British History Podcast

Mar 31 2025 114 ep. 56 mins 56

British History Podcast artwork

Join your host, Philippa Lacey Brewell, for historian interviews and live chats.

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History Society & Culture

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Henry VIII's Divorce and the 1527 Sack of Rome - Part 3

Mar 31 2025 87 mins

In this, the final of 3 episodes, recorded live, we are discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon. Last time we covered the sack of Rome in 1527 and, in episode 1, the build up to it. We learned how the breakdown in relations between Francois I of France, Charles V Holy R

Rebellious Nuns, Unsung Heroes and a lost Cross

Mar 29 2025 34 mins

There is a fascinating and intriguing exhibition on in 2025 at Chichester Cathedral. Reverend Vanessa Baron Cathedral Treasurer, who curated the exhibition, joined me today to talk about the human stories behind some of artefacts chosen for the exhibition. You can find out more about the exhibition and the Cathedral by visiting https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/ Thank you for

Henry VIII's Divorce and the 1527 Sack of Rome - Part 2

Mar 17 2025 73 mins

In this, the second of 3 episodes, recorded live, discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, we look at the Sack of Rome itself. WARNING - this episode will include descriptions of act of violence, all which occurred in 1527, almost 500 year ago but still upsetting. In th

Henry VIII's Divorce and the 1527 Sack of Rome - Part 1

Mar 03 2025 80 mins

In this first of a series of 3 episodes, recorded live, discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, we focus on the events which led up to Imperial troops at the walls of Rome, bent on violence. As well as out main topic for today we also have the 3-minute explainer - why

The Life, Death and Martyrdom of Bishop Hooper, and did Arthur Tudor sleep with Katherine of Aragon?

Feb 17 2025 86 mins

In this episode of British History Live, Main Topic of the episode: The life, death and martyrdom of Bishop Hooper. 3 minute explainer: Did they or didn’t they? Arthur Tudor and Katherine of Aragon, did they consummate their marriage?Plus, my visit the Chichester Cathedral 950 and what AI came up with when I asked for a video of Elizabeth I’s astrologer Dr John Dee consulting t

Queen James: Britain's openly gay king

Feb 14 2025 54 mins

Hello and Welcome! I'm Philippa and it’s great to see you here.I was honoured to be granted the first interview with Gareth Russell about his forthcoming book, a biography of James I of England/VI of Scotland, titled 'Queen James. The Life and Loves of Britain's First King' in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and 'The Six Loves of James I' in the USA and Canada. The re

How Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads - bizarre stories from the 17th century

Feb 05 2025 58 mins

Exactly 12 years apart, Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads to the axe. In Cromwell's case over 2 years after he'd died!In this episode, recorded live, Philippa covers how a king could be tried for treason (a crime which hitherto was a crime committed against a king), the reaction to the king's death and the revenge his son, Charles II took on his corpse!Useful Links:War

The day that changed Anne Boleyn's fate

Jan 20 2025 86 mins

In this episode of 'British History Live' Philippa looks at the events of 29th January 1536. As Katherine of Aragon was laid to rest as Dowager Princess of Wales at Peterborough Cathedral, Anne Boleyn miscarried. Philippa explores Katherine's banishment, death, funeral and how, just as Anne thought her position was at its strongest and most secure, it all began to fall apart. Hi! I

The Blazing World | 17th Century England | Dr Jonathan Healey

Jan 21 2025 60 mins

I had a great time chatting with Jonathan Healey about the 17th century. Rather than the political classes, which usually get the attention when talking about the upheavals of the 17th century, we talked about the what was happening to the people of England and in turn what influence they had on events. I would thoroughly recommend Jonathan's book 'The Blazing World. A New History

British History Live!

Jan 06 2025 61 mins

Philippa is back, at a new time, for The British History Live Show, a live show discussing history stories and history in the news, every 2 weeks at 6:30pm UK time.This week sees the anniversaries of the coronation of England's Danish King Canute, the death of Edward the Confessor and the coronation of Harold Godwinson. Philippa discusses how Canute came to power in the beginning,