Cover image of Histories of the Unexpected

Histories of the Unexpected

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 ne... Read more

Ranked #1

Podcast cover

Christmas Ep.2

Christmas Ep.2

Sam & James dig deep into the Unexpected History of Christmas. For more exclusive interviews and documentaries, sign... Read more

21 Dec 2017

33mins

Ranked #2

Podcast cover

Clothing

Clothing

Sam Willis and James Daybell take on the UNEXPECTED history of CLOTHING! It's all about social control, death, recycling... Read more

4 Dec 2019

47mins

Similar Podcasts

Ranked #3

Podcast cover

Vikings

Vikings

James and Sam explore the UNEXPECTED history of the Vikings. Who knew that the Vikings are all about graffiti, break-ins... Read more

6 May 2019

37mins

Ranked #4

Podcast cover

World War 2

World War 2

Sam and James discuss all of the unexpected aspects of WWII, which is all about rubble, carrots, blood, pockets, suicide... Read more

13 May 2019

34mins

Most Popular Podcasts

Ranked #5

Podcast cover

The Letter

The Letter

Doubt thou the stars are fire,Doubt that the sun doth move,Doubt truth to be a liar, ~Shakespeare, Hamlet’s letter to Op... Read more

11 Nov 2016

34mins

Ranked #6

Podcast cover

The Spanish Armada

The Spanish Armada

Sam and James explore the UNEXPECTED history of the Spanish Armada. It's all about collapsed expectation, flags, spies (... Read more

21 Oct 2019

32mins

Ranked #7

Podcast cover

Soap

Soap

In this episode James and Sam explore the Unexpected History of SOAP, which is of course all about hazing, the British R... Read more

28 Mar 2020

42mins

Ranked #8

Podcast cover

Blood and Bones

Blood and Bones

Inspired by Halloween and Bonfire Night, Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of blood and bones: it's all about... Read more

6 Nov 2019

47mins

Ranked #9

Podcast cover

Dragons

Dragons

Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod Hist... Read more

4 Apr 2017

18mins

Ranked #10

Podcast cover

Nazis

Nazis

Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of the Nazis. They're all about, motherhood, shame, medals, public speaking... Read more

27 Jul 2019

33mins

Ranked #11

Podcast cover

Christmas Ep.1

Christmas Ep.1

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!... Then the Grinch thought of s... Read more

24 Dec 2016

35mins

Ranked #12

Podcast cover

Stench! Homeschooling Public Health in Victorian England

Stench! Homeschooling Public Health in Victorian England

This eighth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores STENCH and Public Health... Read more

11 Apr 2020

19mins

Ranked #13

Podcast cover

Pockets

Pockets

Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell whisk you through the mysterious crannies in the unexpected history of pockets... Read more

7 Apr 2018

28mins

Ranked #14

Podcast cover

Graffiti

Graffiti

Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillisProfessor James Daybell - @JamesDaybellFollow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPodHistory... Read more

24 Jan 2017

30mins

Ranked #15

Podcast cover

Applause!

Applause!

In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of APPLAUSE, which is all a... Read more

16 Apr 2020

45mins

Ranked #16

Podcast cover

Oranges

Oranges

Find out about the unexpected history of the orange, how it's linked to the the Gunpowder Plot, and other extraordinary ... Read more

30 Sep 2016

19mins

Ranked #17

Podcast cover

Bells

Bells

Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of bells. For more exclusive history document... Read more

17 Jun 2018

34mins

Ranked #18

Podcast cover

Showoffs! Homeschooling Norman Castles!

Showoffs! Homeschooling Norman Castles!

This thirteenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SHOWOFFS and NORMAN ... Read more

20 Apr 2020

23mins

Ranked #19

Podcast cover

Bubbles!

Bubbles!

Like a well-spring of historical facts, bubbling over with unexpected links, Dr Sam Willis, the maitre’d of museums, and... Read more

1 Nov 2016

22mins

Ranked #20

Podcast cover

The Fart

The Fart

Dr Sam Willis - @DrSamWillis Professor James Daybell - @JamesDaybell Follow the show's new Twitter: @UnexpectedPod Histo... Read more

12 Jul 2017

31mins

“Podium: AI tools for podcasters. Generate show notes, transcripts, highlight clips, and more with AI. Try it today at https://podium.page”