Experts: Everything You Wanted to Know About Medieval Knights and Jousts

    Episode 264 - Ask the Experts: Everything You Wanted to Know About Medieval Knights and Jousts
    Apr 25 2024
    We’re joined by English Heritage curator of collections and interiors Dickon Whitewood and jouster, author and scholar of arms and armour Tobias Capwell to answer all the questions we received about medieval knights and jousts from English Heritage members and followers on our social media accounts. Join us to discover the rules of a joust, what a frog-mouth helmet is, the weight of a suit of armour, the practicalities of going to the toilet while wearing one and much more. To learn more about the history of tournaments, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/brief-history-of-knights-tournaments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Episode 263 - Saving our Paintings: Jan Wijnants at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

    Episode 263 - Saving our Paintings: Jan Wijnants at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
    Apr 18 2024
    This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections, Eleanor Matthews and Louise Cooling, to mark the acquisition of a painting by Dutch artist Jan Wijnants, which has a close link with Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire. Join us to discover the story of this and some of the other Dutch masterpieces that can be seen at both Brodsworth Hall and Kenwood in London. To learn more about Brodsworth Hall and Gardens or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth-hall. To learn more about Kenwood or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Episode 262 - Behind the Lord Warden's Secret Door at Walmer Castle

    Episode 262 - Behind the Lord Warden's Secret Door at Walmer Castle
    Apr 11 2024
    This week we’re in Kent to take a peek into the hidden history of Walmer Castle, one of Henry VIII’s Device Forts on England’s southeast coast, where visitors are being invited to explore the private apartments of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports for the first time. We’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Kathryn Bedford to discover the history of the castle, why the Lord Warden was stationed here and what the job involves. Plus, we meet the children of a former Lord Warden to find out what it’s like growing up in one of England’s iconic fortresses. To learn more about Walmer Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/walmer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Episode 261 - 900 years of history at Furness Abbey

    Episode 261 - 900 years of history at Furness Abbey
    Apr 4 2024
    Nine hundred years after a community of monks settled in the ‘vale of nightshade’ on the Furness peninsular, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter and site manager Juliet Fellows to look back at the history of Furness Abbey – once the largest and wealthiest monastery in north-west England. Discover how the abbey became so successful, why it was a prime target during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries and how we’re bringing its story back to life for visitors today. To learn more about Furness Abbey or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/furnessabbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 260 - The military history of the Isles of Scilly

    Episode 260 - The military history of the Isles of Scilly
    Mar 28 2024
    We’re heading to the Isles of Scilly – a small cluster of islands off the tip of Cornwall in the south-west of England. Today, this peaceful archipelago is treasured for its natural beauty and holiday charm, but, in centuries past, the islands were on the frontline of Britain’s military defence. We’re joined by senior properties curator Win Scutt and author of Defending Scilly Dr Allan Brodie to explore the islands’ military history and the heritage sites left behind as a result. To discover more about the historic sites of the Isles of Scilly, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/historic-sites-of-scilly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Episode 259 - Long lost shells returned: from Captain Cook’s voyage to Chesters Roman Fort (via a skip)

    Episode 259 - Long lost shells returned: from Captain Cook’s voyage to Chesters Roman Fort (via a skip)
    Mar 21 2024
    This week we’re discussing the story of Bridget Atkinson, a Cumbrian woman who amassed a huge collection of shells from across the globe during the 18th century. We’re joined by English Heritage Collections Curator Dr Frances McIntosh, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum Dr Tom White, Bath Spa University lecturer Matthew Law and family researcher Richard Atkinson. They reveal who she was, how she collected her shells despite rarely leaving her home county and how a family connection led to a selection of her recently rescued treasures going on display in the Clayton Museum at Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. To plan a visit to see Bridget’s shells for yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/chesters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Episode 258 - Seeing Belsay Hall in a new light with artist Ingrid Pollard

    Episode 258 - Seeing Belsay Hall in a new light with artist Ingrid Pollard
    Mar 14 2024
    We're joined by Turner Prize-nominated artist and photographer, Ingrid Pollard, to discuss her new art installation, titled 'There is Light in the Fissures', at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland. Discover what inspired her artwork and what you can expect to find during a visit as a result. Plus, we chat to English Heritage's Chris Osborne who reveals the plans for other thought-provoking creative installations at English Heritage sites across the country. To find out more about our creative programme plans, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/creative-programme/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins