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Hartlebury Castle was the home of the Bishops of Worcester for centuries. But in 2022, a chance meeting between historian, Doug Smith, and archaeologist, Tim Cornah led to a whirlwind excavation that brought the civil war back to Hartlebury.  The sights, sounds and smell of the period were re-enactment by the Sealed Knot in July 2023, while an excavation trench revealed a civil war bastion. Doug and Tim tell me more ...  ▪️ What sparked Doug's interest in how Hartlebury had been defended...

I speak with Professor Cordelia Beattie about the remarkable manuscripts penned by Alice Thornton, a Yorkshire woman who lived through many key events of the 17th century. Though from a well-to-do family, she wasn't rich, and the war affected her in many ways. Cordelia and The Alice Thornton Project are studying Alice's memoirs, interpreting them, and making them available online. There are also public events planned that will bring the stories within them to life. ▪️ Find out more about...

Historian John Sadler is my guest, speaking about the fates of the 5000 prisoners taken at the Battle of Dunbar and force marched across the border to Durham. Much of their story was forgotten until 2013, when a mass grave was discovered in the shadow of the world heritage site that is Durham Cathedral. Warwick Louth also returns to discuss with me the effect of the Battle of Dunbar on Scotland and England. ▪️ What motivated Cromwell & the English to send these Scotsmen into England? ▪️...

I speak to Thomas Zugic, a captain in Lunsford's Regiment of the English Civil War Society, about a forthcoming re-enactment at Hylton Castle, Sunderland. ▪️Discover more about the ECWS ▪️Find out about this event, as well as some of Thomas's favourites ▪️Learn why Thomas thinks the capture of royalist Selby was a key event that led to Marston Moor. This podcast looks at anything and everything to do with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, which is very much an overlooked part of our history....

Warwick and I assess the battle record of The Great Montrose & ponder some fascinating 'what if' questions. Do we both agree?  ▪️Which victory was  his greatest? ▪️What might have happened if the king's cavalry had managed to link up with him after Naseby? ▪️How would he have fared in a pitched battle with Fairfax & Cromwell? This podcast looks at anything and everything to do with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, which is very much an overlooked part of our history. Hopefully...

Find out more about The Great Montrose & his 'year of miracles'. Montrose's latest biographer, Dominic Pearce, describes the man, his campaigns & relationship with Charles I & II. ▪️After a glorious year of miracles, what led to Montrose's defeat at Philiphaugh? ▪️Did Charles II knowingly send the marquis to his death? ▪️Discover more about the women in his life. This podcast looks at anything and everything to do with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, which is very much an...

Scott Moore, creator of the boardgame 'This War Without an Enemy' joins me to discuss the game, and his interest in the civil wars.  ▪️ Which childhood friend, and civil war historian, helped generate his interest in the period? ▪️ What are the different types of wargaming? ▪️ Which battle would both Scott and Warwick like to table-top war game? This podcast looks at anything and everything to do with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, which is very much an overlooked part of our history....

Ian Beckett, a Vice-Chair of the John Hampden Society joins me to talk about this parliamentarian military and political leader. Known as for his civil war regiment of green coats, and opposition to Ship Money tax, Hampden has become an obscure and clouded figure through the centuries. ▪️What myths have grown up about John Hampden? ▪️Why did his 19th century biography exhume his body? ▪️Had he survived, could he have replaced the Earl of Essex as Parliament's Lord General, or John Pym as...

I chat to Simon Marsh, Battlefield and Threat Co-Ordinator for The Battlefields Trust about an exciting new project aimed at recording all civil war memorials and markers across the world. ▪️How can you get involved? ▪️Hear about some of the lesser-known memorials logged so far. ▪️Find out about the work of The Battlefields Trust & the risks these heritage sites face today. This podcast looks at anything and everything to do with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, which is very much an...

Stuart Pierson, of Wessex Archaeologist, who appeared on BBC's 'Digging for Britain' joins me to discuss this amazing discovery. The episode brings you the very latest news about the site and its future, and explores the history of Coleshill Manor. I also chat to Warwick Louth, qualified conflict and battlefield archaeologist, about theories behind the potential civil war links. ▪️What was it like to discover the lost manor? ▪️How might those shot marks in the gatehouse have got there? ▪️Hear...

I speak to Jennifer Kewley Draskau (Senior research Fellow - University of Liverpool) who has written a book about Charlotte, Countess of Derby. The Earl of Derby owned Lathom, and garrisoned it for King Charles I's cause in the Civil War. His wife conducted its defence during the siege of 1644.  Why myths surround Lady Derby & why?How did King Charles II's lack of a legitimate heir affect the widowed Lady Derby?What did Lady Derby think of her spectacular success?Warwick Louth, a...

I speak to John Rees about the Levellers; a movement that was 200 years ahead of its time, and who advocated a more democratic outcome to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. John is a British political activist, academic and writer and one of his books is...

I speak to Dr Ismini Pells, who is leading the Civil War Petitions Project.  She explains what these petitions tell us about the ordinary men and women who lived and fought during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. What wounds did they incur?How did they...