Talks and Lectures

LGBTQ+ people have always existed in the history of our palaces, yet the stories of this community have often been obscured or misunderstood.   When we explore queer histories, we gain a much fuller picture of societies in the past, from when our palaces were first built, right on through to their more recent history.     In this week's episode, Curator Matthew Storey is joined by Assistant Research Curator Holly Marsden, and Dr Kit Heyam, to discuss some queer stories connected to our palaces, and how best to understand them in their historic context.      Explore more LGBTQ+ histories from our palaces on our website.  Read Matthew's article about Kathleen Woodhouse.   Read Molly McClain's article on Stuart women.  Find Kit Heyam's books on their website.   In this episode we use a range of different gender pronouns to discuss historical people, including those used in the original sources and those used by historians today.  Content warnings:   Homophobia, including the murder of queer people  Transphobia   Non-consensual medical examination   Suicide    

There are two Queens Consort particularly connected to the history of the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London; Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor of Castile.   Although less famous than other queens, these women are emblematic of how medieval queenship could perform and embody power in the 13th century. To find out more, Curator Charles Farris is joined by Professor Louise Wilkinson.    Today marks the third and final episode in a mini-series to celebrate the reopening of the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London.    Read more about the life of Eleanor of Provence.

The history of the Jewish community in Medieval England is complex and fascinating, but it hasn't received as much attention as it deserves when it comes to our understanding of the Tower of London.  In this bonus episode as part of our mini-series, curator Charles Farris is joined by Dr Rory MacLellan and Professor Miri Rubin to discuss how the Jewish community interacted with the Crown and the Tower of London during the Middle Ages.   This episode is a re-release of the episode on the same topic from 2023, to add context to our reopening of the Medieval Palace.  Read more about the Jewish community and the Tower of London. Jewish Medieval History at the Tower | Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces  Rory's research can be found on our website. The Jewish History of the Medieval Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces  Visit the medieval palace. Medieval Palace | Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces     Content warnings:   This episode discusses prejudice against Jewish people, including:  Blaming Jewish people for the death of Christ   Blood libel  Accusations of greed and financial crimes  Imprisonment   Mob violence   Execution   Forced conversion   Expulsion  

The Medieval Palace at the Tower of London formed a significant part of the Tower's large-scale expansion in the 13th Century, turning the castle into a strong defensive fortress.    In this episode, Curator Charles Farris explores the Medieval Palace that survives today, to find out what place the Tower held in medieval society. How was it used by the kings and queens who lived here, and what can it reveal about the communities who worked within its walls?   Explore the Tower of London's Medieval Palace.

In this new three-part series Curator Charles Farris will be exploring what the Tower of London was like in the medieval times.   We'll step into the Medieval Palace, walking in the footsteps of the kings, queens, and communities who built these walls.   In the 13th century, the Tower was expanded into the fortress we recognise today, but what can we learn from it, and how was it used by the people who lived and worked in its shadow?   Join us next Thursday for our first episode on the Medieval Palace at the Tower of London. 

When the Mary Rose was raised in the 1980s, she brought to light a treasure trove of objects that can reveal so much about life in Tudor England and beyond.     In this second episode of our two-part series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is shown the preciously conserved history of the Mary Rose by Dr Alex Hildred, Head of Research at the musuem.    Find out more about visiting and supporting the Mary Rose Museum, and discover the largest collection of Tudor objects in the world. 

The story of the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's favourite ship, is one that is closely connected to the reign of the iconic Tudor monarch, but it is the history of her demise that remains a mystery to this day.  When she sank in 1545, she lost almost her entire crew, but this tragedy would preserve for posterity a remarkable time capsule of Tudor England and beyond.   In this first episode of our mini-series, Chief Historian Tracy Borman takes us on a trip to the Mary Rose Museum to meet Head of Research Dr Alex Hildred. Together they will explore the life of the Mary Rose. Visit the Mary Rose Museum and discover the largest collection of Tudor objects in the world.  Visit the Tudor World Exhibition at Hampton Court, and see the oldest rooms of the Tudor palace, once lived in by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. 

Dress codes can tell us so much about historic court fashion and the rules and regulations of royal clothing. But they can also relate to the way we think about, and express who we are today, as much as in the past. To celebrate the opening of our new exhibition at Kensington Palace, Caterina Berni speaks to Curator Matthew Story and bespoke period tailor Zack Pinsent of Pinsent Tailoring; to explore the Dress Codes we follow every single day. Decode the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection in our Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace. See the Royal Wardrobe and items from the exhibition up close in our online collaboration with Google Arts & Culture. See the garments discussed in this episode: 18th century court suit with silver thread 1920s Court Dress Vivienne Westwood's Investiture dress Mourning Dress with white and mauve flowers. Japanese Diplomatic Court Suit Gold Wedding Dress Duke of Windsor's Tartan suit Fancy Dress gown worn gown worn to Queen Victoria's costume ball

Matilda of Flanders is the formidable consort of William the Conqueror, yet she is relatively unknown in the story of the 1066 conquest of England.    Chief Historian Tracy Borman makes her pitch for the pivotal role Matilda played as a champion for female sovereignty, and for her contribution to arguably the most successful dynasty in medieval Europe, the Normans.     Read more about Matilda of Flanders, William the Conqueror at the building of the Tower of London. 

We're all familiar with the iconic queens who have lived at the palaces, but what about the women who haven't made it into the history books? What are their stories, and what are some of the obstacles to studying women's history?  In this episode, Chief Historian Tracy Borman celebrates International Women's Day by asking four of our curators and researchers to tell us about their favourite lesser-known women from our palaces. Perhaps we can even learn something from them today... To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit:  https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/     Please be aware this episode contains themes of sexism, racism, and violence against women that some listeners may find distressing.   

Understanding the love life of James VI & I can give us a better picture of the man himself in his entirety, and not simply through the lens of his kingship, or the politics of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.   So in this episode, Chief Historian Tracy Borman is once again in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, joined by Gareth Russell to discuss the subject of his latest book 'Queen James; the life and loves of Britain's first King'.     To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit:  https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/       Please be aware this episode contains themes of homophobia, grooming, and child abuse, that some listeners may find distressing.  

The Tower of London is almost synonymous with the idea of torture, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. When we think of this iconic historic site, the history of violence is one of the first things to come to mind, yet to what extent is this a fabrication of history? In this episode, Dr Catherine Jenkinson from the University of Oxford talks us through one of the latest research projects at Historic Royal Palaces, the question of how the history of torture is, and should be told at the Tower of London.  To take part in our survey and be in for a chance to win a £100 voucher, visit here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HRPPodcastSurvey/ 

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, PhD student Ellis Huddart joins Lucy Worsley to explore the history of the Royal Yacht. Ellis' PhD hopes to examine how Royal Yachts existed as places outside of the usual rules and conventions of both royal palaces and royalty. They can therefore reveal a lot about the material culture of British Imperialism in the Victorian era, and the changing image of royalty. This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces. Explore more about research at Historic Royal Palaces.

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, PhD student Gabrielle Fields joins Lucy Worsley to explore the life of Queen Victoria through the books she read.   Gabrielle's PhD introduces a new lens through which to examine Queen Victoria through her reading materials. It ultimately aims to reveal Queen Victoria's efforts to educate herself politically, her attempts at self-improvement, and crucially the way she chose to present herself to the  world.    This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces.  Read more about Queen Victoria's early biography. 

In this mini-series on new research at our palaces, Dr Holly Marsden joins Lucy Worsley to explore the many identities of Mary II, disentangling her story from that of her husband and co-ruler William III. The product of four years of research, Holly's PhD ultimately aims to disrupt the perception that Mary did not have political agency. This episode is part of a mini-series about new research at our palaces. Explore more about research at Historic Royal Palaces.

From Tudor and Medieval Christmas tide celebrations, to Queen Victoria and Albert's newer traditions, we're re-releasing our Christmas episode to reveal the history of Christmas at our palaces.   Curator Charles Farris is joined by Historic Kitchens Manager Richard Fitch, and Curator Lee Prosser, as they begin the holiday season with some festive tomfoolery.  Make our Victorian Christmas pudding recipe with mashed potatoes.  Explore what's on in our Palaces this Christmas from Ice Skating at Hampton Court Palace to Queen Victoria's Childhood Christmas at Kensington Palace. 

Elizabeth I's propaganda images of Gloriana and the Virgin Queen have hugely impacted her reputation as the last Tudor Monarch. Yet the twilight years of her reign were both personally and politically difficult.   In this final episode in our series, Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman is joined by renowned historian Dr Helen Castor. Together they contemplate which female relationships shaped this time, and ultimately, how Elizabeth I's gender has shaped her historic image.   This is the final Episode in our Elizabeth I series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.  Read about Elizabeth I's life as the last Tudor. 

Elizabeth I's relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the most pivotal of her entire life, and yet they never met.   In this second episode in our series, Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman is joined by Dr Andrea Clarke, to discuss how as confidantes and rival queens, Elizabeth and Mary's relationship would shape the image that Elizabeth would adopt for herself, that of Gloriana.  Read about Elizabeth's brush with death at Hampton Court, the crisis that magnified the succession question.   This is the second Episode in our Elizabeth series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.

Elizabeth I was profoundly shaped by the women around her, and this series will explore these pivotal relationships throughout her life.  Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman opens our series with Dr Nicola Tallis, and together they explore the young Elizabeth, before she came to the throne. The formative relationships she experienced during this time shaped the queen she would become; her mother Anne Boleyn, her stepmother Katherine Parr, and her sister Mary I.   Read about Elizabeth's Summer with Katherine Parr at Hampton Court, and see the book Elizabeth embroidered as a gift for her stepmother.   This is the first episode in our Elizabeth series where we explore the women who shaped a queen.

This new three-part series on the Historic Royal Palaces Podcast will explore Elizabeth I, and the women who shaped a queen. Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman will take us on a journey from Elizabeth's early life, right the way through to the challenging final years of her reign. We'll learn which pivotal female relationships made her the queen we know today, and how these nurturing and often challenging relationships, can reveal the most about the real Elizabeth I? 

When James VI of Scotland ascended the English throne as James I, he sparked the English witch hunts into a fire. They would become one of the largest miscarriages of justice against women in the 17th century, but what prompted them, and why did James become such a ruthless champion of this war on women?  For this Halloween Episode, we join Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman and historian Gareth Russell, as they explore the witch hunts under James I. Please be aware that this episode contains themes of sexual violence and torture that some listeners may find distressing.    

In this final episode of our A Space I Love Series, we join Deputy Chief Curator Sebastian Edwards in the Queen's staircase at Hampton Court Palace. The stairs are the hub of the palace, and they represent a surprisingly unique space with a lot to say.  Once the main thoroughfare to the queen's private apartments, but largely unused after Henry VIII's time, the grand staircase has remained unchanged since the last monarchs left the palace in the 18th century. To view the Queen's stairs, take our virtual tour with Google Arts & Culture  Take a look at Honthorst's painting of Apollo and Diana.

This week is the third part of our mini-series on spaces we love. We'll be joining Assistant Curator Alfred Hawkins, who has chosen to take us into the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, at the Tower of London.   As the most important space in the White Tower, the Chapel Royal holds huge historic significance in representing the Norman Conquest's power, control and religious dominance. Alfred explores how a recent project will protect this space of immeasurable importance, for generations to come. To view inside the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, take our Virtual Tour with Google Arts & Culture.    

This week we're continuing our mini-series on treasured spaces with a trip to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland.  We'll follow Research and Interpretation Producer Emma Lawthers, into the magnificent state dining room – a space that represents the political history of Northern Ireland, with a curious and unexpected connection to the birth of the United States of America.     Find out more about the history of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens:   https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/history-and-stories/the-story-of-hillsborough-castle-and-gardens/

In this four part mini-series, we're back exploring a selection of treasured spaces in our palaces with the people who know them best, our curators.  Each space has been personally chosen by our resident experts, revealing how immersing ourselves in a place can connect us to the past, and make us reflect on the present.   In this first episode we'll follow Assistant Curator Minette Butler into a deceptively domestic space at Hampton Court Palace. The Oak Room tells the story of the palace after the Royals left, and serves as a charming symbol of the small Grace and Favour community who inherited it. 

The Tudor world ushered in an age of wealth, magnificence, challenge and opportunity in the early 16th century. Hampton Court Palace stood at the heart of this period, as the home of Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII's chief minister. But the Tudor story extends beyond the palace walls into the wider world, encompassing a time of exploration and exploitation.  In this episode, Curator Brett Dolman walks us through the oldest rooms at Hampton Court Palace, where a new permanent exhibition reveals the lives of the ordinary men and women who enabled the Tudor court to exist and thrive. Learn more about their everyday contributions to this fascinating period.  Explore more about The Tudor World in the Wolsey Rooms:  www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/the-tudor-world-in-the-wolsey-rooms/ 

Does the mystery of the Princes in the Tower remain of such interest today because it is unsolved?    In this final episode of our Wars of the Roses series, Curator Charles Farris is joined by Joint Chief Curator Tracy Borman and Research Lead Dr Laura Tompkins, to discuss the complex and divisive ‘end' to the Wars of the Roses with the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower, and the reputation of their uncle Richard III.    Learn more about Charles II and the discovery of the Princes in the Tower at the Tower of London with Charles Farris:  www.hrp.org.uk/blog/charles-ii-and-the-discovery-of-the-princes-in-the-tower-in-1674/

Women played vital roles in the power struggles of the Wars of the Roses, but history hasn't always been portrayed this way.  In this episode we're putting women back in the narrative, from Margaret of Anjou right the way through to Elizabeth of York and the start of the Tudor Dynasty. Curator Charles Farris and Dr Joanna Laynesmith talk us through the key women of the Wars of the Roses.    Further Reading:  Tracy Borman's articles on Elizabeth of York:  https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/elizabeth-of-york/  https://www.hrp.org.uk/blog/death-of-elizabeth-of-york-at-the-tower-of-london/  Rachel Delman's article about Margaret of Anjou and Greenwich Palace:  https://rsj.winchester.ac.uk/articles/10.21039/rsj.326    Dr Joanna Laynesmith, The last medieval queens : English queenship 1445-1503   Dr Joanna Laynesmith, Cecily Duchess of York 

The middle and end of the Wars of the Roses is arguably the most complicated period of this history, with big personalities and power players fighting for the top spot in the game of thrones.   In episode three of this series, we hope to unpack the reigns of Edward IV through to the Battle of Bosworth, asking along the way when the real end to the Wars of the Roses was?  Curator Charles Farris is joined by Historic Royal Palaces' Research Lead Dr Laura Tompkins and Dr James Ross from the University of Winchester. 

In this second episode of our five-part series on the Wars of the Roses, we investigate the reign of Henry VI and the start of the dynastic struggle that was the Wars of the Roses.   Henry has often been blamed for the start of the conflict because of his methods of kingship. His experience with mental health challenges was little understood by his contemporaries, and arguably by historians today. This episode will explore the explosive atmosphere of his reign, what factors created it, and ultimately how the Wars of the Roses began.     Curator Charles Farris is joined by Historic Royal Palaces' Head of Research Anthony Musson, and Lynsey Metcalfe who is studying for her PhD at the University of Cambridge.     Read more on the life of Henry VI:  https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/henry-vi/  

