THE ENGLISH HERITAGE PODCAST
Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places?
In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future.
A Voice for After-Ages: The Radical Life of Margaret Cavendish
Step into the "blazing mind" of Margaret Cavendish, the 17th-century Duchess of Newcastle who challenged the conventions of her age. In this episode of the English Heritage Podcast, host Amy Matthews is joined by Senior Curator of History Megan Leland and PhD researcher Sophie White to explore the life of a true original.
A pioneering science fiction writer, philosopher and trailblazer, Cavendish carved out her own place in a male-dominated world. From The Blazing World to becoming the first woman to attend a meeting of the Royal Society, she was always writing for "after-ages".
Discover Bolsover Castle, her creative retreat and "pleasure palace", and learn how the Mind Lab project is bringing her ideas to life for a new generation. Plus, hear how participants Delilah and Henry have followed Cavendish's creative trail to build "Blazing Worlds" of their own.
Margaret Cavendish's Mind Lab is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, English Heritage has been able to deliver this two-year project in partnership with Junction Arts, Writing East Midlands and the University of York.
Listen to the English Heritage PodcastThe Victorian Seaside Boom
A day out at the seaside is still a summertime staple for many British families. From fish and chips on the promenade to a classic 99, messing about in rock pools and trying your luck on the 2p machines, there's so much nostalgia and tradition wrapped up in a day out by the sea. But what started our love affair with the seaside holiday? As with so many things, the Victorians had a big part to play.
Join Amy and guests English Heritage's Dr Andrew Hann and Dr Allan Brodie of Bournemouth University as they go back to where it all began. A trip to the coast was a trend that crossed class boundaries, attracting everyone from the royal household and landed gentry to factory workers and office clerks. Along the way, uncover the surprising reasons the Victorians flocked to the coast and how their passion for sea air, bathing and leisure helped shape the great British holiday we still enjoy today. After all, everybody decided they liked to be beside the seaside.
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Speaking with shadows
When you’re wandering about a historic place, what voices do you hear echoing off the walls? Are they the ones you learnt about at school – or do you wonder about the shadowy, quiet voices that may have gone unheard?
Travel from 17th-century Northamptonshire, where we hear about the heroic servant who may have become Britain’s first black pub landlord, to wartime Essex, where Polish special forces soldiers trained in secrecy for life or death missions to their homeland.
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