That Time When

Winchester Cathedral Sank

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Monty Python was nearly right about something sinking into a swamp, but it was a cathedral, not a castle. This week on That Time When we make a surprising number of pop culture references (mostly movies), so we'll be teaching you the previously unknown collection between the Saw franchise and Winchester Cathedral (there isn't one) as we find out why and how a cathedral can sink.

The following music was used to create this podcast:

"Anachronist" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Jerusalem peformed by Winchester Cathedral Choir

Hello Zepp by Charlie Clouser

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Horace De Vere Cole was a Prankster

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:51:54 GMT

Horace De Vere Cole was a pretty ordinary person for a wealthy man in the late 19th century, except for his obsession with pulling pranks. His obsession has meant that no one is really sure if he had a point to them or not: did he want to thumb his nose at authority figures and pretentious art? Or was he just in it for a good, if sometimes obscene, time?

The following music was used for this project:

"Sneaky Snitch" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Anachronist" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Nicolas Flamel was Immortalised

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:21:54 GMT

You've probably heard the name Nicolas Flamel, most likely from the first Harry Potter book, but he was a real man with an... interesting story about his work as an alchemist and creator of the Philosopher's Stone. Of course, there's more to it than that, and also a whole lot less to it.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Suonatore di Liuto by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4440-suonatore-di-liuto

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Dracula's Brother was Drop-Dead Gorgeous (Feat. Swedish Coffee Bans)

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 16:50:11 GMT

On this Halloween episode we hope that you've got your corpse storage room ready, because we're going to talk about Vlad the Impaler... well, actually we're going to talk about Vlad's handsome brother, but you know Vlad is gonna get talked about too. Plus there's an episodette about an experiment to see if coffee needed to be banned in Sweden.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4533-toccata-and-fugue-in-d-minor

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Gone with the Wind made Movie History

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 11:00:19 GMT

Gone With the Wind is a... controversial film, but definitely not as heavy on the racism as the book. This week, Amelia talks about the making of the film and how it influenced race relations in America in the 20th Century.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A South Korean Spy Thriller Lasted for Fifteen Years

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:04:25 GMT

We're back and delving into the murky world of espionage and crime with a story from Cold War era South Korea. Also listen out for what I believe is the first appearance of our rabbit Pearl on the podcast.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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There was a Goblin in a Stove (Feat. John Glenn's Urine)

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 18:20:17 GMT

Possibly my favourite title I've ever come up with for one of these episodes. This week, Barnaby talks about the mysterious case of the Zaragoza Goblin, as well as the mysterious case of space fireflies... which might have been urine.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Come Play with Me by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3526-come-play-with-me

Music: Waltz of Treachery by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4606-waltz-of-treachery

Music: Symmetry by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4790-symmetry

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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A German Prince Built a Volcano

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 17:39:13 GMT

You know how it is, you spend your teenage years in the army, decide you don't like it, go on holiday instead, and develop a fascination with English parks and also Vesuvius. Tale as old as time, or at least it is for Prince Leopold III who was probably the ultimate gap year student, at least, one who was able to build a volcano.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4026-master-of-the-feast

Music: Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4481-thatched-villagers

Music: Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3562-crossing-the-chasm

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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An Australian PM went for a Swim (Feat. Penelope the Platypus)

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:05:37 GMT

You'd think that before drowning you might struggle a bit, or give some indication that you're not exactly happy with your present situation. Turns out if you don't it might be that you've just defected to China or been assassinated by the CIA. Probably not, but these were some theories around the strange disappearance of an Australian Prime Minister and his mysterious peanuts. Also featuring the tale of girlboss: Penelope the Platypus.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravo

Music: Monkeys Spinning Monkeys by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4071-monkeys-spinning-monkeys

Music: Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Australia Started a War with Emus

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:45:21 GMT

What's this? A mysterious new voice on the podcast? Yes, this is our first ever guest episode of the podcast! This week Fiona Milway will tell us all about Australia's failed attempt to fight a war against Emus. Yes, Emus. You'd be surprised how tactical those birds can be and how much they learned about the art of war. Sun Tzu would be proud.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Music: Nu Flute by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4149-nu-flute

Music: Symmetry by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4790-symmetry

Music: Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3562-crossing-the-chasm

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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A Ghost gave Testimony at a Trial

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:46:52 GMT

Detective fiction would be very different if more people came back from the dead to testify in the case of their own murder. Unfortunately we can't always rely on the supernatural to put away murderers, but that is what happened in the case of the Greenbrier Ghost.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin Macleod

Netherworld Shanty by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4119-netherworld-shanty

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Husbands Sold their Wives

Wed, 17 May 2023 16:30:19 GMT

What could be more English than going into a rural marketplace and seeing someone shouting "Wife for sale!" Surprisingly, wife-selling is a tradition in England that doesn't really get talked about that much. I wonder why...

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Music: Village Consort by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4585-village-consort

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Women Weren't Allowed to Drink in Bars

Fri, 12 May 2023 13:40:42 GMT

I mean, the title isn't exactly accurate, but it's how this story is often portrayed. This is the story of the case of Gill and Coote v El Vino's, a landmark case which stopped pubs and bars from preventing women from drinking at the bar, because, yes, the law needed to specify that.

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod

Music: Sneaky Snitch by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4522-thinking-music

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4384-sneaky-snitch

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Demara was Several Monks

Wed, 03 May 2023 17:23:02 GMT

Welcome the Great Imposter! Not a superhero, nor a stage magician, but a man who really REALLY wanted to be a monk and ended up being a doctor, a psychologist, a lawyer, and an actor (and only one of those was legitimate).

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Londoners were Robbed by Elephants

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:26:42 GMT

We're back! Let's blow the dust off the microphones with a story about criminal gangs in London's past. This particular gang is made up of... elephants? Well, no, women actually, but still interesting either way, right?

The following music was used for this media project:

Music: Anachronist by Kevin MacLeod

Waltz of Treachery by Kevin MacLeod

Breaktime by Kevin MacLeod

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist

https://filmmusic.io/song/4606-waltz-of-treachery

https://filmmusic.io/song/3457-breaktime

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Mashers got the Point

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:20:24 GMT

In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, women suddenly faced more street harassment than before. Of course, they weren't going to take that lying down and so came up with new ways to defend themselves thanks... to fashion. This week on That Time When we talk about the hatpin panic, and once again see that nothing ever really changes in history. By the way, if you do want to listen to the song we discuss (if you really want to hear the whole, dark thing) you can search for "Never go Walking out without your Hatpin" performed by Elsa Lanchester.

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Richard II was Remarkably Like Charles VI

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 18:06:38 GMT

After Barnaby talked last week about a mad king, Amelia has been champing at the bit to talk about one of her favourite subjects: Richard II of England. Was he mad? Did he have scores of gay lovers? Probably not, but there has been a lot of confusion over the life of Richard II and why he was so unpopular in the eyes of history. Also featuring John of Gaunt wanging on about This Scepter'd Isle

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Charles VI was a Hot, Wild Man

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 14:31:19 GMT

Charles VI of France was, for a while, known as Charles the Beloved. He surrounded himself with competent advisors and managed to reverse some unpopular decisions. Things were looking good. Unfortunately the king had his own personal problems, and led to a party that effectively ended his reign and a regency council appointed instead. What happened at that party? Why should you be wary of a wild man costume? And did the Duke of Orleans conspire with demons? Find out here.

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Burke and Hare were Unbelievably Sloppy

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:26:43 GMT

It's Halloween! Or, a couple of days afterwards anyway, but hey ho, we're going to do a Halloween episode anyway. This week, Amelia dives into the world of body snatching in 19th century Edinburgh with the tale of Burke and Hare, who were definitely not the sort of suave gentlemen killers you might imagine, but opportunists who were pretty lazy all things considered.

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Dr Rebecca Crumpler was the First Black Woman to Receive an M.D. in America

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:07:46 GMT

We finish off Black History Month with the amazing tale of Dr Rebecca Lee Crumpler, who was such a dedicated doctor that she didn't have time for people's racism, she was just going to help people and no one was going to get in her way.

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The Chevalier de Saint Georges was a Revolutionary, an Abolitionist, and Still a Musician (Feat. Goats eating coffee) (Part 2)

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:42:08 GMT

Well we might have beaten our record for longest episode title, but it's necessary when you're talking about someone as awesome as the Chevalier de Saint Georges. He continues with his displays of swordsmanship (with special appearance from a previous subject of the podcast), but now brings his attention to the plight of Haitian slaves, but always returns to his passion of music. Also, should we be thanking caffeinated goats for coffee?

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The Chevalier de Saint Georges was a Swordsman, Musician, and Composer (Part 1)

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:47:11 GMT

We start off Black History Month here on that time when with a man so cool we end up declaring him the Elvis of pre-revolutionary France. I mean, when you win a swordfight that ends slavery (sort of), you've got to be up there with the coolest people, even if your dad was a bit dodgy.

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Gutenberg Sold Dodgy Mirrors

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:14:27 GMT

Barnaby gets a bit frustrated at how little we know about one of the most important figures in European, and possibly world, history. You may know already of Johannes Gutenberg, but did you know that he had a side hustle before he made his printing press? Or how a lawsuit possibly stopped him from being well known in his lifetime? Or why for many years we could call him Mr Gooseflesh? Find out here.

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The Courts made a Meal of Dudley and Stephens

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 05:00:13 GMT

I think we all know the stories of sailors in history getting shipwrecked or stuck at sea and having to make the horrible choice to resort to cannibalism. In the 19th century this was such a problem that it caused decades of legal headaches until the courts finally decided to settle the matter with the case of Dudley and Stephens. There was Brooks too, but everyone seems to just forgive him the cannibalism for... reasons?

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Alexander Selkirk was Marooned

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:35:20 GMT

Is it possible that Robinson Crusoe was inspired by a goat-man? This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about Alexander Selkirk, a real life Robinson Crusoe who managed to survive for years on a deserted island thanks to the timely intercession of some sea-lions, a pack of friendly cats, and some cabbages that had no rightful business being there. No, I'm not making any of that up.

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Joseph Grimaldi Became The Sad Clown (Part 2)

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 05:00:13 GMT

This week on That Time When we continue with the story of Joseph Grimaldi, the Father of Modern Clowning. Last week we looked at his early life and ascent to the part of The Clown, this week we look at his prolific career and how he came to become the icon of the clown for years to come. We also have Amelia explaining a pun to Barnaby that he completely missed... he is still a little annoyed about it. *Content Note: there is a brief discussion of suicide toward the end of the episode, in case it is a topic you might find sensitive.

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Joseph Grimaldi Became The Clown (Part 1)

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:16:05 GMT

Joseph Grimaldi can be remembered as the Father of the Modern Clown. But before you have traumatic memories of Pennywise and turn off, you should listen to his story, because Grimaldi's life is a fascinating study of a struggling artist who transformed theatres of the day. You'll also find out why clowns of the 18th century were more like silent movie performers, and why you shouldn't swing your young child on a chain on stage.

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Van Speijk Exploded (Feat. Gladiator Music)

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:00:01 GMT

This Week on That Time When we listen to the most dramatic and powerful music to accompany the Entry of the Gladiators. After that, Amelia tells us about a Dutch hero who is famous for pirate murder, delivering quips, and causing one very large explosion.

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The Roanoke Colony Disappeared (Part 2)

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 05:00:36 GMT

This week on That Time When we continue the story of the lost Roanoke Colony, and actually get to the point where the colonists have gone missing! Now the mission becomes finding these poor people. Will the weather let up and actually allow someone to complete their mission? Will people back in England care? Will Sir Walter Raleigh actually look for them, or is he too busy thinking of gold? We'll also talk about some more modern theories which range from the very plausible to the outright conspiracy theory nonsense of Secret Protestant Cabals!

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Sir Walter Raleigh Wanted Virginia (Part 1)

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:24:31 GMT

The mystery of the Missing Roanoke Colony is a pretty good story by itself, but it turns out that everything that led up to it was a mad comedy of errors. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us about the two expeditions that set the stage for the attempt at a first permanent colony in North America. Expect ridiculous storms, a lack of basic diplomacy, and the utter failure to keep a hold of ships with food supplies. Next week: the mystery itself!

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Alexandre Dumas was a Copycat

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 05:00:44 GMT

Amelia has managed to find a very obscure French story that may well have... *ahem* inspired Alexandre Dumas to write The Count of Monte Cristo. This has everything: romance, betrayal, false imprisonment, vengeance, elaborate murder, and parrot slaying. You'd think it was all made up!

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Berners Street was Filled with Traffic

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 05:00:33 GMT

Imagine getting a knock at the door only to discover hoards of people who tell you that they've come to deliver various goods and services that you never asked for, and they probably want paying for it too. That was the experience Mrs Tottingham of 54 Berners Street had in 1810. In this episode of That Time When, we look at the Berners Street Hoax, the man behind it and why he was just the worst, and question whether or not the whole story ever happened.

