logo
episode-header-image
May 6
51m 29s

Shakespeare and the Magical Tree

RedTop Media / Rebecca Larson
About this episode

Today, I'm joined by Shakespeare lecturer and author Dr. Darren Freebury-Jones for a fascinating conversation about one historical figure who has long remained an enigma to me—William Shakespeare.

We delve into why Shakespeare remains an enduring icon, what he may have been like in real life, how his writing evolved, the ways his work shaped our understanding of history, his famously sharp insults—and even the tale of how he may have made a tree magical!

--

Darren's Book: Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers - Barnes & Noble, AMAZON, Manchester University Press

Sir Ian Mckellen's Thomas More speech: https://youtu.be/AjEAeOshUGQ?si=v_f7clkBvLG3GMHB&t=138

--

Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Darren Freebury-Jones

Up next
Yesterday
The Queen's Husband: The Men Who Wed Mary, Queen of Scots (Series, Ep. 1)
Welcome to the launch of a brand-new series with historian Dr. Linda Porter: The Queen’s Husband. In this series, we explore the fascinating — and often complicated — men who married queens regnant.We begin with one of the most captivating and controversial women in history: Mary ... Show More
56m 23s
Aug 17
Black Agnes: Scotland's Unyielding Defender
In 1338, the English army marched on Dunbar Castle expecting a swift victory. Instead, they were met by Agnes Randolph — Black Agnes — whose wit and determination turned the tide of history. With her husband away, Agnes commanded the castle for nearly five months, mocking English ... Show More
7m 23s
Aug 14
Parallel Lives: Boudicca and Urraca I of Leon
Welcome to another edition of our Parallel Lives series, inspired by Plutarch’s classic work. Every Thursday, we pair two historical figures—sometimes our choice, sometimes yours—and uncover the striking parallels in their lives. This week’s episode was a real revelation for me: ... Show More
1h 4m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
How to Build a Castle
Castles in Medieval Britain didn't just serve a military purpose, they were central to the social and cultural life of society. In the second episode of Gone Medieval's special series telling the story of castles, Matt Lewis looks at how castles were built by turning the spotligh ... Show More
23m 35s
Oct 2024
The Rise of British Castles
Castles. For centuries they have held fast across the landscape of the British Isles. Like beacons on a hill they project power in stone and wood. But where did these quintessentially medieval strongholds come from? And how were they put to use? All this month on Gone Medieval, D ... Show More
53m 39s
Oct 2024
Castles and the Conquest of Ireland
Ireland has been known as the land of saints and scholars and once was the farthest reach of the known world. But it's also home to one of the densest selections of castles in Europe thanks to the bloody invaders, the Normans. Matt Lewis visits the immense fortress that is Trim c ... Show More
35m 43s
Oct 2024
Castles, Kings and Courtly Life
All this month, Matt and Eleanor are ranging across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to discover the stories of our greatest castles. In this episode, Eleanor looks at one of the most iconic and strategically important fortresses. Over the centuries, Stirling Castle has refl ... Show More
37m 26s
Nov 2024
Defending a Castle
Gone Medieval continues to explore the life cycle of castles, today considering the role for which they were explicitly designed - as fortresses to protect those within - by focussing on the incredible Carlisle Castle. Matt Lewis speaks to Professor Jackson Armstrong about this f ... Show More
39m 29s
Apr 2025
Speaking with shadows: The Workhouse at Framlingham Castle
We’re still busy behind the scenes, so in the meantime we wanted to share a special series with you called Speaking with Shadows. Framlingham Castle was home to the fiercely powerful Dukes of Norfolk for 400 years – so how did it end up as a workhouse in the 17th century? Join Jo ... Show More
37m 7s
Jul 25
Medieval England's Top 5 Sites
Here on Gone Medieval we love to share the historical nuggets you won't commonly find.We are the insider's guide to Medieval times. and today Matt Lewis is taken on a whistle-stop tour of Medieval England by Julian Humphrys, to explore five noteworthy locations that might just be ... Show More
52 m
Dec 2023
Entre quatre murs, lʹhistoire de nos décors intérieurs (1/5) : Chez Guiger
Dis-moi comment tu habites, je te dirais qui tu es. Lʹintérieur de nos maisons et de nos appartements en dit beaucoup sur notre histoire et sur notre présent. Histoire Vivante enquête sur lʹhistoire des décors intérieurs, des plus sophistiqués au plus modestes, au château de Pran ... Show More
27m 46s
May 14
Exploring Edinburgh: Scotland’s Dramatic Capital of Castles, Folklore & Food
This week on Travel in 10, David Brodie and Tim Johnson take you to one of the most atmospheric cities in the world—Edinburgh, Scotland. From the storied stones of Edinburgh Castle to hidden whisky cellars and haggis counters, this episode is packed with timeless charm, fascinati ... Show More
15m 29s