Advertise on podcast: Past Loves - A History Of The Greatest Love Stories

Welcome to another episode of Past Loves - the history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by University of York doctoral student Isobel Staton to discuss the love story between Selina and Lawrence Kay-Shuttleworth. Love letters provide us with the perfect way into the relationships of couples in the past. But it takes endless hours of archival research to piece together these stories. In this episode, Holly is given incredible access to the recent research Isobel has undertaken in the archive of Gawthorpe Hall into Selina Bridgeman and, therefore, her husband Lawrence Kay-Shuttleworth, Gawthorpe's heir. Selina and Lawrence reflect each other's personalities in many ways - both passionate, eloquent and driven. They expect to be able to build a life together. Selina's archive of letters offers us a proximity to her love story with Lawrence - a love story that in many ways echoes the experience of many women at the beginning of the First World War as she experiences love and loss in the intensity of wartime. Selina's story in particular shows that, in the end, the desire to love and be loved is perennial. Where To Find Us Find out about Gawthorpe Hall: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gawthorpe-hall Discover more about Gawthorpe Hall's exhibition 'Gawthorpe's Remarkable Women': https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/55385889-6c7d-43f0-9e5b-ef45f78b59a2/pages/details Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/ Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to another episode of Past Loves - the history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by best-selling biographer, historian and broadcaster, Sarah Gristwood as we delve into the unique relationship between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West.   The relationship between Vita and Virginia is as complex and heart-breaking, as it was intensely passionate. They met one evening at a dinner party, both equally fascinated by each other, and went on to develop a relationship that ebbed and flowed between friendship and romantic affection for many years. Their love story was not complicated by their husbands. In fact, how these four people treated each other with such acceptance, kindness and understanding is one of the most interesting aspects of their relationship. As writers, lovers and friends, Vita and Virginia crafted a love story quite unlike any other. They will be forever bound together in life and legacy. Where To Find Us Shop Sarah's book Vita & Virginia: The lives and love of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West: https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Sarah-Gristwood/Vita--Virginia--A-Double-Life/21449035 Discover more about Sarah: http://sarahgristwood.com/ Follow Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.gristwood.1 Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahgristwood Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/ Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the next episode of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by Senior House and Collection Officer of Smallhythe Place, Susannah Mayor, to discuss the fascinating relationship between Edith Craig, Christopher St. John and Tony Atwood.  Together Edy, Chris and Tony created a space to live freely, passionately and creatively. Now an oasis which celebrates the history of theatre, and particularly that of Dame Ellen Terry, their relationship lives at the heart of Smallhythe Place. Edy and Craig made a place for themselves in the suffrage movement with the Pioneer Players, with Tony providing props and painted scenery . Her work is a testament to the beauty and use of light. They designed their own lives, alongside many theatrical performances, but it is their relationship which now deserves to take centre stage. CW: There is a brief mention of overdose when discussing Edith's engagement from 19:53 mins to 20:07.   Where To Find Us Book tickets for Smallhythe Place: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place Follow Smallhythe Place on Instagram: @smallhythe_placent Follow Smallhythe Place on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmallhythePlaceNT Follow Smallhythe Place on Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallhythent Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/ Listen To Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas episode with Matthew Sturgis: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oscar-wilde-lord-alfred-douglas-love-on-trial-with/id1509195421?i=1000478174906 Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the next episode of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by author Matthew Lewis to discuss the fascinating and sprawling relationship between Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor of Aquitaine had already lived an extraordinary medieval life before she ever met Henry II when she was thrust into the role of French Queen at an early age. But when her marriage was annulled, and her future prospects precarious, there was only one man that she wanted to marry. Henry II was lively, successful and soon to claim his rights as the next King of England. He was everything her first husband Louis had failed to be. Together they would build a vast empire that stretched from Northumberland to the Mediterranean, creating a large family at the same time. But could it last? Eleanor and Henry were the power couple of their age and their love story is, therefore, sensationally dramatic. Where To Find Us Shop Matt's book Henry II & Eleanor Aquitaine: Founding An Empire: https://www.amberley-books.com/henry-ii-and-eleanor-of-aquitaine.html Find more from Matt: http://mattlewisauthor.com/ Follow Matt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattLewisAuthor Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/  If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to a festive special of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. In this episode, in the most magical setting of Floors Castle situated in the Scottish Borders,  I explore the love story between Henry Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe, and his beloved Duchess, Mary "May" Goelet, with Operations Manager (and wonderful storyteller) Matthew Thompson.  Floors Castle has been the home of the Innes-Ker family for 300 years and, after having been remodelled by the 6th Duke of Roxburghe, now stands as a dramatic and truly romantic castle. Henry, 8th Duke of Roxburghe, was the suitor who finally stole the heart of the highly-desirable American heiress May Goelet. With this, their relationship highlights a trend in the late 19th/early 20th Century for rich American heiresses to marry into aristocratic European families - Downton Abbey instantly comes to mind of course. Henry and May do, however, seem to be a little different - they were a love match. Together, they forged the future of Floors. I hope you enjoy unwrapping their charming love story. Merry Christmas! Where To Find Us Floors Castle: https://www.floorscastle.com/ Follow Floors Castle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floorscastle/ Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/ Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the one year anniversary special of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. For this very special episode, celebrating the past year, I am joined by the wonderful medieval historian Gemma Hollman to discuss a relationship with repercussions through the ages. Join us as we delve into the  Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV love story. In the midst of a warring kingdom, the young new King Edward IV secretly marries Elizabeth Woodville - a widow with lineage which ensures many initially question whether she is the right match for the King of England. The legend behind their love for each other, however, emerges as the couple encounter a tumultuous reign. In death, the legitimacy of their relationship is famously undermined by Richard III in which Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft. Their relationship and the drama of the decades in which their love story blossomed remain of vast interest today as evidenced by the popularity of The White Queen by Philippa Gregory and the following BBC adaptation of the same name. With this love story, I would like to say a big thank you for all of your support over the past year - you have made this podcast happen and I will be forever grateful. I hope you enjoy! Where To Find Us Shop Gemma's book Royal Witches: From Joan of Navarre to Elizabeth Woodville : https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/royal-witches/9780750989404/ Discover more on Gemma's blog: https://justhistoryposts.com/ Follow Gemma on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustHistoryPosts Listen to Past Loves archive: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/past-loves-a-history-of-the-greatest-love-stories/id1509195421 Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/  If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the Christmas special of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. With Covid and the closure of so many theatres this year, it only seemed apt to take the Past Loves Christmas special to the stage. So for this very special episode, I am joined by Irina Klyagin - a Russian ballet scholar who looks after Harvard University’s extensive theatre collection at the Houghton Library - to discuss the love story between Rudolf Nureyev and Erik Bruhn. Erik was the Danish ice to Rudolf's Russian fire and the two were both titans within the ballet world, defining an era. Their art was, therefore, at the heart of their relationship and was so from the very beginning. When Rudolf defected to the West from the Soviet Union, it was his aim to meet and train with Erik. He knew that was where he was meant to be. They learnt from each other, honing their talent to become two of the most famous male ballet dancers in history. Their love story is one of passion which I very much hope you enjoy. May your festive season be full of light and love. Merry Christmas! Where To Find Us Watch Artists In Love  - Rudolf and Erik episode: https://www.nowtv.com/watch/artists-in-love/dc13f8e4e7924510VgnVCM1000000b43150a____ Discover Julie Kavanagh's Rudolf Nureyev: https://www.waterstones.com/book/rudolf-nureyev/julie-kavanagh/9780241986905 Discover Diane Solway's Nureyev: His Life: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nureyev-His-Life-Diane-Solway/dp/0688128734/ More about Irina: https://library.harvard.edu/staff/irina-klyagin Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/ Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the season finale of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by an absolutely incredible guest the 11th Duchess of Rutland to discuss the relationship between the 5th Duke and Duchess, John Henry and Elizabeth. Together they created the most magical fairy-tale castle - Belvoir Castle. When Elizabeth arrived at Belvoir as a young bride, she was not inspired by the building currently looking out across the Vale of Belvoir. Instead, this remarkable Regency power couple wanted to make a statement all of their own and with this, the romantic castle that we now see today was born. They entertained in the most fabulous way and left an indelible mark on society and the British landscape.  Today, you may recognise Belvoir from Netflix's The Crown, The Young Victoria (2009) or Victoria & Abdul (2017). But, whilst it may be a firm favourite of Hollywood, John Henry and Elizabeth are truly the heart of the breathtaking Belvoir Castle. Where To Find Us Book tickets for Belvoir Castle: https://www.belvoircastle.com/castle-book-tickets/ Take the virtual tour: https://www.belvoircastle.com/product/virtual-tour-product/ Follow Belvoir Castle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belvoircastle/ Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/ Shop Her Grace's book Belvoir Castle: A Thousand Years of Family Art and Architecture: https://www.belvoircastle.com/product/belvoir-castle-a-thousand-years-of-family-art-and-architecture/ Learn more about Elizabeth's parents' love story in the Castle Howard episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/997147/4052561 Listen To Victoria & Albert episode with Helen Rappaport: https://www.buzzsprout.com/997147/3782192 Watch Phil Spencer's Stately Homes: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/phil-spencers-stately-homes Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the next episode of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by author, editor and proofreader, specialising in Russia and the history of women, Virginia Rounding to discuss the relationship between the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra. As the biggest fan of Russian history theirs is a story close to my heart, filled with heart-breaking moments of utter anguish alongside many years of the deepest sense of love for one another. Nicholas became tsar when his father died unexpectedly, taking on the role of the autocratic leader of a vast nation in a trying time. His solace? The fact that he had the woman whom he adored Alexandra, or Alix as she was known, to rule by his side. Together, not only did they shape the future of Russia but, they also raised a family of five children in extraordinary circumstances. After years of war, revolution and Rasputin, their story famously came to a bitter end in 1918. Nevertheless, throughout it all, Alix and Nicky's love story is one of true devotion. Where To Find Us Shop Virginia's book Alix and Nicky: The Passion of the Last Tsar and Tsarina:  https://www.waterstones.com/book/alix-and-nicky/virginia-rounding/9781250022196 More about Virginia:  https://virginiarounding.org/ Follow Virginia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VRounding Listen to Andrei & Natalia Chikhachev episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/997147/3960962 Watch Last of the Czars: https://youtu.be/mYo8SEvnsrM Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/  If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the next episode of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week I am joined by author Angela Steidele who has written several books about LGBTQ+ lives in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, including a biography of Anne Lister. We will, therefore, be delving into the relationship between Anne Lister and Ann Walker. Anne Lister is often described as the 'first modern lesbian' and the diaries that she left provide a wealth of detail about her many passionate relationships with women. After all, in 1821, she wrote in her diaries: ‘I love, & only love, the fairer sex’.  When she returned from the continent to Shibden Hall in 1832, she aimed to make the estate a success and find a wife. Her relationship history of labyrinthine complexity thus culminated in a marriage to Ann Walker. Their story is, of course, now at the centre of the smash-hit BBC TV drama series Gentleman Jack. But what is the story behind the dramatisation? It's safe to say it is just as compelling... Where To Find Us Shop Angela's book Gentleman Jack: A biography of Anne Lister, Regency Landowner, Seducer and Secret Diarist: https://www.waterstones.com/book/gentleman-jack/katy-derbyshire/angela-steidele/9781788160995 Discover more about Angela: https://serpentstail.com/angela-steidele.html Listen to HRH Princess Mary & The 6th Earl of Harewood episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/997147/3687205 Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/  If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com  

Welcome back to the next episode of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time - and this time it's the first ever Tudor love story! That's right, this week I am joined by Melita Thomas, author and co-founder/editor of Tudor Times, to discuss the love story between Lady Katherine Grey and Edward Seymour. After the death of her sister Lady Jane Grey, Katherine became the next Grey in line to the throne. So when her secret marriage to Edward Seymour was disclosed, it called down Queen Elizabeth's wrath. The couple had enjoyed a fragrant summer of banquets and garden walks at Eltham in 1559, before marrying the following year with Edward's sister Jane and a priest as witnesses. When Katherine realised that she was pregnant, it was time to tell the Queen. Predictably, the admission was to have disastrous consequences for the couple. This is, therefore, a story quite unlike any other, weaving together Tudor court politics, familial ties and romantic pursuits. With this, I think that it is safe to say that Katherine and Edward's relationship may just be the most romantic and heart-breaking Tudor tale there is. The story of their love for each other deserves to be told. With a special thanks to Llinos @thiscatladylife, to whom this episode is dedicated, for suggesting their story. Where To Find Us Discover the joys of Tudor Times here: https://tudortimes.co.uk/ Shop Tudor Times Insights - Lady Katherine Grey, Tudor Prisoner: https://shop.tudortimes.co.uk/collections/books/products/lady-katherine-grey-tudor-prisoner Follow Tudor Times on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTudorTimes Discover Melita's other book The House of Grey: Friends & Foes of Kings: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-house-of-grey/melita-thomas/9781445684970 Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/  If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to the next episode of Past Loves - the weekly history podcast that explores affection, infatuation and attachment across time. This week, we are discovering the love story behind one of my absolute favourite places - The Bowes Museum. The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure in the heart of Teesdale, based in the historic town of Bernard Castle. A truly magnificent museum, it may outwardly appear to be a stately home but, in fact, the museum was specifically built  by John and Joséphine Bowes in the 19th Century to house remarkable and significant collections of fine and decorative arts. I am joined by Judith Phillips, the honorary archivist at the Bowes Museum, to discuss how their love story bought this remarkable place to fruition. From the Teesdale countryside to the upper echelons of fashionable society in Paris, John met Joséphine Benoîte Coffin-Chevallier at the Théâtre de Variétés where Joséphine was an actress. The couple fell in love and married in contrast to convention at the time. Together, they decided to create a public museum. In a very short time they amassed a vast collection of over 15,000 objects representing all types of European fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th Century, including the now famous silver swan automaton. They had a shared vision which was rooted in their deep affection for one another. Where To Find Us Book tickets: https://www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/Buy-Tickets Shop John And Joséphine Bowes by Caroline Chapman: http://thebowesmuseumshop.org.uk/john-and-josephine-bowes-the-creation-of-the-bowes-museum.ir Discover latest Covid-19 updates: https://www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/ Follow Bowes Museum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebowesmuseum/ Follow Bowes Museum on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBowesMuseum Join the Past Loves newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/d293dd27393a/past-loves-newsletter Follow Past Loves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastlovespodcast/  If Past Loves has become your current love, you can email me at pastlovespodcast@gmail.com