That Time When

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistMusic: Suonatore di Liuto by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4440-suonatore-di-liutoLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistMusic: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4533-toccata-and-fugue-in-d-minorLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistMusic: Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistMusic: Come Play with Me by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3526-come-play-with-meMusic: Waltz of Treachery by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4606-waltz-of-treacheryMusic: Symmetry by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4790-symmetryLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistMusic: Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4026-master-of-the-feastMusic: Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4481-thatched-villagersMusic: Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3562-crossing-the-chasmLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronist Music: Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravo Music: Monkeys Spinning Monkeys by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4071-monkeys-spinning-monkeys Music: Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistMusic: Nu Flute by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4149-nu-fluteMusic: Symmetry by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4790-symmetryMusic: Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3562-crossing-the-chasmLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacleodNetherworld Shanty by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4119-netherworld-shantyLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodMusic: Village Consort by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4585-village-consortLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodThinking Music by Kevin MacLeodMusic: Sneaky Snitch by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4522-thinking-musicFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4384-sneaky-snitchLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronistLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 MacLeodWaltz of Treachery by Kevin MacLeodBreaktime by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3363-anachronisthttps://filmmusic.io/song/4606-waltz-of-treacheryhttps://filmmusic.io/song/3457-breaktimeLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That Time When is going on a little hiatus for December as both Amelia and Barnaby have been busy with work and fighting off various illnesses. We'll see you in the New Year (at which point we'll take down this post). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.