Episodes
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Barbara Villiers was Charles II's mistress from the time he became King (perhaps before) at the Restoration in 1660. I talked to Andrea Zuvich, the author of a new book 'Ravenous! Charles II's Most Infamous Mistress, Barbara Villiers' about Barbara's colourful life!
Paid Substack subscribers have early access to this podcast episode. It will go on general release on 23rd October 2024 where it can also be seen on Youtube at Youtube.com/BritishHistory.
Bonus content on Patreon.com/BritishHistory. Membership perks also includes the opportunity to submit your own questions for future guests.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
Today I am joined live by historian, author and presenter, Gareth Russell (from a cafe so apologies in advance for the poor sound quality in parts) ahead of The Rise of the Tudors Tour which we are hosting from 21st-27th September. Hear about where we are going and who is joining us along the way.
Follow the tour on Instagram @british_history_tours.
Book a tour at www.BritishHistoryTours.com. Get priority booking by becoming a member of my Patreon at Patreon.com/BritishHistory .
Hear about tours as they are launched by signing up for free to this substack.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
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This week I was chatting about the best places, accessible to the public, for exploring Roman Britain. We are fortunate in that there are many to choose from so I have selected a number, spread across England and Wales which are available to visit and give incredible insight into life in the far reaches of the Roman Empire!
Join me each week at 3pm (UK time) for a relaxed history chat, themed each week around a topic. . You can get exclusive content in my Patreon at Patreon.com/BritishHistory . You can join one of my history tours at www.BritishHistoryTours.com
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
Today I covered my recent private tour of Hatfield House where I was able to view the recently restored 'Rainbow Portrait' of Elizabeth I. I go into the symbolism and meaning in this famous image of the final Tudor monarch.
Mentioned in this episode.
Interview with Eleri Lynn on Tudor Fashion
Find the Extended version and bonus material at Patreon.com/BritishHistory
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
I am on the road today (check out my Instagram to see what I am up to @british_history_tours) but I have pre-recorded a special episode of Tea Time History Chat Live. Special guest, Amanda Glover joined me to talk about her groundbreaking research into the letter supposedly written by Anne Boleyn, to her husband Henry VIII, 4 days into her incarceration at the Tower of London and 13 days before her execution. Historians have long debated the letter’s authenticity and whether Anne did actually write the letter. Amanda’s research adds more clues to this long debated mystery.
You can also watch this episode on Youtube at youtube.com/BritishHistory
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
Last weekend I was at Bosworth for their annual medieval festival and battle reenactment where I met up with historian and author Nathen Amin to talk about his latest book 'Son of Prophecy. The Rise of Henry Tudor'.
You can also watch this on Youtube and listen to it on the podcast.
Join Patreon for an extra bonus 11 minutes with Nathen.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
Welcome to this latest episode of Tea Time History Chat (almost) Live - this is a special episode as I am joined by Clare Clinton from West Horsley Place to talk about this one-time home of Henry VIII and the incredible history being uncovered!
Links mentioned in this episode:
WEST HORSLEY PLACE See what’s on and support this incredible place in its conservation and research into its history by visiting their website: www.westhorsleyplace.org
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INTERVIEW WITH PROF ALICE HUNT In the run up to the release of her new book 'Republic. Britain's Revolutionary Decade 1649 - 1660' Professor Alice Hunt joined me for a fascinating interview about this country's only time without a monarch. Was it a 'blip', as the restored monarchy were keen to characterise it, or was there a good chance that the monarchy in Britain may never have been restored? We discussed the infighting, the lack of democracy of the new regime and the quick unravelling which led to Charles Stuart being invited back to restore the monarchy. Watch on Youtube:
Listen on Spotify:
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
In the run up to the release of her new book 'Republic. Britain's Revolutionary Decade 1649 - 1660' Professor Alice Hunt joined me for a fascinating interview about this country's only time without a monarch. Was it a 'blip', as the restored monarchy were keen to characterise it, or was there a good chance that the monarchy in Britain may never have been restored? We discussed the infighting, the lack of democracy of the new regime and the quick unravelling which led to Charles Stuart being invited back to restore the monarchy.
Paying Substack Subscribers get early access to this, and all other historian interviews.
Members of my Patreon were able to submit their own questions for Alice. If you would like to hear those, and get the opportunity to submit your own questions for future guests, as well as benefitting from other history lover benefits such as Book Club and exclusive posts, click on the button below.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
In this special episode, I am very happy to bring you a walk around Hever Castle, reimagined as Anne Boleyn and her family, who lived here in the 16th century, would recognise it, with assistant curator Kate McCaffrey. Kate is an incredibly talented historian who loves to share her findings and work with as wide an audience as possible and is one of the brains behind this wonderful new permanent exhibition.
