It’s easy to take the food on our plates for granted, but the 20th century has been a time of enormous change for the production and supply of what we eat. Not to mention the sort of dish you’d be looking forward to on a Friday evening. Herring and pickled beetroot, anyone?   But did you know about a highly specialised, world-renowned government institute that was developing the latest technology across the 20th century? From tractor testing to drilling and harvesting techniques, the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering was based at Wrest Park until the 1980s. When King George VI visited for its opening in 1948, producing food in postwar Britain was a critical priority.   This time, Amy Matthews chats with food historian Emma Kay, English Heritage curator of history Andrew Hann and former institute employee Edwina Holden MBE to find out about this hugely influential period in the history of Wrest Park, just before it came into English Heritage’s care.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *  Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.    *Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caring for country houses is a delicate task, involving protecting them from fire risk, weather, pests, and much more. Some things have remained the same over the years: fire has long been a looming threat for the residents of country houses.   This time on the English Heritage Podcast, Amy Matthews chats with Andrew Hann, Peter Moore and Richard Luscombe about the dramatic events, near misses and brilliant innovations that have helped staff and residents of country houses tackle the ever-present risk of fire.    We’ll discuss the evolution of firefighting equipment, brilliantly organised operations, candles on Christmas trees and why Prince Albert put seashells in the floor of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout. *  Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.    *Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2021, a Yorkshire metal detectorist unearthed one of the UK’s largest and most important Iron Age finds. Now the Melsonby Hoard is reshaping our understanding of life in Britain 2000 years ago.   In this episode, we delve into the trove to discuss how values, wealth, power, culture and even transport in Britain were evolving against the backdrop of growing Roman influence. Amy Matthews is joined by English Heritage’s Dr Jen Wexler and Dr Sophia Adams of the British Museum to unpick the stories from this incredible collection of objects.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did a 13th century knight become one of the greatest national heroes of his time?   In this episode of the English Heritage podcast, Amy Matthews and her guests discover a true knight’s tale. William, a low-level aristocrat, narrowly avoided a violent end as a child and rose to greatness through violent tournaments, warfare and royal service.    But who was the real William Marshal, and can we trust the reverential account of his life that was written after his death?   Medieval historian Lindy Grant and English Heritage’s Jeremy Ashbee help Amy sort the man from the myth and discuss the medieval concept of knighthood and chivalry.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People love to fill their homes with beautiful plants, but this is not a new phenomenon. The trade in wild plants and seeds has a complex history that stretches back into the past and across the world.   Ahead of the Gardeners’ World Autumn Plant Fair at Audley End, Amy Matthews is joined by English Heritage’s Emily Parker and Joe Bagley, The Houseplant Doctor, to explore how our obsession with houseplants developed from competitive Victorian collectors to 21st century plantaholics.   Plus, Joe has some expert tips on how to keep your horticultural housemates happy and enjoy them sustainably and ethically.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the English Heritage podcast, we’ll discover the remarkable women who have helped to shape some of our most beautiful gardens.    From Georgian garden retreats that provided refuge from the royal court and the backdrop for a literary coterie to the ‘weeding women’ who kept gardens looking their best, we explore their significant yet often overlooked contributions. We'll also shine a light on the independent female garden designers of the 20th century who transformed landscapes and paved the way for future generations.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the late 19th and early 20th century, glamorous, exciting and often very wealthy American women mingled with the British aristocracy and set the gossip pages alight with rumours of engagements. But alongside this fascination, anti-American sentiment and xenophobia saw them dismissed them as mere ‘dollar princesses’ trading cash for coronets.   This label endured long beyond its time, until historians began to explore the incredible legacies of these women. This summer, a new exhibition at Kenwood in London has brought together Sargent’s paintings of these women and highlighted their power, influence and achievements.   In this episode, Amy Matthews heads to Kenwood meet Dr Wendy Monkhouse and Ella Letort, for a very special tour of Sargent’s magnificent heiresses.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer, we’ve partnered with TV’s Taskmaster to set you silly challenges as you explore 17 of our sites. So, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to discuss some of the more unusual games and entertainments enjoyed in the past.   In this episode, Amy Matthews is joined by Taskmaster creator Alex Horne and English Heritage curator Peter Moore for some gaming nostalgia, stories of weird and wonderful games from our sites and a selection of Lady Braybrooke’s after-dinner riddles to solve.    Our time starts now!     Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show. Taskmaster at English Heritage: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/taskmaster/   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the first black students at the Royal College of Music in 1890, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor would go on to compose some of the most-loved music of his time and ‘break’ America. Despite this global success, Coleridge-Taylor made his home in Croydon, where a blue plaque now marks his former home at Dagnall Park, Selhurst.    But who was this musical genius?   English Heritage’s Howard Spencer, broadcaster Petroc Trelawney and equity and musicology scholar Joquan Johnson join Amy to share his story. They reveal political, patriotic and powerful themes in Coleridge-Taylor’s music, from collaborations with civil rights campaigners to innovative uses of heritage melodies and rhythms, and how his work is finding new audiences and meanings today.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/    Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 1575, Robert Dudley hosted 19 spectacular days of entertainment for Elizabeth I, including lavish new apartments for the queen, a beautifully manicured private garden, plays, hunting and pageantry.    It was all in an ostentatious bid to win Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, but as she rode off at the end of her visit, Dudley was left empty-handed.    In this episode, Amy Matthews chats with Head Curator of Properties Jeremy Ashbee and Dr Elizabeth Goldring about this royal ‘will-they, won’t they’ and the complex reasons that meant Elizabeth I never chose to share her power with a husband.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/    Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin this episode with a fabulous and weighty pair of brooches. But which 1930s millionaire was sporting these tutti-frutti Cartier gems? And where might you have seen those designs before?   