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    History

    Histories of the Unexpected

    Histories of the Unexpected explores the past in ways that you never dreamt possible. Surely there’s nothing unexpected about the past? About History? Aha, well Histories of the Unexpected adopts a new approach to exploring our past. Gone is the traditional linear plotting of battles, monarchs and political movements. Histories of the Unexpected argues that everything has a history, even the most unexpected of subjects. Like SLIME. Or COURAGE. or APPLAUSE…. Presented by Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    Latest Episodes:
    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 24: GENEROSITY! Dec 24, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 24: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..GENEROSITY!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 23: CHRISTMAS 2021! Dec 23, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 23: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..CHRISTMAS 2021!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 22: CHRISTMAS 2018 PART 2! Dec 22, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 22: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about….CHRISTMAS 2018 Part 2.!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 21: CHRISTMAS 2018 Part 1 Dec 21, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 21: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..CHRISTMAS 2018 PART 1!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 20: CHRISTMAS 2016! Dec 20, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 20: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..CHRISTMAS 2016!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 19: WISE MEN! Dec 19, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 19: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..WISE MEN!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 18: SHEPHERDS! Dec 18, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 18: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..SHEPHERDS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 17: BABIES! Dec 17, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 17: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..BABIES!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 16: REINDEER Part 2! Dec 16, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 16: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..REINDEER PART 2!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 15: REINDEER Part 1! Dec 15, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 15: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..REINDEER PART 1!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 14: ELVES! Dec 14, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 14: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..ELVES!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 13: WINGS PART 2 Dec 13, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 13: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..WINGS PART 2!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 12: WINGS PART !! Dec 12, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 12: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..WINGS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 11: DONKEYS! Dec 11, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 11: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..DONKEYS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 10: STARS! Dec 10, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 10: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..STARS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 9: SNOW! Dec 09, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 9: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..SNOW!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 8: CARROTS! Dec 08, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 8: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..CARROTS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 7: OBSCENITY! Dec 07, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 7: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..OBSCENITY!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 6: RIOTS! Dec 06, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 6: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..RIOTS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 5: SPITE! Dec 05, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 5: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..SPITE!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 4: LUCKY FINDS! Dec 04, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 4: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..LUCKY FINDS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 3: SHOES! Dec 03, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 3: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..SHOES!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 2: Evil! Dec 02, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 2: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..EVIL!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Countdown to Christmas 2023: 1: Bad Luck Dec 01, 2023

    In the countdown to Christmas 2023, the Unexpected Christmas elves have been busy preparing a special podcast advent calendar for your delectation, based on their Histories of the Unexpected favourite past episodes. And behind door 1: the Unexpected History of Christmas is all about…..Bad Luck!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BONFIRE NIGHT SPECIAL - RERELEASE of FIRE Nov 05, 2023

    Inspired by Bonfire Night, Sam Willis and James Daybell reexplore the unexpected history of fire. It's all about communicating with fire, propaganda, speeches, hunting, exploring, Captain Cook, arrows, burning barrels, heresy, greed, Zoroastrianism, the rise of Islam, eternal flames, paisley, Dante's Inferno, treachery and Julius Caesar!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2023: Rerelease 4 - FEAR - A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Oct 31, 2023

    In this fourth and final RELEASE for HALLOWEEN 2023, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis discuss the unexpected history of FEAR!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2023: Rerelease 3 - MONSTERS Oct 31, 2023

    In this third RELEASE for HALLOWEEN 2023, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis discuss the unexpected history of MONSTERS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2023: Rerelease 2 - ZOMBIES Oct 31, 2023

    In this second RELEASE for HALLOWEEN 2023, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis discuss the unexpected history of ZOMBIES!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2023: Rerelease 1 - CORPSES Oct 31, 2023

    In this RERELEASED episode for HALLOWEEN 2023, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis try to breathe new life into the unexpected history of CORPSES! Which is all about the eccentric Cornish landowner Sir James Tillie (1645-1713), who demanded that upon his death his body should be tied to a chair facing the River Tamar in a purpose-built mausoleum at Pentillie Castle (and he was to be fed every day!); Viking corpse doors and mortuary practices related to doors; and superstitions to do with bleeding corpses. It's also all about sixteenth- and seventeenth-century burial practices; exhumation, posthumous execution and corpses on the move (via Oliver Cromwell); Thomas Hood's poem, The Death Bed; body farms and swamp men! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PINK! Jul 09, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the UNEXPECTED history of PINK! Which is all about the history of death by duelling in eighteenth-century England (the transition from swords to pistols as the weapon of choice), masculinity and codes of honour. It's also all about elite status in ancien regime Europe, porcelain and female power at the French court, and the marketing of baby clothes in the late 20th century! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SUNSHINE! Jun 19, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis don their shades of history, bag the sun beds by the pool of the past, relax and pontificate on the UNEXPECTED history of SUNSHINE! Which is all about religion and worship of sun deities (via Ra, the falcon-headed Ancient Egyptian sun god, and the tomb of Nefartari in Egypt's the Valley of the Queens!) as well as the history of the suntan (and Little House of the Prairie). It's also all about the military use of the Archimedes heat ray, René Descartes and Isaac Newton, and Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    HOMESICKNESS! Jun 11, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get rather maudlin and nostalgic about the UNEXPECTED history of HOMESICKNESS! Which is all about colonial settlers, the US civil war, nineteenth-century immigration, WW2 and modern childhood in America! It's also all about displacement of Jews during the Holocaust, the kindertransport, recipes and childhood diaries. And it's also all about space travel, sexism, and the history of paternal relationships. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    APOLOGIES! Jun 05, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis prostrate themselves upon the ground and humbly beg forgiveness with the UNEXPECTED history of APOLOGIES! Which is all about British politeness and bumping into people as an experiment; public apologies and historical reconciliation for slavery, the holocaust and atrocities in WW2 (including the Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama 'On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the war's end' (15 August 1995). It's also all about letters of apology, politeness in Tudor England, and drunkenness and Edgar Allan Poe. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RERELEASE: GLOVES! Jun 02, 2023

    RERELEASED for your listening pleasure, one of our favourite episodes from our back catalogue: the unexpected history of GLOVES!


    The gloves are off as the general of generations, Professor James Daybell, and the seadog of centuries, Dr Sam Willis, take us on a rip-roaring ride through the unexpected history of the glove. From the Holy Roman Empire to one of Japan’s most popular sports. Join the intrepid two as they handle with kid gloves, relics of remembrance, challenges to masculinity, weapons of death, signals of availability, and symbols of status. If you thought gloves were just to keep your hands warm, well you might want to consider your next purchase of a pair, or even one, carefully. Now where did I drop that glove…?


    ‘See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

    O, that I were a glove upon that hand,

    That I might touch that cheek!’

    (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2)


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    FRAILTY! Mar 22, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis clutch the walking stick of the past to uncover the UNEXPECTED history of FRAILTY! Which is all about the history of old age, loneliness, well-being and medical history (via the seventeenth-century English diarist Sarah Cowper). It's also all about the history of accidents (falling off things, stumbling and fatalities) and the depiction of disabilities in the margins of medieval manuscripts. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL! Mar 19, 2023

    In honour of mothers around the world, past and present, a rerelease of our episode on the Unexpected History of MOTHERS!


    THE UNEXPECTED HISTORY OF MOTHERS! A boy’s best friend is his mother’ (Norman Bates – Psycho, written and directed by Joseph Stefano and Alfred Hitchcock, 1960). Welcome to Histories of the Unexpected where you will discover the history of things you did not know even had a history, like the history of nonsense or the history of the itch. For this episode let us join the Abbott of historical action, Dr Sam Willis, and the Marconi of long distance historical communication, Professor James Daybell, as they bring forth the unexpected history of mothers.

    Join the very well preserved and embalmed historical adventurers as they take you on a journey of nurturing and sometimes less than tender care, from Freud’s controversially proposed Oedipus complex to the archaeological site of Banpo, China, discovered in 1953, from the Cross of Honour handed out to mothers in Nazi Germany to Stalin’s Order of Maternal Glory, and from the maternal conflict and violence evidenced within the fifteenth-century Paston Letters to the poignant seventeenth-century diary extracts of a worried mother, Lady Anne Clifford.

    Our two old maters discover that this unexpected history is actually all about: conflict and matriarchy, communist theory and shared economies, capitalism and inherited material wealth, legitimisation and state doctrine, propaganda and ideology, tyranny and idealism, cultural conformity and social engineering, knowledge transmission and dissemination, … and ugly babies, which were disliked by Queen Victoria.

    Listen out for James’s own tribute to his mother, and a big Hi! to all mums listening.

    ‘Good mother, do not marry me to yond fool’ (Anne – Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 3, Scene 4, written by William Shakespeare, 1602).


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    WAITING! Mar 16, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis stretch their weary limbs, yawn and check their proverbial watch all in order to unpick the UNEXPECTED history of WAITING! Which is all about industrialisation, boredom and anxiety, and the history of queuing (via Winston Churchill and WW2 and Margaret Thatcher), power in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the history of migration. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    WALLS! Mar 05, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis scale the great heights of the UNEXPECTED history of WALLS! Which is all about ancient Rome (via Ovid's Metamorphoses and Pyramus and Thisbe), Hadrian's Wall, graffiti in Pompeii, and the House of Maius Castricius. It's also all about Medieval Castles and the Crusades, and the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    STRIPES! Mar 02, 2023

    STRIPES!


    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis try on the city slicker pinstripe suits and speculate on the history of STRIPES! Which is all about the Carmelite order, the banning of striped clothing and stripes as a marker of social stigma (via the sartorial garb of the gangster). It's also all about the eighteenth-century maritime world (including Nelson's stocking), stripes as a marketing phenomenon, zebras and patterned cathedrals, as well as about the moving story of concentration camp uniforms. Who knew!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    VALENTINE'S DAY RERELEASE: LOVE! Feb 14, 2023

    Happy Valentine's Day to our listeners! For this episode let us join the Cupid of history, Professor James Daybell and the Casanova of historical crime, Dr Sam Willis as they, with arrows notched and ready to fly, bring you from the back catalogue: the unexpected history of LOVE.

    Our two star crossed history hunters take the lead along love’s fickle twisting and turning path, from the modern phenomenon of attaching inscribed padlocks to public bridges in Paris to the votive offerings made through centuries past, from the tempestuous affair between Peter Abelard and Heloise d’Argenteuil in the 12th century and one of the earliest examples of a love letter to Verona in the 1930s and the beginnings of the ‘Juliette Secretary’s’, from the in-twinned savagery of politics and courtly love of the Tudor period and the poems of Sir Thomas Wyatt to Stalin and the Soviet state and the poignant last letters of those condemned to death, and from the letters of Sir Edward Dering to his ‘dearest and best friend’ his beloved wife Unton in the mid fifteenth century to the earliest recorded English valentine letter from the Paston papers, written in 1477, love is most definitely all around.

    Knowing no bounds and conquering all, Sam and James discover that this unexpected history is actually all about; affection and romance, family and companionship, cultural expression and interpretation, attraction and biology, chemistry and psychology, endurance and expectations, security and commitment, permanence and loss, betrayal and sacrifice, intimacy and passion.

    “Farewell love and all thy laws forever;

    Thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more” (Sir Thomas Wyatt, 1557)


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    FISH! Feb 06, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis don the waders, bait the hook of history and cast out to land the unexpected history of FISH! Which is all about the fascinating history of cod (via the Vikings and Mr Birds Eye), it's about Samuel Pepys, the Royal Society, Sir Isaac Newton and Willughby and Ray’s exceptionally unsuccessful De Historia Piscium (The History of Fishes). It's also all about the History of Fish and Chips, fly fishing and feathers stolen from historic birds, and marlin fishing off the coast of Australia. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    ROBOTS! Jan 30, 2023

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all mechanised and programme the unexpected history of ROBOTS! Which is all about AI and the rise of ChatGPT, popular culture, science fiction and imagining good and bad machines (think C3PO, R2D2 and Metal Mickey). It's also all about the Brazen Head automaton and the late medieval polymath Roget Bacon, via Robert Greene's Elizabethan play, Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (c.1590), as well as the Industrial Revolution, dancing bears and mechanical automata. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RERELEASE: Christmas Microhistory 1: Bad Luck! Dec 21, 2022

    In this RERELEASE episode from the archive the Histories of the Unexpected team explain how the history of Christmas is actually all about BAD LUCK - Who Knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RERELEASE: SNOW! Dec 17, 2022

    In this latest RERELEASED episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis don their most Artic-like winter wear to track down the extraordinarily unexpected history of SNOW! A festive taster for all our listeners! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    THE NUMBER 50! Dec 16, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis take stock of half a century (in honour of the Daybell's milestone Birthday!) to unwrap the extraordinarily unexpected history of THE NUMBER 50! Which is all about models of how we interpret the past, the headlines on 3 December 1972, and the remarkable meanings and symbolisms of the number 50!! It's also about the fascinating history of the £50 bank note, and the notion of historical figures on the back of legal tender. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SPOTS! Dec 05, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis pinch the historical pus out of the extraordinarily unexpected history of SPOTS! Which is all about female beauty and false advertising in the nineteenth century in the United States of America, and the strangely titled Arsenic Wafers, which it was advertised were entirely safe and ensured a blemish free complexion. It's also all about the Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4, and the history of acne, teenagers and dermatology!! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    FOXES! Dec 01, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis shout TALLY HO! and follow the historical scent of the extraordinarily unexpected history of FOXES! Which has nothing whatsoever to do with fox-hunting, but is in fact all about the remarkable sport of fox-tossing (as well as aerial golf!), and Basil Brush and the history of British light entertainment. It's also all about Operation Fantasia in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour when the Office of Strategic Service (America’s wartime intelligence agency) experimented with psychological warfare against the Japanese based on Shinto kitsune, or fox-shaped spirits with magical abilities. And it's also all about stuffed foxes (and/or wolves) in museums; Aesop's Fables and the story of the fox and the grapes, and the board game Fox and Geese. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SECRETS! Nov 25, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all hush, hush (we'd love to tell you, but then we'd have to kill you....) about the extraordinarily unexpected history of SECRETS! Which is all about Elizabethan Catholics, recusancy laws and priest holes (and a recent adventure at the wonderful Harvington Hall); it's about secret codes and ciphers, and the practice of hiding sweaty gloves in chimneys to deter malign spirits. It's also all about D-Day and operations in WW2, misogynistic attitudes in the past of women not being able to keep secrets, and Charles Swynnerton's Indian Nights' Entertainment; or, Folk-Tales from the Upper Indus. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BEARS! Nov 18, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis tackle the extraordinarily unexpected history of BEARS! It's not all about Teddy Bears - Paddington, Winnie-the-Pooh and Rupert bear - in fact it's all about bear attacks and how to avoid them; keep bears at pets (via Lord Byron). It's also all about accidents and bear-baiting in Shakespearean England, and travel. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    MUMBLING! Nov 12, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis tackle the extraordinarily unexpected history of MUMBLING! Yes! It does have a history, and this one takes us back to the basics of the concept of histories of the unexpected, which is the historical equivalent of rambling around the past like a bull in a historical china shop. Mumbling is all about historical definitions and talking with your mouth full; it's about 90s rap phenomenon, mumble rap; linguistic compression trips and the history of colour, as well as Rocky Balboa and Marlon Brando's Don Corleone in The Godfather. It's also all about speaking in tongues, and the great vowel shift and mass migrations! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    OLD AGE! Nov 10, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the fascinating and remarkably unexpected history of OLD AGE! Which is all about being rude about old people and the gendering of the muff, via William Hogarth's 1746 etching 'A Taste of the High Life' and Piercy Roberts ‘Comfort for an Old Maid’. It's also all about intergenerational oral history projects between school pupils and residents in car homes, the history of isolation and loneliness; the photograph and William Turner's famous painting The Fighting Temeraire! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    IDIOTS Nov 03, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis try to take very seriously indeed the unexpected history of IDIOTS! Which is all about the current disarray in British politics (the kamikaze budget) and the concept of the useful idiot - or a person who is duped into acting for a cause without properly knowing what they're doing - a la Tory party recklessness via Vladimir Lenin. It's also all about the incredibly important field of disability history and the idea of the 'disabled' mind and the curious case of Miss Fanny Fust; the history of the dunce and childhood teasing! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2022: Rerelease 4 - FEAR - A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Oct 31, 2022

    In this fourth and final RELEASE for HALLOWEEN 2022, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis discuss the unexpected history of FEAR!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2022: Rerelease 3 - MONSTERS Oct 31, 2022

    In this third RELEASE for HALLOWEEN 2022, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis discuss the unexpected history of MONSTERS!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Halloween 2022: Rerelease 2 - ZOMBIES Oct 31, 2022

    In this second RELEASE for HALLOWEEN 2022, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis discuss the unexpected history of ZOMBIES!

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    Halloween 2022: Rerelease 1 - CORPSES Oct 31, 2022

    In this RERELEASED episode for HALLOWEEN 2022, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis try to breathe new life into the unexpected history of CORPSES! Which is all about the eccentric Cornish landowner Sir James Tillie (1645-1713), who demanded that upon his death his body should be tied to a chair facing the River Tamar in a purpose-built mausoleum at Pentillie Castle (and he was to be fed every day!); Viking corpse doors and mortuary practices related to doors; and superstitions to do with bleeding corpses. It's also all about sixteenth- and seventeenth-century burial practices; exhumation, posthumous execution and corpses on the move (via Oliver Cromwell); Thomas Hood's poem, The Death Bed; body farms and swamp men! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    REUNIONS! Oct 07, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis wander down memory lane and bump into old friends in this reminiscence about the unexpected history of REUNIONS! Which is inspired by James's recent gaudy at his old college, and is in fact all about the history of fine dining, pomp and ceremony in twentieth-century Oxford University; it's black family reunions after the abolition of slavery in the United States of America, and the reunion of loved ones after the Second World War. It's also all about the Fujian Tulou (large earthen buildings that housed an entire family clan) in South East China, and the growth of family genealogy in the US around the Civil War. Who knew?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BOARDGAMES! Oct 07, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis unpack the box, set up the pieces and roll the dice of history to play around with the unexpected history of BOARDGAMES! Which is all about POW camps during WW2, portability and the Vasa Warship, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628; it's about Hadrian's wall and chess as a way of look at a cultural history of the world, via the British Museum's Lewis Chessmen. It's also all about the history of game playing, the symbolism of backgammon and Arabic Biographer Ibn Khalikan (1211-82) and the mysterious world of Dungeons and Dragons. Who knew?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    FAME! Sep 15, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis are inspired by having just watched a fantastic new film on Netflix called I Used to be Famous, so much so that we have done a whole episode based around it on the unexpected history of FAME! Which is all about the phenomenon of celebrity, and the changed fortunes of the famous from Ancient Rome, through P.T. Barnam to the Beetles and Elvis, and the rise of boybands . It's also all about the fall from power, as in the cases of Sir Walter Ralegh and Mussolini, as well as recycling in Ancient Rome and the erasure of political has-beens from the face of the imperial city. Who knew

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    BUCKETS Sep 15, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis head down to the beach of history and dig into the unexpected history of BUCKETS! Which is all the history of seaside holidays, sandcastles, childhood pastimes and sand eels. It's also all about the Great Fire of London in 1666 (via seventeenth-century fire buckets); Roman and medieval situlas and religious ceremonies, as well as alum collecting, urine and the history of leather - which of course is all about GLOVES, GLOVES, GLOVES! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RERELEASE: SHARKS - THE RETURN! Aug 01, 2022

    In this bonus episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take a FURTHER MEATY bite out of the UTTERLY BIZARRE history of SHARKS! Which is all about power and status in ancient China, Pompeii, education, irrational fear, the Spanish Americas in the sixteenth century, and much much more….

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    RERELEASE: SHARKS! Aug 01, 2022

    Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take another bite out of the frankly fascinating history of SHARKS! Which is all about power and status in ancient China, Pompeii, education, irrational fear, the Spanish Americas in the sixteenth century, and much much more….

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    JEWELLERY! Aug 01, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis don the bling of the past to explore the unexpected history of JEWELLERY! Which is all about amulets, magical powers and animal protection (via native Americans, Tudor caul lockets and unicorn horns) and eighteenth-century lockets. It's also all about the Mughals, courtesans and female power, the Queen's jewels and the Cullinan Diamond! Who knew!

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    TENTS! Jul 27, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis head outdoors and pitch camp in order to savour the unexpected history of TENTS! Which is all about ancient Rome and the Dacian campaign recorded on Trajan’s Column in Rome, the Industrial Revolution, nomadism, and the American Civil War. It's also all about Tudor glamping, Henry VIII and the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and Roald Amundsen and the journeying to the South Pole (and the current location of his expedition, the Fram)! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DISBELIEF! Jul 11, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis scratch their collective heads really hard and blink their collective eyes many times to grabble with befuddlement the unexpected history of DISBELIEF! Which is all about abortion rights and the overturning of Roe Verses Wade by the US Supreme Court; it's about the first use of poisoned gas in the trenches and first-hand witness accounts of people not being able to believe their eyes; and it's also about atheism and disbelief in god in the past. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PASTIES! Jul 09, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis carefully roll out the pastry of the past, fill it with meat of memory and tuck in to devour the unexpected history of PASTIES! Which is all about Cornish diaspora (via Michigan, Australia and elsewhere around the globe where this tasty foodstuff has travelled), myth busting, and 3D scanning and printing of one of the last pasties that a Plymouth woman ever made! It's also all about Tudor recipes passed down the generations, and a material reading of a radical pasty recipe! Yes, you heard it here - a radical pasty recipe! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    FOOTSTEPS! Jul 06, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis walk very carefully down the pathway of the past to stumble upon the unexpected history of FOOTSTEPS! Which is all about Roman civilisation, animal prints frozen in time, and treading in the footsteps of the past! It's also all about the history of religion, pilgrims and pilgrimages, and the religious routes mapped across the world from ancient times to the present. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BUNTING! Jun 23, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis bring out the paper plates and plastic cups and reach into the decorations box of the past to celebrate in jubilant fashion the unexpected history of BUNTING! Which is all about celebrations, pageantry and of course the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! It’s also all about pennants and naval history, southern pride and the making of the US flag! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    STREET PARTIES! Jun 23, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis bring out the paper plates and plastic cups of the past to celebrate in jubilant fashion the unexpected history of STREET PARTIES! Which is all about celebrations, peace, the coming together of communities and of course the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! It’s also all about town planning, block parties, riots and protests against Vietnam in 1969 during the Mifflin Street Block Party in Madison Wisconsin! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    KETCHUP! Jun 16, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis tip of the condiment bottle of the past and pour out the unexpected history of KETCHUP! Which is all about eighteenth-century housewives, cookery and medicine; it's about crime and poisoning and Jonathan Swift's poetry! It’s also all about US nationalism, geopolitics and trade wars (including McDonalds pulling out of Russia in 2022), spaghetti westerns, and who could forget Mr Henry J. Heinz! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BANANAS! May 26, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis peel back the layers to uncover the unexpected history of BANANAS! Which is all the quest for the lost perfect tasting banana, the development of the Cavendish banana at Chatsworth House, and the first time a banana appeared in a British shop window! It’s also all banana republics, colonialism and the United Fruit Company and the 1928 Columbian massacre of workers, and the 1954 coup that saw the overthrow of the democratically elected president of Guatemala Jacobo Árbenz! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    THE THUMB! May 23, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis inspired by real life events uncover the unexpected history of THE THUMB! Which is all torture, extraction of confessions and leaning on people (via slave owners, witches, the Gestapo, mobsters and early modern Scotland), and gladiatorial combat! It’s also all about hitchhiking, hand gestures and the folklore tale of Tom Thumb and Charles Sherwood Stratton, AKA "General Tom Thumb" the US stage performer discovered by P.T. Barnum,! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    MONKEYS! May 15, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis swing through the trees of the past to uncover the unexpected history of MONKEYS! Which is all Shakespeare and the infinite monkey theorem, monkeys (and dogs!) in space, and Dutch art! It’s also all about the history of racism and ancient Egypt! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ribbons: Homeschooling Georgian and Victorian Orphans Apr 30, 2022

    James and Sam tackle the humbling history of RIBBONS! From the use of ribbons for commemoration, mourning, decoration and gifting, Sam and James rampage around history of ribbons before settling on the tragic history of the eighteenth-century Foundling Hospital, established by the philanthropist Thomas Coram (c. 1668-1751), the plight of Georgian and Victorian children parted from their mothers, the tokens left to identify the 'foundlings', and the social problems connected with the Industrial Revolution. Who knew?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    CORRIDORS! Apr 30, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis explore the UNEXPECTED history of CORRIDORS! Which is all about the history of humanitarian corridors, it's about Victorian hierarchy, French social planning, madness, crime and social control, and the anti-corridic (yes, that is a term!) world of the open space. It is also all about diplomacy and corridors of power (via C.P. Snow), as well as war and new corridors! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RERELEASE: MOTHERS! Mar 27, 2022

    RE-RELEASE: THE UNEXPECTED HISTORY OF MOTHERS! A boy’s best friend is his mother’ (Norman Bates – Psycho, written and directed by Joseph Stefano and Alfred Hitchcock, 1960). Welcome to Histories of the Unexpected where you will discover the history of things you did not know even had a history, like the history of nonsense or the history of the itch. For this episode let us join the Abbott of historical action, Dr Sam Willis, and the Marconi of long distance historical communication, Professor James Daybell, as they bring forth the unexpected history of mothers.

    Join the very well preserved and embalmed historical adventurers as they take you on a journey of nurturing and sometimes less than tender care, from Freud’s controversially proposed Oedipus complex to the archaeological site of Banpo, China, discovered in 1953, from the Cross of Honour handed out to mothers in Nazi Germany to Stalin’s Order of Maternal Glory, and from the maternal conflict and violence evidenced within the fifteenth-century Paston Letters to the poignant seventeenth-century diary extracts of a worried mother, Lady Anne Clifford.

    Our two old maters discover that this unexpected history is actually all about: conflict and matriarchy, communist theory and shared economies, capitalism and inherited material wealth, legitimisation and state doctrine, propaganda and ideology, tyranny and idealism, cultural conformity and social engineering, knowledge transmission and dissemination, … and ugly babies, which were disliked by Queen Victoria.

    Listen out for James’s own tribute to his mother, and a big Hi! to all mums listening.

    ‘Good mother, do not marry me to yond fool’ (Anne – Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 3, Scene 4, written by William Shakespeare, 1602).


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    HUNGER! Mar 26, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis explore the UNEXPECTED history of HUNGER! Which is all about the history of free school meals (which meanders from the 1941 free school meals policy via 'Maggie Thatcher Milk Snatcher' to Marcus Rashford and Jamie Oliver in more modern history) and Ernesto Che Guevara's Motorcycle Diaries. It is also all about famine and ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu, hungry ghosts and hunger strike in Northern Ireland during the Troubles! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    FAREWELLS! Mar 24, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis bid a heartfelt goodbye to the UNEXPECTED history of FAREWELLS! Which is all about the history of separation, WWI and the trenches, letters to loved ones thrown from a train in a matchbox, and love letters to the dead in sixteenth-century Korea. It is also all about unexpected history of ancient tombs, travel and shipwrecks! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SURPRISE! Mar 04, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis hide behind the hedge of the past and jump out with the UNEXPECTED history of SURPRISES! Which is all about the history of Jack-in-the-Boxes, the remarkable finds uncovered by the archaeological excavations of Britain’s stone age culture at Orkney's Ness of Brodgar, the Schifferstadt gold hat, and ambushes and surprise attacks (including the Trojan Horse). It is also all about unexpected political victories and surprise election votes, ghosts and booing out! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    THIRST! Mar 02, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis take a deep drink from the glass of the past to deliver to you the UNEXPECTED history of THIRST! Which is all about the history of California and access to water, and a global history of drinking water. It is also about the Pablo Valencia's extraordinary trek through the Arizona desert and the scientific study of dehydration; the history of teetotalism, and the discovery of five crates of liquor under Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic hut and historical cocktails! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BRAVERY Feb 28, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis humbly and in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine explored the unexpected History of BRAVERY!

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    HOUSES! Feb 20, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis walk down the garden path of history and through the front door of the past to move into the UNEXPECTED history of HOUSES! Which is all about those Cambridge Regius Professors J.B. Bury and G.R. Elton on the building blocks of history (of course it is - it's about the Houses of History); it's about the discovery of secret rooms in Devon, priest holes, hiding places and Catholicism in Elizabethan England; domestic. architecture and family life (via Frank Lloyd Wright). It is also about the Great Fire of London of 1666; seating arrangements and rules in the House of Lords; and cleanliness and the rise of domesticity. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    HELPING OUT: HOMESCHOOLING WWI ON THE HOME FRONT! Feb 18, 2022

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of HELPING OUT. From discussions of charity, philanthropy, the foundation of Barnardo's, the Kindertransport and WWII, and giving and much, much more, James and Sam rampage around history of helping out before settling on the fascinating history of WWI and the Home Front. The episode gives important background on the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) of 1914, before looking at how people could help out the war effort (including discussions of charities, war bonds and women's work), before dealing with the increased production of munitions. As always, there is a quiz at the end, and a writing task, based on the role of women during the Great War.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    CORPSES! Feb 15, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis try to breathe new life into the unexpected history of CORPSES! Which is all about the eccentric Cornish landowner Sir James Tillie (1645-1713), who demanded that upon his death his body should be tied to a chair facing the River Tamar in a purpose-built mausoleum at Pentillie Castle (and he was to be fed every day!); Viking corpse doors and mortuary practices related to doors; and superstitions to do with bleeding corpses. It's also all about sixteenth- and seventeenth-century burial practices; exhumation, posthumous execution and corpses on the move (via Oliver Cromwell); Thomas Hood's poem, The Death Bed; body farms and swamp men! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RED! Feb 13, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all romantic with a St Valentine's Day special on the history of gthe colour RED! Which is all about romance and the history of emotions, via Macbeth and blood, early cinema and technicolour, and superstitions about red hair and red thread. It is also about the history of race, ethnography and native American peoples, favourite colours and of course Judas Iscariot. Who knew! It's also of course about the Robert Burn's poem A Red, Red, Rose:


    O my Luve is like a red, red rose

    That’s newly sprung in June;

    O my Luve is like the melody

    That’s sweetly played in tune.


    So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

    So deep in luve am I;

    And I will luve thee still, my dear,

    Till a’ the seas gang dry.


    Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,

    And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;

    I will love thee still, my dear,

    While the sands o’ life shall run.


    And fare thee weel, my only luve!

    And fare thee weel awhile!

    And I will come again, my luve,

    Though it were ten thousand mile.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DIVORCE: Homeschooling Henry VIII, The King's Great Matter and the Break with Rome Feb 11, 2022

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of DIVORCE. From discussions of the early history of divorce, the 1857 Matrimonial Causes Act, the scandalous Argyll divorce of the 1960s and much, much more, James and Sam rampage around history of divorce before settling on the fascinating history of Henry VIII, The King's Great Matter, and the Break with Rome. The episode gives important background on Henry' VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, the roles played by Wolsey, Cromwell and Cranmer, before analysing the Reformation Parliament and the break with Rome. As always, there is a quiz at the end, and a writing task, based on Reformation Parliament.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    THE FLEA! Feb 11, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis do more than scratch the surface of the unexpected history of THE FLEA! Which is all about Victorian miniature dressed fleas and Mexican cultural traditions, real life flea circus's, and the English Renaissance poet, John Donne's influence on WWI poetry. It's also all about the movement of disease and the plague! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BEES! Feb 04, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis buzz around and sting you with the unexpected history of BEES! Which is all about medieval beekeeping, bees wax candles and changes in religious practices; as well as the superstitious practice of 'telling the bees', whereby individuals informed the bees of births and deaths in the family to prevent bad luck! It's also all about the usefulness of bees in medieval Muscovy! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    STAIRCASES! Feb 02, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis taking the winding stair of history to explore the unexpected history of STAIRCASES! Which is all about medieval castles, Victorian houses, the development (absence) and taxonomy of staircases (including spiral stairs), and Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It's also all about the fabulous Tulip Staircase at the Queen's House in Greenwich, Inigo Jones, Queen Anne (or Anna) of Denmark, Henrietta Maria and court politics; the staircase hall at Powderham Castle in Devon (as seen in the Anthony Hopkins film Remains of the Day), heritage and accessibility; as well as staircases in the Forbidden City in Ming China. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    REVENGE: Homeschooling the Wars of the Roses and the Battle of St Albans Jan 29, 2022

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of REVENGE. From discussions of revenge in the corridors of power at 10 Downing Street to Anglo Saxon Blood Feud, and Mafia Vendettas, James and Sam rampage around history of revenge before settling on the fascinating history of the Wars of the Roses and the Battle of St Albans. The episode gives important background on the causes of the Wars of the Roses, its distinct phases and personalities, before analysing the Battle of St Albans in detail. As always, there is a quiz at the end, and a writing task, based on the Wars of the Roes

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    VOLCANOES! Jan 28, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis erupt forth with the unexpected history of VOLCANOES! Which is all about world-changing volcanic eruptions that have shaped human history (like.... the eruption of the Okmok volcano in 43 B.C. which possibly led not only to the fall of the Roman Republic but also to the rise of the Roman Empire); Munch's The Scream; literary depictions (via mary Shelley's Frankenstein) and Victorian disaster narratives. It's also all about the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 and the first global media event in history; and it's about archaeological technological developments of recovering decayed human bodies, as well as reconstructing the history of food and drink in ancient Pompeii! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DOGS! Jan 27, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis take you all for a long country walk to exercise the unexpected history of DOGS! Which is all about Tudor gifts and Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and sporting pastimes, and Mary Queen of Scots' lapdog; it's about the 1796 Dog Tax, and the attempt to contain dogs in 1738 in Edinburgh in the face of a rabies outbreak; and also about the history of guide dogs via Herculaneum and Charles Dickens. It's also all about personal histories and memories of beloved childhood pets; monstrous dogs and the Beast of Gévaudan; and Titian and Rembrandt! Woof woof!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PYJAMAS! Jan 22, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis unpack the unexpected history of PYJAMAS! Which is all about festive Christmas family traditions (yes, you've guessed it - matching family Christmas pyjamas), it's about the pre-history of the pyjamas in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the diary of Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire on London. It's also all about Robert Louis Stevenson and pilots in pyjamas! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DINOSAURS! Jan 21, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the fossilised remains of the past with unexpected history of DINOSAURS! Which in addition to being all about the Tyrannosaurus Rex or T-Rex, the stegosaurus and diplodocus and more is in fact all about Charles Dickens and Bleak House, which contains the brilliant lines: 'would not be wonderful to meet a Megalosaurus, forty feet long or so, waddling like an elephantine lizard up Holborn Hill'. It's all about Natural History Museums, Sir Richard Owen, misbehaving and the invention of the dinosaur. It's about dinosaur eggs, families and upbringing and scientific research into the history of colour, and having dinner in gigantic sculptures of prehistoric beasts! It's also all about literary and cinematic representations, via Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 classic The Lost World. Who knew!

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    RESOLUTIONS! Jan 20, 2022

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis wish listeners a HAPPY NEW YEAR with the unexpected history of RESOLUTIONS! Which is all about leafing through old notebooks, spiritual purity and self-improvement, and self-denial; sobriety, John Wesley and English Methodism; it's about power in Tudor England, paranoia, Victorian failure and medieval shoe throwing and jumping beans. It's also all about diplomacy, international agreements and the United Nations. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    GENEROSITY! Dec 24, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive ONE MORE TIME and inspired by the Christmas Story offer another Christmas special on the unexpected history of GENEROSITY! Which is all about the history of gift-giving and the change from Christmas being an adult affair, to one being centred on children and the family from the Victorian period onwards; Sam's favourite psychological experiment, the Ultimatum Games, King Henry VI of England, and Roman charity. It's also all about the saving of the lost literary treasures contained in The Honresfield library (which contains precious manuscripts by the Brontës, Austen, Walter Scott and Robert Burns), the collecting of Shakespeare texts by Henry Clay Folger and the foundation of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C.! Who knew!

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    WISE MEN! Dec 22, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive ONE MORE TIME and inspired by the Christmas Story offer another Christmas special on the unexpected history of WISE MEN! Which is all about Christina Rossetti's 'A Christmas Carol', T.S. Eliot's 'The Journey of the Magi', as well as gestures of deference, Kowtowing in China and nineteenth- and twentieth-century world diplomacy! It's also all about John Dee's mirror, and the stunning 8th-century Franks Casket at the British Museum, and the history of costume! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BABIES! Dec 18, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive ONE MORE TIME and inspired by the Christmas Story offer another Christmas special on the unexpected history of BABIES! Which is all about fictional round robins and David Sedaris, literary depictions of the nativity via John Donne, Christina Rossetti, G.K. Chesterton and John Milton. ! It's also all about the abandonment and persecution of babies, and the material culture of birth and early childhood: from birthing chairs, high chairs and rattles, to portraits and wooden dolls, via wolves teeth and magical amulets! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    ELVES! Dec 15, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive again and offer yet another Christmas special on the unexpected history of ELVES! Which is all about Louisa May Alcott, and unpublished novels, Swedish and Danish folklore, and the Yule Goat! It's also all about David Sedaris and working in Macy's Department Store in New York City at Christmas time (including manning the 'Vomit Corner!'), J.R.R. Tolkein, medieval literature and his friendship with C.S. Lewis! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    STARS! Dec 15, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive again and offer another Christmas special on the unexpected history of STARS! Which is all about celestial navigation, walking at night, being guided by the stars, telling the time, and predicting the weather; and a 7th-century Chinese star chart and political power in Ancient China! It's also all about the history of Star Wars and the death star, and the symbolism of stars! Oh yes, and it's all about the Christmas nativity and the Star of Bethlehem! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SHEPHERDS! Dec 12, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive again and offer another Christmas special on the unexpected history of SHEPHERDS! Which is all about costume and social status, shepherd's staves and the link with bishops' croziers (hooked pastoral staffs of office), Christian pastoral care, and the German Reformation! It's also all about Christmas carols in the eighteenth century, medieval mountain life, heresy and the Inquisition, and oral histories of post-WW2 nativities. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DONKEYS! Dec 10, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive again and offer another Christmas special on the unexpected history of DONKEYS! Which is all about A.A. Milne, Eeyore and the history of gloom, WWI and military transportation, nativities and childhood memories! It's also all about the cheesy Italian-American Christmas song, Dominick the Donkey, the architecture of medieval cities, and of course the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and dragons at the birth of Jesus! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    CHRISTMAS 2021! Dec 07, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all festive and offer for your delectation for this 2021 yuletide season an episode on the unexpected history of CHRISTMAS! Which is all about neolithic mince pies found at Stonehenge, Charles Dickens, selling Christmas Carol, and expensive first edition books; its also all about markets, theft, the history of emotions, festive feasts, shopping lists and spices in the reign of Henry VIII, and Christmas dinners in a can! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SQUID! Dec 04, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis are inspired yet again by the blockbuster Netflix drama series Squid Game and plumb the depths in search of the unexpected history of SQUID! Which is all about H.G. Wells, 'The Sea Raiders' and Ladram Bay in Devon - walk there if you dare! It's about Archie the Giant Squid at the Natural History Museum in London, zoological specimens, cataloguing and the archaeology of knowledge; it's about tales of sea monsters from the deep and fossilized ink that is more than 160 million years old, and of course fossil-hunter extraordinaire, Mary Anning. It's also all about the history of perfume, and odours from the past! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DEBT! Dec 02, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis are inspired by the blockbuster Netflix drama series Squid Game and dig deep into their pockets to discuss the unexpected history of DEBT! Which is all about the age of American Independence and character, morality and charity, debtors prisoner, the law and punishment (via Charles Dickens). It's about genealogy and discovering skeletons in closets (debtors in your family tree), economic bubbles (including the South Sea Bubble, and Tulipmania), King Croesus, tally sticks and the Roman views of ethics on the acquisition of art! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rain! Nov 11, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis run for cover to discuss the unexpected history of RAIN! Which is all about superstitions, rain-making, rain dances and prayers for rain, Jonathan Swift and the etymology of 'It's raining cats and dogs', Hollywood rain scenes in Singing in the Rain, the sixteenth-century Spanish explorer, Francisco de Orellana, Alexander von Humboldt and the Americas, WWI and the trenches, and much much more. Oh yes, and of course, COP26!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    COWBOYS! Nov 02, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get inspired by the Jeymes Samuel film The Harder They Fall and uncover the unexpected history of COWBOYS! Which is all about black cowboys in the Wild West, Gunslingers, medieval chivalry and the duel; Victorian honour codes, and much much more!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SKIN! Oct 30, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of SKIN! Which is all about the history of love and beauty, seduction and eroticism; it's about the skin as a canvas onto which society imprinted itself (tattoos, scars, markings), colour, race and identity; it's also about protection; and the consumption of skins (fur and leather); and it's also about HALLOWEEN via books bound in human skins and witches and amniotic membranes and love spells! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Leaves! Oct 10, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of LEAVES! Which is all about agent orange and the Vietnam War, good luck, four-leaf clovers, superstition and nettle-eating, Christmas and what to do with festive foliage, and leaf-peeping in modern day New England! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dolls! Oct 08, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of DOLLS! Which is all about seventeenth- and eighteenth-century fashions, the history of Barbie, twentieth-century consumerism and patriarchy, Lord and Lady Clapham and the Victoria and Albert Museum and Victorian Automatons! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cousins! Oct 05, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of COUSINS! Which is all about Samuel Pepys, money-lending and pomposity, prohibited marriages, Lydia and Samuel DuGard and seventeenth-century love! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Gin! Sep 27, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of GIN! Which is all about dutch courage, crime in the eighteenth century, addictive architecture, liquid poison, female drinkers and of course William Hogarth! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Embarrassment! Sep 20, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of EMBARRASSMENT! Which is all about the science of blushing, Charles Darwin, politeness and cultural taboos, social humiliation, Nazi Germany and cultures of shaming! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chaos! Sep 18, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of CHAOS! Which is all about Lady Jane Grey and Mary I, the Cultural Revolution in China, the science of unpredictability, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, lawless hours and days, social anarchy and Lords of Misrule! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trust! Sep 17, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of TRUST! Which is all about seventeenth-century Dutch merchants, atrocities against First Nations, Inuit and Métis children in Canada, the Stolen Generations in Australia and the extension of credit and trade networks! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Switches Sep 10, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of SWITCHES! Which is all about cheating death, switching on Christmas lights and the history of celebrity, and the nuclear button via WW2 and the Cuban Missile Crisis! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sheds Sep 03, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of SHEDS! Which is all about the Grade II listed Devon-based writing hut of Henry Williamson (he of Tarka the Otter fame), Roald Dahl, Dylan Thomas, J.K. Rowling, Mark Twain, George Bernard Shaw, the American naturalist and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau and Walden Pond. It's also all about boys toys, men's sheds, a room of his own, and men's sheds or community sheds in modern-day Australia! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Distance! Sep 01, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of DISTANCE! Which is all about Renaissance letter-writing, the Kentish knight, politician and antiquary Sir Edward Dering and his third wife Lady Unton Dering, Roman Vindolanda, Puritans in New England, loneliness and isolation, the Atlantic, communication and postal systems, medieval villages and the history of mountains. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Bottom Jul 23, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of THE BOTTOM! Which is all about fashion and femininity and masculinity, political protest, cycling technology, the Reformation, political protest and the invention of comfort! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Puppies! Jul 17, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of PUPPIES! Which is all about family blackmail, breeding and the Victorian quest for pedigree perfection, Renaissance portraits, the rise of the pet, theft and poverty! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Reading! Jul 17, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of READING! Which is all about Renaissance book wheels, medieval reading aloud, bibles, sending letters and the concept of privacy, reading glasses, secrecy and codes and snooping! Who knew!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Contempt! Jul 17, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of CONTEMPT! Which is all about William McMahon and Australian politics (courtesy of a superstar listener!), eighteenth-century rebukes, facial expressions, unrequited love, William Shakespeare and Sir Philip Sidney. Who knew!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DANGER! Jul 02, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of DANGER! Which is all about accidents in Tudor England, accident-prone children, the history of health and safety and the industrial revolution, stunt performers, Harold Lloyd and early cinema. It's also all about lion-taming and the history of bear attacks! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Jam! Jul 01, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis invite you all to indulge your sweet teeth with the unexpected history of JAM! Which is all about WW2, rationing and the Women's Institute (think Jam and Jerusalem); it's also all about seventeenth century recipes, empire, sugar, colonial trade and slavery! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Teenagers! Jun 25, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of TEENAGERS! Which is all about the lost generation in China during the Cultural Revolution and oral history, teenagers bedrooms and anthropology, twentieth-century US pop culture and high schools. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cliques! Jun 21, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis invite you all to join them in uncovering the unexpected history of CLIQUES! Which is all about factions at the court of Henry VIII, and the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, the Cabal Ministry of Charles II, and the magic circle (including a magic teapot that will produce any beverage that you like!) It's also all about twentieth-century US pop culture and high schools, conspiracy theories and the French Revolution. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Greed! Jun 18, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the utterly fascinating and genuinely unexpected history of GREED! Which is all about the seven deadly sins and Dante's Divine Comedy, Francis Bacon's Essay 'Of Riches', it's about feasting and Christmas at the court of Henry VIII, and the history of eating competitions! It's also all about Bernard Mandeville and bees, coffee drinking and Balzac. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Poison! Jun 11, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the utterly fascinating and genuinely unexpected history of POISON! Which is all about eighteenth-century shopkeepers, assassination attempts on Queen Elizabeth I, Roman women, and the history of Bread! It's also all about Venice and powdered diamonds, weedkiller and the history of horticulture! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Honesty! May 24, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the historical truth of the unexpected history of HONESTY! Which is all about Abraham Lincoln (Honest Abe) and shopkeeping, oath taking and the bible, US presidents (Franklin D. Roosevelt, Barack Obama and Joe Biden) and swearing in ceremonies, and honesty among schoolchildren! It's also all about truth serum, Pinnochio and George Washington! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Anxiety! May 18, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the nail-bitingly unexpected history of ANXIETY! Which is all about phobias, anxious masculinity and seventeenth-century patriarchy, separation anxiety, Freud and the London Foundling Hospital! It's also all about Elizabeth I and her famous Tide letter to Mary I (replete with manuscript hatchings!), the cold war and anxiety about the economy, werewolves, and sharks! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Smugness! May 10, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis with knowing smirks all over their self-satisfied faces uncover the unexpected history of SMUGNESS! Which is all about toxic insults, contemporary politics and the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID jab, the myth of the over-confident Icarus (he of the melting wings, depicted by Pieter Bruegel the Elder as pair of legs poking out of the sea), as well as about Schadenfreude, the joy of having someone's smugness punctured! It's also all about Napoleon (of course it is!), Nelson, Siegfried Sassoon's 'Suicide in the Trenches' and the horrors of trench warfare during WWI and the history of scrumping. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Grandparents! May 05, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis uncover the unexpected history of GRANDPARENTS! Which is all about oral history, WW2 and sociability during lockdown, as well as twentieth-century New Zealand, memory and identity, national grandparents day, Elizabeth Freke and the tragic death of a grandson! It's also all about monarch's grandfathers, Chinese relatives as well as James Daybell's great, great, great, great, great.......great, great, great.....grandparents and the Norman Conquest. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cards! Apr 26, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis shuffle the decks of history to deal us the unexpected history of CARDS! Which is all about The Prize Papers of the High Court of Admiralty, annotations, seventeenth-century political culture and the Popish Plot of 1678, fashionability, gaming and leisure as well as gambling and the threat to moral society. It's also all about money, Armada playing cards and the German printmaker Peter Flötner! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tea! Apr 19, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis lift the lid on the unexpected history of TEA! Which is all about seventeenth-century China and the history of medicine; wealth, display and female politeness, smuggling and the eighteenth-century novel. It's also all about neolithic archaeology, and the Cutty Sark! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Futility! Apr 13, 2021

    Sam Willis and James Daybell explore the history of FUTILITY! Who knew it was so interesting and important? From a digital analysis of written sources 1590-2019 to the First World War via Oscar Wilde, hard labour in Victorian prisons - breaking rocks, turning crank wheels, moving cannon balls - to the charge of the Light Brigade - you'll never think about futility the same way ever again. Guaranteed.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Snails! Apr 07, 2021

    In this fantastic episode Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the history of snails....who knew they were so interesting! From snails as symbols of resistance in occupied France in the Second World War, to the history of snail collecting, and snails in underwear and handbags and fighting giant snails...you'll never think about snails the same way ever again. Guaranteed!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Leather! Mar 26, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, discuss the fascinating and completely unexpected history of LEATHER! Which is all about the history of medieval birthing girdles (and 'bio-codicology!' - yes that is a term; the fabulous National Leather Collection and the quest to buy as many interesting items as you can for £5; it's about glove-making and William Shakespeare's father; and it's also all about Benjamin Franklin and the leather apron man and Samurai warriors! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rhyming! Mar 23, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, clear their throats to pontificate about the unexpected history of RHYMING! Which is all about the history of the singing game and the transmission of dance songs across the centuries to children's playgrounds; it's about Renaissance verse, Petrarchan sonnets, Thomas Wyatt, the court of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and WWI; it's also all about Edward Lear and nonsense, Limericks and professional writing for a living! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bad Habits! Mar 15, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, cast their beady historical eyes on the unexpected history of BAD HABITS! Which is all about the history of intoxication, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, as well as the material culture of early modern women's consumption of tobacco (think the hidden political meanings of snuff boxes) and female agency; it's also all about gambling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's addicted detective, Sherlock Holmes, cocaine, heroine and the Vietnam War. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Puddles! Mar 13, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, don their wellies and splash around in the past to jump into the unexpected history of PUDDLES! Which is all about the history of child the play, the historical derivation of nursery rhymes, Sir Walter Ralegh (the romantic puddle-coverer), and the famous children's author and illustrator Shirley Hughes; it's also all about the Cornish mining landscape, pumping water out of mines to avoid puddles connected to the Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick, and of course the Taj Mahal. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Posing! Mar 11, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, strut their stuff on the catwalk of the past to strike a pose at the unexpected history of POSING! Which is all about seventeenth-century sartorial elegance and cutting a dash around town, as well as family paintings, photographs, and the history of the selfie. It's also all about Michelanglo's David and native Americans in the pictorial press. It's also all about the history of consumption and owning far too many pairs of gloves! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Buttons! Mar 04, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, stroll elegantly and well-dressed around the archives to unravel the unexpected history of BUTTONS! Which is all about Robert Louis Stevenson, the outbreak of WWI, General John Joseph Pershing and American military uniforms, and Victorian clothing; it's also all about a conversation between Claude Levi-Strauss and Lucien Febvre and nothing less than 'bodily posture, the art of life and ways of integrating the world', as well as eighteenth-century industry, petitioning and changes in fashion. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Elephants! Mar 01, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, rampage around the archives to trumpet the unexpected history of ELEPHANTS! Which is all about drunken US behemoths, eighteenth-century biological inquiry, pachyderms on stage, a newsworthy postmortems; it's also all about early twentieth-century museums, and the Duke of Devonshire. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Snakes! Feb 18, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, slither into the archives to capture the unexpected history of SNAKES! Which is all about fear and phobia, mythology (via Medusa, St Patrick, Jormungand, the Viking sea serpent and many more); it's also all about dreams and the US civil war, the Hopi Snake Dance, weaponizing venom for military uses, and also the invention of anti-venom. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hugs! Feb 13, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, get all feel good and investigate the unexpected history of HUGS! Which is all about the science and psychology of hugging, babies and upbringing, greetings and the gendering of hugs, US Presidents and the politics of hugging; it's also all about free hugs, tree hugging and the Khejarli Massacre in September 1730. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tongues! Feb 08, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, investigate the fascinating unexpected history of TONGUES! Which is all about licking earthenware and the tongue as an important archaeological tool, Mary Bateman and tongue collecting, the removal of tongues, it's also all about tongue twisters and the history of elocution, and the cultural politics of sticking out tongues, as a greeting, an act of aggression or rudeness, or even a gesture of flirtation. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ladders! Feb 06, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, climb the rungs of the past to reach the unexpected history of LADDERS! Which is all about prehistoric cave art, the Crusades and the capture of Constantinople in 1204 (using flying ladders), lamp lighters in eighteenth-century Dublin; it's about accidents and superstition (falling off and walking under ladders); and it's about Ancient and medieval sieges, a attacking fortified castles with ladders; and of course it's all about the popular children's game snakes and ladders, which originated as India, known as Moksha Patam. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Meetings! Feb 05, 2021

    In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, wade their way through the paperwork and bureaucracy of the past to action the unexpected history of MEETINGS! Which is all about campus novels of the twentieth century, state sponsored sabotage by the CIA's precursor, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the history of secret meetings and the Ku Klux Klan, Nelson and naval warfare and the court of Elizabeth I. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cheese! Feb 03, 2021

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, stir the whey of history as they unwrap the unexpected history of CHEESE! Which is all about Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London of 1666, witches and magic (via fortune telling, love potions and malevolent acts with cheese!), Homer's Odyssey and a cheese-making cyclops, the Flemings, ethnic cleansing in the Middle Ages, the Peasants' Revolt in 1381 and lost knowledge! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Uncles: Homeschooling the Reign of Edward VI Feb 02, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of UNCLES. From discussions of the Richard III and the Princes in the Tower to seventeenth-century kinship networks in the diary of Samuel Pepys and the personification of the US state in the figure of Uncle Sam, James and Sam rampage around history of uncles before settling on the fascinating history of the reign of Edward VI (1537-1553), who ascended to the throne of England in January 1547 aged only 9 years old. After discussions of the provisions in his father King Henry VIII's will, we look at the seizure of power by Edward's uncle, Edward Seymour, brother of Queen Jane Seymour, who became the Duke of Somerset and appointed Protector. In this capacity he oversaw the government of the country, and we explore his personality, his policies and his ultimate fall from power. The demise of Protector Somerset was orchestrated by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, who effectively took over power, and we discuss the nature of his rule and government. With Edward VI's untimely death from tuberculosis aged only 15, Northumberland subverts the succession and supports the accession of Lady Jane Grey to the throne, a plot that ultimately failed and for which he and the tragic Lady Jane were both executed. As always, there is a quiz at the end, and a writing task, based on Edward VI's Journal.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Falcons! Jan 31, 2021

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, tackle the expected history of FALCONS! Which is all about medieval and Tudor society, from Kings to knaves via The Book of Hawking, Hunting, and Blasing of Arms; it's also all about Barry Hines' 1968 novel, A Kestrel for a Knave, and it includes a SPECIAL INTERVIEW with Paul Manning, the falconer at Beaulieu, the first official falconer at the house from three centuries! This is living history - and the role of the falconer hasn't changed in over 700 years! Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Birds: The Return Flight Jan 30, 2021

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, once again take to the skies to swoop upon the expected history of BIRDS! Which in this episode is all about it's also all about homing pigeons in WWI and WWII, the Dickin Medal and honouring of animals during the Second World War, including super pigeon hero William of Orange. It's also all about Viking culture, which fluttered with birds from the evidence of osteoarchaeology (the study of animal bones from archaeological sites) which shows us that birds were a common feature of the Viking diet; use of birds for navigation; and mythological birds, including perhaps the most famous birds in Norse legend, Huginn and Muninn, which perched on the shoulders of the god Odin, and flew all over the world gathering information for him. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Birds! Jan 29, 2021

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take to the skies to swoop upon the expected history of BIRDS! Which is all about the Battle of Waterloo and plumed helmets, costume feathers, hats, the American Ornithologists Union and cruelty to birds; it's also all about canary resuscitators, John Scott Haldane and the use of canaries down mines and in the trenches during the First World War. Who knew!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bathtubs! Homeschooling Prohibition in the USA! Jan 28, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of BATHTUBS!. From discussions of the 'eureka' moment of Archimedes in Ancient Greece and the discovery of displacement and bathtubs in ships to H.L. Mencken's fictitious tales of bathtubs in the White House, Sam and James rampage around history of bathtubs before settling on the fascinating history of Prohibition in the1920 and 1930s in the USA until it was ended by President Roosevelt in 1933. It starts by looking at the production of bathtub liquor, before looking at why prohibition was introduced, the social problems caused by prohibition, and the rise of gangsters such as Al Capone. As always, at the end there is a quiz and a writing task to look at the effects of prohibition on American people!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LEAVING HOME!: Homeschooling the Viking Invasions! Jan 27, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of LEAVING HOME. From discussions of seventeenth-century boys leaving home to attend school and university (and letters home to mothers), going off to war and travelling around the world to the exact opposite, staying at home, lockdown and being under house arrest, Sam and James rampage around history of leaving home before settling on the fascinating history of the Viking Invasions. It starts by looking at sources that describe Viking raids, before discussing who the Vikings were, when and where the invasions took place, and what motivated them to leave Scandinavia. As always, at the end there is a quiz and a task to produce your own map of the Viking invasions!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    HACKING!: Homeschooling Codebreakers and WW2 Jan 25, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, fathom the mind-numbingly difficult history of HACKING. From Guglielmo Marconi and magician and inventor Nevil Maskelyne, the history of Rene Carmille, who in 1943 was the first ethical hacker for sabotaging the computerization of data about French Jews during World War II to Joe "Joybubbles" Engressia, a blind 7-year-old boy with perfect pitch who was able to hack AT&T's telephonic system in 1957, Sam and James rampage around history of hacking before settling on the fascinating history of codebreaking during WW2. It starts by looking at an example of an encrypted German Codes, before discussing the intricacies of the Enigma machine, and early attempts by Polish codebreakers to crack the German codes. We then discuss, the role of Alfred Dillwyn "Dilly" Knox, Alan Turing and the team at Bletchley Park and the invention of the Bombe machine; the precise methods for cracking codes, and the impact of the course of the war on land, in the air and at sea. As always, at the end there is a quiz and a task to construct your own secret code, and send a message written it!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    BLING!: Homeschooling Stuart Costume Jan 21, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, investigate the flamboyant history of BLING. From the history of opulence, luxury and ostentation via subjects as wide-ranging as HIP HOP and the Palace of Versailles, Sam and James rampage around history of bling before settling on the fascinating history of Stuart clothing. It starts by looking at Samuel Pepys's diary and his attitudes to clothing, before considering Tudor Sumptuary laws in the sixteenth century, the attitudes of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans towards dress, and the impact of the Restoration on costume. The episode also looks at how the Tudors and Stuarts would have washing their clothing. As always, at the end there is a quiz and a task to compile a timeline of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century costumes!

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    Micro-Histories 5: Fun! Jan 20, 2021

    This is fifth episode in our new micro history series - where we take an historic subject and try to demonstrate how it has a history in just 15-20 minutes!! And without just talking at supersonic speed. Think of it as the historicaI equivalent of speed chess or speed dating. In this fifth foray into historical brevity the histories of the unexpected duo of James Daybell and Sam Willis tackle the intriguing subject of FUN, which is inspired by their book on the VIKINGS. Taking that as their starting place, the boys tackle topics of the archaeology of fun, gaming pieces, the status of fun, drowning matches and pillow fights, the viking ball game and female fun, before tackling the subjects of fun rhymes and children's nonsense poems in Britain in the 1950s and wagers in the second half of the eighteenth century! Who knew?

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    Rats!: Homeschooling the Black Death Jan 18, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, investigate the unnerving history of Rats. From the history of infestation, pets, the medieval tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin and the honoured position of rats in eastern culture, Sam and James rampage around history of rats before settling on the fascinating history of the Black Death. It looks at the three different forms of plague (Bubonic,Pneumonic and Septisemic) and their symptoms, before looking at descriptions of the plague in Messina from 1347, the spread of the plague from the Gobi dessert in Africa along trade routes to the east and in Europe. It also looks at how the plague was perceived by contemporaries, and the impact it had on society, the economy and culturally. As always, at the end there is a quiz and a couple of writing tasks, including writing a plague diary!

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    Shopping 2! Back for more bargains! Jan 17, 2021

    In this special BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, return to the high street of history and navigate their way around the boutiques and emporia of the historical archives to rampage once again like a bull in a china shop for more frenzied discussion of the expected history of SHOPPING! Which is all about early modern gloves, his and hers consumption, sixteenth-century Italianate gentlemen, it's about proxy shopping, the haptic experience of retail, and the underbelly of Roman society (via dishonest shop keepers, predatory peddlars, dodgy Roman bars, and the dregs of society). Did we also mention that it's also all about.... buying and selling early modern gloves? Who knew!

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    SLUDGE: Homeschooling the Trenches and WWI!! Jan 15, 2021

    In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, investigate the fascinating history of Sludge. From the history of travel, festivals and Saxon house-building, Sam and James rampage around history of sludge before settling on the fascinating history of the trenches in WWI. It looks at the failure of the Schlieffen Plan August-September 1914, the digging of trenches and the creation of the Western Front, the nature of trench warfare and life in the trenches!

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    Shopping! Jan 15, 2021

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, hit the streets, and leisurely consider the expected history of SHOPPING! Which is all about ancient street vendors in Pompeii, peddlars, William Shakespeare's character Autolycus and The Winter's Tale, trade cards and the material culture of retail, extravagance and would you believe it.....early modern gloves! Who knew!

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    Hitler and the Third Reich Jan 13, 2021

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, investigate the unexpected history of Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party, and the Third Reich in Germany. After a rampage around the history of the Führer and Nazi Germany, Sam interviews leading expert on Hitler and the Third Reich, the wonderful Professor Frank McDonough, about his new book, The Hitler Years, Volume 2: Disaster 1940-1945 (2020).

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    Backstabbers!: Homeschooling the Bolsheviks and the Rise of Stalin Jan 12, 2021

    James and Sam tackle the fascinating history of BACKSTABBERS! From the politics of Tudor England to the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus, Sam and James rampage around history of backstabbing before settling on the fascinating history of the Bolsheviks seizure of power in October 1917, the leadership of Lenin, his testament, the rise of Joseph Stalin and the assassination of Leon Trotsky.

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    Micro-Histories 4: Keys Jan 11, 2021

    This is fourth episode in our new micro history series - where we take an historic subject and try to demonstrate how it has a history in just 15-20 minutes!! And without just talking at supersonic speed. Think of it as the historicaI equivalent of speed chess or speed dating. In this third foray into historical brevity the histories of the unexpected duo of James Daybell and Sam Willis tackle the intriguing subject of KEYS, which is inspired by their book on the VIKINGS. Taking that as their starting place, the boys tackle topics of Viking power, control, access, the Viking housewife, treasure, weapons and symbolic female power before tackling the subjects of Exeter Cathedral, the Exeter Book and the keys of St Peter, as well as latchkey children and WWII! Who knew?

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    Ribbons: Homeschooling Georgian and Victorian Orphans Jan 10, 2021

    James and Sam tackle the touching history of Ribbons in this homeschooling history episode! From the fashion, commemoration, funerals, war heroes and causes, Sam and James rampage around history of ribbons before settling on the moving history of the Foundling Hospital, founded by philanthropist Thomas Coram in 1739 on his return to London to care for and educate some of London’s most vulnerable citizens. Ribbons connect to the tokens left by mothers with their babies that they left in the care of the hospital. The episode also looks at the social problems faced in Victorian Britain.

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    MicroHistory 3: The Face Jan 09, 2021

    This is third episode in our new micro history series - where we take an historic subject and try to demonstrate how it has a history in just 15-20 minutes!! And without just talking at supersonic speed. Think of it as the historicaI equivalent of speed chess or speed dating. In this third foray into historical brevity the histories of the unexpected duo of James Daybell and Sam Willis tackle the artistic subject of FACES, which is inspired by their book on the TUDORS. Taking that as their starting place, the boys tackle topics of Tudor portraiture, royal portraits, Anne Boleyn, pregnancy portraits and ageing in the sixteenth century, before tackling the subjects of face masks and face coverings, both of which have a long and complex history! Who knew?

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    Betrayal: Homeschooling Russian Spies During the Cold War Jan 07, 2021

    James and Sam tackle the shocking history of BETRAYAL! From the Austrian army officer Alfred Redl who sold secrets about the Austrian army during WWI and British commander Paul Cole, who sold out the French Resistance during WWII to Judas Iscariot and his 30 pieces of silver, Sam and James rampage around history of betrayal before settling on the fascinating case of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, two US citizens convicted of spying for the Russians, and revealing nuclear weapons secrets, which led to them being condemned to death in 1953.

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    Reindeer - The Homeward Journey! Dec 25, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, get into the festive spirit once more, pack up the presents of the past and take you on a historical sleigh ride of archival inquiry to unwrap the expected history of REINDEER! Which is all about an 11,000 year-old sculpture of two swimming reindeer carved out of mammoth tusk, which shows the development of the human brain and ice-age art, maps and mapping, and reindeer knickers; it's also all about tension in the Russian Arctic, Reindeer Crusades, and of course the invention of Christmas crackers and the reindeer joke, for example 'How much does it cost Santa to park his sleigh and reindeer?', 'Nothing, it's on the house'. Who knew!

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    Reindeer! Dec 24, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, int into the festive spirit and take you on a historical sleigh ride of archival inquiry to unwrap the expected history of REINDEER! Which is all about the invention of Father Christmas's reindeer in the anonymous poem 'Old Santeclaus with Much Delight' (1821), Clement C. Moore's 'Visit from St Nicholas', also known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' (1823), where he coined the names Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, and L. Frank Baum's story (he of Wizard of Oz fame) The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1902) in which they are renamed as Flossie and Glossie, Racer and Pacer, Fearless and Peerless, Ready and Steady, Feckless and Speckless. Rudolph at this stage was nowhere to be seen, until his invention in 1939 by Robert L. May, ad man at the Montgomery Ward Retail store in Chicago, who wrote the 2-million selling book Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, which later led to the Gene Autry hit, which sold over 25,000,000 copies! The unexpected history of reindeer is also all about the Wild Sports of the World: A Boy's Book of Natural History and Adventure by James Greenwood (1862), and nineteenth-century pit traps! Who knew!

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    Christmas MicroHistories 8: Carrots Dec 23, 2020

    This is the EIGTH of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is CARROTS - nothing quite says Christmas like carrots (we like ours with olive oil/butter, cumin seeds and honey). Yum! We are so used to Christmas of over-indulgence, extravagance and all the trimmings (maybe not this year!), but it was not always thus! During the World Wars with rationing imposed and the supply lines of the British Empire greatly reduced, such luxury Christmas treats were a pipe dream, and more humble ingredients had to be used. The carrot in particular, was much lauded as a versatile and plentiful foodstuff, so much so that during the Second World War a recipe booklet was produced with instructions for thrifty carrot-based dishes, including carrot soups, carrot savoury, carried croquettes, and what was known as a ‘War-and-Peace pudding’. An alternative to Christmas pudding this was made with carrots instead of mincemeat. First made in Canada during the Great War, it consisted of flour, breadcrumbs, suet, grated raw potato and carrot to bulk out the mixed dried fruit and spice – and note the lack of fortified spirits. So popular was this that many never went back to eating the richer, more exotic, variety. Who knew! Carrots are also all about medicine in the ancient and medieval world - you will never think of the humble carrot quite the same again - and they're also all about colour, Afghanistan, Albrecht Dürer and Pliny.


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    Christmas MicroHistories 7: Obscenity Dec 22, 2020

    This is the SEVENTH of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is OBSCENITY - nothing quite says Christmas like obscenity! Christmas was a time for subversion during the High Middle Ages and Renaissance when snowmen were regularly built as winter effigies. During the cold winter of 1510-11 the citizens of Brussels built around 110 individual snowmen around the city, depicting in snow folklore figures such unicorns and mermaids, religious and political themes, as well extreme sexual and even scatalogical imagery. One of the more sexualised sculptures could be found in Rozendal, the red light district of the city, which depicted a prostitute completely naked, with breasts and genitalia sculpted to attract attention, and a ‘dog...ensconced between her legs’. Of the more scatalogical, was a snow-cow that delivered ‘turds, farts and stinking’; a defecating centaur; a ‘manneken pis’ fountain depicting a small boy urinating into the mouth of a drinker; and finally a drunk drowning in his own excrement. These are a far cry from the ‘jolly happy soul’ that we know from the Frosty the Snowman song of 1950. Who knew! Obscenity is also all about name-calling on the streets in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Devon (especially in Bradninch!) and of course it's also all about puritanical attitudes in nineteenth-century America!


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    Christmas MicroHistories 6: Riots Dec 21, 2020

    This is the SIXTH of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is RIOTS - nothing quite says Christmas like riots! Riots are also of course all about!Christmas has often been about violence and rioting as much as it has sharing and caring. It is well known that Oliver Cromwell and puritans sought to abolish Christmas, which they viewed as a ‘Popish superstition’. One ordinance was passed by Parliament in June 1647 which threatened with punishment anyone who celebrated this festival. This ban did not go down well in all quarters, and in December 1647 many of the citizens of Canterbury defied it, taking to the streets to riot. The pamphlet Canterbury’s Christmas: Or A True Relation of the Insurrection in Canterbury on Christmas Last describes how shops that stayed open on this holy day were ransacked, the mayor, aldermen and constables attacked, and the sheriff knocked down, his head ‘fearfully broke, it was gods mercy his brains were not beat out’. In another example, this one in America in 1776 at the start of the American Revolutionary War, the rebel militia guarding the maritime route to Canada Fort Ticonderoga was a simmering pot of class and cultural rivalry exacerbated by cold and boredom. The extra alcohol of Christmas day saw it erupt into shocking violence as the soldiers turned on each other like hungry dogs. A recently-discovered personal account noted how Pennsylvania soldiers ‘armed with guns, bayonets and swords, [who] by force entered the tents and huts of [Massachusetts] officers and soldiers, dragging many out of doors naked and wounding them, robbing and plundering.’ Riots are also all about Mrs Thatcher (milk snatcher) and the infamous Poll Tax Riots of 1990, and of course they're also all about British rule in India, resentment, methods of protest and resistance, loyalty and servitude.


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    Christmas MicroHistories 5: Spite! Dec 20, 2020

    This is the FIFTH of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is SPITE - nothing quite says Christmas like spite! Now you’re probably all thinking about sending Christmas cards or are in the middle of doing so. If you are you may just want to take note of the following. The custom of exchanging greetings cards during the festive season was a Victorian invention, with the first commercial card produced in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. From the 1870s onwards, the introduction of the halfpenny stamp made postage much more affordable, which boosted the popularity of sending cards for ordinary people. Many examples of nineteenth-century Christmas cards survive in collections of Victorian scrapbooks held in libraries around the country. Among the cheerful Yuletide messages many of which were distinctly secular, a number took on a more sinister spiteful note. Examples include an image of a dead robin, a child boiled in a teapot, a clown sneaking up on a policeman to assault him, grizzly looking snowmen and nothing quite says Merry Christmas as does a depiction of frog murder! Who knew! Spite is of course also all about poisoned pens letters throughout the ages, as well as Jack the Ripper, Victorian London and his female victims, Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes.


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    Christmas MicroHistories 4: Lucky Finds Dec 19, 2020

    This is the FOURTH of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is LUCKY FINDS - nothing quite says Christmas like serendipity! You may all be becoming slightly chimney obsessed as we are nearing the festive season - decorating fireplaces, hanging stockings - and we have talked in our microhistory episodes on Evil and shoes - about how chimneys are a way into the houses for evil beings but they are also remarkable historical archives: they often contain artefacts and documents that have been bricked in or lodged up the flu. Serendipity in this way has left us with one of the most interesting types of letters to be discovered in chimneys: children’s letters to Father Christmas. For historians, they are a joy. ‘I want a baby doll and a waterproof with a hood and a pair of gloves and a toffee apple and a gold penny and a silver sixpence and a long toffee’ wrote the breathless Alfred or Hannah Howard in October 1911 before placing their letter in the fire. It started to burn before being picked up by a draft and whisked to safety on a tiny shelf inside the chimney of their house in Dublin. 81 years later it as discovered by a couple renovating their house. Such letters are magical because, not only do they record a list of material objects, but a child’s hopes and, sometimes, their fears. The lesson of all of this is never to take your chimney for granted: take a look inside – you just never know what you might find Who knew! Lucky finds are also of course all about the discovered of a long-lost John Donne poetry manuscript, and coins found while weeding in the garden dating from the age of HenryVIII carrying the initials of three of his wives, as well as rare finds of the Bible!


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    WINGS REVAMPED! Dec 16, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take another flight into the historical stratosphere to talk about the expected history of WINGS! Which is all about Aerial combat in WWI, John Aidan Liddell, VC, William Blake and Paradise Lost, tree toppers, Hans Christian Anderson’s Christmas Tree!

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    WINGS! Dec 14, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, scale the heights of historical inquiry to uncover the expected history of WINGS! Which is all about biblical angels, the Christmas story, early modern angels and the Reformation, conservation and falcons, the Cottingley Fairies and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!

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    Christmas MicroHistories 3: Shoes Dec 13, 2020

    This is the THIRD of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is SHOES - nothing quite says Christmas like shoes! - Shoes were not simply a noxious deterrent for evil sprites at Christmas time, but a precursor to the now customary stockings as receptacles for yuletide gifts. Earlier depictions of St Nicholas associate him with dropping gold coins down the chimney, which in sixteenth-century Holland similarly led to the tradition of children placing their shoes on the hearth on the eve of the Feast of St Nicholas, awaking in the morning to find them filled with present and sweets. In Italian folklore an old woman named Befana (sometimes referred to as the ‘Christmas Witch’) delivered gifts to children on the eve of Epiphany (6 January) slipping them into shoes left by the fireplace. These earlier chimney-related European traditions no doubt passed into usage in the US through patterns of migration: the spread of Christmas traditions is of course intimately linked with the spread of people around the globe.! Who knew! Shoes are of course all about the politics of sneakers, via the brilliant Public Enemy's 'politics of the sneaker pimps' track on their album He Got Game, and of course it's all about the French Revolution and the banishment of high heels! Who knew!


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    Christmas MicroHistories 2: Evil Dec 11, 2020

    This is the SECOND of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is EVIL - nothing quite says Christmas, as evil! - which is all about chimneys, European Folklore, Kallikantzaroi or Christmas Goblins, as well as witch bottles and the reign of Alexander III of Russia! Who knew!


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    Christmas MicroHistories 1: Bad Luck Dec 09, 2020

    This is the FIRST of our special Christmas-themed micro-histories in which we will embrace the task of demonstrating how an unexpected subject not only has a history but is massively important and interesting - in just 15 minutes! We will start with a shared example and then have just five minutes each to make a case for an interesting history on that very unexpected subject. Contributions will be rigorously timed and you - dear listeners - will get to vote on SM on what YOU think was the most interesting fact you heard today.


    Today’s topic is BAD LUCK - nothing quite says Christmas, as bad luck! - which is all about robins on Christmas cards, unlucky holly, passing a light between houses, childhood superstitions and the gold rush in America during the nineteenth century! Who knew!


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    MicroHistory 2: Tattoos! Dec 07, 2020

    This is second episode in our new micro history series - where we take an historic subject and try to demonstrate how it has a history in just 15-20 minutes!! And without just talking at supersonic speed. Think of it as the historicaI equivalent of speed chess or speed dating. In this second foray into historical brevity the histories of the unexpected duo of James Daybell and Sam Willis tackle the artistic subject of TATTOOS, which is inspired by their book on the Romans. Taking that as their starting place, the boys tackle topics of slavery, imperial power, civilisation and barbarians, before tackling the subjects of John Dee, dreams, alchemy and empire, as well as exploration, Christian missionaries in the nineteenth century, the legal history of skin, cultural sovereignty, imperialism and secret cultural survival. Who knew?

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    Friendship renewed! Dec 05, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected buddies, James and Sam, renew their explorations in the archives to investigate further the wonderfully pleasant expected history of FRIENDSHIP! Which is all about childhood memories, oral history and essays, pals battalions and WWI, Francis Bacon and Cicero, friendship albums at the British Library, as well as relations between nations and the Yalta Conference of 1945! Who knew!

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    Friendship! Dec 03, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, make their way through the archives to investigate the wonderfully pleasant expected history of FRIENDSHIP! Which is all about Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie and friendship at first sight; it's about diary-writing, letter-writing and the history of emotions, as well as bereavement, falling in love; it's about Francis Bacon, Cicero and political; as well as Penal Laws and the Catholics in eighteenth-century Ireland, and of course it's also all about the history of cycling clubs! Of course it is!

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    MicroHistory 1: Cannibalism! Nov 30, 2020

    This is the launch of a new challenge! We’ve enjoyed so much our recent lengthier explorations of unexpected subjects in which one topic runs over two podcasts, such is the depth of our research! Nonetheless it raises the important question of whether or not we could do a micro history - take an historic subject and try to demonstrate how it has a history in just 15-20 minutes!! And without just talking at supersonic speed. In this first foray into historical brevity the histories of the unexpected duo of James Daybell and Sam Willis tackle the spine-tingling subject of CANNIBALISM, which is inspired by their book on the Tudors. Taking that as their starting place, the boys tackle topics including Shakespearean Theatre (with images cannibalism in Much Ado About Nothing, Coriolanus, The Tempest, and the Merchant of Venice), Michel de Montaigne's essay 'Of the Caniballes', travel to the New World, as well as Tudor medicine and eating 'mummy flesh'. We then look at a voyage made in 1884 by four men, who set sail from Southampton in a small yacht, the Mignonette, which they sailed to its new owner in Australia, and encountered real tragedy on the journey The episode ends with discussion of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People for Being a Burthen to their Parents or Country (1729), a satirical text that proposes the eating of babies as the solution to the economic problems in Ireland.

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    LOSERS KEEP ON LOSING! Nov 27, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, continue their rampage through the past on their question to uncover the unexpected history of LOSERS! Which is all about The Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression, the American Dream, rugged individualism, and the concept of being unsuccessful (bankrupts, defeats, third-raters, good-for-nothings, flunkies, wastes-of-space, old bogies, loafers, has-been, failures and no-hopers), credit ratings, statues, commemoration, Black Lives Matter, Confederates and White Supremacy, and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman; it’s also all about WW2, oral history and radical history, hidden voices, and history from below.

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    LOSERS! Nov 25, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, scour the archives to uncover the unexpected history of LOSERS! Which is all about Donald Trump and the 2020 US Presidential Election, it’s about democracy, Jim Carey and Ace Ventura Pet Detective, Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, George H. W. Bush, John McCain, Etiquette in Defeat, Homer’s Iliad, Charles Dickens, workhouses and Oliver Twist, Presidential Concession Speeches (including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, honour in defeat, prisoners of war, the surrender at Yorktown, US War of Independence and General Cornwallis

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    Maggots Re-hatched! Nov 22, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, re-hatch the unexpected history of MAGGOTS! Which is all about the American Civil War, Ancient and modern medicine, dangerous Sardinian delicacies, the circle of life, forgetful mothers-in-law and Amazonian plane crashes!

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    Maggots! Nov 20, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, hatch the unexpected history of MAGGOTS! Which is all about the American Civil War, Ancient and modern medicine, dangerous Sardinian delicacies, the circle of life, forgetful mothers-in-law and Amazonian plane crashes!

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    INK RETURNS Nov 12, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, return to get their hands dirty once more by exploring the unexpected history of INK! Which is all about elections and fraud, Ancient China, the personality of US Presidents, spies and the Cold War and who could forget Renaissance letter-writing!

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    INK Nov 12, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, get their hands dirty exploring the unexpected history of INK! Which is all about elections and fraud, Ancient China, the personality of US Presidents, spies and the Cold War and who could forget Renaissance letter-writing!

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    Patients: Back For Another Check-up! Nov 08, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, reopen the medical textbooks of the past and diagnose the unexpected history of PATIENTS! Which is all about history from below, smells and noises, introspection, Samuel Pepys, Charles Darwin, architecture and Dr Chapman's spinal ice-bags.

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    Patients! Nov 08, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, open up the medical textbooks of the past and diagnose the unexpected history of PATIENTS! Which is all about history from below, smells and noises, introspection, Samuel Pepys, Charles Darwin, architecture and Dr Chapman's spinal ice-bags.

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    SALIVA THE REFLUX! Oct 28, 2020

    In this bonus episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, once again clear their throats and continue to spitball about the unexpected history of SALIVA! Which is all about all about civilisation, politeness and Norbert Elias, chewing tobacco, tuberculosis, truth-telling, protecting from evil, women’s political movements, Charles Dickens and childhood beliefs and superstitions.!

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    SALIVA! Oct 26, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, clear their throats and spitball on the unexpected history of SALIVA! Which is all about all about civilisation, politeness and Norbert Elias, chewing tobacco, tuberculosis, truth-telling, protecting from evil, women’s political movements, Charles Dickens and childhood beliefs and superstitions.!

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    HEADS! Two are better than one! Oct 23, 2020

    In this bonus episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, continue to get inside the unexpected history of HEADS! Which is all about politics, regicide, technology, ghost stories, wooden naval vessels, Anne Boleyn and Washington Irving!

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    HEADS Oct 21, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, get inside the unexpected history of HEADS! Which is all about politics, regicide, technology, ghost stories, wooden naval vessels, Anne Boleyn and Washington Irving!



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    Mountains Re-climbed! Oct 14, 2020

    In this BONUS episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, re-climb the majestic heights of the unexpected history of MOUNTAINS! Which is all about freedom, prejudice, vendetta, elephants, the New Deal, female travel writers and the absence of history!

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    Mountains Oct 13, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, climb the majestic heights of the unexpected history of MOUNTAINS! Which is all about freedom, prejudice, vendetta, elephants, the New Deal, female travel writers and the absence of history!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LAUGHTER ENCORE Oct 08, 2020

    In this episode BONUS EPISODE, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, tackle the rib-ticklingly fascinating subject of the history of LAUGHTER! Which is all about the Reformation, class differences, foreigners, poverty, politeness, awkwardness, the Tudor court, madness and breaking wind in front of Queen Elizabeth I!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LAUGHTER Oct 07, 2020

    In this episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, tackle the rib-ticklingly fascinating subject of the history of LAUGHTER! Which is all about the Reformation, class differences, foreigners, poverty, politeness, awkwardness, the Tudor court, madness and breaking wind in front of Queen Elizabeth I!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Running Away Redux Sep 30, 2020

    Our stalwart Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, return for another instalment on the history of RUNNING AWAY! Which of course is all about the Glorious Revolution and James II, slavery and the underground railroad, the kinder transport, and the child’s game ‘Knock, Knock, Ginger!’.

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    Running Away Sep 29, 2020

    Mustering all their bravery and courage, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, stand their historical ground and investigate the frankly fascinating and deeply moving history of RUNNING AWAY! Which of course is all about the Glorious Revolution and James II, slavery and the underground railroad, the kinder transport, and the child’s game ‘Knock, Knock, Ginger!’.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SHARKS: THE RETURN! Sep 26, 2020

    In this bonus episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take a FURTHER MEATY bite out of the UTTERLY BIZARRE history of SHARKS! Which is all about power and status in ancient China, Pompeii, education, irrational fear, the Spanish Americas in the sixteenth century, and much much more….

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    SHARKS! Sep 24, 2020

    Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take a bite out of the frankly fascinating history of SHARKS! Which is all about power and status in ancient China, Pompeii, education, irrational fear, the Spanish Americas in the sixteenth century, and much much more….

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Humiliation Sep 16, 2020

    James and Sam come to grips with the shameful history of HUMILIATION! It's all to do with families, schools, Charles Dickens, the British Empire, medieval punishment, the Arab Spring, head shaving, WWII, the Irish War of Independence, corporal punishment and much, much more....

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fear Sep 10, 2020

    James and Sam come to grips with the terrifying history of FEAR! And it's fascinating; it's all to do with childhood, death and disasters, war and warfare (via shrapnel, civilian bombardment and the nuclear threat), the Great Wall of China, bodies, highwaymen and pirates, terrorism and of course the fear of heights, and the lure of the void!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Not Doing What You're Told! Homeschooling the Russian Revolution Jun 24, 2020

    We REFUSE to tell you what this episode is about. Shan't. Won't.


    Ok Ok. We will.


    It's about putting your foot down, saying NO, saying NEVER AGAIN. It's the history of mutiny, sedition, forcing change, adult disobedience, childhood disobedience - it's a theme we can all relate to, and James and Sam talk about it in relation to the Russian Revolution up to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917. Why was the Duma formed in 1906? How did representatives of the people even get to set foot in the Winter Palace during the reign of a monarch who steadfastly believed in his absolute power to rule any way that he wanted? How did they put so much pressure on this all powerful monarch that he actually stepped down from the throne? Well they refused to do what they were told - and they did it again, and again, and again.


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    Statues Jun 19, 2020

    Recorded in the aftermath of George Floyd's tragic death, with the Black Lives Matter movement in full flight, James and Sam turn their attention to the fascinating history of...STATUES! Currently the site of social conflict, who knew that statues had such an unexpected past. The history of clouds is all about Ancient Rome and the erasure of the past, ninth and tenth century Byzantium, relics in China, the Reformation throughout Europe, and much much more.....

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Temper Tantrums: Homeschooling Henry II and the murder of Thomas Beckett Jun 18, 2020

    An episode we can all identify with! It's about the history of being able to control your temper - it's about feet kicking, shouting, waving, stamping, WILD anger. James and Sam explore the various ways you can think about the history of anger before looking in particular at the rage of Henry II and how it impacted on his relationship with Thomas Beckett - once his close friend but who came to be murdered by knights in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170.

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    Clouds! Jun 16, 2020

    In this glorious summer of endless blue skies Sam and James turn their attention to the sky, and the fascinating history of...CLOUDS! Who knew they were so interesting? The history of clouds is all about Captain Cook and cannibalism, the devil, urine, nuclear war, invisible gases and cholera. Oh, and beetles and spiders.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Big Heads! Homeschooling Henry VIII May 31, 2020

    James and Sam get to grips with the history of BIG HEADS...it's all about a touch of arrogance, wanting to be seen to be in charge, securing your place in history...it allows us to think about all sorts of fascinating characters...Caesar, Napoleon, Robespierre, Cromwell and, of course, the Biggest Biggy McBighead of them all, Henry VIII.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shadows! May 28, 2020

    James and Sam come to grips with the elusive history of SHADOWS! And it's fascinating; It's all to do with the very structure of history itself, telling the time, Chinese Emperors, entertainment, advertising in 1950s America, messages from God, the soul, oh...and Aborigines.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Unfairness! Homeschooling Chartism and Electoral Reform May 27, 2020

    James and Sam tackle the history of things being SO NOT FAIR! From the French Revolution to the massacres of Aborigines and the theft of land from Native Americans to the Suffragettes Sam and James rampage around historical unfairness before settling on the Great Reform Act of 1832 and the subsequent People's Charter of 1838.

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    Beards Part 2! May 25, 2020

    Sam and James continue their fascinating history of BEARDS! They're all about the reformation, horror stories, health, surrealism, preachers and their stentorian tones....Who Knew?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Beards Part 1! May 21, 2020

    Inspired by the beard-growing that was taken up by so many of us all in Coronavirus lockdown, Sam and James tackle the unexpected history of BEARDS...which is all about the Crimean War, Ottoman pirates and 'Turning Turk, Peter the Great, gas masks, and modernity in the seventeenth century! WHO KNEW!!!!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lunchboxes! Homeschooling WW1 and Life in the Trenches Part 1 May 19, 2020

    It's a packed lunch of fun! James and Sam explore the extraordinary history of lunchboxes, which are all about the industrial revolution and nomads and Elizabeth I, before moving on to looking at lunchboxes in relation to WW1 and life in the trenches.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Playing Chicken! Homeschooling the Cuban Missile Crisis! May 10, 2020

    This special HOMESCHOOLING episode is about PLAYING CHICKEN! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of PLAYING CHICKEN, which is all Henry VIII's Great Matter, Appeasement prior to WWII, and the Crusades! Most of all though it's about THE CUBAN MISSLE CRISIS OF 1962 which saw a standoff between Khrushchev and Kennedy over stationing of nuclear weapons on the island of Cuba - just 160 kilometres off the coast of Florida!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sharing! Homeschooling Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto May 09, 2020

    This special HOMESCHOOLING episode is about SHARING! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of SHARING, which is all the Great Depression, the EU, the League of Nations, early modern marriage and working-class communities in Victorian London. Most of all though it's about KARL MARX and the COMMUNIST MANIFESTO and the abolition of private property and the redistribution of political power! "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!"

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    VE Day Special! May 08, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of VE Day, which is all about children, parties, memory, pens, disagreement, balconies and much, much more!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rainbows! May 07, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of RAINBOWS (inspired by this symbol of hope during lockdown) which is all about Elizabeth I, the German Peasants' War, the Bible, Norse mythology, political alliances, Gilbert Baker, Harvey Milk and the Pride flag, and LGBTQ History and Heritage and much, much more!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dressing Up! Homeschooling the Rebecca Riots and Turnpike Roads May 06, 2020

    This episode is about DRESSING UP! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of DRESSING UP, which is all Count Leo Tolstoy, Carnival in Venice, the Maldon Grain Riots of 1629, and the Lord of Misrule. Most of all though it's about THE REBECCA RIOTS and TURNPIKE ROADS during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which greatly improved the quality of roads in Britain, but with social consequences!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Insults! May 05, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of INSULTS, which is all about duelling, 3500 BCE Babylonia, poison pen letters, and of course gloves! It's also all about Shakespeare, slander and name-calling in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Devon, and much, much more!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hiding! Homeschooling Elizabeth I and Catholics May 04, 2020

    This episode is about HIDING, but with some serious consequences! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of HIDING, which is all about Oak Trees (and the future King of England, Charles II), it's about keeping secrets, MARY QUEEN of SCOTS, but most of all it's about how CATHOLICS were treated in Elizabethan England, via PRIEST HOLES, which were used to hide priests sent to England from Europe who were hunted down by the Tudor State. LISTEN IF YOU DARE!

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    Presents! Homeschooling William the Conqueror and Feudalism May 03, 2020

    The Unexpected History of PRESENTS is all about power and politics at the TUDOR COURT, diplomacy and showing off, and getting people to do exactly what you want. It's especially about FEUDALISM in Norman England, and the transfer of land to Barons and Knights in return for military service!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bullies! Homeschooling The Nazi Brownshirts and the Rise of Hitler May 02, 2020

    Who kew that BULLIES have a history! Well they do and it's FASCINATING. James and Sam explore the history of bullies across time and then focus on the Nazi Brownshirts and how they used their muscle to propel Hitler to power in the 1930s. The story is followed up to the Night of the Long Knives in 1934 when Hitler used his ultra-loyal personal bodyguard, the SS, to turn against the Brownshirts, ending their reign of terror.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Breath! Apr 30, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of BREATH, which is all about halitosis, free diving, humanity and the soul, Harry Houdini, advertising and consumerism in 1950s America, mouth to mouth resuscitation and the Royal Humane Society and much, much more!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sucking Up! Homeschooling the Appeasement of Hitler and the Outbreak of WW2 Apr 29, 2020

    Who knew that SUCKING UP had a history? Well it does, and it's all about the APPEASEMENT of Germany in an attempt to keep the peace before the outbreak of World War II. James and Sam brainstorm examples of sucking up from across history, focussing especially on Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler with discussion of the Anschluss that unified Austria and Germany, the Sudetenland and Munich agreement which promised 'peace in our time'. Was it all a matter of sucking up, or a clever way to buy time to prepare for a major global conflict?

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    Epic Fails! Homeschooling the League of Nations and Mussolini Apr 29, 2020

    The history of things that go HORRIBLY WRONG. And there are TONS of them...from shipwrecks to international relationships and military campaigns. Sam and James explore this theme throughout history and with particular focus on the League of Nations inspired by Woodrow Wilson and set up in the aftermath of the First World War....to prevent anything like that ever happening again. Did it work? HELL NO. #EpicFail

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    Broken Promises! Homeschooling the Gunpowder Plot and James VI and I Apr 28, 2020

    Who knew that Broken Promises have a history?! Well they do and it's FASCINATING, and James and Sam explore the wonderful of history of saying you're going to do ONE THING and then doing SOMETHING ELSE instead. SO ANNOYING. And they focus in particular on the promises that James VI and I made to Catholics, how he broke them...and how those broken promises led to Guy Fawkes stashing 36 barrels of gunpowder under the Houses of Parliament...the Gunpowder Plot!

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    Blame! Homeschooling WW1 and the Treaty of Versailles Apr 27, 2020

    Episode 16 in our Homeschooling series! This one's all about the history of Blame and wanting to say IT'S SO YOUR FAULT!! James and Sam explore the idea of blame in history and then focus on who was held responsible for the First World War, and the writing of the War Guilt clause in the Versailles Treaty.

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    The Kiss! Apr 24, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of THE KISS, which is all about Admiral Lord Nelson, WWI AND WWII, witchcraft, the devil and goats, the Reformation, voting in the 18th century England, poster girls, and the #metoo movement, and much, much more!



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    Slobbering! Homeschooling James VI and I! Apr 22, 2020

    This fifteenth (yes, FIFTEENTH!) episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SLOBBERING and JAMES VI AND I! The Unexpected History of SLOBBERING is all about disease and insanity and the history of teething (rubbing rabbit brains into the gums of infants). James and Sam explore the fascinating history of the James VI and I through the subject of slobbering, inspired by Anthony Weldon's famous description of this Stuart monarch. Learn about James's experience as king of Scotland, his learning and writing, his penchant for favourites, royal finances, his relationship with parliament and the divine right of kings!

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    Balconies! Apr 21, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of BALCONIES, which is all about propaganda and politics, the assassination of Martin Luther King, eavesdropping on the royal family, it’s about Churchill, Hitler and Mussolini, the Globe Theatre (and the Lord's Room), popular misconceptions about Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, and of course it’s about the Italian spirit of community during lockdown and the global COVID-19 crisis!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Names! Homeschooling the Domesday Book! Apr 20, 2020

    This fourteenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores NAMES and THE DOMESDAY BOOK! The Unexpected History of NAMES is all about Viking Nicknames, titles for royalty and the aristocracy, it's about women being hidden from history (think the name-changing Bess of Hardwick), and Scandinavian linguistic dominance across Europe. James and Sam explore the fascinating history of the Domesday Book through the subject of names, including how it was made and why, what it was used for, and the process of collecting the information that went into it. What does it tell us about Norman England? And what does it leave out? Learn how to write your very own Domesday Survey of where you live!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Showoffs! Homeschooling Norman Castles! Apr 20, 2020

    This thirteenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SHOWOFFS and NORMAN CASTLES! The Unexpected History of showing off is all about world-famous historical showoffs, like Henry VIII, Hitler and Louis XIV, it's about the history of fashion (think outlandish gloves and tall hats), architecture and prodigy houses, lavish gifts and bling!, US consumerism in the 1950s and of course schadenfreude! James and Sam explore the fascinating history of Norman Castles through the subject of showing off, including the building of stone and wood castles, the strategic control of England by the Normans, and detailed discussion of Motte and Bailey Castles.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Scabs! Homeschooling Medieval Medicine Apr 18, 2020

    This twelfth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SCABS and MEDIEVAL MEDICINE! The Unexpected History of scabs is all about a personal history of childhood, the Industrial Revolution, health and safety, the history of science and discovery, Elizabeth I and much much more. James and Sam explore the history of medieval medicine through the subject of scabs, including the causes of disease (including the four homours), the treatment of medieval everyday illnesses and emergence of anatomy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Scars! Homeschooling the History of Slavery Apr 17, 2020

    This eleventh episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SCARS and THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY! The Unexpected History of scars is all about personal history, West African tribes, Count Otto von Bismarck (the man who unified Germany!), Glasgow in the 1930s and much much more. James and Sam explore the history of slavery through the subject of scars, including the triangular trade, the abolition of slavery, and the famous image of the African American slave, Gordon or Whipped Peter.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Applause! Apr 16, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of APPLAUSE, which is all about popularity in Ancient Rome, Stalinist Russia, babies, opera-going sophisticates, crowds and paying people to clap (or boo!), Henry James's failure as a playwright, and of course gratitude to the NHS and front line medical staff across the globe during the COVID19 crisis!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Accidents! Homeschooling Everyday Life in Tudor England Apr 15, 2020

    This tenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores ACCIDENTS and EVERYDAY LIFE IN TUDOR BRITAIN! The Unexpected History of accidents is all about personal history, world-famous accidents like the sinking of the Titanic, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster or Aberfan in 1966, heroism, health and safety, the Industrial Revolution and much much more. James and Sam explore the world of everyday life in Tudor Britain through the subject of accidents, including the history of childhood, coroners' records and the diary of John Dee.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Invisibility! Homeschooling Tudor Spies Apr 12, 2020

    This ninth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores INVISIBILITY and Tudor Spies! The Unexpected History of invisibility is all about stealth technology and travelling under the radar, priest holes and hiding during WWII, Stalin's erasure of the past, being hidden from history, and of course spies, cryptography and the secret world of the Tudors. James and Sam explore the world of the Tudor spy, including the Babington Plot of 1586, and look out for recipes to make invisible ink and how to hide a secret letter inside an egg!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Stench! Homeschooling Public Health in Victorian England Apr 11, 2020

    This eighth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores STENCH and Public Health in Victorian England. The Unexpected History of STENCH is all about personal hygiene and the marketing of smelling nice in 1950s USA; the holocaust and use of napalm during the Vietnam war, stinkiness in the medieval world, and of course nineteenth-century disease and public health. James and Sam explore discuss Public Health Reforms in Victorian Britain, including Edwin Chadwick's 1842 Report on the Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population, and look out for recipes to make your own stink bombs!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rabbits - Easter Special! Apr 10, 2020

    In this episode the Histories of the Unexpected team of James Daybell and Sam Willis take on the topic of RABBITS - as an Easter Special! Now, of course, the UNEXPECTED history of loneliness is all about poaching and disputes over land; eighteenth-century England and Mary Toft who allegedly gave birth to rabbits (it was a hoax!); Aborigines and the Stolen Generation in Australia; mapping rabbit warrens in Devon; and bizarrely enough, dead cats soaked in aniseed. Intrigued? Well listen up

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fire! Homeschooling The Spanish Armada Apr 10, 2020

    This seventh episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores FIRE and the SPANISH ARMADA. The Unexpected History of FIRE takes us from the pre-historic invention of fire and its impact upon the world all the way to the global climate crisis and the wildfires that raged in Australia in early 2020. Fire is also all burning things: it's about Nazi burning of books, the Tudors burning Protestant martyrs; scorched earth tactics in warfare, and fireships and naval history. James and Sam explore the history of the Armada and the use of beacons to communicate during the Tudor period. Look out for Queen Elizabeth's famous Tilbury speech of 1588, and how to decode the symbolism and imagery of her Armada Portrait.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Darkness! Homeschooling WWII and The Blitz Apr 09, 2020

    This sixth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores DARKNESS and WWII and THE BLITZ. The Unexpected History of darkness is all about the not so 'dark' Dark Ages, the Winter of Discontent and blackouts, child labour during the Victorian period, coal mining and hidden histories. James and Sam explore discuss WWII, the Blitz, and air raids, including Morrison Shelters. Look out for instructions on how to be a historian by interviewing your grandparents about their lives - a great way to keep in touch with elderly and vulnerable people during lockdown!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Boredom Apr 08, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of BOREDOM, which is all about British imperialism, travel, the armed forces, governors, sea voyages, Elizabethan gentlewomen, controlling the working classes in post WWII Canada!