Watch this episode on Youtube
Join the British History Club at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory to enjoy Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and take part in Book Club! All for £5/month.
You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa
You can also support me for free by subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this podcast.
Receive weekly history news from me by subscribing to my Substack at https://philippab.substack.com/
Visit https://www.BritishHistoryTours.com for full details of history tours and events.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
On the anniversary of the birth of a very important little boy, we look at how his death almost exactly 11 years later led to a regime change for the British Isles.
Join me for Tea Time History Chat Live this, and every Wednesday, at 3pm UK time. I stream live on Youtube and Facebook.
For Book Club and to watch ad-free, extended historian interviews, join the British History Club at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory. You will also be able to pose your own questions to future guests, enjoy early access to content, behind the scenes content, and early access and discounts on events. All for £5/month (discount available for annual subscribers).
Previous episode:
You can also support me for free by subscribing to my Substack at https://philippab.substack.com/
Visit https://www.BritishHistoryTours.com for full details of history tours.
Brands and Businesses - Contact [email protected] to discuss being featured here or on Philippa’s other platforms.
⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ About Philippa
Philippa is the owner and managing director of British History Tours, a tour company for those who love British History. She lives in Central England and is well respected in her field as a historian and tour organiser. Philippa entertains thousands each week with her videos and stories from across the UK and British History. This ability to engage an audience, as well as being an expert in travelling the historical sites of the UK, makes her your perfect guide.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
I actually have two special places for you today!
Hever Castle
Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn has always been a special place to visit, not least because you are moving around the space that she and her family once lived. With a new permanent exhibition at the Castle it is now easy to feel like you have travelled back in time and to the house of Thomas and Elizabeth Boleyn and their children Mary, Anne and George. I went to visit the castle recently and am very grateful to Assistant Curator Kate McCaffrey for showing me around the new rooms and giving me a fascinating insight into the research that went into the exhibition and also what the curatorial team's research has revealed about how the rooms were used and what happened here during Anne's time. You can hear mine and Kate's chat, as we walk around the rooms, on this channel, it will be released in August.
Watch this episode on Youtube
BONUS - West Horsley Place.
I also visited West Horsley Place, in Surrey, this week. Unsure of what I was to find, I didn't initially include it in the title and thumbnail for this episode but WOW that a fascinating and historically significant place it turned out to be! Owned twice by Henry VIII, who made alterations and additions to the property showing that he must have used it with some frequency, but also the venue for a dinner for him when his cousin, Henry Courtney, lived there - a dinner for which the menu survives!! That is just the beginning, join me as I reveal to you some of the history which I myself have only just learned this week, thank to the generous staff at West Horsley Place with a special mention to Clare Clinton. To donate to the conservation of West Horsley Place please go to: https://www.westhorsleyplace.org/donate/donate/5/credit-card .
Visit Hever Castle on The Anne Boleyn Tour, May 2025
Come with myself and historian Gareth Russell and stay at Hever Castle in May 2025 on 'The Anne Boleyn Tour'. You will stay at the castle for 4-nights, enjoy expert guided visits to Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London as well as an after-hours tour of Hever castle and dinner in its Great Hall! Also along the way you will meet Dr Tracy Borman OBE and Kate McCaffrey! To Book, go to www.britishhistorytours.com for full details and to download a booking form.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
Arthur Tudor was the brother who died and left the way clear for his younger brother to become Henry VIII. Benjamin Streeter, who’s book ‘Arthur Prince of Wales, Henry VIII’s Lost Brother’ tells the story of Arthur’s life and early death, joined me to talk about what kind of person Arthur was, what his life was like and, of course, did he and Katherine of Aragon consummate their marriage.
Paying Substack Subscribers have enjoyed early access to this historian interview, as always. :-)
Members of my Patreon were able to submit their own questions for Gareth. Join Patreon to put your own questions to future guests and to watch the extended interviews, as well as benefit from other benefits such as Book Club membership and exclusive posts.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
Inspired by my recent travels to Cyprus, in this episode we take a look into how the English King, Richard I, came to conquer the island of Cyprus.
For Book Club and to watch ad-free, extended historian interviews, like the one I mentioned today, join the British History Club at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory. You will also be able to pose your own questions to future guests, enjoy early access to content, behind the scenes content, and early access and discounts on events. All for £5/month (discount available for annual subscribers).
