The English Heritage Podcast

Caring for country houses is a delicate task, involving protecting them from fire risk, weather, pests, and much more. Some things have remained the same over the years: fire has long been a looming threat for the residents of country houses.   This time on the English Heritage Podcast, Amy Matthews chats with Andrew Hann, Peter Moore and Richard Luscombe about the dramatic events, near misses and brilliant innovations that have helped staff and residents of country houses tackle the ever-present risk of fire.    We’ll discuss the evolution of firefighting equipment, brilliantly organised operations, candles on Christmas trees and why Prince Albert put seashells in the floor of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/]   Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *  Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/]   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.    *Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In 2021, a Yorkshire metal detectorist unearthed one of the UK’s largest and most important Iron Age finds. Now the Melsonby Hoard is reshaping our understanding of life in Britain 2000 years ago.   In this episode, we delve into the trove to discuss how values, wealth, power, culture and even transport in Britain were evolving against the backdrop of growing Roman influence. Amy Matthews is joined by English Heritage’s Dr Jen Wexler and Dr Sophia Adams of the British Museum to unpick the stories from this incredible collection of objects.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/]   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/]   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Work on the excavation and restoration of the hoard was carried out by Durham University with financial support provided by Historic England. You can find out more about this partnership and the Yorkshire Museum below: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/archaeology/melsonby-hoard/ [https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/archaeology/melsonby-hoard/] https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/iron-age-discovery-melsonby-hoard/ [https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/iron-age-discovery-melsonby-hoard/] https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/news-media/latest-news/melsonby-hoard-saved-for-the-uk-thanks-to-national-heritage-memorial-fund-and-public-support/ [https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/news-media/latest-news/melsonby-hoard-saved-for-the-uk-thanks-to-national-heritage-memorial-fund-and-public-support/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How did a 13th century knight become one of the greatest national heroes of his time?   In this episode of the English Heritage podcast, Amy Matthews and her guests discover a true knight’s tale. William, a low-level aristocrat, narrowly avoided a violent end as a child and rose to greatness through violent tournaments, warfare and royal service.    But who was the real William Marshal, and can we trust the reverential account of his life that was written after his death?   Medieval historian Lindy Grant and English Heritage’s Jeremy Ashbee help Amy sort the man from the myth and discuss the medieval concept of knighthood and chivalry.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/]   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/]   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

People love to fill their homes with beautiful plants, but this is not a new phenomenon. The trade in wild plants and seeds has a complex history that stretches back into the past and across the world.   Ahead of the Gardeners’ World Autumn Plant Fair at Audley End, Amy Matthews is joined by English Heritage’s Emily Parker and Joe Bagley, The Houseplant Doctor, to explore how our obsession with houseplants developed from competitive Victorian collectors to 21st century plantaholics.   Plus, Joe has some expert tips on how to keep your horticultural housemates happy and enjoy them sustainably and ethically.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/]   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/]   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this episode of the English Heritage podcast, we’ll discover the remarkable women who have helped to shape some of our most beautiful gardens.    From Georgian garden retreats that provided refuge from the royal court and the backdrop for a literary coterie to the ‘weeding women’ who kept gardens looking their best, we explore their significant yet often overlooked contributions. We'll also shine a light on the independent female garden designers of the 20th century who transformed landscapes and paved the way for future generations.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/]   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/ [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/]   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]