Extraordinary Stories of Britain

Shakespeare in London – the Life of the World’s Greatest Playwright

400 years ago,  in 1623,  Shakespeare’s plays were brought together in one book:  The First Folio  -  the most important work in English literature.   This podcast tells the story of the Bard’s life in London: how the writer left the tiny village of Stratford-Upon-Avon in search of success in the capital,  how he became an actor, writer and theatre owner; how his company dismantled an entire theatre building and moved it across the River Thames -  and how his beloved Globe burned down.   And why we,  very nearly,   lost half his plays forever.

Westminster Abbey Coronations - from Mishaps to Majesty

For a thousand years, British kings and queens have been crowned at Westminster Abbey.  This podcast tells the story of the coronation:   from babbling bishops to falling dukes,  spurned queens to monarch murders,  stolen stones to dazzling diamonds and belly-busting banquets to mighty majesty.   

Jack Sheppard - The Most Famous Man in Britain

Thee hundred years ago, Jack Sheppard was the most famous man in the country.    Britain’s first celebrity was not a royal,  an actor,  or aristocrat -  but a petty thief.    This podcast tells the story of how an East End chancer became so famous, that a third of London’s population took to the streets to see if he could cheat the noose. 

Newgate Jail - London’s Hell on Earth

For 700 years Newgate Jail was the darkest, dirtiest and most miserable dungeon in London.  We uncover some of its terrible and terrifying prison stories:  from cannibals to the fearsome ghost of a black dog;    from a boy chimney sweep sent to hang at Tyburn, to a world-famous novelist imprisoned for his ideas.   Hear about London’s Georgian Mafia boss,  and the man who inspired Dickens’ Fagin.  Songs, stories and strange tales in this prison podcast.

Stonehenge - the History and the Mystery

 
For our December episode, we are at Stonehenge for the winter solstice.   We investigate the mystery of  Stonehenge’s little-known  neighbouring sister  Woodhenge -  was it once home to the largest “city” in the world?  We hear about the strange legend of the Cuckoo stone.   
 We find out how – 4,500 years ago -  the first stones at the henge were dragged 180 miles from Wales.    We tell the story of how the first metalworker in Britain came to be buried near the henge,   and find out how to dowse the mysterious lay lines that run under the great monument.  Are the initials of Britain’s most famous architect inscribed into the monument?    We wait with the druids, wiccans and witches for the winter solstice.   

Women and Witchcraft - The Horrifying History of Female Sorcery

This podcast tells the story of witchcraft.   From the ancient witches of Wales to the medieval sorceress known as the Witch of Eye.   From the brutal torture of the pilliwinks, to the British king who wrote a book on witches.  From the gruesome story of the Pendle Witches, to a “witch” imprisoned during WW2 by the British government.

The Pendle Witches - A Halloween Special

Our Halloween special tells the story of the Pendle witches  - the most famous witch trials in British history.    This chilling court case saw dozens of Lancashire women imprisoned for witchcraft, with accusations of stolen babies,  teeth taken from corpse skulls,  talking dogs and crippling curses.

Dead Fascinating - The Strange History of Death and Burial

We dig up some stories of death and dying.  How much did it cost to get to heaven in medieval times?    What is a corpse road?  And a sin eater?   Hear about the "outcast dead" and find out why Victorian Londoners were literally dancing on a giant graveyard.  What was the necropolis railway?  Who were funeral mutes?  Which graveyard hosts a tomb time machine  And which internationally famous cemetery was invaded by vampire hunters in the 1970s.   Another half an hour of extraordinary stories.