“A merry life and a short one” Pirate motto of Bartholomew Roberts (aka ‘Black Bart’)

Black Bart captured over 400 ships and was the complete opposite from this episode’s Howler: Stede Bonnet. Paul and Mikey shiver their timbers and have a look down the spy-glass at the man known as ‘The Gentleman Pirate’. Beware the Black Spot!

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“I am the son of the road, my country is the caravan, my life the most unexpected of journeys.” Leo Africanus

Paul and Mikey follow in the footsteps of one of History’s greatest historians. Their journey takes them along West Africa’s Gold Coast, up the Niger and into the heart of the Sahara Desert - all in search of …? 

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“My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has to go.” -Oscar Wilde

In this episode Paul and Mikey look at the bizarre connection between the death of Napoleon and one of Britain’s greatest interior designers.

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‘Steal a loaf of bread and they will cut your hands off, steal an entire country and they will proclaim you their king.’ Norse Sagas

Don’t be fooled by chilly tales of beards and battle-axes. Head east with Paul and Mikey, and discover a whole new (warm!) viking world.

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“Assassination has never changed the history of the world” Benjamin Disraeli

Sorry to disagree with you, Ben, but the killing of Lincoln had repercussions that we still feel today. Paul and Mikey look at that fateful April night and one participant that history has tried to forget.

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'Whenever I can find the time, I read history books and the classics so as to avoid idle living.’ Yongle (Ming Dynasty Emperor)

Big China or Little China? Why did Ming Dynasty China turn its back on the world? Could modern-day China be about to do the same? Paul and Mikey go in search of the answers.

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“I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” King Lear, Act 3 Scene 2

Paul and Mikey look at one of theatre’s greatest sins - the century and half when King Lear was performed with (of all things) a happy ending!

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“I shall be a good politician. Even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else, for that matter.” Mark Antony

Mikey and Paul ask you to lend them your ears as they recount one of the epic showdowns in history: Mark Antony vs Octavian (Augustus). But who’s the hero?

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“The same intelligence is required to marshal an army in battle and to order a good dinner.” Lucius Aemillius Paullus (Roman Consul and General, conqueror of Macedon 168 BC)

A secret but often overlooked weapon the United States brought to the battlefields of WWI. Mikey has a theory but Paul’s going to need some convincing.

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“History repeats itself - Has to; no one listens.” Steve Turner

It’s the end of Season 1 and the last of our Extra Helpings. Join the boys as they call time on one chapter and look forward to the next.. 

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