Histories of the Unexpected
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Running Away Redux
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our stalwart Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, return for another instalment on the history of RUNNING AWAY! Which of course is all abou...
Running Away
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mustering all their bravery and courage, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, stand their historical ground and investigate the fr...
SHARKS: THE RETURN!
26 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take a FURTHER MEATY bite out of the UTTERLY BIZARRE history of SHARKS! Whi...
SHARKS!
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the Histories of the Unexpected duo, James and Sam, take a bite out of the frankly fascinat...
Humiliation
16 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam come to grips with the shameful history of HUMILIATION! It's all to do with families, schools, Charles Dickens, the British Empire, medi...
Fear
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam come to grips with the terrifying history of FEAR! And it's fascinating; it's all to do with childhood, death and disasters, war and war...
Not Doing What You're Told! Homeschooling the Russian Revolution
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We REFUSE to tell you what this episode is about. Shan't. Won't.Ok Ok. We will.It's about putting your foot down, saying NO, saying NEVER AGAIN. It's ...
Statues
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in the aftermath of George Floyd's tragic death, with the Black Lives Matter movement in full flight, James and Sam turn their attention to t...
Temper Tantrums: Homeschooling Henry II and the murder of Thomas Beckett
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An episode we can all identify with! It's about the history of being able to control your temper - it's about feet kicking, shouting, waving, stamping...
Clouds!
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this glorious summer of endless blue skies Sam and James turn their attention to the sky, and the fascinating history of...CLOUDS! Who knew they we...
Big Heads! Homeschooling Henry VIII
31 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam get to grips with the history of BIG HEADS...it's all about a touch of arrogance, wanting to be seen to be in charge, securing your plac...
Shadows!
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam come to grips with the elusive history of SHADOWS! And it's fascinating; It's all to do with the very structure of history itself, telli...
Unfairness! Homeschooling Chartism and Electoral Reform
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam tackle the history of things being SO NOT FAIR! From the French Revolution to the massacres of Aborigines and the theft of land from Nat...
Beards Part 2!
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James continue their fascinating history of BEARDS! They're all about the reformation, horror stories, health, surrealism, preachers and their...
Beards Part 1!
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by the beard-growing that was taken up by so many of us all in Coronavirus lockdown, Sam and James tackle the unexpected history of BEARDS......
Lunchboxes! Homeschooling WW1 and Life in the Trenches Part 1
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a packed lunch of fun! James and Sam explore the extraordinary history of lunchboxes, which are all about the industrial revolution and nomads an...
Playing Chicken! Homeschooling the Cuban Missile Crisis!
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This special HOMESCHOOLING episode is about PLAYING CHICKEN! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of PLAYING CHICKEN, which is all Henry VIII...
Sharing! Homeschooling Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This special HOMESCHOOLING episode is about SHARING! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of SHARING, which is all the Great Depression, the E...
VE Day Special!
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of VE Day, which is all about children, parties, mem...
Rainbows!
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of RAINBOWS (inspired by this symbol of hope during lockd...
Dressing Up! Homeschooling the Rebecca Riots and Turnpike Roads
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about DRESSING UP! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of DRESSING UP, which is all Count Leo Tolstoy, Carnival in Venice, th...
Insults!
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of INSULTS, which is all about duelling, 3500 BCE Ba...
Hiding! Homeschooling Elizabeth I and Catholics
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is about HIDING, but with some serious consequences! James and Sam explore the Unexpected history of HIDING, which is all about Oak Trees...
Presents! Homeschooling William the Conqueror and Feudalism
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Unexpected History of PRESENTS is all about power and politics at the TUDOR COURT, diplomacy and showing off, and getting people to do exactly wha...
Bullies! Homeschooling The Nazi Brownshirts and the Rise of Hitler
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who kew that BULLIES have a history! Well they do and it's FASCINATING. James and Sam explore the history of bullies across time and then focus on the...
Breath!
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of BREATH, which is all about halitosis, free diving...
Sucking Up! Homeschooling the Appeasement of Hitler and the Outbreak of WW2
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who knew that SUCKING UP had a history? Well it does, and it's all about the APPEASEMENT of Germany in an attempt to keep the peace before the outbrea...
Epic Fails! Homeschooling the League of Nations and Mussolini
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The history of things that go HORRIBLY WRONG. And there are TONS of them...from shipwrecks to international relationships and military campaigns. Sam ...
Broken Promises! Homeschooling the Gunpowder Plot and James VI and I
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who knew that Broken Promises have a history?! Well they do and it's FASCINATING, and James and Sam explore the wonderful of history of saying you're ...
Blame! Homeschooling WW1 and the Treaty of Versailles
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 16 in our Homeschooling series! This one's all about the history of Blame and wanting to say IT'S SO YOUR FAULT!! James and Sam explore the id...
The Kiss!
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of THE KISS, which is all about Admiral Lord Nelson,...
Slobbering! Homeschooling James VI and I!
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This fifteenth (yes, FIFTEENTH!) episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SLOBBERING and JAMES VI AND I! Th...
Balconies!
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of BALCONIES, which is all about propaganda and poli...
Names! Homeschooling the Domesday Book!
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This fourteenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores NAMES and THE DOMESDAY BOOK! The Unexpected Histor...
Showoffs! Homeschooling Norman Castles!
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This thirteenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SHOWOFFS and NORMAN CASTLES! The Unexpected Histor...
Scabs! Homeschooling Medieval Medicine
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This twelfth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SCABS and MEDIEVAL MEDICINE! The Unexpected History o...
Scars! Homeschooling the History of Slavery
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This eleventh episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SCARS and THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY! The Unexpected His...
Applause!
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of APPLAUSE, which is all about popularity in Ancien...
Accidents! Homeschooling Everyday Life in Tudor England
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This tenth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores ACCIDENTS and EVERYDAY LIFE IN TUDOR BRITAIN! The Unexp...
Invisibility! Homeschooling Tudor Spies
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This ninth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores INVISIBILITY and Tudor Spies! The Unexpected History of...
Stench! Homeschooling Public Health in Victorian England
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This eighth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores STENCH and Public Health in Victorian England. The Une...
Rabbits - Easter Special!
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode the Histories of the Unexpected team of James Daybell and Sam Willis take on the topic of RABBITS - as an Easter Special! Now, of cour...
Fire! Homeschooling The Spanish Armada
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This seventh episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores FIRE and the SPANISH ARMADA. The Unexpected History o...
Darkness! Homeschooling WWII and The Blitz
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This sixth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores DARKNESS and WWII and THE BLITZ. The Unexpected History...
Boredom
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of BOREDOM, which is all about British imperialism, ...
Solitude
05 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Histories of the Unexpected, James and Sam explore the unexpected history of SOLITUDE, which is all about monasticism, pillars, or...
Slime! Homeschooling the Industrial Revolution
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This fifth episode in the special series of Histories of the Unexpected Homeschooling explores SLIME and the Industrial Revolution. The Unexpected His...
Loneliness
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode the Histories of the Unexpected team of James Daybell and Sam Willis take on the topic of LONELINESS! Inspired by the events of a glob...
Soap
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode James and Sam explore the Unexpected History of SOAP, which is of course all about hazing, the British Royal Navy, profanities, market...
Homeschooling 4 - Behind the Scenes at Histories of the Unexpected
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the FOURTH in this special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom and much of the ...
History Projects for kids! - Homeschooling 3
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the THIRD in this special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom and much of the g...
Shrunken Heads and Viking Corpse Doors - Homeschooling 2
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the SECOND in what promises to be a special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom...
Homeschooling Special - Episode 1 - Introduction
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first in what promises to be a special series of Histories of the Unexpected Episodes geared towards homeschooling, as the United Kingdom ...
Anger!
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join the award winning Histories of the Unexpected team as Sam and James turn their minds to the history of ANGER! It's all about Captain Cook, runnin...
Contagion!
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James tackle the Unexpected history of contagion in this impromptu brain explosion recorded in the car! (so apologies for not ideal sound qual...
Darwin Part 2!
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James continue their unexpected history of Darwin inspired by their visit to the Darwin archives at Shrewsbury School. Part 2 includes a fasci...
Darwin
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join James and Sam as they explore the unexpected history of Darwin! Inspired by a trip to Shrewsbury School (which Darwin attended) and a peek at the...
Siblings!
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's one of the best episodes ever! The amazing history of brothers and sisters - or the absence of them...Brother Sam and Brother James spend some ti...
Death 2
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James go back to the question of DEATH so much is there to explore! It's all about pickaxes, toads, wizards, witches, the Garter Principle Kin...
Death (Part 1)
09 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Histories of the Unexpected team for a mad ramble through the history of...death. It's a creepy one alright. And you'll never think about dea...
Truth and Lies
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Willis and James Daybell take on the UNEXPECTED history of TRUTH and LIES! It's all about the FBI, printing in Renaissance Italy, fake news, surve...
Clothing
04 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Willis and James Daybell take on the UNEXPECTED history of CLOTHING! It's all about social control, death, recycling and mending, nationalism, Ven...
Puppets!
18 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Willis and James Daybell are inspired by the new film Judy and Punch to explore the fascinating history of puppets! They're all about noses, propa...
Fire
13 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by Bonfire Night, Sam Willis and James Daybell explore the unexpected history of fire. It's all about communicating with fire, propaganda, sp...
Blood and Bones
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by Halloween and Bonfire Night, Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of blood and bones: it's all about prehistoric axes, mass graves...
The Spanish Armada
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James explore the UNEXPECTED history of the Spanish Armada. It's all about collapsed expectation, flags, spies (as always), threat, fire, peop...
Spies 2 - Interview with Dr Nadine Akkerman
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, James interviews Miss Walsingham herself, Nadine Akkerman from Leiden University on her new book about seventeenth-century female spi...
Spies!
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam explain how you can think about the history of spies...it's all about honey, codes, eggs and invisibility! Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
Humans Part 2 - with Dr Adam Rutherford
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam spends a happy hour talking to the scientist Adam Rutherford about humans! The history of humans is all about - masks, ties, make-up, sea-otters, ...
Humans!
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam explain how you can think about the history of humans...it's all about behaviour, art, hands, animals, hats...you'll never think about y...
Green Room Podcast! Ways with Words Festival, Dartington Hall, Devon,
25 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam take time out before their show at Dartington Hall to explore its UNEXPECTED history: It's all about the history of wild swimming, accid...
Executions!
21 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James explore the extraordinary history of executions! It's all about judgement and seagulls - and obviously pirates and highwaymen, And canni...
Green Room Podcast! The Beaminster Festival
11 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James take time out from preparing their live show at Beaminster to visit the local museum and discuss their latest discoveries. Beaminster? W...
The Cricket Interview: Vic Marks
05 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James continue their Unexpected History of Cricket with an interview of Vic Marks, England and Somerset spin bowler, author, journalist and le...
Nazis
27 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of the Nazis. They're all about, motherhood, shame, medals, public speaking, architecture and cars....who...
Cricket
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James discuss the unexpected history of cricket! It's all about empire, sexism, national perceptions of history, slavery, violence and hurrica...
The Reformation
08 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam explain why the Reformation - that schism in the Christian church in the sixteenth century that transformed the landscape of Europe - is...
Green Room Podcast! Cambridge History Festival
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and I chat before our show at the Cambridge History Festival at the beautiful Wimpole Hall just outside of Cambridge. It's a beautiful country h...
Pirates
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell talk about the unexpected history pirates, which is all about authors, cross-dressing, feroc...
The Green Room Podcast! Crediton Arts Centre
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam launch their first Green Room podcast! Unexpected historical thoughts as they travel around the country's theatres and arts centres with...
The Tudors
14 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Willis and James Daybell explore the unexpected history of the Tudors! Is it all about Henry VIII? Anne Boleyn? Hampton Court and the Mary Rose? W...
D-Day Special Episode
06 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam tackle the unexpected history of D-Day in tribute to the 75th anniversary the Normandy landings. It's all to do with the Cold War, 9/11,...
Writing! ...including Dr Peter Toth and the British Library exhibition Writing: Making Your Mark
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam discuss the unexpected history of Writing! It's all about invention, revolutions, torture, injury, priorities, practicing, shadows, boxe...
Romans!
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James tackle the unexpected history of the Romans! Yes, emperors, the development of civilisation and armies all have a fascinating history bu...
Shipwrecks: The Vasa
20 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sam and James as they talk about the unexpected history of shipwrecks - through the fabulous example of the Vasa, a Swedish ship that sank in 162...
World War 2
13 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sam and James discuss all of the unexpected aspects of WWII, which is all about rubble, carrots, blood, pockets, suicide, gates, Zen Buddhism, furnitu...
Vikings
06 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James and Sam explore the UNEXPECTED history of the Vikings. Who knew that the Vikings are all about graffiti, break-ins, criminal profiling, colour, ...
The Family
27 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of the family. For more exclusive history documentaries...
Privacy
20 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Privacy. For more exclusive history documentaries&nb...
Secrets
06 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Secrets. For more exclusive history documentaries&nb...
Christmas Ep.4
24 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Christmas in the second episode of this two part ser...
Christmas Ep.3
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of Christmas in the first of this two part series. For ...
Eyes
09 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of eyes. For more exclusive history documentaries ...
Making of the Live Show
01 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the making of their live show. To see forthcoming dates check out historiesoftheune...
Colour
26 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Colour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
Fear: A Hallowe'en Special
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Hallowe'en. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
Trafalgar
20 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell discuss the unexpected history of Trafalgar for the 218th anniversary of the battle. Producer: Natt Tapley...
End of Summer Catch Up
15 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell bring you up to speed with what's been going on at Unexpected Towers.For more exclusive interviews and docum...
Chimneys LIVE
07 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell explore the unexpected history of chimneys... live!To see exclusive history documentaries and interviews si...
Shrinking Pt 2
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sam Willis & Professor James Daybell continue to discuss the unexpected history of shrinking. For more exclusive history interviews and documen...