Culture Archives – The British History Podcast
by Jamie Jeffers · 149 episodes
HistoryEducationCourses
The BHP is a chronological retelling of the history of Britain with a particular focus upon the lives of the people. You won't find a dry recounting of dates and battles here, but instead you'll learn about who these people were and how their desires, fears, and flaws shaped the histories of England, Scotland, and Wales. Apple is restricting my feed, so to access all episodes you have to click subscribe and then download them within your app.
Latest episodes
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1 h 03
Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity
Here is the beginning of Hereward the Wake. And to tell this story, we have to begin with the legend, because nothing in this story is straightforward. Probably because at least so…
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36 min
Into the Wild
1067 was a time of incredible change within England. Fortresses were being constructed everywhere. Existing fortresses were seized and then manned by foreign mercenaries. Estates a…
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37 min
William: Winning Friends and Influencing People Is For Suckers
Do you remember the holy man who asked Edgar the AEtheling to confirm him as the Abbot of Peterborough, just after the Battle of Hastings? Well, that guy’s name was Brand. The prev…
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47 min
Rearranging the Deck chairs on HMS England
It was autumn of 1066 and after weeks of deliberation, political wrangling, and arguing the English nobility had finally selected their next King. This may seem like a long time, c…
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33 min
To Kill a Legend
Here is how you probably heard the story of the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror boarded a ship, won a battle at Hastings, and was crowned King. Kingdom. Conqueror. Conque…
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47 min
King Harold Godwinson
Edward was dead. Harold was King. Edith was sidelined. And as far as the Vita Edwardii was concerned, this was the moment where the wheels came completely off the wagon.
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36 min
The King of Wales
Water, and the ability to control water ways, was an important aspect in the Welsh imagination. In fact, the importance of Welsh power on the seas even appears in the Mabinogion.
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26 min
Lost Years and Lost Lands
Things are moving quickly in our story, now. Pieces are moving into place, and the board is shifting rapidly. Thanks to the benefit of hindsight, we can see where this is going and…
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34 min
Breaking Bread
Earl Godwin and his family were back, baby. Well, mostly.
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29 min
Walter Map's Courtly Trifles
The early 11th century was an unlikely time of heroes. By heroes I unfortunately don’t mean people of good character and brave deeds, but just people who perform extraordinary feat…
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31 min
Bonus Episode: Slavery
More material is coming, but here is a bonus episode to keep you company while you’re practicing social distancing.
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25 min
Thoughts and Prayers
AEthelred, for the first time in quite a while, had a chance for a breather. King Sweyn Forkbeard, having been paid a king’s ransom, had withdrawn his forces with a promise never t…
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32 min
Forkbeard
When you go to your local grocery store there’s a pattern. You go down your usual aisles, grab your bread, your tea, that thing you know you’re not supposed to eat but do anyway be…
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36 min
The Year 1000
It’s so easy to lose the forest for the trees. This show is a show about one small island which, even at this part of the story, is still at the edge of civilization. It is very ea…
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22 min
From Bad to Worse
When we left off, England was reforming its legal structure. Now, law isn’t known for being a sexy subject…neither are lawyers for that matter. But law shapes our societies in ways…
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22 min
Law and Lawlessness
With the Scandinavian raiders gone, and with AElfric of Hampshire defanged, England was free to get back to work. And, as we saw last episode, this meant that the King was once aga…
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27 min
Brotherhood of the Wolf
And we are back! Thank you all for being patient while the BHP went on a brief parental leave. And speaking of things that are back… The Dowager Queen AElfthryth has returned to th…
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27 min
A Culture of Corruption
At 16 years old, King AEthelred was considered fully grown by Anglo Saxon standards. And as a bonus graduation present, the powerful Bishop AEthelwold of Winchester… who appears to…
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30 min
The Cracks in the Foundation
“Under AEthelred nothing was done; or, more truly, throughout his whole reign he left undone those things which he ought to have done, and he did those things he ought not to have…
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39 min
How to Make a Martyr
“No man can make himself king, but the people have the choice to choose as king whom they please; but after he is consecrated as king, he then has dominion over the people, and the…