Â鶹Éç

Historian Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and, with the help of parish archives and royal state papers, pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.

He examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects, from criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists. Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.

Episode 2: Re-examining the myth that the lives of Puritans were uneventful, Dr Justin Champion investigates their ambitions for social reform and the dream of 'Godly cities'.

Lady Hoby, whose diaries are the earliest personal records we have of a gentlewoman's life; and Ignatius Jurdain, who wanted to make Exeter a "godly city upon a hill".

Reader: Carolyn Jones

Producer: Sarah Taylor

First broadcast on Â鶹Éç Radio 4 in March 2003.