Tudor England | 4. Religion and superstition
The English Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries were major milestones in 16th-century England, shaking the very foundations of Tudor religious belief. But while the nation moved back an...
19 Des 202447min
Secrets of medieval churches
Churches were central to life in the Middle Ages. But with the Reformation wreaking havoc on religious buildings, nowadays it's hard to get a sense of what a medieval church would actually have looked...
18 Des 202424min
Isabella of Castile: life of the week
From the fall of Granada to the issuing of the Alhambra decree, Isabella of Castile's reign was one that saw an extraordinary amount of history-altering events and, as such, has earned her a complex l...
17 Des 202444min
The massacre that shattered the old Ottoman world
In 1860, the diverse Ottoman city of Damascus witnessed the massacre of thousands of Christians. The killings, combined with Constantinople’s hardline response, shattered the city’s tolerant society a...
16 Des 202440min
Underwear history: everything you wanted to know
When did people first start wearing underwear? What's the difference between drawers and bloomers? Did medieval women wear bras? Were Victorian corsets really as uncomfortable to wear as you might ima...
15 Des 202438min
Medieval relic hunters: the quest for Notre-Dame's crown of thorns
The crown of thorns was one of the greatest medieval relics, supposedly pressed into the head of Jesus Christ by mocking Roman soldiers. Hunted down by an intrepid pair of Dominican friars, it was bro...
13 Des 202437min
Tudor England | 3. Culture and innovation
Why were festivals and feasts such major events in the Tudor age? What toxic beauty products did Elizabeth I plaster her face with? And were the works of the celebrated playwright William Shakespeare ...
12 Des 202449min
Tempting treats & festive feats: christmas shopping down the ages
As we get closer to Christmas, many people will be heading out to the shops to look for the perfect presents. And this mad dash in search of festive gifts is nothing new. In this episode, Annie Gray, ...
11 Des 202436min
