Talking History Archives - The MrT Podcast Studio
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Podcasts that are entertaining, informative - and fun!
Episodes
- TH2025 02 Gladstone
This episode examines the career of William Gladstone, who served as Liberal Prime Minister four times. It details his early life, devout Anglicanism, and radical political career changes, from Tory MP to Prime Minister.
- TH2025 01 Post Napoleonic France
This episode examines the often-overlooked period in French history between 1814 and 1848, a foundational era encompassing the Bourbon restoration, the July Monarchy, and the formation of the Second Republic. The discussion highlights the…
- TH2024 14 The Romanovs
In TH2024 14, Alan Freeland details the Romanov dynasty
- TH2024 Ep13 Edward I
Peter Duffy discusses Edward I, King of England from 1272 to 1307. Known as Edward Long Shanks, he is credited with reorganising the state machinery and constitution, limiting the church's power, and acting as a diplomat in Europe and a de…
- TH2024 12 Electricity
This episode traces the history of electricity, beginning with its early adoption in private homes and public spaces, and examines its eventual competition with other energy sources to become essential in modern daily life.
- TH2024 10 The Olympics
Season 2024 – Talk 10 – The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies In ‘ The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies’ Jo Watson takes us through a humorous history of the summer games. Click a thumbnail below to vie…
- TH2024 Ep08 India before the British
Season 2024 – Talk 08 – A History of India before the British In ‘ A History of India before the British ‘ Alan Freeland tells us that in the next few of years India’s likely to become the world’s third largest economy. To benefit from thi…
- TH2024 Ep07 1832 Reform Bill
Season 2024 – Talk 07 – 1832 Reform Bill – – did it avoid a revolution? In the ‘ 1832 Reform Bill – did it avoid a revolution ‘ Robert Sykes tells us that whilst the parliamentary system in Britain is genuinely old, real democracy is argua…
- TH2024 Ep05 17th Century Dissenters
Season 2024 – Talk 05 – 17th Century Dissenters In ‘ 17th Century Dissenters and the World Turned Upside Down ‘ Judith Edge tells us about dissent in the 17th Century and compares the situation with today. Religion: It is clear what a diss…
- TH2024 04 Mike Hawthorn
Season 2024 – Talk 04 – Mike Hawthorn – The Farnham Flyer In ‘ Mike Hawthorn ‘ Simon Barber tells us about one of his heroes, Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion. Early years: Mike Hawthorn is born in Mexborough to Leslie and Winifred…
- TH2024 Ep03 How Science is helping
Season 2024 – Talk 03 – How Science is helping people our past In ‘ How Science is helping people our past ‘ Pam Taylor tells us that we don’t often have talks about archaeology. She also says it’s not all about grubbing around in the dirt…
- TH2024 Ep02 3 Mother Theresa
Season 2024 – Talk 02.3 – Mother Teresa In ‘ Mother Teresa’ Graham Meade tells us the history of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The Burning House Debate: This is the third in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World…
- TH2024 02.2 Mr Punch
Season 2024 – Talk 02.2 – Mr Punch In ‘ Mr Punch’ Diana Butler tells us the history of Mr Punch who is far from being just a seaside puppet show. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Burning Hous…
- TH2024 02.1 Xerxes I
Season 2024 – Talk 02.1 – Xerxes I In ‘ Xerxes I’ Michael A’Bear tells us that, as a 21 year old, he catches a bus from Victoria Coach Station to India. On that journey Michael encounters Xerxes and Darius , his father, many times Click a…
- TH2024 01 Alexander the Great
Season 2024 – Talk 01 – Alexander the Great In ‘ Alexander the Great’ David Simpson and Alan Freeland tell us about this legend from ancient time. We hear about his life, his military genius, his political skills and also the effect that h…
- TH2023 Ep21 Franco’s Spain
Season 2023 – Talk 21 – Franco’s Spain In ‘ Franco’s Spain’ Peter Duffy tells us about the Spanish dictator who controlled Spain from 1939 to 1975. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Early career:…
- TH2023 Ep20 Animal Welfare Legislation
Season 2023 – Talk 20- A history of Animal Welfare Legislation in the UK In ‘ A history of Animal Welfare Legislation in the UK’ Richard Thomas tells us about the tortuous path culminating in the Hunting Act of 2004. Click a thumbnail belo…
- TH2023 Ep19 William Cobbett and Hunting
Season 2023 – Talk 19- William Cobbett and Hunting In ‘ William Cobbett and Hunting’ Richard Thomas tells us about ‘field sports’ during William Cobbett’s lifetime. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the tal…
- TH2023 Ep17 Deborah
Season 2023 – Talk 17- Deborah In ‘ Deborah’ Jim Hastie tells us the story about the First World War Tank D51, Deborah. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Jim tells us that Deborah is a very favour…
- TH2023 Ep16 When newspapers were pressed
Season 2023 – Talk 16 – When newspapers were pressed to be ‘right minded’ In ‘ When newspapers were pressed to be ‘right minded” Andrew Cole tells us about the state’s efforts to control the press using taxes. A situation lasting for 140 y…
- TH2023 Ep14 Napoleon III and Eugenie
Season 2023 – Talk 14- Napoleon III and Eugenie In ‘ Napoleon III and Eugenie’ Jo Watson tells us about the man who was Emperor of France from 1852 until his defeat by the Prussians in 1870 and his wife Eugenie. Click a thumbnail below to…
- TH2023 Ep 13 The History Divide
Season 2023 – Talk 13- The History Divide In ‘ The History Divide’ Margaret Denyer, Alan Freeland, Andrew Cole, David Simpson and Richard Thomas give their views on the question ‘ Whilst the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 ended the Allies wa…
- TH2023 Ep 12 The Earth Transformed
Season 2023 – Talk 12- The Earth Transformed In ‘The Earth Transformed’ Alan Freeland reviews Peter Frankopan’s book which changes our view of history by looking at the effect of climate on events. Click a thumbnail below to view the image…
- TH2023 Ep 11.04 Going to the Pictures
Season 2023 – Talk 11 04- Going to the Pictures In ‘Going to the Pictures’ Tim Davies tells us about the history of the projected image in the ‘silent era’. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The M…
- TH2023 Ep11 03 Sarah Bernhardt
Season 2023 – Talk 11 03- Sarah Bernhardt In ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ Jo Watson tells us about the life of the legendary French actress. Please note: this talk was given in June 2023, the centenary year of Sarah Bernhardt’s death. Click a thumbna…
- TH2023 Ep11 02 Max Miller
Season 2023 – Talk 11.02 – Max Miller In ‘Max Miller’ Adrian Martin tells us the life story of the music hall comedian billed as the ‘Cheeky Chappie’. You’ll appreciate from that billing that his humour is not always politically correct. I…
- TH2023 Ep11 01 Dame Margaret Rutherford
Season 2023 – Talk 11.01 – Dame Margaret Rutherford In ‘Dame Margaret Rutherford’ Wendy Senior tells the story of the life of this famous British actress. Early Life? There is tragedy in her early life involving both of her parents. Her fa…
- TH2023 Ep10 The Border Reivers
Season 2023 – Talk 10 – The Border Reivers In ‘The Border Reivers’ David Simpson tells us about these bandits who plundered the English / Scottish border counties from the 13th Century to the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Click a thumbnail…
- TH2023 Ep 09 Mao Zedong
Season 2023 – Talk 09 – Mao Zedong In Mao Zedong Alan Freeland tells us about the life of Mao and Chinese Communism until his death in 1976. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Childhood: Mao was bo…
- TH2023 Ep07 The Glorious Revolution
Season 2023 – Talk 07 – The Glorious Revolution In The Glorious Revolution Andrew Cole tells us about the events of 1688 and questions whether it really was a revolution. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies t…
- TH2023 Ep05 Wellington
Season 2023 – Talk 05 – Wellington In Wellington Derek Sibley tells us about a few things that we might not know about the 1st Duke of Wellington. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Early life: Art…
- TH2023 Ep04 Farnham Workhouse
Season 2023 – Talk 04 – Secrets of the Farnham Workhouse In Secrets of the Farnham Workhouse Ian Wallace tells us a story that is not for the faint hearted. He reveals the workings of the Farnham Workhouse in the nineteenth century. Click…
- TH2023 Ep03 Pets in History
Season 2023 – Talk 03 – Pets in History In Pets in History Alan Freeland tells us a story that starts with the ‘ hunter gatherers ‘ and ends in the 20th Century. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk.…
- TH2023 Ep02 4 Mail Rail
Season 2023 – Talk 02.4 – Mail Rail In Mail Rail Tim Davies tells us about a railway that had no passengers until after it closed. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. A railway with no passengers: D…
- TH2023 T02 3 The Camel
Season 2023 – Talk 02.3 – The Camel In The Camel Richard Thomas tells us about the importance of the ‘Ship of the Desert’ throughout history. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Ship of the Dese…
- TH2023 T02 2 The Railways
Season 2023 – Talk 02.2 – The Railways In The Railways Roger Hobbs tells two stories. First he talks about the development of the railways of Britain and then he tells us about the Great Western Railway. Click a thumbnail below to view the…
- TH2023 T02 1 Orient Express
Season 2023 – Talk 02.1 – The Orient Express In The Orient Express Margaret Denyer tells the story of this luxury train over the last 150 years. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Georges Nagelmack…
- TH2023 01 The Portuguese Empire
Season 2023 – Talk 01 – The Portuguese Empire In The Portuguese Empire Richard Thomas tells the story of Europe’s first, longest and also last Empire. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Voyages of…
- TH2022 Ep20 Robin Hood
Season 2022 – Talk 20 – Robin Hood In Robin Hood David Simpson tries to answer the question as to whether he is fact or fiction. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Who? David tells us of a nu…
- TH2022 Ep19 19th Century Colonialism
Season 2022 – Talk 19 – 19th Century Colonialism – did the National Trust get it right? In 19th Century Colonialism – did the National Trust get it right? Peter Duffy discusses how the spread of the ‘Anglo’ communities was different to pre…
- TH2022 Ep18 Tea in Literature
Season 2022 – Talk 18 – Tea in Literature In Tea in Literature Sue Willson talks about the use of tea in novels over the past couple of centuries. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Morse: Sue’s fi…
- TH2022 Ep17 Left Handed in History
Season 2022 – Talk 17 – Being Left Handed in History In Being Left Handed in History Margaret Denyer tells us about the trials and tribulations of left handed people throughout history. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery tha…
- TH2022 Ep15 Thomas Lipton
Season 2022 – Talk 15 – Thomas Lipton In Thomas Lipton we hear the second of Jo Watson’s talks with the theme ‘some inherit wealth, others create their own fortunes’ . Thomas Lipton is a classic story of a ‘self made man’. Click a thumbnai…
- TH2022 Ep 14 Waldorf Astor
Season 2022 – Talk 14 – Waldorf Astor In Waldorf Astor we hear the first of Jo Watson’s talks with the theme ‘some inherit wealth, others create their own fortunes’ . Waldorf Astor is from one of the wealthiest families in the world. Click…
- TH2022 Ep13 East India Company
Season 2022 – Talk 13 – The East India Company In The East India Company Alan Freeland explains why he believes that the company was so important for Britain. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Fou…
- TH2022 Ep12 5 Villains from History
Season 2022 – Talk 12 – 5 Villains from History In 5 Villains from History our five speakers explain the villany of these characters who are responsible for many deaths, often in unpleasant ways. Warning : the details may be upsetting to s…
- TH2022 Ep11 John Churchill
Season 2022 – Talk 11 – John Churchill – the First Duke of Marlborough In John Churchill – the First Duke of Marlborough David Simpson explains why many believe that he was Britain’s greatest general. Click a thumbnail below to view the im…
- TH2022 Ep10 Hanseatic League
Season 2022 – Talk 10 – The Hanseatic League In The Hanseatic League Richard Thomas tells us the amazing story of this operation which controlled much of the trade between northern European countries from the late 13th to the late 17th Cen…
- TH2022 Ep09 Inclosure
Season 2022 – Talk 09 – Inclosure Inclosure – or in today’s spelling Enclosure – is a talk where Gillian Devine tells us about the effects of Inclosure on society. She takes the example of the Inclosure of parts of the Manor of Farnham. Wh…
- TH2022 Ep08 Farnham in the Civil War
Season 2022 – Talk 08 – Farnham in the Civil War In Farnham in the Civil War Pam Taylor tells why Farnham was of significant importance during the first English Civil War. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies…