Histories of the Unexpected

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.co...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr Sam Willis  &  Professor James Daybell  discuss the unexpected history of Colour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Sam Willis  &  Professor James Daybell  discuss the unexpected history of Hallowe'en. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.