This week, we’re looking back at the history of Hailes Abbey, a ruined monastery in the Cotswold countryside, which was once one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in medieval England. For centuries, visitors flocked here to see the Holy Blood of Hailes – a prized relic said to be a portion of the blood of Jesus Christ. We’re joined by English Heritage senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and Hailes Abbey’s property manager Jess Eyres to discover how the Holy Blood came here, the miracles attributed to it, what happened to it and everything today’s visitors can expect to find. 

To discover more about the story of Hailes Abbey and the Holy Blood, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hailes-abbey/history-and-stories 

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Today, we’re joined by English Heritage’s senior properties historian, Dr Steven Brindle, and head properties curator, Dr Jeremy Ashbee, to answer all your questions about England’s medieval kings and queens. Join us as we reveal which medieval monarch had the greatest impact on English history, the perils of being a member of the Royal Family at the time, what happened to Henry VIII’s tomb and more. 

To discover more about England’s kings and queens through history, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/monarchy 

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As we head into the darker part of the year, we’re preparing for a trio of historical events designed to commemorate the dead. Everyone knows Halloween, of course, but what about All Saints' Day and All Souls’ Day, which follow straight after? We’re joined by English Heritage’s senior properties historian, Dr Michael Carter, to find out more.  

To discover more, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/halloween-saints-souls/

For more spooky stories, gruesome tales and unmissable Halloween events, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/Halloween  

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Today, we’re marking 100 years since the 1924 general election, which saw 41 women compete for seats in the UK’s House of Commons. One of the candidates that year was Mary Katherine Middleton of Belsay Hall in Northumberland, northeast England. Joining us to talk about her life, her accomplishments, and the women’s political movement of the time are properties historian Andrew Roberts and historian of women and politics in modern Britain Dr Lisa Berry Waite.

To learn more about the Mary Middleton’s story, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/mary-middleton

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We’re joined in the studio by the founders and young members from the Voices Project to learn about a new walking tour they’re creating to celebrate the Black history of Brixton, London. Discover the stories they uncovered, the blue plaques that feature on their route and what they hope their new tour will help to achieve.    

To learn more about English Heritage’s youth engagement project, Shout Out Loud, go to www.shoutoutloud.org.uk  

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Many of us are familiar with ‘William the Conqueror’, but he was also William, Duke of Normandy and William the Bastard. So how did a duke with questionable legitimacy rise through the nobility on the opposite side of the Channel then seize a foreign crown? Who was he? What did he do after the invasion? And how did his story end? Joining us with the answers are senior properties curator Roy Porter and curator of collections and interiors Dr Kathryn Bedford. 

To learn more about the legacy of William the Conqueror, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/what-was-the-legacy-of-william-the-conqueror  

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John of Gaunt was the Duke of Lancaster, a medieval prince and the richest man in England for most of his life. The founder of the Lancastrian dynasty, he ensured that three Henrys would become king and had connections to six castles that are cared for by English Heritage today. Joining us to discuss his life and legacy is curator of collections and interiors, Dickon Whitewood. 

To discover more about John of Gaunt’s former home, Kenilworth Castle, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth  

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This week, we're on-site at North Leigh Roman Villa in Oxfordshire – one of the larger villas of Roman Britain, which once included 16 mosaic floors and 11 rooms with underfloor heating. As a major conservation project gets underway, we find out about who lived here, how the site was discovered and the important work taking place to protect it. Joining us are senior properties curator (west) Win Scutt, collections conservator (west) Wendy Richardson, and national project manager Zoe Stubbs. 

For more information on North Leigh Roman Villa, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/north-leigh-roman-villa  

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This week, we’re getting to know possibly the first woman in England to be accorded the role of ‘Keeper’ of a castle. As well as possessing Donnington Castle, Lady Elizabeth Russell was highly educated and ambitious, and her extraordinary life even included a run-in with Shakespeare. Here to tell us more are English Heritage interpretation manager Jessica Freeland, and associate professor at the Shakespeare Institute Dr Chris Laoutaris.

To find out more about Donnington Castle, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/donnington 

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As a young man working for Dutch art dealer Goupil & Co, Vincent Van Gogh was sent to London in 1873 to work in the firm's Covent Garden branch. Two months later he moved to a house in Stockwell – a building now marked by a blue plaque. In this episode, we're joined by Van Gogh House London's Alice Childs and Livia Wang, and art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon, to explore Van Gogh's life in the city and the role it played in inspiring him to become an artist. 

To find out more about London's blue plaques, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/blue-plaques  

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Nuns played an important part in Anglo-Saxon religion and society, and remained integral to English religious, social, political and economic life for the rest of the Middle Ages. But what was daily life like, why did women choose to become nuns, and what happened to nunneries following the Dissolution? To find out more, we're joined by senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter and professor of medieval history Janet Burton. 

To discover more about women and monasticism, go to: www.english-heritage.org.uk/abbeys  

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