Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe North: from Bede to Lowry
Episode 1612
From the glories of early medieval Northumbria to the urban powerhouses of the industrial revolution, northern England has long had an identity of its own. In his book Northerners, Brian Groom traces…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Paganism: everything you wanted to know
Episode 1611
What did ancient pagans actually believe? Why were they fascinated by the divinity of nature? And why did paganism capture the imagination of the Romantics? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Professor Rona…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Eat for victory: WW2’s “British Restaurants”
Episode 1610
Canteen dining conjures up visions of plastic trays, hard benches and bowls of beige slop. But as the hardships of the Second World War began to bite, punters flocked to an idealistic establishment c…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Madame Restell: the abortionist who shocked and fascinated 19th-century New York
Episode 1609
In the 19th century, one businesswoman shocked, horrified and fascinated New York society more than any other. Madame Restell was a celebrity and self-made millionaire known for her diamonds and love…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Medieval manuscripts: an enduring obsession
Episode 1608
For centuries, people have been dazzled by the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages. But how much do we know about the countless makers, collectors and connoisseurs who took care of them behind…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Njinga: queen, warrior, diplomat
Episode 1607
Queen Njinga, the 17th-century ruler of Ndongo and Matamba, in modern-day Angola, established an impressive reputation for her skills as a warrior and diplomat. At a time when Portuguese colonists we…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Sirens, succubi & sex symbols: a history of female monsters
Episode 1606
From the dangers of childbirth to female sexuality, myths and legends about female monsters like mermaids and sirens can tell us a lot about different societies’ attitudes towards women over time. Sp…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Britain’s WW2 home front: everything you wanted to know
Episode 1605
As the Second World War raged across the world, what was life like for those back home in Britain? How did families make it through the terror of bombing raids? How many people took part in black mar…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Treasure, heritage & returning artefacts
Episode 1604
Headlines have been made recently by proposed changes to the Treasure Act in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes would see more historical and archaeological artefacts defined as “treasu…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago
Satire & scandal: the printmakers who mocked Georgian society
Episode 1603
Women blown up like balloons about to burst; leaders carving up the globe like a plum pudding; a drunken, bloated prince sprawled surrounded by unpaid invoices – the art of satirists like James Gillr…
Published on 2 years, 9 months ago