Nuns played an important part in Anglo-Saxon religion and society, and remained integral to English religious, social, political and economic life for the rest of the Middle Ages. But what was daily life like, why did women choose to become nuns, and what happened to nunneries following the Dissolution? To find out more, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and professor of medieval history Janet Burton.  To discover more about women and monasticism, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/abbeys   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Henry 'Hotspur' Percy (1364–1403) was the most admired knight of his time. He fought in several campaigns against the Scots and the French during the Hundred Years' War, was a prime mover behind the deposition of Richard II, rebelled against Henry IV and was featured in plays by Shakespeare. Here to discuss his remarkable life is properties historian Dr William Wyeth. To find out more about Warkworth Castle, go to: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/warkworth/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re looking back at the origins and effects of a global pandemic that shook the medieval world. Joining us on our journey back to the 1340s, when the Black Death started to claim its first victims in England, is Professor of Later Medieval History at the University of East Anglia, Mark Bailey. We discover its causes, how it swept across Europe and its legacy in England today. To learn more about the history of our medieval monasteries, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/abbeys-and-priories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the autumn nights draw in and our thoughts turn to chilling tales of death, darkness and the afterlife, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter to discuss historical beliefs about the supernatural and commemoration, and their significance to monastic sites in English Heritage's care. Learn about ghost-story-loving monks, the Gothic imagination and a new series of free events that will use the dead to bring the past vividly back to life for today’s visitors. To find out more or book one of the upcoming Revenants and Remains events, go to www.revenantsandremains.mmu.ac.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a sneak preview of the latest special exhibition at Stonehenge, which reveals the surprising parallels between our most famous Neolithic monument and the stone circles created in Japan at Isedotai and Ōyu during the same period. Talking us through the similarities – and differences – are Interpretation Manager Melanie Coussens and Dr Simon Kaner, the executive director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. Plus, we reveal the must-see exhibits, the colourful characters that have been created to guide visitors and what the objects in the exhibition tell us about prehistoric life at Stonehenge. To find out more or plan your visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Steven Brindle to discuss the story of one of London’s more usual landmarks – the Wellington Arch. Discover why it was built, how it came to be in one of the capital’s most coveted locations and why it’s giant quadriga sculpture courted controversy. We’ll also reveal the many ways it has been used over the last 200 years and what you can expect to find during a visit today. To find out more about the Wellington Arch or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wellington-arch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we prepare to recreate the events of the Battle of Hastings, we’re profiling the man who lost on that battlefield in 1066. A man who (if you believe a certain tapestry) was killed by an arrow to the eye. Here to talk about the rise, reign and fall of Harold Godwinson is historian, author and expert on the middle ages, Dr Marc Morris. Plus, we’re joined by English Heritage Event Manager Diana Evans to find out what you can expect to see at this year’s re-enactment. To plan a visit to 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, or book your place at this year’s event, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/battle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As summer turns to autumn and harvest time approaches, we’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Eleanor Matthews and properties curator Winn Scutt to learn about the agricultural history of two very different properties – Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire and Leigh Court Barn in Worcestershire. Join us to discover how they were farmed, what working life at both sites was like and what would have been happening here during harvest time. To discover more about Brodsworth Hall or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth. To discover more about Leigh Court Barn or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/leigh-court-barn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Head Properties Curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, to explore the history of Restormel Castle in Cornwall. Standing in ruins surrounded by beautiful countryside in a valley with views down to the River Fowey, Restormel is one of the most remarkable castles in Britain. We discuss who built it, how it was used, its royal visitors and its links with the Duchy of Cornwall. To discover more about Restormel Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/restormel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Properties Historian, Dr Andrew Roberts, and Curator of Hadrian's Wall, Dr Frances McIntosh, to answer all of your questions about the Romans. Discover why the Romans never conquered all the British Isles, how long it took to get a letter to Rome from Hadrian’s Wall, whether Romans ever really used urine as a mouthwash and much more! To discover more about life in Roman Britain, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second helping in our series about historic food and feasts, we’re joined by Curator of Collections and Interiors Cameron Moffett, and Senior Properties Curator Louise Bartlett, to discuss a 13th century feast that took place at Stokesay Castle in