    Boredom is the root of all evil – the despairing refusal to be oneself. – Soren Kierkegaard


    Unless a man has been taught what to do with success after getting it, the achievement of it must inevitably leave him a prey to boredom. – Bertrand Russell


    The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. – Ellen Parr


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    Solitude Apr 05, 2020

    In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of SOLITUDE, which is all about monasticism, pillars, ornamental hermits (and shoes), desert islands, and the Beatles!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Slime! Homeschooling the Industrial Revolution Apr 04, 2020

    This fifth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SLIME and the Industrial Revolution. The Unexpected History of slime is all about the medical properties of snail slime, ectoplasm and Victorian spiritualists, the use of black slugs to lubricate hay carts in pre-Industrial society, and of course the Industrial Revolution. James and Sam explore discuss the major inventions of the period, including Stevenson's Rocket, and look out for recipes to make your own magnetic slime!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Loneliness Apr 01, 2020

    In this episode the Histories of the Unexpected team of James Daybell and Sam Willis take on the topic of LONELINESS! Inspired by the events of a global lockdown, an UNEXPECTED history of loneliness is all about widowhood, eighteenth-century shopkeepers, Queen Victoria, prisons, the Beatles, chairs, teenagers, old photographs and nostalgia!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Soap Mar 28, 2020

    In this episode James and Sam explore the Unexpected History of SOAP, which is of course all about hazing, the British Royal Navy, profanities, marketing, the Spanish Flu, popular politics, freedom of speech, Speakers' Corner, and John Major's 'Soap Box' electioneering...and a little bit about coronavirus!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Homeschooling 4 - Behind the Scenes at Histories of the Unexpected Mar 27, 2020

    This is the FOURTH in this special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom and much of the globe enters into lockdown, schools close, and the world begins a period of isolation and educated online and at home. Over the next few weeks, we will endeavour to record a series of history podcast episodes catering for kids, parents and teachers, with the intention of providing interesting history material readily available to anyone interested in history, and with access to a device capable of receiving a podcast, and with access to the internet. It is aimed at audiences from 8-108!


    In this Histories of The Unexpected Homeschooling Episode FOUR, James offers A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT HISTORIES OF THE UNEXPECTED, uncovering the historical tricks of the trade that going into putting together each episode. Of interest to all, the episode also caters for sixth-formers, whose exams have been cancelled, to get them thinking about how historians interpret the past. As curriculum enrichment for all - whether you are university-history-degree-bound or not this essay teaches you the methods of: taxonomy; comparative and global history; object biography and the archaeology of things; historical causation (via G.R. Elton and Fernand Braudel), and micro history. There's something for everyone!!


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    History Projects for kids! - Homeschooling 3 Mar 27, 2020

    This is the THIRD in this special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom and much of the globe enters into lockdown, schools close, and the world begins a period of isolation and educated online and at home. Over the next few weeks, we will endeavour to record a series of history podcast episodes catering for kids, parents and teachers, with the intention of providing interesting history material readily available to anyone interested in history, and with access to a device capable of receiving a podcast, and with access to the internet. It is aimed at audiences from 8-108!


    In this HoTU Homeschooling Episode, James offers VIA FATTENING DORMICE IN ANCIENT ROME and A PRECOCIOUS TUDOR SCHOOLBOY a trio of ideas for History projects for kids: 1. An oral history project for kids to interview grandparents. 2. How we used to live - making shoebox models of a room in a historic house. 3. Be a young Historian of the Unexpected - listen to one of our episodes to produce your own animation or podcast!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shrunken Heads and Viking Corpse Doors - Homeschooling 2 Mar 25, 2020

    This is the SECOND in what promises to be a special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom and much of the globe enters into lockdown, schools close, and the world begins a period of isolation and educated online and at home. Over the next few weeks, we will endeavour to record a series of history podcast episodes catering for kids, parents and teachers, with the intention of providing interesting history material readily available to anyone interested in history, and with access to a device capable of receiving a podcast, and with access to the internet. It is aimed at audiences from 8-108!


    In this HoTU Homeschooling Episode, James takes you VIA VIKING ZOMBIES, CORPSE DOORS and CARELESS TUDOR CHILDREN on a whistle-stop tour of the incredible digital resources easily available online line for making history exciting for kids: educational websites, and virtual tours round museums, including a fabulous 360 degree tour of the terrific Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford with its collection of SHRUNKEN HEADS.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Homeschooling Special - Episode 1 - Introduction Mar 24, 2020

    This is the first in what promises to be a special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom and much of the globe enters into lockdown, schools close, and the world begins a period of isolation and educated online and at home. Over the next few weeks, we will endeavour to record a series of history podcast episodes catering for kids, parents and teachers, with the intention of providing interesting history material readily available to anyone interested in history, and with access to a device capable of receiving a podcast, and with access to the internet. It is aimed at audiences from 8-108!


    In this first HoTU Homeschooling Episode, James introduces the idea behind the new mini-series, talks about the awakening of his own childhood interest in history, his experience over the last week or so of home-schooling his 8 and 10-year-old daughters, as well as the incredible resources easily available online line for making history exciting for kids: podcasts, virtual tours round museums, fabulous books, and brilliant websites, packed full of free resources.


    The episode also launches the campaign to make our budding young historians interested in oral history, by encouraging kids to create their own history by interviewing their grandparents about their own lives, memories and reflections on their past. Not only is this a great way to capture the imagination of young kids, but also at a time when elderly people, such as grandparents are self-isolating this is the perfect way to encourage social contact online with groups of people who are alone and isolated. All you need is some kind of device for communicating, such as a phone, tablet or computer and away you go. Looking forward to hearing about all your stories. Stay tuned for many more ideas!


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Anger! Mar 19, 2020

    Join the award winning Histories of the Unexpected team as Sam and James turn their minds to the history of ANGER! It's all about Captain Cook, running amok, understanding anger, harnessing it, taking your anger out on art and other iconoclasm, boxing, suffragettes, and the most astonishingly rude letter you will ever have heard (or read) ever - and it's from the sixteenth century! And as always with an Unexpected episode there's a whole lot more....You'll never think about anger in the same way ever again. Guaranteed!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Contagion! Mar 13, 2020

    Sam and James tackle the Unexpected history of contagion in this impromptu brain explosion recorded in the car! (so apologies for not ideal sound quality). It's all about catching infection in bags, infectious ideas, crazes, modern tech, fear, panic, experts, the Dance Macabre, and conspiracy! Timely and fascinating - it's one of the best episodes yet....

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Darwin Part 2! Mar 10, 2020

    Sam and James continue their unexpected history of Darwin inspired by their visit to the Darwin archives at Shrewsbury School. Part 2 includes a fascinating interview with the archivist responsible for the MIND BLOWING library! It's all about rivalry and intermarriage, doodling, smells, and teeny tiny books!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Darwin Mar 05, 2020

    Join James and Sam as they explore the unexpected history of Darwin! Inspired by a trip to Shrewsbury School (which Darwin attended) and a peek at their Darwin collection and astonishing library, we discover that Darwin's history is actually all about chopping boards, desks, childhood obsession, rivalry, cousins, apologies and mistakes!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Siblings! Feb 24, 2020

    It's one of the best episodes ever! The amazing history of brothers and sisters - or the absence of them...Brother Sam and Brother James spend some time talking about the history of planks (what!!!) before cracking on with SIBLINGS! They're all about religion, William and Harry (and many other Royals), sibling rivalry, press manipulation, fake news, changing family relationships, loyalty, codes, honour, inheritance, primogeniture, the princes in the tower, favourites, education, and SO MUCH MORE. Listen to this and share it with your brothers and sisters!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Death 2 Feb 20, 2020

    Sam and James go back to the question of DEATH so much is there to explore! It's all about pickaxes, toads, wizards, witches, the Garter Principle King of Arms (great title), Elizabeth I's funeral procession, silk, false teeth, control, wardship, BODYSNATCHING, death as a business... It's a cracker of an episode even if we say so ourselves and it will haunt you forever. We hope...And it's much more life-affirming than you might suspect.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Death (Part 1) Feb 09, 2020

    Join the Histories of the Unexpected team for a mad ramble through the history of...death. It's a creepy one alright. And you'll never think about death the same way ever again. Guaranteed.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Truth and Lies Jan 09, 2020

    Sam Willis and James Daybell take on the UNEXPECTED history of TRUTH and LIES! It's all about the FBI, printing in Renaissance Italy, fake news, surveillance technologies, and Hollywood actress Jean Seberg, !

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Clothing Dec 04, 2019

    Sam Willis and James Daybell take on the UNEXPECTED history of CLOTHING! It's all about social control, death, recycling and mending, nationalism, Venice, knights and maidens, the Crown Jewels, ostriches, Thomas Wolsey, and the rediscovery of a long lost dress that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth I of England!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Puppets! Nov 18, 2019

    Sam Willis and James Daybell are inspired by the new film Judy and Punch to explore the fascinating history of puppets! They're all about noses, propaganda, domestic violence, totalitarian rule, mischief, squeaking, industrialisation and disease. Who knew?!!!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fire Nov 13, 2019

    Inspired by Bonfire Night, Sam Willis and James Daybell explore the unexpected history of fire. It's all about communicating with fire, propaganda, speeches, hunting, exploring, Captain Cook, arrows, burning barrels, heresy, greed, Zoroastrianism, the rise of Islam, eternal flames, paisley, Dante's Inferno, treachery and Julius Caesar!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Blood and Bones Nov 06, 2019

    Inspired by Halloween and Bonfire Night, Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of blood and bones: it's all about prehistoric axes, mass graves, Viking armies, Tudor surgery, bear baiting, blood sports, how much it costs to make a human being, Ottomans, Italy, and eating human bone powder. So that's cannibalism too...

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Spanish Armada Oct 21, 2019

    Sam and James explore the UNEXPECTED history of the Spanish Armada. It's all about collapsed expectation, flags, spies (as always), threat, fire, people not doing the right jobs, seasickness and lies.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Spies 2 - Interview with Dr Nadine Akkerman Oct 07, 2019

    In this episode, James interviews Miss Walsingham herself, Nadine Akkerman from Leiden University on her new book about seventeenth-century female spies, 'Invisible Agents'!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Spies! Oct 03, 2019

    James and Sam explain how you can think about the history of spies...it's all about honey, codes, eggs and invisibility!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Humans Part 2 - with Dr Adam Rutherford Sep 27, 2019

    Sam spends a happy hour talking to the scientist Adam Rutherford about humans! The history of humans is all about - masks, ties, make-up, sea-otters, penguins, and whales playing the violin.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Humans! Sep 03, 2019

    James and Sam explain how you can think about the history of humans...it's all about behaviour, art, hands, animals, hats...you'll never think about yourself in the same way ever again...GUARANTEED.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Green Room Podcast! Ways with Words Festival, Dartington Hall, Devon, Aug 25, 2019

    James and Sam take time out before their show at Dartington Hall to explore its UNEXPECTED history: It's all about the history of wild swimming, accidents, hiding, subversion and the Knights Templar!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Executions! Aug 21, 2019

    Sam and James explore the extraordinary history of executions! It's all about judgement and seagulls - and obviously pirates and highwaymen, And cannibals. And fattening. And the law. And wheels and entrails. And encouragement. And speeches. And smiles, propaganda, entertainment and...the self. And poor old Lady Jane Grey.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Green Room Podcast! The Beaminster Festival Aug 11, 2019

    Sam and James take time out from preparing their live show at Beaminster to visit the local museum and discuss their latest discoveries. Beaminster? Well it's all about pronunciation, community, witches, punishment and, of course...deer.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Cricket Interview: Vic Marks Aug 05, 2019

    Sam and James continue their Unexpected History of Cricket with an interview of Vic Marks, England and Somerset spin bowler, author, journalist and legend of the BBC Test Match Special commentary team. It's all about cowmen, photos, memory, language and entertainers....

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nazis Jul 27, 2019

    Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of the Nazis. They're all about, motherhood, shame, medals, public speaking, architecture and cars....who knew?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cricket Jul 17, 2019

    Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of cricket! It's all about empire, sexism, national perceptions of history, slavery, violence and hurricanes...

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Reformation Jul 08, 2019

    James and Sam explain why the Reformation - that schism in the Christian church in the sixteenth century that transformed the landscape of Europe - is actually all about fire, windows, bones and kissing!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Green Room Podcast! Cambridge History Festival Jul 02, 2019

    James and I chat before our show at the Cambridge History Festival at the beautiful Wimpole Hall just outside of Cambridge. It's a beautiful country house built in the 1640s and it's all about...symmetry, ruins, yellow, windows, sitting down and standing up!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Pirates Jun 27, 2019

    In this episode Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell talk about the unexpected history pirates, which is all about authors, cross-dressing, ferocious women, childhood memory, beards and empire.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Green Room Podcast! Crediton Arts Centre Jun 19, 2019

    James and Sam launch their first Green Room podcast! Unexpected historical thoughts as they travel around the country's theatres and arts centres with their Histories of the Unexpected show...this one's about shopping lists and the history of lost fame...

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Tudors Jun 14, 2019

    Sam Willis and James Daybell explore the unexpected history of the Tudors! Is it all about Henry VIII? Anne Boleyn? Hampton Court and the Mary Rose? Well yes, but it's also all about monsters, toilets, oranges, mirrors, the gift, windows, hats, the chair, bones, lists, fire, eyes, faces, bells, shrinking, accidents, fruit-eating, letter writing, cannibalism and rings!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    D-Day Special Episode Jun 06, 2019

    James and Sam tackle the unexpected history of D-Day in tribute to the 75th anniversary the Normandy landings. It's all to do with the Cold War, 9/11, pockets, decoys, memory, prayers and the debts we owe to a generation of men and women.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Writing! ...including Dr Peter Toth and the British Library exhibition Writing: Making Your Mark Jun 04, 2019

    James and Sam discuss the unexpected history of Writing! It's all about invention, revolutions, torture, injury, priorities, practicing, shadows, boxes, borders...and so much more! This episode includes an interview with Dr Peter Toth, the curator of the new Writing exhibition at the British Library.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Romans! May 29, 2019

    Sam and James tackle the unexpected history of the Romans! Yes, emperors, the development of civilisation and armies all have a fascinating history but so too do walls, tattoos, collecting, fattening, recycling, walking, poison, the kiss, posture, solar power, fish, benches, weaving, taming, shopping, wicked stepmothers, feet, inkwells, demonic possession...and even the number seven!



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shipwrecks: The Vasa May 20, 2019

    Join Sam and James as they talk about the unexpected history of shipwrecks - through the fabulous example of the Vasa, a Swedish ship that sank in 1628. It's all about gender bending hats, trousers that become dresses, sail ripping cannon balls and skeletons that change sex. Oh and the symptoms of shock and things simply...disappearing.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    World War 2 May 13, 2019

    Sam and James discuss all of the unexpected aspects of WWII, which is all about rubble, carrots, blood, pockets, suicide, gates, Zen Buddhism, furniture, cancer, Mozart, King Arthur, cows, mothers, puppets, handkerchiefs, and much, much more! It's not just all about the Nazis, Churchill and the Battle of Britain...

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Vikings May 06, 2019

    James and Sam explore the UNEXPECTED history of the Vikings. Who knew that the Vikings are all about graffiti, break-ins, criminal profiling, colour, teeth, keys, birds, nicknames, saunas, silk, mischief, staffs and goading!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Family Jan 27, 2019

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of the family. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Peter Curry


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Privacy Jan 20, 2019

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Privacy. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Peter Curry


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Secrets Jan 06, 2019

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Secrets. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Peter Curry


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Christmas Ep.4 Dec 24, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Christmas in the second episode of this two part series. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Peter Curry


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Christmas Ep.3 Dec 21, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Christmas in the first of this two part series. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Peter Curry


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Eyes Dec 09, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of eyes. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Peter Curry


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Making of the Live Show Dec 01, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the making of their live show. To see forthcoming dates check out historiesoftheunexpected.com/live



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Colour Nov 26, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Colour.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fear: A Hallowe'en Special Nov 01, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Hallowe'en.




