logo
episode-header-image
Jul 10
33m 42s

700 Years of the Thames

The National Archives
About this episode

From frozen festivals to royal polar bears, from wartime recovery to medieval merchants.The River Thames has been the stage for some of Britain’s most extraordinary moments.

In this episode, Sarah Castagnetti explores this rich history—from the 13th-century king who kept a polar bear in the river, to a Dutch naval attack that brought war to London’s doorstep, and the legendary Thames frost fairs.Three very different Thames stories, all revealing how central this river has been to London’s history.

Download the full episode transcript here.

Up next
Jul 7
Trailer: 700 years of the Thames
In our next episode of On the Record, we explore three very different stories—each revealing how central the River Thames has been to London’s history. 
1m 26s
Jun 12
LGBTQ+ Histories
In this episode, we bring you four stories that span two hundred years of British history. Two women leave their families to make a new life together in Wales in 1780, a Manchester drag ball in 1880, a secret gathering space for gay men in 1920s London, and a community archive co ... Show More
53m 35s
May 8
Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)
On Tuesday, May 8th, 1945, the Allies who had been fighting the Second World War formally accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender. May 8th became known as Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, and is still marked every year. In this episode, host Chloe Lee is joined by Will Butler ... Show More
38m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
248. Medieval Treason (Part 1)
Join Tom and Dominic at the National Archives as they explore the history of treason in Britain, going right back to the 1351 treason act. How has treason changed since its inception? Why are traitors hanged, drawn, and quartered? What impact did the reformation have upon treason ... Show More
54m 29s
Nov 2022
249. Treason in Modern Britain (Part 2)
Join Tom and Dominic for the second part of their exploration of the history of treason. How has the 1351 treason act impacted Britain and the world since the 17th century? This will be answered as they discuss seismic events such as the trial of Charles I, American independence, ... Show More
55m 58s
Apr 2023
83: Dirty Water, Wikileaks, and Anthrax?! Would You Die For Your Country? | Dark History with Bailey Sarian
Welcome to the Dark History podcast, the show where we talk about that hot history goss. And today we’re talking about a new kind of gossip: the kind that could both save and ruin lives, should you blow the whistle. That’s right, today’s episode is on whistleblowers—people that s ... Show More
46m 1s
Nov 2023
The Queen's Soviet Spy
Sir Anthony Blunt, esteemed art historian and a favourite of the Royal family, was publicly revealed as a Soviet spy on 15th November, 1979, when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher confirmed he had been part of the "Cambridge Five", a group of double agents who secretly passed sens ... Show More
11m 56s
Feb 2024
#492: American Nightmare | Part 3
We conclude our coverage of “American Nightmare” the story of Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn and the secondary trauma they suffered at the hands of law enforcement, the media and the general public at large who refused to believe their story about what happened to them when they ... Show More
37m 17s
Jan 2024
Murder in the Stuart Court
The public fascination with true crime is nothing new. Four centuries ago, the sensational story of the death in the Tower of London of Thomas Overbury, a lawyer in the court of King James I, led to a scandal that rocked the monarchy to its core.  In this episode of Not Just The ... Show More
44m 44s
Feb 2025
[LES ARCHIVES] David Williams, colonel et meurtrier • 2/2
David Williams, né le 7 mars 1963 à Bromsgrove, est un tueur et violeur en série canadien. Au moment de son arrestation, Williams était colonel au sein de l’Aviation royale des Forces canadiennes. Il a été condamné à la prison à vie. 🦇 MINUIT diffuse des créations originales des ... Show More
11m 7s
Dec 2023
Introducing: True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here
Hi, Death Island Fans! We want to share a new true crime podcast hosted by Hilarie Burton Morgan that we think you'll love... About the show: The tight knit fabric of a small town can be torn apart when a violent crime happens. Join host and advocate Hilarie Burton Morgan in the ... Show More
1m 9s
Oct 2023
Mindhunting with Sarah Weinman
"What is it about the culture that has conditioned us to favor the wants and needs and desires, however horrible, of a serial murderer, as opposed to--most often--the women and girls that they harmed and killed?" This week, Sarah Weinman takes us on a backpacking trip through tru ... Show More
1h 6m