Shropshire. We’ll discover who was hosting, their guest of honour, what was on the menu and the politics of the medieval dining table. To discover more about Stokesay Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stokesaycastle This series is brought to you by Côte at Home, who offer a wide range of luxury chilled meals and French wines, delivered direct to your door, from the kitchens of the Côte Brasserie restaurants. To get a free bottle of French red or white wine with your first order over £60, go to www.coteathome.co.uk and use the promo code EH-RED or EH-WHITE at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visiting gardens became a favourite pursuit of 18th century upper classes. It’s also a passion that many of us enjoy today: visiting historic gardens, admiring carefully crafted landscapes and maybe even picking up a few ideas for our own outdoor spaces. But were the garden tourists of the Georgian era anything like us? To answer that question and more, we’re joined by English Heritage Landscape Advisor, Emily Parker and PhD researcher, Jemima Hubbertsey. To discover a selection of English Heritage’s finest historic gardens, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/historic-gardens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britain’s beaches are a popular day trip destination when the sun is shining, but this wasn’t always the case. Joining us to discuss the origins of the beach holiday, the history of British seaside resorts and how visits to the seaside have changed over the centuries is Dr Allan Brodie, a senior investigator at Historic England and a visiting fellow at Bournemouth University. To discover a selection of English Heritage’s best historic beach escapes, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/travel-guides/beach-escapes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by English Heritage historians’ team leader Dr Andrew Hann and senior properties historian Dr Steven Brindle to discuss the story of Sutton Scarsdale Hall in Derbyshire. We'll cover the decline of this Georgian mansion, the issues that affected many of England’s grand country houses and the work of charities such as English Heritage to save them for the nation. To learn more about Sutton Scarsdale Hall or to plan a visit, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/sutton-scarsdale-hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re discussing the story of a 17th century woman who left an amazing literary legacy. Alice Thornton wrote four books, including three autobiographies, which provide a remarkable insight into life during the English Civil Wars. Joining us to discuss Alice’s story, including her connection to the English Heritage site of Middleham Castle in North Yorkshire, are Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Edinburgh Dr Cordelia Beattie, English Heritage Properties Historian Will Wyeth and Post-Doctoral Researcher Dr Jo Edge. To discover more about Middleham Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/middlehamcastle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Michael Carter to discuss the story of Anglo-Saxon England’s conversion to Christianity and the key people behind it. Many of you will have heard of St Augustine, but what about St Hild, Hadrian or Milburga, or even Queen Bertha? Join us to discover the role these medieval missionaries played and the sites you can visit today to find out more. To discover more about England’s top abbeys or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/travel-guides/top-abbeys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re on the banks of the River Rye in North Yorkshire to discover how its precious water helped to sustain the monks who lived here for just over 400 years. This relationship between the monks and the river – and the ingenious ways they managed the water – is the focus of a new exhibition being hosted at the abbey. Joining us to explain more are English Heritage Collections Curator Susan Harrison, Ryevitalise Programme Manager for the North York Moors National Park Authority Alexandra Cripps, and Ryevitalise Graduate Niamh Byrne. To discover more about Rievaulx Abbey or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever been to an historic site and wondered about the people who lived there? Or the people who died there? Or maybe even those who are buried there? St Peter's Church at Barton-on-the-Humber in north Lincolnshire is home to a large collection of human bones stored in its ossuary. Joining us to reveal the story of the church, its ossuary, and the human remains housed here are Senior Curator Kevin Booth and Human Skeletal Biologist at Historic England, Dr Simon Mays. To discover more about St Peter’s Church or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-peters-church-barton-upon-humber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Susan Greaney and Professor Ronald Hutton to investigate the mysterious white horses and giant chalk figures that adorn hillsides across England. Find out who created them, when and why they were created and the stories behind many of England’s most famous hill figures, from the Uffington and Westbury White Horses to the Cerne Abbas Giant and the Long Man of Wilmington. To discover more about the Uffington White Horse or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/uffington-castle-white-horse-and-dragon-hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re joined by English Heritage’s Head of Learning and Interpretation Dr Dominique Bouchard and Properties Historians' Team Leader Dr Andrew Hann to talk about a landmark case presided over by Lord Chief Justice, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, who lived at Kenwood in north London. He was also a dissenting voice against slavery. Mansfield's ruling in the Somerset v Stewart case in 1772 paved the way for the abolition of slavery in Britain and beyond. To discover 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

