Lucy Worsley is settled in her south London residence, perched at her desk, displaying a well-thumbed paperback—a volume of great significance to her as it marks the inception of her love affair with history.
“Jean Plaidy!” she exclaims, remembering
One of the most prominent and highest-grossing writers of the 20th century”I once adored this book immensely.” What was the title again?
The Young Elizabeth—and just like that, all aspects of Worsley’s work become clear. The biography “The Virgin Queen” by Plaidy, focusing on Elizabeth I from her own perspective and clearly intended for younger audiences, served as an inspiration for Worsley’s career. She has since emerged as television’s most contagiously enthusiastic and unapologetically feminine historian.
With series including
Courtesans, Homemakers, and Heroes: A 17th-Century History forGirls
, and one-time events like
Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley
Worsley has gained recognition by focusing on the experiences of women in her work. Known for wearing elaborate costumes from different eras—she has portrayed numerous historical characters including Queen Elizabeth I—one of her distinctive traits as an engaging and spirited presenter is her playful attitude, which can verge on mischievousness.
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The worn-out Plaidy book holds additional significance at present, coinciding with Worsley kicking off the newest season of her immensely popular Radio 4 show and podcast.
Lady Con artists with Lucy Worsley
, which recounts thrilling stories of evil acts committed in previous centuries by some highly rebellious women.
As you can tell, the book was taken from the library at Worsley’s primary school in Reading. It wasn’t actually stolen by young Lucy; instead, it was taken by her acquaintance who borrowed it from her.
Check this out,” Worsley remarks. “The book still has the receipt inside! As for the crimes you inquired about, here we are. It seems like returning it to the library would be impossible now, wouldn’t it? But then again, maybe it isn’t ever too late? What do you reckon—should I try?
Worsley is 51, which means this event occurred over four decades back. In the grand scale of things, it doesn’t compare to crimes like that of the notorious “Lady Swindler” who kicks off the new series—the infamous “Yorkshire Witch,” Mary Bateman. Her fake remedies for sick individuals ultimately resulted in death, culminating in her execution for murder in 1809.
Why does Worsley gravitate towards such narratives? “I reckon there are multiple explanations. However, for historians, the appeal of crime lies in the fact that whenever a criminal act occurs, so too do records emerge. Details get documented that would typically go unrecorded—minor details like clothing choices and room arrangements, as well as significant aspects such as familial ties, occupations, and beliefs about reality.”
You have the opportunity to learn about individuals whose stories would normally go unrecorded since they were not of significant stature. Criminal activities provide an incredibly fertile ground for this.
And in this situation
Lady Killers
and
Lady Swindlers
It’s highly enriching ground for understanding women’s lives. These programs, created entirely by female producers, are inherently feminist—“We make this explicit from the outset; we have a distinctly modern perspective,” they state—which leads us back to discussing Worsley’s background, raised by a mother whom she characterizes as part of the second wave of feminism and who was also the first woman in her family to attend university.
During the 1970s, every message we received was, ‘You can achieve this; you have the ability to overcome barriers.’ My mother aspired for me to become someone like Helena Kennedy—a barrister, broadcaster, and member of the House of Lords. I believe that those of us in my generation felt it was our duty to accomplish what our mothers weren’t able to due to societal constraints. This perspective shaped who I am.
The career path that Worsley has carved out—through television, radio, writing books, and her over two-decade tenure as chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces—is clear evidence that she achieved what her mother hoped for her. However, Worsley doubts whether this legacy endures in the present day.
“One of the topics I’m discussing frequently this year is Jane Austen, as it marks her”time
250-year celebration of her birth
I adore Jane Austen, despite some folks asking, “What’s the point of reading her today?” One reason is simply that her stories are immensely engaging. However, another crucial aspect is that her works carry an important message: life isn’t always just for women. This inequality was stark back then, around 1810, and regrettably, this issue remains relevant even now.
We can still identify those circumstances where women believe they must marry for financial reasons. It has become quite prevalent on Instagram, for goodness’ sake! ‘How to snag a financially stable man.’ This is truly unfortunate.
Pride and Prejudice
I can hardly believe we’re still here.”
When Worsley was young, history programming on television was undoubtedly dominated by men. Among these shows, it wasn’t surprising that the charismatic Michael Wood stood out for her as he visited renowned locations. Unlike Kenneth Clark with his formal attire including a jacket and tie, Worsley recalls him often sporting leather pants instead.
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I’ve come to know Michael quite well; he’s such a nice person. Just the other day, I told him, ‘I recall those leather pants you used to wear.’ To which he replied, ‘Those weren’t actually leather at all. You really dramatized them! They were simply jeans!’ However, the way he wore those jeans was so striking that I assumed they had to be made from leather.
While Wood may have shattered traditional norms with their attire choices, Worsley has pushed boundaries even further by embodying her subjects through elaborate costumes. However, considering this transformation occurs primarily within a radio series, does this approach still hold significance? After all, without visual elements, much of the impact seems lost.
“This is accurate. However, every time I’ve dressed up, it has somehow always included a touch of humor. When discussing somber and grave topics, there’s less room for playful behavior.” She notes this, but also mentions that one of her favorite “killers” is Maria Manning, a lady who killed the man involved in her secret relationship back in 1849.
“I must say I didn’t approve of her actions, yet during her trial, it became evident that her offense extended beyond the physical assault. The real issue seemed to be that she had a lover from the start. She stood before the court dressed in an impeccably tailored, fashionable black satin gown. This ensemble only added to her captivating yet disturbing allure—the femme fatale in mourning attire.”
And this is a dress that Worsley would have liked to wear herself? “I believe so, yes. I mean, it’s awful, isn’t it? In poor taste? But I must say, I have a fondness for an opulent black satin gown—glamorous, almost villainous.”
For Worsley, it’s all about reviving the past. The most captivating tales can be recounted time and again. “People ask, ‘Oh, you’re revisiting the Tudors? Why bother?’ It’s partly because they serve as an entry point. Old King Henry VIII, he’s like the gateway drug of history! He draws people in.”
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Lucy Worsley’s ‘The Lady Swindlers’ starts today on BBC Sounds and at 3 PM on Radio 4.