2. Puritans

Historian Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.

From criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists, he examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects.

Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.

Now, Dr Justin re-examines the myth that the lives of Puritans were uneventful.

What were their ambitions for social reform and the dream of 'Godly cities'?

Lady Hoby’s diaries are the earliest personal records we have of a gentlewoman's life.

Ignatius Jurdain wanted to make Exeter a "godly city upon a hill".

Reader: Carolyn Jones

Producer: Sarah Taylor

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2003.