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Histories of the Unexpected — 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.

Latest Episodes:

The Kiss! Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

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!

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

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

Show notes

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!

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

Balconies! Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Show notes

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

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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

Show notes

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.

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