Podcast · History

The History of England

by David Crowther · English · History

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 46 min
Latest: 27 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

27 Sep 2026 · 44 min

454 Trial of the Seven Bishops

Full of confidence at his progress, in 1688 James decided he would suffer no more equivocation from the Church of England. The Indulgence was re-issued, this time with a command that it be read by every priest from every pulpit - thus aligning them with a policy they detested, making them royal servants. The atmosphere was hot with conflict - and everything was heightened by the news of a birth - of a royal prince and heir. The Three kingdoms would now permanently be held by a Catholic. At Whitehall, Seven Bishops decided it was time to stand their ground. For maps, resources, transcripts or…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S9 · E23 · 13 Sep 2026 · 49 min

453 Royal Indulgence

1686 had seen progress for James - but he was puzzled and frustrated by Anglican opposition from the English and Scottish parliaments. 1687 saw a continuation of the old strategy to raise the status of Catholics, and stifle independence of civil and military institutions. But it would also see a new strategy - to bypass parliament, and appeal to Dissenters as well as Catholics. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E22 · 23 Aug 2026 · 43 min

452 A New Reformation

From a happy start in 1685, James had begun to hit resistance in England to his campaign for Catholic emancipation. In 1686, he planned to accelerate the process. He expected rapid success in Ireland and Scotland, and confidently expected that education, propaganda, and the reality of supreme royal authority would subdue any resistance in England and Wales. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E21 · 9 Aug 2026 · 45 min

451 Exodus

As the English parliament was preparing to sit, news came in of a protestant cataclysm in the making in October 1685, and soon after refugees started arriving with horror stories of persecution. The rumours were confirmed. Louis XIV had revoked the Edict of Nantes which protected 800,000 French Protestants, and made their religion illegal. Nor was this the only matter on the minds of MPs as they assembled, and heard their King address them on 9th November. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted…
S9 · E20 · 26 Jul 2026 · 47 min

450 Beat Your Drums

At the parliament on April 1685, Scotland demonstrated how loyal subjects should treat their king - an example which was duly followed by their southern neighbours soon afterwards. Yet despite this enthusiastic reception, within weeks James faced two rebellions. In Western Scotland the Earl of Argyl raised the fiery cross to summon the clans, and in South West England the Duke of Monmouth was joined by thousands of rebels eager to fight for religious freedom. The outcome would be soaked in blood. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for…
S9 · E19 · 11 Jul 2026 · 46 min

449 King James II of Great Britain

The reign of James II and the Glorious Revolution was a central part of the national story built by Whig historians. But since the 20th century the picture has been heavily revised with new perspectives, such as the view from all three kingdoms, a more nuanced view of James and his intentions, criticisms of the idea of a bloodless revolution, how much the voice of the people mattered - and was it a Revolution at all? Or a conserative assertion of ancient right? This episode is about James and the historiography Glorious Revolution. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head…
S9 · E18 · 27 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

AAG 1666-1685 How Merrie is your Monarch?

The Dutch raid on the Medway effectively brought the Second Anglo Dutchto an end, and also the honeymoon period. From 1667 to 1681, Charles sought to play off factions in parliament, to keep his freedom of action, enhance royal power where he could and court the French - their friendship, and bribes. The public announcement of James' catholicism in 1677 became the driving factor in an increasingly unruly politics, of Whig and Tory. Until at the Oxford parliament in 1681, Charles chose one side - the Tory. He would never allow parliament to sit again. For maps, resources, transcripts or to…
S9 · E16 · 31 May 2026 · 48 min

448 Not So Merrie

After dismissing parliament of Oxford in 1681, Charles pursued alliance with the Tories and emasculation of the Whigs and Dissenters at all political levels. He pursued a strategy with determination and consistency he had rarely shown at any other point. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24 May 2026 · 41 min

English Objects with the Three Ravens

Eleanor and Martin of the Three Ravens podcast and I have one (probably last) walk round some objects that we think make us lie back and think of England. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E15 · 17 May 2026 · 47 min

447 The Exclusion Brouhaha

In 1680 and 1681, Shaftesbury led an increasingly shrill and effective campaign, asppeling to popular opinion to force Charles into calling a new parliament. There he could be forced to learn about the power of the exlusionist movement which could be brought to bear. But Charles would learn a different lesson, and at Oxford in 1681, would start his own campaign. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E14 · 3 May 2026 · 41 min

446 The Popish Plot

In 1678 a fantasist and charlatan, Titus Oates, made a series of wild and dramatic accusations of a Catholic plot to assasinate the king. A series of extraordinary co-incidences seemed to confirm his accusations, and the public mood became hysterical. The fevered atmosphere gave wings to a new political objective - to exclude James from the succession. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E13 · 19 Apr 2026 · 45 min

445 Carnage

In 1677, Danby finally seemed to have cracked Charles' problem with parliament - until a diplomatic game of will-he-won't-he in the Anglo Dutch war rose to the level of farce, and derailed everything. In the middle of it all - a 15 year old girl was pushed weeping into a highly significant marriage for which she had no wish For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E12 · 5 Apr 2026 · 46 min

444 Danby's New Way

Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby had a plan as Charles' new 'Prime Minister', to repair the damage from the disastrous Third Anglo Dutch War. To rebuild his master's prestige on the pillars of financial stability, and Anglican alliance, and alliance with the Dutch. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E11 · 29 Mar 2026 · 46 min

443 Charles' Great Game

In 1672, Charles sought to put the Treaty of Dover into operation; to join Louis XIV in making war on the Dutch Republic. The plan was to replace de Witt's government with William of Orange as Stadholder, capture key Zealand ports for England, and secure further financial support from Louis. And thus have a free hand with parliament. All that was needed was victory at sea for the Anglo French fleet. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 Mar 2026 · 23 min

Roifield and David's Stories of England in 50 Objects

Roifield and David talk about 5stories of England as part of the Very English Chat project, to tell stories of England in 50 objects. ‘A very English chat’ works is a wonderful project to escape division and polarisation, and the arid quarrels about flags - to build and celebrate a sense of Englishness, as part of a build up to England's national day, St George's Day on 23rd April. We are all invited to share our own 5 objects to be included in a virtual ‘pocket museum’ telling ‘The story of England 2026 in 50 objects. To take part in a conversation between parishioners of the History of…
S9 · E10 · 8 Mar 2026 · 46 min

442 The Treaty of Dover

After a half an episode on the really important stuff - Nell Gwyn, Aphra Behn and Restoration theatre, we reach possibly the most remarkable treaty any British monarch has made, ever. The Treaty of Dover. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E9 · 1 Mar 2026 · 45 min

441 The Duellist

1667 had not been a great year for Charles, with the humiliation at the Medway, and his pro French strategy in ruins. So he needed a scapegoat, and he needed to re-assert the primacy of the Royal Prerogative. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 Feb 2026 · 49 min

The Rage of Party with George Owers

The period from 1670 to 1714 is a period of astounding and dramatic change; the Exclusion crisis, the Glorious Revolution, years of war, the formation of Geat Britain - and the birth of sulphurous party politics. George Owers has written a book on it - and he talks to me about the period For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E17 · 9 Feb 2026 · 59 min

AAG 1660-1666 Restoration

The settlements following the Restoration didn't turn out exactly as the Three Kingdoms or indeed Charles imagined, but nonetheless for the moment king and his parliaments were in a honeymoon period. Soon to be challenged by Plague, Fire and War. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E8 · 8 Feb 2026 · 42 min

440 The Kingdom is Undone

In the wake of the Great Fire, Charles worked with parliament to prepare for the 1667 campaigning season in the Second Anglo Dutch war. But there was a problem, and the problem was money. In the end a plan was hatched to ride out the year, while a treaty was negotiated. And it seemed to be working. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E7 · 1 Feb 2026 · 46 min

439 London Reborn

'Where there's muck, there's brass', and that was certainly the case with rebuilding London from the mess of ash and rubble that remained. And developers like Nicholas Barbon knew how to make as much brass as possible, and as fast as possible. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
19 Jan 2026 · 57 min

