“For within the hollow crown that rounds the hollow temple of a king...”
Richard II, son of the dashing Black Prince and grandson of Edward III, became King of England at only ten years old. By the age of fifteen he had overcome one of the most terrifying threats to the English Crown up to that point: the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. In the ensuing years, Richa ... Show More
Yesterday
692. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
What inspired the deadliest bloodbath of the Tudor age: the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572, in which protestants were slaughtered en masse? How did it drive Elizabeth I’s spy master, Francis Walsingham, to repress all treasonous activity in her realm? And, what terrible tr ... Show More
1h 11m
Jul 26
691. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)
How did Elizabeth I rule England? Why was she constantly in mortal peril in 1569? Who was Sir William Cecil, and why was he so crucial to her reign? And, how did his network of spies keep her alive, and England uninvaded…? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the secret war ragin ... Show More
1h 12m
Jul 22
690. A Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)
What really happened at the Habsburgian hunting lodge, Mayerling? Did Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, really commit a romantic murder suicide, or did the heir cold-heartedly murder the 17 year old girl? And, why did the Austrian royal family try to er ... Show More
1h 19m
Sep 2022
The Wars of the Roses, Part 3 of 3
After the death of King Edward IV, the heir to the throne, Edward V, is left under the protection of the late king’s brother Richard. But what lay in store for the 12 year old king? Will Richard honour his brother’s will? And when the Wars of the Roses finally end, how do the riv ... Show More
52m 40s
May 2024
Richard III Part 2: Rumor Has It | 24
This two-part series is all about Richard III, a Medieval family man who finds himself navigating England’s real-life Game of Thrones. In part one, Richard grew up in the shadow of his big brother and learned how to tear it up on the battlefield. Now, he’s in a battle with his in ... Show More
46m 22s
Sep 2022
The Wars of the Roses, Part 2 of 3
With his father Richard of York’s head now on a spike, Edward’s determination to snatch the crown from Henry VI is stronger than ever. But how will he build support for his cause and assert his rights? Can he outmanoeuvre the formidable Queen Margaret, who will stop at nothing to ... Show More
54m 40s
May 2024
Richard III Part 1: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? | 23
Richard III has gone down in history as the hunchback king who killed his own family for the throne, thanks to William Shakespeare. But Shakespeare got a lot wrong. The English king’s life was a lot more like Game of Thrones than Shakespeare’s play. Like Ned Stark, Richard battle ... Show More
44m 56s