The Tudor History & Travel Show

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at the Weald & Downland Living Museum, where we explore two remarkable properties that offer a fascinating insight into sixteenth-century domestic life and architecture. If you've ever wondered what life was like beyond the royal palaces, this episode is for you.

If you w...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Chirk Castle, which stands on a hill overlooking the Ceiriog Valley, above the meeting point of the Rivers Dee and Ceiriog near the English border in north-east Wales. Built between 1295 and 1310 on the orders of James of Saint George for Edward I, Chirk formed part of Edward's chain of castles designed to secure ...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Raglan Castle in Wales. Unlike many earlier Welsh castles built primarily for war, Raglan was designed as both a fortress and a luxurious residence. Its distinctive polygonal towers, grand gatehouse, and moated Great Tower ("Yellow Tower") make it architecturally unique. Particularly interesting to Tudor enth...

In this episode of The Tudor History And Travel Show, we travel to the Tower of London, whose ancient walls imprisoned some legendary inmates, including perhaps the most famous of all, Queen Anne Boleyn. Joined by Assistant Buildings Curator, Alfred Hawkins, we explore some of the well-known, and much less well-known, nooks and crannies of this notorious fortress/palace and pri...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Tenby and Mill Bay. This is the second podcast episode of our two-part series, as we travel to the rugged coast of Pembrokeshire to explore the Welsh beginnings of the man who would become Henry VII. Long before the Battle of Bosworth and the founding of the Tudor dynasty, Henry’s story began in the castles, town...

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to the Cotswolds. An area made rich by its wool trade in the medieval times, wool merchants would often fund the construction and renovation of churches in their communities as a way to display their wealth and status. The churches became known as "wool churches."  

Joined by our guide, Dr Samantha Harper, we take a tour ...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, as Sarah travels to Norwich in Norfolk to go on the trail of Elizabeth I, as she arrives at the city during the pinnacle of her 1578 progress. Our expert guide in this episode is historian, Aidan Norrie, whose special interest is in Elizabeth, her iconography and Elizabethan pageants.

This episode fea...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Lamphey Palace and Pembroke Castle. This is the first podcast episode of our two-part series, as we travel to the rugged coast of Pembrokeshire to explore the Welsh beginnings of the man who would become Henry VII. Long before the Battle of Bosworth and the founding of the Tudor dynasty, Henry’s story began in th...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Peterborough Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. The final episode in my three-part series to commemorate Katherine of Aragon, we discover beautiful Peterborough Cathedral, the site of Katherine's grave. Katherine is remembered there not just as Henry VIII’s discarded wife, but as a dignified, resilient woman who stood ...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Kimbolton Castle in Cambridgeshire.  We discover this incredible building - a former medieval stronghold that became Katherine of Aragon's final residence. Stripped of her title, separated from her daughter, Mary, and pressured to accept the annulment of her marriage, Katherine lived under strict supervision at Kimbolton an...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Buckden Towers, formerly known as Buckden Palace. This medieval fortified house and bishop's palace is most famous for its association with Queen Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife. After Katherine refused to accept the annulment of her marriage and the title of Dowager Princess of Wales, she was m...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire. A highlight on any Tudor time traveller’s itinerary, Little Moreton Hall is a picture-postcard building - a charming, delightfully crooked, timber-framed black-and-white building encircled by a narrow moat. Construction of the present hall began in ...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Hoghton Tower in Lancashire, originally constructed in the 1560s–70s, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, by Thomas Hoghton. Built on a commanding hill with panoramic views over the Ribble Valley, the building combines defensive medieval architecture with the grace and symmetry typical of the Tudor Renaissance style.&nb...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded in Norwich. We step back in time for a walking tour through the heart of Norwich, one of England’s most historic and fascinating Tudor cities. As we wander through its winding lanes and past half-timbered buildings, we’ll uncover the hidden gems and remarkable landmarks that shaped the city...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Haddon Hall. No ordinary house, Haddon stands as one of the oldest and most evocative residences in England. Untouched for nearly two centuries, Haddon was left to slumber, unmodernised, unspoiled. And because of that, stepping inside today is like walking straight into the Tudor world.

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at one of the most evocative Tudor sites: Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. A place intimately connected with the childhood of Queen Elizabeth I, join me, as we walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth and uncover the layers of history here at Hatfield.

In the meantime, if...

Here is a show notes page accompanying thisspecial commemorative episode from Blickling Hall, as

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast from Worcester Cathedral. To commemorate the anniversary of the premature death of Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, I have recorded a two-part podcast series. In this episode, Part II, I follow the story of Arthur's body’s transfer to Worcester Cathedral for burial. 

In the meantime, if you ...

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast from Ludlow Castle. To commemorate the anniversary of the premature death of Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, I have recorded a two-part podcast series. In this episode, Part I, I follow the story of Arthur's time at Ludlow, and his precipitous and untimely death there in April 1502. 

In the meantime, ...