Episode 89: Stories Set in Stone: Jane Austen and Bath Abbey with Jackie Herring

In this episode, I’m joined by historian, author, and Austen expert Jackie Herring as we step inside Bath Abbey, home to over 1,500 memorials, each with its own story. Amongst the stones, we uncover not only the world Jane Austen knew, but the real people who may have shaped her writing and world in ways we are still discovering today.Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, having previously served as Director of the Jane Austen Festival, leading tours in Bath and the Abbey for many years, and now working as Editor of Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine. Together, we explore the rich and often surprising connections between the Abbey and Austen’s life.From a royal governess connected to Queen Charlotte’s household, to an innkeeper whose name echoes through Emma, to an ambitious entrepreneur who revolutionised the postal system, these lives, memorialised in the Abbey, offer fascinating glimpses into the society Austen observed so closely. We also explore more personal connections, from the apothecary who cared for Austen’s family, to the grief surrounding her father’s death, and a family friend whose story hints at the complex realities behind novels like Mansfield Park.Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806, and while the Abbey would have looked different in her time, its walls and floors still hold echoes of her world. This conversation invites us to slow down, to look closer, and to remember that history is not just written in books-it is set in stone.Visit Bath Abbey: https://bathabbey.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/62090?catID=59521& Jackie’s book Jane Austen's Bath Abbey: https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/books.php Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine: https://www.janeaustenmagazine.co.uk/issues.php Ways to support the podcast, and yourself through things I use and love: BREW: Jane Austen House Rainbow Quote mugs: https://jane-austens-house.myshopify.com/products/quote-mug-2 MUSHROOMS: Try London Nootropics with 20% off using code IZZYMEAKIN at the checkout or click this link: https://londonnootropics.com/IZZYMEAKIN DOGO: Wilsons Pet Food (Hoggle’s recommendation) https://www.wilsonspetfood.co.uk/discount/whattheausten Wilsons are offering 20% off when you use my code: whattheausten at checkout 🤍Hoggle really struggled with his digestion when he was a puppy, and I tried so many different options, from raw food to fresh food. In the end, neither of them really suited us or our lifestyle and the storage alone was a nightmare. This has been such a good fit for us. It’s full of nutrients for your dog, gentle on digestion, incredibly easy to store, and so simple to use day to day. A natural, healthy dog food that genuinely takes the stress out of mealtimes 🐾🤍From gifted products to sponsorships to commissions, everything I promote is something I use myself. If you also want to give it a try, using my links/codes helps keep the podcast going. This is my passion project, but I also work full-time, so part of monetising the podcast is to cover its own costs and enable me to keep creating and hopefully create more. What the Austen? is a cosy podcast hosted by Izzy Meakin, exploring the wit, charm, and quirks of Jane Austen’s novels through lively conversations with fellow enthusiasts. On YouTube and all podcasting platforms. @whattheausten

*Warning: some spoilers in this ep* In this episode, I’m joined by screenwriter Sarah Quintrell to dive into the world of Mary Bennet and the brilliance of The Other Bennet Sister 💛We talk about why Mary’s story feels so important, from comparison culture and beauty standards to that deeply relatable feeling of being overlooked or “not quite enough.” We explore how this adaptation brings Mary to the centre, giving her the respect and emotional depth she was never afforded in Pride and Prejudice.We also discuss the idea that we all think we’re Lizzy but might actually be Mary, the power of perspective in reshaping characters like Mrs Bennet, and how themes like self-worth, female friendship, advocacy, and finding your people still resonate so strongly today. We also get into the challenges of adapting a book for screen, what gets left behind, the influence of Romanticism, and of course some of the Easter eggs and iconic moments woven in for Austen fans along the way 👀💛As I mentioned in the episode, I loved Janice Hadlow's book The Other Bennet Sister, and I highly recommend people picking it up. Follow @theotherbennetsister for everything about the show. Follow @whattheausten for everything about me....😂Supporting the podcast and the world of Jane Austen: Jane Austen House - Rainbow Quote Mug Collection available from their online shop.London Nootropics - Adaptageic mushroom coffee Use code IzzyMeakin to get 20% off at checkout. The blend I’m drinking in this episode is from MushLove.It combines the benefits of coffee and adaptogens in a perfectly balanced dose, designed to help you feel like the most elevated version of yourself.Disclaimer (Jane Austen House): Please note that Jane Austen’s House often gifts me items, including visits and products from the gift shop. However, I promote them out of a genuine love for Jane Austen and her home in Chawton. I’m passionate about supporting the Jane Austen House team in keeping the cottage open for everyone to enjoy for years to come.AD disclaimer (London Nootropics) : Hosting this podcast is very much a passion project that I run alongside my day job, and brand ambassador roles and sponsorships help me fund its upkeep. Anything you buy using my code goes directly towards supporting the podcast - covering things like production equipment, recording platforms, and all the behind-the-scenes bits that keep it running.

In this episode, we’re joined by pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason to explore Jane Austen’s creativity beyond the written word and through music. We talk about Jeneba’s recent project Jane Austen’s Piano EP (Available on Spotify and Apple Music now) and her extraordinary experience playing the Clementi pianoforte at Jane Austen’s House, reading directly from Austen’s own sheet music. Together, we unpack the role of music in Austen’s novels, not merely as social decoration, but as a vital form of expression and emotional release. Consider music as a language Austen spoke fluently and something that's been captured by many adaptations over the years with some outstanding scores like the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. The conversation also draws surprising and delightful connections between Austen’s writing and the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, particularly the way her novels move like concertos: balanced, playful, and emotionally precise.I hope you enjoy this new reflection on an art form that was as special to Austen as writing itself, even if it was practised for personal pleasure and shared most often with those closest to her.She Played and Sang: Jane Austen and Music by Gillian Dooley I mention this book in the episode, and it’s one I thoroughly enjoyed and used while preparing for this discussion. It’s full of fascinating insights into Jane Austen’s relationship with music, some of which were completely new to me, alongside striking analysis of how music appears throughout her novels. I’d really recommend this read if you enjoyed the episode or if you’re a lover of music.Ways to support the podcast, and yourself through things I use and love: Tembo - Saving for a house? I know that for many of us, saving to buy our own home can feel like a far-off dream. For the past few years, though, I’ve been using the Tembo app to help me save for my first home, and it’s made the process feel easier, more consistent, and genuinely enjoyable because I can see real progress month by month. The app also offers helpful advice and guidance on recent policy changes, along with recommendations for mortgage brokers, pricing, and interest rates. If you’re saving too, I really recommend giving Tembo a try. And if you sign up using my link, you’ll get a joining bonus.Wilsons Pet Food (Hoggle’s recommendation) Wilsons are offering 20% off when you use my code: whattheausten at checkout 🤍Hoggle really struggled with his digestion when he was a puppy, and I tried so many different options, from raw food to fresh food. In the end, neither of them really suited us or our lifestyle and the storage alone was a nightmare.This has been such a good fit for us. It’s full of nutrients for your dog, gentle on digestion, incredibly easy to store, and so simple to use day to day. A natural, healthy dog food that genuinely takes the stress out of mealtimes 🐾🤍

250th Birthday Edition: What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan: ⁠https://amzn.to/4sA9fbG⁠ In this episode, I’m joined by John Mullan to explore the remarkable range of Jane Austen’s novels and the beauty of her unique literary style. We talk about how free indirect speech shapes our intimacy with characters like Emma Woodhouse, drawing us into her mind while quietly revealing her blind spots. We also explore why Mansfield Park feels so different from Austen’s other novels and yet has a lot of depth to unpack. Along the way, we reflect on the enduring magic of Pride and Prejudice: why it feels so alive and so perfectly balanced. From irony and voice to structure and silence, this conversation celebrates the many ways Austen writes. Whether you’re a lifelong Austen reader or returning to her novels with fresh eyes, this episode is an invitation to notice, to linger, and to fall in love with her work all over again 📖🤍Ways to support the podcast, and you through things I use and love: What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan on audible: https://amzn.to/4qkDe60 Like so many of you, I love listening to Jane Austen’s novels as audiobooks, so I wanted to share a few of my favourites that are currently available on Audible. It honestly helps me get through so many more books, and it’s especially brilliant when I’m rereading Austen yet again for the podcast. I’ve used Audible for many years now, and if you’d like to join, you can use my affiliate link below. You’ll get access to all these Jane Austen listens, and it helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you, which I’m always so grateful for.PurePet Food (Hoggle’s recommendation) Get 75% off your first box! If you use Hoggle’s code: ISABELLE79097Hoggle really struggled with his digestion when he was a puppy, and I tried him on lots of different options, from raw food to fresh food. Neither of them suited us or our lifestyle, and the storage alone was a nightmare.He’s been on PurePet for two years now and absolutely loves it. I even took it with us when we walked the West Highland Way.It’s full of nutrients for your dog, incredibly easy to store, and so simple to use. You just add water to rehydrate it, and you’re good to go. A natural, healthy dog food designed to take the stress out of mealtimes. Simply add water and stir to quickly rehydrate the food, creating a nutritious meal your pup will love.

I thought a fun Christmas episode would be to discuss Regency Christmas traditions. From mistletoe to ghost stories, we get into the festive Regency spirit on the podcast. Author Jessica Bull is joining me to share her insights and to talk about her new Christmas novella, which falls into her Jane Austen Investigates series, The Austen Christmas Murders.I hope you enjoy this episode, and as Jane Austen herself wrote, “Merry Christmas, but no compliments of the season.”Wishing you a wonderful festive period full of love and light!Jessica Bull:@jessicabullnovelisthttps://jessicabullauthor.com/

In this year’s showdown, we’re pitting two of Austen’s most calculating women against each other Elizabeth Elliot from Persuasion and Fanny Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility. Both are masters of manipulation and self-interest, but in very different ways.Elizabeth Elliot, ever-conscious of appearances, rules her social circle with icy elegance, dismissing anyone she deems beneath her while clinging to the illusion of superiority. Fanny Dashwood, meanwhile, is ruthless in her pursuit of wealth and comfort, quickly convincing her husband to cheat his half-sisters out of their inheritance and doing so with a smile.As we dig into their stories, we’ll explore what drives these women: is it greed, pride, or pure vanity? And when it comes to cruelty cloaked in civility, who truly reigns supreme?Join us as we compare their motives, methods, and misdeeds and help decide who will claim this year’s crown as the Ultimate Jane Austen Villain.Where can you find Ellis?Instagram: @historian_ellisWhere can you find Caily?Instagram: @half_agony_half_hopeWhere can you find your host, Izzy?🌐 Website: www.whattheausten.com🎧 Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten📸 Personal Instagram: @izzy_meakin📺 YouTube: What the Austen? Podcast

It’s that time of year again, spooky season! 🎃 Join Martha and me as we dive into our fourth Horrid Novel, Regina Maria Roche’s Clermont. In this episode, we unravel the twists and turns of this wonderfully Gothic tale, from mysterious family secrets to dramatic reunions. We chat about the novel’s influence on Jane Austen, share plenty of laughs, and get lost in all the gloriously over-the-top moments that make these stories so much fun to revisit. Perfect for fellow Gothic literature lovers and Austen fans alike! I always love doing these Eps! Me and Martha have also read, and have episodes for: The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza ParsonsThe Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann RadcliffeThe Monk by Matthew Lewis#GothicNovels #JaneAusten #Clermont

What was Jane Austen’s world really like? 🤔 Far from the serene ballrooms and genteel romances we often imagine, Austen lived through decades of chaos, revolution, war, and empire. In this episode of What the Austen? I’m joined by historian and author Helena Kelly to uncover how these turbulent times shaped Austen’s life, her family, and her novels 📖We explore how Britain was at war for most of Austen’s adult life, and how the ever-present shadow of revolution, empire, and fear of invasion formed the backdrop to her writing. Helena explains how Austen’s own family connections tied her directly to politics and the military, and how her fiction reflects and sometimes conceals the radical realities of her era. Together, we also look at Austen’s sharp psychological insight into her characters, which makes her novels so enduringly relevant 👒The Worlds of Jane Austen Helena's new book which peels back the layers of myth to reveal the real Regency world behind the novels is OUT NOW! What surprised you most about the real world of Jane Austen? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🤍

“How could Jane Austen write so convincingly about love and heartbreak if she never fell in love?”In this episode, I’m joined by author and literary critic Paula Byrne to explore Jane Austen’s love life, beyond the well-known stories.You might already know about the dashing Tom Lefroy, made famous in Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. Or perhaps you’ve giggled at the tale of Harris Bigg-Wither, whose proposal Jane accepted only to change her mind and flee less than 24 hours later.But what if there was another man in her life... one whose story is filled with passion, longing, and heartbreak?Paula and I dive into the mysterious seaside romance Jane is believed to have experienced in the summer of 1801. Could this be the man who truly captured her heart? Paula's new novel Six Weeks by the Sea is her fictional reimagining of this emotional and enigmatic chapter of Austen's life.📖 Where can you find Paula? Six Weeks by the Sea – Out 28th August (UK) / 5th August (US)Author of Jane Austen: The Genius of Jane Austen (featured in the BBC documentary)Belle: The True Story of Dido BelleAnd many more acclaimed biographies and novels.@paulajaynebyrne on Instagram and XFollow me on Instagram: @whattheaustenWhat the Austen? is available wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by actress and writer Susannah Harker forever beloved to many of us as Jane Bennet in the iconic 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice. Nearly thirty years on, Susannah is stepping back into Jane’s world, but this time, she’s reimagining the character’s life (and her own) in a brand-new comedy-drama, Jane Bennet’s Second Spring.In this episode, we trace her journey from becoming Jane Bennet during the height of Austenmania, to exploring the complexities of midlife, resilience, and reinvention. We talk about the quiet strength of Jane Bennet, the stereotypes women face as they age, and why telling multifaceted, authentic women’s stories matters more than ever.Susannah also shares the inspiration behind her new film, a witty, moving, and deeply relatable story of a woman whose golden age is just beginning. This conversation is part nostalgia, part creative deep-dive, and part rallying cry for women to own all their stories. Not just the ones others expect us to tell.Where can you find Susannah? Support the Kickstart and get involved with the film: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/susannahharker/jane-bennets-second-spring@[email protected] me on Instagram:  @whattheausten  Support my other channel  @Izzymeakin ​