Diarmuid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford, historian, author and presenter, joined me at the Harvington History Festival where we talked about the complexities of Christian theology regarding sex, marriage, and women's roles throughout history. He talked about the evolution of beliefs from the early church to the Protestant Reformation, emphasising the contradictions and changes in perspectives on celibacy, marriage, and the treatment of wom...
Aug 14, 2025•15 min
In conversation with Philippa Lacey, Dr Elizabeth Norton and Professor Stephen Alford discuss the ineptitude of the Gunpowder plotters, the societal perceptions of the event, and the potential alternate histories had the plot succeeded. They emphasise the lack of a coherent plan for governance post-explosion and the subsequent ramifications for Catholics in England. Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Gunpowder Plot 09:35 Consequences of the Plot 14:36 Speculations on Alternate Histories Buy books ...
Jul 29, 2025•16 min
Phil’s 48 hours in a Priest Hide Harvington Hall Manager, Phil Downing, is spending 48 hours in a priest hide, to raise money toward the upkeep of the Hall. . The Priest Hide Phil will be spending 2 whole days in, is one of, if not, the most famous in the country - the swinging beam hide in Dr Dodds Library. It is thought to have been built by master carpenter Nicolas Owen (who died under torture at the Tower of London following his capture by priest hunters at nearby Hindlip Hall in 1606). . Ph...
Jul 27, 2025•16 min
My conversation with Prof Nadine Akkerman and Dr Pete Lagman explores the fascinating world of espionage during the early modern period, focusing on the often-overlooked contributions of women spies and the evolution of spycraft techniques. The speakers discuss the historical context of espionage, the necessity for such practices, and the innovative methods employed by spies, including the use of invisible ink and complex ciphers. They highlight the challenges faced by early modern spies and the...
Jul 27, 2025•15 min
Oldest pub? Secret passageways? Spiral staircases oriented for sword fighting? SPOILER, they're not! Dr James Wright, author of 'Historic Building Mythbusting Uncovering Folklore, History and Archaeology' joined me before his talk at Harvington History Festival, to discuss common myths and folklore associated with old buildings, why they developed and what they tell us about the people who told them and believed them. You can buy James's book and get it shipped worldwide, from Blackwells - click...
Jul 25, 2025•20 min
Usurpation or action against a tyrant? Eminent historian Helen Castor joins me to discuss Richard II and the cousin who usurped him, Henry Bolingbroke, at Harvington History Festival 2025. Buy Helen's book 'The Eagle and The Hart. The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV' or any of her other excellent books, and get them shipped worldwide for free, from Blackwells. https://www.blackwells.co.uk?a_aid=PhilippaB Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Thank you for watching this vid...
Jul 24, 2025•17 min
Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Pop this on to keep you company for nearly 3 hours with Niall Devitt, in conversation with Philippa Lacey, as he talks about the London Underground, a product of Victorian engineering, has a rich history. Early experiences were marked by both fear and fascination, driven by the technological innovations that shaped its development. Despite facing significant challenges during its construction phases, the Underground’s public perception ev...
Jun 30, 2025•2 hr 46 min
I'm joined by historians Andrea Zuvich, Erica Canela, and Mark Turnbull to talk about the upcoming Stuart History Festival, their motivations for organising the festival, the diverse topics and speakers involved, and the significance of the 17th century in history. We also talked about the venue in Worcester notable for its historical relevance, and the practical details about the festival are shared, including dates and ticketing options. Festival Tickets for in person and online are available ...
Jun 14, 2025•22 min
Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. In this episode I sat down with Emma Miller of Grimsthorpe Castle to talk about its history, the famous people who have lived and visited here and a very curious window/door which, legend has it, was made for Henry VIII's visit in 1541. I will be here in September 2025, alongside Gareth Russell for 'The Catherine Howard Tour,' run by British History Tours, as we trace the journey of Catherine Howard and Henry VIII as they make their progr...
Jun 11, 2025•20 min
This interview with Dr Owen Emmerson, Assistant Curator at Hever Castle, about the 'Two Anne's of Hever', Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves was recorded in 2021 but has been available to members only, up until now. Dr Emmerson is a historian, author and broadcaster and can be found on his Instagram page @DrOwenEmmerson This is also available, along with almost 50 other historian interviews, at Youtube.com/@BritishHistory - look for the "Historian Interviews' playlist. I'd really appreciate your hel...
May 11, 2025•57 min
Luke Pepera, historian, anthropologist, broadcaster and author of the brilliant new book ‘Motherland: A Journey through 500,000 years of African Culture and Identity' joined me at the Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend for a fascinating chat! You can find the video version on Youtube.com/BritishHistory I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd ...
May 03, 2025•22 min
Edward II was murdered at Berkeley Castle in 1327 and buried in Gloucester Abbey (now Cathedral), and the only area of debate so far has been how he was murdered; smothered or red hot poker? Ian Mortimer has gathered compelling evidence that Edward wasn't actually murdered at all! Welcome to this interview with historian and author Ian Mortimer in which Ian does not only challenge that Edward II was murdered but what he sees as the reasons the compelling evidence has been ignored by academics fo...
Apr 30, 2025•18 min
19 years of Civil War, known as the Anarchy, was between first cousins King Stephen and Empress Matilda, but Sharon Bennett Connolly persuasively argues that it could be more accurately be thought of as a conflict between Queen Matilda, Stephen's wife and the Empress Matilda. I caught up with Sharon for her second interview with me, and oour first in person, at the Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend. British History is a reader-supported publication. To support my work and help me contin...
Apr 29, 2025•29 min
Hi and welcome my interview with historian and author Max Adams about his new book ‘The ‘Mercian Chronicles’ (In the USA, ‘The Birth of the Anglo Saxons’) out now in hardback. Buy Max's book, shipped worldwide from Blackwells (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you). This is 1 of 5 interviews I recorded at the Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend. The talks from all of my interviewees were streamed online and you can s...
Apr 26, 2025•19 min
Hi and welcome my interview with historian and author Hallie Rubenhold about her new book 'Story of a Murder. The Wives, The Mistress and Dr Crippen' out now in hardback, and her approach to the ethics of true crime history. Buy Hallie's book, shipped worldwide from Blackwells (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you). This is 1 of 5 interviews I recorded at the Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend. The talks from all o...
Apr 26, 2025•15 min
Gloucester Cathedral, St Peter’s Abbey before the dissolution in 1540, was founded in 1541. The ‘Deed of Endowment’, one of three documents created for the occasion features in this video complete with flattering portrait of King Henry VIII, a Garter Badge, badge of the Prince of Wales and the original green and white (the Tudor colours) silk cord which once held the great seal. The oldest items in the archive are pages from Aelfric's The Lives of Saints which had been reused as decorative pages...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min•Ep. -50
Hello fellow history lover! Instead of my live this week I am publishing a brand new ‘on-location’ interview. This, the first one in this ongoing series, was recorded inside the Library of Gloucester Cathedral, where the Cathedral’s 6000 precious documents and books are stored, overseen and looked after by Cathedral Archivist Rebecca Phillips. The full video is out later today here, and on Youtube, but here is a little preview. British History is a reader-supported publication. To support my wor...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min
In this, the final of 3 episodes, recorded live, we are discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon. Last time we covered the sack of Rome in 1527 and, in episode 1, the build up to it. We learned how the breakdown in relations between Francois I of France, Charles V Holy Roman Emperor, Charles duke of Burgundy and Pope Clement VII led to this indescribably horrific humanitarian disaster...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 28 min
There is a fascinating and intriguing exhibition on in 2025 at Chichester Cathedral. Reverend Vanessa Baron Cathedral Treasurer, who curated the exhibition, joined me today to talk about the human stories behind some of artefacts chosen for the exhibition. You can find out more about the exhibition and the Cathedral by visiting https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/ Thank you for watching this video, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 40 fan...
