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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:

Truth and Lies Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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...

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The Spanish Armada Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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

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Spies! Oct 03, 2019

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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