Present History Podcast

It has never failed to deliver drama, intensity and truly lives up to the reputation as the longest lasting and greatest rivalry in international football. Here's a short history of the oldest rivalry in football: England vs Scotland.

This is the story of the little island of the coast of England: Britain's little companion. From its earliest geographical formation, to the Second World War, this island has seen occupations and invasions, kings and queens, uprisings, bombings, war and peace; saints and sinners, devils and angels. This is a short history of the Isle of Wight: Britain's little friend.

How did our cultural identity come about? How were myths, legends and stories of British history used to form, impact, and, in many ways, control British cultural identity? By looking at the myths of King Arthur and St George, Zachary Peatling explores the construction of British Cultural Identity, and how it was weaponised during the First World War. Recorded live at Chalke History Festival 2024.

Thomas Carlyle in 1840 wrote that ‘world history is but the biography of great men’, and yet, British history is filled with powerful, influential and dynamic women, who actively changed the course of Britain forever. This is a history of Britain through the stories of 15 women, and maybe a couple more too. 

Singing Hymns Until Death: The Joy of the British Martyrs | Zachary Peatling | Live at Chalke Valley History Festival 2023In this talk, recorded live at Chalke Valley History Festival 2023, Zachary Peatling investigates the stories of some of Britain's protestant martyrs, getting to the core of how, why, they could go to their deaths with a sense of joy and hope.

Although she is not often remembered or celebrated, it is difficult to overstate the importance of Æthelflæd and her rule. She was pivotal as a founding mother of England, and ruled with cunning, power and success.

In this episode, Zachary Peatling had the opportunity to sit down with Philip K. Allan, a critically acclaimed naval historian and author. Check out Philip:http://philipkallan.com https://twitter.com/PhilipKAllanFollow Zachary:Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharypeatling Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

In this very special episode, Zachary Peatling had the opportunity to sit down with Hannah Greig, an eighteenth-century historian and TV/film historical consultant who’s worked on the likes of Poldark, Bridgerton and The Favourite, and has a wildly successful podcast of her own, the Historical Film Club with Alex von Tunzelmann. Follow Hannah:https://twitter.com/Hannah_Greighttps://twitter.com/HistoryFilmClubhttps://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-beau-monde-9780198861188?lang=en&cc=gbFollow Zachary:Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharypeatling Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk