Norman and Plantagenet Pioneers

Mary Wollstonecraft – One of England’s First Feminist Writers

This impulsive, emotional and occasionally outrageous woman, remains one of England’s most under-reported and undervalued writers.  Her 18th century works spoke up for the women and children who were excluded from society on account of their impoverishment or gender.  You will hear Paul and Gillian describe the story of Mary’s struggle for acceptance and recognition, which is uplifting, tragic and comical in equal measure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Lady Margaret Beaufort – Progenitor of the Tudor Monarchies

Practical, extremely courageous and tough to the core, Lady Margaret Beaufort suffered greatly and sacrificed much of her life for the benefit of her only child who became King Henry VII, England’s first Tudor monarch.  By the age of 13, Margaret was a mother and a widow.  Prior to the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, she was at risk of execution by different Kings of England.  Gillian and Paul describe the very dramatic story of Margaret’s life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Isabella of France – a ‘She-Wolf’ or not a ‘She Wolf’

This outstanding woman became Queen of England during her early teens.  Almost immediately after her accession, she faced rejection and humiliation at the hands of her feckless husband King Edward II and his male companions.  In later centuries, she was condemned on the assumption that she had been party to the murder of her husband and the usurping of his throne.  Modern historians have proposed that Edward II was probably not murdered in which case, Isabella has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice.  Paul and Gillian present the case for and against this former Queen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Norman and Plantagenet Pioneers

Listen to an account of two women who led remarkable lives despite the fact that both were married to very difficult men namely William the Conqueror and England’s first Plantagenet king, Henry II… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Anglo-Saxon Pioneers: Part Two

Our second podcast features two outstanding Anglo-Saxons, who have been described as the most significant and important people ever born in England.  The material discusses the incredible stories of Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians and her brother King Edward the Elder.  Both were children of Alfred the Great and in the 10th century, they formed a devastating partnership, with the intention of retaking large swathes of territory from Danish invaders and settlers, throughout England.  Together, this couple lived out their father’s dream of a united Angleland, with inhabitants speaking one language and worshipping one God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]