We're Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History

History is full of battles, inventions, and discoveries… but also some of the most ridiculous ways people have managed to meet their end. From kings and commoners to poets and peasants, some exits from this world were so strange they almost sound made up. In this episode, two amateur historians share some of the most bizarre deaths through the centuries — part cautionary tale, part comedy of error...

Our two amateur historians dive into one of the strangest wartime tales you’ve probably never heard: The Lost Messages of the Red Star . From whispered codes and hidden signals to the possibility of a Soviet prank gone way too far, we ask the big question—was it real history or just another tall tale? Join us as we swap theories, laugh at the oddities, and try to separate fact from fiction in this...

History is full of strange stories — but can you tell which ones are true? In this episode of Histories Oddities , two amateur historians dive into the weirdest tales from the past. From angry rabbits to foot long spoons, one story is real, and the other is completely made up. Can you spot the fact from the fiction before the big reveal?”

In 1943, four boys in Worcestershire stumbled on a skeleton hidden inside a hollow wych elm — sparking a mystery that still puzzles historians today. Who was she, and why did graffiti soon ask, ‘Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?’ Join two curious amateur historians as they pick apart one of Britain’s oddest unsolved cases with equal measures of fascination and fun.

In this episode, our two amateur historians explore the strange case of the BBC’s fake 1926 broadcast. Join us as we dive into how a satirical sketch during the General Strike caused confusion, outrage, and even rumours of revolution. Was it just a harmless joke, or a glimpse into the power of radio in shaping public perception?

Join two enthusiastic amateur historians as they waltz their way through one of history’s strangest footnotes: the Dancing Plague of 1518. With a light-hearted mix of banter, bizarre facts, and a dash of scepticism, they explore how a crowd in Strasbourg found themselves jigging, jumping, and collapsing in the streets. Was it mass hysteria? Ergot poisoning? Or just a medieval excuse for a knees-up...

Two keen but thoroughly amateur historians saddle up to revisit the infamous Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894. With more wit than scholarship, they trot through the muck of Victorian London’s woes, unearthing how a city almost drowned in horse droppings — and what it all tells us about progress, panic, and the peculiarities of history.

Our two amateur historians are back, and this time they are stepping back to the sweltering summer of 1858, when London was brought to a very smelly standstill by the infamous Great Stink. In this episode, they will explore the over flowing sewers, panicked politicians, and the rather fragrant spark that pushed the city towards modern sanitation. Expect history with a whiff of humour as they uncov...

In this episode, the usual two hosts have been dispensed with and replaced by Artificial Intelligence as we look at the life and works of Alan Turing. From his groundbreaking theory of the Turing Machine and his pivotal role in cracking the Enigma code to his later persecution and enduring legacy, we explore the extraordinary mind who built the foundation for the digital world we live in today. Re...

In this episode James takes a cheerful stroll through the history of the much-loved radio panel show I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue . From its anarchic beginnings in the early 1970s to its enduring status as the “antidote to panel games,” James shares amusing facts, behind-the-scenes snippets, and his own fond memories of the show's wit and absurdity.

Join two curious amateur historians as they swap theories, share laughs, and delve into the mysterious goings-on of the Rendlesham Forest incident. From UFO sightings to strange lights in the trees, they explore it all with a blend of intrigue, humour, and a dash of scepticism.

In this episode, our two amateur historians explore the remarkable lives of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore – a fearless duo of artists, lovers, and resistance fighters. From surrealist self-portraits to daring acts of defiance against the Nazis, we uncover how these creative rebels used art as a weapon and identity as a statement. Expect fascinating stories, a touch of humour, and plenty of admirat...

In this episode, two amateur historians dive beak-first into one of the most bizarre chapters of Australian history: the Great Emu War of 1932. Yes, it really happened—and yes, the emus won. With plenty of laughs, questionable military strategy, and some surprisingly serious takeaways, we unpack how a bunch of oversized birds outwitted the Australian army. Perfect for fans of weird history, casual...

Ever wondered what life was actually like inside a Victorian workhouse? Spoiler: it wasn’t exactly cosy. In this episode, our two amateur historians lift the lid on the daily grind, grim meals, and strict rules that shaped life behind those infamous doors. From workhouse uniforms to gruelling routines, we explore the reality of an institution designed to be more punishment than support—sprinkled,...

Join our two amateur historians as they take a wander through the history of the workhouse—where poverty met paperwork, and things rarely ended well. From its rise as a so-called solution to society’s problems, to its eventual decline, they chat through the highs (not many) and lows (plenty), all with a dose of humour, a few dodgy facts, and the usual back-and-forth. Grab a cuppa and join us as we...

In this episode, two amateur historians discuss the strange and snowy mystery of the Devil’s Hoofprints of 1855. After a heavy snowfall blanketed Devon, eerie hoof-like marks appeared overnight—stretching for miles across roofs, rivers, and fields. Was it a case of mass hysteria, a rogue animal... or something more sinister? Join us as we explore one of Victorian England’s most curious unexplained...

In this episode, two amateur historians delve into the remarkable life of Albert Cashier — a Civil War soldier who defied the expectations of 19th-century America. With curiosity, insight, and a touch of banter, they explore Albert's time in the Union Army, his post-war life, and how his story challenges our understanding of gender and identity in history. Perfect for fans of untold historical sto...

In this episode, two amateur historians dive into the whirlwind world of life in Britain after the Industrial Revolution . From smoky cities to social shifts, they explore how steam power, railways, and factories reshaped everyday life—from the rise of the working class to the invention of the weekend. Expect lively banter, curious facts, and a few laughs as they uncover how Victorian innovation c...

In this episode, our two amateur historians fire up the engines (metaphorically) and take you on a whirlwind tour through the Industrial Revolution. From spinning jennies to steam trains, coal mines to canals, they explore the wild inventions, bold ideas, and questionable hygiene that powered Britain into a new age. Expect laughs, lighthearted learning, and just enough historical detail to impress...

Join two enthusiastic amateur historians as they bumble through Britain before the Industrial Revolution — a time of mud, manual labour, and excellent hats. In this episode, they explore what everyday life was really like when "Wi-Fi" meant "wife by the fire" and your daily step count came from chasing your dinner. Expect quirky facts, curious tales, and just enough historical accuracy to keep the...

In this episode, two amateur historians unpack the dramatic events of the 1969 Football War — a brief but intense conflict between El Salvador and Honduras sparked during a World Cup qualifier. Mixing history with humour, they explore how tensions on the pitch escalated into a real-life war, shedding light on the deeper political and social issues behind the headlines. Perfect for fans of football...

In this episode, our two amateur historians wade into the wild and wonderfully doomed world of the Darien Scheme – Scotland’s bold (and very expensive) attempt to set up a colony in Panama in the late 1690s. Expect tropical dreams, financial disasters, and a healthy dose of hindsight-fuelled head-shaking, as they unravel how an entire nation's future was almost sunk in the swampy heat of Central A...

In this episode, two amateur historians explore the incredible true story of West Auckland F.C. A team of miners who defied the odds to win the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, often dubbed the first unofficial World Cup. With their trademark mix of curiosity and humour, they uncover how a humble Northern football club ended up representing England and beating some of Europe’s finest, all on a shoestring...

Join two amateur historians as they take a crackling stroll through the smoke and chaos of the Great Fire of London. With some dry humour and the occasional mangled pronunciation thrown in, they delve into how a small spark on Pudding Lane set the city ablaze and reshaped London forever. From Samuel Pepys’ diary entries to dubious fire safety measures (or lack thereof), this episode explores the f...

Saddle up for a bite sized blast of Wild West drama as James unpacks the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. In just five minutes, James explores the story of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the 30 seconds of gunfire that became legend in US history.