Beste European History podcasts (2024)

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The Life of Ben Jonson part Three: ‘There is no Greater Hell Than to be a Prisoner of Fear’ 31:54

16h ago31:54

31:54

Episode 145: Continuing the story of Ben Jonson’s life from the point where just as he starts to make his mark in the theatre scene everything goes very badly wrong for him. ‘The Isle of Dogs’ at the Swan Theatre The closure of the London Theatres Jonson in prison How the London theatres reopened The Swan and Pembroke’s Men Speculation on the conte…

1
Shake-Scene Shakespeare: A Conversation With Lizzie Conrad-Hughes 43:47

8d ago43:47

43:47

Episode 144: On several occasions through the story of the renaissance theatre I have touched on how the players made use of cue sheets rather than full scripts as they rehearsed and performed plays, so I was fascinated to see that there is a company of actors working today who produce plays by Shakespeare and other renaissance playwrights using cu…

1
The Life of Ben Jonson Part Two: He That is Taught Only by Himself Has a Fool for a Master 33:08

15d ago33:08

33:08

Episode 143: The second part of the life of Ben Jonson takes him from his birth, through his years at school and onto working as a bricklayer. He then briefly joined the army before returning to become a player, a poet and a playwright. Jonson’s Scottish ancestry. His father’s loss of position under queen Mary. His Stepfather Robert Brett, bricklay…

1
The Culture of The Shrew in Early Modern Europe: A Conversation with Dr Natalia Pikli 34:52

22d ago34:52

34:52

Episode 142 Dr Natália Pikli discusses the changing view of the 'The Shrew' in Medieval and Early Modern European culture and how women are represented in Shakespeare's early comedies, She then goes on to outline how Shakespeare became part of national Hungarian culture and how the plays have been treated in translation. Dr Natália Pikli is Associa…

1
The Life of Ben Jonson Part One: It’s Complicated 31:04

29d ago31:04

31:04

Episode 141: In this episode I set us up for a look at the life of Ben Johnson discussing some of the sources for information about his life and how far we can trust them – it’s complicated. Jonson’s 1618 visit to Scotland and why he might have undertaken the journey on foot. His conversations with Drummond of Hawthornden. Jonson’s opinions on othe…

1
The Kings Lynn Medieval Stage: A Conversation With Tim Fitzhigham 31:38

1M ago31:38

31:38

In October 2023 the story of the discovery of a stage floor that dated from before the Elizabethan period in St George’s Guildhall in Kings Lynn hit the news. The attrition to the headline writers was the fact that that very stage had probably supported Shakespeare as he acted as part of a playing troupe on stage. Of course, that is a great hook fo…

1
The Comedy of Errors: ‘Hand in Hand, Not One Before the Other.’ 33:22

1M ago33:22

33:22

Episode 139: Last time ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ gave us a look at second comedy from Shakespeare’s early phase as a playwright. As you heard certain elements in the plotting of the play and execution of its denouement make it problematic, but nevertheless it showed early promise. The lyrical nature of much of the language used in that play is quit…

1
A Knack to Know a Knave: ‘Laugh at the Faults and Weigh it as it is.’ 25:11

2M ago25:11

25:11

Episode 138: Over the course of speaking about English Renaissance Plays and Shakespeare I have had cause to mention the play ‘A Knack to Know a Knave’ several times. Most latterly because it is thought to include references to ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ and ‘Titus Andronicus’ and prior to that, in the season on the Early Renaissance Theatre it had …

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Two Gentlemen of Verona: ‘O Heaven, Were Men but Constant.’ 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

Episode 137: The dating of the play Printing in the First Folio The sources for the play and the nature of the text A brief synopsis of the play The major themes of the play How the status and youth of Valentine and Proteus helps to understand their actions in the play The role of Speed and how the play features the embryo of Shakespearean wordplay…

1
Words, Language and Actions in ‘Titus Andronicus’: A Conversation with Eleanor Conlon. 41:53

2M ago41:53

41:53

Episode 136: Having given you my own thoughts on ‘Titus Andronicus’ last time I’m pleased to say that for this special guest episode I was able to take the discussion even further with Eleanor Conlon, a fellow podcaster and a theatre professional as you will hear Eleanor has a lot to say about the play and insights that, in some cases, go in differ…

