British History Podcast

Exploring British History through stories, people and places.
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British History Podcast

Join your host, Philippa Lacey Brewell, for historian interviews and live chats. philippab.substack.com

  1. MAR 31

    Henry VIII's Divorce and the 1527 Sack of Rome - Part 3

    In this, the final of 3 episodes, recorded live, we are discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon. Last time we covered the sack of Rome in 1527 and, in episode 1, the build up to it. We learned how the breakdown in relations between Francois I of France, Charles V Holy Roman Emperor, Charles duke of Burgundy and Pope Clement VII led to this indescribably horrific humanitarian disaster. British History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 28m

  2. MAR 29

    Rebellious Nuns, Unsung Heroes and a lost Cross

    There is a fascinating and intriguing exhibition on in 2025 at Chichester Cathedral. Reverend Vanessa Baron Cathedral Treasurer, who curated the exhibition, joined me today to talk about the human stories behind some of artefacts chosen for the exhibition. You can find out more about the exhibition and the Cathedral by visiting https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/ Thank you for watching this video, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 40 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. Buy books from incredible historians, shipped worldwide from Blackwells - Click Here (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you). You can also join me every other Monday night for 'British History Live' on Youtube - the next show is on 31st March. Want more British History and more contact with me? Join me at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory to enjoy Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and take part in Book Club! All for £5/month. You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa You can always support me for free by subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this Substack. Receive weekly history news from me by subscribing to me here. Visit https://www.BritishHistoryTours.com for full details of history tours and events. See you next time! Philippa This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    35 min

  3. MAR 17

    Henry VIII's Divorce and the 1527 Sack of Rome - Part 2

    In this, the second of 3 episodes, recorded live, discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, we look at the Sack of Rome itself. WARNING - this episode will include descriptions of act of violence, all which occurred in 1527, almost 500 year ago but still upsetting. In the previous episode we focussed on the events which led up to Imperial troops appearing at the walls of Rome, bent on violence. It is against this backdrop that Henry VIII petitioned the pope for a divorce from Katherine of Aragon. In the next episode we will look at Henry's 'Great Matter' and how events in Rome would have a lasting impact on the church, and therefore population, of England. Other links mentioned: Book Club and Discounted Event Tickets available in Patreon The Wars of the Roses Online History Festival British History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 13m

  4. MAR 3

    Henry VIII's Divorce and the 1527 Sack of Rome - Part 1

    In this first of a series of 3 episodes, recorded live, discussing the factors going on in Rome which effected Henry VIII's ultimately failed attempt to secure a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, we focus on the events which led up to Imperial troops at the walls of Rome, bent on violence. As well as out main topic for today we also have the 3-minute explainer - why is Richard III so popular? and AI attempts to recreate historical moments. You can also watch this episode on the British History Youtube Channel - click here You can join me for the next episode, streaming live on 17th March by clicking here. British History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 20m

  5. FEB 17

    The Life, Death and Martyrdom of Bishop Hooper, and did Arthur Tudor sleep with Katherine of Aragon?

    In this episode of British History Live, Main Topic of the episode: The life, death and martyrdom of Bishop Hooper. 3 minute explainer: Did they or didn’t they? Arthur Tudor and Katherine of Aragon, did they consummate their marriage? Plus, my visit the Chichester Cathedral 950 and what AI came up with when I asked for a video of Elizabeth I’s astrologer Dr John Dee consulting the stars! British History is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Paid Subscribers can comment and make suggestions for future content. Links mentioned in this episode: Interview with Gareth Russell: Arthur Tudor with his biographer Gareth Benjamin Street - The Dissolution of the Monasteries - Episode 1 of 5 - The Wars of the Roses Online History Festival: https://warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk For tours go to: https://britishhistorytours.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 26m

  6. FEB 14

    Queen James: Britain's openly gay king

    Hello and Welcome! I'm Philippa and it’s great to see you here. I was honoured to be granted the first interview with Gareth Russell about his forthcoming book, a biography of James I of England/VI of Scotland, titled 'Queen James. The Life and Loves of Britain's First King' in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and 'The Six Loves of James I' in the USA and Canada. The release date for Gareth's book is 27th February in the UK , Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and 2nd December in the USA and Canada. You can order/pre-order Gareth's book from Blackwells and get it shipped to wherever you are in the world. (This is an affiliate link. I get a commission on books sold via this link but they are at no extra cost to you). You can get the extended, ad-free edit of this interview at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory. Gareth's book will be featured in the British History Patreon Book Club as our first book of 2026 (to reflect the later release date in the USA and Canada). Paid Substack Subscribers enjoy early access to historian interviews and the ability to comment on this and all posts. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    55 min

  7. FEB 5

    How Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads - bizarre stories from the 17th century

    Exactly 12 years apart, Charles I and Oliver Cromwell lost their heads to the axe. In Cromwell's case over 2 years after he'd died! In this episode, recorded live, Philippa covers how a king could be tried for treason (a crime which hitherto was a crime committed against a king), the reaction to the king's death and the revenge his son, Charles II took on his corpse! Useful Links: Wars of the Roses Online History Festival: https://warsoftheroses.eventbrite.co.uk British History Patreon: Patreon.com/BritishHistory Philippa's Substack: https://substack.com/@britishhistory Interviews you may like: Dr Suzie Edge: Tortures and Horrors in History - Prof Aice Hunt: Republic - Dr Jonathan Healey: The Blazing World - Andrea Zuvich: Charles II's mistress Barbara Villiers - This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min

  8. JAN 21

    The Blazing World | 17th Century England | Dr Jonathan Healey

    I had a great time chatting with Jonathan Healey about the 17th century. Rather than the political classes, which usually get the attention when talking about the upheavals of the 17th century, we talked about the what was happening to the people of England and in turn what influence they had on events. I would thoroughly recommend Jonathan's book 'The Blazing World. A New History of Revolutionary England' available from Blackwells.com and shipped worldwide and other good bookshops. Thank you for listening to this interview, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more for you to browse, over 40 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr are available on the British History Youtube Channel and British History Podcast. Join live me every other Monday night for 'British History Live' on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@BritishHistory British History is a reader-supported publication. To receive early access to interviews and exclusive monthly blogs please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Or if you want that plus even more, for only £1.50 more per month please consider joining my Patreon at www.Patreon.com/BritishHistory. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to put your questions to historians I interview, get early access to content, exclusive blogs, behind the scenes content, discounts on British History Events and take part in Book Club! All for £5/month. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philippab.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
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    Ratings & Reviews

    4.4
    out of 5
    12 Ratings

    About

    Join your host, Philippa Lacey Brewell, for historian interviews and live chats. philippab.substack.com

    Information

    • Creator
      Exploring British History through stories, people and places.
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      114
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © Philippa Brewell
    • Show Website
      British History Podcast

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