{"podcast":{"title":"The English Heritage Podcast","slug":"the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199","podcast_index_feed_id":1111199,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/EHE9742327131","website_url":"https://www.english-heritage.org.uk","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/668330d4-7cc2-11ee-a5ea-07253fb3eec9/image/70adb887611b592c53ddec06599e8d50.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"English Heritage","episode_count":379,"summary":"Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places? In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-25T12:21:33.694200+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199"},"episode":{"title":"The birth of medieval manuscripts","slug":"the-birth-of-medieval-manuscripts","published_at":"2026-03-05T06:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199/the-birth-of-medieval-manuscripts","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199","url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/EHE3406968119.mp3?updated=1775641291","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/EHE3406968119.mp3?updated=1775641291","summary":"What does an oyster shell have to do with medieval books? This week, Amy explores one of her favourite moments in history: when medieval scribes started to create beautifully illuminated manuscripts. She’s exploring the complex, multi-faceted and highly skilled work that helped create these works of literature and art. From a stinky parchment creation process to fine pigments and steady hands working by candlelight, making medieval books was far from a simple task, as English Heritage’s Dr Susan Harrison and Dr David Rundle from the University of Kent explain. Find out about artistry, quiet devotion, cheeky doodling in the margins and how these objects moved from monastic workshops into wider medieval life. Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show. Join English Heritage: ⁠https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/⁠ Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout.* Support our work: ⁠https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/⁠ The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. *Offer is available through the use of this code and valid for new memberships by annual Direct Debit only. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, on life memberships or renewals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices","meta_description":"What does an oyster shell have to do with medieval books? This week, Amy explores one of her favourite moments in history: when medieval scribes started t…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2517,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199/episodes/the-birth-of-medieval-manuscripts/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-english-heritage-podcast-1111199/the-birth-of-medieval-manuscripts.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}