Extraordinary Stories of Britain Podcast
@storiesofbritain.bsky.social
Fun and informative award-nominated history podcast. Listen at www.storiesofbritain.com
Born #OTD 1897, Helen Duncan was the last British person imprisoned for witchcraft. She was famous for producing ectoplasm and speaking with the dead. Hear her story in our Women and Witchcraft podcast: tinyurl.com/3st7u6j4 #history #witch #witches #witchcraft #magic
November 25, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Born #OTD 1897, Helen Duncan was the last British person imprisoned for witchcraft. She was famous for producing ectoplasm and speaking with the dead. Hear her story in our Women and Witchcraft podcast: tinyurl.com/3st7u6j4 #history #witch #witches #witchcraft #magic
King Haakon IV of Norway sent English King Henry III a white bear. It was taken to live in the Tower of London. Hear about the Pale Bear’s life in our Strange Animal Stories Podcast: tinyurl.com/2mcp4ww5 #history #animals #bear #toweroflondon
November 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
King Haakon IV of Norway sent English King Henry III a white bear. It was taken to live in the Tower of London. Hear about the Pale Bear’s life in our Strange Animal Stories Podcast: tinyurl.com/2mcp4ww5 #history #animals #bear #toweroflondon
The Grapes in Limehouse is a famous riverside boozer. Charles Dickens came here as a boy. Today it has a famous owner. Hear the story in our London Pubs Podcast: tinyurl.com/y34k8jxd #history #pubs #docklands #dickens #london #eastend
November 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The Grapes in Limehouse is a famous riverside boozer. Charles Dickens came here as a boy. Today it has a famous owner. Hear the story in our London Pubs Podcast: tinyurl.com/y34k8jxd #history #pubs #docklands #dickens #london #eastend
Moll Cutpurse was a child pickpocket. Branded for thieving, she became a London celebrity and appeared on stage in The Roaring Girl – a tale of cross-dressing and scandalous behaviour. Hear her story in our Women and Crime Podcast: tinyurl.com/bde5bt3f #history #Tudors #theatre
November 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Moll Cutpurse was a child pickpocket. Branded for thieving, she became a London celebrity and appeared on stage in The Roaring Girl – a tale of cross-dressing and scandalous behaviour. Hear her story in our Women and Crime Podcast: tinyurl.com/bde5bt3f #history #Tudors #theatre
Died #OTD 1560 John Harrington. The poet and courtier invented a flushing toilet that was installed for Elizabeth I – but the Queen was too scared to use it. Hear the story in our History of Sewage Podcast. Listen at: tinyurl.com/2ys6jpf3 #history #toilets #elizabeththefirst #tudors
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Died #OTD 1560 John Harrington. The poet and courtier invented a flushing toilet that was installed for Elizabeth I – but the Queen was too scared to use it. Hear the story in our History of Sewage Podcast. Listen at: tinyurl.com/2ys6jpf3 #history #toilets #elizabeththefirst #tudors
Hanged #OTD 1724 Jack Sheppard. His escapes from the infamous Newgate Prison made him a celebrity. On his final journey to Tyburn, a quarter of London turned out to see him. Hear the story of the original “Jack the Lad” in our dramatic podcast: tinyurl.com/48dr483b #hisotry #london #crime
November 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Hanged #OTD 1724 Jack Sheppard. His escapes from the infamous Newgate Prison made him a celebrity. On his final journey to Tyburn, a quarter of London turned out to see him. Hear the story of the original “Jack the Lad” in our dramatic podcast: tinyurl.com/48dr483b #hisotry #london #crime
Charles Byrne came to London in 1782. At nearly 8ft tall, he made money exhibiting his extreme size. But as his health failed, anatomist John Hunter was determined to get hold of Byrne’s body. Hear the story in our History of Medicine Podcast: tinyurl.com/3e8bj827 #history #anatomy #medicine
November 15, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Charles Byrne came to London in 1782. At nearly 8ft tall, he made money exhibiting his extreme size. But as his health failed, anatomist John Hunter was determined to get hold of Byrne’s body. Hear the story in our History of Medicine Podcast: tinyurl.com/3e8bj827 #history #anatomy #medicine
For a thousand years, British kings and queens have been crowned at this royal church. Hear about babbling bishops and falling dukes, spurned queens and medieval murders, stolen stones and dazzling diamonds in our Westminster Abbey Coronation Podcast: tinyurl.com/ke5r2ftp #history #royalty