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trafalgar Oct 20, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Trafalgar for the 218th anniversary of the battle.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Felix Maynard


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    End of Summer Catch Up Sep 15, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell bring you up to speed with what's been going on at Unexpected Towers.


    For more exclusive interviews and documentaries visit HistoryHit.TV!


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Felix Maynard


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chimneys LIVE Sep 07, 2018

    Dr. Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of chimneys... live!


    To see exclusive history documentaries and interviews sign up to HistoryHit.TV. Use code 'UH3' to get your first 3 months for £3/$3/€3!


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Felix Maynard


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shrinking Pt 2 Aug 06, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell continue to discuss the unexpected history of shrinking. For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Felix Maynard


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Accidents Jul 16, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of accidents. For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Brainstorm! Jul 01, 2018

    Of what would you like to hear the unexpected history? Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore various histories of the things they could talk about in future podcasts. For more exclusive history interviews & documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bells Jun 17, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of bells. For more exclusive history documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mothers Jun 03, 2018

    THE UNEXPECTED HISTORY OF MOTHERS! A boy’s best friend is his mother’ (Norman Bates – Psycho, written and directed by Joseph Stefano and Alfred Hitchcock, 1960). Welcome to Histories of the Unexpected where you will discover the history of things you did not know even had a history, like the history of nonsense or the history of the itch. For this episode let us join the Abbott of historical action, Dr Sam Willis, and the Marconi of long distance historical communication, Professor James Daybell, as they bring forth the unexpected history of mothers.

    Join the very well preserved and embalmed historical adventurers as they take you on a journey of nurturing and sometimes less than tender care, from Freud’s controversially proposed Oedipus complex to the archaeological site of Banpo, China, discovered in 1953, from the Cross of Honour handed out to mothers in Nazi Germany to Stalin’s Order of Maternal Glory, and from the maternal conflict and violence evidenced within the fifteenth-century Paston Letters to the poignant seventeenth-century diary extracts of a worried mother, Lady Anne Clifford.

    Our two old maters discover that this unexpected history is actually all about: conflict and matriarchy, communist theory and shared economies, capitalism and inherited material wealth, legitimisation and state doctrine, propaganda and ideology, tyranny and idealism, cultural conformity and social engineering, knowledge transmission and dissemination, … and ugly babies, which were disliked by Queen Victoria.

    Listen out for James’s own tribute to his mother, and a big Hi! to all mums listening.

    ‘Good mother, do not marry me to yond fool’ (Anne – Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 3, Scene 4, written by William Shakespeare, 1602).


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Relics May 20, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the links in their minds as they discover the unexpected history of relics. For more unexpected documentaries & interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shrinking May 13, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of shrinking. For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Lean May 08, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of the lean. For more exclusive history interviews & documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    An Unexpected Challenge Apr 29, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Sam's new book "The Struggle for Sea Power" by talking about none of the things in Sam's new book "The Struggle for Sea Power". For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Childhood Apr 15, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of childhood. For more exclusive interviews and documentaries subscribe to HistoryHIt.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Pockets Apr 07, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell whisk you through the mysterious crannies in the unexpected history of pockets! For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV - a new kind of history channel.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme tune: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Eggs - Easter Special Mar 31, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of eggs! For more exclusive interviews & documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nonsense Mar 18, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discover the unexpected history of nonsense! For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hats Mar 04, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell expore the unexpected history of hats, titfers, chapeaux, and other head-coverings. For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV


    Producer: Nathaniel Tapley for Hit Network

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chairs Feb 25, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of chairs. For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Love Feb 14, 2018

    On Valentine's Day, Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Love. For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme tune: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Recipes Feb 11, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of recipes! For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Invasion! & TV History Feb 03, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Invasion! and TV history more generally. For more exclusive interviews and documentaries join HistoryHit.TV today for free!


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Histories of the Unexpected: The Book! Jan 27, 2018

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell discuss the unexpected history of the Histories of the Unexpected book


    Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod

    HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Histories of the Unexpected Theme - Dan Morelle

    Edit & Mix: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Paper Jan 19, 2018

    Sam Willis and James Daybell take us through the unexpected history of... paper


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lists Jan 11, 2018

    Sam Willis & James Daybell take you the the fascinating, and entirely unexpected, history of lists... For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, sign up to HIstoryHit.TV. To subscribe, click here.


    Producer: Nathaniel Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Snow Jan 05, 2018

    Sam Willis & James Daybell reveal the unexpected history of snow... For more exclusive interviews and documentaries subscribe to HistoryHit.TV. Join us at historyh.it/unexpectepod


    Producers: Natt Tapley & Pete Dennis


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Christmas Ep.2 Dec 21, 2017

    Sam & James dig deep into the Unexpected History of Christmas. For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, signup to HistoryHit,TV, click here to subscribe.


    Producer: Natt Tapley

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme tune: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dust Dec 17, 2017

    In a special live episode, Sam Willis & James Daybell explore the Unexpected History of Dust.For more exclusive history documentaries and interviews, subscribe to HistoryHit.TV here.


    Producer: Dan Morelle

    Audio: Pete Dennis

    Theme Tune: Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Our Books! Dec 12, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook Producer & Histories of the Unexpected Theme - Dan Morelle Edit & Mix: Pete Dennis

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Book Nov 14, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Codes Nov 07, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Handwriting Oct 31, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to be a historian - Episode 5 Oct 24, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Clocks: A New Discovery Oct 17, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to be a historian - Episode 4 Oct 10, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Gloves: A New Discovery Oct 04, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The History of Our Podcast Sep 26, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Scar: A New Discovery Sep 21, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to be a historian - Episode 3 Sep 06, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to be a historian - Episode 2 Aug 29, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Signature: A New Discovery Aug 22, 2017



    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebookProducer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Material World of Powderham: a castle, a horn, a bookcase and a chair Aug 15, 2017

    Recorded live at Powderham castle in May 2017.
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chalk and Valleys Aug 08, 2017

    Recorded live at the the 2017 Chalke Valley History Festival.
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bookcases Aug 02, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chickens Jul 25, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cats Jul 19, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Fart Jul 12, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to be a historian - Episode 1 Jul 05, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Boxes: A New Discovery Jun 30, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Ring Jun 26, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Needlework Jun 01, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hands May 26, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook

    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Study May 16, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Follower May 09, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Itch May 02, 2017

    Join us for our first ever live show in Plymouth on May 4th - find out more and buy tickets here.

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Mirror Apr 25, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Paperclip Apr 18, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Scar Apr 11, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Toilets Apr 11, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dragons Apr 04, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebook Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Monsters Mar 22, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebook Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tears Mar 14, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Perfume Mar 07, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sweat Feb 28, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Blood Feb 21, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Holes Feb 14, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rubbish Feb 07, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Zombies Jan 31, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Graffiti Jan 24, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dreams Jan 17, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Weapons Jan 12, 2017

    This is a special episode to coincide with Sam's new 3-part TV series on BBC Four entitled Sword, Musket & Machine Gun - Britain's Armed History. If you're in the UK you can watch it on Thursday at 9pm or on iPlayer. Watch the trailer on YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Introducing a Brand New Show to History Hit Network: Art Detective with Dr Janina Ramirez Jan 11, 2017

    Art is the truest expression of the workings of the mind, free from learnt language. More than that, it is the visual expression of culture, politics, society, religion, emotion, zeitgeist, channelled through the brush, chisel, or hands of creative individuals. Understanding art allows us to understand history: to pin it with images, and pepper it with the faces, colours, drama and expression of its time.

    This series is designed to give bite-sized insights into the world of Art History, bringing one image to life across 20 minutes through discussion with world experts, close visual analysis, and high-resolution images that will accompany the series. History is never far from view, so each image will be expanded to sit within the cultural and historical context that produced it.

    Subscribe to Art Detective.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Wheel Jan 10, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Pen Jan 03, 2017

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Zebra Dec 27, 2016

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Christmas Ep.1 Dec 24, 2016

    “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!... Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! ...” (Dr Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1956)

    It can only be the Unexpected History of Christmas!

    Let us once again join the Santa of Historical Skepticism, Professor James Daybell and the Charles Dickens of Christmas Past, Dr Sam Willis as they untangle the tinsel and unravel the lights to reveal the unexpected history of Christmas. Upon Santa’s sleigh, they will dash from medieval carousing to a Dickensian Christmas, and from racing crabs on Christmas Island in the 1950s to the Puritans and Christmas riots in Canterbury, 1647.

    Like Christmas Elves they’ll assemble the links between rituals and traditions, Minst pies (not a typo) and celebrations, international date lines and land shy ravens. Listen out as James plays ‘guess the day an island was discovered,’ and Sam suggests one way to get two Christmases in one day. Oh, and whoever wrote the song about the three kings following the star, well they may need to rewrite, although it may not have quite the same rhyming style! “God bless us, everyone!” (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, 1843)

    “Good tidings we bring for you and your kin

    We wish you a merry Christmas

    And a happy New Year”

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Gift Dec 20, 2016

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Smile Dec 13, 2016

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Bed Dec 06, 2016

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Party Dec 01, 2016

    It’s our 10th episode!
    So blow out the candles, cut the cake and make a wish!
    You are cordially invited to join the Cultivator of Chronicles, Dr Sam Willis, and the Tim Peake of Time, Professor James Daybell as these history DJs get the unexpected history of the party started.
    From garden parties to peripatetic English monarchs, from the vomiting ladies of the court of James I to the myth of the Roman Vomitorium, there’s much to celebrate as Sam and James make the links between Edvard Munch and wallflowers and bacchanalian excess and yelling at cider trees in an English orchard. And, of course, no real party could be complete without the furniture being trashed, or in the case of John Evelyn a much-prized 400ft long, 9ft high and 5ft wide, now no longer impenetrable hedge. Wow did those Russians know how to party! Keith Richards had his T.V. set, Keith Moon his exploding toilet, Aerosmith their chainsaw, and Peter the Great … a wheelbarrow.
    “Here’s to thee, old apple tree,
    Whence thou mayst bud,
    And whence thou mayst blow!
    And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
    Hats full! Caps full!
    Bushel – Bushel – sacks full,
    And my pockets full too! Huzza!”
    (South Hams, Devon, 1871 Wassailing song – in case you wanted to sing to the cider trees).
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Boxes Nov 20, 2016

    Boxes, coffins, letter, houses, locks and more. Sam and James audio-google their way through the unexpected history of boxes.
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Letter Nov 11, 2016

    Doubt thou the stars are fire,Doubt that the sun doth move,Doubt truth to be a liar, ~Shakespeare, Hamlet’s letter to Ophelia
    But never doubt the unexpected historical links as the lieutenant of lifetimes, Professor James Daybell, and the investigator of intrigue, Dr Sam Willis, take the old post road from London to Dover. With a stop-off on Dartmoor, it’s then across the sea to Jamaica as they chart the material history of the letter. From statecraft to warfare, from love to diplomacy, join James and Sam as they uncover the unexpected history of letters. Need tips on how to hit just the right note with a letter to the mother-in- law? Listen out for how the Elizabethan gentlewoman Maria Thynne wrote to hers. You may well be inspired.
    History, of course, can only be written if there is evidence on which to base it, and letters provide such rich testimony of the past in so many ways. What would history be, and what tales would remain untold if such vast hoards of letters had not survived? And what of the future, in a world of electronic communication, of Twitter and emojis, and the correspondence of lawyers? Pick up a pen and write some lines, seal them in an envelope and send them away, you never know what you may get back.
    "My letters! All dead paper, mute and white!And yet they seem alive and quivering …”~Elizabeth Barrett Browning
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bubbles! Nov 01, 2016

    Like a well-spring of historical facts, bubbling over with unexpected links, Dr Sam Willis, the maitre’d of museums, and Professor James Daybell, the inspector of eons, take you on another intoxicating ride through history. From Oliver Cromwell’s Navigation Act of 1651, the American Boys Handy Book and the culture of childhood, South American colonies, and early cancer cures, (and with a little help from Lady Luck) they’ll make the links for the history of the bubble.


    How did the need to halt deforestation in the early seventeenth-century spur new technological developments which allowed the British to enjoy their cider fizzy? What does the price of tulip bulbs, which in the mid-1600s reached the equivalent of a modest house, and England’s war debt in the 1700s, have to do with the bubble?


    If you have a sore throat listen carefully – for we may have a cure for that! ‘Fire burn and cauldron bubble…’


    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hair Oct 28, 2016

    “There’s many a man hath more hair than wit”
    But worry not for this is no Comedy of Errors and there’s certainly more to this unexpected history.Let us join our host with the Cranium full of Chronicles, Professor James Daybell, and the Authority of the Archives, Dr Sam Willis as they bob and weave their way through the unexpected history of hair. From the Duke of Wellington and theories of Great Men in history, tonsures and ritual practices, to the political implications of French provocation at sea.
    “Like quills upon the fretful porpentine”, they make the hair-raising links via the Bodleian Library, Romsey Abbey, and French ballrooms. It’s enough to turn one’s hair grey; for which P.G. Wodehouse suggests there is only one cure, the guillotine. Too drastic, how about this:
    Roman ladies were supposed to use pigeon poo to lighten their hair, or there’s always the sixteenth century cure for baldness to consider … boiled slugs and honey anyone?
    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook
    Producer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lightning Oct 24, 2016

    I call the Living I mourn the Dead I break the Lightning

    (inscribed on the Great Bell of the Minster of Schaffhausen)


    Join the Preacher of the Past, Dr Sam Willis and the Antidote to Antiquity, Professor James Daybell, as they steer their very own DeLorean through the unexpectedly charged history of lightning. It will be a high voltage flight from Nelson to Dickensian ghosts. Along the way, they will make the lightning flash links between American Independence, superstitious English sailors, Protestant winds and Nazi P.E kits.


    Take a seat, for as Dickens himself said: ‘Bring in the bottled lightning, a clean tumbler and a corkscrew,’ for this unexpected history may get a little electrifying.This episode is all about the unexpected history of lightning. Which is all about American independence, and Horatio Nelson's front porch...


    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod HistoryHit Network - TwitterFacebook Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Gloves Oct 11, 2016

    All about power and politics, the perfumed glove as a political gift, the history of the hand, and the history of touch. It's also about explosions and the Japanese industrial revolution.

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPdcstHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Smoke Oct 04, 2016

    This episode is all about the unexpected history of smoke. Which is all about state craft and diplomacy. It's ritualised smoking of the peace pipe. And it's to do with smuggling and public execution.

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPdcstHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Oranges Sep 30, 2016

    Find out about the unexpected history of the orange, how it's linked to the the Gunpowder Plot, and other extraordinary historical connections.

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPdcstHistoryHit Network - Twitter FacebookProducer - Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Windows Sep 27, 2016

    Find out about the unexpected history of the window, how it's linked to the 30 years war, and other extraordinary historical connections.

    Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPdcst HistoryHit Network - Twitter Facebook Producer - Dan Morelle


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Introduction Sep 22, 2016

    Surely there’s nothing unexpected about the past? About History? Aha, well Histories of the Unexpected adopts a new approach to exploring out past. Gone is the traditional linear plotting of battles, monarchs and political movements. Histories of the Unexpected argues that everything has a history. The history of the itch, the history of crawling, the history of clouds or of lightning, or of zombies, or zebras or holes or perfume or rubbish all have fascinating histories of their own, histories that can change the way you think about the past and present.Take the orange. We do not want to teach you who was the first to discover the orange, or grow it, or import it; we do not know who was the first to make orange juice. We want to tell you the unexpected history of the orange. We want to tell you how it was used to make secret ink and was instrumental in the Gunpowder Plot; we want to tell you how the history of the orange is actually about the invention of clinical trials, modern medicine and dogs.We believe that this is the way to get history to give you a buzz of excitement as you come to realise how everything links together in unexpected ways.It is a fun game to play.The history of the party? Ah, well that’s all about treatment of mental illness in the nineteenth century.The history of the bed? Obviously, it is to do with the expansion of the British Empire and the movement of armies.The zebra? Well that’s about submarines in the Second World War and Victorian eccentricity.The box? Now that’s about memory and epidemics….How about the smile? The pen? Gloves? Lightning? Dragons? Blood? Sweat? Tears?....Histories of the Unexpected explores the past in ways that you never dreamt possible. Histories of the Unexpected will blow your mind.Histories of the Unexpected is the BBC’s Dr Sam Willis and Plymouth University’s Professor James Daybell.Series Producer: Dan Morelle

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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