Aspects of History

When his queen Eleanor of Castile died in 1290, how did Edward I demonstrate his love for the woman 'whom in life we dearly cherished, and whom in death we cannot cease to love'. Joining Aspects of History today for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, history titan Alice Loxton adeptly explains how she followed, quite literally, in Edward's grief-stricken footsteps not just to commemorate his grief but to celebrate love. Alice Loxton Links: Website: https://aliceloxton.com/ Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen Nathen Amin Links: Website: www.nathenamin.com Substack: https://nathenamin.substack.com/ Aspects of History Links: Website: www.aspectsofhistory.com Email: History@aspectsofhistory.com ⁠⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello and welcome to the Aspects of History 2025 books of the year podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IWM Live on Saturday 1st November, Ollie spoke with Tessa Dunlop in front of a live audience discussing how we memorialise war. Thanks to the Imperial War Museum Tessa Dunlop Links ⁠Lest We Forget: War and Peace in 100 British Monuments⁠ ⁠Alfred the Great - The Telegraph (£)⁠ Aspects of History Links ⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠ ⁠Ollie on X⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Latest film club is to celebrate the publication of Roger Moorhouse's latest book, ⁠Wolfpack⁠, and it's Das Boot, the Wolfgang Petersen masterpiece. Links ⁠Wolfpack⁠ ⁠Das Boot on Wikipedia⁠ ⁠Ollie on X⁠ ⁠Tim on X⁠ ⁠Roger on X⁠ ⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the West’s dominant golden age at an end? What can the past tell us about the future? Joining today is Johan Norberg who poses these and many more questions in his fascinating book Peak Human. Episode Links ⁠Peak Human⁠ Ollie Links ⁠⁠Ollie on Twitter / X⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On 9th February 1981 a novel was published that would reinigerate historical fiction, begin a series that would sell millions of copies, and inspire a certain Shefflield born actor to take on a role that would lead him to Hollywood as a Bond villain and the star of Lord of the Rings. Sharpe’s Eagle was that novel, and Sean Bean the actor. There is a new Sharpe out, Sharpe's Storm, set in late 1813 during the British invasion of southwest France. Today I have the great pleasure of speaking with Bernard Cornwell in a wide-ranging chat which starts off with my mention of his publisher, Susan Watt who very sadly died recently. Episode Links Sharpe's Storm Ollie Links Email me: History@aspectsofhistory.com Ollie on Twitter / X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the build up to World Cup 98 in France, Glenn Hoddle pondered the selection of England’s greatest and most skilful player. A mercurial genius capable of turning a game with one drop of the shoulder or defence splitting pass. His free kick ability was legendary. A scorer of great goals as well as a great goalscorer. I am of course talking about Matthew Le Tissier, and England went out on penalties, a skill Le God had perfected having scored 48 from 49. But we’re not here to talk about the Channel Islands’ greatest export, but instead the World Cup Finals that he sadly never graced, as Jonathan Wilson, football writer for the Guardian and author of The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup, joins to discuss his new book. Episode Links The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup Ollie Links Get in touch:: History@aspectsofhistory.com Ollie on Twitter / X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On 27th September 1943, in German occupied Naples, an uprising began that lasted four days. By the 29th the Germans had lost the city and so made the decision to leave, heading north for safety as the victorious Neapolitans and Partisans celebrated in the streets. On 1st October the Allies arrived, and the city was secure. Or was it? Within months starvation descended on Naples, and with it disease, prostitution and misery. Joining today is Keith Lowe, author of⁠ Naples 1944⁠ as we delve a little bit deeper into this piece of Italian and WW2 history, including the notorious Camorra. I’ll be at the ⁠Imperial War Museum on Saturday 1st November⁠, so it would be great to see you there. Episode Links Links ⁠Naples 1944: War, Liberation and Chaos⁠ ⁠IWM Live⁠ Ollie Links Email me: ⁠History@aspectsofhistory.com⁠ ⁠Ollie on Twitter / X⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Latest film club is to celebrate the publication of Roger Moorhouse's latest book, ⁠Wolfpack⁠, and it's great sub movie ⁠Hunt For Red October⁠, starring Sean Connery & Alec Baldwin. We talk crazy Ivans, safety measures on torpedoes and an egregious example of mansplaining. Links ⁠Wolfpack⁠ ⁠Hunt For Red October on Wikipedia⁠ ⁠Caterpillar Drive⁠ ⁠Ollie on X⁠ ⁠Tim on X⁠ ⁠Roger on X⁠ ⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠ ⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1562 the Witchcraft Act was passed in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. The Act stated that anyone who should "use, practise, or exercise any Witchcraft, Enchantment, Charm, or Sorcery, whereby any person shall happen to be killed or destroyed", was guilty of a felony without benefit of clergy, and was to be put to death. The Scottish Witchcraft Act followed a year later. Joining today is Steven Veerapen, author of⁠ Witches: A King’s Obsession⁠ as we explore the reign of James VI of Scotland and I of England and its attitude to so called witches. James wrote a book on witchcraft and oversaw a huge uptick in legal proceedings against women who made up 85% of those accused. Links ⁠Witches: A King's Obsession⁠ ⁠IWM Live⁠ Ollie Links Get in touch: ⁠History@aspectsofhistory.com⁠ ⁠Ollie on Twitter / X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries there was huge demand among medical practitioners for corpses on which to practices and perform. With the demand so came the suppliers in the form of body snatchers. These were highly motivated and well organised groups who solved the supply problem by taking the freshly buried dead and selling them to desperate surgeons. Joining today is Paul Bavill from the ⁠History Rage podcast⁠ as discusses the practice, the economic rewards and the quantities. Paul joins me as part of the ⁠Podcast Show Live preparations at the Imperial War Museum⁠ on Saturday 1st November. Do get your tickets and I’ll see you there. Links ⁠History Rage Podcast⁠ ⁠IWM Live⁠ Ollie Links Email me: ⁠History@aspectsofhistory.com⁠ ⁠Ollie on Twitter / X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In October 1939 U-47 approached Scapa Flow in silence, as its crew prepared to attack. Their target were British warships at port in the deepwater natural harbour. The U Boat’s tubes were filled with water, and three torpedoes were fired, heading for HMS Royal Oak. This mission, so early in the war, was a huge success for the Kriegsmarine and was commented on by Winston Churchill in the House of Commons. So began the U-Boat war that would strike fear into both Churchill and the Allied High Command. Joining today is Roger Moorhouse, great friend of the show and the author of ⁠Wolfpack: Hitler’s U Boat War⁠ as we discuss the death rate the submariners faced, the threats from above and what life was like underwater. Coming up on 1st November I’ll be hosting a live recording at the ⁠Imperial War Museum’s Live Podcast show⁠ Links ⁠Wolfpack: Inside Hitler's U-Boat War⁠ ⁠IWM Live⁠ ⁠Roger on X⁠ Ollie Links Email me: ⁠History@aspectsofhistory.com⁠ ⁠Ollie on Twitter / X⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the night of 14th August 1943, a Halifax bomber approached the Savoie region of SE France. Coming under fire from the ground, the aircraft was hit and only one airman survived, Squadron Leader Frank Griffiths. Now alone and in German occupied territory, he began the perilous journey to the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Joining me is Adam Hart, Frank’s great grandson as he followed in his footsteps to tell the remarkable story. Announcement: This Thursday, 9th October, I’ll be interviewing Roger Moorhouse on his new U Boat book Wolfpack at the⁠ Tring Book Festival⁠ in Hertfordshire. Then, on Saturday 1st November at the ⁠Imperial War Museum London⁠ at 10am I’m speaking with Tessa Dunlop and Iain MacGregor as part of the Podcast Live Show where I and others will be broadcasting our pods in front of a live audience. Links for both these events are in the show notes, or head to their respective websites, and I hope to see you there. Links ⁠⁠Operation Pimento: My Great-Grandfather's Great Escape⁠⁠ ⁠⁠IWM Live⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tring⁠ Aspects of History Links ⁠⁠⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Ollie on X⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our four part special on submarine movies for the Film Club – last week began with Crimson Tide, today it’s the British 1943 classic We Dive at Dawn, and towards the end of October we have, appropriately, the Hunt for Red October before culminating with Das Boot. All in honour of Roger Moorhouse’s new book Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U Boat War, so sit back and listen to Roger, director Tim Hewitt as we discuss We Dive at Dawn. Links ⁠Wolfpack⁠ ⁠IWM Live⁠ ⁠Tring⁠ ⁠Ollie on X⁠ ⁠Tim on X⁠ ⁠Roger on X⁠ ⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠ ⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you think you know Oliver Cromwell and Prince Rupert of the Rhine? I’ve discussed both figures on this podcast, but I don’t think I’ve delved into their wives, daughters, mothers or consorts who all give a more nuanced and view of these two major players of 17tg century Britain and Ireland. Miranda Malins, author of a forthcoming history of the Cromwell dynasty, and Mark Turnbull, author of ⁠Prince Rupert of the Rhine⁠ join to discuss the women of these two men who fought each other during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Links ⁠Puritan Princess⁠ ⁠Rebel Daughter⁠ ⁠Prince Rupert of the Rhine⁠ ⁠⁠Charles I's Private Life⁠ Aspects of History Links ⁠⁠⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Ollie on X⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Latest film club is to celebrate the publication of Roger Moorhouse's latest book, ⁠Wolfpack⁠, and it's the Tony Scott classic starring Denzel Washington & Gene Hackman. Links ⁠Wolfpack⁠⁠ ⁠Ollie on X⁠ ⁠Tim on X⁠ ⁠Roger on X⁠ ⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠ ⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On 17 November 1942 Allied troops began their campaign against the Germans and Italians in the Tunisian campaign, in the last effort to push the Axis out of North  Africa, and open the way to Sicily and Italy, and,  as you heard from the Winston Churchill quote at the top, meaning Germany would be surrounded in the last 18 months of the war. So why was this campaign so important, and who was involved? Bestselling historian Saul David joins to discuss Tunisgrad, the long running fight to secure Africa. His new book is out, and links are in the shownotes. Saul David Links ⁠Tunisgrad⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links ⁠⁠⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Ollie on X⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 4th August 1265 Henry III’s army led by his son Edward, met rebels of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester at Evesham. Henry himself had earlier been captured by Simon, and so perhaps that motivated Edward and his followers to exact a terrible revenge. In a brutal battle with the majority of the Montfortians wiped out, Edward was victorious and so Simon de Montfort’s rebellion was over. Or was it? His relatives continued their campaign against Henry meaning this particular civil war was a long running one, and was that necessary? Joining today is David Pilling, author of Rebellion Against Henry III as he joins to discuss Henry, his son Edward, Simon de Montfort and this particularly brutal English civil war. David Pilling Links ⁠Rebellion Against Henry III⁠ Aspects of History Links ⁠⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Ollie on X⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Latest Film Club is the Kubrick 1975 masterpiece, Barry Lyndon starring Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Leonard Rossiter and Hardy Kruger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the outskirts of North London, near Chipping Barnet and Enfield, stands a marvellous country house, Trent Park that belonged to the Sassoon family. In 1939 it was requisitioned by the British government whereupon it became a luxurious POW camp for German prisoners. Why treat them so kindly? Well senior Wehrmacht and Nazi officers were lulled into a false sense of security, they let their guard down and discussed war plans, and their murderous outlook openly, all of which were recorded and translated by listeners in the cellars of the house. Many of these listeners were Jewish refugees. Today’s guest is Jane Thynne, whose new book Appointment in Paris features Trent Park so we discuss that and plenty more including France during the war. Jane Thynne Links ⁠Appointment in Paris⁠Aspects of History Links ⁠Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99⁠ ⁠Ollie on X⁠ ⁠Aspects of History on Instagram⁠ Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices