A coin, a castle and a conquest: the Normans in the north of England
In 2021, 950 years after English Heritage’s Richmond Castle was founded in Yorkshire, an amateur archaeologist joined her first dig and turned up a stunning find.
A silver coin dating to the decades following the Norman Conquest, bearing the face of William the Conqueror, fired up historians’ imaginations. Who lost it, what were they doing at the castle, and what did this penny mean to the people living in the north of England in the 1080s?
Will Wyeth and Susan Harrison join Amy on this episode of The English Heritage Podcast to discuss why this area was so important for the strategic building of a castle in post-conquest Yorkshire. They’ll also explore King William’s relationship with northern leaders, his reaction to revolt and the Norman legacy in the north of England.
Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.
Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/
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The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.
*Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.
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Circle of Days and the building of Stonehenge
Stonehenge has captured the imaginations of people for millennia, leading to conspiracy theories and fantastical ideas about its construction. But cutting-edge historical analysis has allowed us to reveal more of its secrets in recent times.
Now, author Ken Follett has turned his hand to an imagined epic about the early days of the site’s construction and the social lives and beliefs of people on Salisbury Plain. To celebrate the launch of Circle of Days, Amy is joined by Ken Follett and English Heritage curator of history, Dr Jen Wexler, to explore some of the latest research and findings about the construction of Stonehenge and the real-life inspirations for Ken’s story.
Plus, we have an exclusive excerpt of Circle of Days for you to listen to.
Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.
Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/
Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *
Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/
The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.
*Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Monastic to modern: a history of universities
What does a stone slab at Yorkshire’s Fountains Abbey have in common with the modern-day university?
This time on the English Heritage podcast, Michael Carter takes Amy on his journey of discovery, from an abbot’s strangely positioned headdress to the monastic origins of doctorates. Dr Tessa Whitehouse joins the conversation as we explore how the modern university evolved from elite religious institutions, through nonconformism, to allowing women to study.
These institutions have always had huge political importance. But have they always been a place where students can enjoy both learning and freedom? Find out in this episode.
Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.
Join English Heritage: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/
Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *
Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/
The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.
*Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Feeding the masses: fuelling an agricultural revolution
It’s easy to take the food on our plates for granted, but the 20th century has been a time of enormous change for the production and supply of what we eat. Not to mention the sort of dish you’d be looking forward to on a Friday evening. Herring and pickled beetroot, anyone?
But did you know about a highly specialised, world-renowned government institute that was developing the latest technology across the 20th century? From tractor testing to drilling and harvesting techniques, the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering was based at Wrest Park until 2006. When King George VI visited for its opening in 1948, producing food in postwar Britain was a critical priority.
This time, Amy Matthews chats with food historian Emma Kay, English Heritage curator of history Andrew Hann and former institute employee Edwina Holden MBE to find out about this hugely influential period in the history of Wrest Park, just before it came into English Heritage’s care.
Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.
Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/
Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *
Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/
The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.
*Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pumps and people power: firefighting at country houses
Caring for country houses is a delicate task, involving protecting them from fire risk, weather, pests, and much more. Some things have remained the same over the years: fire has long been a looming threat for the residents of country houses.
This time on the English Heritage Podcast, Amy Matthews chats with Andrew Hann, Peter Moore and Richard Luscombe about the dramatic events, near misses and brilliant innovations that have helped staff and residents of country houses tackle the ever-present risk of fire.
We’ll discuss the evolution of firefighting equipment, brilliantly organised operations, candles on Christmas trees and why Prince Albert put seashells in the floor of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.
Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/
Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *
Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/
The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.
*Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places?
In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future.
Follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
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