Castles, Kings and Courtly Life

Why would the execution of a single Czech priest spark decades of bloody revolution across Europe? In 1414, the outspoken reformer Jan Hus was promised safe conduct to a church council, only to be arrested, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake. Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Le ...  Show more

In 1441, one of England's most powerful women was forced to walk barefoot through London's streets as a convicted sorceress. What drove Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester, to the occult? Dr. Eleanor Janega sits down with bestselling novelist Philippa Gregory to uncover the pol ...  Show more

What makes a man a King? Aside from genetic luck and a glittering crown, it’s a castle. In this three part series, we’ll explore 15 of the most historically important Royal Castles & Palaces of England. In the last episode we explored the medieval castles built by William the Con ...  Show more

What makes a man a King? Aside from genetic luck and a glittering crown, it’s a castle. From the defensive towers erected by William I to secure his conquest of England, to the grand banqueting halls of the Tudors; the luxurious state rooms of the Stuarts and Georgians to the lov ...  Show more

What was the interior design like in medieval castles? Why were so many of these fortresses built in Wales? And what was it like to live in one? In our latest ‘Everything you wanted to know’ episode, Marc Morris answers listener questions on the history of British castles. Speaki ...  Show more