The Alnwick Castle Podcast Alnwick Castle

Every April, we like to devote an episode of the Alnwick Castle Podcast to William Shakespeare, so as part of our 2024 series of podcasts about the Wars of the Roses, we thought this year's edition could focus on how Shakespeare treated this part of English history in his plays.

We were joined once again by expert and scholar Ronan Paterson to discuss the sources Shakespeare used for his histories - from Richard II to Richard III via several Henrys - and many other things, including the character of Richard III (and how he differs from the historical figure), the women in the plays like Joan of Arc and Margaret of Anjou, and why the Henry VI plays deserve a better reputation within the Shakespeare canon. Naturally, the Percy family turn up too, as the Earls of Northumberland play a role in Shakespeare's retelling of the Wars of the Roses, just as they did in reality.

If you enjoyed this episode, there are two more Shakespearean podcasts to enjoy - look for episode 8 and episode 33 in our podcast feed!

(And please do leave a positive review or five-star rating on your podcast platform. Every one helps!)

Since his last appearance on the Alnwick Castle Podcast a year ago, one of our favourite regular guests Bill Openshaw has released his first book! To The Call Of Bugles explores the full history of the Percy Tenantry Volunteers, the army based at the Castle and around the north east over 200 years ago to defend it from invasion by Napoleon.

Bill joined our hosts Deborah and Daniel once again on this episode, alongside fellow PTV enthusiast Nick Lewis, to tell us some of his favourite stories from the book, new discoveries he has made, and to give us a preview of what visitors to Alnwick Castle might expect to see this year - regular appearances, demonstrations and performances by Percy Tenantry Volunteers reenactors, including Bill himself!

Check our website alnwickcastle.com for full dates of all our PTV days in 2024.

If you want more about the Percy Tenantry, we highly recommend picking up a copy of To The Call Of Bugles, available now from online retailers and the Alnwick Castle gift shops. Bring it on your visit and Bill might just sign it!

You can also go back into our podcast archive and find episode 9, 'The Percy Tenantry Volunteers', or episode 32, 'The 2nd Duke of Northumberland' to learn more.

Throughout the medieval period (and beyond), the jester was an important - and often hilarous - figure in the royal courts of England, and the art of being a fool has not been forgotten! In this episode of the podcast, our hosts Deborah and Daniel speak to Tom Fool, one of the finest silly people working today, to find out how he got into his stilt-walking, fire-breathing, fruit-throwing profession. 

You will hear about the history of the fool, from Henry II to Henry VIII, and what to expect if you visit Alnwick Castle this Easter and see Tom Fool perform his brilliant shows.

For full details on when Tom is appearing at Alnwick Castle, please visit our website. You can also hear him on the Silly History Boys podcast, available from all good providers.

If you found this podcast side-splitting, please let us know by leaving a five-star review or rating wherever you get your podcasts!

Lions of the Red Rose is a brand new book exploring the history of the Wars of the Roses by focusing on members of the Percy family - the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, his four warrior sons, and their surviving heir, battling through some of the most brutal and violent decades of British history.

The book, which also includes beautifully produced illustrations and maps by Peter Phillips, as well as images of incredible surviving documents from the Alnwick Castle archive, was written by His Grace the 12th Duke of Northumberland.  The Alnwick Castle Podcast was able to speak with him about the process behind writing the book, his thoughts on his warring Percy family ancestors, from whom he can trace direct descent, and the most interesting discoveries he made in researching Lions of the Red Rose.

The book will be available from this year from the Alnwick Castle gift shops, and is accompanied by a new exhibition, also called Lions of the Red Rose.

The previous book by the Duke of Northumberland, Lions of the North, is also available to buy now.

For more on the Percys and the Wars of the Roses, please check out our previous episode, which offers a brief introduction to the subject. Look out for future podcasts covering the new exhibition and more as we spend 2024 sharing the story of the Lions of the Red Rose.

In 2024, the Alnwick Castle Podcast will feature a series of episodes focusing on the Wars of the Roses, the violent, decades-long struggle for the English crown in the 15th century, in which the Percy family and Alnwick Castle played a part. These podcasts will be part of a variety of events and visitor activities based on the Wars of the Roses, tying in with the release of Lions Of The Red Rose, a new book on the subject by the 12th Duke of Northumberland.

To get the series started, our hosts Daniel and Deborah take you on a brief journey through the Wars of the Roses, summarising the Percy family involvement from start to finish. In future podcasts, you will hear from our archivist about the upcoming Lions of the Red Rose exhibition, from authors and other experts, and much more. 

Visit Alnwick Castle this year and you will get to experience the story and this part of British history in person!

On Saturday 25th May, author, medical historian and TikTok sensation Suzie Edge will be appearing in person at Alnwick Castle to talk about her latest book, Vital Organs: A History of the World's Most Famous Body Parts. You can get your tickets now from alnwickcastle.com .

As a preview for the event, Suzie returned to the Alnwick Castle Podcast to talk all things body parts with our hosts Deborah and Daniel. From the various medical problems of royals like Louis XIV of France and Charles II of Spain, to the surgical innovations that came from different body parts, we cover all kinds of gruesome - and fascinating - stories from across history.

Vital Organs is out now from all good bookshops - or you can purchase a copy signed by Suzie Edge at our event on Saturday 25th May.

If you missed her first appearance on the podcast, talking about her debut book Mortal Monarchs, look for episode 28 in our back catalogue. Thank you for listening!