Origins of Pantomime

How did one man survive serving Henry VIII as principal secretary when others lost their heads? Why is the mastermind behind the King’s final, most turbulent decade so often forgotten?Rising through sheer intellect and royal favour, William Paget navigated bitter religious confli ...  Show more

How did a risky 16th-century venture evolve into a national enterprise that fuelled the rise of the British Empire? How did a vast network of royalty, politicians, cultural figures, and ordinary citizens finance human exploitation to expand British wealth and naval power?Professo ...  Show more

📝 Get FREE Episode Worksheet 🧐 Take English Level Test 👄 Improve Your Pronunciation Charlie reminisces about his family's pantomime tradition, tracing its history from 16th-century Italy to modern Britain. The episode highlights the unique audience interaction in pantomimes an ...  Show more

Ever wondered how Christmas was celebrated in Medieval times? Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis explore the fascinating world of Medieval festive traditions. From the violent brawls of medieval football to the quirky custom of 'mumming,' Eleanor and Matt dive into the rich tap ...

Is Christmas an ancient ritual or was it invented by Dickens? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the transformation of Christmas from public to private event and decide when it became a commercial rather than spiritual celebration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p ...  Show more

Greg Jenner and his guests Miles Jupp and Dr Eleanor Janega go back to the medieval Christmas for this one-off festive special. They look at the history and traditions that have thankfully continued through the ages, like gift-giving and stuffed wild boars (although numbers on st ...  Show more