Present History Podcast

The SAS Three Musketeers: Stirling, Mayne, Lewes

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Stirling first encountered Lewes in Cairo, where Lewes had already distinguished himself as a disciplined, thoughtful officer, sceptical of Stirling’s audacious but half-formed ideas. Yet Lewes saw in Stirling’s reckless vision the seed of something that could be made workable, and together they began shaping the outline of a force that would strike deep behind enemy lines. Mayne entered the picture soon after: a formidable Irish rugby international turned soldier, notorious for his ferocity, rebelliousness, and disdain for authority. At first, Mayne was wary of Stirling’s patrician charm and untested plans, but Lewes’s quiet rigour and Stirling’s unrelenting conviction drew him into the fold.

Once united, the trio embodied a peculiar alchemy: Stirling the charismatic strategist, Lewes the intellectual engineer of their methods, and Mayne the embodiment of their raw fighting spirit. Together they trained, debated, and occasionally clashed, but in the field they became inseparable—a unit bound not by hierarchy but by trust and necessity. Their partnership was uneasy at times, marked by Stirling’s chaotic leadership style, Lewes’s meticulous standards, and Mayne’s violent intensity, yet this very friction gave the fledgling SAS its character. In their camaraderie and in their conflicts, they created something larger than themselves: a brotherhood whose unity lay not in sameness, but in the tension of their differences.

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Jock Lewes: The Real Rogue Heroes

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:00:00 GMT

When people think of the Special Air Service, names like David Stirling or Paddy Mayne often dominate the conversation. Yet behind those celebrated figures was another man, often overlooked, whose intellect, vision, and daring helped shape the very foundations of Britain’s most famous special forces unit: John Steel "Jock" Lewes. To understand the SAS’s origins fully, one must place Lewes at the centre of the story, for his mind, inventions, and training philosophy were as critical as Stirling’s organisational flair or Mayne’s fighting spirit.

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The Real 'King & Conqueror': The Story of 1066

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:00:00 GMT

The year 1066 is etched deeply into the English imagination. Hastings, Harold, and William the Conqueror are familiar names, tied to a story of ambition, betrayal, and the seismic shift that followed the Norman Conquest. Recently, the television series King & Conqueror has attempted to dramatise this defining moment. But how well does it succeed? Is it faithful to the facts of history, or does it distort them for spectacle? And what does the real story of 1066 actually look like when stripped of its modern embellishments?

King & Conqueror is a series with sweeping ambition. It presents itself as a gritty, dramatic, and character-driven retelling of the rivalry between Harold Godwinson, the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England, and William of Normandy, the duke who would cross the Channel and claim the throne. The show foregrounds personal drama: Harold’s conflicted loyalties, William’s ruthless ambition, and the political intrigue surrounding the throne of Edward the Confessor. Cinematically, it leans into stark visuals—mud, blood, and candlelit chambers—stylistically reminiscent of Game of Thrones or The Last Kingdom. The music and costuming further attempt to immerse the audience in a dark, quasi-medieval atmosphere that prioritises mood over meticulous accuracy.

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David Stirling: The Real Rogue Heroes

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:26:28 GMT

When we think of elite military units today, the Special Air Service (SAS) stands at the forefront—a name synonymous with daring raids, stealth, and extraordinary courage. But the SAS had a beginning, and it began with one man: David Stirling. A tall, charismatic, and unconventional soldier, Stirling transformed modern warfare with his vision of small, highly trained units operating deep behind enemy lines. His story is one of audacity, ingenuity, and a refusal to accept the limitations of traditional military thinking.

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Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders

Thu, 22 May 2025 11:21:14 GMT

This video contains copyrighted material from the television series Peaky Blinders. All rights to Peaky Blinders, including its footage, characters, and music, are owned by Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd and Tiger Aspect Productions, and are distributed by BBC Studios.

The use of this material is for educational and commentary purposes only and is used under the principles of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended.

All footage remains the property of its respective owners.

----

When Peaky Blinders introduced Oswald Mosley in Season 5, viewers were treated to a new kind of antagonist—one not born of the underworld but of Parliament. Played with menacing charisma by Sam Claflin, Mosley brought an aura of unsettling confidence, mixing aristocratic entitlement with fascist fervour. His black-shirted presence disrupted the Shelby empire not with gangland violence, but with ideological warfare and political manoeuvring.

But how close was this portrayal to the real-life Oswald Mosley? Did Peaky Blinders stay true to the historical figure, or did it take creative liberties in service of its stylish noir-drama? As with much in this brilliantly brooding series, the answer lies somewhere between history and myth.

Who Was the Real Oswald Mosley?

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80 Years of VE Day

Thu, 08 May 2025 08:00:00 GMT

On the morning of May 8, 1945, radios crackled with the sound of history. Across Europe and beyond, people gathered around wireless sets in kitchens, town halls, and barracks, listening to the news they had longed for through six relentless years: the war in Europe was over. Nazi Germany had surrendered. Victory in Europe Day—VE Day—had come. The joy was immediate, but it was also uncertain, the exhale of people who had held their breath for too long.

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The Real St. George

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Behind the legend of St George lies a real man - an elite Roman soldier, a bold Christian martyr, and a symbol of resistance that echoed through the Crusades to modern England. In this gripping dive into history, we uncover the truth behind the dragon, the myths, and the man who became a national icon. Was there ever a real dragon? Why did a Middle Eastern martyr become England’s patron saint? The answers will surprise you.

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The Real 'A Thousand Blows'

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In the gritty, lawless underworld of Victorian London, few names inspired as much fear and admiration as Hezekiah Moscow, Sugar Goodson, and Mary Carr. This episode delves into the raw, untamed world of bare-knuckle boxing, high-stakes crime, and gang warfare.

It follows the legendary bout between Moscow - the cunning, fleet-footed Jamaican fighter - and Goodson, the one-eyed bruiser who ruled the East End’s underground rings. Their brutal clash was more than just a fight; it was a battle of old versus new, of strategy versus sheer will.

Meanwhile, Mary Carr, the razor-wielding leader of the Forty Elephants, terrorised London’s elite with daring heists and violent retribution, proving that power in the city’s criminal underbelly wasn’t reserved for men. Through blood, sweat, and unbreakable determination, these figures carved their names into history, shaping the legend of London’s most dangerous streets.

This is the real story behind Disney+'s new hit series, 'A Thousand Blows'.

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The Real Paddy Mayne

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:30:00 GMT

From his early days as a brilliant sportsman and scholar in Northern Ireland to his rise as one of the most decorated and feared special forces leaders of the Second World War, Lieutenant Colonel Robert ‘Paddy’ Mayne embodied a rare blend of raw physicality, intellectual depth, and unbreakable spirit. His journey from rugby pitches to battlefields, from courtrooms to clandestine raids deep behind enemy lines, forged a legacy that transcends mere heroism. Mayne was more than a soldier; he was a force of nature — a man whose audacity, leadership, and sheer willpower reshaped the Special Air Service (SAS) and left an indelible mark on the history of unconventional warfare. This is the extraordinary story of Paddy Mayne: sportsman, scholar, warrior, and legend.

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St. Patrick: Father of Irish Christianity

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:48:36 GMT

Every March 17th, the world dons green, raises a glass, and celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day. But behind the shamrocks, leprechauns, and parades lies a remarkable story of a man whose life was more profound than the legends he inspired. The real Saint Patrick was a sinner, a slave, a missionary, and a man whose unwavering faith transformed a nation. His journey from captivity to compassion, from suffering to salvation, tells a tale that resonates far beyond the festivities we know today.

Patrick’s work sparked a movement. Ireland, once a land of paganism, became a centre of Christian learning and missionary outreach. Monasteries were founded, preserving knowledge and spreading the Gospel to other parts of Europe. In a world teetering on the brink of pagan, barbaric supremacy, Ireland — and Patrick’s influence — helped keep the light of Christ burning and saved western civilisation.

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The Story of the SAS: The Real Rogue Heroes

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

How do you win a world war? How do you liberate a city overrun with an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers? How do you take out a fortress perching on a cliff-edge, behind enemy lines? How do you escape a prisoner of war camp? How do you stop a fleet of enemy planes before they take to the skies?

Sometimes, it takes those we might call ‘crazy’. That rare-breed of people with low risk aversion, a willingness to run headlong at the enemy’s lines, and an ability to do anything it takes to achieve their objectives. Those that might be called, ‘Rogue Heroes’.

This is the story of the Special Air Service, the most elite unit in the British Military. They have become intertwined with legend and myth. They are, the SAS.

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The Oldest Rivalry in Football: England vs Scotland

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 15:00:22 GMT

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.

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Britain's Little Friend: A Short History of the Isle of Wight

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:00:08 GMT

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.

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I'll Make a Man of You: Recruitment Songs of the First World War

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:00:44 GMT

Music has always been able to elicit powerful emotional reactions in its listeners, and this was utilised to an impressive degree by those artistes and music halls that rallied to the war effort. They were a successful means by which to drive recruitment, and helped mobilise a generation of men to fight ‘The War to End All Wars’.

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The Stories of Britain: Myths, Cultural Identity and World War One

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 15:00:14 GMT

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.

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A History of Britain in 15 Women (and maybe a couple more)

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 09:30:22 GMT

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.

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Singing Hymns Until Death: The Joy of the British Martyrs

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:45:16 GMT

Singing Hymns Until Death: The Joy of the British Martyrs | Zachary Peatling | Live at Chalke Valley History Festival 2023

In 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.

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Æthelflæd: England’s Forgotten Warrior Queen

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:00:53 GMT

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.

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The Age of Sail with Philip K. Allan

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:12:04 GMT

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/PhilipKAllan

Follow Zachary:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharypeatling

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

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Poldark, Bridgerton and Academia with Hannah Greig

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:00:03 GMT

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_Greig

https://twitter.com/HistoryFilmClub

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-beau-monde-9780198861188?lang=en&cc=gb

Follow Zachary:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharypeatling

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

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Wicked Women with Grace Beattie

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 18:00:41 GMT

In this episode, Zachary Peatling had the chance to sit down with Grace Beattie, a public historian and podcaster, to chat about her podcast, Wicked Women.

It also includes a very exciting announcement: Wicked Women: The Podcast is joining the Present History network!

They were adulterers, murderers, mistresses, religious zealots, thieves, and traitors. They were queens, wives, mothers, young, and old. What binds the women together in this podcast is their legacies. These are women who were known during their lifetimes or reinvented after their deaths as wicked women. The lenses of history are often gendered, damning women for some of the same actions that men have been lauded for. The nuances surrounding the women in this podcast were removed in exchange for a one-sided portrayal. Within Wicked Women: The Podcast, I do not attempt to excuse or condone the wrongs committed by these women, instead, the podcast looks at their overarching story and examines the origin of their negative legacy. Alongside a brief biographical overview of the woman, I will be incorporating interviews I have held with experts on the subject to provide multiple and diverse perspectives.

Check out Wicked Women:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2U2SOrNMs6hEVQYj31gEff?si=1082191cb2944e56

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzaB7mlO3sWTK3nRfAZGeINRIE5g_UhEB

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Black Poppies with Stephen Bourne

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:00:49 GMT

Welcome to the Present History Podcast! We have a very special episode today, as we are with Stephen Bourne, an award-winning and critically acclaimed writer and social historian.

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The Story of Scotch

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 17:41:24 GMT

Whisky has been a staple of Scottish culture for hundreds of years. And, to the Scottish people, whisky is more than just a drink. As literary historian David Daiches once wrote: “The proper drinking of Scotch whisky is more than indulgence: it is a toast to civilisation, a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of man’s determination to use the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and enjoy to the full the senses with which he has been endowed.”

