We’re familiar with the Christmas carol “The 12 days of Christmas” but in the middle ages, this extended holiday Christmas looked a bit different. There were plenty of lords-a-leaping and ladies dancing but the only partridge was trussed up on the King’s table next to the swans-a-swimming in gravy. And the gold rings were baked in the Christmas pudding! Medi ... Show More
Mar 3
Which Nations have had the most Queens Regnant?
Through most of history, male monarchs have been the norm. Their wives held the title of Queen or Empress, but were merely consorts, with little real power. Many monarchies, like France, The Ottoman Empire and Bhutan have strictly barred women from inheriting the throne and have ... Show More
32m 11s
Dec 2023
402. Christmas: Pagan or Christian?
“The Church was anxious to draw the attention of its members away from the old pagan feast days, and the December date did this very well, for it coincided with the birthday of the invincible son of Mithraism…”
Is Christmas as we know it merely an invention, created by plagiarisi ... Show More
58m 51s
Dec 2021
Christmas feasts: Medieval & Tudor revelry
From brawn to plum pottage, Annie Gray takes us back to the raucous world of festive feasting in the medieval and Tudor eras. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, for the first episode in our new mini-series on Christmas food through history, she also touches on subversive merrymaking, s ... Show More
30m 27s
Dec 2023
A Christmas Christmas Part 2
Songs include: A Christmas Festival, Christmas Island, Christmas In Killarney, The Twelve Days of Christmas, All Around the Christmas Tree, I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Performers include: Leroy Anderson, Judy Garland, The Andrew ... Show More
41m 48s
Dec 2023
Why is Christmas on December 25? (Encore)
Every year, people around the world celebrate Christmas on December 25. In many countries, it is the biggest single holiday of the year.
Why is it celebrated on December 25? Is there any historical basis for this date and if not, then why do we celebrate it on this date?
Learn ... Show More
8 m