British History Podcast

Exploring British History through stories, people and places.
  • 4.6 (17)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join your host, Philippa Lacey, for historian interviews and deep dives into stories, events and people in British History. You can find Philippa writing about history and travelling historical locations at philippab.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Thomas More was a complex man in complicated times

    FEB 26

    Thomas More was a complex man in complicated times

    As complex figures go, you can’t get much more complex than Sir Thomas More. Was he a Saint? Was he a Sinner? Was he simply a man of his time? Dr Joanne Paul seeks to answer these questions in her book ‘Thomas More. A Life and Death in Tudor England’ which explores More’s roles as a statesman, scholar, and martyr, and understand how his beliefs, actions, and the historical context shaped his enduring reputation. (WE WILL BE COVERING JOANNE'S BOOK IN BOOK CLUB ON 24TH MAY - JOIN IN AT PATREON.COM/BRITISHHISTORY) In my interview with Joanne, filmed at the Harvington History Festival 2025, I asked her about Thomas More's multifaceted identity, his role in Henry VIII's court, his religious beliefs and persecution of heretics, and his influence on political and religious history. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Thomas More and his significance 01:45 Different ways people encounter Thomas More 02:40 Was Thomas More as complex as his legacy suggests? 03:46 The importance of understanding his life in context 05:46 More's family and personal beliefs 07:53 The roots of his religious fervor and fear 08:54 His stance on heretics and persecution 10:53 His beliefs about society and community 12:55 The impact of the Reformation on his views 13:46 Where to find more about Joanne Paul and her work Buy the book at Blackwells for Worldwide Delivery - Click Here If you've enjoyed this please follow and rate this podcast. Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel.  Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more.  Buy books from these 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). Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month. You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa You can support me for free by commenting and rating this episode.    Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events. ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ About Philippa Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events. Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack  I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  2. MPs have been behaving badly for over 400 years!

    FEB 19

    MPs have been behaving badly for over 400 years!

    Rogues, scallywags, fraudsters and criminals have all trodden the corridors of the UK Houses of Parliament. In this conversation with Philippa Lacey, Debbie Kilroy discusses the themes of her new book ‘Members Behaving Badly.’ The discussion covers political misbehaviour over the past 4 centuries, exploring various scandals, notorious figures, and the evolution of public perception regarding politicians. We talked about the patterns of corruption and sexual scandal seen throughout all the periods of history covered by Debbie in her book, as well as the importance of engaging with politics, and what happens when people feel disillusioned with their leaders. The discussion highlights the need for understanding historical context and the human nature of politicians, emphasising that while many have committed egregious acts, they can also possess redeeming qualities. Buy 'Members Behaving Badly' - click here Find Debbie on Instagram 'debbiekilroyauthor' and her website debbiekilroy.com and gethistory.co.uk Chapters 00:00 The Book's Inspiration and Themes 08:24 Historical Figures and Their Misdeeds 14:20 Patterns of Political Misbehaviour 20:23 Cultural Reflections in Political Behaviour 24:46 The Legacy of Lord Thomas Cochrane 29:18 Understanding Historical Morality 31:29 The Nature of Political Power 36:14 Public Tolerance for Political Scandals 43:12 The Evolution of Political Systems 49:12 Engaging with Political Discourse Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more historian interviews here for you to enjoy including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Castor, Helen Carr and many more. I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  3. Margaret Beaufort - challenging the narrative!

    FEB 12

    Margaret Beaufort - challenging the narrative!

    In my conversation with historian Dr. Lauren Johnson we discussed her biography of Margaret Beaufort, exploring Margaret’s complex life, maternal relationships, and political influence during the Wars of the Roses. We delved into Margaret's nurturing nature, her traumatic experiences as a mother, and her significant role in the Tudor dynasty. Lauren also addressed misconceptions about Margaret, highlighting her intelligence and agency in a male-dominated society. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lady Margaret Beaufort 03:27 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 05:17 Margaret Beaufort's Relationships and Networks 08:11 Maternal Instincts and Early Life of Henry Tudor 11:06 Margaret's Role in Political Alliances 14:22 The Secret Marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York 16:59 Margaret Beaufort's Image and Vowess Attire 32:17 The Complexity of Margaret's Wardrobe 33:05 Contrasting Appearances: External vs. Internal 34:53 Health Implications of Fasting and Mortification 36:15 Margaret's Views on Henry's Governance 40:04 The Cycle of Joy and Hardship 40:56 Margaret's Emotional State in Her Final Years 46:52 Challenging Misconceptions about Margaret 48:26 A Pivotal Decision: Margaret's Choice Against Richard III 51:24 Margaret's Conversation with Richard III Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more historian interviews for you to enjoy including interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Castor, Helen Carr and many more. You can also watch all the interviews on Youtube.com/@BritishHistory Join Patreon.com/BritishHistory to watch the ad-free, extended edit with bonus content, and for your opportunity to ask future guests your own questions. I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  4. THIS is why we know about Shakespeare!

