Chirk Castle: Exploring Seven Centuries of History

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Chirk Castle, which stands on a hill overlooking the Ceiriog Valley, above the meeting point of the Rivers Dee and Ceiriog near the English border in north-east Wales. Built between 1295 and 1310 on the orders of James of Saint George for Edward I, Chirk formed part of Edward's chain of castles designed to secure his conquest of Wales. Together with nearby Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, and Harlech Castle, it helped establish English control over the region. If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guests: Hugh and Malcolm

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Raglan Castle in Wales. Unlike many earlier Welsh castles built primarily for war, Raglan was designed as both a fortress and a luxurious residence. Its distinctive polygonal towers, grand gatehouse, and moated Great Tower ("Yellow Tower") make it architecturally unique. Particularly interesting to Tudor enthusiasts, Raglan Castle played a significant role in the upbringing of the future Henry VII.  If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Peter Nash Chapters (00:00:21) - Tudor History & Travel(00:02:32) - Tudor Tours: Anne and Elizabeth(00:04:24) - Tudor History and Travel(00:06:33) - Ragn Castle, Gwent, Wales(00:13:24) - Three ways to make your way in life(00:15:41) - The defensive structure of William at Thomas Castle(00:18:47) - The history of Raglan Castle in Wales(00:25:16) - William Herbert Castle, Le(00:27:20) - William Herbert the Earl of Essex(00:33:03) - William Herbert and Anne devereaux at Raglan Castle(00:35:07) - The Battle of Edgecote(00:39:55) - The Story of Little Henry Tudor(00:41:45) - The Life of Henry Tudor(00:44:28) - Henry VII and Elizabeth Yorke's 1502 progress(00:47:57) - The Life of Anne Boleyn(00:49:00) - A Taste of the Great Hall(00:50:53) - The ruined inner courtyard of Ragdoll(00:53:08) - The history of Raggan Castle and the Somerset family(01:01:03) - Ragn Castle, English Civil War(01:03:02) - A Somerset Tomb in Wales(01:05:43) - Tudor History and Travel: Raglan, Lancre

In this episode of The Tudor History And Travel Show, we travel to the Tower of London, whose ancient walls imprisoned some legendary inmates, including perhaps the most famous of all, Queen Anne Boleyn. Joined by Assistant Buildings Curator, Alfred Hawkins, we explore some of the well-known, and much less well-known, nooks and crannies of this notorious fortress/palace and prison.   This episode features exclusive material that was previously available only to members, now shared with everyone as part of this special commemoration of Anne Boleyn. Some references within the episode relate to events that have since passed, reflecting the original recording date — although, of course, the Tudor stories themselves are timeless. To see a gallery of images associated with the places we discuss in this episode, head to the associated show notes page and blog here. You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram and YouTube Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Alfred Hawkins Produced by Cutting Crew Productions Chapters (00:00:21) - Tudor History & Travel(00:02:34) - Tower of London(00:04:22) - A Taste of the Tower(00:04:42) - Meet the curator of historic buildings at the Tower of London and the(00:05:15) - TALKING IN THE TOWER(00:06:34) - The Constable's House, The Tower(00:08:30) - Thomas More's imprisonment in the Tower of London(00:10:41) - High-status prisoner cell(00:17:28) - The execution site at Hampton Court(00:18:08) - The King's House, London(00:18:55) - The secrets of the Tower(00:21:44) - The Life of a Low-Status Prisoner(00:25:19) - The Tower of London(00:27:09) - The burial ground of the Tower of London(00:32:41) - Thomas More's Chapel in the Tower of London(00:35:29) - Why did Anne Boleyn stay in the Tower?(00:40:06) - The King's apartments at Hampton Court(00:41:28) - The Queen's apartments(00:46:48) - The life of Anne's imprisonment in the Tower(00:53:05) - The Prison of Lady Jane Grey(00:54:49) - The Lost Royal Apartment(00:55:30) - How Did Anne Get To Her Execution?(01:00:03) - Inside the White Tower(01:03:18) - The White Tower Torture Room(01:09:11) - Ghosts at the Tower of London(01:10:57) - THE BEECHAM TOWER(01:11:19) - The Beecham Tower, Tower of London(01:13:05) - The ghost of the White Tower(01:17:27) - Inside the Beecham Tower Prison(01:20:00) - Exploring graffiti in the Tower(01:25:55) - The graffiti on Amberlynn's falcon(01:27:18) - Graffiti on the Tower of London(01:31:04) - The Life of Walter Riley(01:35:50) - Tower History and Travel(01:38:38) - The Tudor History and Travel Podcast