The Wars of the Roses was a turbulent period of conflict in the 15th century that ultimately ushered in a new dynasty with the Tudors.  In this first episode of our new five-part series, Historic Royal Palaces Curator Charles Farris leads us into the stormy dynastic struggle by laying out the context and origins behind the Wars. Who were the major power players, and what initiated such a period of unrest?   Recorded in the Wakefield Tower at the Tower of London, this episode will situate the Tower at the very heart of the conflict, and set us up for the series ahead.   If you're interested in seeing inside the Wakefield Tower, you can see it on Google Street View here: The Wakefield Tower at Tower of London - Google Maps

In this new five-part series, Historic Royal Palaces Curator Charles Farris leads us into the stormy world of the Wars of the Roses.   We aim to reveal how and why such a turbulent period of conflict occurred in the 15th century, and ultimately how it ushered in a new dynasty with the Tudors.  Charles will be joined by expert historians and Curators from Historic Royal Palaces, to help unpack what has made the Wars of the Roses so legendary.   Join us next Thursday, for the first episode on the context behind the Wars of the Roses. 

The Tower of London holds an incredible collection of historic graffiti, from the prisoners of the Tudor dynasty, right through to the 20th century. But there is still so much that we don't know about who made the graffiti and why.  In this episode, we follow Postdoctoral Research Associate Jamie Inghram into the Salt Tower, a legendary prisoner tower in the precinct of the Tower of London. The Salt Tower is rich with graffiti including some examples that have never been investigated before. Jamie talks us through the very early stages of a new research project that is hoping to reveal the secrets of this history.  This episode is part of a series where we're exploring fresh research that is taking place in our Palaces. We won't be releasing this sequentially, so these episodes will appear throughout the year. To see Hugh Drapers Graffiti visit:   https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/FAGcYgdjb7Sflg Please note that POW is an abbreviation for Prisoner of War.  

Caroline Herschel stares at the stars. Recognition as an astronomer and scientist seems further away than even the most distant constellations. But her discovery of comets and her love for her work is contagious. It's not long before Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, takes notice.   Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site  Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast.

Catalina served Katherine of Aragon for years, proudly, passionately, and loyally following her from Spain all the way to the side of King Henry VIII. But Henry's interest has turned. He is intent on divorce, and his henchmen are digging up the secrets of Katherine's first marriage to Arthur Tudor. They think Catalina is the weakest link and their method is intimidation. But have they underestimated Catalina's strength and loyalty?  Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site  To learn more about Catalina of Motril watch this mini documentary:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGCehukyT6A  Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast. 

Leech is a man who knows about fire, how it burns and how it feels. But when Whitehall Palace, the largest palace in Europe, becomes the greatest kindling pile for a seemingly unquenchable blaze, even he is left dazzled. Everything burns, even the home of kings.   Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site  Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast.  To read more about the lost palace of Whitehall go to:   https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/   https://artsandculture.google.com/project/banqueting-house      

As lady-in-waiting to an ageing queen and wife to a failed adventurer, Bess Raleigh has learnt to fight her corner against all adversity. Her life is spent in the shadow of the Tower of London with her husband Sir Walter Raleigh. But will she manage to keep her head whilst others around her lose theirs?     Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows. Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site  Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast. 

Outliers – Stories from the edge of history is an historic fiction podcast that explores how big events are viewed and shaped by the people in the shadows.  It's late spring in 1726 at Kensington Palace, and the lavish court of King George I is in residence. Meanwhile, Mehmet, the Turkish valet to the King, is having some problems with Peter from Hanover, 'the wild boy' who is kept for the King's amusement. A comical cat-and-mouse chase ensues, but perhaps it is Peter who has some unexpected lessons to teach Mehmet.  Listen to Outliers - Stories from the edge of history wherever you get your podcasts or go to: https://sites.libsyn.com/109217/site  To find out more about Peter's life go to:  https://www.hrp.org.uk/blog/peter-the-wild-boy-from-hanover/   Untold Lives is an exhibition that explores the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago.    https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives   Please note, these episodes are released in a different order than on the original podcast. 

The practice of journeying around the country on royal progress is one that monarchs used to strengthen their rule. But they can reveal a lot more than you'd think about kingship and queenship, even for tried and tested subjects such as Henry VIII and his six Queens.     We follow Post-Doctoral Research Assistant Kirsty Wright, as she guides us through the importance of new research into where and why Henry VIII went on royal progress. Kirsty also reveals how the progresses of Henry's Queens are contributing to highlighting their individual roles and personalities, helping to answer bigger questions about 16th century queenship and monarchy.   In this series, we'll be exploring fresh research that is taking place in our Palaces. We won't be releasing this series sequentially, so these episodes will appear throughout the year.  To find out more about the Henry VIII on Tour research project go to:   www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/research/henry-viii-on-tour-tudor-palaces-and-royal-progresses/

The Yeoman Warders have guarded the Tower of London for 500 years, and is perhaps the oldest of jobs that still exists in our palaces today. In this final episode of a Day in the Life, we meet the Chief Yeoman Warder himself, Rob Fuller, and Curator Charles Farris fills us in on the storied history of this role.  To find out more about the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago, a new exhibition is opening at Kensington Palace.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives/     

Hampton Court Palace was built and maintained by craftspeople, and this is a practice that endures to this day at the palaces. We follow Master Bricklayer Emma Simpson into her workshop where she describes the joy of her work and how it connects her to history. We then hear from Assistant Curator Alexandra Stevenson as she tells us about her research into female craftspeople who had a hand in building the palaces.       To find out more about the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago, a new exhibition is opening at Kensington Palace.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives/ 

In this episode we meet Senior Gardener Jane, who works at Hampton Court Palace. Jane takes us behind the scenes into the Nursery as we contemplate the hard work that goes into creating beautiful gardens. To help contextualise the work of an historic gardener, Curator Lee Prosser takes us on an informative stroll around the gardens that have been worked for hundreds of years.   For the next few episodes, we're going to be following some of the people who work in our Palaces today. We'll be exploring how these jobs have a historic context to them, and how surprisingly, there are similarities in the work they do now, from the work that was done in the past.  To find out more about the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago, a new exhibition is opening at Kensington Palace.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives/ 

For the next few episodes, we're going to be following some of the people who work in our palaces today. We'll be exploring how these jobs have a historic context to them, and how surprisingly, there are similarities in the work they do now, from the work that was done in the past.  Today we meet Erin, Historic Royal Palaces' Wardrobe Manager. We step into the treasure trove that is the costume store and contemplate how Erin's job may have existed in the past. To help contextualise this, Curator Charles Farris will then explore the Medieval world of wardrobe management.  To find out more about the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago, a new exhibition is opening at Kensington Palace.  https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/untold-lives/  

Hampton Court Palace has an unexpected connection to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, the wedding of famous explorer Captain Scott and sculptor Kathleen Bruce took place in the Chapel Royal. We follow Assistant Curator Minette Butler as she explores a shut-off part of the Palace, highlighting how new research into Grace and Favour residents is revealing such curious connections, as well as opening up the lives of the Palace's most recent residents.    In this new series, we'll be exploring fresh research that is taking place in our Palaces. We won't be releasing this series sequentially, so these episodes will appear throughout the year.  To read more about the wedding of Captain Scott and Kathleen Bruce go to:   www.hrp.org.uk/blog/captain-scott-and-kathleen-bruces-wedding-at-hampton-court-palace 

Katherine Parr is the final Tudor Queen in our series. Was she the nursemaid who looked after and survived her husband, or was she much more than that? In this final episode of our Six Queens Series, Tracy Borman and historian Sarah Gristwood acquaint us with the woman behind the myths, an intelligent, strong and resourceful champion of her own agenda.   This episode also concludes the series with a reflection on the legacy of the Six Tudor Queens.   To view the painting of the Family of Henry VIII, and the Haunted Gallery where it is kept go to:   www.google.com/maps/@51.4036169,-0.337082,2a,75y,93.52h,94.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZaJgI28yRfgAAAQsEn4lPA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?entry=ttu  www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/painting-paradise/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace/the-family-of-henry-viii 

