Histories of the Unexpected explores the past in ways that you never dreamt possible. Surely there’s nothing unexpected about the past? About History? Aha, well Histories of the Unexpected adopts a new approach to exploring our past. Gone is the traditional linear plotting of battles, monarchs and political movements. Histories of the Unexpected argues that everything has a history, even the most unexpected of subjects. Like SLIME. Or COURAGE. or APPLAUSE.... Presented by Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
https://www.historiesoftheunexpected.com
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 8 days 23 hours 54 minutes
BRAVERY
In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis humbly and in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine explored the unexpected History of BRAVERY!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOUSES!
In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis walk down the garden path of history and through the front door of the past to move into the UNEXPECTED history of HOUSES! Which is all about those Cambridge Regius Professors J.B. Bury and G.R...
HELPING OUT: HOMESCHOOLING WWI ON THE HOME FRONT!
In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of HELPING OUT. From discussions of charity, philanthropy, the foundation of Barnardo's, the Kindertransport and WWII, and giving and much, much more, James and Sam rampage around history of helping out before settling on the fascinating history of WWI and the Home Front...
CORPSES!
In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis try to breathe new life into the unexpected history of CORPSES! Which is all about the eccentric Cornish landowner Sir James Tillie (1645-1713), who demanded that upon his death his body should be tied to a chair facing the River Tamar in a purpose-built mausoleum at Pentillie Castle (and he was to be fed every day!); Viking corpse doors and mortuary practices related to doors; and superstitions to do with...
RED!
In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis get all romantic with a St Valentine's Day special on the history of gthe colour RED! Which is all about romance and the history of emotions, via Macbeth and blood, early cinema and technicolour, and superstitions about red hair and red thread. It is also about the history of race, ethnography and native American peoples, favourite colours and of course Judas Iscariot...
DIVORCE: Homeschooling Henry VIII, The King's Great Matter and the Break with Rome
In this Homeschooling History episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, explore the fascinating history of DIVORCE. From discussions of the early history of divorce, the 1857 Matrimonial Causes Act, the scandalous Argyll divorce of the 1960s and much, much more, James and Sam rampage around history of divorce before settling on the fascinating history of Henry VIII, The King's Great Matter, and the Break with Rome...
THE FLEA!
In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis do more than scratch the surface of the unexpected history of THE FLEA! Which is all about Victorian miniature dressed fleas and Mexican cultural traditions, real life flea circus's, and the English Renaissance poet, John Donne's influence on WWI poetry. It's also all about the movement of disease and the plague! Who knew!
Hosted on Acast. See acast...
BEES!
In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis buzz around and sting you with the unexpected history of BEES! Which is all about medieval beekeeping, bees wax candles and changes in religious practices; as well as the superstitious practice of 'telling the bees', whereby individuals informed the bees of births and deaths in the family to prevent bad luck! It's also all about the usefulness of bees in medieval Muscovy! Who knew!