This week we are talking about a King who was immortalised by Disney, and who was given the nickname 'The Lionheart' due to his prowess in battle.

Unfortunately being a king isn't all about battles, and in every other aspect it could be argued that Richard I was sadly lacking.

So join us for a story of battles and poor decision making as we discuss the life and times of Richard the Lionheart! (and his tangental influence on the England football team.)

Guest Host: Evie Heathcote

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This week we are learning about what happens when a magician tries to apply his skillset in an active war zone with the tale of Jasper Maskelyne.

Determined to serve during WWII, Jasper ended up in Cairo where the British were facing off against the tactical might of Rommel in the deserts surrounding the Nile Delta.

What follows is a story of increasingly sophisticated (and almost unbelievable) deceptions which, according to Jasper, were crucial in turning the tide of the North Africa conflict...

...of course that is if you believe Jasper.

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

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This week Emma is taking the lead to tell the tale of how two brothers took a failing drinking chocolate business from the brink of bankruptcy and made it into a chocolate colossus that still exists to this day.

Following their father losing his interest in the Cadbury's factory following the death of his wife, his two young sons George and Richard decided that they would take up the reins and try to turn things around.

With a few false starts along the way, a world trip to find inspiration and a threat to change tack to Chartered Surveying, this is a tale of learning on the job and taking risks to get one up on your rivals.

*NOW WITH BONUS POST-CREDITS CONTENT!*

Guest Presenter: Emma Heathcote

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We are back with another episode written and researched by the extremely knowledgeable Pamela Loetterle who wanted to shine a light on one of the forgotten nobles from the Elizabethan / Stuart era, Sir Julius Caesar.

The son of immigrants Julius was determined that he would become a man of power, wealth and influence within Court, setting his sights on the position of 'Master of the Rolls.' But as his family were new money rather than an established noble line, he would have to take a rather circuitous route in his rise to power and influence.

With potentially more historical name drops than any other episode in Consistently Eccentric History, join us as we make the case that Sir Julius Caesar should be just as well known as his famous namesake.

Lead Host: Pamela Loetterle

Guest Host: Joe Heathcote

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This week we are talking about a rare event in British history, a spree shooting. Though it could easily have been two.

Barry Williams was a man who struggled to see other people as anything other than objects, and who had a fascination with guns, which is not the best combination.

So when he began to get annoyed with his neighbours in the middle 70s, it was only a matter of time before he decided he needed to take steps to get rid of them.

But at least he would not be released from custody and left to stockpile a second arsenal of weapons... Right?!

Guest Host: Ollie Green

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This week we are talking about a woman who was forced by circumstance to live in a cave, and made it work.

Denounced by her neighbours as a witch, Mother Shipton leaned into the role in order to survive and did such a good job that she is still remembered nearly 500 years later.

But what parts of her story are true? Was she actually able to tell the future? And why did it take so long after her death for anyone to write her biography?

Tune in to find out.

Guest Host: Evie Heathcote

If you like what we can do you can leave us a tip on Kofi at: ko-fi.com/consistentlyeccentrichistory

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We are delving into the world of Elizabethan espionage this week to discuss a displaced Jewish doctor who realised that the way he communicated with his fellow exiles across Europe could just so happen to be turned into a readymade spy network for profit.

Quickly rising in influence after leaving his home of Portugal in his 30s, Dr Lopez managed to reach the dizzying heights of personal physician to Queen Elizabeth herself.

But the desire to return home never left him, and the schemes he participated in to try and engineer a chance to live out his days back in Portugal led him deeper and deeper into a tangled web of split loyalties and risky choices...

Guest Host: Emma Heathcote

If you enjoy our podcast you can drop us a donation on KoFi at:

ko-fi.com/consistentlyeccentrichistory

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For our first 2025 episode we are discussing two separate occasions when whisky* related disasters caused death and destruction within the British Isles.

With a brief history of whisky production over the years, explaining how a monopoly of larger distillers was encouraged by the government and how this may have contributed to setting the conditions for the disasters that followed, it is a story of profit over safety...

Luckily that sort of thing never happens nowadays right?

Guest Host: Ollie Green

*We are using the Scottish spelling in deference to the fact that Ollie does live in Scotland, not because we have an official preference between the two.

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This week on Consistently Eccentric we are discussing the life of a poor Georgian woman who enjoyed 15 minutes of fame due to a sensational biography and her willingness to wear pants.

When she was abandoned by her husband Hannah Snell decided that she was not going to take it lying down. So (according to her) she borrowed a set of her brother-in-law's clothes and headed off in hot pursuit as 'James Grey'... A name which was also borrowed from her brother-in-law.

According to her biography what followed was nearly 5 years of deception which included stints in both the Army and the Navy as well as trips to India and Africa... but just how reliable were her stories? And would she ever actually find her husband so she could give him a piece of her mind?

Guest Host: Evie Heathcote

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This week we are heading to the Cornish coast to discuss a history of shipwrecks that culminated in a lifeboat disaster that still holds a grim record in the UK.

From the initial wreckers of the middle ages, through early attempts to formalise a system of help for stricken sailors, two world wars and the creation of the RNLI.

Guest Host: Ollie Green

If you like the episode you can support us via KO Fi at: ko-fi.com/consistentlyeccentrichistory

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