The early 20th century saw a craze for historic pageants – huge theatrical events with casts of thousands. Gwen Lally called herself England’s first female pageant master, and in 1932 she arrived at Battle Abbey in Sussex with great ambitions f

Vigilant State – York Cold War Bunker and the Royal Observer Corps

May 10th, 2023 34m 45s

Josie Long visits York Cold War Bunker, one of over 1,500 bunkers and monitoring posts across the UK that were in operation during the Cold War, and the only example which still exists without alterations today. But perhaps the most interestin

The Polish Special Forces Soldiers of Audley End

Apr 26th, 2022 42m 59s

In this episode, Josie Long uncovers a group of daring Polish soldiers and their secret wartime history in Essex.She visits Audley End House, known during the Second World War as Station 43, to find out about the Cichociemni: elite special for

The Patients of Chiswick House Asylum

Apr 19th, 2022 38m 31s

If you’ve heard the horror stories of experimental pre-20th-century psychiatry, this episode might surprise you.Josie Long heads to Chiswick House in south-west London to find out about its life as a private asylum for people with mental illne

James Chappell, the Heroic Servant of Kirby Hall

Apr 12th, 2022 32m 29s

Josie Long heads to Kirby Hall in Northamptonshire on the trail of a mysterious man who saved the life of the owner of this fine house.James Chappell’s heroic story lives on in local legend, but who was this black servant, living as a free man

The Workhouse at Framlingham Castle

1 Apr 5th, 2022 32m 32s

This time, we’re turning the cruel, inhumane image of Victorian workhouses on its head. Josie Long heads to a Suffolk village to unravel the evolution of poor laws as well as the birth of modern health and social care.Framlingham Castle once s

Bolsover Castle’s Philosopher Duchess

Mar 29th, 2022 36m 8s

Josie Long traces the footsteps of the indomitable 17th-century duchess Margaret Cavendish: a writer, philosopher, feminist and author of one of the first ever sci-fi novels.This student of the human mind and spirit dressed against convention

Trailer

Speaking with Shadows Returns on Tuesday 29th March

Mar 22nd, 2022 2m 30s

Josie Long returns on Tuesday 29th March with a brand new series of Speaking with Shadows.Once again, Josie is travelling the country to uncover the hidden histories of English Heritage sites, with incredible stories that throw a new light ont

Bonus

We’d like to hear from you!

Dec 18th, 2019 37s

That’s it for our first series of Speaking with Shadows! We hope you enjoyed it. To help us plan our next series, please take a few minutes to complete our very short survey about the podcast. As a thank you we’ll enter you into a draw to win a

Far From Home – The People of Hadrian's Wall

Dec 17th, 2019 27m 30s

Set on a spectacular ridgeline in the Cumbrian hills, Birdoswald Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall was once a meeting place for communities from across the Roman Empire. Men, women and children travelled from as far afield as Spain and Syria in orde

Bonus

Bonus Episode: Tracing the Origins of Witchcraft Beliefs

Dec 10th, 2019 6m 52s

In this bonus episode you’ll hear the extended interview with Professor Diane Purkiss from episode 5 of the podcast. In her discussion, Diane explores the origins of witchcraft beliefs and how the figure of the witch was born.This episode cont

From Queen to Captive – Witchcraft, Women and Power

Dec 3rd, 2019 30m 40s

It's the winter of 1420 and Joan of Navarre, Queen of England has been imprisoned by her stepson King Henry V. A rich widow and an influential political figure, Joan has been accused of witchcraft and plotting to kill the king and now awaits he

Bonus

Bonus Episode: A Wedding March by John Brocklesby

Nov 26th, 2019 12m 21s

Our last episode uncovered the stories of some of the conscientious objectors who were imprisoned at Richmond Castle during the First World War. In this bonus episode Ruth Ecuyer tells the full story of how John Brocklesby, one of the conscient

Voices from the Walls – Richmond Castle’s Conscientious Objectors

Nov 19th, 2019 37m 24s

Beside Richmond Castle’s imposing Norman keep lies an unassuming military cell block with an extraordinary secret. Its fragile walls are inscribed with thousands of graffiti, many of them left by conscientious objectors detained there during th

The Medieval Massacre of the Jews of York

Nov 5th, 2019 33m 13s

In 1190 one of the darkest events in York’s history took place at the site of Clifford's Tower. Trapped by an angry and violent mob, the city's entire Jewish community, who were taking refuge inside York Castle’s tower, were confronted with the

Bonus

Bonus Episode: Voices of the Portchester Prisoners

Oct 29th, 2019 8m 10s

In our last episode (2) we traced the story of the black prisoners of war who were imprisoned at Portchester Castle during the Napoleonic wars. In this bonus episode we learn more about the prisoners’ stories through the French prisoner of war

The Caribbean Prisoners of Portchester Castle

Oct 21st, 2019 31m 50s

When France declared war on Britain in 1793 their overseas colonies were also drawn into the ensuing conflict. Black prisoners of war captured from the French Republic in the eastern Caribbean were among the thousands brought to Portchester Cas

Trailer

Sep 25th, 2019 2m 34s

Welcome to Speaking With Shadows from English Heritage, the podcast that listens to the people that history forgot. Presented by Josie Long. Launching on Tuesday 8 October 2019. Every two weeks Josie travels to an English Heritage site to unco