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The Birth of the PM

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:00:22 GMT

2022 was a tumultuous and potentially disastrous year for the institution of the Prime Minister. The trust in the position had been undermined, the ability of the structure of British government brought into question and the office made into a hollow shell of the power and authority it was meant to yield.

In many ways, the sentiment towards the institution of the Prime Minister in 2022 was reminiscent of the feeling towards the office at its inception.

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Queen Elizabeth II

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 17:00:40 GMT

After 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. With the end of the longest reign in British history, comes the end of an era. She had become more than just a queen. In many ways, she had become the figurehead for Britain itself. She encapsulated many of the things that represent ‘Britishness’. She was was a stalwart believer in duty, responsibility and faith. She was guided by her sense of service and inheritance. Whatever you may think of her politically or the institution historically, no one can escape the influence and impact she had on Britain and the world.

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Mad Hatter - Interview with Amanda Hale, Part Two

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 17:30:13 GMT

When I first started this Present History Multimedia Project, one of the main things that I wanted to do, and something that was very high up on my list of priorities, was to speak to Amanda Hale.

While writing my undergraduate dissertation about this topic, her book, Mad Hatter, had provided interesting insights into the character and personality of many of the members of the League of Christian Reformers. In particular, James Larratt Battersby, the so-called Mad Hatter, and Amanda’s father.

And so, I shot her an email, intrigued as to what her response would be to me doing a whole multimedia project on the League of Christian Reformers, and especially wanting to do an episode specifically about her father. She responded quickly, and seemed interested in the project, and excited to talk about her book. I was elated. We soon organised a meeting, and, as we sat down to record, the sun was glaring through the blinds in my office, and snow was falling outside the windows of hers. She was in Canada, I was in England. And yet, what should have been an obstacle that made an interview like this impossible, is now hardly a barrier at all.

We pressed record, and for the next hour or so, we discussed James Battersby, his life, career, beliefs and eventual end. We also discussed Amanda, her process in writing, balancing fact and fiction, her research into her father, and how this journey of discovery became more than just research for a book to her, but something that challenged and impacted her to the core.

It was a fascinating conversation, and I can’t wait to you to hear it. So, sit back, get comfortable and enjoy my conversation with Amanda Hale, bestselling author and the daughter of James Larratt Battersby, the Mad Hatter.

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Mad Hatter - Interview with Amanda Hale, Part One

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 08:59:42 GMT

When I first started this Present History Multimedia Project, one of the main things that I wanted to do, and something that was very high up on my list of priorities, was to speak to Amanda Hale.

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The Violent Vigilantes that Attacked a Hitler Cult

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:00:19 GMT

The two black saloon cars had been there all morning. Not many had noticed them, tucked away in an off-road lane. And, if they had, they had not made a fuss. The people of River, however reluctantly, had become used to seeing strange people doing strange things in their serene village. Not too long ago, the peace of the farmland had been broken by the thunderous voice of a Pastor contending for his Christian faith. It had all started when new owners had arrived at River House. They had quickly renamed it Kingdom House. It was as if a shadow followed the new inhabitants; a dark cloud that washed over the village. Almost everyone in the village knew that these men and women were fascists, and that at least all of the men had been interred in a prison camp for most of the war. The villagers hadn’t accepted them with open arms. But they had been respectful. Then, the newspapers started to report that these people were trying to bring in a massive bust of Hitler’s head to the house. To their village. Their fathers, brothers, sons and friends had fought and died in a war trying to defeat the evil of Hitler and his regime. Now, they were expected to accept a bastion of this ideology, in their village? Not only this, these people, this League of Christian Reformers, were worshiping him. That’s why the Pastor had come, that’s why the atmosphere of the village had shifted.

The government had done nothing. And said they wouldn’t do anything. Inaction had been tolerated long enough.

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The Cult who Believed Hitler was Christ

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 10:19:29 GMT

The Third Episode in the Hitler's Kingdom Come Project!

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The Pastor Who Opposed a Hitler Cult

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 19:30:00 GMT

As the breeze curled its way down the street, it carried the low rumble of a black, mud-spattered saloon car. Strapped to its roof were large loud-speakers. It drew up to the massive gate that guarded the entrance to Kingdom House. At the wheel was the 48-year-old Victor Walker. His wide brimmed hat shadowed his eyes from the sun, his jaw set, his heart beginning to pound. He was the pastor of Elim Four-Square Gospel Church, and had driven 15 miles with the sole intention of engaging these ‘Reformers’. He wanted to call them out for what he believed was blasphemy and believed they deserved to be rebuked. Parking the car, he stepped outside. He looked up at the gate that loomed over him.

He grabbed the wide, ribbed microphone, his Bible under one arm, he adjusted his tie briefly. He lifted the microphone towards his face. And began.

‘Hello everyone. I propose to hold a short religious service here today.’

This is the story of a British pastor who stood up against the Legion of Christian Reformers.

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The British Cult that Worshiped Hitler

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 17:30:00 GMT

Hitler's Kingdom Come - A Present History Multimedia Project - Episode One

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Introducing the 'Hitler's Kingdom Come' Project

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 16:36:47 GMT

When you think of Nazis and religious cults, you probably think of an old gothic castle in a dark corner of Germany.

You don’t tend to think of England. Much less, leafy Surrey.

But, in 1943, a group of men came together to worship Hitler as the second coming of Christ.

They went on to form a church in Petworth, Surrey. Growing to around 12 members, this cult worshiped Hitler at their altar, wrote letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbi and went about attempting to make Hitler's Kingdom Come.

This extreme group of fanatical fascists and radicalised pseudo-Christians were brought up in Parliament 4 times, noticed in Soviet Moscow and reviled by their local community. They wrote books, theological works, memoirs and manifestos, marched the fascist campaign trail, but were seen as slightly too bizarre for Oswald Mosley and his British Union of Fascists.

The government said they couldn’t do anything because, despite being a little 'odd' or 'out there' in the words of their local MP, technically, they had done nothing illegal. It was only after stiff opposition from local churches and pastors, and a violent raid by local mercenaries that the cult finally disbanded.

Using recently declassified MI5 files and the secret letters of its members, this multimedia project will incorporate every social media platform, to tell an innovative, groundbreaking and engaging historical narrative.

We will chart the story of the League of Christian Reformers, from their dark inception in the prison camps on the Isle of Man, through their wacky theology and worldview, and to their eventual demise. We will have deep dives on each of the members, uncovering their lives and stories, including a fascinating interview with one of their daughters! Not only this, we’ll also be looking at British Fascism as a whole, where the league intercepted with men like Oswald Moseley and groups like the British Union of Fascists and the Nordic League.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok, subscribe on YouTube, and follow the Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss a single piece of content. You can also check out our website at www.presenthistory.co.uk, where they’ll be a homepage for the entire project, so you never lose track.

Stay tuned, its going to be a crazy ride.

...

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@presenthistory

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presenthistory_/

Podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BH54bZ944WrcIDxjGmg5N?si=3321ca2bc979452d

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/present-history-podcast/id1519822694

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The Rise and Fall of Mercia with Annie Whitehead - Part Two

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 14:00:09 GMT

In this episode of the Present History Podcast, Zachary Peatling sat down with Annie Whitehead, an Anglo-Saxon historian and critically acclaimed author, to discuss the Kingdom of Mercia, Aethelflaed, and more!

Check out Annie Whitehead:

Website: https://www.anniewhiteheadauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @AnnieWHistory

Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom: https://www.waterstones.com/book/mercia/annie-whitehead/9781398103337

Check out Zachary Peatling:

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

Twitter: @zjpeatling

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The Rise and Fall of Mercia with Annie Whitehead - Part One

Fri, 20 May 2022 17:30:14 GMT

Check out Annie Whitehead:

Website: https://www.anniewhiteheadauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @AnnieWHistory

Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom: https://www.waterstones.com/book/mercia/annie-whitehead/9781398103337

Check out Zachary Peatling:

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

Twitter: @zjpeatling

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The Endurance of Shackleton with Joanna Grochowicz - Part Two

Mon, 16 May 2022 12:00:46 GMT

In this episode of the Present History Podcast, Zachary Peatling sat down with Joanna Grochowicz, a polar historian and critically acclaimed author, to discuss Ernest Shackleton, the Endurance and the incredible stories of polar exploration!

Check out Joanna Grochowicz:

Website: https://www.joannagrochowicz.com

Twitter: @GrochowiczJ

Shackleton's Endurance: An Antarctic Survival Story: https://www.waterstones.com/book/shackletons-endurance/joanna-grochowicz/9781911679158

Check out Zachary Peatling:

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

Twitter: @zjpeatling

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The Endurance of Shackleton with Joanna Grochowicz - Part One

Fri, 06 May 2022 17:06:27 GMT

Check out Joanna Grochowicz:

Website: https://www.joannagrochowicz.com

Twitter: @GrochowiczJ

Shackleton's Endurance: An Antarctic Survival Story: https://www.waterstones.com/book/shackletons-endurance/joanna-grochowicz/9781911679158

Check out Zachary Peatling:

Website: https://www.presenthistory.co.uk

Twitter: @zjpeatling

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The Power of Oral History with Dr George Severs - Part Two

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 17:00:00 GMT

We have a very special episode today, as we are with Dr George Severs, a leading oral historian, specialising in the history of activism, sexuality, religion and work, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Birkbeck, University of London, and a member of the Editorial Board of Oral History, the journal of the UK’s Oral History Society (OHS).

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The Power of Oral History with Dr George Severs - Part One

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:00:00 GMT

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Trench Talk - Slang and Banter in WW1

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 18:00:00 GMT

The First World War was one of the most catastrophic and impactful events in British history, and the soldiers’ experience of it has often been boiled down to mud, blood, poison gas and ‘going over the top’. But, there are aspects of life that were fundamental to a soldier’s experience that have been simply overlooked. For example, the ‘Trench Talk’; the way in which the soldiers communicated with one another, how they voiced their feelings and emotions, and even, how they interacted with the public back home. Slang and banter would be crucial parts in how the soldiers on the front experienced and dealt with the horrors of war.

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Catherine Howard: The Maligned Queen w/ Grace Beattie Pt. 2

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 18:00:00 GMT

'Henry VIII’s wives have been constantly reinvented. But not Katherine Howard. The legend and the myth often outweigh the actual woman’s story—a multifaceted woman who was both a victim and an agent of her own fate. She was a real teenage girl living in the moment, unaware of the significant consequences lurking in the shadows. Katherine deserves a new analysis in an age in which a woman’s sexual choices are no longer held against her. One that acknowledges her imperfections but does not condemn her for them.' - Grace Beattie, The Maligned Queen: The Life and Legacy of Katherine Howard (The Afterlife of History Blog)

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Catherine Howard: The Maligned Queen w/ Grace Beattie Pt. 1

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:00:00 GMT

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Bond Post-9/11 | You Only Live Forever Pt. 2

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:00:00 GMT

This episode contains potential spoilers for all the James Bond films and books, so, if by some miraculous turn of events you have managed to avoid them all for the last sixty years, go watch them and then come back! If not, thank you for tuning in and enjoy!Also, a quick little trigger warning, we will be discussing 9/11 and its aftermath.James Bond has been a staple of British literary and cinematic culture for the past 59 years. He has undergone a slow, steady, evolution into the modern world, carrying with him the luggage of his Cold War origins and a need to remain relevant. He has always been a kind of mouthpiece for the political and cultural issues faced by Britain and America throughout his emphatically consistent cinematic career. Beginning as a figurehead of resurgent British power in the years of economic downturn following the Second World War, becoming the icon of Britain’s Cold War, through the American War on Drugs, the fears of seemingly omnipotent media moguls, and internal threats, Bond has been brought firmly into the modern world, standing against terrorism and biological- and cyber-warfare. He is, and always has been, a product of the sixties constantly adapting to whatever threat his real-world, modernising nation needed him to face.

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The Birth of Bond | You Only Live Forever Pt. 1

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:00:00 GMT

The following episode contains potential spoilers for all the James Bond films and books, so if, somehow, you’ve managed to avoid Bond for your entire life and still don’t know what happens, go watch the films first and then come back. If not, get comfortable and enjoy! Throughout his cinematic career, Bond has faced stereotypical Soviet threats, grandiose crime lords and eccentric businessmen; home-grown internal threats, nuclear weapons, biological warfare, space-travel, terrorism and dictatorships. What all these antagonists have in common, is that they’re just as much a product of their time as the character of Bond himself. Whatever was a perceived threat to Britain’s security at the time, invariably ended up reflected in the latest instalment of the Bond franchise. This was common from the very beginning.

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Before Catastrophe - Britain Before WW1

Fri, 14 May 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The First World War was one of the most catastrophic and impactful moments in British History. It saw the advent of new ways of waging war; a new, more mechanised, more industrial kind of war that began to encompass every aspect of British society. Every class, every position, every man, woman and child; no one and nothing was left untouched by the Great War. In the history of Britain, there are few events that can match the true impact the First World War had.For many, their understanding of the Great War begins with the Western Front, with fields pockmarked with vast craters, laced with mud-filled trenches, with barbed wire, gas and No-Man’s Land. But, Britain was in turmoil even before the declaration of war was written.

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The Great War and Modern Britain with Dr Edward Madigan

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 17:30:54 GMT

A very special interview with Dr Edward Madigan, lecturer in Public History and First World War Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, discussing all things World War One!

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Christian & British - A Brief History

Sat, 10 Oct 2020 17:38:17 GMT

Christianity is the most popular and widespread religion in the world, and it is no less prevalent here, having been the official state religion since the end of the Roman era. And yet, Christianity in Britain has a long, complicated and controversial history. And so, in this episode of the Present History Podcast, we will be examining this history from the Roman Era until now.

So, let’s delve into a history of being Christian and British.

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Jewish & British - A Brief History

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 20:04:05 GMT

The history of Jews in Britain is an often overlooked part of our history. And yet, it is longer, deeper and more violent than many would know. In this episode of the Present History Podcast, we’re going to look at the history of Judaism, antisemitism and Jewishness in Britain, from the Roman era until today.

So, let’s dive in to a brief history of being Jewish & British.

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Female & British - A Brief History

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 14:49:53 GMT

In this episode of the Present History Podcast, we’re going to look at the history of women, women’s rights, sexism and feminism. Through the lives of a number of incredible women, we will get a brief overview of British women’s history from the Roman era to the present day.

So, let’s take a look into a history of being Female & British.

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Black & British - A Brief History

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 11:52:40 GMT

The history of race and Britain is a long, complicated and contentious one. In this episode of the Present History Podcast, we’re going to take a deep, but brief dive into this history and how it directly affects us today, taking a particular focus on the treatment of black people in this country.

In light of all that has happened recently in America, with the murder of George Floyd, and the overwhelming response to it, I know that I’ve found myself finding it very easy to talk about racism in America, the history of it, I can name the major figures, talk about the events, talk about MLK and Malcom X, the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and everything that happened with that. But I, personally, know that I have very little knowledge of the history of race, racism and race relations in Britain. So this whole episode has kind of come out of my own personal research, as I have tried to understand the history of this issue in our own country.

So let’s dive into a brief history of being Black & British.

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