Consistently Eccentric History

This week we are heading back to 1938 to talk about a very odd crimewave that plagued the people of Halifax during the cold, dark days of November. When Mary Sutcliffe reported being attacked by a man wielding a blade, it was assumed that it was an isolated incident, however as the attacks rapidly began to pile up a sense of panic seemed to engulf the people of Halifax.Was it a maniac? Was it more than one person? Were copycat attacks now outnumbering the genuine ones? And why had almost this exact thing happened two previous times in living memory?We will attempt to answer all these questions and more!Guest Host: Oliver GreenWith a special appearance from Tod Shaker!

As we head toward February 14th, Pam is bringing us a tale of Georgian romance. In fact one of the first and most popular tales of romance in early American history.Starting in the UK it is a story of the upper classes, scandals and doomed romances. But how is this linked to a gravestone in New York and is any of it actually true?Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle

It is back to the story of the most famous British Fascist this week as we discuss the Parliamentary career of Oswald Mosley, which started at the tender age of 22.Going in with a naive belief that he would quickly rise through the ranks it is the story of how people born of privilege can struggle when they face even the mildest of barriers, and how the political system can be manipulated to your advantage if you don't really care about the concept of loyalty.While he did eventually develop some policies that might have worked, Mosley's methods ensured that no one in Westminster was willing to work with him. Forcing him to consider how he might secure power outside of the established system.But remember he was only doing it to help the British Working Class....Guest Host: Oliver Green

This week we are talking about a humble chimney sweep who ended up becoming a millionaire, via the medium of highway robbery!Though he originally appeared to want to do the right thing, John Cottington found that even the most successful Master Sweep would not be welcomed into the upper classes. Growing resentment at this glass ceiling (combined with an awkward marriage and extreme shaving adventures) eventually led him to a life of crime.But would his justification of supporting the Royalist cause help him to avoid punishment? And where the hell are parts 2 and 3 of Oswald Mosley?Find out in this week's episode!Guest Host: Oliver Green

To celebrate the new year we are looking back exactly 300 years to see how the criminal fraternity of London were dealt with in the courtroom of The Old Bailey.With tales of theft, murder, persecution and duels it there are parts that seem absurd, and others that are all too familiar. So join us to see how far the British justice system has come. Now with more sexual innuendo.Guest Hosts: Emma Heathcote and Oliver Green

Merry Christmas from Consistently Eccentric!To celebrate the big day we are discussing the life of John Elwes, a Georgian man with unimaginable wealth, who chose to spend as little of it as possible. While his eccentricities led him to become Dickens' inspiration for Scrooge, we make the argument that this is an unfair characterisation, as while he would not spend a penny on himself (or his long-suffering servants) if he could help it, John was more than happy to give away vast sums of money to help friends, acquaintances, or any random person who came to ask for help...... and isn't giving the true spirit of the season?Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle