Series 2 Episode 12 - Escape to the Low Countries: Richard Bernard, Thomas Helwys and the Gainsborough Congregation.

History. Part 3 - 1066: The Fall of Anglo-Saxon Britain. (Transcript added).

Episode type Regular episode Season 1 Episode number 1 History. Part 3 - 1066: The Fall of Anglo-Saxon Britain. (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt William of Normandy - arrives on England's south coast This is the third episode in my four-part series exploring the story of Britain. The series was originally planned as a trilogy, but the further I travelled through Britain's past, the more there seemed to be worth telling. As a result, the story grew into four episodes, allowing us to explore some of these events in greater depth. In the previous episodes, we followed the arrival of the Romans, the rise of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the age of the Vikings, and the struggles that helped shape early Britain. Now we come to one of the most famous years in English history: 1066. This is the story of William, Duke of Normandy, and of a conquest that would reshape England's rulers, language, culture, and identity for centuries to come. The artwork for this episode depicts the coat of arms traditionally attributed to William the Conqueror and the Duchy of Normandy. Historians often trace the succession of England's major dynasties as: Anglo-Saxons, Normans, Plantagenets, Tudors, and Stuarts. The Plantagenets were the royal dynasty that followed the Normans. Although Henry II was descended from the Norman kings through his mother, Empress Matilda, he brought to England a new French-Angevin ruling house from Anjou. The Angevins, named after the French region of Anjou, ruled England, Ireland, and large parts of France during the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. Their most famous monarchs were Henry II, Richard I, better known as Richard the Lionheart, and King John. The influence of the Plantagenets can still be seen today. England's Royal Arms retain the three gold lions on a red background first adopted by Richard I in 1198 and later used by King John. While later monarchs made additions and alterations, the three lions remain one of the most enduring symbols of England, linking the modern nation to its Plantagenet past. The opening music is the Sarabande from Suite No. 11, composed by George Frideric Handel between 1703 and 1706. Originally written for solo harpsichord, the piece is now more widely known through its powerful orchestral and string arrangements. Its sombre character, stately rhythm, and striking simplicity have made it a favourite in film and television. In this episode, the Sarabande is heard twice: first during the opening 57 seconds of the narrative, and later from 6 minutes 20 seconds, where it accompanies the story of the 1066 battle of hastings, for a further 2 minutes and 6 seconds. The closing music is Air pour Madame la Dauphine, a celebrated Baroque composition by Jean-Baptiste Lully, written in 1685. Lully composed the work to commemorate the Truce of Ratisbon and to honour the French royal family. The "Dauphine" of the title was Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria, wife of Louis, Grand Dauphin. This recording is © 2000 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin, produced by Marita Prohmann and Sid McLauchlan. The piece begins at 29 minutes 50 seconds and continues through the closing moments of the episode for 2 minutes and 6 seconds. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk Also feel free to email me your thoughts at : sholt@nashcom.co.uk

Series 2 Episode 12 - Escape to the Low Countries: Richard Bernard, Thomas Helwys and the Gainsborough Congregation.

Regular episode Season 2 12 Series 2 Episode 12 - Escape to the Low Countries: Richard Bernard, Thomas Helwys and the Gainsborough Congregation. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. The Picture: Engraving of Richard Bernard by Wenceslas Hollar. Richard Bernard (1568–1641) was an English Puritan minister, preacher, and author. He worked to reform the Church of England from within rather than leave it. He briefly supported the Separatist movement around 1606, but ultimately chose not to leave the Church and remained a loyal, though sometimes nonconforming, member. Bernard was known for his practical and easy-to-read books, which made him one of the most influential Puritan writers of his time. He wrote about topics like pastoral ministry, Christian living, social welfare, and religious reform. His faith showed strong Protestant beliefs along with compassion, moderation, and care for everyday people.In his later years, he served as rector of Batcombe in Somerset, where he continued preaching, writing, and shaping English religious life until his death in 1641. The Music: The Coventry Carol. Performed by Seraphic Fire, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Ft. Lauderdale . The "Coventry Carol" is an English Christmas carol dating from the 16th century. The carol was traditionally performed in Coventry in England as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors (1392–3). The play depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew: the carol itself refers to the Massacre of the Innocents, in which Herod ordered all male infants under the age of two in Bethlehem to be killed, and takes the form of a lullaby sung by mothers of the doomed children. The single surviving text of the carol and the pageant containing it was edited by one Robert Croo, who dated his manuscript 14 March 1534. The music plays during the opening 40 seconds of the episode, then returns at the conclusion of the narration and continues for a further three minutes Episode Description. In this episode, we witness the Gainsborough and Scrooby congregations standing at a crossroads, confronting a defining moment in their journey. For years, many of these men and women hoped the Church of England could be reformed from within. Yet as the authorities' grip tightened and hope for reform slipped away, some began to see departure as their only remaining option. We follow how the Gainsborough congregation, led by John Smyth, dealt with the consequences of their decision and prepared for the uncertain journey ahead. On this path, we encounter Thomas Helwys, a wealthy landowner and masterful organiser whose support became the lifeline for any hope of escape from England. Meanwhile, a contrasting story unfolds. Richard Bernard, once drawn towards the Separatist cause, ultimately stepped back from the brink. He wrestled with the same doubts as his friends and colleagues, yet ultimately forged his own path. He remained in the Church of England and continued working for change from within. Together, these stories show the tough choices English Protestants faced in the early 1600s. Some would be forced to abandon their homes, livelihoods, and homeland in pursuit of religious freedom. Others stayed and kept working for reform within the established Church. The age of separation had begun, and for many, the road now led across the North Sea toward the promise of the Low Countries. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk [sholt@nashcom.co.uk] Your feedback matters, send me an email at sholt@nashcom.co.uk, with any comments, suggestions, or criticisms.

Series 2 Episode 11 - Exiled Paths: Nonconformity and Dissent in Kent. (Transcript added).

Regular episode Season 2 11 Series 2 Episode 11 - Exiled Paths: Nonconformity and Dissent in Kent. (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. The picture: FisherGate, is one of the main medieval landmarks still found in the historic town of Sandwich. It was built in 1384 from stone and flint and is the only medieval gateway from the original town walls to survive. A brick upper floor was added in 1578, giving the gate much of its present appearance. The gate was once part of Sandwich’s defences and helped protect the busy port from French and Spanish raids during the late Middle Ages. When Sandwich was one of England’s main Cinque Ports, these defences were vital for both military and trade reasons. First formed in the 11th century, the Cinque Ports, meaning "five harbours" in Old French, are a historic group of fortified coastal towns in Kent and Sussex, in southeast England. Sandwich was a major medieval harbour before the coastline gradually shifted, leaving the town stranded inland. FisherGate stands near the River Stour at the end of a narrow cobbled lane. It serves as a clear reminder of Sandwich’s medieval past and its former role as a gateway between England and Europe. The music is: “Roll the Old Chariot Along” Sung by David Coffin, Good Dog Records, YouTube. Roll the Old Chariot Along, also known as “A Drop of Nelson’s Blood”, is a traditional maritime sea shanty, often described as a “stamp-and-go” or “walkaway” song. Sailors used it to keep a steady rhythm while hauling ropes, turning pumps, or carrying out other heavy shipboard labour. The song appears to have begun life not as a sailor’s song, but as a religious hymn or African-American spiritual during the 19th century. It was later adopted by the Primitive Methodists and eventually used by the Salvation Army as a lively campaign hymn. The original image of the chariot, once linked to spreading the Gospel, gradually took on a more practical nautical meaning, referring to the pumping wheels of a ship or, more broadly, the hard labour that kept a vessel moving. Over time, sailors adapted its powerful rhythm and call-and-response style for work at sea. Its structure allowed crews to improvise endless new verses, making it ideal for long and exhausting work. The alternative title, “A Drop of Nelson’s Blood,” refers to rum and comes from a famous naval legend surrounding Horatio Nelson. After the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, it was said that Nelson’s body was preserved in a barrel of spirits during the voyage home, giving rise to the sailors’ nickname for rum itself. Over the years, the song became deeply woven into British maritime culture, part work song, part drinking song, and part reminder of the harsh but communal life aboard ship. The Music plays for 40 seconds at the beginning, and for 2min 30 secs at the end , after the narration is complete. Episode Description. For centuries, Kent had stood at the edge of England, facing the narrow seas and the continent beyond. Kent was shaped by restless movement: Roman roads snaking through fields, Saxon kingdoms rising and falling, pilgrims, merchants, refugees, and bold new ideas all crossing the Channel. By the early 1600s, another kind of movement was beginning to take shape. In parish communities across Kent, small groups of Puritans and Separatists met quietly in homes, barns, and hidden meeting places. Some still hoped the Church of England could be reformed. Others were beginning to believe that reform was no longer possible. As pressure from church authorities increased, these gatherings became more secretive, and more determined. What emerged in Kent was not simply religious disagreement but a growing network of men and women willing to risk fines, imprisonment, and exile for conscience's sake. Tradesmen, preachers, craftsmen, merchants, and ordinary families all became part of this hidden movement. While the story of the Pilgrims often highlights northern England, especially Scrooby and Gainsborough, Kent also played an important and unique part. From the towns and villages of Kent came many of the organisers, supporters, and skilled families who would later sustain the exile communities in Holland, and and contribute to the transatlantic migrations. What began here as quiet resistance would, in time, become part of a much larger story. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk [sholt@nashcom.co.uk] Also feel free to email me your thoughts at : sholt@nashcom.co.uk

History. Part 2 - The Fall of the Anglo-Saxons. England’s fate turns on the wind and the sea. (Transcript added).

Episode type • Regular episode Season • 1 • Episode Number 1 • History. Part 2 - The Fall of the Anglo-Saxons. England’s fate turns on the wind and the sea. (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. In this episode, our journey through the Viking Age continues, drawing us ever closer to the dramatic events of the Norman invasion in 1066. The artwork: Pietro Perugino painted Mary at the Cross around 1482. The work is now in the National Gallery in Washington, DC. This scene forms the central panel of “The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene.” But before we begin the next chapter, let us turn briefly to a hymn that has endured for centuries. The music you’ll hear is Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, performed by Emma Kirkby and James Bowman. The Stabat Mater is a Latin poem, long set to music. Pergolesi’s version, written in 1736 for a Neapolitan brotherhood, soon became his most famous sacred work, so powerful that it even inspired Johann Sebastian Bach to create his own adaptation. Its opening words, “Stabat Mater dolorosa”, mean, “The sorrowful mother was standing”. They capture a moment of grief, stillness, and deep reflection. Though its author remains uncertain, its influence is unmistakable, echoing through medieval churches and continuing to resonate today as a meditation on suffering, faith, and devotion. The music plays for the first 90 seconds, then continues for another 35 seconds after the episode ends. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk [sholt@nashcom.co.uk] Also feel free to email me your thoughts at : sholt@nashcom.co.uk

Series 2 Episode 10 -The Congregations of Gainsborough and Scrooby. (Transcript added).

Regular episode Season 2 10 Series 2 Episode 10 -The Congregations of Gainsborough and Scrooby. (Transcript added). © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. The picture: is a current, live photograph of Gainsborough Old Hall. Gainsborough Old Hall is one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England and played an important role in the history of the early Separatists. Built in the late 15th century, the Hall took on a new role in the early 1600s, becoming a meeting place for religious dissent. Between 1602 and 1606, groups led by John Smyth gathered here in secret, men and women who had come to believe that the Church of England could not be reformed from within. Instead, they started independent congregations based on voluntary faith instead of enforced authority. The music is: an a cappella version of "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence", set to the old French carol tune "Picardy," sung by The Living Stones Quartet. This text became well known in the English-speaking world thanks to Gerard Moultrie, a mid-19th-century Anglican cleric, who drew on it for his hymn. This haunting and meditative hymn centres on the Incarnation of Christ. It highlights solemn worship, Christ’s divinity as born of Mary, and His role as heavenly food. The hymn comes from the Liturgy of St James. It is sung at the Great Entrance instead of the Cherubic Hymn during the Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great on Holy Saturday morning. The Living Stones Quartet is a gospel group from Kerala, India, known for singing Southern Gospel, Spirituals, and a cappella music. Formed in 2012, they perform at concerts, youth camps, and Christian retreats. The Music is played at the start of the episode for 40 seconds, and continues after the end of the narration, for 1 minute, 55 seconds. Episode Description. By the early seventeenth century, the lines had been drawn. Pressure was mounting across England. Ministers were expected to conform or risk losing their positions, livelihoods, and voices; those who refused were, in many cases, removed. Amid this growing tension, for figures like John Robinson, the question was beginning to change. It was no longer only about reforming the Church of England, but whether true faith could survive within it at all. In this climate, in places like Gainsborough and Scrooby, small groups of believers met secretly to form independent congregations, choosing conscience over authority and conviction over safety. Furthermore, events such as the Gunpowder Plot just deepened suspicion and hardened attitudes. Tolerance diminished, anxiety spread, and the cost of dissent grew ever higher. By 1606, a difficult truth was becoming clear: For these believers, remaining in England was no longer safe or even possible. © 20 26 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt. "All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law". Requests regarding translation, licensing, or republication should be directed to: sholt@nashcom.co.uk [sholt@nashcom.co.uk] Also feel free to email me your thoughts at : sholt@nashcom.co.uk