This week, we’re returning to one of our favourite topics of conversation on the podcast: castles. Joining us to discuss the evolution of Britain’s fortresses, before revealing his top five English Heritage castles, is John Goodall – a historian, the architectural editor of Country Life magazine and author of a new book called The Castle: A History. To discover more about our castles or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/castles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Dr Frances McIntosh to discuss the story of the Edwardian archaeologists who discovered Corbridge Roman Town and the new exhibition that has been created to celebrate their work. Corbridge – or Coria to use its original name – was a major settlement two-and-a-half miles south of Hadrian’s Wall in the north-east of England, and the ground-breaking excavations carried out here more than a hundred years ago uncovered one of the most important Roman collections in Britain. To discover more about Corbridge Roman Town or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/corbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re marking a new chapter in the story of Marble Hill, an eye-catching early Georgian villa set in 66 acres of parkland near the River Thames in Twickenham, south-west London. As it reopens following an 8-million-pound project to revive the house and grounds, we explore the history of this riverside Palladian home, its builder Henrietta Howard, its collections and its garden. Joining us to pick up the story are Senior Properties Historian Dr Megan Leyland, Curator of Collections and Interiors Dr Tessa Kilgarriff and Landscape Advisor Emily Parker. To discover more about Marble Hill or plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/marblehill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back for the final instalment of our four-part mini-series on the story of Hadrian’s Wall on its 1,900th anniversary. From the end of Roman control in Britain to the medieval period and the rediscovery of the wall by early archaeologists, we’re looking at the legacy of Hadrian’s Wall. We also consider how the remains of the Wall and its forts are being conserved for future generations. Joining us to guide us on this journey back to the present day are Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and Curator of Hadrian’s Wall Dr Frances McIntosh. To discover more about Hadrian’s Wall or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we approach midsummer, we’re joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Jennifer Wexler to answer your questions about the summer solstice at Stonehenge. Discover why the solstice is important, how Neolithic people understood and celebrated it and how living traditions can help us to understand the function of the site. We’ll also reveal where the idea of creating stone circles came from, what happened to Stonehenge’s missing stones and more.   To learn more about Stonehenge or plan a visit, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first in a three-part mini-series on feasts that were enjoyed at English Heritage sites through the ages. To get us started, we’re headed back in time to visit Lullingstone Roman Villa in Kent. Giving us a flavour of what a Roman feast at Lullingstone would have looked (and tasted) like is Curator of Collections and Interiors Dr Kathryn Bedford. This series is brought to you by Côte at Home, who offer a wide range of luxury chilled meals and French wines, delivered direct to your door, from the kitchens of the Côte Brasserie restaurants. To get a free bottle of French red or white wine with your first order over £60, go to www.coteathome.co.uk and use the promo code EH-RED or EH-WHITE at checkout. To learn more about Lullingstone Roman Villa or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lullingstone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re concluding our two-part mini-series on the Wars of the Roses as we chart Richard III’s role in the final phases of the conflicts. He remains one of the most controversial kings in English history – accused of murdering his nephews to protect his throne. But who was the real Richard III? We’re joined by Curator of Collections & Interiors, Dickon Whitewood to find out. To discover more about Richard III’s childhood home, Middleham Castle, or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/middleham-castle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re back on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for the third instalment of our Hadrian’s Wall mini-series. Discover what happened to the Wall following the death of Emperor Hadrian in AD 138 and how life along it evolved until the end of Roman rule in Britain. Joining us to pick up the story are Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts and curator of Hadrian’s Wall and the North East region Dr Frances McIntosh. To discover more about Hadrian’s Wall or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/hadrianswall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ranger’s House is an elegant Georgian villa on the boundary of Greenwich Park and Blackheath, which houses The Wernher Collection, a world-class art collection amassed by the 19th-century businessman, Sir Julius Wernher. However, in more recent times, its façade has become famous as the star of Netflix period drama Bridgerton. We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Megan Leyland and Head of Commercial Development Kingston Myles to learn about the history of Ranger’s House and how it was reinvented on-screen as Bridgerton House. To discover more about Ranger’s House or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/rangershouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edmund was King of East Anglia in the 9th century before becoming England’s original patron saint. Today, very little is known about his life, but the legends of his grisly death developed into a cult centred on his shrine at Bury St Edmunds Abbey, which was founded by King Cnut in 1020. As the cult grew, so did the abbey, which became one of the largest monastic sites in the country. We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle and Interpretation Manager Jessica Freeland to learn about Edmund’s reign, death and canonisation, along with the plans to share his story with visitors to the abbey today. To discover more about Bury St Edmunds Abbey or to plan a visit, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bury-st-edmunds-abbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle to answer all of your questions about the Victorian period. Discover what the Victorians liked to eat and drink, their attitudes to child labour, how they expressed themselves through clothing, art and architecture, and Queen Victoria’s lifestyle at Osborne. To discover more about Osborne or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/osborne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Standing tall in the centre of historic York for almost 800 years, Clifford’s Tower has undergone a transformation to conserve its walls and create a multi-sensory celebration of its stories. Joining us to explain more are Head Properties Curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, Senior National Project Manager Rachael Baldwin and Interpretation Manager Ruth Haycock. To discover more about Clifford’s Tower or to plan a visit to see it for yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/cliffords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new tour launching this summer explores the LGBTQ+ history behind a number of objects in the Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House in Blackheath, London. We’re joined by Senior Interpretation Manager Nick Collinson, Properties Historian Andrew Roberts and Young Producer Katie Burke to find out how and why they created the tour, and to reveal the LGBTQ+ history connected to a selection of the objects included. To discover more about Ranger’s House or to plan a visit to take the tour, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rangershouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Second World War saw a number of England’s country houses requisitioned by the military to play their part in the war effort. We’re joined by Curator of Collections and Interiors Eleanor Matthews, Properties Historians' Team Leader Dr Andrew Hann and Collections Manager David Hanks to discuss how Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire, Wrest Park in Bedfordshire and Belsay Hall in Northumberland were reinvented as a barracks, offices and training facilities as the war raged. To discover more about Brodsworth Hall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth To discover more about Wrest Park, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wrest To discover more about Belsay Hall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re continuing our four-part mini-series on Hadrian’s Wall by looking at what life was like for the soldiers stationed at Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland. Lying half-way along the wall near Hexham in Northumberland, Housesteads is Britain’s most complete example of a Roman fort. It was built within 10 years of the wall’s initial construction, and for nearly three centuries was able to house 800 infantrymen. Joining us for a march through the history of Housesteads are Senior Properties Historian Paul Pattison and Curator for Hadrian's Wall Dr Frances McIntosh. To discover more or plan a visit to Housesteads Roman Fort, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/housesteads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To mark Pride month this June, we’re taking a look at LGBTQ+ history and the private lives of four rulers who had same-sex relationships with their ‘favourites’. Joining us to discuss Roman Emperor Hadrian, Edward II, James I and Queen Anne are interpretation manager Nick Collison, head properties curator Dr Jeremy Ashbee, queer historian Kris Reid and curator of collections & interiors (Osborne House & Isle of Wight) Dr Christopher Warleigh-Lack. To discover more LGBTQ+ history at our sites, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/lgbtq-history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the beginnings of modern archaeology in the early 20th century, women have made significant contributions to preserving and understanding our cultural heritage. However, their work has often been neglected. Many of them faced institutional sexism, worked in areas that were undervalued, or had their work attributed to male colleagues. We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Susan Greaney and Curator Dr Frances McIntosh to take a look at the work of a number of pioneering female archaeologists who worked on sites now cared for by English Heritage, and consider how their investigations have enriched our understanding of the past. To discover more about the archaeologists discussed in this episode, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/six-groundbreaking-female-archaeologists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Less than 100 years after the Black Death, England was again uprooted by dramatic upheaval. The Wars of the Roses, fought between the two powerful houses of York and Lancaster, pitted families against each other. The series of conflicts – which took place between 1455 and 1485 – spanned multiple different reigns, involved numerous foreign kingdoms, and heralded changes in English politics, social order and battlefield technology. In this first episode of our two-part series, we’re joined by Curator of Collections and Interiors Dickon Whitewood to discuss what the Wars of the Roses were, how they started and the early battles that ended with Yorkist triumph. To discover more about medieval warfare, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/medieval/war Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle and Professor Lindy Grant from the University of Reading to look back at the remarkable life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. One of 12th century Europe’s richest and most powerful women, she became Queen of France as the wife of King Louis VII and then Queen of England as the wife of Henry II. Discover the story of her remarkable rise to power, her imprisonment following a plot to remove her second husband as king and her return to power as queen dowager. To discover more about Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/eleanor-aquitaine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quest