BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking

Kingship and ceremony

Anne McElvoy looks at royalty, pomp and glory in opera, ancient Persia and Tudor England.

Matthew Sweet finds out how extreme temperatures changed Erland Cooper's music

Matthew Sweet finds out how extreme temperatures changed Erland Cooper's music

Rana Mitter talks to Antonia Fraser about the art of writing historical biography.

Rana Mitter talks to the author about her life & the art of writing historical biography.

With poet Majella Kelly, historian Jackie Uí Chionna and memoirist Carmel McMahon.

Shahidha Bari and guests on a Royal Collection exhibition and the new Bridgerton spin-off.

Shahidha Bari and guests on a Royal Collection exhibition and the new Bridgerton spin off

The spiritual paintings of the Swedish artist are discussed by Matthew Sweet and guests.

The spiritual paintings of the Swedish artist are discussed by Matthew Sweet and guests