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Historic Royal Palaces Podcast

Historic Royal Palaces are a team of people who love and look after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world. This fortnightly podcast brings you the history and stories of those palaces. You’ll hear from our experts and the people who bring our palaces to life, as we create space to explore how history moves us, telling stories about the monarchs you know, and uncovering the lives and histories of the people you don’t. Just like our palaces, this podcast is a mix of old and new. Each episode will have a different feel, from previously recorded live talks, to exciting new discussions and discoveries. You’ll have every opportunity to share in the history we love. Explore more history and stories from our six palaces hrp.org.uk

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The best episodes ranked using user listens.

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Elizabeth I and gossip with Anna Whitelock

In this talk historian Dr Anna Whitelock explores how Elizabeth I cleverly used gender and gossip to manipulate a court full of men. Discover how this remarkable female monarch changed the state of power play in what was traditionally a man’s world. History has traditionally taken a negative view of women in power. This series of talks from our archive explores stories of powerful women and how their legacies have been shaped by their gender.          For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk-history-and-stories 

52mins

26 Feb 2020

Rank #1

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The court of George II

The Georgian era was marked by the arrival of the Hanoverian Kings.  This series complied from our archive explores famous Georgians in all their glory. In this talk we hear about Lord Hervey; a Georgian courtier and politician who offers us an insight into the gossipy court of George II and Queen Caroline. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2016. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories  

34mins

20 Nov 2019

Rank #2

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The not so bloody Mary

To celebrate women's history month, this mini series of talks from our archive explores stories of powerful women and how their legacies have been shaped by their gender.          In this conversation, historian Dr Alice Hunt traces Mary I's life from her birth as a royal princess to her ultimate succession and reign as queen. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk-history-and-stories 

21mins

4 Mar 2020

Rank #3

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Lucy Worsley's favourite queen

The Georgian era was marked by the arrival of the Hanoverian Kings. This series complied from our archive explores famous Georgians in all their glory. Join Historic Royal Palaces’ Chief Curator Lucy Worsley as she tells us about her favourite Queen – Caroline – wife of George II, and enlightened leader of the Georgian court. This talk was recorded live in 2017 at Hillsborough Court House, Northern Ireland.  For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories 

50mins

27 Nov 2019

Rank #4

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Lucy Worsley and the long-awaited son

In the 1500s the Tudor court was the place to be seen. This series of talks looks into court life in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII.  In this discussion the panel of experts unravel the preparations, rituals, and personalities involved in the christening of Edward VI, Henry VIII's long awaited son. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2016. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories

51mins

31 Oct 2019

Rank #5

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Henry VIII: the making of a monarch

In the 1500s the Tudor court was the place to be seen. This series of talks looks into court life in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII.            In this episode historian Lauren Johnson explores Henry VIII’s early years and his journey from modest prince to bold, uncompromising king. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2016. For more information on the histories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories

50mins

24 Oct 2019

Rank #6

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The first Georgians with Lucy Worsley

The Georgian era was marked by the arrival of the Hanoverian kings.  This series compiled from our archive, explores famous Georgians in all their glory. In this talk Chief Curator Lucy Worsley takes a sneak peek behind the scenes of the BBC Four series, The First Georgians. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2014. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories 

45mins

13 Nov 2019

Rank #7

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Thomas Cromwell with Tracy Borman

In the 1500s the Tudor court was the place to be seen. This series of talks looks into court life in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII.            In this episode Historic Royal Palaces’ Chief Curator Tracy Borman explores one of her favourite topics, the turbulent life of Thomas Cromwell and his relationship with the English Reformation. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2017. For more information on the histories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories

50mins

24 Oct 2019

Rank #8

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England's medieval queens    

To celebrate women's history month, this series of talks from our archive explores stories of powerful women and how their legacies have been shaped by their gender.          In this final talk from this series, historian Lisa Hilton explores the lives of England’s medieval queens, from Matilda of Flanders, the Conqueror’s queen, to Elizabeth of York, the first Tudor consort. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk-history-and-stories 