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Deacon Brodie was Living a Double Life (Feat. Napoleon's Bunnies)

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:19:14 GMT

Amelia is back in the hosting seat this week and brings us a story that may have inspired a very well known character from gothic literature. William 'Deacon' Brodie was a very well-to-do locksmith from Edinburgh who had a sneaky little side business to help fund his double-life. Also this week we hear the story of the enemy that defeated Napoleon more soundly than anyone else. Not Wellington, we are talking about rabbits.

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Qin Shi Huang was Obsessed with Death

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 05:00:58 GMT

Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China and accomplished a great many things, but he was a bit preoccupied with the possibility of his death. This might be because of the increasingly bizarre assassination attempts against him. So of course the only course of action was to build an enormous mausoleum and also search for the secret of immortality, just to make the first part redundant. We try and get pronunciation of names right, but being British they're likely to be a bit off, just to let you know.

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The HMS Carmania had a Strange Encounter (Feat. Hieronymous Bosch's Butt Music)

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:14:28 GMT

Isn't it always the way that you can come up with an amazing plan and almost immediately it falls apart? This week on That Time When, Barnaby talks about the case of the HMS Carmania and the SMS Cap Trafalgar, which resulted in a surreal moment on the high seas during the First World War. Also featuring a TTW Episodette, where Barnaby tells us about Hieronymous Bosch and the Butt Music... you'll just have to listen.

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Harlan County had a Coal War

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 15:14:01 GMT

The news might try and say that strikes and industrial action are the absolute end of civilization as we know it, but they would do well to hear about the Coal Wars of 1930s Kentucky. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us about the bloody history of the Coal Wars which led to gunfights, car bombs, and a pretty banging song written on the back of a calendar page.

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There Were Many Types of Vampire

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 05:00:03 GMT

Have you had your fill of Morbius but not of other vampires? That Time When has you covered as Barnaby goes through some of the different types of vampire folklore from around the world. Which is the most scary, and why is it an owl from the Romans that has a very odd kink?

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Ned Kelly Suited Up (Part 2)

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 14:58:38 GMT

This week on That Time When, we continue with our story of Ned Kelly. Moving on from dealing in dodgy horses, the Kelly gang decide to set themselves a new goal: create a really big fan club, a fan club big enough that people will be begging you to rob their bank so they can get your autograph. Unfortunately, we also see the downfall of the Kelly gang and how their famous armour fared in a police shoot-out.

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Ned Kelly was Hard Done By (Part 1)

Wed, 25 May 2022 05:00:24 GMT

Ned Kelly was one of the most famous bushrangers/outlaws of 19th century Australia, but was he a folk hero or a menace? It's hard to say, especially when some of his crimes have four different accounts of them, and we still don't know which one is true! This week on That Time When, Amelia takes us back to the early years of Ned Kelly, the trials of his young life, his many interviews with his outlaw line-manager, and the crimes that would lead to the formation of the Kelly Gang. Also, Barnaby takes some time to moan about a film he doesn't like.

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Jerusalem had a Leper King

Wed, 18 May 2022 15:25:00 GMT

Sometimes when you hear about people overcoming adversity, it really makes you feel bad about your own achievements. There are very few however, who could compare to King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. Despite leprosy and a surprising amount of malaria, he managed to fight against the might of Saladin during the crusades, even leading soldiers into battle, and mostly won... and here's me thinking that editing the podcast on time is an achievement...

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Jonathan Wild was the Kingpin

Wed, 11 May 2022 14:29:12 GMT

Last week we looked at Jack Sheppard, the wild and roguish folk-hero of 18th Century London. This week we'll be looking at his antagonist, the Thief-Taker General Jonathan Wild. Wild's career was... wild. It's unbelievable quite how much of a stranglehold he had over the criminal underworld of London, while also appearing to be the city's greatest policeman. Here you can find out about his rise and fall, and the lessons in criminal empire management that we can all take home.

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Jack Sheppard Escaped Prison Again and Again and Again

Wed, 04 May 2022 05:00:01 GMT

You may have seen films or TV where people break out of prison using bedsheets as a rope. Did you ever think that was a bit far-fetched? Well, this week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us the story of Jack Sheppard, a young man who repeatedly managed to break free from London prisons in the 18th Century. The real question is: Was Jack Sheppard some kind of specific Marvel mutant whose power was to create files and lockpicks? That's as good an explanation as any for some of Jack's feats.

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The Most Powerful Woman in England was Convicted of Witchcraft

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 05:00:42 GMT

What do you do when you need to get rid of a 'commoner' who is proving troublesome for the future of the monarchy? Accuse her of the greatest name of a crime ever: Treasonable Necromancy! Hell, that sounds cool. The aftermath... not so much.

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San Franciscans Were Experimented On By Their Government

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 05:00:35 GMT

Now you may think that this podcast is in danger of becoming a French Legal History podcast, so now we're veering into conspiracy theories! This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us about a few of the occasions when governments have conducted dodgy bio-weapons research on their own civilians. Don't worry, it's not as bleak as it sounds, but does provide new opportunities for dodgy lightbulb salespeople.

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Martin Guerre Returned

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 05:00:16 GMT

Amelia decided to do her own episode on the French Legal system in the 1500s, and so brings us the story of Martin Guerre. If a man disappears for eight years and then returns, how do you know he's really who he says he is? Sure, he's knowledgeable about the location of his pants, but is that enough? This case is so mad it made Barnaby confuse a man for his wife. Who is really at fault? Was there attempted fraud? Or was it an April Fools joke that got really out of hand?

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Rats Had Their Day In Court

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 17:06:33 GMT

You might think it would be a low point in your career as a lawyer when you're asked to defend a swarm of rats. Not so for Bartholomew Chassenée, one of the great French lawyers of the 16th Century; for him defending these rats was deadly serious. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us about the rats of Autun and their court case, because medieval people really loved the legal system. Also, Amelia tells us about the York cycle and Jesus' court battle with the devil, and how Game of Thrones could have been very different if people were just fined instead of killed.

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There Was No News

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:52:53 GMT

In a world where we are constantly beset by news stories that make us sad or angry or worried, we might forget there was a time when there was no news... for about fifteen minutes. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about the time the BBC admitted there was no news. Was it the result of a government cover-up, a broken ticker-tape machine, or aggressive moralism? Find out on That Time When.

