Episodes

  • The Caxtons Part 5 Chapters 2 and 3

    The Caxtons Part 5 Chapters 2 and 3
    May 16 2026
    In which the Caxton family settles into their London home, where the learned father reflects with reverent awe on the silent company of books that enshrine the thoughts of past ages, whilst lively domestic discourse reveals varied temperaments and ambitions within the household. Thereafter, the visit and letter to an old acquaintance unveil undercurrents of time's effect on hearts and fortunes, as well as the quiet burdens borne by the family’s elder members.
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 5 Chapter 1

    The Caxtons Part 5 Chapter 1
    May 15 2026
    In which a young gentleman journeys through the English countryside to visit the estate of a notable member of Parliament, encountering contrasting accounts of nobility and kindness as he is introduced to the household and its complex characters. Observing the subtleties of social judgement and personal aspirations, he returns to London to find his family unsettled, yet bound together by quiet affection and hopeful resolve.
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 4 Chapters 5 and 6

    The Caxtons Part 4 Chapters 5 and 6
    May 14 2026
    In which the young Pisistratus, newly arrived in a bustling town, encounters a cynical youth who challenges his optimistic views on life and success, and together they pause by a graveyard where a cheerful Savoyard boy with his hurdy-gurdy imparts a silent lesson on poverty and hope. The innocence and resilience of this poor musician subtly reshape Pisistratus’s perspective, revealing that life's true treasures may lie beyond mere ownership or worldly ambition.
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 4 Chapters 3 and 4

    The Caxtons Part 4 Chapters 3 and 4
    May 13 2026
    In which the Caxton family, stirred by encouragement and a sense of duty, prepare for a journey to London that promises intellectual adventure and practical challenges alike. The youthful Pisistratus encounters unfamiliar faces and manners on his solitary road to the city, marking his first steps into the wider, often perplexing world beyond home.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 4 Chapters 1 and 2

    The Caxtons Part 4 Chapters 1 and 2
    May 12 2026
    In which the narrator’s early morning reflections lead to a fortuitous meeting with his enigmatic Uncle Roland, whose sudden departure stirs both melancholy and a promise of future acquaintance amid ancestral reminiscences. Meanwhile, the household adjusts to this change as the father’s monumental scholarly pursuit—a profound and erudite history of human error—begins to be unveiled, revealing a rich panorama of civilisation’s follies and triumphs that both humbles and inspires the young listener.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 3 Chapters 7 and 8

    The Caxtons Part 3 Chapters 7 and 8
    May 11 2026
    In which the tale of a soldier’s painful conflict between paternal love and rigid honour unfolds, revealing a father’s harrowing struggle with his son’s dark descent into crime, set against the somber backdrop of war and justice. And in the quiet aftermath, amidst flickering candlelight and a restless moth, reflections rise on mercy and judgement, pondering the human heart’s delicate balance between condemnation and compassion.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 3 Chapters 5 and 6

    The Caxtons Part 3 Chapters 5 and 6
    May 10 2026
    In which two very dissimilar brothers, one a serene scholar and the other a fiery soldier, embark on a lengthy walk to explore an ancient Roman camp, their contrasting characters illuminated by the pastoral landscape and their mutual affection. Later, gathered round the hearth on a chilly summer evening, the family share light-hearted banter and gentle revelations, setting the stage for a tale from the Captain’s well of poignant memories.
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • The Caxtons Part 3 Chapter 4

    The Caxtons Part 3 Chapter 4
    May 9 2026
    In which the narrator returns to his ancestral home and encounters his uncle Roland, whose gallant politeness to a maidservant reveals a peculiar yet sincere philosophy on family honour and the transmission of noble qualities through the paternal line. A lively debate ensues between uncle and father over the value of ancestral identity, culminating in a reconciliatory breakfast amid the peaceful English countryside, where the clashing virtues of chivalry and industry quietly rest side by side.
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins