Back When | History Podcast

Is your cat the devil in disguise? Probably not, although they may act like it sometimes! But once upon a time, they would have been accused of luring you into witchcraft.In Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries witch hunting became an obsession and supposed ‘witches’ were put on trial, and some were even sentenced to death.Being an animal lover was considered a sure sign that someone was practicing witchcraft. Friendliness towards cats, rabbits or dogs could lead to accusations of witchcraft, as these animals, known as familiars, were suspected of working for the devil.One of those accused of witchcraft and seen with familiars was Elizabeth Clarke, a poor, disabled woman from Essex.Join Helen and historian Dr Romany Reagan as they uncover Elizabeth’s story and the strange tale of the witches’ familiars. [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk Production: Host: Helen AntrobusProducers: Rosie Toy and Katy KellySound Editor: Jesus Gomez Contributor: Dr Romany ReaganDiscover More: Find out more about witchcraft:https://essexwitchmuseum.co.uk Uncover folklore, legends, myths and lost histories from the British Isles with Dr Romany Reagan:https://blackthornandstone.com Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationaltrustcharity/podcasts If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

Cora Crawley in Downton Abbey may be a fictional Dollar Duchess but there are countless others who have shaped our history, including the mother of Winston Churchill, Jennie Jerome. Join James Grasby as he discovers what a 'Dollar Duchess' is, how they came to be entwined in our history and culture, and what was in it for the couples. [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk Production Host: James Grasby Sound: Claire Hickinbotham Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Sound Design: Jesus Gomez Contributors Louisa Brouwer @acuratorabroad on Insta Jo Thornton and Steve Berden: Isle of Wight local tour guides Recording took place at Rosetta Cottage on the Isle of Wight where Churchill’s parents got engaged. You can visit the cottage and see the plague outside, part of the Churchill Trail on the Island Follow the Churchill Trail - Visit Isle Of Wight Or if you want to get closer to the heart of the story you can stay in the cottage, dine in the dining room, and enjoy sea views of The Solent from the garden. Rosetta Cottage Isle of Wight | National Trust This episode was released in celebration of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

In 2018 a team of intrepid explorers came in to the possession of a treasure map - one which would see them venture half way around the world to the Australian island of Tasmania. Those explorers were a team of garden experts from across the UK and Ireland who were now on a historic mission to save and catalogue plants for the benefit of people and the planet.Following in the footsteps of the historic plant hunters, find out what was in store for the team of modern-day collectors and how natural history has helped to shape gardens around the world.ProductionHost: James GrasbyProducer: Jack GloverSound Design: Jesus GomezContributorsCharlie Bancroft and team BIBETCaroline IkinImages courtesy and with thanks from the Royal Botanic Gardens of Tasmania. All Rights Reserved.Discover MoreExplore a garden lovers home at Nymans in West Sussex where some of the collected species are now flourishing https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymansRead Charlie’s report here: https://merlin-trust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/718-Charlie-Bancroft-compressed.pdfFind out more about historic plant hunters from our friends at Kew Gardens https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/adventure-and-discovery-around-the-world-with-plant-huntersBIBET Botantic Gardens Republic of Ireland https://www.botanicgardens.ie/kilmacurragh/Northern Ireland https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mount-stewart Wales https://botanicgarden.wales/Tasmania https://gardens.tas.gov.au/If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

Embark on the last voyage of an Anglo-Saxon burial ship and learn how its discovery changed our understanding of a civilisation. In 1939, archaeologists uncovered a “ghost ship” under the acidic sandy soil of Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk. Now, presenter James Grasby reimagines the last journey of that vessel, and who was aboard, as it was hauled from the water and dragged to its final resting place some 1,400 years ago.Listener note: a version of this episode first went out in 2023 on the National Trust Podcast. [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at https://www.cewe.co.uk/ProductionHost: James GrasbyProducer: Pippa Tilbury-HarrisSound editor: Jesus GomezDiscover moreFree guided tours of the Royal Burial Ground are available daily from February to October. You can book onto a tour with the Visitor Welcome team when you arrive at Sutton Hoo. The replica ship is being built by the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company. To follow the progress of the project and how you can support it, please visit saxonship.orgFollow Back When on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story idea you'd love to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

Many of us grew up reading about Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle, but how much do you know about the woman behind the stories? In this episode we explore the lesser-known sides of Beatrix Potter. Discover how her love of natural science, fascination with fungi and knack for sheep farming formed one of Britain's most celebrated authors.[Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.ukProductionHost: James GrasbyProducer: Nikki RuckSound editor: Jesus Gomez and Nikki RuckDiscover moreFor more information about Beatrix Potter, her life, works and art go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/people/beatrix-potterFollow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

On 10 November 1721 the Royal Anne Galley sank after hitting treacherous rocks at Lizard Point in Cornwall, tragically claiming the lives of more than 200 people.The dead include Captain Francis Willis and his crew who had been on their way to Barbados to hunt down pirates. Join Helen and marine archaeologist David Gibbins as they uncover the tale of the 300-year-old wreck and the disaster's eerie aftermath. The Royal Anne Galley is one of thousands of shipwrecks around Britain's coastline. Its haunting story reveals the realities of 18th Century life and death at sea. [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk ProductionHost: Helen Antrobus Producer: Michelle Douglass Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez ContributorDavid Gibbins Discover More: Discover David Gibbins’ A History of the World in 12 Shipwrecks: https://davidgibbins.com/a-history-of-the-world-in-twelve-shipwrecks Find out more about The Lizard in Cornwall: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/lizard-point Head to National Trust on Youtube for podcast videos and shorts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbSxeBQ-U-goXdmkiNBSrrg If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

General James Wolfe, the 'boy solider' who joined the military at 14 fought in one of Britain's bloodiest battles while he was still a teenager.Historian James Grasby visits Wolfe’s childhood home to find out what would shape him into becoming a soldier at such a young age and delves into his involvement in The Battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746.If you’d like to hear about The Battle of Culloden from another perspective, listen to this episode from National Trust for Scotland: Lord George Murray with Murray…–Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature – Apple Podcasts Production Presenter: James Grasby Producer: Claire Hickinbotham Sound Designer: Jesus Gomez Contributors Ghazala Jabeen – National Trust, Quebec House Freddie Matthews – Historian and Cultural Heritage Curator Stephen Brumwell – History writer - brumwellhistory.com Discover more You can visit General Wolfe’s childhood home, Quebec House │ Kent | National Trust, which was renamed in his honour after his victory at The Battle of Quebec. See where he grew up, Henrietta’s cookbook, and the robe with which his body is thought to have been brought back to Britain. You can also visit the battlefield at Culloden | National Trust for Scotland If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story idea you'd like to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

Time travel, Martian invasions and free love all have one thing in common - H.G. Wells.Helen Antrobus explores how the world was changed through the writings of one author as H.G. Wells brought science fiction to the masses with the War of the Worlds, the Time Machine and many more iconic stories. Discover how a series of underground tunnels and a telescope in an attic room helped to pave the way for the sci-fi we know today. [Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk Production Presenter: Helen Antrobus Producer: Jack Glover + Sophie Wilkinson Sound Design: Jesus Gomez Contributors Mark Syson-Harvey Sophie Wilkinson Discover more Uppark is currently closed for essential maintenance and repairs and will reopen in summer 2025. Keep up to date with the latest news and reopening dates by visiting https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/uppark-house-and-garden/uppark-essential-repairs-project Find out more about other great books and authors in our collection by visiting https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/art-collections/great-books-in-our-collections If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk