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Sleepy History

Cicely Mary Barker

Sleepy History

Slumber Studios

History, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.5878 Ratings

🗓️ 20 April 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Cicely Mary Barker—an artist whose delicate brushstrokes brought the magic of nature to life. Best known for her enchanting Flower Fairies, she blended botanical beauty with whimsical charm, captivating hearts young and old. But who was the woman behind these timeless illustrations, and what inspired her gentle, imaginative world? Tonight, step into Cicely Mary Barker’s life and art, as her story blossoms around you, guiding you into a peaceful sleep. Narrated by: Chloe de Burgh Written by: Jo Steer About Sleepy History  Explore history's most intriguing stories, people, places, events, and mysteries, delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. If you struggle to fall asleep and you have a curious mind, Sleepy History is the perfect bedtime companion. Our stories will gently grasp your attention, pulling your mind away from any racing thoughts, making room for the soothing music and calming narration to guide you into a peaceful sleep.  Want to enjoy Sleepy History ad-free? Start your 7-day free trial of Sleepy History Premium: ⁠⁠⁠https://sleepyhistory.supercast.com/⁠⁠⁠ Have feedback or an episode request? Let us know at: ⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/contact⁠⁠⁠ Sleepy History is a production of Slumber Studios. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠⁠www.slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is Sleepy History.

0:07.0

Sleepy History is a production of Slumber Studios.

0:14.0

To listen ad free, get access to bonus episodes, and support the ongoing production of this show. Check out our premium feed.

0:27.8

This is the sleepy history of Cecily Mary Barker, narrated by Chloe DeBerg, written by Joe Steer.

0:43.2

Do you believe in fairies?

0:46.9

This is a question asked by countless generations of children.

0:53.4

And many of these children, perhaps even you,

0:59.3

first imagined what a fairy might look like

1:02.4

based on the artwork of the English illustrator,

1:07.4

Sicily Mary Barker.

1:16.0

Her flower fairy's books depicting childlike woodland sprites brought joy to post-war England.

1:21.0

They've since been translated into more than 20 languages

1:25.3

and sold more than 7 million copies in just the last decade,

1:31.0

let alone the last hundred years. So just relax and let your mind drift as we explore the sleepy

1:43.6

history of Sicily Mary Barker.

1:47.0

It's 1912, near London, England, and Britain is in its post-war Victorian era.

2:12.9

King George V sits on the throne, the paternal grandson of Queen Victoria.

2:23.4

Much like the British public, the King is reeling from the news of a disaster out at sea.

2:32.7

A luxury British cruise liner, said to be unsinkable, has gone down in the Atlantic

2:40.2

with over 1,600 people on board. As the British public deal with the aftermath of Titanic sinking, a family in Croydon

2:55.6

have their own heartbreak to manage.

3:01.6

Mary Barker has lost her husband, and her two daughters have lost a father. Now, the family must forge a path forward

...

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