The English Heritage Podcast

135

History #208

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 on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Series 2, Episode 1: Fish, Feminism and Working Women in the 20th Century
Apr 17, 2025 – 31:55
Speaking with shadows: The Workhouse at Framlingham Castle
Apr 10, 2025 – 37:07
Speaking with shadows: Bolsover Castle’s Philosopher Duchess
Apr 3, 2025 – 38:31
Speaking with shadows: Witchcraft, Women and Power
Mar 27, 2025 – 34:24
From the archive: Alice Thornton: a woman’s experience of the English Civil Wars
Mar 20, 2025 – 52:54
Speaking with shadows: The medieval massacre of the Jews of York
Mar 13, 2025 – 36:45
From the archive: The extraordinary life and times of Eleanor of Aquitaine
Mar 6, 2025 – 01:15:57
Speaking with shadows: Gwen Lalley - a 1930s pioneer
Feb 27, 2025 – 33:21
From the archive: Exploring LGBTQ+ history in the Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House
Feb 20, 2025 – 54:45
Speaking with shadows: the people of Hadrian's Wall
Feb 13, 2025 – 30:15
From the archive: The story behind reggae legend Bob Marley’s blue plaque in London
Feb 6, 2025 – 24:44
Speaking with shadows: Richmond Castle’s Conscientious Objectors
Jan 30, 2025 – 40:55
Speaking with shadows: The Caribbean Prisoners of Portchester Castle
Jan 23, 2025 – 35:12
From the archive: Ask the experts: Everything you want to know about England’s monasteries
Jan 16, 2025 – 01:27:48
From the archive: Ask the experts: everything you want to know about castles
Jan 9, 2025 – 01:07:36
From the archive: Ask the experts: Everything you want to know about the Neolithic
Jan 2, 2025 – 01:04:58
From the archive: Celebrating England’s post-Christmas winter traditions
Dec 26, 2024 – 34:19
From the archive: Exploring Victorian Christmas traditions
Dec 19, 2024 – 52:51
Bonus episode: Victorian Christmas Tales and Traditions at Wrest Park
Dec 17, 2024 – 51:23
From the archive: Celebrating the Roman midwinter festival of Saturnalia
Dec 12, 2024 – 42:00
From the archive: Christmas entertaining at English Heritage’s houses
Dec 5, 2024 – 42:27
From the archive: Who were the Romans of Britannia?
Nov 28, 2024 – 36:41
Episode 294 - The 1266 siege of Kenilworth Castle
Nov 21, 2024 – 58:24
Episode 293 - A delicious history of the English pie
Nov 14, 2024 – 56:09
Episode 292 - Hailes Abbey and the Holy Blood
Nov 6, 2024 – 01:03:01
Episode 291 - Ask the experts: England’s medieval kings and queens
Oct 31, 2024 – 01:14:57
Episode 290 - Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
Oct 24, 2024 – 40:51
Episode 289 - Women in politics in the 1920s
Oct 17, 2024 – 54:27
Episode 288 - Revealing the historic voices of Brixton
Oct 10, 2024 – 48:02
Episode 287 - Beyond 1066: who was William the Conqueror?
Oct 3, 2024 – 01:10:24
Episode 286 - John of Gaunt: the founder of a dynasty
Sep 26, 2024 – 01:08:03
Episode 285 - Behind the Scenes of a Roman Villa
Sep 19, 2024 – 40:50
Episode 284 - Lady Elizabeth Russell: Keeper of Donnington Castle
Sep 12, 2024 – 55:44
Episode 283 - Vincent Van Gogh in London
Sep 5, 2024 – 52:34
Episode 282 - Life as a medieval nun
Aug 29, 2024 – 01:10:35
Episode 281 - Harry Hotspur and Warkworth Castle
Aug 22, 2024 – 01:05:29
Bonus episode - Summer with Queen Victoria: Life at Osborne
Aug 20, 2024 – 56:16
Episode 280 - Bad King John: England’s worst monarch?
Aug 15, 2024 – 01:13:34
Episode 279 - Uncovering the prehistoric Uffington White Horse
Aug 8, 2024 – 40:31
Episode 278 - Marble Hill: how to build a Georgian villa
Aug 1, 2024 – 01:01:10
Episode 277 - In the Ayahs’ Home: Pioneering Indian and Chinese Women in Hackney
Jul 25, 2024 – 53:45
Episode 276 - The lost art of the parterre garden
Jul 18, 2024 – 46:22
Episode 275 - Secrets of the Corbridge Hoard
Jul 11, 2024 – 53:21
Episode 274 - Heroes of the 1924 Paris Olympics
Jul 4, 2024 – 01:12:22
Episode 273 - Pandemic: how the Black Death ravaged medieval England
Jun 27, 2024 – 01:01:05
Episode 272 - The decline of the English country house
Jun 20, 2024 – 01:08:27
Episode 271 - Ask the experts: Summer solstice at Stonehenge
Jun 13, 2024 – 01:09:38
Episode 270 - England’s rulers and their ‘favourites’
Jun 6, 2024 – 01:11:40
Episode 269 - Exploring the Roman Lake District
May 30, 2024 – 47:26
Episode 268 - Building better communities: celebrating two pioneering women
May 23, 2024 – 50:02

Recent Reviews

texianne

Female perspective

I listened to Christmas 2024 episode fully expecting to hear more about Roc Day. Not one word. So disappointed!
tiffysquid

Enjoyable and interesting

Another Yank here. We European-Americans are not known for our grasp of European or global history (to say the least). These intimate-seeming conversations on the podcast help acquaint us with English history that to us appears verrrry old (and perhaps our ancestors lived in Britain then) whereas older cultures and societies might be amused by our starry-eyed view on what can be considered quite recent history.
History readings

History of the English pie

Thank you for another brilliant podcast into England’s history; this time through food. For clarification ‘mincemeat’ is known and jars sold in the States.
LaraS9c

Low-key , gentle vibe

I really enjoy this podcast. It’s low-key vibe is restful and calming, while still being intelligent and interesting. The varied range of topics means there’s something for everyone.
Vazzarama

Such an interesting Podcast

American here, posting a review on this podcast. I find the shows really interesting even as an American. I love when they present shows outside and you can hear footsteps crunching rocks, or the creaking sounds of the floorboards whilst conducting a show inside a building. I couldn’t complete my review without a shout out to Charles Rowe who does an amazing job asking questions and keeping great conversation with the many varied guests who are interviewed for the show. I’m a weekly listener and always look forward to the next show!
Pinky Panettiera

Thorough & Entertaining

What a gem this podcast is! Thorough, entertaining, host and guests also have sense of humor. Love Charles and his honeyed, BBC radio-like voice
Agatha Fan!

Loved Seaside Episode!

Fascinating history of the British seaside and the spas/resorts. Entertaining and very informative!! Thank you.
A K O's Momma

Great podcast

Entertaining and knowledgeable thank you!