45mins

25 Mar 2020

Rank #9

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At home with the royal Tudors

In the 1500s the Tudor court was the place to be seen. This series of talks looks into court life in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII.  In this talk Historic Royal Palaces’ Chief Curator Tracy Borman goes behind the scenes to investigate the private lives of the Tudors. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2016. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories

52mins

30 Oct 2019

Rank #10

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Who was the most glorious Georgian? with Lucy Worsley

The Georgian era was marked by the arrival of the Hanoverian Kings. This series complied from our archive explores famous Georgians in all their glory. In this talk, join Historic Royal Palaces’ Chief Curator Lucy Worsley and a team of experts as they put their case forward for who was the most glorious Georgian. This panel was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2014 For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories 

1hr 13mins

6 Nov 2019

Rank #11

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How royal illness changed history

In this talk with Historic Royal Palace’s Chief Curator Lucy Worsley and TV Executive Emma Hindley, we go behind the scenes of the BBC series Fit to Rule, and explore how royal illness influenced the reigns of our monarchs throughout history.

33mins

8 Apr 2020

Rank #12

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The history of Christmas dinner

Tis the season to be jolly, so we've dipped into our stocking full of podcasts and pulled out three festive talks that explore Christmas traditions through the ages.  Join food historian Dr Annie Gray as she explores the traditions of Christmas dinner, from medieval festive fare through to the decadent Edwardians. For more information on the history of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories 

56mins

18 Dec 2019

Rank #13

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Hilary Mantel's 'Bring up the Bodies'

In the 1500s the Tudor court was the place to be seen. This series of talks looks into court life in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII. In this talk renowned author Hilary Mantel sheds light on her novel 'Bring up the Bodies', the history behind it, and the process for writing captivating historical fiction. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2012. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories

46mins

30 Oct 2019

Rank #14

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The journey of a royal dress

Throughout history the clothing of British royalty has influenced fashion tastes and trends. This series complied from our archive explores contemporary royal fashion and its influence on what we wear today.          This talk on the fashion of 20th century royal women, takes a journey through the design of a royal dress; from the initial brief to the garment’s production and completion. To find out more about the history and stories of our palaces visit www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories  

36mins

8 Jan 2020

Rank #15

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The history of Christmas traditions

Tis the season to be jolly, so we've dipped into our stocking full of podcasts and pulled out three festive talks that explore Christmas traditions through the ages.  In this talk, historian Dr Mark Connely takes us on a comical whistle stop tour of Christmas traditions, from Medieval times right through to the Victorians and modern day. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories 

46mins

11 Dec 2019

Rank #16

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The Eltham Rules

In the 1500s the Tudor court was the place to be seen. This series of talks looks into court life in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII.    In this talk Chris Gidlow from Historic Royal Palaces explores the Eltham Ordinances, the rules that existed to keep the Tudor court functioning and in order. This talk was recorded live at Hampton Court Palace in 2017. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories 

46mins

31 Oct 2019

Rank #17

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What can we learn from the leaders of the past?  

In this discussion a panel of experts explore the qualities of good leaders as they consider the question 'what can we learn from the great leaders of history?' Of course, most leaders of the past were men, so the panel explore the concepts of gender and leadership. This talk was recorded at the Tower of London in 2015. For more information on the history and stories of our palaces visit: www.hrp.org.uk-history-and-stories

1hr 8mins

18 Mar 2020

Rank #18

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George III and mental health

2020 marks the bicentenary of the death of George III, who has often been coined by history as the 'mad' king. In this episode historian Elaine Chalus explores the mental health of George III and how it affected his reign and overshadowed his legacy.

21mins

1 Apr 2020

Rank #19

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Make-up and monarchy

Throughout history the clothing of British royalty has influenced fashion tastes and trends. This series complied from our archive explores contemporary royal fashion and its influence on what we wear today.          In this talk cosmetics historian Madeline Marsh explores the history of make-up and how the monarchy has used it throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. To find out more about the history and stories of our palaces visit www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories  

53mins

29 Jan 2020

Rank #20