This week we are taking a 400 year trip through the phenomena of spontaneous human combustion. Focusing on some of the more famous British cases we will see how scientists slowly refined their hypotheses of what the hell is going on when bodies suddenly become roaring fires.

Of course I have also managed to shoehorn in a murder or two for good measure (you've got to give the people what they want).

Guest Host: Thomas Heathcote

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We are back with the Quakers this week as we delve into the medical career of Joseph Lister, a surgeon who had the gall to care about his patients even after he had sewn them up.

With a cameo from Queen Victoria's armpit and a short detour into American capitalism, this is a story that goes to show that innovation will always be challenged and that ultimately it is the opinion of the coming generation that matters most.

Guest Host: Ang from Dissecting Medical History

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This week we are following the fortunes of a French-Roman noble who kept getting posted to a depressing little island right at the edge of the Empire. Most others would have actively avoided the thankless and near impossible task of subjugating Britain, however Agricola possessed a number of skills that helped him rise above the petty infighting and power plays of the Senate and Emperors (He saw quite a few of these in his lifetime) with the result that he could be considered the most successful Roman Governor Britain saw in over 400 years of occupation.

With special (and generally brief) appearances from at least half a dozen Roman Emperors this is story of truly epic proportions, not least of all because the author couldn't help but exaggerate!

Guest Host: Matt Hare

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This week we are covering the life of a man who can lay claim to being the most successful pirate ever, despite spending less time as a pirate than most people spend at college.

Join us as we chart Henry Every's rise from relative obscurity, using only his drive, his ambition, his possible sociopathy and his definite disregard for any sort of long-term thinking to become the most notorious man on the planet. Though we will leave it up to you to decide if he deserves his enduring legendary status as 'The Pirate King'

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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This week we are talking about a poor country peasant from the early 1700s who managed to get the attention on the King himself and lead to the humiliation of several prominent doctors.

Although it did involve the contents of her knickers and she did spend time living in a brothel, it is nothing like you are thinking, you dirty minded person...

Guest Hosts: Jack Heathcote and special bonus guest Kate Rimmer!

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This week we are covering what was almost the most famous true-crime event of the 1800's (until Jack The Ripper came along late in the day to steal the crown.)

Set in the idyllic village of Polstead this story not only created a brand new genre of play, but could also be considered the spiritual grandfather of 'Midsomer Murders'. There will be jilted lovers, there will be family betrayals and double dealings, there will be scandal and melodrama aplenty and, of course, there will be a dead body or two.

Guest Host: Ollie Green

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A perfect example of life beginning at thirty William Calcraft was a man who only realised what he wanted to do with his life at the age of 29. And that thing was hanging other people on behalf of the British Crown.

Despite starting his third decade he still managed to spend 45 years sending unfortunate souls on a short drop to meet their maker, negotiating the transition from Georgian to Victorian Britain and the inexorable decline in support for capital punishment by becoming ever more bitter and misanthropic.

Guest Hosts: Emma Heathcote and Ang from Dissecting Medical History.

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The world of court intrigue is no place for the unprepared, and definitely no place for a mild mannered lawyer. This week we follow the short career of Thomas Overbury and his friendship/ partnership with Robert Carr, a man over incredible charisma and absolutely no intellect whatsoever.

With Thomas as the brains and Robert as the face it seemed like the sky was the limit in a bromance for the ages...

What could possibly go wrong?

Guest Host: Jack Heathcote

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This week we are talking about a young woman who was expected to give up everything for the good of her family. Which may have seemed quite hypocritical considering how narcissistic and selfish literally every member of her family was.

We follow Sophia Dorothea's attempts to find some crumb of happiness, however small, though if you have ever listened to our podcast before you probably already know where this is heading...

Guest Host: Ollie Green

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The third in our triptych of Scottish episodes sees a return to Edinburgh to share the story of the most famous criminal the city has ever produced; Deacon (William) Brodie.

Born into a privileged position William was a man who always wanted more, and wasn't particularly fussed about how he got it. He had no limits, no impulse control and (apparently) no real clue how to commit a robbery. But does it really matter when you are considered a gentleman?

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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