Consistently Eccentric History

Επεισόδια

• The Assassination of Thomas Thynne - Marriage negotiations can be murder 31.05.2026 1ώ 21λ

  This week we are talking about how an imagined love triangle (which contained absolutely no love) resulted in the death of a sitting MP and nearly sparked both an international incident and mob-rule on the streets of London.Because in Restoration England any noble woman who had a fortune but no husband was in constant peril. Due to the way the law worked, any man she married would instantly take possession of whatever she owned and could do with it as he pleased. So marriage carried much more risk... Especially if you were only 14 years old.This is a tale of murder, scheming and gossip, all hidden behind the veneer of courtly propriety. Proving that, just because someone is posh it does not mean that they know how to behave. Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Maurice Wilson - It is plane to see that climbing Everest is hard 17.05.2026 1ώ 12λ

  This week we are heading to the Mills of Bradford to meet a Yorkshireman whose unshakable self-belief led to one of the most longwinded self-destructions in history. Having survived the horrors of WWII (and the retail industry), a chance encounter with some Yogis set in motion a series of events that would see Maurice Wilson defy the British Government, and find himself 23,000 feet up the side of Mount Everest.He may not have had any training, he may have had the wrong equipment, he may have been explicitly told by the locals that he was mad, but could Maurice survive to tell the tale?*Guest host: Oliver Green*No, he could not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• James Barry - It women can't be doctors, then why not stop being a woman? 05.05.2026 1ώ 40λ

  To celebrate international Midwifery day, Pam is back in the hosting chair to tell us the story of a pioneering Doctor who didn't let their lack of balls stop them from becoming one of the top medics in the entirety of the British Armed Forces.Originally only pretending to be a man in order to get through medical training, James Barry was planning to practice as a woman in service of Francisco de Miranda in Venezuela. But when this job offer fell through he decided to leave his old life an Margaret Bulkley behind for good, embarking on a globetrotting career that included a notable first in the field of midwifery. Guest Host: Joseph Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The Hammersmith Ghost - (or) A ghostly Georgian Blunder(buss) 03.05.2026 1ώ 6λ

  After a series of unfortunate events we are back with a spooky tale from the early 19th Century that resulted in multiple deaths. The Hammersmith Ghost was initially a local oddity, but as the winter of 1803 progressed it became a source of increasing fear for the local population.But as any good Georgian knew, the best way to protect yourself from the supernatural is with a bloody big gun!Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Jeanne de Clisson - (or) Middle aged female piracy is the best kind of piracy 12.04.2026 1ώ 18λ

  This week we are heading across the channel to talk about how one of the many Anglo-French spats during the middle ages resulted in the creation of one of the most effective pirates who has ever sailed the high seas (of the English Channel).After her husband was executed (murdered) by the French king, Jeanne de Clisson swore revenge. However being an eminently practical woman, she ensured that her revenge. would have staying power. Two decades to be precise. This is a tale of dysfunctional marriages, power grabbing and justified anger. Which could only be untangled by a man from Yorkshire named Walter.Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The British Union of Fascists (Oswald Mosley Part 3) - (or) How to get London to hate you 29.03.2026 1ώ 24λ

  Finally we have reached the end of the cautionary tale of Oswald Mosley, as we talk about his period as Britain's best known Fascist. However unlike in Italy and Germany the population of Britain were not interested in lurching to the right, leaving Oswald waiting for a revolution that stubbornly refused to come.Featuring secret Italian funding, wives dying of apathy and a framed picture of Hitler!Guest Host: Oliver Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• James Graham and his Celestial Bed - You don't need a degree to be a doctor of love (though you may need to be insane) 08.03.2026 1ώ 25λ

  This week we are jumping back into the world of quack medicine, following a nearly-doctor called James Graham as he blazed a path through multiple medical fields (none of which he was remotely qualified for.)While James Graham was searching for the pseudo-treatment that would make his fortune, he stumbled upon the idea of providing a medicalised model for improving marriage, specifically the procreation part. This led him to pivot from wellness guru to sexpert and creating one of the marvels of the Georgian age... but one that is now sadly lost to history. The celestial bed.So join us for a story of love, innovation, excess and madness...... but at least it is guaranteed to smell nice.Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The Halifax Slasher - (or) should we be concerned about Yorkshire? 22.02.2026 1ώ 7λ

  This week we are heading back to 1938 to talk about a very odd crimewave that plagued the people of Halifax during the cold, dark days of November. When Mary Sutcliffe reported being attacked by a man wielding a blade, it was assumed that it was an isolated incident, however as the attacks rapidly began to pile up a sense of panic seemed to engulf the people of Halifax.Was it a maniac? Was it more than one person? Were copycat attacks now outnumbering the genuine ones? And why had almost this exact thing happened two previous times in living memory?We will attempt to answer all these questions and more!Guest Host: Oliver GreenWith a special appearance from Tod Shaker! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Charlotte Temple - (or) a cautionary tale for Valentine's day 08.02.2026 1ώ 8λ

  As we head toward February 14th, Pam is bringing us a tale of Georgian romance. In fact one of the first and most popular tales of romance in early American history.Starting in the UK it is a story of the upper classes, scandals and doomed romances. But how is this linked to a gravestone in New York and is any of it actually true?Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Mosley in Parliament (Oswald Mosley Part 2) - The life and soul of multiple (political) parties 01.02.2026 1ώ 29λ

  It is back to the story of the most famous British Fascist this week as we discuss the Parliamentary career of Oswald Mosley, which started at the tender age of 22.Going in with a naive belief that he would quickly rise through the ranks it is the story of how people born of privilege can struggle when they face even the mildest of barriers, and how the political system can be manipulated to your advantage if you don't really care about the concept of loyalty.While he did eventually develop some policies that might have worked, Mosley's methods ensured that no one in Westminster was willing to work with him. Forcing him to consider how he might secure power outside of the established system.But remember he was only doing it to help the British Working Class....Guest Host: Oliver Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Mul-Sac John - Royalist Highwayman with sooty giblets 18.01.2026 1ώ 18λ

  This week we are talking about a humble chimney sweep who ended up becoming a millionaire, via the medium of highway robbery!Though he originally appeared to want to do the right thing, John Cottington found that even the most successful Master Sweep would not be welcomed into the upper classes. Growing resentment at this glass ceiling (combined with an awkward marriage and extreme shaving adventures) eventually led him to a life of crime.But would his justification of supporting the Royalist cause help him to avoid punishment? And where the hell are parts 2 and 3 of Oswald Mosley?Find out in this week's episode!Guest Host: Oliver Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 1726, a year of Crime! - (or) a merry tale of snick and snee. 11.01.2026 1ώ 24λ

  To celebrate the new year we are looking back exactly 300 years to see how the criminal fraternity of London were dealt with in the courtroom of The Old Bailey.With tales of theft, murder, persecution and duels it there are parts that seem absurd, and others that are all too familiar. So join us to see how far the British justice system has come. Now with more sexual innuendo.Guest Hosts: Emma Heathcote and Oliver Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• John Elwes - A misrepresented Ebenezer Scrooge? 24.12.2025 1ώ 10λ

  Merry Christmas from Consistently Eccentric!To celebrate the big day we are discussing the life of John Elwes, a Georgian man with unimaginable wealth, who chose to spend as little of it as possible. While his eccentricities led him to become Dickens' inspiration for Scrooge, we make the argument that this is an unfair characterisation, as while he would not spend a penny on himself (or his long-suffering servants) if he could help it, John was more than happy to give away vast sums of money to help friends, acquaintances, or any random person who came to ask for help...... and isn't giving the true spirit of the season?Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Oswald Mosley pre-politics (Oswald Mosley Part 1) - (or) how to ruin a right leg in four easy instalments 14.12.2025 1ώ 12λ

  This week we are starting the tale of the most famous of all British Fascists, Oswald Mosley.Born into privilege and the certainty that he would never have to work for a living should he not wish to, Oswald should have enjoyed an idilic childhood. However the lack of a consistent father-figure mixed with rampant narcissism led him to pursue a career in the Military as a means of gaining the recognition and praise that he felt he was due.Joining the army as a teenager (straight in as an officer, naturally) at the very outset of WWI, Oswald Mosley proceeded to have the most 'Meh' of military careers. Joining the Royal Flying Corps so that he could feel special but spending much more time chasing older women in England than he did flying in France, Mosley nevertheless believed that he was exactly the sort of person who should speak for the 'War Generation...'...As soon as he got back from the bone setter. Guest Host: Oliver (not Ollie) Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The History of British Theme Park Deaths (UNEDITED) - Proof that those of us who were teenagers in the 2000s were the most hardcore 07.12.2025 1ώ 32λ

  This week we have been in Scotland visiting Ollie, so we decided to take the chance to record a three person episode. To celebrate we are discussing every death that has occurred at the many Theme Parks of the UK and Ireland. Starting with a quick primer on the origin of the Theme Park we discuss both the worst disaster in UK history and the worst decade for deaths (maybe the Emo's were onto something). Also I had no opportunity to edit, so this is a rare uncut episode, a great chance to see just how unprofessional we are.Guest Hosts: Emma Heathcote & Oliver Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Mary Kingsley - A victorian woman travelling alone? You better believe I AfriCAN! 30.11.2025 54λ

  This week we are discussing the brief but influential career of Mary Henrietta Kingsley, a woman who only began travelling in her 30s, but who nevertheless managed to write two of the most influential travelogues of the late Victorian era.Brought up in almost complete isolation, but hearing the stories from her father's many foreign adventures, Mary dreamed of going somewhere that no other British woman had ever been before. Luckily for her there were lots of opportunities to achieve this goal...... on the African continent. Guest Host: Evie Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The HMS Birkenhead disaster - Women and children (and horses) first! 23.11.2025 1ώ

  This week we are heading of the southern coast of South Africa for a cautionary tale of what can happen as a result of multiple little mistakes. With questions regarding the design, the decision making of the crew, the impact of various 'improvements' and the general maintenance of the lifesaving equipment on board the HMS Birkenhead, there should have been concerns about sailing it through a region called 'Danger Point'. At the very least it might have been considered risky to have multiple women and children on board (especially as they were sailing toward an active war zone).However even the most pessimistic of people probably wouldn't have been able to predict just how wrong things could go...All in all a perfect introduction to the world of Consistently Eccentric for our newest guest host, Flynn Heathcote. Hopefully it is not so depressing that we put him off guesting on anymore stories in the future.Guest Host: Flynn Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• The End of Port Royal (Port Royal Part 3) - An earth-shattering conclusion 16.11.2025 1ώ 9λ

  It is time to draw to a close our series on Port Royal, beginning with the return of Henry Morgan to Jamaica with a mission to end piracy. Though of course he instead decided to find a way to turn a (slightly corrupt) profit.But while the merchants of the were making ever greater profits and building ever more houses on the tiny spit of land that constituted Port Royal, deep below the surface of Jamaica there were seismic movements that would eventually bring the entire enterprise tumbling down.The earthquake of 1692 was massive, and would have been destructive to buildings that were well constructed with strong foundations. The buildings in Port Royal were built directly onto sand that sat only a few feet above the water table....... it did not end well.Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Pirating with Royal Consent in Jamaica (Port Royal Part 2) - If you do it well enough we may even name a brand of Rum after you 09.11.2025 1ώ 20λ

  This week we continue our exploration of the history of Port Royal, learning not only how it got it's name, but also how it developed into being the economic powerhouse of the Caribbean... it was extortion.But even a Pirate port needed leaders, and we discuss some of the most influential of the early days, as well as discussing the rise of one Henry (formerly Harri) Morgan. Morgan was a Welshman with an instinctive understanding of both military tactics and politics that would allow him to rise from a humble crew member on board a dutch pirate ship to the most consequential man in Jamaica.Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• How the English ended up in Jamaica (Port Royal Part 1) - (or) Puritans don't do well in the sun 02.11.2025 1ώ 8λ

  This week we are embarking on a three part series covering the most notorious pirate port in the Caribbean, so naturally we are starting by talking about Oliver Cromwell.While the Spanish were busy conquering South America, they saw Jamaica as little more than a convenient staging post. So much so that when the English were considering which Spanish territories to invade, it didn't even make the list. However even the best laid plans can go awry, and the ones made by the Commonwealth Government were far from the best, meaning that Jamaica suddenly and unexpectedly became the focus of English interests in the region. Though they were going to need some help in order to stop the Spanish taking it back...Guest Host: Emma Heathcote Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.