That Time When

You know what the armed forces are missing today? Mad individuals who charge into battle armed with a sword, a bow, and playing the bagpipes. This week on That Time When, Barnaby tells us the story of "Mad Jack" Churchill, whose hobbies and interests very much tied into his attitude as a soldier during World War Two. There are so many stories about Mad Jack, so listen as Barnaby struggles to determine truth from fiction, and accidentally creates an entirely fictional Olympic games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After we forgot that we're meant to be a comedy podcast last week, Amelia saves the day by telling the superhero origin story of St Francis of Assisi. Hear how St Francis would be accused of virtue signalling by certain MPs, and how he was pretty chill about being nude in front of a bishop. Also, you'll hear us discussing the big questions, like can Jesus turn water into Aveeno?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to make a quick bit of cash? All you need to do is convince a few respected doctors that a woman is giving birth to bits of animals. This week on That Time When, Barnaby talks about the tale of Mary Toft, a woman who was, for a while, believed to have given birth to rabbits. Barnaby also apologises for the fact that the truth behind this story gets pretty dark, which is an odd take for a podcast that professes to be comic as well as historical. Oh well, enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bearded men, beware! Who's creeping around the corner? Why it's Peter the Great and he's ready to shave your magnificent beard, regardless of how you like to keep your facial hair. This week on That Time When, Amelia tells us a tip for maintaining power as a Tsar of Russia by introducing new fashions in facial hair grooming.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year! Start your year off right with a pretty gross story about a man who could, and frequently did, eat anything. On this episode, Barnaby tells us the story of Tarrare, a French man in the 18th Century whose appetite was legendary, and for some reason this made the French military think he would be an excellent spy... Surely that won't go well?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Burns: Poet, Icon of Scotland, and fertile as ancient Mesopotamia. To cap off this year, Amelia tells us about the secret life of Robert Burns, the huge number of affairs he had, the children he fathered, and the women who had to put up with him. Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas, one and all! To celebrate this festive season, Amelia brings us a nice story about the Empress Irene and the formation of the Holy Roman Empire. Like all good Christmas stories, it's about blinding, surprise coronations, and accidental medieval laser eye surgery. Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it just the current UK government that has an obsession with fish? No! This week, Barnaby tells us about when eels were so important as a trade good in England, that they practically became a currency of their own. Find out quite how many eels were being used, why you might use an eel to help an alcoholic, and how many times Barnaby can say eel before the word becomes meaningless.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another little bonus episode, aren't you the lucky one? On this rant episode, Amelia talks about the concept of the chastity belt: Serious method of fidelity, or just a bit of a kinky joke? Whatever the answer, what we do know is that Medieval people thought genitals were hilarious.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What more needs to be said? This week, Amelia tells us some of the stories from the ridiculous life of Cassius Marcellus Clay: duellist, abolitionist (sort of), grotty old man, vampire hunter/vampire himself, and just all-round fascinating man.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.