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
I sat down over Zoom for a fascinating talk with Sharon Bennett Connolly where we discussed the women involved in the Anarchy. The main women being the Matildas; Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and Queen Matilda, wife of King Stephen.
Paid Subscribers to the British History Substack enjoy early access to all the interviews released on this channel.
British History is a reader-supported publication. If you are not already, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Alternatively you can join the British History Patreon (scroll for details).
There's more! There is an extended version of this interview where Sharon and I discuss the women of Magna Carta plus she answered questions submitted by Patrons. You can watch the extended, ad-free edit of this interview, and put your questions forward for future guests by joining the British History Club at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory. You will also enjoy Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and VIP booking for tours! All for £5/month.
I hope you enjoy this interview, let me know your thoughts in the comments.
* Philippa
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
This week on Tea Time History Chat Live - the so-called Casket Letters and how they implicate Mary, Queen of Scots in the murder of her second husband, the father of her son James, Lord Darnley. Links also mentioned: Interview with Sharon Bennett Connolly 'The Women of the Anarchy' -
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
This week I introduce you to some wonderful primary sources! The articles, adverts and readers letters make for fascinating reading!
You can listen on the podcast or watch this on Substack or YouTube.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
I have been on the road for the past couple of days and one of my destinations was the World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey. In this episode I'll tell you about the abbey's interesting origin story and my visit. . I also have an update on 'The Catherine Howard Tour!'
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
There are many myths and legends about the so-called Peasant's Revolt of 1381. In this week's livestream I introduce you to the main elements of this uprising. What was it really about, who was involved and, what were the repercussions?
Also this week, I announced a brand new tour for 2025! The Catherine Howard Tour is a 8 night/9 day tour with Catherine's biographer, award winning historian Gareth Russell!
If you love to travel history and the idea of doing so with eminent historians whilst staying in beautiful hotels, being taken everywhere in a luxury coach and not having to worry about any arrangements at all check out www.britishhistorytours.com on 5th June. Priority booking is open already to members of my Patreon, go to Patreon.com/BritishHistory.
Further Reading and Listening on the Peasant's Revolt
The Rest is History Podcast, which you will be able to find by searching Spotify.
My interview with Helen Carr -
'1381: The Year of the Peasants’ Revolt' by Juliet Barker, published by Harvard University Press
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
For over 100 years we have been moving our clocks forward one hour in the Spring and back again one hour in the Autumn. In today's livestream I'll cover how this idea was first thought of and why it was introduced!
I am also fresh back from The Anne Boleyn Tour so I'm sure that will come up too! You can get on the tour in 2025 by booking at www.britishhistoytours.com or emailing us at [email protected].
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe -
In 1554, Elizabeth (future Elizabeth I) was released from the Tower of London to house arrest at Woodstock. She had been held for weeks despite no evidence to implicate her in the recent Wyatt Rebellion to overthrow her half-sister Mary and put her on the throne. The date chosen was probably deliberate and could have been meant to send a message to Elizabeth that she was still alive only by the mercy of her sister, it was 19th May, the 18th anniversary of her mother's execution at the Tower. The next anniversary to fall in this week is that of the first documented smallpox vaccination by Dr Edward Jenner. A discovery that would have greatly benefitted Elizabeth who almost died from the disease in 1562. Jenner has come under criticism for testing his new technique on an 8 year old boy. However, I have covered the context in which he decided to do that and why it is not as bad as it seems.
Videos mentioned:
History After Dark about Edward Jenner - https://www.youtube.com/live/bGdExOOCQMo?si=7DC0b0f5hXb7CDAj
Interview with Dr Estelle Paranque -
Interview with Dr Joanne Paul -
Join the British History Club at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory to enjoy Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and take part in Book Club! All for £5/month. You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa You can also support me for free by subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this video. Receive weekly history news from me by subscribing to my Substack at https://philippab.substack.com/ Visit https://www.BritishHistoryTours.com for full details of history tours and events.
⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️
About Philippa Philippa is a Historian and History Event Organiser Philippa Lacey Brewell lives in Central England and is well respected in her field as a historian and tour guide. She is the owner and founder of British History Tours, a tour company for those who love British History. Philippa entertains thousands each week with her videos and stories from across the UK and British History. This ability to engage an audience, as well as being an expert in traveling the historical sites of the UK, makes her your perfect guide.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe - Show more