1
Titus Andronicus: 'Vengeance Is In My Heart, Death In My Hand' 34:54

2M ago34:54

34:54

Episode 135: Is Shakespeare’s early tragedy more than just a gore-fest? The first performance of the play, maybe The three playing troupes involved with the play Is the play a collaboration with George Peele? The popularity of violence in plays The sources for the play A brief summary of the play The establishing of characters in the first act The …

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Adventures In Theatre History - Philadelphia: The Book 11:03

2M ago11:03

11:03

A short word from my good podcasting friend Peter Schmitz, he of the ‘Adventures In Theatre History Philadelphia’ podcast, who has written a book on that very subject and I’m sure that it will be as informative, as amusing and generally as fascinating as his podcast episodes always are. What is even better is that Peter has produced a short audio t…

1
Shakespeare, the Bible and Dorothy L Sayers: A Conversation with Jem Bloomfield 42:36

3M ago42:36

42:36

Episode 134: Author Jem Bloomfield joins us to talk about his recently published book, ‘Allusion in Detective Fiction’, which looks at how and why allusion to Shakespeare and the Bible was used by the masters, or I should say mistresses, of golden age detective fiction. This may not seem like an obvious area when considering the pervasive influence…

1
The Taming of the Shrew: ‘No Profit Grows Where No Pleasure Is taken’ 38:32

3M ago38:32

38:32

Episode 133: The complications with dating the play and it’s relationship with a similar Elizabethan play The sources for the play A short summary of the play The Christopher Sly framing device Switching of roles in the play The disguise motif The motivations of the leading characters The implication of the falconry images in the play The Elizabeth…

1
Richard 3rd at Shakespeare's Globe 22:28

3M ago22:28

22:28

Episode 132 My thoughts on seeing a recent production of Richard 3rd at Shakespeare's Globe, starring Michelle Terry in the titular role. The production and the cotrovercy that surrounded it raises questions about gender fluid casting, the nature of leadership and the casting of able bodied actors in this famous portrayal of deformity. Support the …

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Richard 3rd: 'And Thus I Clothe My Naked Villainy' 33:35

3M ago33:35

33:35

Episode 131: Richard 3rd: ‘And Thus I Clothe My Naked Villainy.’ Shakespeare dramatises the life of the last Plantagenet king and create one of theatre's most spectacular villains. The dating of the play The quarto editions of the play When is a history play a tragedy, or not? The sources of the play The influence of Seneca Other contemporary versi…

1
The search for Richard 3rd: A Conversation with Mathew Morris 40:10

4M ago40:10

40:10

Episode 130: Mathew Morris talk to me about the archaeological dig that resulted in the discovery of the final remains of Richard 3rd, which serves as a prelude to the next episode which will be all about Shakespeare’s take on the final Yorkist king. Towards the end of our conversation, we spoke about the differences between the Richard of the play…

1
Henry 6th part 3: ‘How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown.’ 33:22

4M ago33:22

33:22

Episode 129: A brief recap on the dating and sources of the play A brief synopsis of the play The problem of multiple battlefield scenes and the depiction of violence How language in the play is used to underline the changing fortunes of the two sides. The depth of strong characterisation in the play Warwick, the would-be kingmaker Henry as an earl…

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John Hall of Stratford-Upon-Avon: A Conversation with John Taplin 40:26

4M ago40:26

40:26

Episode 128: Author John Taplin discusses researching the Stratford families of Shakespeare's time and particularly the ancestry of John Hall, Shakespeare's son-in-law. John Taplin spent the majority of his career in management in the telecommunications industry until 2001 when he joined the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust at Hall’s Croft and Nash’s H…

1
Henry 6th part 2: ‘The Fox Barks Not When He Would Steal the Lamb’ 33:32

4M ago33:32

33:32

Episode 127: A recap of Henry VI part one and the potential involvement of Christopher Marlowe A word on methods of authorship attribution in the context of Shakespeare and Marlowe The dating and sources of the play A synopsis of Henry VI part two The characterisation of the War of the Roses The decline of England mapped out in the play The main ch…

1
Shakespeare’s Borrowed Feathers: A Conversation with Dr. Darren Freebury-Jones 46:14

4M ago46:14

46:14

Episode 126: A conversation with Dr. Darren Freebury-Jones, author of 'Shakespeare’s Borrowed Feathers' about the influence of early modern playwrights on Shakespeare where we talk about Marlowe, Kyd, Greene and others and the role of data analytics in modern author attribution studies. Dr Darren Freebury-Jones is author of several works on early m…

1
Henry 6th part 1: ‘My Thoughts Are Whirled Like a Potter's Wheel’ 32:33

5M ago32:33

32:33

Episode 125: A detailed look at the first Shakespearean history play 'Henry 6th part 1' The problems with dating 1 Henry VI How much of the play did Shakespeare write? The relationship of the play to parts 2 and 3 The sources of the play A brief summary of the play The play in relation to other history plays of the time Criticism of the battle scen…

1
'To Gender or Not to Gender': A Conversation With Margaret Oakes 34:15

5M ago34:15

34:15

Episode 124: A conversation with Margaret Oakes about the book 'To Gender or Not to Gender: Casting and Characters for 21st Century Shakespeare’ which explores ways in which gender is being reinterpreted by British and North American productions since the turn of the millennium. After an initial chapter outlining recent gender theory, which is very…

1
Hunt, Grenfell and the Satyr Play 30:56

5M ago30:56

30:56

Bonus Episode 36: Sometimes things conspire against the podcaster, as has happened to me in the last couple of weeks, meaning that I have not been able to get the promised episode up to scratch in time. To make up for this and fill the gap I have created an episode that goes back to Greek theatre. It looks at that most mysterious of the ancient Gre…

1
William of Stratford, a Coda: The History of New Place 27:34

5M ago27:34

27:34

Episode 123: The Origins of New Place The Clopton’s of Stratford-Upon-Avon The first house at New Place Hugh Clopton and his support for Stratford William Clopton William Bott and murder at New Place (maybe) William Underhill sells New Place to Shakespeare William Underhill and his son Faulk (another murder) The New Place of Shakespeare’s time The …

1
William of Stratford part 4: ‘With Mirth and Laughter Let Old Wrinkles Come.’ 37:15

6M ago37:15

37:15

Episode 122: The fourth and final part of the biography of Shakespeare. The rise of Shakespeare as actor and playwright for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. ‘The Comedy of Errors’ performed at Grey’s Inn, ‘the night of errors.’ The influence of the inns of court. Plays for special occasions. Francis Meres’ comments on Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s involvem…

1
The Afterlife of Anne Hathaway: A Conversation with Prof Katherine Scheil 26:42

6M ago26:42

26:42

Episode 121: For this episode I’m very pleased to welcome Katherine Sheil, Professor of English at the University of Minnesota for the second part of our conversation about Anne Hathaway, based around her book ‘Imagining Shakespeare’s Wife: The Afterlife of Anne Hathaway’. In this part we went on to talk about the different views of Anne in fiction…

1
William of Stratford Part 3: ‘Would I Were in an Alehouse in London’ 33:44

6M ago33:44

33:44

Episode 120: The lost years of Shakespeare’s early life have given space for some myths and legends to grow over the centuries, before we can trace a few facts of his early life in London. The myth of Shakespeare and the Crab-tree. The myth of Shakespeare the deer slayer. Nicholas Rowe – the first editor of Shakespeare. The Queen’s men in Stratford…

1
Imagining Shakespeare’s Wife: A Conversation with Prof Katherine Scheil 29:39

6M ago29:39

29:39

Episode 119: For this episode I’m very pleased to welcome Katherine Sheil, Professor of English at the University of Minnesota. Katherine is Author of several books about Shakespeare, but today we particularly talk about her book about Shakespeare’s wife called ‘Imagining Shakespeare’s Wife: The Afterlife of Anne Hathaway’. It is a fascinating exam…

1
William of Stratford Part 2: 'He Wears The Rose of Youth Upon Him' 35:13

7M ago35:13

35:13

Episode 118: Shakespeare's youth, his school days, religious life and marriage. A couple of corrections to the last episode on John Shakespeare The Shakespeare family's domestic set up. Religion and the life of a child in the late 1500's Examples of how William's education in Stratford may have looked. Anne Hathaway and her family history. William …

1
That Shakespeare Life: A Conversation with Cassidy Cash 25:39

7M ago25:39

25:39

Bonus Episode 35: A conversation with Cassidy Cash, producer and host of 'That Shakespeare Life', the podcast that interviews expert historians to explore people, events, and objects that were living or happening in Shakespeare’s lifetime. Cassidy Cash is a Shakespeare historian, historical map illustrator, and host of That Shakespeare Life, That S…

1
William of Stratford Part 1: 'To You Your Father Should Be As a God’ 33:20

7M ago33:20

33:20

Episode 117: ‘To you your father should be as a God’. - A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act 1 Scene 1 The first of a series of episodes covering the biography of William of Stratford. Richard Shakespeare – William’s grandfather Richard Shakespeare – William’s uncle John Shakespeare – William’s father His move to Stratford Upon Avon His trade as a glove…

1
Polish Theatre Revisited: A Conversation with Dr Agata Luksza 50:04

7M ago50:04

50:04

Bonus Episode 34: Guest Dr Agata Luksza discusses her book 'Polish Theatre Revisited' where she examines theatre fan culture in Warsaw in the late 19th century. Dr Agata Luksza is an assistant professor at the Institute of Polish Culture, University of Warsaw. She graduated with honors from the University of Warsaw in cultural studies and journalis…

1
Shakespeare In His Time 35:57

7M ago35:57

35:57

Episode 116: As an introduction to the season on Shakespeare this episode gives a timeline of events in Shakespeare's life. The focus is on the best estimates for the dates of all his plays and the reasons for those estimates, but also includes the milestones of his life and other significant events of the time that occurred in England. Support to …

1
Dionysus and Xanthias: The First Double Act 29:11

8M ago29:11

29:11

Episode 115: A dive back into Ancient Greek theatre with a look at 'The Frogs' by Aristophanes. A recap on the life and plays of Aristophanes. A summary of the plot of the play. Analysis of the main points raised by the play. A short word on a recent production of the play by 'Spymonkey' played at the Kiln Theatre, London in February and March 2024…

1
From the English Renaissance to Shakespeare and Jonson 33:16

8M ago33:16

33:16

Episode 114: As an introduction to season six of the podcast in the first part of this episode I lay out the aims for the next season and the approach I will be taking to the monoliths of early English theatre tha tare Shakespeare and Jonson. In the second part of the Episode I give a quick recap of Season Five to get you and I back in the zone for…

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Adventures In Theatre History Philadelphia with Peter Schmitz 49:20

11M ago49:20

49:20

A bonus episode where Peter Schmitz of the 'Adventures In Theatre History - Philadelphia' podcast takes us through an overview of the development of theatre in Philadelphia. Peter Schmitz is an actor, dialect coach, and teacher of Theater History who lives in the Philadelphia area. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, he got his BA in History from …

1
Schedule Announcement 3:15

11M ago3:15

3:15

A short New Year message and about the timing for the start of season six of the podcast. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Door Philip Rowe

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Coda: The Life of Augustine Phillips 29:49

11M ago29:49

29:49

Episode 113: As a coda to season 5 this episode is a potted history of the life of Augustine Phillips, player in the Lord Chamberlin's Men, with the details taken from documented records. Support the podcast at: www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com www.ko-fi.com/thoetp www.patreon.com/thoetp This podcast uses the following third-party services for a…

1
English Renaissance Conclusions (sort of) 32:13

12M ago32:13

32:13

Episode 112: To close season five of the podcast I pick up three items I dropped in the previous narrative and then offer some concluding thoughts: Thomas Watson – the life and works of the possible co-author of ‘Arden of Faversham. Henry Chettle – the life and works of the prolific collaborator. Thomas Heywood – the life and works of a playwright …

1
Arden of Faversham and the Domestic Tragedy 34:10

12M ago34:10

34:10

Episode 111: The true story behind 'Arden of Faversham' The plot outline of the play Is the domestic tragedy really tragedy? The main themes of the play The domestic eating of the play The low characters The role of destiny in the play Questions of authorship Other surviving domestic tragedies - 'A Warning for Faire Women' 'Two Tragedies' 'A Yorksh…

1
The Play’s the Thing: Elizabethan Acting Style and Stage Conventions 34:10

1y ago34:10

34:10

Episode 110: The problems of the lack of evidence about conventions and acting style. How a player learned his craft. The rhetorical or performance style of acting. Theatre as a poetic form. The rhetorical style is overtaken by a more naturalistic style. Stage sets and costume. Thomas Hayward’s thoughts on a player’s skills. Hayward on players as s…

1
The Star Players: Kemp. Alleyn and Burbage 34:14

1y ago34:14

34:14

Episode 109: We don't know a lot about individual players of the Elizabethan and Jacobean stage, but there are three stars of the day that we have some information about. Richard Tarlton, the Queen’s favourite comic player. Will Kempe’s origins and early career. ‘A Knack to Know a Knave’ and ‘Fools of Gotham’. Did Kempe fall out with Shakespeare? ‘…

1
Thomas Dekker: London's Playwright 38:30

1y ago38:30

38:30

Episode 108: The second part of the story of Thomas Dekker and his works 'Old Fortunas' - Dekker's first known play ‘The Honest Whore’, a good example of what was good and bad in Dekker’s work. ‘The Civil Wars in France’ - three parts, an introduction and a bit of a mystery. Dekker's debt to the Lord Chamberlin's Men and rescue by Henslowe. How Hen…

1
Thomas Dekker: Gulls, Gallants and the London Playhouse 33:52

1y ago33:52

33:52

Episode 107: In the first of two episodes on Thomas Dekker I discuss his earliest life and his prose works. Dekker's early life and first forays into the playhouse. His prose work 'The Wonderful Year' The Gull's Handbook - with some extensive quotes from and explanation of his piece on behaviour in the playhouse Support the podcast at: www.thehisto…

1
Henslowe’s Diary 35:01

1y ago35:01

35:01

Episode 106: We have the detail about the way a London playhouse functioned thanks, in a large part, to one document. Theatre owner Philip Henslowe kept a record of many aspects of his enterprise at the Rose theatre from 1591 to 1609. A large part of the diary comprises of daily records of the takings at the box office, which plays were performed, …

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Drag: A British History - A Conversation with Jacob Bloomfield 34:58

1y ago34:58

34:58

Bonus Episode 31 Guest Jacob Bloomfield discusses his book 'Drag: A British History', with particular reference to Arthur Lucan (AKA Old Mother Riley), the drag review shows that came out of both WW1 and WW2 concert parties and the demise of theatre censorship in the UK through the lens of drag performances. Jacob Bloomfield is Zukunftskolleg Postd…

1
Thomas Kid and the Spanish Tragedy 34:07

1y ago34:07

34:07

Episode 105: The life of Thomas Kyd, including a word on Elizabethan schooling. Thomas Nashe on Kyd. Kyd and the London playwright set. Kyd and Lord Strange. Questions over the first performances of ‘The Spanish Tragedy’. Is ‘The Spanish Tragedy’ a sequel? Cornelia, Kyd’s other surviving play. The Ur-Hamlet and other plays and collaborations. Kyd a…

1
Two Globes, a Fortune, a White Friar and Hope: The London Playhouses 1587 – 1642 part 2 32:00

1+ y ago32:00

32:00

Episode 104: Continuing the story of the Elizabethan theatre buildings. The construction of The Globe Master carpenter Peter Street The death of The Globe The Fortune - Henslowe's replacement for The Rose The Whitefriars Theatre The Hope - Henslowe's replacement for his bear garden, almost. The second Globe Playhouse The Globe reimagined. Support t…

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Two Blackfriars, a Curtain, a Rose and a Swan: The London Playhouses 1587 – 1642 part 1 32:52

1+ y ago32:52

32:52

Episode 103: The story of the next phase of theatre building in Elizabethan London featuring the indoor and outdoor playhouses. The First Blackfriars Theatre The Curtain Philip Henslowe The Rose Francis Langley The Swan The Second Blackfriars Theatre Support the podcast at: www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com www.ko-fi.com/thoetp www.patreon.com/th…

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