Consistently Eccentric History

This week we will be jumping on the late Georgian fad for suspension bridges (because we are all about current affairs). From their birth in the mind of a genius Scotsman to the ever more disaster prone knock-offs that followed. It is a story filled with tension because tensile strength is an important consideration when designing a suspension bridge. In fact it gets so tense that we may have to r...

How did a doctor specialising in corpulent Victorian gentlemen become synonymous with the female orgasm? By horrible accident of course! This week meet Joseph, a medical polymath who would be turning in his grave to see how he has been misrepresented over the last century. A wrong we intend to right on this special Valentines Day episode. Guest Host: Jack Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Your father was nearly king. Your older brother is currently king. Your younger brother will one day become king. You however are an idiot. Welcome to the world of George Plantagenet, a spoilt little rich boy who is easily manipulated, has no sense of self-preservation and takes years to form an independent thought. And those are arguably his best qualities. Join us as we look at a man who, in spi...

The North South divide needs to be abolished and we here at Consistently Eccentric are doing our bit! Join us and verified southerner Ollie Green (From History Emporium and Pals Podcast) as I attempt to demonstrate that there is at least one person from my home town who is worth learning about. It is a story of a late blooming Wesleyan who avoided the lovefeasts to pursue a career when most people...

Let's jet off to the sunny shores of Jamaica this week to meet Mary. Avoiding slavery by virtue of a Scottish father Mary spent her life being all the things she could think of. Part herbalist, part hotelier, part entrepreneur, part nurse, part chef; Mary was a well travelled tour de force who couldn't imagine a situation so dire that her presence couldn't turn things around! And if that failed th...

Law and order 1600s style. Join us for a tale of Northern family drama which is as convoluted as it is ultimately pointless. There will be murder! There will be litigation (oh so much litigation). But most of all, there will be poetry! Guest Host: Matt Hare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to go boating down England's most famous river. Just try to avoid the dead bodies and try not to breath too deeply. Our omnibus episode covers three stories that confirm beyond a doubt that the Thames has claimed more lives than any other river in the UK. And, because it is Emma, of course we are going to talk at length about at least one boat. Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast....

This week we are living life in the fast lane as we look into the origin of arguably the most British car company of all time (notwithstanding current German ownership). It is a story of three unlikely partners who had just the right mix of skills and connections at the perfect moment in history. It is just a shame that none of them ever seemed to be even remotely happy. Guest Host: Matt Hare Host...

Today we are journeying back to the beginning of organised education in England. Developed initially as a means of ensuring the local monks could keep buying the top quality cassocks to which they had become accustomed; no one could have foreseen the resentment that would build up between the poor townsfolk and the privileged and unruly students. They should have been able to foresee it though.......

Not named after the racehorse*, Caractacus was a Chieftain in a time of Emperors. Not one to let being hopelessly outmatched deter him from a good scrap Caractacus was determined to resist the Roman invasion no how many times he was beaten and how much he lost, after all the British do love an underdog. *With bonus pre-episode-episode to ring in the new year! Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on A...

It's time to get wild. John Wild in fact, a carpenter from Wolverhampton who would rather build a criminal empire than a cabinet. We discuss his rise to power and the mismatched feud with a lithe young London native called Jack that could cost both of them their very lives! Who will survive? Guest Host: Jack Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British East India Company wanted it all, and they weren't above kidnapping as a way to ensure they got it. Meet Sophia, a princess in exile who Queen Victoria herself was sure she could turn into a perfect British citizen. Sophia did end up becoming a national hero, though possibly not in the way the Royals wanted her to... Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Ahoy There! Join us as we indulge in some local history concerning the Ribble Estuary; childhood home to the entire Consistently Eccentric team! It is a Victorian tale of rough seas and high stakes as we follow the ups and downs of the local lifeboat crews and their attempts to keep the beaches shipwreck free. Culminating in a dark and stormy night that proves that in some situations two outta thr...

Let's discuss the history of the humble lock. A story that is more interesting than it has any right to be. Including but not limited to: Unpopular marriages! Child labour violations! The Royal Navy! Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preparation, preparation, preparation. This is something John Franklin was habitually incapable of doing. A man who lived life at a faster pace than most, no matter what the adventure was (or how dangerous) you could always count on John to volunteer. We will follow him up, down and all around the world to see if there is any situation that can slow this Georgian powerhouse down ( *Spoiler* There...

100 years and still going strong! A British icon with more longevity than the Queen, Rupert Bear is a snappy dresser with an eclectic group of friends. Join us as we try to pinpoint the reason behind his appeal. Emma will get excited enough to sing! Guest Host: Joe Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first ever "Mutiny Edition" where resident host Joe gets overthrown and one of the co-hosts (Emma this time) takes over. A story of a British institution created in Canterbury, join us to discuss the life and work of Mary. A woman brave enough to marry into the surname 'Tourtel', and lucky enough to be in the right place, with the right set of skills to make history. This is a story so big it...

Let's get spooky! This week's episode focuses on the consequences of a confirmed haunting back in the 1600's. There are deaths, political manoeuvrings and undeniable proof that if your mother-in-law doesn't like you there is no escape from her wrath! Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our 13th episode on Friday the 13th we are learning all about the daughter of an Irish sheep farmer called Violet Jessop. It doesn't matter if it is her health, her romantic life or her job Violet is unlucky on all counts. It is just very unfortunate that her job involves massive boats... With a special (though reluctant) appearance from Ned! Guest Host: Jack Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Come meet William Davidson. An illegitimate son to a racist dad who just wants to be in control of his own life. He has an innate sense of justice and an indomitable 'can do' spirit, but unfortunately he is very poor at choosing who he should associate with. Leading to the most depressing birthday in recorded history. Guest Host: Matt Hare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Bedlam. A name that struck fear into the population of London that it served. This week we take a look at Britain's most famous insane asylum. The treatments, the doctors and the most corrupt set of governors to have ever governed anything, ever. You'll need a strong constitution or we won't be able to admit you. Guest Host: Jack Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

When your child-bride is not shipped from Scandinavia as expected there can only be one explanation. Witches. Join us as we look at how the early life of King James I (& VI) sowed the seeds for the single biggest witchcraft trial in British history. There will be pilliwinks. Guest Host: Matt Hare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A parson’s son from Gloucester who may be responsible for saving more lives than any other person who ever lived. Meet Edward Jenner; cuckoo expert, ballooning enthusiast and avid experimenter on children. Special guest appearance by Blossom the Cow! Guest Host: Jack Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Old Henry Cole was a merry old soul, who loved championing the arts and industry.   Let's follow him in the creation of a national event that was everything the Millenium Dome wished it could be. Famous people. Royalty. Pay toilets and a giant lump of gold. Henry Cole made sure that no one would go home disappointed.   With a special guest appearance from the world’s premier banana farme...

When an English princess is made Empress of the Holy Roman Empire by the time she is 16 you best believe she will be returning at some point to lay cliam to her birthright. Join Matilda on her quest to become the first Queen to rule England outright. She doesn't need a man, but she may need to accept an arranged marriage or two. Guest Host: Matt Hare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...