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
For a thousand years, British kings and queens have been crowned at this royal church. Hear about babbling bishops and falling dukes, spurned queens and medieval murders, stolen stones and dazzling diamonds in our Westminster Abbey Coronation Podcast: tinyurl.com/ke5r2ftp #history #royalty
Frank Bostock and his Victorian travelling menagerie popularised African wildlife. He was attacked by a tiger and lion, but in the end died of flu – buried in a grand lion tomb. Hear the story in our Strange Animals Podcast: tinyurl.com/2mcp4ww5 #history #animals #lions #graveyards
November 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Frank Bostock and his Victorian travelling menagerie popularised African wildlife. He was attacked by a tiger and lion, but in the end died of flu – buried in a grand lion tomb. Hear the story in our Strange Animals Podcast: tinyurl.com/2mcp4ww5 #history #animals #lions #graveyards
During the eight months of bombing, misery and resistance known as The Blitz, many families slept on the underground. Hear the stories of firefighters, bomb squads, the Home Guard and London’s trailblazing women in this podcast: tinyurl.com/mrx4huz4 #history #WW2 #Blitz #london
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
During the eight months of bombing, misery and resistance known as The Blitz, many families slept on the underground. Hear the stories of firefighters, bomb squads, the Home Guard and London’s trailblazing women in this podcast: tinyurl.com/mrx4huz4 #history #WW2 #Blitz #london
She was the most eccentric pilgrim in Medieval Europe. Weeping while travelling to Rome and Jerusalem. Her story lives on in The Book of Margery Kempe - the earliest autobiography in English. Hear her story in our Women and Writing podcast: tinyurl.com/jrcjkwwc #history #christianity #women
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
She was the most eccentric pilgrim in Medieval Europe. Weeping while travelling to Rome and Jerusalem. Her story lives on in The Book of Margery Kempe - the earliest autobiography in English. Hear her story in our Women and Writing podcast: tinyurl.com/jrcjkwwc #history #christianity #women
Dr James Barry was one of the most important surgeons in the British army, on his death Barry’s great secret was revealed. Hear the story in our Women and War podcast: tinyurl.com/yu4yedh6 #history #medicine
November 9, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Dr James Barry was one of the most important surgeons in the British army, on his death Barry’s great secret was revealed. Hear the story in our Women and War podcast: tinyurl.com/yu4yedh6 #history #medicine
Tango, Nelson, Munich Mouser and Jock - the original marmalade puss. Winston Churchill loved cats. They lived with him at home and at Downing Street. Hear the story in our History of Cats Podcast: tinyurl.com/3cmky79u #cats #Caturday #history #churchill
November 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Tango, Nelson, Munich Mouser and Jock - the original marmalade puss. Winston Churchill loved cats. They lived with him at home and at Downing Street. Hear the story in our History of Cats Podcast: tinyurl.com/3cmky79u #cats #Caturday #history #churchill
Forty Elephants were Britain’s first documented girl gang. Started in 1870, this Elephant & Castle mob of thieves and confidence tricksters went on the make for nearly a century. Hear their story in our Women and Crime podcast: tinyurl.com/4hducnyh #history #truecrime #women #crime
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Forty Elephants were Britain’s first documented girl gang. Started in 1870, this Elephant & Castle mob of thieves and confidence tricksters went on the make for nearly a century. Hear their story in our Women and Crime podcast: tinyurl.com/4hducnyh #history #truecrime #women #crime
Many people believe this London cemetery tomb is a time machine. The memorial has no name inscribed on it - and the key has vanished. Hear this strange story in our Death and Burial podcast: tinyurl.com/25upnarr #history #tomb #graveyarrd #cemetary #death #timetravel
November 6, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Many people believe this London cemetery tomb is a time machine. The memorial has no name inscribed on it - and the key has vanished. Hear this strange story in our Death and Burial podcast: tinyurl.com/25upnarr #history #tomb #graveyarrd #cemetary #death #timetravel
In the 1700s men wore wigs that signalled status, style and rank. They got taller and more flamboyant, until foppish men were tottering around in absurd giant periwigs. Hear the story in our Men’s Fashion Podcast: tiny.cc/3anu001 #history #fashion #menswear #clothes
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
In the 1700s men wore wigs that signalled status, style and rank. They got taller and more flamboyant, until foppish men were tottering around in absurd giant periwigs. Hear the story in our Men’s Fashion Podcast: tiny.cc/3anu001 #history #fashion #menswear #clothes
James Norris was a former soldier. Sent to Bedlam, where he was tied to a post for 10 years – causing his intestines to burst. We tell his story in our podcast. Bedlam – The Story of a Madhouse: tinyurl.com/2whtb2xh #history #bedlam #mentalhealth #veteran
November 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
James Norris was a former soldier. Sent to Bedlam, where he was tied to a post for 10 years – causing his intestines to burst. We tell his story in our podcast. Bedlam – The Story of a Madhouse: tinyurl.com/2whtb2xh #history #bedlam #mentalhealth #veteran
Tom was a decoy goose. He fell in love with a goosy girlfriend and followed her to London. But ended up at Leadenhall poultry market. Would he survive? Find out in our Strange Animal Stories Podcast: tinyurl.com/2mcp4ww5 #history #animals #goose #london
November 2, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Tom was a decoy goose. He fell in love with a goosy girlfriend and followed her to London. But ended up at Leadenhall poultry market. Would he survive? Find out in our Strange Animal Stories Podcast: tinyurl.com/2mcp4ww5 #history #animals #goose #london
#OTD 1 November 1666 a farmhand gasped his final breath - the last of 260 people to die from plague in the remote Derbyshire village of Eyam. Hear the story in our Plague Village Podcast: tinyurl.com/2hhejvpw #history #plague #derbyshire
November 1, 2025 at 9:12 AM
#OTD 1 November 1666 a farmhand gasped his final breath - the last of 260 people to die from plague in the remote Derbyshire village of Eyam. Hear the story in our Plague Village Podcast: tinyurl.com/2hhejvpw #history #plague #derbyshire
Wondering "witch" podcast to listen to at Halloween? Hear the story of the Pendle witches, a Lancashire family accused of putting a crippling curse on a local peddler, summoning up talking black dogs and bewitching a child to death. Listen here: tinyurl.com/v5c55e47 #history #halloween #witch
October 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Wondering "witch" podcast to listen to at Halloween? Hear the story of the Pendle witches, a Lancashire family accused of putting a crippling curse on a local peddler, summoning up talking black dogs and bewitching a child to death. Listen here: tinyurl.com/v5c55e47 #history #halloween #witch
The Borough Gang robbed bodies from burials in London churchyards. The parishes built watchtowers to guard fresh graves from the bonediggers. We bring the story to life in our podcast: The Diary of a Graverobber. Listen here: tinyurl.com/rhswu35f #history #halloween #graverobber
October 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The Borough Gang robbed bodies from burials in London churchyards. The parishes built watchtowers to guard fresh graves from the bonediggers. We bring the story to life in our podcast: The Diary of a Graverobber. Listen here: tinyurl.com/rhswu35f #history #halloween #graverobber
Born #OTD 1740 James Boswell. The Scottish writer gave the world one of its greatest biographies: The Life of Samuel Johnson. A devoted friend and keen observer, Boswell captured Johnson in all his wit and wisdom. Hear the story in our Dr Johnson Podcast: tinyurl.com/r6x2d9m7 #history
October 29, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Born #OTD 1740 James Boswell. The Scottish writer gave the world one of its greatest biographies: The Life of Samuel Johnson. A devoted friend and keen observer, Boswell captured Johnson in all his wit and wisdom. Hear the story in our Dr Johnson Podcast: tinyurl.com/r6x2d9m7 #history
Sir Walter Raleigh died #OTD 1618. The privateer and explorer was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, but was sent to the executioner’s axe at Westminster by King James I. What happened to his head? Find out in our Heads Podcast: tinyurl.com/f6n5j7kv #history #halloween #Tudors
October 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Sir Walter Raleigh died #OTD 1618. The privateer and explorer was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, but was sent to the executioner’s axe at Westminster by King James I. What happened to his head? Find out in our Heads Podcast: tinyurl.com/f6n5j7kv #history #halloween #Tudors