Steven and Virginia Courtauld were a well-balanced couple: one eccentric and daring, the other bookish and reserved. They used their millions to travel the world and host lavish parties, but their art-deco home at Eltham Palace was one of their most glorious achievements. No expense was spared but architects Seely and Paget still divided some opinions in their time.   Today on the English Heritage podcast Amy Matthews chats with curator Sabrina Villani and Andrew Hann to discover the story of these brooches and how the Courtaulds blended the latest living and cutting-edge design with a treasured historic building.    Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  More about the Eltham Palace Cartier Brooches: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham-cartier-brooches Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/    Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, historical research can offer unexpected questions and avenues of exploration. That’s what happened when English Heritage’s Will Wyeth was digging through a medieval manuscript.   References to a medieval woman spy dressed in men’s clothing were too tantalising to ignore, so he and Michael James got together to ask questions about the mysterious Margoth.    They join Amy Matthews on the English Heritage Podcast this week to reveal not only how Margoth’s espionage changed the course of a war, but also how references to cross-dressing can help us ask questions about identity in the past.   Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/    Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the summer solstice approaches, thousands flock to monuments like Stonehenge seeking spiritual connection and a spectacular sunset and sunrise.   But why are people still drawn to stone circles after thousands of years?   This time on the English Heritage Podcast, Amy Matthews is joined by English Heritage’s Dr Jennifer Wexler to explore how these monuments were built and why people have continued to visit them. Artist Sally Barton shares how communities continue to interact with these spaces and make them relevant today.   Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show. Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/    Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J M W Turner is considered one of England’s great artists, but why?   This time on the English Heritage podcast, we dive into some of the 35 paintings Turner made of English Heritage sites to explore how he responded to a period of enormous emotional and political upheaval.   Working against a backdrop of war, industrial expansion, tourism, abolition, patriotism and shifting national identity, Turner’s varied and innovative styles helped shape contemporary reactions to architecture, landscapes and ruins.   The Museum of London’s Thomas Ardill and English Heritage’s Jeremy Ashbee join writer and comedian Amy Matthews to discuss the man and his works and ask what the concept of ‘heritage’ means today.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/  Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Churches and buildings around England are home to beautiful stained glass enjoyed by communities and visitors every day. But less well known are the fascinating stories and histories behind these national treasures.  This week on the English Heritage Podcast, Amy Matthews is joined by Michael Carter and Susan Harrison to piece together what collections both in situ and in store can tell us about Christianity, the dissolution of monasteries, and the journey of stained glass into churches and buildings that stand today. Glass held both symbolic and intrinsic value to many people, from skilled glaziers to parish priests and opportunistic individuals. After monasteries were dissolved, their glazing lived some surprising second lives.  Plus, Susan explains how we are painstakingly piecing together the fragments of glass that were overlooked by our ancestors.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/  Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/  The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The summer of 1381 saw one of the biggest popular uprisings in Medieval Europe. Now, an innovative online resource is revealing how the Peasants’ Revolt impacted the lives of women, children and whole communities.  This week, Amy Matthews is joined by English Heritage’s Dr Will Wyeth to unlock the complex social and political issues of the revolt and how we feel these forces today.  The University of Glasgow’s Dr Andrew Prescott and The University of Reading’s Dr Helen Killick share snapshots of lives from the People of 1381 database and explore how stories are pieced together from documents and records of this period to add depth to popular chronicles.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   People of 1381 database: https://www.1381.online/ The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the English Heritage podcast, Amy Matthews dips into the rivers of Northern England for an insight into Roman beliefs and the celebrity culture of gladiators.  English Heritage’s Dr Frances Mcintosh and Dr Philippa Walton from the University of Leicester discuss gladiator memorabilia and the celebrity status of these icons in Roman Britain, with the aid of some amazing objects. The offerings made by Romans to the rivers at Piercebridge Roman Bridge and Corbridge Roman Town give us a snapshot into everyday lives, diverse beliefs and rituals.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.  Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we head to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens in Yorkshire and step back in time to discover a love story from the early 20th century. And it all starts with a camera.   Join Amy to unravel the story of two country house servants who met and fell in love against the background of the First World War in a Downton Abbey-worthy tale. English Heritage curator Eleanor Matthews explains how a very special bequest of items revealed valuable insights into Brodsworth Hall and its past residents – including the lives of Alf and Caroline Palmer. Their grandson Gordon also joins us to share their story, their memories of life in service at a country house, and a surprising inheritance.   Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join English Heritage: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The shadow of the Cold War loomed over the 20th Century. But how did this affect day-to-day life for ordinary people and how was anxiety about the possibility of conflict normalised?  Starting with an innovative piece of technology from York's Cold War Bunker, Amy and her guests discuss civilian volunteers, the protest movement and the ever-present threat of war, using living memory and oral history to connect the past to our present.   Megan Thomas, a PhD student at the University of Liverpool, tells us about her research into imagined futures in our culture. Kevin Booth, Head Collections Curator at English Heritage, shares stories from Noreen, a Royal Observer Corps volunteer who spent 30 years serving in York’s bunker as part of the British nuclear deterrent.  Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the view from London’s tallest building have in common with your kitchen tea towels and your favourite summer holiday outfit?  This week on the English Heritage Podcast, Amy Matthews and her guests dive into the history of Shrewsbury Flax Mill and the industrial revolution.   Find out how a humble bobbin can unravel a story about the linen and textile industries; how technical innovation changed the lives of working people and how it offered us the architecture that makes modern day skyscrapers possible. English Heritage’s Dr Steven Brindle and Barrie Trinder, a historian with a passion for industrial Shropshire explore the minds and the hands behind the mill, all the way through to its present-day impact.   Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show.   Join: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/   Support our work: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/   The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices