The English Heritage Podcast

This week, we’re discussing the lives, loves, work and legacies of two unconventional artists from the early 20th century. Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant were part of the Bloomsbury group of writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists in London – a group it was once said ‘lived in squares, painted in circles and loved in triangles’. They rejected the past, embraced their present and expressed themselves in new ways on canvas, cementing their place in art history. Joining us to talk us through their stories and the London blue plaque that commemorates their achievements are English Heritage blue plaques historian Dr Rebecca Preston, art critic, author and current blue plaque panel member Andrew Graham-Dixon, and writer and historian Rosemary Hill. To learn more about the London blue plaques scheme, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Major Lunar Standstill (MLS) – an astrological phenomenon which takes place once every 18.6 years, when moonrise and moonset are furthest apart along the horizon – is due to occur in 2024 and 25. It is believed that at least one MLS was marked during the early phase of Stonehenge and some academics believe there may be a connection between this and the placement of the Station Stones at Stonehenge. Joining us to discuss the theory and the project putting it to the test are English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Jennifer Wexler, emeritus professor of archaeoastronomy at the University of Leicester Clive Ruggles and senior lecturer in archaeological modelling at Bournemouth University Dr Fabio Silva. To learn more about Stonehenge or find out how you can get involved, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/lunar-standstill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined by English Heritage curator of collections and interiors Dickon Whitewood and jouster, author and scholar of arms and armour Tobias Capwell to answer all the questions we received about medieval knights and jousts from English Heritage members and followers on our social media accounts. Join us to discover the rules of a joust, what a frog-mouth helmet is, the weight of a suit of armour, the practicalities of going to the toilet while wearing one and much more. To learn more about the history of tournaments, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/brief-history-of-knights-tournaments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by two English Heritage curators of collections, Eleanor Matthews and Louise Cooling, to mark the acquisition of a painting by Dutch artist Jan Wijnants, which has a close link with Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire. Join us to discover the story of this and some of the other Dutch masterpieces that can be seen at both Brodsworth Hall and Kenwood in London. To learn more about Brodsworth Hall and Gardens or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth-hall. To learn more about Kenwood or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re in Kent to take a peek into the hidden history of Walmer Castle, one of Henry VIII’s Device Forts on England’s southeast coast, where visitors are being invited to explore the private apartments of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports for the first time. We’re joined by curator of collections and interiors Kathryn Bedford to discover the history of the castle, why the Lord Warden was stationed here and what the job involves. Plus, we meet the children of a former Lord Warden to find out what it’s like growing up in one of England’s iconic fortresses. To learn more about Walmer Castle or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/walmer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nine hundred years after a community of monks settled in the ‘vale of nightshade’ on the Furness peninsular, we’re joined by Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter and site manager Juliet Fellows to look back at the history of Furness Abbey – once the largest and wealthiest monastery in north-west England. Discover how the abbey became so successful, why it was a prime target during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries and how we’re bringing its story back to life for visitors today. To learn more about Furness Abbey or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/furnessabbey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re heading to the Isles of Scilly – a small cluster of islands off the tip of Cornwall in the south-west of England. Today, this peaceful archipelago is treasured for its natural beauty and holiday charm, but, in centuries past, the islands were on the frontline of Britain’s military defence. We’re joined by senior properties curator Win Scutt and author of Defending Scilly Dr Allan Brodie to explore the islands’ military history and the heritage sites left behind as a result. To discover more about the historic sites of the Isles of Scilly, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/historic-sites-of-scilly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re discussing the story of Bridget Atkinson, a Cumbrian woman who amassed a huge collection of shells from across the globe during the 18th century. We’re joined by English Heritage Collections Curator Dr Frances McIntosh, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum Dr Tom White, Bath Spa University lecturer Matthew Law and family researcher Richard Atkinson. They reveal who she was, how she collected her shells despite rarely leaving her home county and how a family connection led to a selection of her recently rescued treasures going on display in the Clayton Museum at Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall. To plan a visit to see Bridget’s shells for yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/chesters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by Turner Prize-nominated artist and photographer, Ingrid Pollard, to discuss her new art installation, titled 'There is Light in the Fissures', at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland. Discover what inspired her artwork and what you can expect to find during a visit as a result. Plus, we chat to English Heritage's Chris Osborne who reveals the plans for other thought-provoking creative installations at English Heritage sites across the country. To find out more about our creative programme plans, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/creative-programme/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, as we approach Mother's Day here in the UK, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Megan Leyland and senior lecturer in history at the University of Derby Dr Ruth Larsen to examine how mothers raised their children in the past. Join us as we look back at life for mothers and those who helped them between the 16th and 19th centuries, drawing on the stories of people who lived and worked at English Heritage properties. Content warning: this episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including baby loss and miscarriage, that some