The History of England

Somewhere in the 16th and 17th centuries, ordinary people started building differently - private buildings, public buildings. They used brick, glass, decoration and portraiture; and it wasn't just the aristocracy; Yeomen, merchants, towns, husbandmen. The historian W G Hoskins gave it a name - the Great Rebuilding See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Well this is exciting! The English Revolution. A title which is controversial, and a historiography which is bigger than the eponymous crocodile. We talk about as many theories as we can - and there's a poll and Prize draw, sponsored by Halls Hammered Coins See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David Perkins of King's School Canterbury joins me to talk about Ladybird, its histories, and the life of Lawrence du Garde Peach, their main author. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Playwrights and the Sirenicals of Jacobean England, the experience of going to see the plays and the Crystal Mirror of renaissance drama. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The University Wits was a term invented by Saintsbury for a group of 6 Elizabethan playwrights. They were not consciously a coherent group but part of a vibrant society of playwrights, actors and writers who made English theatre shine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first of three celebratory episodes about English Renaissance Theatre! Talking about dramatic tradition and the new playhouses that begin to appear in London - and the horrified reaction of the establishment. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1775 American Rebels occupied Montreal, as the first step to plucking the ripe fruit of British North America and adding it to the portfolio of the nascent United States. They expected to be welcomed with open arms. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While The Buck and Baby Charles warmed themselves on the unfamiliar fires of popularity in their search for war, James was fading. At Theobalds in March 1625 his reign finally came to an end, and Buckingham took to his bed with grief. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The identity of Mr Wiat's mysterious traveler is revealed, and London goes potty. Buckingham is confirmed as the Prince's favourite as well as the king's - and there's trouble in story for Lionel Cranfield See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kate Ashbrook of the Open Spaces Society & I talk about the extensive networks of rights of way over private land in England and Wales, and some remaining common land - private land over which the public have rights. Where did they come from, how have they survived, and how do we preserve and extend them? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.