Podcast · History

British History Podcast

by Exploring British History through stories, people and places. · English · History

Join your host, Philippa Lacey, for historian interviews and deep dives into stories, events and people in British History. You can find Philippa writing about history and travelling historical locations at philippab.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 31 min
Latest: 1 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026 · 1 hr

Did King Arthur Really Exist?

In this episode, Amy shares her extensive knowledge of the legendary King Arthur, exploring its origins, evolution, and cultural significance across Britain and Europe. Discover how myths are shaped by history, politics, and storytelling traditions, and learn about the places and characters that bring Arthur's legend to life. Watch this episode on Youtube - click here Buy Amy's Brilliant book - click here Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Legend of Arthur 02:04 The Origins of Arthur in Welsh and Breton Sources 04:56 The Evolution of Arthur's Legend in Medieval Texts 09:57 The Role of…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S2026 · E17 · 19 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Travel Through History - Churches, the perfect venues for time travel
Recorded in front of a live audience at the Gloucester History Festival, Philippa took to the stage with Andrew Ziminski, Master Mason and author of the fabulous book, 'Church Going.' As someone who has turned her passion for travelling the historical sites of the UK into a business, a job and a hobby all combined I absolutely delight in visiting churches. They come in all shapes and sizes, ages and more often that not provide the most surprising and interesting finds. I’m fascinated by them because they are such a tangible link to our past; our religious history of course, but also how they…
S2026 · E16 · 27 Aug 2026 · 54 min
The Man who defied Henry VIII - Thomas More
In this interview with Dr Joanne Paul, to celebrate the paperback publication of her book 'Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England', we discussed Thomas More's relationship with Erasmus, More's surprisingly scatological response to Luther, his surprising views on Henry VIII's break with Rome and More's imprisonment and execution. There is bonus content available for this interview, at Patreon.com/@BritishHistory where you can also get the ad-free video and audio versions of this interview. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more historian…
S2026 · E15 · 19 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 18 min
Dick Turpin - the REAL man who became a myth. More nasty bastard than hero of the poor!
Step beyond the myth and into the murky reality of one of Britain’s most infamous figures. In this episode, Philippa is joined by Mat Braddy and Darren Rapier, co-writers of a gripping new audio production, Turpin, which re-examines the life of the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin. Far from the romanticised rider of folklore, Turpin’s true story is darker, more complex, and rooted in the harsh realities of 18th-century England. Together, they discuss the research behind the production, the challenges of separating fact from fiction, and how audio storytelling can bring historical figures…
S2026 · E14 · 11 Jun 2026 · 15 min
1381 Peasants' Revolt
The 1381 Peasant's Revolt has gone down in history as the first popular uprising in England, a violent reaction to a new tax, but that is no where near the full story. . Historian, author and presenter Matt Lewis (History Hit, the Gone Medieval podcast) joined me at Warwick Words history Festival ahead of his talk about this pivotal moment in history. . The website Matt mentioned is https://www.1381.online . Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including…
S2026 · E13 · 30 May 2026 · 27 min
Richard III acted decisively! | 1483, the Year of the 3 kings
Historian Nathen Amin sat down with me at Warwick Words History Festival before his talk on "The year of the 3 kings, 1483" to discuss Edward IV's lack of forward planning, the course of events which brought Edward V to London and into the Tower, and when Nathen thinks Richard, then Duke of Gloucester, decided he should not just act as Regent for his nephew, but take his crown and become king. Useful timestamps in this episode: 00:00 - The significance of 1483: Year of the Three Kings 00:14 - Edward IV's reign and sudden death at 40 00:57 - Edward IV’s physical transformation and health…
S2026 · E12 · 7 May 2026 · 15 min
Finding Tudor Gold - Unlocking London's Hidden History Through Mudlarking
Over the past few years Mudlarking, the pastime of scouring river banks for archeology, has become incredibly popular both with those who do it, and those who like to watch videos of, of hear about, new finds. Expert Mudlarker, Lara Maiklem joined me at Harvington History Festival where we talked about how tidal rivers become archaeological treasure troves, the challenges mudlarks face, and what incredible relics she has uncovered. Buy Lara's book 'A Mudlarking Year. Finding Treasure in Every Season' - click here. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you have enjoyed it. There are…