to discover the origins of several mysterious Indigenous American objects in the collection at Audley End House led Curator of Collections and Interiors Peter Moore on a fact-finding mission across the Atlantic. We’re joined by Peter and Curator of The Seneca Art & Culture Centre Michael Galban to reveal what they learned about the objects, how these came to be at Audley End and a surprising connection between the collections at Audley End House and the Seneca Art & Culture Centre. To arrange a visit to Audley End House and Gardens to see its collections, including the indigenous American objects discussed in this episode, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/audley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten years after the Alliance to Reduce Crime against Heritage (ARCH) was established, we’re joined in the studio by Historic England’s Head of Heritage Crime Strategy, Mark Harrison, to learn about the different kinds of heritage crime, its impact on our historic sites and what is being done to tackle it. Plus, we speak to Property Curator Win Scutt to reveal what has been happening at English Heritage to stop illegal metal detecting and catch criminals in the act. To learn more about ARCH, go to www.historicengland.org.uk/advice/caring-for-heritage/heritage-crime/prevent/get-involved Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Susan Greaney and Stonehenge Curator Heather Sebire to answer all of your questions about the Neolithic period. Discover what Neolithic people ate, how they navigated their way across the British Isles and if they ever got married. Plus, learn the secrets of our most famous Neolithic monument, Stonehenge. To learn more about the history of Stonehenge, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To mark the 1,900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall, we’re starting a new, four-part podcast series, piecing together the story of Britain’s most famous relic of Roman rule. In this first episode, we’re joined by Properties Historian Dr Andrew Roberts to take a look at the story of Hadrian himself, ahead of the former emperor’s birthday on 24 January. Discover the story of his rise to become the Roman ruler, why he ordered the building of the wall along the northern frontier of the empire, and his vision for it. To learn more about Hadrian’s Wall and the stories of the sites we care for along it, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following on from episode 130, in which we discussed the events and people behind the Battle of Hastings, we’re now shifting our attention to the turbulent years that followed. We often think of 1066 as a big turning point in English history, but it actually took another six years for the Norman Conquest to take hold. Joining us to talk through William the Conqueror’s coronation and the measures he took to assert his authority are Senior Properties Curator Roy Porter and Curator of Collections and Interiors for the South East, Kathryn Bedford. To learn more about the Norman Conquest, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/1066-and-the-norman-conquest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Christmas now behind us, we’re joined by Professor of History at the University of Bristol, Ronald Hutton, to look at the origins of some of England’s other winter traditions. Discover the origins of Plough Monday, Wassailing, Mummers’ plays, Valentine’s Day, Shrove Tuesday and Kissing Friday. For more inspiration for things to do with English Heritage in January, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/top-5-things-to-do-in-january/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the centenary of the death of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, we’re joined by senior historian Howard Spencer to discuss Shackleton’s adventures and the blue plaque that commemorates his achievements at his former London home. We also discuss the exploits of five other polar explorers honoured by blue plaques for their commitments to mapping the globe and pushing the limits of human endurance. To learn more about English Heritage’s blue plaque scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re discovering just how far Roman influence spread through Britain, as we explore the stories of three fascinating forts in spectacular locations in northwest England’s Lake District. Joining us to discuss the stories and functions of Ravenglass Roman Bath House, Hardknott Roman Fort and Ambleside Roman Fort in Cumbria are English Heritage properties historian Dr Andrew Roberts and free sites coordinator Lauren Emslie.   To find out more about the Romans in the Lake District, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/romanlakedistrict Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by Properties Historians Team Leader, Dr Andrew Hann, to unwrap the history of Christmas party season at four of our English Heritage sites. Discover how their rich and powerful former residents celebrated, what was on the menu at festive feasts, and how the guests were entertained. To learn more about the history of Christmas, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/the-history-of-christmas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Steven Brindle to discuss the history of The Order of the Knights Templar. Discover how they were established, their role in the crusades, the secrets of their military success, and the English Heritage sites linked to them that you can visit today. For more details about Bristol Temple Church, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/temple-church For details of Knights Templar Church in Dover, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/knights-templar-church-dover Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the days become shorter and darker, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian, Dr Susan Greaney, and Senior Historic Property Curator for Stonehenge, Heather Sebire, to discover how the winter solstice was marked at Stonehenge thousands of years ago. For more details about Stonehenge or to plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices