The Extravagance of 1700s Court Dresses | The Spitalfields Mantua Dress
In the 18th century, Mantua dresses were the height of court fashion. In this video, our experts discuss a rare and spectacular dress that dates from around 1756. It's 210cm…
Getting Dressed as Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 at the age of just 18. She would become known for the mourning dresses that she wore later in her reign but…
Where did your surname come from?
Our last names reveal the lives of our ancestors. Though it's not always obvious, they can tell us where they lived, what they did, what others thought of them, and…
Wigs, Frills & High Heels | 17th Century Menswear
The late 1600s saw a peak in extravagance in mens fashion history. After years of Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell, the Restoration brought Charles II back to the English throne…
Inside the Life of Monocle Journalist Fernando in Soho, London
Monocle Radio Senior Correspondent Fernando Augusto Pacheco opens the door to his everyday life in London’s Soho, a neighbourhood he has called home for more than a decade. From record…
Ben at the Chalke History Festival
explains this medieval illustration of a nun picking penises off a tree to History Extra
How Henry VIII’s Court Ate
In the great dining hall at Hampton Court Palace, the vast Tudor court came together twice a day for mealtimes. Only Henry VIII and certain courtiers would have eaten in…
How London’s Rarest Crafts Are Still Made Today
In this episode of Made In, we explore four of London’s rare crafts: globe making, millinery, whip making, and woodwork. Follow Peter Bellerby of Bellerby and Co. Globemakers, master whip…
Working Class History: Literature of the 1926 General Strike
Discussion episode looking at the literary texts that were produced in response to the 1926 general strike, both from established authors of the middle/upper classes and emerging working-class writers. In…
Monty Don’s London And South East Garden Journey
Monty Don travels through London and the South East to uncover how gardens survive, adapt, and inspire in Britain’s busiest corner. From George Harrison’s magical Friar Park and Gertrude Jekyll’s…