Catherine Howard has been judged by generations as promiscuous, a silly girl, a victim. But of course, there is more to her story than these assumptions allow for.   In the fifth episode of our Six Tudor Queens series, Tracy Borman is joined by historian and author Gareth Russell, to bring Catherine to life. They paint a picture of a vivacious young woman whose life deserves to be revealed without the layers that centuries have placed upon her.   See inside the Haunted Gallery with this virtual tour of Henry VIII's Tudor Palace:  https://artsandculture.google.com/story/oAVRshA9gG0J9w   This six-part series aims to do The Six Tudor Queens justice by stripping away unhelpful narratives and myths, to better understand them as women in their own time.   To read about Catherine Howard go to: www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/catherine-howard/  

Dive into the history of Royal Christmas celebrations in our palaces with this bonus seasonal episode. Chief mischief-maker Curator Charles Farris is joined by fellow Curator Lee Prosser, and Historic Kitchens Manager Richard Fitch, to kick off the season of revelry with some Christmas tomfoolery.  We'll be back next week to continue The Six Tudor Queens series.  For the Victorian Christmas pudding recipe go to:  www.hrp.org.uk/blog/a-christmas-pudding-recipe-with-a-victorian-twist     And to find out what's on in our Palaces this Christmas go to:  www.hrp.org.uk/whats-on-all-the-palaces  

Tracy Borman talks about her favourite of the Six Tudor Queens, Anne of Cleves. Divorced, so the rhyme goes, for being the ‘ugly' Queen.   Anne's looks were the least interesting thing about her, but her story has been dominated by them for centuries. Tracy is joined by fellow Curator Brett Dolman to unpack this fixation on appearance and reveal the woman beneath the myths.      This six-part series aims to do The Six Tudor Queens justice by stripping away unhelpful narratives and myths, to better understand them as women in their own time.    Read about Anne of Cleves here: www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/anne-of-cleves  

This week we're talking about  Queen number three, Jane Seymour. Once again Tracy Borman is joined by a fantastic guest, Dr Nicola Tallis will bring Jane to life for us.  Always thought of as the favourite wife, Jane Seymour is best known for giving birth to the male heir that her husband so desired, and for being the one in the rhyme who sadly died. But we don't know very much about her as a woman and as an individual. In this episode Tracy and Nicola will shed light on this, revealing that Jane may have had more to her than history has allowed.  This six-part series aims to do The Six Tudor Queens justice by stripping away unhelpful narratives and myths, to better understand them as women in their own time.   

The one you've been waiting for! Tracy Borman is joined by Dr Owen Emmerson and Palace Host James Peacock, to take on the mammoth task of disrupting the reputation of the second and most famous of the six Tudor Queens, Anne Boleyn. They'll explore this in the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace, which remains a symbol of Anne's triumph and her downfall.   Please be aware that this episode contains references to miscarriages, still births and infant mortality.  This six-part series will aim to do The Six Tudor Queens justice by stripping away unhelpful narratives and myths, to better understand them as women in their own time.  Watch Tracy's mini documentary on the Downfall of Anne Boleyn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_fPZsgSD0

Tracy Borman opens our new series on the Queens Consort of Henry VIII with renowned historian Dr Elizabeth Norton. To better understand the six Queens, they first explore the context of the turbulent times in which these women lived.   As the first Queen of Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon's reputation as the dowdy wronged wife has endured for 500 years, but Tracy and Elizabeth call this into question. They reveal that Katherine's iron-will was both her strength and arguably her undoing.   Please be aware that this episode contains references to miscarriages, still births and infant mortality.   This six-part series will aim to do The Six Tudor Queens justice by stripping away unhelpful narratives and myths, to better understand them as women in their own time.