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The Blind Bomber Struck Portland

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:29:58 GMT

Who would have thought that trying to fix your fridge could lead you to going blind? Not Clarence Peddicord, that's for sure. His whole life changed when he attempted a bit of DIY home repair, but he was not going to let this stop him. So how did he end up holding a department store to ransom under the threat of a bomb attack? Find out on That Time When.

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International Women's Day Was Super Socialist

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 06:00:58 GMT

Behold the power of International Women's Day! It can bring a mighty empire to its knees! No, seriously, that's one of the reasons it is such a big day. Find out why International Women's Day lead to greater union membership, and why poor Greg may not get voted in as president (It'll make sense in the episode, we swear).

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Lord Haw-Haw Battled in Worthing

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 06:00:36 GMT

In this practically feature length episode of That Time When, we continue our theme that nothing ever really changes. Just as there are apologists for Putin in this country now, so too were there Nazi apologists during World War Two. One such famous propagandist was Lord Haw-Haw and we get stuck into the details of his life, why he was such an awful person, and why the town of Worthing might have, for once, been an exciting place.

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Lord Byron was Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 06:00:43 GMT

Lord Byron is probably one of the most famous people we've talked about on this podcast, but did you know quite how much his escapades extended? Probably not, but what we do know is that it now seems likely he met a curly haired time traveller. You'll have to listen to find out why.

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Dr James Barry Had A Secret

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:51:15 GMT

Dr James Barry was a respected doctor, military surgeon, humanitarian, and may well have performed the first caesarian in the English speaking world in which mother and child both survived. So eyebrows were probably raised, and monocles dropped amongst the establishment, when it emerged that Dr James Barry had, in fact been born a woman.

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The Chevalier D'Eon became the Chevaliere D'Eon

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 12:55:31 GMT

That extra E in the title is surprisingly important. This time on That Time When, Amelia tells us about a very odd stipulation by a French king; namely that a spy can return to the country if they then identify as a woman. Is there more context to that? Find out here.

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Emperor Nero Ruined Everything (Part 2)

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 06:00:49 GMT

What do you do when a great tragedy, say a huge fire, has destroyed your city? Build a huge palace of gold, of course! This week on That Time When, Barnaby finishes telling us about the life of the Emperor Nero, and how his own excesses and impulse control problems led to his downfall. Not that Rome was going to have an easy time once he was gotten rid of, but that's a story for another time.

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Emperor Nero was Scandalous (Part 1)

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:13:58 GMT

If you've heard our previous episodes about Caligula then you'll want to hear about his relative, the Emperor Nero. Was he as mad as claimed? Was he possibly justified in his actions? Well, spoiler, but it seems like Nero is far more deserving of the title of mad emperor than Caligula. But what we can really take away from his story is that Rome really needs to stop having co-heirs.

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America Banned Onion Futures

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 15:33:38 GMT

Who knew the damage that could be caused by speculating over onions? This week on That Time When, Amelia goes back to the story of the Onion King and how his dastardly works caused America to have to ban trading in onion futures. Also, weirdly, are spoilers for the book/movie Holes in the podcast. You have been warned.

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A Hemingway Founded A Nation

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 13:49:37 GMT

When you're the younger brother of one of the most famous writers of American literature, how do you, also a writer, differentiate yourself from him? The simple answer is, of course, use a century old law about claiming poop to found your own nation... No, I am not kidding. Note: There's some talk of suicide in this episode, it is about the Hemingway family after all, but we don't dwell on it too much.

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Iceland Trolled Christmas

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 23:36:13 GMT

It sounds fun having thirteen Father Christmases, right? Perhaps not if you're in 17th century Iceland and have to contend with a bunch of trolls coming to steal your assorted dairy products. That's not even mentioning their hungry parents, or the family cat, who really wants to make sure you appreciate your new Christmas socks.

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Christmas Was Cancelled!

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 06:00:16 GMT

Can you believe that woke-left-liberal elite Oliver Cromwell decided to cancel Christmas? Well, not really, he doesn't get much air-time in this episode, but his government did! Cancel culture gone mad, I say. We should all be allowed to eat the relics of the Whore of Babylon... and that's not as dirty as it sounds.

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Two Nobel Prizes Turned Orange

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:52:57 GMT

How do you solve a problem like Niels Bohr? You've got some gold and you need to hide it from the Nazis. Christopher Walken might have the answer but that's impractical. The real way to do it is to invent Irn Bru. Confused? Find out what all this means on this episode of That Time When.

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The French President Was Too Warm

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 16:10:26 GMT

Shock, horror! The French president has gone missing from his carriage on board the Orient Express! Call Hercule Poirot, or possibly just a platelayer who has encountered an odd gentleman in his pyjamas. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us the strange story of Paul Deschanel, whose short presidency gave us some amazing stories about his odd behaviour.

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France Feared The Potato

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 13:20:19 GMT

Woah there, 18th Century French person, is that a potato you have? Don't you know they're evil! This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, known as the father of the potato, and coincidentally happened to look a lot like a potato as well. Seriously, look it up, it's mad. Also find out about Mr Walker's speakeasy and how to poison a king with gifts of suspicious plants.

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A Volcano Killed A Third of Russia

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:58:02 GMT

It's the new Butterfly Effect, a volcano in Peru can be responsible for the deaths of two million Russian people. Don't believe me? Find out what happens when Barnaby links the eruption of Huaynaputina in Peru to a famine and the Russian Time of Troubles.

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The CIA Went Mad About Castro

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:19:56 GMT

For a while, Fidel Castro, communist leader of Cuba, was basically the CIA's most wanted man. So they decided to find some ways to get rid of him; permanently. But the methods used could not have been more mad if they had been in a kids' cartoon. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about some of the more... unorthodox ways that the CIA tried to assassinate the communist leader, and the ridiculous ways in which they failed.

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Josephine Baker Was A Spy And A Civil Rights Activist And The Coolest (Part 2)

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:19:12 GMT

Sometimes there are episodes of this podcast where one has to sit back and go "No, this can't be true." This is one of those times and Barnaby concludes his story of Josephine Baker, with tales of her life as a spy, her civil rights work, including the 1963 March on Washington, and the coolest death ever. It's still unbelievable, but you should definitely listen.

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Josephine Baker Was A Dancer (Part 1)

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 12:04:07 GMT

Finishing off Black History Month with a two part-er, Barnaby looks at the dancer, singer, French Resistance operative, and Civil Rights activist, Josephine Baker. Because her life was so mad and busy, we've had to split it into two parts, so this week we look at the crushingly tragic early life of Josephine, before moving on to her fantastic success as a dancer and entertainer. And remember, don't mess with a woman who bottled her illegal husband.

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Frederick Douglass Got His Photograph Taken A Lot

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:22:27 GMT

Time to gush about a handsome man with a streak of white in his hair who happens to be one of the greatest orators ever. So much so that it's actually quite annoying how good he is. In a story that shares some similarities to last week's show, Amelia tells us about Frederick Douglass, slave to freedman to abolitionist/orator/model. Quite the resume.

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George Africanus Was A Businessman

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 14:51:51 GMT

Probably our most banal episode title yet, but what makes the story of George Africanus significant is that his rags to riches story starts with him being sold as a black slave at three years old. This week on That Time When, Barnaby decides to delve into black history month with this story of an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances, and one who has now become a prominent figure in the history of Nottingham.

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Texas Loved Bats

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 14:00:11 GMT

Amelia and Barnaby are both ill, but at least they don't have malaria, because there's only one surefire way to deal with that: bats. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us the story of bat houses, mosquitos, and we answer the age old question: can you tempt a bat with a perfectly good ham?

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Windham Was Under Attack

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 16:23:54 GMT

Poor people of Windham, they were having a hell of a time in 1754. War was happening around them, a drought was making everything awful, and they were about to become the laughingstock of the Americas. But hey, they rolled with it. Find out what it was that woke them up one muggy June night and how it changed the fate of the town.

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London Had A Monster Problem

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:06:05 GMT

Ladies of London, protect your thighs and your bum, because a really weird sort of pervert is going around slashing women for... no real reason? This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about the London monster, who terrorised the streets of London (Surprise, surprise) in the 18th century. So get your giant cork underwear on and have a listen.

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Calamity Jane Was On Brand

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:51:30 GMT

Howdy there! This week on That Time When we're thinking about carers and nurses, so the obvious choice of topic would be that of Calamity Jane! A legendary figure of the Wild West, Jane's life was a series of exaggerations, tall tales, and outright lies. It took such a long time for historians to start examining her life that even to this day it's hard to tell how much of the gun-toting, men's clothes wearing, foul-language swearing Jane's life is truth or just a marketing ploy. Oh well, see you, space cowboy.

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A Eurovision Song Helped Liberate Several Countries

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 12:08:50 GMT

What do the songs 'Grândola, Vila Morena' and 'E Depois Do Adeus' have in common? If you don't know then you should listen to this week's episode of That Time When so that Amelia can talk about the Carnation Revolution. Even if you do know, you should listen anyway just to find out about the secret middle verse of YMCA.

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The 1904 Olympics Was... Messy

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 09:03:51 GMT

You know, if you've got a big event to plan then you can go easy on yourself. There is absolutely no way that anything you prepare could be worse than the 1904 Olympic Games. This week, Barnaby tells us the history of this most bizarre event, and the marathon that nearly killed the runners. Also, find out how to enjoy Victorian performance enhancing drugs, and why you shouldn't play dice before a marathon.

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The Missing Link Was 'Discovered' In England

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:41:29 GMT

Barnaby gets very annoyed this episode about a toad in a rock, and just the sheer laziness of some historical charlatans. In this episode of That Time When, Amelia tells us the strange tale of the Piltdown Man. Is it the missing link? Or is it just a few skeletons jammed together? Spoiler: It's the second one.

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Criminals Had Magic Hands

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:31:18 GMT

For the first time on That Time When we've got an arts and craft section for you! With enough urine, you too can make a magical hand! This week, Barnaby looks at the history and mythology of the Hand of Glory, and tells us just why you might want to make a candle out of a criminal's severed hand.

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Children Went On Crusade

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 05:00:14 GMT

We've often said on this podcast that nothing ever changes, and that people aren't original. It's never been more relevant on this episode as Amelia tells us about the Childrens' Crusade. Think that moody teenagers rebelling against their parents and saying "You can't tell me what to do" is new? Think again, and learn why two young shepherd boys practically created the rise of Instagram and TikTok influencers.

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A Woman Found An Alien

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 08:36:39 GMT

If you found an alien baby while wandering through a cemetery, would you pick it up, take it home, and feed it condensed milk and cottage cheese? If the answer's yes then you'll fight right in at the village of Kyshtym. This week, Barnaby tells us about baby Alyoshenka, otherwise known as the Kyshtym Dwarf. Was it an alien? Was it the product of a nuclear disaster? Or was it just a sad story about genetic abnormality? Find out on That Time When.

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Peter The Wildboy Mysteriously Turned Up In Norwich

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 05:00:00 GMT

It was... very hot when we recorded this. Amelia tells us the story of Peter the Wildboy, who turned up in Norwich having completed a two day journey on foot by himself. We don't know why, but maybe you can find out by listening to That Time When.

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The Illuminati Was Real!

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:00:12 GMT

Is the Illuminati a secret organisation controlling the world through political machinations, trained assassins, and black helicopters? Or was it just a bookclub for some nerdy Bavarians? Find out if you should be worried about the New World Order, or just slightly disappointed, by listening to this episode of That Time When

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A German Interrogator Made Mosaics For Disney World

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 08:07:48 GMT

Imagine your confusion, as an American pilot in World War Two, that after being shot down and captured, you're met not by brutal torture and suffering, but by Hanns Scharff, who's offering you cake and walks in the woods and just generally a friendly chat. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about how lovely Hans Scharff was, despite him being on the side of the Nazis. It's odd to think about, but he just seems like a great time.

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People Cured Spider Bites With Dance

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:00:20 GMT

Oh no! You've been bitten by a venomous spider! What can you do? Well, you should probably just dance until you feel better, or die from exhaustion. This week on That Time When, Barnaby looks at the phenomenon of Tarantism. Was it a genuine attempt to cure poisons? Or was it just a big excuse to have a party? Also, enjoy Amelia's lengthy rant on the nature of secret underground cults.

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Ping - Pong Was Always Political (Part 2)

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 05:00:29 GMT

Sometimes you hear about those precocious people who just really annoy you because they've achieved more by the age of seventeen than you ever have. Enter Ivor Montagu, the founder of modern table tennis, filmmaker, and probable communist spy. Also hear about why the name ping-pong had to be changed, and why the Wombles are far more sinister than you ever imagined.

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Ping - Pong Got Political (Part 1)

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 05:00:23 GMT

The day we recorded this was the day of the G7 Summit where President Biden said that something needed to be done about the rise of China. Perhaps he could take a leaf out of history and organise some friendly ping-pong games? This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about how ping-pong softened relations between America and China in the 1970s, and we ask if it was truly a spur of the moment gesture, or perhaps a carefully planned PR stunt.

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Caligula Was Very Depressed (Part 2)

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 05:00:13 GMT

Barnaby goes full Suetonius in this episode and talks a lot about the terrible things Caligula did. But maybe there was another reason? Maybe there was a cynical joke in there? Also hear how Amelia likens Caligula to Henry VIII, King Canute, and Dr Frasier Crane.

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Caligula Was A Pretty Good Emperor For A While (Part 1)

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 05:00:23 GMT

Didn't think we'd be feeling sorry for a man considered a brutal tyrant and one of the maddest emperors the Romans ever had. This week Barnaby looks at the early life of Caligula to see what happened that made the little booted boy a notorious villain, and how he actually did some good before... everything changed.

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A Whole Village Quarantined Successfully

Wed, 26 May 2021 05:00:20 GMT

You think social distancing is a new thing? Think again! This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about the village of Eyam and how they managed to prevent the spread of bubonic plague, and also about how many catapults you might need to get rid of puritans.

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Scottish Schoolboys Hunted A Vampire

Wed, 19 May 2021 05:00:26 GMT

Do you think you're as brave as some Glaswegian schoolboys? This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us the tale of the Gorbals Vampire and the boys who decided to hunt it down. We also learn why children should go to sleep when they're told to, and why Pennywise the Clown might have visited Scotland.

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Eleanor Ransomed Her Son

Wed, 12 May 2021 05:00:26 GMT

After a week's break we're back with episode 50! We go full circle, going back to the story in our first episode where Amelia tells us about Richard the Lionheart getting captured on his way back from the crusade. Was he found by a minstrel singing at castle walls? Or was it just a spy network? And why was everyone incompetent apart from Richard's mother? Find out here.

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The Emperor Tiberius Investigated A Murder

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 05:00:21 GMT

Step into the shoes of a Roman detective and help Emperor Tiberius solve the mystery of the death of Aponia... OK the actual murder is pretty easy to solve but it's cool that you get to spend time with the Emperor, right? Was Emperor Tiberius a proto-Fox Mulder? Did Apronia just accidentally fall out of a window? Does Apronius deserve even more titles and accolades? Solve the mystery here.

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World War One Was Woke

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:00:21 GMT

This is a title to send Nigel Farage seething with rage, but we're not withdrawing the statement yet. In a time when the British government is known for making *cough* questionable choices, we can look back at a time when they actually were very considerate of other races and cultures. So have a listen and find out why having surgery in a kitchen might not be so bad, why getting cremated was illegal, and how many people is too many for a country?

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The Franklin Expedition Disappeared (Part 2)

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 05:00:26 GMT

Part 2 of our episode on the lost Franklin expedition and we finally get to the Arctic! Only to lose track of the expedition pretty much immediately. But you can find out why your water distillation may not be as healthy as you think, why you shouldn't freeze your lemon juice, and why you really shouldn't tell a widow that her dead husband may have been a cannibal.

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The Franklin Expedition Disappeared (Part 1)

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 05:00:22 GMT

Finding the Northwest Passage through the Arctic is big business, it could make you rich and famous. You're going on some of the most advanced ships the 19th century can offer. They've even got central heating! Forget that the ships are the Terror and the Erebus, you'll make your fortune, right? In this first part of our episodes on the lost Franklin Expedition we'll hear about how this doomed voyage got started and why everything seemed like it would be just fine.

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Mary Anning Discovered Poop

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 05:00:20 GMT

You know who we like here at That Time When? We like clever and influential women who are super bitter about how society looks down on them. This week on That Time When we go to the seaside, and onto the Jurassic Coast to hunt for fossils with Mary Anning. We're also learning why people might have accidentally eaten fossilised poop.

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Mary Seacole Adventured In Many Lands

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 06:00:19 GMT

There can be no more welcome sight, as a soldier during the Crimean War, than discovering a cottage/hotel where you can be offered hot tea, lemonade, champagne, and a nice slap up meal while getting your wounds treated and having that cholera of yours looked into. You've been meaning to get around to it. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us the story of Mary Seacole, who is often forcibly compared to Florence Nightingale, but just seemed to be a bit more fun.

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Beate Klarsfeld Slapped A Nazi

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 06:00:13 GMT

Let's face it, we'll never be as cool as Beate Klarsfeld. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us some of the stories of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld, who have devoted their lives to fighting fascism by hunting Nazis. Who else can say they brought down a high ranking politician by giving him a slap? What cooler life can you lead than managing to hunt down some of the worst people the 20th Century produced? Anyway, trip to the Barbie museum, anyone?

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Margery Kempe Married Jesus

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 06:00:28 GMT

Every young girl dreams of her wedding to Jesus, and why wouldn't you? According to Margery Kempe he is super hot. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about the life of Margery Kempe: mystic, sex addict, failed businessperson, and all round weeper of the year contest winner.

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Dr James Graham Had A Celestial Sex Bed

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 06:00:22 GMT

Well this isn't an episode to make Barnaby's mother proud of him. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us about one of the Emperor's of Quacks from the 18th century. Find out why burying yourself in a hole could be good for your health, or why you might accept a free electric shock, but most importantly, find out why Dr Graham built one of the maddest sounding beds ever.

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Boston Was In A Sticky Situation

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 06:00:28 GMT

When you think of deadly floods you'll probably think of water moving at breakneck speed, but not in Boston in 1919. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us about a much stickier and thicker flood: Molasses. Find out how a Captain Planet villain caused Boston to become sugar-glazed for many years to come. Also, Barnaby would like to apologise that he got the name of J Jonah Jameson wrong, he now knows the J comes at the beginning and has been justly chastised.

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Ladies Duelled Topless... Allegedly

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 06:00:15 GMT

It's the half-term here in the UK, which means that Amelia can take time away from moulding young minds to help attract perverts to our podcast with this salacious story. Did women in the 19th century duel while topless? Was it for 'health reasons'? Or was it just an excuse to sell dirty postcards? Tune in to this bonus episode to find out.

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Corrupted Blood Killed Thousands

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 06:00:22 GMT

A bit of a swerve this week, because we're talking about something that didn't, strictly speaking, happen. Barnaby takes us more recent than we've been before, and probably as recent as we'll ever go, in order to talk about an accidental pandemic in a video game, and helped teach scientists about how people behave in such a situation. I wonder if that has any relevance to the last year or so...

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Aretha Franklin Fell Through A Dimensional Rift

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 06:00:32 GMT

Did Aretha Franklin fall into a rift that split her life, sliding doors style, until she became two people? This week, Amelia tells the story of Vickie Jones, whose singing imitated Aretha Franklin so convincingly that it resulted in her kidnapping, fraud, and eventual stardom.

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Mad Jack Fought Nazis With A Sword

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 06:00:28 GMT

You know what the armed forces are missing today? Mad individuals who charge into battle armed with a sword, a bow, and playing the bagpipes. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us the story of "Mad Jack" Churchill, whose hobbies and interests very much tied into his attitude as a soldier during World War Two. There are so many stories about Mad Jack, so listen as Barnaby struggles to determine truth from fiction, and accidentally creates an entirely fictional Olympic games.

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St Francis Got Punk - Ass Naked

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 06:00:17 GMT

After we forgot that we're meant to be a comedy podcast last week, Amelia saves the day by telling the superhero origin story of St Francis of Assisi. Hear how St Francis would be accused of virtue signalling by certain MPs, and how he was pretty chill about being nude in front of a bishop. Also, you'll hear us discussing the big questions, like can Jesus turn water into Aveeno?

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Mary Toft Gave Birth To Rabbits

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 06:00:19 GMT

Want to make a quick bit of cash? All you need to do is convince a few respected doctors that a woman is giving birth to bits of animals. This week on That Time When, Barnaby talks about the tale of Mary Toft, a woman who was, for a while, believed to have given birth to rabbits. Barnaby also apologises for the fact that the truth behind this story gets pretty dark, which is an odd take for a podcast that professes to be comic as well as historical. Oh well, enjoy!

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Russia Taxed Beards

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 06:00:27 GMT

Bearded men, beware! Who's creeping around the corner? Why it's Peter the Great and he's ready to shave your magnificent beard, regardless of how you like to keep your facial hair. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us a tip for maintaining power as a Tsar of Russia by introducing new fashions in facial hair grooming.

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Tarrare Ate Everything

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 06:00:24 GMT

Happy New Year! Start your year off right with a pretty gross story about a man who could, and frequently did, eat anything. On this episode, Barnaby tells us the story of Tarrare, a French man in the 18th Century whose appetite was legendary, and for some reason this made the French military think he would be an excellent spy... Surely that won't go well?

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Robert Burns Was A Lad

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 06:00:24 GMT

Robert Burns: Poet, Icon of Scotland, and fertile as ancient Mesopotamia. To cap off this year, Amelia tells us about the secret life of Robert Burns, the huge number of affairs he had, the children he fathered, and the women who had to put up with him. Enjoy!

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Irene Blinded Her Son

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 06:00:28 GMT

Merry Christmas, one and all! To celebrate this festive season, Amelia brings us a nice story about the Empress Irene and the formation of the Holy Roman Empire. Like all good Christmas stories, it's about blinding, surprise coronations, and accidental medieval laser eye surgery. Enjoy!

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Medieval People Paid Rent In Eels

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 06:00:30 GMT

Is it just the current UK government that has an obsession with fish? No! This week, Barnaby tells us about when eels were so important as a trade good in England, that they practically became a currency of their own. Find out quite how many eels were being used, why you might use an eel to help an alcoholic, and how many times Barnaby can say eel before the word becomes meaningless.

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Amelia Ranted About Chastity Belts

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 06:00:50 GMT

Another little bonus episode, aren't you the lucky one? On this rant episode, Amelia talks about the concept of the chastity belt: Serious method of fidelity, or just a bit of a kinky joke? Whatever the answer, what we do know is that Medieval people thought genitals were hilarious.

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Cassius Marcellus Clay Was A Vampire

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 06:00:25 GMT

What more needs to be said? This week, Amelia tells us some of the stories from the ridiculous life of Cassius Marcellus Clay: duellist, abolitionist (sort of), grotty old man, vampire hunter/vampire himself, and just all-round fascinating man.

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There Was A Witch On Wall Street

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 06:00:35 GMT

You've heard of the Wolf of Wall Street? This week, Barnaby talks about the Witch of Wall Street, a woman who was known to be so thrifty that she already had a bank account at eight years old. But how much of her thrift is true, and how much of it is slander? Find out here on That Time When.

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Barnaby Ranted About Vikings And Gender Politics

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:00:32 GMT

Surprise! Time for a little bonus episode where we'll be talking about myths and misunderstandings from history. This time, Barnaby talks about ideas about Vikings and Women, and why Viking women were likely making good money as business people, and had far more legal protections than you might think.Content Note: We do discuss ideas about Vikings and r*pe, as it is a popular myth about the Vikings. We have no wish to upset anyone, so we try to be as sensitive as we can. If you would like to skip this section it begins at 26:23 and ends at 31:00

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Daniel Lambert Punched A Bear

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 06:00:22 GMT

Picture the scene, a bear has gotten loose and it is angry at being treated like a circus toy. Who are you going to look to for safety? Why, the fattest man in the country, of course! This week, Amelia tells us the story of Daniel Lambert, a literal giant of a man with the wit of Oscar Wilde. He is awesome, that is all.

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Husbands Fought Their Wives From A Hole

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:21 GMT

Welcome to relationship advice from That Time When. If you and your partner are having troubles, and you just can't seem to get it sorted, then we've got a solution for you. This week, Barnaby takes us back to 15th century Germany and discusses the practice of marital duelling.

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Giants Ruled Britain

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 10:18:11 GMT

Ever wonder about the history of Britain? The real history of Britain that is, not the phony one, the real one which involves giants, murderous daughters, the fall of Troy, a man leaping very far from a boat, and professional wrestling. This week Amelia takes us back to that time when giants ruled Britain.Side note: We don't know why Barnaby keeps echoing, we're working on it.

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Mr Badger Was Real!

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:00:34 GMT

We enjoy click-bait titles here at TTWHQ, and this might be the most confusing one yet. Join us as Barnaby tells us about the mysterious John Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland, who was referred to in his lifetime as the ‘Tunnelling Lord’. Was he a vile misanthrope who would dismiss anyone who so much as looked at him? Or was he just very shy and kindly, but rich enough to be a crazy amount of eccentric? Find out here.

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Elizabeth Bathory Bathed In Virgin's Blood... Allegedly

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 06:00:22 GMT

Boy, this episode gets gruesome and bloodthirsty in places. This week of Halloween, Amelia talks about Countess Elizabeth Bathory, who may have murdered anything from fifty to upwards of six hundred and fifty people. Not only that but she was inventive in ways that would bring a tear to the eye of the makers of Saw. You have been warned, and happy Halloween.

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Martians Invaded On Halloween

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:00:16 GMT

Quick, the Martians are coming! Listen to this episode of That Time When so you can know how panicked you should be! This week, Barnaby takes a look at the truths and falsehoods behind Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells. How much did people really believe that Martians were attacking? Was there rioting and a mortality rate? Find out here on That Time When Martians Invaded on Halloween

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Bonny And Read Were In The Bermud - Her Triangle

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 05:00:24 GMT

Continuing with the pirate theme, this week Amelia tells us about notorious pirates Bonny and Read who were possibly some of the most bloodthirsty pirates in the great pirate era. They also shared a secret that went unknown for a surprising amount of time. (Punny title thanks to Ciara Jack of The Unexceptionals podcast. Sometimes trying to come up with titles is hard)

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Madame Cheng Was Queen Of The Most Successful Pirates Ever

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 10:02:01 GMT

Ahoy there, shipmates, and have a listen to pirate tales. You want to learn how to command a pirate confederacy of tens of thousands? The answer is... bureaucracy. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us about Madame Cheng, a most fantastically intelligent woman who ruled the most successful pirate fleet in history.

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Eleanor Of Aquitaine Planned A Rebellion (Part 2)

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 05:00:24 GMT

Last week Amelia told us about Eleanor of Aquitaine's somewhat muted marriage to Louis VII. This week we continue the story with her probably overly passionate marriage to Henry II; two very strong willed people, both with an awful lot of power, try and live together. Sounds like a sitcom premise, doesn't it?

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Eleanor Of Aquitaine Rode Bare - Breasted All The Way To Damascus (Part 1)

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 07:00:14 GMT

In their first part of their first two-parter, Amelia talks about one of her and Barnaby's favourite historical people: Eleanor of Aquitaine. In this first part Amelia talks about her marriage to King Louis VII of France, how they had to go on crusade to atone for arson, and how she may have dressed herself and three hundred other women as amazon warriors for the journey.

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Roger Tichborne Disappears And Reappears

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 08:00:18 GMT

Think you can solve a little Victorian mystery? Can a man who is shorter, much fatter, less educated, and with a different accent be the same as a skinny, stylish son of a baronet? Listen to the story of Sir Roger Tichborne and the Tichborne Claimant.

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Diego Bluffed His Way Onto A Ship

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:24:52 GMT

Sometimes in a historical drama a character is played by a black actor and there are certain people who claim that's implausible. To them: prepare to have your assumptions blown apart as Amelia tells the tale of Diego, a black man in the Tudor era who was a sailor, interpreter, pin-cushion, and all around clever guy.

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Roman Woman Wore Gladiator Sweat

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 11:36:28 GMT

Ever looked at your favourite sports figure and thought 'Yes, I'd like to make their sweat into a face cream'? You may be more Roman than you thought. Find out about the celebrity culture around Roman Gladiators as Barnaby takes you back to Ancient Rome to answer if gladiators were Roman versions of modern day celebrities.

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The Dutch Went Mad For Tulips

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 12:41:56 GMT

Economists never change, as you'll see in this episode. Hear about the fate of the orphans of the man with the great name Wouter Winkel, and how they profited from the economy created around the buying and selling of tulips bulbs. Then hear about, surprise surprise, the fallout from this weird fad.

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Witches Cursed Hitler

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 10:52:21 GMT

Did you know that Bedknobs and Broomsticks is based on fact?! Well, not exactly, but this week Barnaby explains how magic may have been used to secure the shores of England during World War Two, and possibly earlier with the Spanish Armada (Amelia gets very annoyed at this idea).

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A Japanese Diplomat Wrote A Lot Of Visas And Saved A Lot Of Lives

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 08:00:23 GMT

For all you Jacob Goldbergs out there, this episode is for you! Amelia tells us about the story of Sugihara, a diplomat who may have saved thousands of lives during World War Two just by doing his work extremely efficiently, and without a care for the rules.

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Agent 355 Was A Badass

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 14:10:29 GMT

Move over, James Bond, there's a new spy in town. Well, an old spy actually. On this week's That Time When we talk about the American Revolutionary War and some of the incredible espionage work done by several women, one of whom may well be the elusive Agent 355. Put on the podcast, get in your longship-sort-of-thing, and raid some British ships.

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Thomas Jefferson Was Really Cheesy

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 12:19:48 GMT

First, an apology for the audio difficulties in recent episodes. Part of it is being new to podcasting and part of it is due to microphones breaking and headphones being eaten by our rabbit.That said, time to get cheesy and discover why one of the early presidents of the United States received a gift of an enormous cheese. If you've got a massive cheese that's slowly going mouldy, you can find out solutions for your problems in this episode.

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A Bear Fought Nazis

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:17:33 GMT

I mean, what's more to say? Join us for a story of a Polish soldier who fought in World War Two, foiled spies, became the emblem of his company, and could lift artillery shells that normally took two men to lift. The twist? The soldier was a bear.

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Thousands Of People Kissed A Dead Woman's Face

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 11:18:21 GMT

In which Amelia reveals that she has kissed the face of a dead woman, and it's likely that many of you have as well. Want to check and make sure? You might not know it until you listen to this episode *checks clickbait box*Also don't forget to follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatTimeWhen4

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Professor Seagull Wrote The Longest Book Ever Written

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:47:52 GMT

Barnaby gets a bit carried away with this one, but it's fitting that our longest episode yet is about the longest book ever written. Professor Seagull, aka Joe Gould, claimed to have written an Oral History of the World that runs to nine million words. Impressive for a largely homeless man who speaks to seagulls and has interesting theories about tomatoes.

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America Had An Emperor

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:01:17 GMT

Did you know that it's really easy to become the Emperor of America? Joshua Norton did, and that's why he had his own money printed. That's one way to get out of a bad rice-based business deal.

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Genghis Khan Was A Kung Fu Film Star

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:22:10 GMT

Did you know that Genghis Khan, leader of the Mongol hordes, lived a life that was remarkably similar to a martial arts film? Grab some mare's milk and settle in for tales of betrayal, kidnapping, and low-grade fish and chips.

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Richard the Lionheart Wanted Peaches

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:11:23 GMT

That Time When Richard the Lionheart wanted Peaches... King Richard I of England: crusader, warrior, flamboyant dresser, fruit enthusiast, and letter writer. Find out about the time when Richard wanted peaches so badly, he wrote to the leader of his enemy to ask for them.

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