Restless Times in History

Part 2 and 3 dropped today! The end of Elizabeth Gloriana as England waits with bated breath for what's to come. A daring midnight ride from London to Scotland, which ensures the fortune of  one man, and causes another to exact furious vengeance. It is the last of the Tudors and first of the Stuarts.

12 potential claimants to the throne of England could mean conflict. Queen Elizabeth's advisor goes behind her back to secure a smooth transition of power.

Tensions are high in 1603 as Queen Elizabeth falls sick - but refuses to name an heir to the crown of England. 

The final episode in the story of the 17th century witch trials in Iceland, that saw the fear of the devil and mistrust of magic weave its way into a rural society, which had in former times viewed magic as akin to wisdom, and had placed no particular importance on the devil. In this episode we shall explore 2 harrowing stories, which highlight the devasting consequences for all involved, when one...

During the middle ages, Iceland had been a Catholic country, closely aligned with Norway - and in Iceland, the ancient Norse traditions lived on as an integral part of Icelandic culture. This included the belief in and high regard of magic and magic users. This all changed in the early modern period, when Iceland's society changed, as religious views evovled in Europe, and the balance of power shi...

An earthquake, which led to a revolt, that resulted in an insult, and culminated in all-out war. The Sparta earthquake impacted the ancient Greek world for centuries.

Was it murder, illness, or injury, that caused Edgar Allan Poe to die at the age of 40?  The 19th century American author, Edgar Allan Poe, wrote short stories that helped popularise the genre of the detective novel. But Edgar Allan Poe died surrounded by strangers in 1849, under circumstances that remain suspicious  to this very day. A few years ago, a scholar suggested a new cause of death, whic...

Duty, Dinner, and Death - and all the wrong lessons learned! The devasting events at Edinburgh Castle on the evening of 24th November 1440 - The Black Dinner, and its aftermath.

Who dined and died at the Black Dinner of 1440? 2 young boys, heirs to great power and land, were invited to Edinburgh Castle in 1440 – the events that unfolded on the night of their arrival shocked Scotland to the core, resulted in year long strife, and partly inspired George RR Martin's writing of The Red Wedding.

An ancient Greek commander, schemer, and survivor, who escaped his enemies (and friends!) again and again!

How an unrepentant warrior and sworn enemy of Rome was spared certain death, by telling the emperor “You and I could have been friends!”

Did any Spartans survive the Battle of Thermopylae – Yes. What happened to them - Nothing good! This podcast delves into the tumultuous lives of 3 Spartan warriors – and the fate of a foolhardy traitor.

Part 7 - The hard won conclusion to the 12th Century historical period, known as The Anarchy

The penultimate episode of the history of The Anarchy A King in February, a prisoner in March. A desperate Empress besieged in September, a would-be-queen hailed for her courage in December. What a year, 1141! Darkness has found a home in the anarchy of England - who will put an end to the chaos?  

Triumph is a fickle thing So, so tantalizing close to victory! But chance and fortune can destroy the best laid plans.

A King joins the Battle of Lincoln as an Empress reaches for the crown

A claimant to the throne arrives at Arundel

Unrest is brewing and oaths are broken

What were the circumstances, that led to that historical period in English history known as The Anarchy? In this episode: A shipwreck on a cold, November's night changes the course of English history.

Welcome to the podcast!