Single Malt History with Gareth Russell

Latest Episodes:

The Knight who choked to death on a frog Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Join me for some of the grizzly, weird deaths in the 16th century - Sir Marmaduke Constable, who choked to death on a frog; a poisoned earl; a splinter in a king’s eye, a female pastor with other-worldly courage, and an Irish prince killed because of a hangover?

Dr Nicola Clark and the women of the Howard family Jul 31, 2021

Show notes

I'm joined in this episode by Dr Nicola Clark to discuss the remarkable women produced by the House of Howard during the Tudor era - queens, duchesses, countesses, rebels, and ladies in waiting who immersed themselves in the debates of the Protestant Reformation.

The Nine Day Queen with Leanda de Lisle Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

I’m joined by best-selling historian Leanda de Lisle to talk about her critically acclaimed books, Lady Jane Grey’s personality, James I’s sexuality, Leanda’s breakthrough with previously unpublished royal letters from the civil war, Margaret Beaufort’s tragedy, and how a Welsh warrior and womaniser changed the monarchy forever.

The Murder of the Romanovs Jul 17, 2021

Show notes

On 17th July 1918, Russia's ex-tsar, Nicholas II, his wife, their five children, and four servants were murdered in a cellar by members of the local Communist party. Who gave the final order? Why was there a rumour that the youngest Romanov daughter, Anastasia, had escaped death that night? Did the British Royal Family really abandon their Russian cousins? And how close were they to being rescued by their supporters?

Nur Jahan: The Empress they called the Light of the World Jun 22, 2021

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The 16th century produced many remarkable royal women, few more so than Nur Jahan, the refugee who became an empress. Nur Jahan’s extraordinary life is a story of persecution, murder, opulence, art, tiger hunts, drug addiction, and rebellions.

Margaret Beaufort: Killer Countess? Jun 12, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Nicola Tallis joins me to talk about her most recent book - a biography of Margaret Beaufort. Beaufort has been accused of infanticide, murder, treason, and cruelty in her quest to put her son on the throne of England as King Henry VII. Who better to ask than the author of “Uncrowned Queen” about just how much of this is true?

Séances, Suicides, and Spiritualism: AJ West discusses a true scandal in Edwardian Belfast May 31, 2021

Show notes

AJ West stops by to discuss the thrillingly dark true story that inspired his début novel, "The Spirit Engineer". In the summer of 1920, a professor's suicide in the northern Irish seaside town of Bangor lifted the lid on a Belfast Spiritualist church headed by a working-class blouse cutter called Kathleen Goligher, who attracted the attention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini with her claims to be able to speak to the Dead. Now, this forgotten drama, long overshadowed by the "Titanic," the First World War, and the creation of Northern Ireland, takes centre stage - and I found it so interesting to discuss the truth behind the scandal with AJ. We also have a first - a short dramatisation from "The Spirit Engineer" for our listeners - voiced by actors Cáilum Carragher and Ashley Montgomery.

The Downfall of Anne Boleyn May 19, 2021

Show notes

How did Anne Boleyn go from being one of the most influential queens in English history to being executed before a large crowd on 19th May 1536? Was Henry VIII's second wife and Elizabeth I's mother brought down by politics, paranoia, prejudice, or perversion? In this episode, I narrate what really happened on Anne's final day alive and explore whether a cornucopia of incest, adultery, attempted murder, treason, and witchcraft actually helped bring about her terrible end.

Charlotte Hope on Katherine of Aragon, The Spanish Princess, Anne Boleyn and her process as an actor May 10, 2021

Show notes

Charlotte Hope, star of “The Spanish Princess,” sits down with Gareth Russell to open up about playing Katherine of Aragon, her character’s tragedy but incredible strength, what she really thinks of Anne Boleyn, and how she prepares for her roles. Lots of laughter. Some strong language.

The Sinking of the "Lusitania" May 07, 2021

Show notes

On 7th May 1915, a torpedo brought panic, terror, heroism, and heartbreak to the passengers and crew of the luxury liner "Lusitania". This episode is about the experiences of her victims and survivors, the conspiracy theories about what caused the mysterious second explosion and a tragedy that was so intense it shook the German throne - and navy.