British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics

In just about six months, we’ve started exploring British history together. So I thought it would be fun for the end of the year to look back at the Top Ten royals, rebels, and romantics. I’ve looked ...

30 Dec 202034min

In 1800, Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, erected the first known Christmas tree at Windsor Castle. She hosted a party for the children of Windsor families. According to Dr. John Watkins, who wrot...

23 Dec 202017min

When Victoria and Albert married in 1840, they consciously set about improving the image of the monarchy. Creating a family Christmas, with children gathered around the tree, was an essential part of ...

16 Dec 202020min

For the Tudors, Christmas was a highlight of the year. It was a time of feasting on especially grand dishes, of dancing and singing, of enjoying the antics of the Lord of Misrule and special holiday r...

9 Dec 202019min

Unlike today, Medieval Christmas decorations did not start going up mid-October! In fact, because of Advent, the 40 days before Christmas were pretty bleak. Once noon passed on December 24, decorating...

2 Dec 202016min

Let’s take an imaginary trip to see the Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, farmland, Tudor schoolrooms, Dr. Hall’s house and medicinal garden, Tudor streets, Holy Trinity Church, a world-class theat...

25 Nov 202017min

I’m taking you time-traveling again! Just a short train or boat ride from the heart of London is one of England’s most famous pleasure palaces: Hampton Court Palace. From the heyday of Henry VIII to S...

18 Nov 202020min

I’m recording this in the final months of 2020. It’s been quite a year. We’ve faced an international pandemic, with hundreds of thousands of souls lost to a relentless illness. We’ve lived through pol...

11 Nov 202012min