History Gems
25 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsWelcome to History Gems, the podcast that follows historian and author Dr Nicola Tallis as she seeks to unpick the stories behind some of history's most famous and intriguing jewels.
With a different expert on every episode, Nicola delves into a daring attempt to steal the Crown Jewels, the secrets of a supposedly cursed diamond, the creation of the world's most famous Easter eggs, and plenty more.
Check out @historygemspod on social media to see pictures of each week's gems!
Nicola's books include:
Crown of Blood: The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey
Elizabeth's Rival: The Tumultuous Tale of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester
Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch
Find her on social media:
Twitter: @NicolaTallis
Instagram: @historian_nicola
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Episodes
Pirates and the T Word: with Dr Ian Friel
October 20, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 58.8 MBThis week Dr Nicola Tallis talks to historian, writer and maritime history expert Dr Ian Friel about pirates, their treasure (the T word), and the story and the significance of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Ian is the author of several major books on maritime history, The Good Ship (1995), The British Museum Maritime History of Britain & Ireland c 400 – 2001 (2003) and Henry V’s Navy (2015) and Britain and the Ocean Road (2020), with its sequel, Breaking Seas, Broken S...
Atelier Torbjörn Tillander: with Jenny Tillander
October 13, 2021 07:00 - 28 minutes - 38.5 MBThis week Dr Nicola Tallis explores one of the world's most revered jewellers - Atelier Torbjörn Tillander - with the youngest of the Tillander family - Jenny. The firm of A. Tillander was established by Alexander Tillander in Russia in 1860. After completing a seven year apprenticeship with a master goldsmith he went to work for Carl Becks who was a supplier to the Russian Imperial court. Before long however, Alexander decided to go into business on his own and at just 23 he ope...
La Peregrina: with Valerie Schutte
October 06, 2021 07:40 - 29 minutes - 40.3 MBThis week Nicola is joined by author and historian Valerie Schutte to explore the history of one of the world's most famous pearls - La Peregrina, which was worn by kings and queens in paintings and apparently eaten by Elizabeth Taylor's puppy! Valerie Schutte earned her PhD in History from the University of Akron. She is author or editor of six books on Queen Mary I, unexpected heirs, and queens in Shakespeare. She has also published several journal articles and book chapters on ...
Bridgerton: with Carol Woolton
September 29, 2021 07:00 - 35 minutes - 33 MBIn the latest episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by writer and one of Britain’s leading authority on jewellery and gemstones, Carol Woolton, to discuss the jewellery in the Netflix series Bridgerton. According to Carol, "parallels can be drawn between the uncertain times which influenced Regency sparkle on the hit TV series, and the jewel-loaded runways for spring/summer 2021 during our Covid era." Listen and make up your own mind! Carol Woolton is Britain’s leadi...
Marie Antoinette: with Dr Carolyn Harris
September 15, 2021 07:56 - 51 minutes - 71.1 MBIn the latest episode of History Gems Dr Nicola Tallis delves into the fascinating story of French queen Marie Antoinette with royal historian and author Dr Carolyn Harris. Dr Carolyn Harris is a historian, author and royal commentator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is the author of Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada: Democracy, Law, and Human Rights and Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette. Her 3rd book, Raising Royalty: 1...
Girls in Pearls: with Sue Prichard
June 02, 2021 07:00 - 43 minutes - 59.9 MBIn the latest episode of History Gems Dr Nicola Tallis delves into the history of pearls with Sue Prichard, Senior Curator of Arts at the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich. Nicola and Sue also discuss the new Tudors to Windsors exhibition at the musuem, which includes over 150 of the finest portraits from across five royal dynasties. Discover how royal portraiture has developed over the last five centuries, from Henry VII to Elizabeth II. You can book tickets for the exhibiti...
The House of Kutchinsky: with Serena Kutchinsky
May 26, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBHistorian and author Dr Nicola Tallis explores the astonishing story of the House of Kutchinsky, from its modest beginnings in the East End of London to becoming a Post-World War II jewellery powerhouse that became internationally renowned. And her guide is none other than journalist Serena Kutchinsky, whose father, Paul Kutchinsky, created the world’s largest jewelled egg – one that would rival Fabergé’s. Join the conversation on social media by visiting @historygemspod on both ...
Queen Christina of Sweden: with Amy Saunders
May 12, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 45.5 MBHistorian and author Dr Nicola Tallis delves into the history of one of the 17th century's most fascinating characters, Queen Christina of Sweden, and explores the story of her crown and how she lost it! Nicola is joined by Amy Saunders, who's studying for her PhD at the Uni of Winchester and specialises in 17th century gender, sexuality and the monarchy. Join the conversation on social media and find images of the jewels and items discussed by visiting @historygemspod on both Tw...
Nazi Gold: with Callum McKelvie
May 05, 2021 07:01 - 36 minutes - 49.6 MBHistorian and author Dr Nicola Tallis explores the topic of Nazi gold - what it is, where it came from and where it might be now - with Callum McKelvie, the Features Editor at All About History Magazine. Callum has researched and written extensively about Nazi gold and he tells Nicola how the gold, as well as precious stones and art work, was collected by the Nazis as part of Aryanization, the forced expulsion of Jews from business life in Nazi Germany, Axis-aligned states, and th...
Jane Austen: with Sophie Reynolds
April 28, 2021 06:00 - 46 minutes - 64.1 MBHistorian and author Dr Nicola Tallis explores the incredible story of one of the world's most famous authors, Jane Austen, in the company of Sophie Reynolds, the Collections and Interpretations Manager at Jane Austen House, in Hampshire. Find out more about the incredible work of Jane Austen and Jane Austen's House, which is found in the village of Chawton, here. Join the conversation on social media and find images of the jewels and items discussed by visiting @historygemspod on...
John of Gaunt: with Helen Carr
April 21, 2021 06:00 - 51 minutes - 71.4 MBIn the second episode of Series Two, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by fellow historian and author Helen Carr to explore the story of English prince, military leader, statesman - and the third of the five sons of King Edward III - John of Gaunt. Helen, whose book The Red Prince, a biography of John of Gaunt, is out now (but it here), tells Nicola about the controversial Duke of Lancaster and the pair delve into his love life and the story behind the famous SS collar. Join the convers...
Sutton Hoo: with Dr Sue Brunning
April 14, 2021 06:00 - 40 minutes - 55.7 MBHistory Gems is back! In the first episode of Series Two, historian and author Dr Nicola Tallis uncovers the secrets of the Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo, made famous in the Netflix film 'The Dig', with Dr Sue Brunning, the curator of the European Early Medieval and Sutton Hoo collections at the British Museum. Nicola and Sue explore the glittering findings, including a very unique pyramid and the iconic helmet, and discuss how the discovery of the site transformed histori...
Mary Queen of Scots: with Professor Kate Williams
March 03, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MBIn the final episode of the first series of History Gems, Nicola is joined by historian, author and royal commentator Professor Kate Williams to delve into the story of Mary Queen of Scots - and of course, her love of jewels. Nicola and Kate explore why Mary was sent to France, who was fighting over her pearls and why mystery remains over the location of a jar containing her heart. To see images of the jewels and other items discussed in this episode, check out @historygemspod on ...
The mystery of Queen Arnegunde’s grave: with Elizabeth Norton
February 24, 2021 08:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBIn this episode of History Gems, Nicola is joined by historian and author Elizabeth Norton to explore the story of Queen Arnegunde and the mystery of her mummified lung. The remains of Arnegunde were found in 1959 by the archaeologist Michel Fleury. Along with the skeleton and preserved lung were a strand of hair, jewelry, and several fragments of textiles and leather. A gold signet ring, with the inscription "Arnegundis" showed that the remains belonged to the Merovingian queen. T...
The Cromwells: with Stuart Orme
February 17, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBIn this episode of History Gems, Nicola is joined by Stuart Orme, the curator of the Cromwell Museum, in Huntingdon, to discuss the life of Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell - and of course, her jewels. They also explore a very unusual recipe book with an even more unusual essay inside which, according to Stuart is akin to "a cookery book by Michelle Obama containing an essay by Donald Trump criticising Barack Obama"! Intrigued? You should be. Listen t...
The tomb of Tutankhamun: with Dr Chris Naunton
February 10, 2021 08:14 - 41 minutes - 57.1 MBIn this episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis ventures back to ancient Egypt to uncover the tomb of Tutankhamun in the company of Egyptologist and author Dr Chris Naunton. Tutankhamun was barely known to the modern world until 1922, when British archaeologist Howard Carter chiseled through a doorway and entered the boy pharaoh’s tomb, which had remained sealed for more than 3,200 years. Join Nicola and Chris as they explore what he found in the tomb - and find out why Tutankham...
Colonel Blood and the Crown Jewels: with Rebecca Rideal
February 03, 2021 07:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBIn the latest episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by writer, historian and TV producer Rebecca Rideal to explore the story of Colonel Thomas Blood and his audacious attempt to steal the Crown Jewels in 1671. Rebecca tells Nicola how Blood befriended the newly appointed Master of the Jewel House, 77-year-old Talbot Edwards, to get close to the jewels, and how he even had to flatten St. Edward's Crown to hide it beneath his clerical coat. Did he get away with it?? You...
Joan of Navarre: with Dr Ellie Woodacre
January 27, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBIn the latest episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by Dr Ellie Woodacre, senior lecturer in early modern history at the University of Winchester and a specialist in queenship and royal studies, to discuss the Queen of England that you've probably never heard of - Joan of Navarre. Born into Navarrese nobility, Joan became Queen of England after marrying Henry IV of England in 1403. But it wasn't all plain sailing as you'll find out if you listen! And as ever, there ar...
Fabergé and the Romanovs: with Gareth Russell
January 20, 2021 07:00 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBIn the latest episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by historian, author and playwright Gareth Russell to explore the history of the Romanovs and the stories behind some of the most famous pieces of jewellery of all time - the Fabergé Eggs. Nicola and Gareth go back to the 1885 when Emperor Alexander III, through the intermediary of his uncle, Grand Duke Vladimir, commissioned an Easter egg from Fabergé as an Easter present for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. Init...
The Sancy Diamond: with Susan Ronald
January 13, 2021 07:00 - 38 minutes - 53 MBIn the first episode of 2021, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by historian and author Susan Ronald to explore the story of one of history's most fascinating and most beautiful jewels - the Sancy Diamond. Nicola and Susan trace the 55 carat diamond around Europe, India and even to the USA as they discover its incredible past, and why it's definitely NOT to be called the Sancy Blood Diamond! For images of the jewels discussed in this episode, follow the podcast at @historygemspod on Twitt...
The Queen, her Christmas address and her brooches: with Christopher Warwick
December 21, 2020 07:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBIn this very special, festive episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by writer, biographer and royal historian Christopher Warwick to explore the Queen’s annual Christmas address, and the jewellery that the monarch chooses to wear for her broadcast. In the final episode of 2020, Nicola and Christopher also delve deep into the history of the Queen’s speech, and discover the stories behind some of her most distinctive brooches. For images of the jewels discussed in this ...
The Black Prince's Ruby: with Dr Michael Jones
December 16, 2020 07:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBIn this episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by leading military historian and author Dr Michael Jones to explore the story of the Black Prince and his famous ruby. But was it really a ruby!? Listen to find out. Nicola and Michael also delve into the history of the ruby, including what happened to it during World War Two. For images of the Black Prince’s ruby, follow the podcast at @historygemspod on Twitter and Instagram.
Richard III and the boar badge: with Julian Humphrys
December 09, 2020 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBIn this episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by historian, lecturer, battlefield guide and dedicated Southampton supporter Julian Humphrys, to discuss Richard III, his ascent to the throne, and a metal badge which gave vital clues to the true location of the Battle of Bosworth. Nicola and Julian also take a trip around the castles of the north, dig into Bosworth, and explore the use of the wild boar as an image in the 15th century. For pictures of the the items discu...
Elizabeth I and the Essex Ring: with Dr Tracy Borman
December 02, 2020 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBIn the first episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by author, historian and joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, Dr Tracy Borman, to discuss Elizabeth I, one of her favourites who betrayed her, and a jewel that connects the two - the Essex Ring. Nicola and Tracy also delve deep into the fascinating story of the Chequers Ring and explore the worst rebellion in history (spoiler: it involved a lunch break mid-rebellion). If you want to see pictures of the jewel...
Trailer: Welcome to History Gems
November 24, 2020 14:44 - 1 minute - 1.81 MBAn introduction to History Gems, the new podcast from author and historian Dr Nicola Tallis, which delves into the past to unravel the stories behind some of history's most famous and intriguing jewels.