Consistently Eccentric History podcast

256 episodes

James Barry - It women can't be doctors, then why not stop being a woman?
2026/05/05 | 1h 40 mins.
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)
2026/05/03 | 1h 6 mins.
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
2026/04/12 | 1h 18 mins.
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
2026/03/29 | 1h 24 mins.
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)
2026/03/08 | 1h 25 mins.
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.

More Comedy podcasts

Trending Comedy podcasts

About Consistently Eccentric History

The British Isles have thousands of years of history, so it's weird that all most people were taught at school was World War Two, how many wives Henry VIII had and that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066 (always worth a try if you are trying to guess someones pin number).If you've always wanted to learn about all the bits between these events, but only if it can be done in a random and eclectic manner why not try Consistently Eccentric History? A podcast where each week you can listen in while I tell one of my friends a story about a lesser known person or event in British history, the weirder and less believable the better. With an archive of over 150 episodes you will never again be short a weird historical fact when trying to impress others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast website

Comedy History Society & Culture True Crime

Listen to Consistently Eccentric History, Anele and the Club on 947 and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

Stations and podcasts to bookmark
Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Supports Carplay & Android Auto
Many other app features

Open app

Get the free radio.net app

Stations and podcasts to bookmark
Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Supports Carplay & Android Auto
Many other app features

Consistently Eccentric History

Scan code,
download the app,
start listening.