Consistently Eccentric History

This week we are discussing the brief but influential career of Mary Henrietta Kingsley, a woman who only began travelling in her 30s, but who nevertheless managed to write two of the most influential travelogues of the late Victorian era.Brought up in almost complete isolation, but hearing the stories from her father's many foreign adventures, Mary dreamed of going somewhere that no other British woman had ever been before. Luckily for her there were lots of opportunities to achieve this goal...... on the African continent. Guest Host: Evie Heathcote

This week we are heading of the southern coast of South Africa for a cautionary tale of what can happen as a result of multiple little mistakes. With questions regarding the design, the decision making of the crew, the impact of various 'improvements' and the general maintenance of the lifesaving equipment on board the HMS Birkenhead, there should have been concerns about sailing it through a region called 'Danger Point'. At the very least it might have been considered risky to have multiple women and children on board (especially as they were sailing toward an active war zone).However even the most pessimistic of people probably wouldn't have been able to predict just how wrong things could go...All in all a perfect introduction to the world of Consistently Eccentric for our newest guest host, Flynn Heathcote. Hopefully it is not so depressing that we put him off guesting on anymore stories in the future.Guest Host: Flynn Heathcote

It is time to draw to a close our series on Port Royal, beginning with the return of Henry Morgan to Jamaica with a mission to end piracy. Though of course he instead decided to find a way to turn a (slightly corrupt) profit.But while the merchants of the were making ever greater profits and building ever more houses on the tiny spit of land that constituted Port Royal, deep below the surface of Jamaica there were seismic movements that would eventually bring the entire enterprise tumbling down.The earthquake of 1692 was massive, and would have been destructive to buildings that were well constructed with strong foundations. The buildings in Port Royal were built directly onto sand that sat only a few feet above the water table....... it did not end well.Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

This week we continue our exploration of the history of Port Royal, learning not only how it got it's name, but also how it developed into being the economic powerhouse of the Caribbean... it was extortion.But even a Pirate port needed leaders, and we discuss some of the most influential of the early days, as well as discussing the rise of one Henry (formerly Harri) Morgan. Morgan was a Welshman with an instinctive understanding of both military tactics and politics that would allow him to rise from a humble crew member on board a dutch pirate ship to the most consequential man in Jamaica.Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

This week we are embarking on a three part series covering the most notorious pirate port in the Caribbean, so naturally we are starting by talking about Oliver Cromwell.While the Spanish were busy conquering South America, they saw Jamaica as little more than a convenient staging post. So much so that when the English were considering which Spanish territories to invade, it didn't even make the list. However even the best laid plans can go awry, and the ones made by the Commonwealth Government were far from the best, meaning that Jamaica suddenly and unexpectedly became the focus of English interests in the region. Though they were going to need some help in order to stop the Spanish taking it back...Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

As a special bonus episode, Pamela is taking us through the history of both of the Obelisks that have been given the monicker 'Cleopatra's Needle.'This is a story that covers nearly 4,000 years and a hell of a lot of wrangling over shipping costs, but which ends with New York City getting crabs!Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle

This week we have beaten a plague of technical troubles to recount an Elizabethan tale of a born-again Christian who took things a little too far.William Hacket was an illiterate servant who managed to talk his way into a good marriage and a malting business. However this didn't seem to fulfil him, so when he was introduced to the concept that protestants can have a direct conversation with God he decided to throw himself headfirst into a life as a travelling preacher. Headstrong, controversial and generally full of Booze, William blazed a trail down the east of England before finally arriving in London, where he planned to begin his reign as 'King of Europe'...Which of course would mean getting rid of Elizabeth I.Guest Host: Ollie Green

This week we finish our dive into British Wrestling with the story of the Crabtree brothers and how they inadvertently contributed to the decline of the wrestling industry.It is a story of office politics, nepotism and at least one death. Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

It is time to lace up your boots and get ready to rumble as we dive into the history of British Wrestling.From an Edwardian fad for Greco Roman wrestling we follow the highs and lows of grappling in the UK through seven decades, to the institution that was World Of Sport on a Saturday afternoon.It is a story of adaptation, exploitation and features a memorable cameo by a polar explorer that answers the question: 'What did Scott of the Antarctic have to do with Big Daddy?'Speaking of which, stay tuned for part 2 next week!Guest Host: Emma Heathcote