It is time to draw to a close our series on Port Royal, beginning with the return of Henry Morgan to Jamaica with a mission to end piracy. Though of course he instead decided to find a way to turn a (slightly corrupt) profit.

But while the merchants of the were making ever greater profits and building ever more houses on the tiny spit of land that constituted Port Royal, deep below the surface of Jamaica there were seismic movements that would eventually bring the entire enterprise tumbling down.

The earthquake of 1692 was massive, and would have been destructive to buildings that were well constructed with strong foundations. The buildings in Port Royal were built directly onto sand that sat only a few feet above the water table...

.... it did not end well.

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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This week we continue our exploration of the history of Port Royal, learning not only how it got it's name, but also how it developed into being the economic powerhouse of the Caribbean... it was extortion.

But even a Pirate port needed leaders, and we discuss some of the most influential of the early days, as well as discussing the rise of one Henry (formerly Harri) Morgan. Morgan was a Welshman with an instinctive understanding of both military tactics and politics that would allow him to rise from a humble crew member on board a dutch pirate ship to the most consequential man in Jamaica.

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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This week we are embarking on a three part series covering the most notorious pirate port in the Caribbean, so naturally we are starting by talking about Oliver Cromwell.

While the Spanish were busy conquering South America, they saw Jamaica as little more than a convenient staging post. So much so that when the English were considering which Spanish territories to invade, it didn't even make the list. However even the best laid plans can go awry, and the ones made by the Commonwealth Government were far from the best, meaning that Jamaica suddenly and unexpectedly became the focus of English interests in the region.

Though they were going to need some help in order to stop the Spanish taking it back...

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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As a special bonus episode, Pamela is taking us through the history of both of the Obelisks that have been given the monicker 'Cleopatra's Needle.'

This is a story that covers nearly 4,000 years and a hell of a lot of wrangling over shipping costs, but which ends with New York City getting crabs!

Guest Host: Pamela Loetterle

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This week we have beaten a plague of technical troubles to recount an Elizabethan tale of a born-again Christian who took things a little too far.

William Hacket was an illiterate servant who managed to talk his way into a good marriage and a malting business. However this didn't seem to fulfil him, so when he was introduced to the concept that protestants can have a direct conversation with God he decided to throw himself headfirst into a life as a travelling preacher.

Headstrong, controversial and generally full of Booze, William blazed a trail down the east of England before finally arriving in London, where he planned to begin his reign as 'King of Europe'...

Which of course would mean getting rid of Elizabeth I.

Guest Host: Ollie Green

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This week we finish our dive into British Wrestling with the story of the Crabtree brothers and how they inadvertently contributed to the decline of the wrestling industry.

It is a story of office politics, nepotism and at least one death.

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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It is time to lace up your boots and get ready to rumble as we dive into the history of British Wrestling.

From an Edwardian fad for Greco Roman wrestling we follow the highs and lows of grappling in the UK through seven decades, to the institution that was World Of Sport on a Saturday afternoon.

It is a story of adaptation, exploitation and features a memorable cameo by a polar explorer that answers the question: 'What did Scott of the Antarctic have to do with Big Daddy?'

Speaking of which, stay tuned for part 2 next week!

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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This week we are heading into the bowels of Yorkshire to talk about Robert Maudsley, a man who holds one of the most unwanted records in human history.

After an abusive upbringing and decent into drug addiction, Robert made some choices that landed him in Broadmoor Hospital for the Criminally insane, but when you prove to be too much for an insane asylum to handle there is only one place to go...

...Wakefield.

So join us for a story of punishment, isolation and ongoing trauma. Now also (hopefully) in video format.

Guest Host: Ollie Green

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This week we are discussing the weather in Ireland. Specifically the evening of January 6th 1839, when 'Women's Christmas' was interrupted by one of the worst storms in Irish history.

We discuss the loss of life, livestock and (tree) limbs, and explore how the lack of support following the disaster helped to further cement the view that being governed from London was not necessarily in the interests of the Irish-Catholic majority...

...and yes we do also mention the potato famine.

Guest Host: Evie Heathcote

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This week both Emma and Ollie are joining in for the story of the worst aviation accident in Britain during WWII, which just so happened to take place a stones throw from where Emma grew up.

The unassuming village of Freckleton was more than willing to do its part for the war effort, welcoming around 10,000 American servicemen into the local area, and trying their best to make them feel at home.

But when two American B-24 bombers went up for a test flight on August 23rd 1944, they had not taken into account the building storm clouds, an error that would result in the deaths of 5% of the village residents.

Join us for a tragic tale of completely avoidable disaster, but rest assured that we will try to lighten the horror with a game of bingo and multiple celebrity cameos...

Not that it works.

Guest Hosts: Emma Heathcote & Olle Green

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