THE ENGLISH HERITAGE PODCAST
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.
‘Princely Shows’ and power: Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle
In the summer of 1573, Robert Dudley hosted 19 spectacular days of entertainment for Elizabeth I, including lavish new apartments for the queen, a beautifully manicured private garden, plays, hunting and pageantry.
It was all in an ostentatious bid to win Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, but as she rode off at the end of her visit, Dudley was left empty-handed.
In this episode, Amy Matthews chats with Head Curator of Properties Jeremy Ashbee and Dr Elizabeth Goldring about this royal ‘will-they, won’t they’ and the complex reasons that meant Elizabeth I never chose to share her power with a husband.
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From the archive: episodes we’re revisiting this month
This month, we're celebrating travel, tourism and leisure time with episodes from the archive to inspire you to get out and about this summer.
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Episode 174 - A history of the Great British seaside resort
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Episode 175 – Georgian garden tourists: a potted history of visiting gardens
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Episode 111 - The lawn games and sports played at our historic sites
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Episode 196 - The remarkable life and legacy of naturalist and explorer Alfred Russel Wallace
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Episode 66 - Voices of England: How the railways shaped the nation
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Episode 219 - The Ridgeway: a walk through time along England's oldest road
All Episodes
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REQUEST A READABLE FORMAT
If you would like to access any of our episodes in a written format, please email podcast@english-heritage.org.uk to make a request.
Speaking with shadows
When you’re wandering about a historic place, what voices do you hear echoing off the walls? Are they the ones you learnt about at school – or do you wonder about the shadowy, quiet voices that may have gone unheard?
Travel from 17th-century Northamptonshire, where we hear about the heroic servant who may have become Britain’s first black pub landlord, to wartime Essex, where Polish special forces soldiers trained in secrecy for life or death missions to their homeland.
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