S2026 · E11 · 30 Apr 2026 · 15 min
Reassessing Lady Jane Grey: The Queen Beyond the Victim Narrative
In Philippa’s discussion with historian Nicola Tallis about Lady Jane Grey, we covered some of her true story, achievements, and how perceptions have been shaped over time. We explored her intelligence, potential, and the importance of re-evaluating her legacy. This interview is also available to watch on the British History Youtube channel - click here Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Reflection 00:28 Perceptions of Lady Jane Grey 01:23 Changing the Victim Narrative 02:22 Jane's Intellectual Achievements 04:25 Her Languages and Interests 06:50 Her Life and Aspirations 08:41 The Loss of…
S2026 · E10 · 23 Apr 2026 · 20 min
Everyday Life in History: Practical Living History
Philippa sat down for a fascinating conversation with Ruth Goodman, a living history expert, and author of the ever popular 'How To Be a Tudor', among other books. Ruth explained her approach to living history and casual experimentation to verify historical practices, the importance of practical research in understanding daily routines, how clothing inventories and household tools reveal regional and social differences in historical records, and the role of hearsay, imagery, and disapproval in uncovering the realities of ordinary people's lives. Watch Episode on Youtube Hi! I'm Philippa,…
S2026 · E9 · 16 Apr 2026 · 58 min
The House of Boleyn - a new novel
Tracy Borman joined Philippa on the British History channel to talk about her new novel ‘The House of Boleyn’. Get early access, BONUS content and ad-free viewing go to www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory and join for this and many other history lover benefits including discounts on events, exclusive talks, and to put your questions to future guests. This interview is out on 12th April on the British History Patreon. Tracy tells us about how she tackled the challenge of blending history and fiction, and the inspiration for setting her novel The House of Boleyn at Hever Castle and how it offers a…
S2026 · E8 · 9 Apr 2026 · 46 min
Buried History | The History Beneath the Ground
Through the eyes of Eleanor Bruce and Lucilla Gray, collectively known as 'Roman Found,' we uncover the fascinating world of metal detecting. They share their journey—from their first finds to the stories behind ancient objects. We explore their passion for history, the research involved, and their plans for the future discoveries, as well as highlighting the importance of responsible archaeology and some tips for people who want to take up metal detecting as a hobby. You can watch this episode on YouTube at Youtube.com/@BritishHistory Get bonus content, watch ad-free and have the…
S2026 · E7 · 2 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Unlocking Belfast's Hidden Stories
In this episode, Jason tells us about his journey from his working-class background to becoming a celebrated Belfast historian, and surprising stories like the Belfast city cemetery's underground wall and Charlie Chaplin’s Belfast connection. We also talked about the challenges and rewards of being a public historian and content creator, and his upcoming books on Belfast’s streets and the Irish revolutionary period from a Belfast perspective. You can watch this episode on Youtube.com/@britishhistory Chapters: 00:00 - The curious enthusiasm for Protestants and Catholics protesting together in…
S2026 · E6 · 12 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Holbein and the Tudor Court
In this interview with renowned Tudor art and cultural historian Professor Elizabeth Goldring, we go beyond the famous portraits of Hans Holbein the Younger and into his fascinating life — exploring the man behind the masterpieces. (Get early access to all historian interviews plus bonus content and the videos ad-free, so no interruptions at Patreon.com/BritishHistory) Elizabeth shared with me insights into Holbein’s religion, his journey from Augsburg to Tudor England, how the Shrove Tuesday riots in Basel affected him, plus, his relationships, artistic challenges, and the enduring legacy…
S2026 · E5 · 26 Feb 2026 · 14 min
Thomas More was a complex man in complicated times
As complex figures go, you can’t get much more complex than Sir Thomas More. Was he a Saint? Was he a Sinner? Was he simply a man of his time? Dr Joanne Paul seeks to answer these questions in her book ‘Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England’ which explores More’s roles as a statesman, scholar, and martyr, and understand how his beliefs, actions, and the historical context shaped his enduring reputation. (WE WILL BE COVERING JOANNE'S BOOK IN BOOK CLUB ON 24TH MAY - JOIN IN AT PATREON.COM/BRITISHHISTORY) In my interview with Joanne, filmed at the Harvington History Festival 2025, I…
S2026 · E4 · 19 Feb 2026 · 57 min
MPs have been behaving badly for over 400 years!
Rogues, scallywags, fraudsters and criminals have all trodden the corridors of the UK Houses of Parliament. In this conversation with Philippa Lacey, Debbie Kilroy discusses the themes of her new book ‘Members Behaving Badly.’ The discussion covers political misbehaviour over the past 4 centuries, exploring various scandals, notorious figures, and the evolution of public perception regarding politicians. We talked about the patterns of corruption and sexual scandal seen throughout all the periods of history covered by Debbie in her book, as well as the importance of engaging with politics,…
