Histories of the Unexpected

Like a well-spring of historical facts, bubbling over with unexpected links, Dr Sam Willis, the maitre’d of museums, and Professor James Daybell, the inspector of eons, take you on another intoxicating ride through history. From Oliver Cromwell’s Navig...

“There’s many a man hath more hair than wit”But worry not for this is no Comedy of Errors and there’s certainly more to this unexpected history.Let us join our host with the Cranium full of Chronicles, Professor James Daybell, and the Authority of ...

I call the Living I mourn the Dead I break the Lightning (inscribed on the Great Bell of the Minster of Schaffhausen)Join the Preacher of the Past, Dr Sam Willis and the Antidote to Antiquity, Professor James Daybell, as they steer their very own DeL...

All about power and politics, the perfumed glove as a political gift, the history of the hand, and the history of touch. It's also about explosions and the Japanese industrial revolution.Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @Ja...

This episode is all about the unexpected history of smoke. Which is all about state craft and diplomacy. It's ritualised smoking of the peace pipe. And it's to do with smuggling and public execution. Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor J...

Find out about the unexpected history of the orange, how it's linked to the the Gunpowder Plot, and other extraordinary historical connections.Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitte...

Find out about the unexpected history of the window, how it's linked to the 30 years war, and other extraordinary historical connections.Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @Un...

Surely there’s nothing unexpected about the past? About History? Aha, well Histories of the Unexpected adopts a new approach to exploring out past. Gone is the traditional linear plotting of battles, monarchs and political movements. Histories of the U...