The History of England

187a Jane Shore by James Boulton

Jane Shore lives among the list of the most famous mistresses - along with the likes of Roseamund Clifford, Alice Perrers. Like Alice, Jane lives and loved at the very centre of political power for a while - but unlike Alice, left an attractive reputation. 

 Visit the Queens of England podcast site at www.queensofenglandpodcast.com

Hop along to the Richard III debate here!

187a Jane Shore by James Boulton

 

 

The life of Jane Shore in brief (d. 1526/7)

Jane married William Shore a London mercer, but the marriage was annulled in 1476, at her request, because of his impotence.

Edward IV claimed to have three concubines: the merriest, the wiliest, and the holiest harlot in his realm. Jane qualified as the merriest; according to Thomas More: 

'a proper wit had she, & could both read & write well, merry in company, ready & quick of answer, neither mute nor full of babble, sometime taunting without displeasure & not without disport’. 

'For many he had, but her he loved, whose favour to say truly … she never abused to any man's hurt, but to many a man's comfort. … And finally in many weighty events, she stood many men in great stead, either for none, or very small rewards, & those rather gay then rich: either for that she was content with the deed itself well done, or for that she delighted to be asked to help, & to show what she was able to do with the king'

Edward's death on 9 April 1483 left her in need of a new protector; and different chronicles link her with two great rivals - the Woodville, Thomas Grey, marquess of Dorset; and Edward's closest friend, and chamberlain William, Lord Hastings.

However, she fell foul of the pious Richard III and was forced through the streets of London to do penance:

'In which she went in countenance & pace demure so womanly, & albeit she were out of al array save her kyrtle only: yet went she so fair & lovely … that her great shame wan her much praise’

Jane found her protector in the king's solicitor, Thomas Lynom who married her. Lynom was dead by 29 July 1518; and Thomas More paints a picture of her penury; but if the Thomas Lynom who was active in Wales after 1518 was her son, it could well be poetic licence - something with which More was well acquainted. It's not sure when Jane died - but her memory is still alive and kicking in various historical novels!

181a Arthur by David McLain

A third guest episode by David McLain. This time about Arthur, King of the Britons...

181a Arthur by David McLain

 

167b Hundred Years' War - Formigny and Castillon by Carl Rylett

I found it rather difficult to cover the critical events and battles around Formigny and Casttillon in quite the same depth as I covered Agincourt, Crecy and Poitiers. Obviously, I should be more objective. 

But Carl Rylett of the History of Europe - Key Battles podcast is made of sterner stuff, so here he is. If you want to know more about Carl's podcast, check him out on iTunes or hop along to his website here. 

167b 100 Years' War Formigny and Castillon by Carl Rylett

 

 

167a The Fall of Constantinople by Paul Vincent

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 is one of the most momentous events in world history. Sure, the power of the Roman Empire had long since faded; but here at last was the end of the story that had started with Romulus and Remus on the mountainside in Latium. 

Paul Vincent is the author of two podcasts, and you can link to them to find out more here.  They are Myths and history of Greece and Rome, and Myths and Legends of Europe. 

167a Fall of Constantinople by Paul Vincent

 

 

 

153a Wycliffe, Hus and Bohemia

This week a guest episode on Wycliffe, Hus and their influence on the history of Bohemia. With many thanks to Pete Collman from the Bohemican Podcast, and Travis Dow of the History of Germany podcast. 

You can find both podcasts by going to iTunes, or going to their websites below: 

The History of Germany

Bohemican Podcast

 

153a Wycliffe, Hus and Bohemia Dow and Collman

 

141d Christopher Colombus by David McLain

No excuses really - nothing to do with English History at all. But hey, we enjoyed David's Shakespeare episode, so here's a chance for more! 

Columbus

 

141c The Romans in Britain Pt 2 by Richard Norton

And here we are with the second installment of the Romans in Britain, taking us to the fall of the western Empire. 

141c The Romans in Britain Pt2 by Richard Norton

 

141b The Romans in Britain Pt 1 by Richard Norton

For some reason, don't know why, my interest in English and British history starts with the Anglo Saxons. Not before. Don't ask me why - no idea. I love Ancient Greece, Rome etc etc  - but no interest in the British stuff. Sorry. 

Fortunately, Richard Norton does! yay! so here we are, part 1 of a 2 part overview of the Romans in Britain by Richard Norton....

 

141b The Romans in Britain By Richard Norton Pt I

 

141a An Alternative View of Heresy by David Ford

This is a personal view by David Ford (though spoken by me), prompted by the episode on Heresy. David talks about some of the impacts the church had in the medieval world, why heresy arose, and some of the myths that appeared over the church's response. 

 

141a An Alternative View of Heresy by David Ford

 

 

The Pilot of Miura by Isaac Meyers

Hello everyone, this is David here, from what is laughingly being referred to as holiday…although hopefully with the approach of Christmas really will become holiday!

I just wanted to say Hi, and say that I’m still not sure when I am going to come back but I suspect it’ll be later rather than sooner…but also to say that a few people have got in touch with me about guest episodes. So with a bit of luck there’ll be something on the airways.

This one following is from Isaac Meyers, then. Now when I was a lad, I ate the James Clavell books, I just ATE them. The best historical novels bar none, makes even the beloved Bernard look like a no hoper. And Shogun induced a period of Japanese mania as I remember, and through that I learned that the base story was true, about some English bloke tipping up on the shores of Japan and making a go if it all.

So when Isaac contacted me and suggested a guest episode, I was more than delighted. So, here it is, and there’ll be more soon!

History of England Guest Show

 Some background information from Isaac

 

 

 

 

This is Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa family and the man who saved Adams from the Spanish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A monument on the former site of Adams' home in what is now the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo

 

 

 

 

 

 

A letter from Adams to the representatives of the English EIC, date unknown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The suit of armor given to James I by Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

117a The Poet and the Mistress by Carrie Palmer

This week, a guest episode by Carrie Palmer - on Chaucer and Katherine Swynford

Sadly, after this there is something of a gap to come - works has happened. So it'll be March 16th until I return. 

Sorry!

 

117a The Poet and the Mistress by Carrie Palmer

 

110a Shakespeare by David McLain

I agree that it's a bit out of phase but you don't look a gift horse in the mouth. David McClain here gives us all a fascinating hour on some hack called William Shakespeare who wrote some plays in the 16th/17th Century. 

110a Shakespeare by David McLain

 

99a Stephen Guerra The Avignon Papacy

The Story of the early 14th Century papacy and their exile in Avignon - a guest episode from Stephen Guerra

 

99a Stephen Guerra Avignon Papacy

 

92a The Cult of Thomas of Lancaster

Medieval man loved their saints. Remember the Anglo Saxons? Saints popping up all over the place. The Martyrdom of Thomas Beckett I suppose is reasonable,  but cult of Simon de Montfort and bit more odd. Edward II, unpopular though he is, also had a period of saintliness. In this episode, Hannah looks at the afterlife of Thomas of Lancaster - how a pretty miserable bloke got a following that saw him as a saint. Hannah looks at the Brut, and how the chronicler subtly positions Lancaster's story to support his new status. 

 

92a The cult of Thomas of Lancaster by Hannah Kilpatrick

 

61a Bannockburn by Zack Twamley

Bannockburn was a landmark defeat for the English, which signalled a long term change to the strategy Edward I had started. Zack talks about the events that led up to the battle, how the battle itself unfolded, and how England reacted to defeat. 

Let Zack know what you thought about this podcast; you can:

• leave a comment or
• email Zack on [email protected] or
• Go to Zack's Why Diplomacy Fails Facebook site

And finally if you want to find Zack's website, here it is: http://whendiplomacyfails.libsyn.com

61a Bannockburn by Zack Twamley mp3

Download 61a Bannockburn by Zack Twamley mp3

 

43a Aelfthryth by Melisende of Outremer

Ælfthryth was a controversial figure. Wife of King Edgar,  mother of Æthelred the Unready - and possibly murderer of her step son, Edward? Melisende of Outremer looks at the life of a remarkable person. 

And check out Melisende's excellent blog - Women of History.

43a Melisende's Episode - Aelfthryth