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British History Podcast
Unraveling Tudor History: The Year 1533 and Holbein's Masterpiece: The Ambassadors
I caught up with Dr Tracy Borman OBE at Harvington History Festival to talk to her about Holbein's fascinating painting, 'The Ambassadors,' and how it captures the political intrigue of the time through its rich symbolism and hidden messages.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Tudor England's Pivotal Year
02:52 The Significance of Holbein's Painting
05:56 Decoding the Messages in the Painting
08:52 The Relationship Between the Ambassadors
12:04 The Journey of the Painting to the National Gallery
Hi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel.
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About Philippa
Philippa is a Historian and History Event Organiser
Philippa Lacey Brewell lives in Central England and is well respected in her field as a historian and tour guide. She is the owner and founder of British History Tours, a tour company for those who love British History.
Philippa entertains thousands each week with her videos and stories from across the UK and British History. This ability to engage an audience, as well as being an expert in traveling the historical sites of the UK, makes her your perfect guide.
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
More episodes
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Margaret Thatcher. "She was a very divisive figure"
19:31||Season 2025In 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. Chapters00:00 The Legacy of Margaret Thatcher02:52 Understanding Thatcher's Impact on Modern Politics05:51 Thatcher's Foreign Policy and Global Influence08:53 Challenges of Leadership: Misogyny and Political Dynamics11:36 The Iron Lady: Image and Perception14:42 Dispelling Myths: The Pragmatic PoliticianHi! I'm Philippa, welcome to the British History Channel.
40. Maria of Modena: Scandal, Faith, and Legacy
59:36||Season 2025, Ep. 40In 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 BlackwellsJoin Philippa's 'British History' Patreon to access ad-free, extended historian interviews and to subnit your own questions for future guests - click here.
38. Hidden Women Codebreakers of WW2 - revealed!
20:42||Season 2025, Ep. 38It's been long revealed that women worked at Bletchley Park, the top-secret codebreaking British intelligence service Head Quarters during World War II, but up until now it was thought that they were in menial administration roles, or tea makers! Dermot Turing's investigative work shows that many actually played a pivotal role in the codebreaking efforts of World War II and that this has long been overlooked!You can watch this episode on Youtube - click hereBuy Dermot's book (shipped worldwide) - Click Here for BlackwellsJoin Philippa's 'British History' Patreon to access ad-free, extended historian interviews and to submit your own questions for future guests - click here.
37. Women Who Ruled
40:02||Season 2025, Ep. 37Dr. Elizabeth Norton joined me to discuss female monarchs throughout history, exploring the challenges they faced, their roles in governance, and the cultural attitudes towards women in power. We talked about the complexities of female rule, the unique challenges of female-child monarchs, and why being a woman in power does not mean they are a feminist!Elizabeth is the author of a brand-new book 'Women Who Ruled. 5000 Years of Female Monarchy,' available now from all good book shops and on audible.You can buy Elizabeth's book and get it 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).Watch this interview on Youtube.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the British History Channel01:59 Exploring Female Monarchs: Challenges and Discoveries05:40 Cleopatra: The Co-Ruler's Dilemma08:41 Catherine the Great: Seizing Power in Russia12:42 Aggression and Female Rulers: A Complex Dynamic15:30 Child Monarchs: The Unique Challenges of Queens20:40 Cultural Attitudes Towards Female Monarchs24:36 Exceptional Women: Monarchs and Feminism27:32 Queen Victoria: Power and Perception31:41 The Last Queen of Hawaii: Gender and Power Dynamics33:31 Elizabeth II: A Trailblazer for Future Monarchs
36. Pirates! The men and women who dominated the seas
15:49||Season 2025, Ep. 36I was joined by Dr Richard Blakemore, Associate Professor of History at the University of Reading and author of 'Enemies of All: The Rise and Fall of the Pirates' at Warwick Words History Festival to talk Pirates!!I began by asking what actually is a pirate but we also talked about women pirates and the reality vs the romanticised version of the life of a pirate, often seen in films. To buy Richard's book 'Enemies of All. The Rise and Fall of the Pirates.' click here.You can watch this episode on Youtube - click here.Chapters00:00 Defining Piracy: The Nature of the Pirate02:45 Romanticism and Reality: The Image of Pirates05:54 Government Responses to Piracy: Cooperation and Conflict08:43 Celebrity Status of Pirates: Public Fascination11:48 Women in Piracy: Breaking Stereotypes and Social NormsChapters00:00 Defining Piracy: The Nature of the Pirate02:45 Romanticism and Reality: The Image of Pirates05:54 Government Responses to Piracy: Cooperation and Conflict08:43 Celebrity Status of Pirates: Public Fascination11:48 Women in Piracy: Breaking Stereotypes and Social Norms
35. Helen Carr on the 14th Century
10:04||Season 2025, Ep. 35Helen Carr, author of 'Sceptred Isle. A new history of the 14th century' | Interview with PhilippaYou can also watch this interview on Youtube - click hereBuy Helen's Book - Click Here
34. The Hidden History of Henry VIII's England: Unveiling the Secrets
01:20:19||Season 2025, Ep. 34In England in 1536, a number of small monasteries were dissolved, their assets removed to the Head of the Church in England, which was now Henry VIII, and the people either pensioned off or sent on to find places at one of the hundreds of monastic institutions remaining across the country.The large scale survey commissioned by the king, know as the Valor Ecclesiasticus, was a wide ranging and deeply thorough record of church assets, which covered the majority of the country and, critically, the population. It is far more detailed than its earlier, and more famous, sister survey the ‘Domesday Book’ and it reveals in incredible detail the lives of ordinary people and the landscape you would have seen if you lived at this time. In this interview we also learn that a total, full scale dissolution of all monasteries in England and Wales was not the plan, how passive resistance was strong and tells us a lot about Henry VIII’s actual power, and how women were uniquely affected by the closures.(Get the extended, ad-free edit of this interview a week early in Patreon.com/BritishHistory)Professor James Clark is one of THE leading authorities on the dissolution of the monasteries and drops truth bombs which will make you have to reevaluate everything you think you know about Henry VIII's plans, and even the man himself. Watch the other interviews with James on the Dissolution here: Click HereWatch exclusive talks from James about Anne Boleyn's role in the Reformation but joining my Patreon at Patreon.com/BritishHistory
33. Richard III had killed her son, of course Elizabeth Woodville had something to fear from him!
21:06||Season 2025, Ep. 33Historian Nathen Amin joined me at Harvington History Festival to talk about the marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, the involvement of their mothers and how the couple themselves felt about it.Watch this episode on Youtube - Click HereSupport this channel, and get lots more history, by joining my Patreon - Patreon.com/BritishHistory