The National Archives Podcast Series

The conflict for the crown in the 15th century has created many of English history's most vivid characters and thanks to Shakespeare, we have one of our greatest villains in the shape of Richard III. This talk looks at the key sources for this period of civil war, and investigates whether Richard III really did resemble Shakespeare's destructive monster.

A lecture by Dr Charles Tripp, Reader in Politics, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, to mark the launch of Thomson Learning's online edition of his selection of files on the history of Iraq. Dr Tripp, author of the Cambridge History of Iraq, considers the consequences of British state-building for Iraq's future.

Anthony Adolph talks about his research into the life of Henry Jermyn, 1st Earl of Saint Albans (1605-1684) and the founder of the West End.

Ships carrying our ancestors to faraway places often arrived with more, or less, passengers than they they set out with.  In this talk Dr Christopher Watts examines the vast range of records, both at The National Archives and elsewhere, that help us to trace such events.

The National Archives holds a vast collection of Chancery Court and other equity legal records from the early modern courts of Star Chamber and Requests. In this talk Sean Cunningham introduces the records created by the courts, and offers advice on how to make the most of these sources.

The pub has undergone enormous changes in the past 40 years. This talk examines what remains of unaltered pubs and what this tells us about their social history. Geoff Brandwood is an architectural historian, co-author of English Heritage's recent book, Licensed to Sell: the History and Heritage of the Public House, and is chairman of the Victorian Society.

A panel discussion that took place at The National Archives Caribbean Family History Day. The contributors were Colin Jackson CBE, Jackie Osei-Tutu (producer of Colin Jackson's Who Do You Think You Are?), Patrick Vernon (Director of Every Generation Media and Foundation) and family history specialists, Kathy Chater and Paul Crooks. The panel addressed the process of embracing and understanding personal heritage, and creating a legacy for future generations.

As part of The National Archives Caribbean Family History Day, Colin Jackson CBE, world record hurdler, discusses the experience of tracing his family history.

Professor Barry Coward, President of the Historical Association and the Cromwell Association discusses the nature of the republican government of Britain's most controversial head of state.

Presented by Philippa Glanville, Senior Research Fellow at the V&A Museum. The event was held at The National Archives to accompany our temporary on-site exhibition, which she curated, entitled, Drink: the History of Alcohol 1690-1920.

Well-known military historian Professor Richard Holmes examines Indian soldiering in peace and war.  He addresses the experience of ordinary soldiers, why they joined up, how they got to India and what they made of it when they arrived.

Maxine Berg, Professor of History at the Eighteenth Century Centre, University of Warwick, explores the inventions and the making and buying of goods in 18th century Britain.

Dr. Tracey Sowerby of Pembroke College, Oxford, introduces listeners to the records of Tudor government held at The National Archives. She examines records of Parliament, delves into the murky treason trials of Henry VIII's regime and even demonstrates how the files can take us inside Henry's art collection and his library. This podcast is part of The National Archives A level Masterclass series.

Dr. John Shaw discusses Victorian attitudes to the poor and how they developed over the 19th century. As the Church tried to decide whether charity was the solution or part of the problem, Victorian science afraid of 'degeneration' in Britain began to suggest some sinister solutions of its own. This podcast is part of The National Archives A level Masterclass and is particularly suitable for AS and A2 students who are considering studying History to degree level.