S2026 · E3 · 12 Feb 2026 · 52 min
Margaret Beaufort - challenging the narrative!
In my conversation with historian Dr. Lauren Johnson we discussed her biography of Margaret Beaufort, exploring Margaret’s complex life, maternal relationships, and political influence during the Wars of the Roses. We delved into Margaret's nurturing nature, her traumatic experiences as a mother, and her significant role in the Tudor dynasty. Lauren also addressed misconceptions about Margaret, highlighting her intelligence and agency in a male-dominated society. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lady Margaret Beaufort 03:27 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 05:17 Margaret Beaufort's…
S2026 · E2 · 5 Feb 2026 · 27 min
THIS is why we know about Shakespeare!
I LOVED this conversation with Dr. Chris Laoutaris when I was able to ask him about the significance of Shakespeare's First Folio, the individuals involved in its creation, and the financial and legal challenges faced during its publication. Chris also talked about the role of John Hemmings and Henry Condal, the professionalisation of playwriting, and the impact of published plays on society. The discussion also touches on the controversial use of the term 'works' in the context of Shakespeare's plays, the mystery of the False Folio, and Shakespeare's potential intentions for publishing his…
S2026 · E1 · 4 Jan 2026 · 56 min
What Forgotten Ballads Reveal About Britain's Past
In this episode Amy Jeffs and I delve into the themes of Amy's book 'Old Songs', exploring the intricate relationship between traditional ballads and social history. We discussed the unique structure of the book, which combines fiction and nonfiction, and the role of illustrations and music in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the origins and evolution of ballads, the impact of historical context, and the recurring themes of voyeurism and gender dynamics. We also discussed the modern resonance of these ancient tales and the connection between landscape and storytelling,…
S2025 · E41 · 16 Dec 2025 · 31 min
The Tudor Succession: A 400 year old lie!
In this interview, Tracy Borman delves into the complexities surrounding the succession of the English crown from Elizabeth I to James VI of Scotland. She reveals how the story was manipulated through political spin and deceit. Philippa and Tracy talked about the various claimants to the throne, the challenges James faced during his reign, and the implications of Elizabeth's decisions regarding her succession. If you've enjoyed this please follow and rate this podcast. For over 10 minutes of BONUS CONTENT go to Patreon.com/BritishHistory where members also get to submit their own questions…
S2025 · E40 · 4 Dec 2025 · 20 min
Margaret Thatcher. "She was a very divisive figure"
In my conversation with Iain Dale, recorded at the Warwick Words History Festival, we explore the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher, focusing on her impact on British politics, her foreign policy, and the challenges she faced as a female leader. The discussion highlights the myths surrounding her leadership and aims to provide a nuanced understanding of her political strategies and decisions. Iain is an author, podcast host, and presenter on LBC. Chapters 00:00 The Legacy of Margaret Thatcher 02:52 Understanding Thatcher's Impact on Modern Politics 05:51 Thatcher's Foreign Policy and…
S2025 · E39 · 21 Nov 2025 · 1 hr
Maria of Modena: Scandal, Faith, and Legacy
In this episode Philippa and historian Breeze Barrington, author of "The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of the Women at the Restoration Court,” where we delved into the lives of women at the court of Charles II and James II, focusing on Maria of Modena and the remarkable community of women she gathered. Breeze shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of these women, highlighting their contributions to art, literature, and politics during a transformative period in British history. This a under told story of resilience and creativity that deserves to be better known. You can…
S2025 · E38 · 7 Nov 2025 · 21 min
Hidden Women Codebreakers of WW2 - revealed!
It's been long revealed that women worked at Bletchley Park, the top-secret codebreaking British intelligence service Head Quarters during World War II, but up until now it was thought that they were in menial administration roles, or tea makers! Dermot Turing's investigative work shows that many actually played a pivotal role in the codebreaking efforts of World War II and that this has long been overlooked! You can watch this episode on Youtube - click here Buy Dermot's book (shipped worldwide) - Click Here for Blackwells Join Philippa's ' British History' Patreon to access ad-free,…
S2025 · E37 · 21 Oct 2025 · 40 min
Women Who Ruled
Dr. Elizabeth Norton joined me to discuss female monarchs throughout history, exploring the challenges they faced, their roles in governance, and the cultural attitudes towards women in power. We talked about the complexities of female rule, the unique challenges of female-child monarchs, and why being a woman in power does not mean they are a feminist! Elizabeth is the author of a brand-new book 'Women Who Ruled. 5000 Years of Female Monarchy,' available now from all good book shops and on audible. You can buy Elizabeth's book and get it shipped worldwide from Blackwells. Click Here (This…
S2025 · E36 · 14 Oct 2025 · 16 min
Pirates! The men and women who dominated the seas
I was joined by Dr Richard Blakemore, Associate Professor of History at the University of Reading and author of 'Enemies of All: The Rise and Fall of the Pirates' at Warwick Words History Festival to talk Pirates!! I began by asking what actually is a pirate but we also talked about women pirates and the reality vs the romanticised version of the life of a pirate, often seen in films. To buy Richard's book 'Enemies of All. The Rise and Fall of the Pirates.' click here. You can watch this episode on Youtube - click here . Chapters 00:00 Defining Piracy: The Nature of the Pirate 02:45…
S2025 · E35 · 8 Oct 2025 · 10 min
Helen Carr on the 14th Century
Helen Carr, author of 'Sceptred Isle. A new history of the 14th century' | Interview with Philippa You can also watch this interview on Youtube - click here Buy Helen's Book - Click Here I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical…
S2025 · E34 · 19 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
The Hidden History of Henry VIII's England: Unveiling the Secrets
In England in 1536, a number of small monasteries were dissolved, their assets removed to the Head of the Church in England, which was now Henry VIII, and the people either pensioned off or sent on to find places at one of the hundreds of monastic institutions remaining across the country. The large scale survey commissioned by the king, know as the Valor Ecclesiasticus, was a wide ranging and deeply thorough record of church assets, which covered the majority of the country and, critically, the population. It is far more detailed than its earlier, and more famous, sister survey the…
S2025 · E33 · 14 Sep 2025 · 21 min
Richard III had killed her son, of course Elizabeth Woodville had something to fear from him!
Historian Nathen Amin joined me at Harvington History Festival to talk about the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, the involvement of their mothers and how the couple themselves felt about it. Watch this episode on Youtube - Click Here Support this channel, and get lots more history, by joining my Patreon - Patreon.com/BritishHistory I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey…
S2025 · E32 · 5 Sep 2025 · 15 min
Unraveling Tudor History: The Year 1533 and Holbein's Masterpiece: The Ambassadors
I caught up with Dr Tracy Borman OBE at Harvington History Festival to talk to her about Holbein's fascinating painting, 'The Ambassadors,' and how it captures the political intrigue of the time through its rich symbolism and hidden messages. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tudor England's Pivotal Year 02:52 The Significance of Holbein's Painting 05:56 Decoding the Messages in the Painting 08:52 The Relationship Between the Ambassadors 12:04 The Journey of the Painting to the National Gallery Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Thank you for listening. You can watch this…
S2025 · E31 · 31 Aug 2025 · 31 min
The House of Warwick: Power and Influence
What's this episode about? Local historian, Aaron Manning joined me (Philippa) to talk about the rich history of Warwick Castle and the town of Warwick. We discussed the origins of the castle, its significance in medieval England, and the powerful House of Warwick. Aaron focussed on some notable figures such as Warwick the Kingmaker and the Dudley family, highlighting their influence and legacy. The episode also touches on the upcoming Warwick Words Festival You can find out more information, and buy tickets for the festival at www.warwickwords.co.uk, you can follow the festival on Instagram…
S2025 · E30 · 26 Aug 2025 · 20 min
Women of the Wars of the Roses were centre of the action!
I was so happy to be joined by author Annie Garthwaite to discuss her latest novel 'The King's Mother,' which explores the Wars of the Roses through the lens of four powerful women. We delved into the maternal instincts that drove these women to do anything for their sons, the pivotal importance of female relationships in history, and Annie's journey to becoming a historical fiction writer. I also asked Annie about the challenges of balancing fact with creative storytelling. This interview was recorded at Harvington Hall during the Harvington History Festival 2025, where Annie was speaking.…

About British History Podcast

British History Podcast is a English history podcast from Exploring British History through stories, people and places.. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Exploring British History through stories, people and places.
Language: English
Category: History
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 31 min
Latest episode: 1 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1649197916
Rights: Philippa Lacey 2012 - 2026

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