Mar 29, 2025•35 min
In this, the second of 3 episodes, recorded live, discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, we look at the Sack of Rome itself. WARNING - this episode will include descriptions of act of violence, all which occurred in 1527, almost 500 year ago but still upsetting. In the previous episode we focussed on the events which led up to Imperial troops appearing at the walls of Rome, bent on...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 13 min
In this first of a series of 3 episodes, recorded live, discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, we focus on the events which led up to Imperial troops at the walls of Rome, bent on violence. As well as out main topic for today we also have the 3-minute explainer - why is Richard III so popular? and AI attempts to recreate historical moments. You can also watch this episode on the Br...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 20 min
In this episode of British History Live, Main Topic of the episode: The life, death and martyrdom of Bishop Hooper. 3 minute explainer: Did they or didn’t they? Arthur Tudor and Katherine of Aragon, did they consummate their marriage? Plus, my visit the Chichester Cathedral 950 and what AI came up with when I asked for a video of Elizabeth I’s astrologer Dr John Dee consulting the stars! British History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becomin...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Hello and Welcome! I'm Philippa and it’s great to see you here. I was honoured to be granted the first interview with Gareth Russell about his forthcoming book, a biography of James I of England/VI of Scotland, titled 'Queen James. The Life and Loves of Britain's First King' in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and ' The Six Loves of James I' in the USA and Canada. The release date for Gareth's book is 27th February in the UK , Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and 2nd December in th...
Feb 14, 2025•55 min
Exactly 12 years apart, Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads to the axe. In Cromwell's case over 2 years after he'd died! In this episode, recorded live, Philippa covers how a king could be tried for treason (a crime which hitherto was a crime committed against a king), the reaction to the king's death and the revenge his son, Charles II took on his corpse! Useful Links: Wars of the Roses Online History Festival: https://warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk British History Patreon: Patreon....
Feb 05, 2025•58 min
I had a great time chatting with Jonathan Healey about the 17th century. Rather than the political classes, which usually get the attention when talking about the upheavals of the 17th century, we talked about the what was happening to the people of England and in turn what influence they had on events. I would thoroughly recommend Jonathan's book 'The Blazing World. A New History of Revolutionary England' available from Blackwells.com and shipped worldwide and other good bookshops. Thank you fo...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr
In this episode of 'British History Live' Philippa looks at the events of 29th January 1536. As Katherine of Aragon was laid to rest as Dowager Princess of Wales at Peterborough Cathedral, Anne Boleyn miscarried. Philippa explores Katherine's banishment, death, funeral and how, just as Anne thought her position was at its strongest and most secure, it all began to fall apart. Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Thank you for listening, I hope you enjoyed it. You can also jo...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Philippa is back, at a new time, for The British History Live Show, a live show discussing history stories and history in the news, every 2 weeks at 6:30pm UK time. This week sees the anniversaries of the coronation of England's Danish King Canute, the death of Edward the Confessor and the coronation of Harold Godwinson. Philippa discusses how Canute came to power in the beginning, how he elevated Earl Godwin to a point that saw his son as the natural successor to Edward the Confessor and who ca...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Barbara Villiers was Charles II's mistress from the time he became King (perhaps before) at the Restoration in 1660. I talked to Andrea Zuvich, the author of a new book 'Ravenous! Charles II's Most Infamous Mistress, Barbara Villiers' about Barbara's colourful life! Paid Substack subscribers have early access to this podcast episode. It will go on general release on 23rd October 2024 where it can also be seen on Youtube at Youtube.com/BritishHistory. Bonus content on Patreon.com/BritishHistory. ...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Today I covered my recent private tour of Hatfield House where I was able to view the recently restored 'Rainbow Portrait' of Elizabeth I. I go into the symbolism and meaning in this famous image of the final Tudor monarch. Mentioned in this episode. Interview with Eleri Lynn on Tudor Fashion Find the Extended version and bonus material at Patreon.com/BritishHistory This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.sub...
Sep 04, 2024•57 min
I am on the road today (check out my Instagram to see what I am up to @british_history_tours) but I have pre-recorded a special episode of Tea Time History Chat Live. Special guest, Amanda Glover joined me to talk about her groundbreaking research into the letter supposedly written by Anne Boleyn, to her husband Henry VIII, 4 days into her incarceration at the Tower of London and 13 days before her execution. Historians have long debated the letter’s authenticity and whether Anne did actually wr...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 18 min