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Tenby and Mill Bay. This is the second podcast episode of our two-part series, as we travel to the rugged coast of Pembrokeshire to explore the Welsh beginnings of the man who would become Henry VII. Long before the Battle of Bosworth and the founding of the Tudor dynasty, Henry’s story began in the castles, towns and landscapes of southwest Wales – in places deeply connected to his family and his Welsh ancestry. If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Tony Ensom Chapters (00:00:21) - Tudor History & Travel(00:05:48) - Walking around Tenby(00:06:57) - The medieval walls of Tenby, Pembrokeshire(00:10:23) - Temby, South Pembrokeshire(00:14:43) - The life of Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke(00:21:37) - Exploring Temby, South Wales(00:26:04) - Thomas White's house in Tenby(00:27:28) - The Escape of Jasper and Henry to Brittany(00:27:57) - How Thomas White helped Henry VII escape from Tenby(00:32:17) - Inside the only intact medieval building in Temby(00:33:48) - The medieval house at Temby, Bristol(00:37:57) - Living in a Tudor house(00:40:42) - Thomas White's house, 1565(00:44:17) - A bedroom from the medieval period(00:48:23) - Meet the merchant's house in Tenby(00:52:39) - The Tudor Rose Church, Carmarthen(00:54:54) - The spire on a church in South Pembrokesh(00:57:36) - Where the fugitives escaped from(00:59:08) - Henry the Lion Escape Through the Tunnels(01:04:21) - Pilgrimage to Henry Tudor's Landing(01:08:26) - Henry Tudor(01:14:41) - Henry the Conqueror's First Battle(01:18:29) - Where it all began: The Battle of Bosworth in Wales(01:25:34) - Tales of Henry vii(01:27:16) - The Tudor History and Travel Podcast

In this episode of The Tudor History & Travel Show, we travel to the Cotswolds. An area made rich by its wool trade in the medieval times, wool merchants would often fund the construction and renovation of churches in their communities as a way to display their wealth and status. The churches became known as "wool churches."   Joined by our guide, Dr Samantha Harper, we take a tour around two of the most prominent of these wool churches: St. John the Baptist in Cirencester and St Mary's Church in Fairford. This episode features exclusive material that was previously only available only to those in my membership, now shared to all as part of this special commemoration, published on the anniversary of Henry VII's death.  To see a gallery of images associated with the places we discuss in this episode, head to the associated show notes page here. Some useful links, mentioned in this episode, are below: To discover more about Henry VII and Elizabeth of York's 1502 progress, click here To discover more about Henry VII and Elizabeth of York's 1502 progress, click here.  England's Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jones In the meantime, if you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com. We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here. You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram. Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Dr Samantha Harper Produced by Cutting Crew Productions Chapters (00:00:21) - Tudor History & Travel(00:03:33) - Tudor History & Travel(00:05:34) - Tudor History and Travel(00:06:03) - Exploring the Chamber Books(00:07:40) - Henry VII's visits to the Cotswolds(00:09:06) - The Cathedral of Cirencester, the Cotswolds(00:11:29) - Henry VII and Cirencester(00:13:42) - Henry IV's 1502 Progress(00:16:33) - Henry VII and the reasons for travelling to Wales(00:21:04) - Henry VII's Chapel in Cirencester Church(00:31:17) - Cirencester Church(00:36:25) - Beautiful church in Fairford, Gloucestershire(00:39:36) - The porch of Cirencester Church, Swindon(00:42:26) - John Tame's Tomb, Leicester(00:48:40) - The 15th century carving on the chancel screen(00:51:37) - Henry VIII's coronation in the Great Church(00:59:51) - Ways to Read a Church(01:02:32) - Tudor History, History and Travel

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, as Sarah travels to Norwich in Norfolk to go on the trail of Elizabeth I, as she arrives at the city during the pinnacle of her 1578 progress. Our expert guide in this episode is historian, Aidan Norrie, whose special interest is in Elizabeth, her iconography and Elizabethan pageants. This episode features exclusive material that was previously only available only to those in my membership, now shared to all as part of this special commemoration, published on the anniversary of the death of Elizabeth I. To watch the video recording of this podcast, click here.  In the meantime, if you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com. We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here. You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Aidan Norrie Produced by Cutting Crew Productions

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Lamphey Palace and Pembroke Castle. This is the first podcast episode of our two-part series, as we travel to the rugged coast of Pembrokeshire to explore the Welsh beginnings of the man who would become Henry VII. Long before the Battle of Bosworth and the founding of the Tudor dynasty, Henry’s story began in the castles, towns and landscapes of southwest Wales – in places deeply connected to his family and his Welsh ancestry. If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guests: Nathen Amin, Terry John and Gareth Mills  Chapters (00:00:22) - Tudor History & Travel: Following Henry VII in Wales(00:04:59) - July Tour(00:07:14) - Tudor 10B(00:08:50) - Henry VII in Pembroke(00:09:54) - The Story of Henry and the Tudors(00:13:07) - Who was Henry Tudor?(00:15:11) - The Death of Edmund Tudor(00:17:59) - Henry of Richmond(00:21:18) - The Tudors(00:27:11) - Owen Tudor(00:32:19) - The Making of the Tudor Invasion of Wales(00:39:17) - Tudor History Podcast(00:40:33) - The Story of Lamphy Palace(00:41:38) - Lamphy Palace, Pembrokeshire(00:46:51) - Lamphy Palace, Gloucester(00:48:49) - The gatehouse and the outer courtyard(00:51:23) - The Great Hall of the Church(00:52:35) - Henry the First in Wales(00:56:06) - Inside the bishop's main hall(00:57:47) - The Bishop's Palace, Strasbourg(01:01:24) - Edmund's Death in the Castle(01:02:33) - The Life of Margaret(01:03:37) - Henry VII's bedroom at Harrow Castle(01:06:45) - The ghost of Robert Devereaux(01:11:00) - The Black Monk haunts the palace(01:15:09) - The story of Henry IV and Pembroke Castle(01:17:11) - A Taste of Henry the First(01:20:06) - Return to Pembroke Castle(01:21:03) - Pembroke Castle(01:22:40) - The story of Pembroke Castle in Wales(01:30:50) - Pembroke Castle, the birthplace of the Tudors(01:36:47) - Henry Tudor was born in this castle(01:38:21) - Jasper Tudor(01:40:50) - Henry Tudor's escape from Pembroke Castle(01:43:19) - Exploring Pembroke Castle's cave(01:45:28) - The medieval castle of Pembroke, Wales(01:47:21) - Diving into Pembroke Castle's cave(01:50:20) - How close did the Herberts get to taking Pembro(01:52:07) - Henry Tudor's early years(01:53:14) - The Long Road to Bosworth

Here is a show notes page accompanying this on-location podcast episode, recorded at Peterborough Cathedral in Cambridgeshire. The final episode in my three-part series to commemorate Katherine of Aragon, we discover beautiful Peterborough Cathedral, the site of Katherine's grave. Katherine is remembered there not just as Henry VIII’s discarded wife, but as a dignified, resilient woman who stood by her faith and status to the very end.    If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Reverend Canon Tim Alban Jones Chapters (00:00:21) - Tudor History & Travel(00:03:55) - The Life of Catherine of Aragon(00:05:59) - The Dean of the Cathedral(00:06:34) - The journey of Catherine the Great from Peterborough Abbey to the cathedral(00:09:17) - The life of an abbot in the Tudor era(00:11:20) - Catherine the Great's burial in Peterborough Abbey(00:12:50) - The funeral procession of Catherine of Aragon(00:14:28) - The Day Catherine the died(00:15:13) - The cathedral in Leicester(00:17:45) - The Life of Catherine of Aragon(00:23:33) - Inside the Norman Church of St Peter and Paul(00:25:54) - Robert Scarlet the gravedigger(00:29:05) - Inside St Peter's Abbey, Cornwall(00:30:31) - Peterborough Cathedral, the Victorian restoration(00:34:09) - Baldacchino Pearson in Peterborough(00:35:46) - The Burial of Catherine the Queen(00:39:36) - The royal funeral of Catherine of Aragon(00:45:38) - Catherine's funeral in the cathedral(00:47:46) - Catherine's Tomb, St. Peter's Cathedral, London(00:51:38) - Peterborough Abbey, the original building(00:56:23) - Catherine of Aragon festival(00:58:30) - Peterborough Cathedral's Tudor Banquet(01:00:35) - Catherine of Aragon(01:03:42) - The Tudor History and Travel Podcast

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Kimbolton Castle in Cambridgeshire.  We discover this incredible building - a former medieval stronghold that became Katherine of Aragon's final residence. Stripped of her title, separated from her daughter, Mary, and pressured to accept the annulment of her marriage, Katherine lived under strict supervision at Kimbolton and it was here, on 7 January 1536, that Katherine died, still believing herself to be England’s rightful queen.   If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Andrew Bamford Chapters (00:00:20) - Tudor History & Travel(00:04:41) - The Life of Catherine of Aragon(00:06:17) - Meet the people of Kimbolton(00:09:25) - Catherine's lodgings at Kimbolton Castle(00:15:34) - Why Catherine was brought to Kimbolton(00:16:58) - The Crisis of Catherine of Aragon(00:25:26) - Catherine the Great and the Right to Queen(00:28:02) - The best light in the apartment(00:29:37) - Kimbolton Castle, Buckinghamshire(00:33:32) - Two staunch supporters of Catherine the Great(00:35:24) - The King's Visit to Catherine the Queen(00:41:23) - The Great Hall of Port Collis(00:43:39) - The Castle of Bamborough, Catherine's Chambers(00:47:44) - The Queen's Room, Kimbolton(00:49:35) - The Life of Catherine of Castile(00:57:33) - The Life of Catherine the Queen(00:59:03) - Walking through the chapel at Kimbolton(01:02:07) - The Catherine of Aragon Chapel(01:08:56) - Visit Kimbolton Castle(01:12:14) - The Tudor History and Travel Podcast

Here is a show notes page accompanying this episode, recorded at Buckden Towers, formerly known as Buckden Palace. This medieval fortified house and bishop's palace is most famous for its association with Queen Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife. After Katherine refused to accept the annulment of her marriage and the title of Dowager Princess of Wales, she was moved between several residences. In July 1533, she was brought to Buckden Towers where she remained in self-imposed isolation. Although much of the complex has changed over time, key Tudor-era features survive, including The Great Tower (or Inner Gatehouse).    If you want to keep up to date with all the Tudor Travel Guide's adventures, as well as top tips for planning your own Tudor road trip, don't forget to subscribe to the blog via www.thetudortravelguide.com.   You can also find The Tudor Travel Guide on  Instagram, YouTube, Twitter.    Have you entered the Simply Tudor Tours giveaway? There is a chance to win a place on a tour - click here to find out more.    We were recently included in the UK's top 25 history and culture podcasts - find out more here.   Show Credits: Presenter: Sarah Morris Guest: Frances Farmer Chapters (00:00:21) - Tudor History & Travel(00:01:45) - FREE place on our September 2026 Anne Boleyn Tour!(00:03:45) - Catherine of Aragon(00:06:26) - Catherine of Aragon(00:07:39) - Meet the Friends of Buckden Towers(00:08:33) - Buckton Towers, the Bishop's Palace(00:14:39) - The Tudor building at Bishops' Close(00:15:44) - Walk across the moat at Buckingham Palace(00:17:58) - The Great Tower of Lincoln(00:22:11) - The Move of Catherine to the Fens(00:25:20) - The First Encounter between Charles and Catherine of England(00:31:34) - Catherine the Queen's room at Buckden(00:37:54) - The Devil's Boss(00:39:12) - Catherine's chambers at Buckton(00:42:12) - The Queen's Last Days(00:44:30) - Catherine the Queen's stay at Bugden(00:47:42) - Catherine's chapel at Kim Bolton(00:51:50) - The stained-glass window with Catherine of Aragon(00:54:01) - The story of Buckton(00:55:53) - Knot Garden, Queen Catherine's garden(00:58:52) - The St Hugh Palace Hotel, Lincoln(01:05:39) - Taste Catherine of Aragon's Castle(01:06:05) - A Year in the Life of Buckton Towers(01:07:07) - A Christmas Message for The Tudor History and Travel Show