Consistently Eccentric History

This week we conclude our search for the last battle on English soil with a trio of conflicts that all centre around the Stuart Dynasty, specifically James II. With Urban warfare, Irish Panic and artful men from Somerset all making an appearance it is also an unintentional summary of the downfall of the house of Stuart......Which we cover in reverse order to ensure that you are paying attention. And by the end we do promise that we will confirm which fight was in fact the last battle to ever be fought on English soil (to this point at least).Guest Host: Ollie Green

Prior to recording the second part of our 'Last Battle on English Soil' episodes, Ollie announced that he would only take part on one condition.......that Joe try Marmite again. It turned out that Ollie was deadly serious, so in order to ensure that the episode would be released on time Joe gave in to the demand. This allowed an opportunity to discuss the historical significance of Marmite (amazingly it turns out to have been quite important during the 20th century) and to chat about various other foods, before the conversation deteriorated into the tangental randomness that dominates all the conversations within the team when a script is not involved.So if you want a bit of an insight into how we warm up for recording, or if you just want another opportunity to hear our lovely voices please enjoy....... and sorry for the swearing.Diva of a Co-host making demands: Ollie Green

The Georgians sure knew how to sensationalise a story. So when a rich mother and daughter went on trial for the murder of their orphaned 13 year old servant girl many a pamphlet was written.This week we are discussing the content of those pamphlets, how reliable they might be, and trying to understand why a person would admit to eating their own poop while giving evidence in a court of law.Guest Host: Ollie Green

This week we are discussing the life of a lawyer, poet and inventor from the Tudor era called John Harington. When banished from the court of his godmother Queen Elizabeth for saucy translations John had five years to contemplate life, and he came to the conclusion that his life could be made measurably better if he was able to poo in comfort. So he set about trying to come up with an improved defecation system, one that he would eventually present to the Queen herself. Would she like it? Would John be allowed to return to court? And what exactly is a 'Gong Farmer'?Join us to find out. Now with 30% more conversations about poo!Guest Host: Evie Heathcote

It's holiday time!This week we are off to New Zealand to discuss how a misunderstanding in a quickly translated treaty led to all out war between the British and the Maori (despite that fact that they had been united by a hatred of the French).What started out as a mutually beneficial arrangement was quickly ruined by the British insisting on introducing tariffs and otherwise messing with the sovereignty of the Maori people of the North Island. But while in other countries the British were able to bully their way to absolute power over the locals, the Maori were not going to take it lying down.They decided to make their frustrations known via the medium of flags, leading to one of the more unique wars the British Empire was ever involved in.Guest Host: Ollie Green

In honour of the Open Championship (albeit a week late) we are discussing the life of a man considered to be the grandfather of modern golf.A native of St. Andrews, born a short chip shot from the famous old course, Tom Morris was exposed to golf from the time he could walk.However golf-related fallings out would lead to an extended exile from his home town, one that could only be ended by proving himself to be the best golfer in the British Isles....How hard could that be?Guest Host: Ollie Green

We are heading stateside this week to discuss the founder of the State of Georgia.James Oglethorpe was a member of the upper classes, soldier, MP and murderer (though he didn't often put this last one on his CV). Despite coming from extreme privilege, James decided to dedicate his career in Parliament to trying to reform the conditions of the common man, both in the Royal Navy and in the prison system.It was only when his attempts to work within the parliamentary system hit a brick wall that James began thinking that things would be much easier if he was able to set up a society of his own. Where he could make the rules and ensure equality for all......and it just so happened that there was a space between Carolina and Florida that hadn't yet been settled.Guest Host: Pam Lotterle

This week we are talking about the incredible afterlife of a woman called Hannah Beswick. After witnessing her brother almost being buried alive, Hannah developed a bit of a complex about it. So much so that she decided to entrust the care of her body to her family doctor, insisting that he only allow her to be buried when he was certain that she was dead.Unfortunately the doctor in question enjoyed collecting interesting medical oddities... and he had just come up with a new method of embalming that he was keen to try out.So join us for a tale of phobias, specialised coffins, legal muddles and ghosts.Guest Host: Ollie Green