    FEB 5

    THIS is why we know about Shakespeare!

    I LOVED this conversation with Dr. Chris Laoutaris when I was able to ask him about the significance of Shakespeare's First Folio, the individuals involved in its creation, and the financial and legal challenges faced during its publication. Chris also talked about the role of John Hemmings and Henry Condal, the professionalisation of playwriting, and the impact of published plays on society. The discussion also touches on the controversial use of the term 'works' in the context of Shakespeare's plays, the mystery of the False Folio, and Shakespeare's potential intentions for publishing his works during his lifetime. This episode was recorded at the Harvington History Festival 2025, at Harvington Hall in Worcestershire. Tickets for the 2026 festival will be on sale at the end of February 2026 from HarvingtonHall.co.uk - and I will be back there too, bringing you more interviews with these fascinating historians. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. You can also watch this interview on my Youtube channel - click here. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chris Littaris and the Shakespeare Institute 00:59 The Significance of the First Folio 02:48 The Role of Hemmings and Condal in Shakespeare's Legacy 06:10 The Financial Backing Behind the First Folio 08:51 Target Audience and Professionalization of Playwriting 12:11 The Challenges of Copyright and Rights Negotiation 14:51 The Controversial Use of 'Works' in the First Folio 17:58 The Mystery of the False Folio 20:56 The Impact of Published Plays on Society 23:49 Shakespeare's Intentions for His Works 26:00 Conclusion and Further Resources Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month. You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa You can support me for free by commenting on this episode and subscribing to the channel. Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events. ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ About Philippa Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events. Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min
  5. What Forgotten Ballads Reveal About Britain's Past

    JAN 4

    What Forgotten Ballads Reveal About Britain's Past

    In this episode Amy Jeffs and I delve into the themes of Amy's book 'Old Songs', exploring the intricate relationship between traditional ballads and social history. We discussed the unique structure of the book, which combines fiction and nonfiction, and the role of illustrations and music in storytelling. The conversation also touches on the origins and evolution of ballads, the impact of historical context, and the recurring themes of voyeurism and gender dynamics. We also discussed the modern resonance of these ancient tales and the connection between landscape and storytelling, encouraging readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of traditional narratives. You can watch this interview on Youtube on the 'British History' channel. Click Here Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  6. The Tudor Succession: A 400 year old lie!

    12/16/2025

    The Tudor Succession: A 400 year old lie!

    In this interview, Tracy Borman delves into the complexities surrounding the succession of the English crown from Elizabeth I to James VI of Scotland. She reveals how the story was manipulated through political spin and deceit. Philippa and Tracy talked about the various claimants to the throne, the challenges James faced during his reign, and the implications of Elizabeth's decisions regarding her succession. If you've enjoyed this please follow and rate this podcast. For over 10 minutes of BONUS CONTENT go to Patreon.com/BritishHistory where members also get to submit their own questions for my guests, as well as many other history lover perks. Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. Buy books from these 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). Join my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month. You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/Philippa You can support me for free by commenting and rating this episode. Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events. ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ About Philippa Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events. Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my Substack I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min
  7. Margaret Thatcher. "She was a very divisive figure"

    12/04/2025

    Margaret Thatcher. "She was a very divisive figure"

    In my conversation with Iain Dale, recorded at the Warwick Words History Festival, we explore the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher, focusing on her impact on British politics, her foreign policy, and the challenges she faced as a female leader. The discussion highlights the myths surrounding her leadership and aims to provide a nuanced understanding of her political strategies and decisions. Iain is an author, podcast host, and presenter on LBC. Chapters 00:00 The Legacy of Margaret Thatcher 02:52 Understanding Thatcher's Impact on Modern Politics 05:51 Thatcher's Foreign Policy and Global Influence 08:53 Challenges of Leadership: Misogyny and Political Dynamics 11:36 The Iron Lady: Image and Perception 14:42 Dispelling Myths: The Pragmatic Politician Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel. I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  8. Maria of Modena: Scandal, Faith, and Legacy

    11/21/2025

    Maria of Modena: Scandal, Faith, and Legacy

    In this episode Philippa and historian Breeze Barrington, author of "The Graces: The Extraordinary Untold Lives of the Women at the Restoration Court,” where we delved into the lives of women at the court of Charles II and James II, focusing on Maria of Modena and the remarkable community of women she gathered.  Breeze shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of these women, highlighting their contributions to art, literature, and politics during a transformative period in British history.  This a under told story of resilience and creativity that deserves to be better known. You can watch this episode on Youtube - click here Buy Breeze's book (shipped worldwide) - Click Here for Blackwells Join Philippa's 'British History' Patreon to access ad-free, extended historian interviews and to subnit your own questions for future guests - click here. I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Join your host, Philippa Lacey, for historian interviews and deep dives into stories, events and people in British History. You can find Philippa writing about history and travelling historical locations at philippab.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Exploring British History through stories, people and places.
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Philippa Lacey Brewell
  • Show Website
    British History Podcast

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