Historic Royal Palaces Podcast

Épisodes

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  Women of the Bayeux Tapestry – Medieval Power and Queenship 10.09.2026 53min

  The Bayeux Tapestry features just three women among 600 male figures. But you can't tell its story without the powerful medieval women who shaped the Norman Conquest.  In this second episode of our series, Janina Ramirez and Tracy Borman join Charles Farris to explore the Norman Conquest beyond 'two kings and a duke'.     How did women wield power and influence in the early medieval period? Who survived and thrived in the new Norman regime? And why have historians excluded these women from the history books? Learn more about Matilda of Flanders on our website.
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  How Did William the Conqueror Hang On To Power After 1066? 27.08.2026 1h

  William the Conqueror is one of the most famous figures in English history. But his coronation in 1066 was a disaster. Even as he was crowned as King of England, his future looked uncertain. So, how did William go from this shaky start to forging the Norman dynasty?  In this first episode of a new series on the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, Tower of London curator Charles Farris is joined by Dr Marc Morris and Dr Caroline Wilhelmsson. Together, they bust some well-worn myths about William and the famous events of 1066. How did William the Conqueror really change England, and why are we still talking about him almost 1,000 years on? Learn more about William the Conqueror on our website.
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  The Royal Menagerie - Animals at The Tower of London 20.08.2026 57min

  For hundreds of years, the Tower of London was home to animals from all over the world. Animals were given as diplomatic gifts, brought by hunters, or captured in the process of colonisation.  What were conditions like for these animals? Who cared for them? And what does their presence at the Tower tell us about Britain's relationship with the wider world?  In this episode, Curator Charles Farris is joined by Emma Shepley, a curator researching the Tower's Menagerie, and Dr Mishka Sinha, a historian of global history, to bring you this new and ongoing research.  The episode contains discussion of animal cruelty, hunting, injury to people, and colonialism.  Visit the Tower of London this summer to see Imagining Animals.
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  Queen Victoria's Education at Kensington Palace 13.08.2026 32min

  We might think of Queen Victoria as an elderly woman in black mourning dress, but she was only 18 when she came to the throne.  Victoria spent much of her childhood at Kensington Palace. Here, a rigorous programme of education aimed to prepare her for the responsibility of ruling Britain and its Empire. Victoria believed her childhood was 'oppressive', but what was her schooling really like, and who was in charge of teaching her?   In this episode, go behind the scenes of the so called 'Kensington System' with Assistant Curator Myles Campbell, and experience the place where Victoria studied for the crown.   Read more about Victoria's life on our website.
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  Oliver Cromwell's Palace - Hampton Court During the Interregnum 06.08.2026 44min

  A regicide might be the last person you'd think would save a king's palace – but in Oliver Cromwell, Hampton Court found an unlikely admirer.   During his time as Head of State, Cromwell's family filled Hampton Court with music, art and beauty – and even some scandalous statues – as their family home. In doing so, they saved it from the threat of demolition, and ensured its survival until Charles II returned in 1660.  In this episode, join Assistant Curator Minette Butler as she explores Hampton Court through new eyes, looking for glimpses of this intriguing period. What was it like to visit this royal palace without a king? And how does Cromwell fit into the palace's history?  Explore the Tudor gardens that Cromwell would have known on our website. 
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  Charles I - The Execution of a 'Traitor' King at the Banqueting House 30.07.2026 1h

  Charles I's execution was unprecedented and shocking. He staked everything on his divine right to rule – the same concept that inspired his spectacular Rubens ceiling at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace. Ironically, this glorification of monarchy was one of the King's last sights, before he died on the scaffold.   In this episode, curators Minette Butler and Dr Alden Gregory explore this fascinating story of a 'traitor' king, under the Rubens ceiling where he spent his final moments.  How did Charles I come to be executed by his own subjects? Did he reflect on his reign as he passed underneath these heavenly images? And what remains of his legacy?  See the Rubens ceiling in high definition on Google Arts & Culture.
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  Tudor Prisoners at the Tower of London - Stories in Graffiti 23.07.2026 19min

  The walls of the Tower of London are covered with carvings - graffiti left behind by the prisoners who were locked inside. The Tudor monarchs imprisoned hundreds of people, for treason, sedition, or simply their religious faith.   In this episode, Dr Jamie Ingram visits the Beauchamp Tower, which houses some of the most impressive and well known graffiti at the Tower of London. These marks, some of them 500 years old, reveal the poignant stories of the Tower's Tudor Prisoners.  See the Dudley graffito in HD on Google Arts and Culture See the Abel graffito close up on Google Arts and Culture.
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  Queen Anne - A Woman of Contradictions with Gareth Russell 16.07.2026 33min

  Queen Anne was the first Queen of Great Britain, but wasn't supposed to rule. She could be pious and shy, but was also scandelous and scheming. Today, she is perhaps best known from the award winning film, 'The Favourite'.   Anne's impact is clear at Hampton Court Palace, where the ceiling of the Queen's Drawing Room is covered with a glorious homage to her reign.   In this episode, join historian Gareth Russell for a private look at this amazing space, and explore Anne's turbulent story.   See 'The Apotheosis of Queen Anne' ceiling painting on Google Arts and Culture  
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  Benjamin Franklin's Curious Visit to Hillsborough Castle (From The Archive) 02.07.2026 33min

  Benjamin Franklin – Founding Father, writer, inventor – remains one of the most famous visitors to Hillsborough Castle in its history. His visit to his political foe, Wills Hill, 1st Earl of Hillsborough, in 1771 offers an unexpected link to the history of US independence. The two men were so completely opposed that earlier the same year, Franklin had tried to have Lord Hillsborough impeached. In response, there is evidence suggesting that Hillsborough wanted to have Franklin arrested. Remarkably, the two men found much to agree on at the castle – but would the cordial atmosphere last? Almost 250 years on from the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, we've delved into the archive to find out. Learn more about the State Dining Room on our website.
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  George III – 'Tyrant' King of the American Colonies? 25.06.2026 56min

  In the Declaration of Independence, signed on 4th July 1776, King George III is cast as a 'tyrant'. How fair is this representation?  In this episode, Kew Palace curator Polly Putnam is joined by Dr Rachel Herrmann, Senior Lecturer in Modern American History at Cardiff University, and Dr Robin Eagles, Editor at the History of Parliament Trust. Together, they explore George III's legacy in the United States of America, and whether this matches what we know about his reign. How much power did George have over the American colonies? Who is often left out of the story? And was he the 'tyrant' that he was made out to be?  Learn more about George III on our website.
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  LGBTQ+ Histories at Our Palaces (From The Archive) 18.06.2026 54min

  LGBTQ+ people have always existed in the history of our palaces, but stories of this community are often obscured or misunderstood. We've delved into the archive to bring you this special episode for Pride Month, re-connecting with stories from the LGBTQ+ community.  When we explore queer histories, we gain a much fuller picture of societies in the past, from when our palaces were first built, right on through to their more recent history.     In this episode, Curator Matthew Storey is joined by Curator Holly Marsden, and Dr Kit Heyam. Together, they discuss some queer stories connected to our palaces, and what they can teach us about our past, and present.  Explore more LGBTQ+ histories from our palaces on our website.  Read Matthew's article about Kathleen Woodhouse.   Read Molly McClain's article on Stuart women.  Find Kit Heyam's books on their website.  In this episode we use a range of different gender pronouns to discuss historical people, including those used in the original sources and those used by historians today.  Content warnings:  Homophobia, including the murder of queer people Transphobia  Non-consensual medical examination  Suicide 
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  What Happened to Anne Boleyn's Family After Her Fall? 11.06.2026 53min

  In 1533, the Boleyns seemed to have it all. Anne Boleyn was Queen, and her family were reaping the rewards of Henry VIII's favour. But it was not to last.   Within three years, each member of the faction was fighting for survival as their power evaporated.  In this second episode of a two-part series on the Rise and Fall of the Boleyns, Tracy Borman is joined by Gareth Russell at Hampton Court Palace. They explore how the House of Boleyn was dismantled with such devastating consequences. Who, if anyone, dared to try and save them? And who was left as the faction crumbled? Read more from Tracy Borman: Was Jane Boleyn the most hated woman in Tudor England? 
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  Growing Up in the House of Boleyn 04.06.2026 52min

  The Boleyn family captivated Henry VIII – but who were they before their meteoric rise to fame? Who were the little-known women operating from Hever Castle? And was Anne's father the schemer he's made out to be?   In this first episode of a new series on the Rise and Fall of the Boleyns, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is joined by Owen Emmerson and Kate McCaffrey from Hever Castle. They explore how Anne Boleyn's relatives worked their way from Norfolk merchants into the corridors of power, and why they still fascinate us 500 years on. Read more about Anne Boleyn on our website. Buy Tracy's new novel 'The House of Boleyn' from our shop.
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  Thomas Cromwell - Architect of the Reformation? 21.05.2026 1h 3min

  Thomas Cromwell might have pulled off the most meteoric social climb of the 16th century. From the rough shores of Putney to the illustrious court of Henry VIII, his journey to power reveals so much about the opportunities and dangers of the Tudor period.   In this final episode of our series on Henry VIII's ministers, Tracy Borman explores the real story of a man often seen as a villain. Joined by Chief Curator Eleri Lynn, she discusses the Reformation, Anne Boleyn, and Cromwell's all-important relationship with Henry VIII.  Turn on video on Spotify, or watch this episode on YouTube to see Tracy and Eleri in the amazing Tudor Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. 
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  Thomas More – The Man Who Defied Henry VIII? 07.05.2026 50min

  Thomas More lived by the mantra, 'I am the King's good servant, but God's first'. He would also die by it. His defiance at Henry VIII's break with Rome would be his salvation, and his destruction.  In this episode of our series on Henry VIII's ministers, Tracy Borman is joined by historian Dr Joanne Paul to examine the truth behind Thomas More's legacy.   Was he a saintly man of conscience in a court filled with grasping politicians, or a self-righteous heretic hunter? And what does his story tell us about Henry VIII?  Watch this episode on YouTube to see Tracy and Joanne in the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace.  Read more about Sir Thomas More's life and legacy. 
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  Thomas Wolsey - Henry VIII's Powerful Chief Minister 23.04.2026 48min

  Thomas Wolsey was born the son of a butcher from Ipswich, yet he rose to become one of the most powerful men in Tudor England as Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor. He was even known as 'The Other King', and built a palace that rivalled Henry VIII's.  This spectacular rise was only matched by the drama of his fall.  In this first episode of our new series on Henry VIII's ministers, Tracy Borman is joined by historian Elizabeth Norton to explore Wolsey's time in Henry's court. How powerful was he? Why did he fall from Henry VIII's favour? And what legacy did he leave behind?  Read more about Thomas Wolsey and see inside his palace at Hampton Court on our website.
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  The Last Princesses of Punjab 16.04.2026 48min

  The Last Princesses of Punjab left behind legacies that continue to resonate today, but what impact did these women have and how should we remember them?   In this final episode in our series, we join Curators Dr Mishka Sinha and Polly Putnam, as they chat to researcher and collector Peter Bance, and Dr Nadhra Shahbaz, Associate Professor of the Art and Architecture of Punjab.  What were the sisters' legacies and how can we find meaning in them today?   Read more about the extraordinary life of Catherine Duleep Singh, LGBTQ+ Icon and 'gurantor' for Jewish refugees.  Find out more about The Last Princesses of Punjab and book tickets to our exhibition at Kensington Palace. 
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  The Duleep Singh Sisters - From Debutantes to Defiance 09.04.2026 1h 1min

  The Duleep Singh sisters went from Victorian Debutantes in high society, to defiant changemakers in the 20th century, but how did this change happen?    Join Curators Dr Mishka Sinha and Polly Putnam, alongside Dr Sumita Mukherjee and Dr Siobhan Lambert-Hurley, to explore how the sister's heritage and individual indefinites led them to explore defiance in their lives.   Find out more about The Last Princesses of Punjab and book tickets to our exhibition at Kensington Palace.
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  The Duleep Singh Family – Queen Victoria & Empire 26.03.2026 51min

  The lives of the Duleep Singh sisters were deeply impacted by Queen Victoria's Empire in India, and their father's displacement as the last Maharaja of the Punjab, yet they lived a life of privilege as aristocrats in Victorian Britain.   Join Curators Dr Mishka Sinha and Polly Putnam, alongside Dr Priya Atwal, to explore the early lives of Princesses Sophia, Catherine and Bamba. How did Empire impact their childhoods, and who were the women who shaped them, from Queen Victoria to their Grandmother Maharani Jind Kaur.   Read about Queen Victoria role in the British Empire. Find out more about The Last Princesses of Punjab and book tickets to our exhibition at Kensington Palace.  
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  Hampton Court Palace - Tudor vs Baroque 12.03.2026 46min

  Hampton Court is a palace of two halves and countless stories. But which side is best? The Tudor half displays all the court intrigue of the dynasty it's named for, and yet the Baroque side is no less dramatic, holding the stories of the Restoration, Glorious Revolution, and Georgians within its decorative walls.    Join Tracy Borman and Gareth Russell on a private tour of this palace of two halves, as they each make their case for which side is best. The Tudor, or the Baroque? Find out more about the story of Hampton Court Palace.