The roots of the coronation ritual are fabulously ancient: certain elements of the ceremony are vestiges from the later Roman Empire, others have their origins in the Old Testament and ancient Egypt. The liturgy used can be traced back to the 10th century, and the very idea of kings taking part in rituals comes from Charlemagne.
In light of the first Britis ... Show More
Jul 19
689. A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Greatest Scandal (Part 1)
What was Vienna like in the 1880s? Why was Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria seen as the outcast of the prestigious Habsburg dynasty? And, how would meeting 17 year-old Baroness Mary Vetsera on his 30th birthday change both of their lives, and the trajectory of Europe, forever? Join ... Show More
1h 12m
Jul 12
687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
How does The Odyssey, one of the greatest stories of all time, unfold? What historical events may it be based on? And, where might Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic, have faced his various trials in real life? Join Tom and Dominic as they unravel the legendary story of Homer’s O ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 2023
A History of Royal Funerals
1,000 of burying the Kings, Queen and other English royals. From Medieval monarchs who were rushed to their graves, and occasionally exploded, to The Tudors and Stuarts whose people lined up to see life-like wax effigies of their recently deceased monarchs. And I'll unpack the fu ... Show More
35m 5s