listeners might find uncomfortable. For inspiration for a family day out with your mum, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/familydaysout/mothers-day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britain was part of the Roman Empire for over three-and-a-half centuries. Following the invasion under the emperor Claudius in AD 43, the province was part of a political union that covered most of Europe. But what happened in Britannia when rule from Rome ended in the early 5th century? Cameron Moffett, English Heritage's curator of collections for the West Midlands, and Dr Roger White, honorary senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Birmingham, explore the end of an empire. To learn more about Roman Britain, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/romans. To learn more about Wroxeter Roman City or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/wroxeter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we head to Gloucestershire for a stroll along a section of Offa's Dyke — the great earthwork boundary dyke built along the Anglo-Welsh border by Offa, King of Mercia, and one of the most remarkable structures in Britain. We're joined by professor in archaeology Keith Ray, who reveals when and why Offa's Dyke was built, who the Mercians were, how they used the structure, and how the dyke is protected and maintained today. To learn more about Offa's Dyke or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/offas-dyke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by senior historian for the blue plaques scheme Howard Spencer and writer and performer Mark Farrelly to explore the life and legacy of filmmaker, artist and activist Derek Jarman, who died 30 years ago and was commemorated by a London blue plaque in 2019. Join us to discover the story of Jarman's career, his role as a gay rights activist and the new touring show that has been created to document his colourful life. To learn more about Derek Jarman's blue plaque, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/derek-jarman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valentine's Day is on its way and romance is most definitely in the air, so we're focusing our attention on a selection of the love stories that played out at English Heritage sites. Joining us to discuss the true romances formed at Osborne on the Isle of Wight, Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire, Wrest Park in Bedfordshire and Eltham Palace in London are collections curator Eleanor Matthews and properties historians team leader Dr Andrew Hann. To learn more about Victoria and Albert's time at Osborne, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/osborne. To learn more about life at Brodsworth Hall, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth. To learn more about life at Wrest Park during the First World War, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wrest-park/history/wrest-park-at-war. To learn more about the history of Eltham Palace, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hidden among the collections at Corbridge Roman Town on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland are a series of dodecahedra (12 sided objects) made of copper alloy that have been puzzling archaeologists since the 18th century. Each one is slightly different, but have common features, with a hole in the centre, decoration and knobs on each corner. We're joined in the studio by collections curator Dr Frances McIntosh to discuss these rare Roman objects, the theories about their use and the new exhibition they have inspired. To learn more about the dodecahedra at Corbridge Roman Town, go to https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/corbridge-roman-town-hadrians-wall/dodecahedron-exhibition/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Steven Brindle and historian John McNeill to discuss the story of Old Sarum in Wiltshire — one of the most eclectic and important sites in southern England, with over 2,000 years of history. Continuously occupied since Roman times, it uniquely combines a royal castle and cathedral within the remains of an Iron Age fortification. Join us to discover how it was once the setting of the Oath of Sarum under William the Conqueror and the location of Salisbury's original Cathedral before becoming a rotten borough. To learn more about Old Sarum or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/oldsarum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're tracing the fascinating story of an almost forgotten currency. In early medieval England, eels were exchanged for goods and services and to settle debts. We're joined by medievalist and cartographic historian Dr John Wyatt Greenlee to reveal how these once abundant fish powered the medieval economy, why they were coveted as both a food and currency and what caused their eventual fall from favour. To learn more about Meare Fish House or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/meare-fish-house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined in the studio by senior properties historian Michael Carter to take a look at the annual traditions and events that mark the early part of the year — some we still celebrate today, while others have slipped into obscurity. Join us to discover the origins of Plough Monday, St Hilary's Day, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday and more. Plus, we reveal why we have leap years and why these take place on 29 February. To learn more about Candlemas and why you shouldn't take your Christmas decorations down until 2 February, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/leaving-up-christmas-decorations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're honouring the life of a 17th-century composer, who lived and worked at Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire. George Jeffreys was both a steward and in-house musician for the Hattons — a wealthy family who became entangled in the Civil Wars. But now, his music and memory have been reborn, thanks to a new album recorded on-site at Kirby Hall. We're joined by curator of collections Dickon Whitewood, musicologist and performer Professor Jonathan Wainwright and Solomon's Knot artistic director Jonathan Sells to discover Jeffreys story and listen to his music in the place it was created. To learn more about Kirby Hall or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kirby-hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're in Kent in southeast England to meet English Heritage properties historians Dr Jennifer Wexler and Dr Alastair Oswald and visit an ancient sacred site with a fascinating story. Kit's Coty House and its neighbour, Little Kit's Coty House, are the remains of two megalithic 'dolmen' burial chambers. Discover who built them, how they were used and why this is a great time to visit on the 150th anniversary of Kits Coty House becoming a scheduled monument. To learn more about Kits Coty House or plan a visit, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kits-coty-house-and-little-kits-coty-house/history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices