The Secrets Of Wells Cathedral | The First Gothic Cathedral In England

The Secrets of Salisbury Cathedral | The Tallest Spire in Britain' Join Alice Loxton as she explores the secrets of Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire. In this video Alice travels up the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom, visits the world's oldest working mechanical clock and sees one of the only four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta. Drone footage captured by Jacques Eloff.

The Secrets Of The Hospital Of St Cross | And Why There Are No Patients!' History Hit's Alice Loxton explores the secrets of the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty in Winchester, England. St Cross isn't really a hospital at all, at least in the modern sense of the word. Instead, it's the oldest almshouse in England still in use for its original purpose and arguably the oldest charity in the country. Although anyone can visit the site today, since its foundation, the charity has only catered for men. The main activity of the Hospital continues to be the provision of individual, private apartments for a living community of about twenty-five elderly men. Known as ‘Brothers’ they wear black or red gowns and a trencher hat for daily church and other formal occasions. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and are usually single, divorced or widowers. Founded around the year 1132, the almshouse was set up by Henry of Blois to support thirteen poor men who were unable to work and to feed some 100

The Secrets Of Spencer House | A Stately Home In Central London In this video History Hit's Alice Loxton delves into the secrets of Spencer House. Tucked away in the heart of St James’s is one of London’s most sumptuous buildings. It’s the London house of the Spencer family - that’s the family of the infamous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and the late Princess Diana. Spencer House was the vision of John, the First Earl Spencer, born in 1734. He was the great-grandson of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, who built Blenheim Palace. He was also the grandson of Third Earl of Sunderland. Young John inherited both these fortunes, becoming one of the wealthiest young men in the land. Not only was John lucky in his birth. He was lucky in love, too. He married his childhood sweetheart, Georgiana Poynz. Unusually for the 18th century, the couple didn’t detest each other. They were genuinely in love. Shortly after their marriage, and equipped with a vast fortune, they built a splendid new London house in St James’s overlooking Green Park, as compliment

Alice Loxton delves into the hidden secrets behind some of Britain's most iconic historic locations.

This special new film reveals an extraordinary Tudor life-story and an amazing creation. We meet the extraordinary Bess of Hardwick and go inside the incredible home she built, a spectacular construction in glass and stone that defined the elegance and grandeur of the Elizabethan age, typifying a woman who rose to the top of the Tudor tree. Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb expertly explores the glorious rooms, luscious tapestries and intimate portraits that capture the remarkable personality of Bess and the Elizabethan dream-house she built in her own image.

Dan Snow explores behind the scenes at the majestic Kensington Palace, the glittering centre of the royal court in early Georgian England. It's a very special time to visit - the Historic Royal Palaces team has been delving deep into the archives to lift the veil of the public facing court and explore the lives of the many people who lived and worked here. Beyond the kings and queens in the stately rooms, there were hundreds of other men and women - people born high and low - who played a vital role in keeping the court going. This exhibition brings together an amazing collection of objects, many of which have never been seen before. From an ice saw used by Frances Talbot, the 'Keeper of the Ice and Snow' to the revealing scribbled notes of the Master Cook’s Book. From the intricate stitching of Queen Charlotte’s dress, contrasting with the plainer uniform of her dresser, Dan gets up close to objects which build a much more vivid picture of life in this palace, upstairs and downstairs. The extraordinary mural