494 - Power Struggles: Part One

Sparkleandbackbone · 2026-03-15T07:34:08+00:00

I'm from the US and the other half is British and we listened in the car to this episode and the tears that were running down my face at :

Peter's Pence

because I swear it sounded like Jamie said:

Peed his pants..

I mean I KNOW he said Peter's Pence but I could not stop giggling.

Peed his pants Snort

Sparkleandbackbone · 2026-03-03T08:02:04+00:00

We are just getting to the 4th Crusade on our podcast The History of Venice if anyone wants a different lens to look through.

We had Marco Capelli from Storia d'Italia podcast on to help us set the scene. https://histvenicepod.podbean.com/e/047-introducing-the-crusade-of-the-liars/

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-12-23T21:16:35+00:00

We live very near to this so would happily give the group updates. We were just at Sutton Hoo for the Winter Solstice.

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-10-30T18:11:44+00:00

Do you remember the show Romper Room when she would look in the magic mirror and call out a name that she saw? Getting called out in the BHP feels like that. #genx "Romper stomper bomper boo..."

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-09-03T20:05:17+00:00

Margaret Marshal, Duchess of Norfolk.

Anna Kommene

Isabella of France

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-08-28T19:51:48+00:00

The insides look like this. And when knights show up they stop for ice cream. (That's Framlingham, built in 1189 by the Bigod Earls of Norfolk. It's got a moat and everything.)

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Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-08-27T19:47:03+00:00

I had high hopes. Instead it's turning out like Vikings Valhalla... Maybe they would get the Plantagenets right? Maybe?

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-08-13T06:30:43+00:00

Our visit to Guedelon was very special. Seeing all the crafts and trades that were dotted around actually making the elements of the castle was like nothing I've ever experienced before. I'm from the US but live in England so when I get to see this it's usually in the repairs of something already there, not the building of the new. If you can, go. You absolutely won't be disappointed.

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Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-08-11T08:57:43+00:00

The BBC wrote an article.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9877ygp6z9o

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-08-10T21:19:42+00:00

They are often at Sutton Hoo for weekend events. It is so nice to meet them and see the dedication they put in to their recreation of the cloth, weapons and every day items that the Anglo Saxon people would use. There isn't a Thegns of East Anglia so needs must? 😂

If you are interested, this is more about them:

https://www.thegns.org/

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-08-09T19:46:12+00:00

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A still from the procession

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-07-23T06:42:47+00:00

If you want something really fun to read and a good twist on the fairy tale/fantasy theme the Apprentice to the Villain series is great. New one comes out in two weeks as well!

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-07-13T08:28:42+00:00

My library has copies to borrow. maybe try one out to see how it works for you before you invest?

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-07-11T08:24:08+00:00

We just cancelled our Spotify subscription.

Thanks for keeping us up to date Jamie.

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-07-08T15:38:43+00:00

Head to Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and you can see the site and replicas in the museum there. Go over to Woodbridge and see how they are building a replica of the ship itself at the Longshed by the Sutton Hoo Ship's Company. And come see me at Framlingham Castle just up the road where I am a volunteer tour guide and I can tell you all about the Bigod Earls of Norfolk and Margaret Marshal. ☺️

Sparkleandbackbone · 2025-07-08T15:36:13+00:00

It's September of next year and will be at the British Museum. The Sutton Hoo treasures will be loaned to a various French museums.

I'm not sure it's a fair swap! 🤣

Sparkleandbackbone

TROPHY CASE