Crucible of Modernity with Dr Jeevun Sandher, MP

Jeevun Sandher and I discuss some highlights from the story of how England and Britain made itself into a modern democracy, and some of the contribution it made towards the development of the modern world For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E6 · 12 Jan 2026 · 35 min

438 Burned to Sticks

The war with The Netherlands in 1665 ended on a low, with the Thames blockaded. Poor London - trade was devastated by war, trade was devastated by plague. Hopefully 1666 would be better, as the royal court rumbled back into town. Money was short, but still a fleet was sent out into the Channel, as the good people of London started to rebuild their lives and their businesses. Nothing could be as bad as 1665. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
S9 · E5 · 4 Jan 2026 · 39 min

437 The Pale Horseman

In May 1665, worrying reports of plague cases crop up inside the walls of London; by June the summer heat was oppressive and it became clear - the plague had returned. Charles and his court left to terrorise Oxford while Londoners died; in plague-stricken Eyam, the villagers cut themselves off to protect their neighbours For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E4 · 21 Dec 2025 · 40 min

436 Three Horsemen

It is possible that Charles and his Privy Council didn't necessarily want war - certainly Clarendon did not; but they were prepared to rattle the sabre and man the brink to try and force trade consessions which some unprovoked acts of agression.But they allowed themselves to be diplomatically isolated, and Johan de Witt was not scared - he had the world's most powerful navy, pots of money, and a French alliance. And so the Second Anglo Dutch war was joined. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted…
7 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

School for Scandal by Gavin Whitehead

Gavin Whitehead of the Art of Crime Podcast tells us the story of the art historian, soviet spy and traitor - Anthony Blunt For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E3 · 30 Nov 2025 · 40 min

435 The Anglican Tyranny

In 1661 fresh elections brought together another Long Parliament. This, the Cavalier parliament, would sit, off and on, for 18 years. It was not inspired by a spirit of compromise. The programme they introduced tried very hard to squish the horrid innovations of the revolutionary period back into the bottle, and search for the uniformity and 'natural' order of things that seemed to have been lost. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E2 · 16 Nov 2025 · 45 min

434 Return of the King

In 1660 the King returned and immediately sought to rebuild the damaged prestige of the Crown. And in popular memory, Charles II's reputation has been among the best - the Merrie Monarch, a polymath and breath of fresh air that brought back the joy. The episode covers the king's return, his character and historical reputation - and the Restoration settlement in Ireland and Scotland. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S9 · E1 · 9 Nov 2025 · 35 min

433 9.1 Restoration, Revolution and the English Enlightenment

In this first episode of Series 9, a a chance to talk about some of the themes which will drive our period of 1660 to 1715. The continuing role of religion in politics, the Rage of Parties, the varying fortunes and influences of the Three Kingdoms, the growing involvement of Britain in European conflict. But most of all a growing transformation of society, the age of improvement, the 'crucible of modernity' - the English Enlightenment. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See…
S9 · 26 Oct 2025 · 48 min

432b Europe XIII The Age of the Sun King Pt II

Throughout Europe, nations made sweeping social changes, driven the demands of war, the ideas of Absolutism and the growing belief in reason and improvement. This is the age of many of the great names of European history - Louis the Sun King, Peter the Great. It saw the ending of Spanish hegemony- and start of the French. And so - here it is, in this episode, a whistle stop tour of monarchs, mayhem, and madness. For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

About The History of England

This my re-telling of the story of England. I aim to be honest, and rigorous - but always loving of my country's history. It is a regular, chronological podcast, starting from the end of Roman Britain. There are as many of the great events I can squeeze in, of course, but I also try to keep an eye on how people lived, their language, what was important to them, the forces that shaped their lives and destinies, that sort of thing. To listen free of adverts, support the podcast, access a library of 150+ hours of shedcasts of me warbling on, and get new shedcasts every month, why not become a member at https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/become-a-member ? You know it makes sense... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The History of England is a English history podcast from David Crowther. 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: David Crowther
Language: English
Category: History
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 46 min
Latest episode: 27 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id412308812
Rights: David Crowther

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