Coronations
On the Record at The National Archives
From Richard III’s lavish wardrobe to Queen Victoria’s chaotic ceremony, coronations have a rich and fascinating history. For some, a coronation is a once-in-a-lifetime public event; for the new king or queen, it is a display which can set the tone for their reign. In this episode of On the Record released to mark the coronation of King Charles III, our specialists examine records from previous coronations and explore how traditions have formed and changed through the centuries. For a transcript and information about the documents used in this episode visit our show notes: ...
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700 Years of the Thames
On the Record at The National Archives
From frozen festivals to royal polar bears, from wartime recovery to medieval merchants.The River Thames has been the stage for some of Britain’s most extraordinary moments. In this episode, Sarah Castagnetti explores this rich history—from the 13th-century king who kept a polar bear in the river, to a Dutch naval attack that brought war to London’s doorstep, and the legendary Thames frost fairs.Three very different Thames stories, all revealing how central this river has been to London’s history. .
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Trailer: 700 years of the Thames
On the Record at The National Archives
In our next episode of On the Record, we explore three very different stories—each revealing how central the River Thames has been to London’s history.
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LGBTQ+ Histories
On the Record at The National Archives
In this episode, we bring you four stories that span two hundred years of British history. Two women leave their families to make a new life together in Wales in 1780, a Manchester drag ball in 1880, a secret gathering space for gay men in 1920s London, and a community archive collected by Black LGBTQ+ Londoners. For a transcript and information about the documents used in this episode visit our show notes: Listeners, we need your help to make this podcast better! We need to know a bit more about you and what themes you’re interested in. Visit:
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Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)
On the Record at The National Archives
On Tuesday, May 8th, 1945, the Allies who had been fighting the Second World War formally accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender. May 8th became known as Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, and is still marked every year. In this episode, host Chloe Lee is joined by Will Butler, a specialist in British society during the First and Second World Wars, to explore what that first VE Day was like, from the soldiers and medics who’d been at the frontline, to the folks at home who wanted peace — and for butter to be easily available again in British towns and cities. .
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Trailer: Victory in Europe Day (VE Day)
On the Record at The National Archives
In our next episode, we explore what Victory in Europe Day (or VE Day) was like, from the soldiers and medics who’d been at the frontline, to the folks at home who wanted peace — and for butter to be easily available again in British towns and cities.
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MI5: Official Secrets
On the Record at The National Archives
Spy fiction has captivated our imagination for decades, but the truth behind Britain's security service is even more fascinating than the high-stakes capers of the movies. At The National Archives, we hold the real files—declassified documents that reveal the actual operations, successes, and sometimes failures of MI5 since its creation in 1909. In celebration of our new exhibition featuring these secret files and spy gadgets, this episode delves into the real world of espionage – one perhaps more intriguing than fiction. Our guests include Gill Bennett, a historian...
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Trailer: MI5 Official Secrets
On the Record at The National Archives
In our next episode of On the Record, we uncover the fascinating stories behind the UK’s security service, MI5. To celebrate our new exhibition featuring formerly secret files and spy gadgets, we delve into the real world of espionage – one perhaps more intriguing than fiction.
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Working Women in History
On the Record at The National Archives
To mark Women’s History Month, we take a long view of working women. Our guest host, Jessamy Carlson invites three historians to explore the lives of working women over the centuries. From the working lives of medieval women, through the story of the first Women Patrols in the Metropolitan Police, to the striking Ford factory workers in 1968, this episode examines women's jobs, their conditions, their struggles, and their resilience. .
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Trailer: Working Women in History
On the Record at The National Archives
Join us for Women’s History Month as we explore the lives, struggles, and resilience of working women through the centuries.
info_outlineFrom frozen festivals to royal polar bears, from wartime recovery to medieval merchants.The River Thames has been the stage for some of Britain’s most extraordinary moments.
In this episode, Sarah Castagnetti explores this rich history—from the 13th-century king who kept a polar bear in the river, to a Dutch naval attack that brought war to London’s doorstep, and the legendary Thames frost fairs.Three very different Thames stories, all revealing how central this river has been to London’s history.