In this lively episode of Birmingham Midweek , host Roifield Brown returns from California to catch up with historian David Crowther, creator of The History of England podcast. The duo embarks on an ambitious journey through English history, aiming to cover turning points from the Battle of Hastings to Brexit, though they start much earlier, around 6000 BCE. Crowther brings his signature wit and depth, proposing the sinking of Doggerland as England’s first turning point, setting the stage for an...
Feb 27, 2025•55 min
The Levellers were the first radical political movement of modern history. They developed a full constitution based on wide male suffage, religious toleration and equality in law. They called it 'The Agreement of the People'. In 1649 they were at the very centre of power; where did they come from - and where did they go? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26, 2024•46 min
In Glen's Steps: A Journey with Dementia is a deeply personal and heartfelt podcast series that explores the impact of dementia on Glenroy Brown, a man of remarkable character, and his family. Through candid conversations, personal reflections, and expert insights, we share the journey of his life, from his early years in Jamaica to his current experiences with dementia. This series offers an intimate look at the challenges, changes, and unexpected joys that come with living with this condition,...
May 16, 2024•3 min
In 1762 John Montague earl of Sandwich ordered an easy to east snack to keep his strength up while gambling - and the word Sandwich was born. Was this one of the things that made England? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 18, 2023•47 min
Seventy-five years ago, on June 22, 1948, the HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, marking a pivotal moment in British history. In this episode, we delve into the significance of this landmark event, as we explore one man's journey to prove his British citizenship amidst a hostile environment. Thanks to the dedicated work of journalist Amelia Gentleman, who shed light on the plight of tens of thousands of British West Indians facing wrongful deportation, the Windrush scandal came to the forefr...
Jun 25, 2023•32 min
David and Roifield answer your questions on British political history. This episode is the last in a five-part miniseries going from The Exclusion Crisis to the vote on Brexit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 6 min
-1945: The end of World War II and the election of Clement Attlee's Labour Party, which introduced the National Health Service (NHS) and the National Insurance Act. 1950: Labour Party loses the general election to the Conservative Party, led by Winston Churchill, who becomes Prime Minister for the second time. 1964: The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, wins the general election and begins a period of economic and social reform. 1970: The Conservative Party, led by Edward Heath, wins the gener...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 16 min
David and Roifield tackle the first half of the 20th century. Labour Representation Committee (1900–1906) Liberal reforms 1906–1914 People's Budget (1909) David Lloyd George First Labour government and period in opposition (1923–1929) 1926 General Strike Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min
The Great Reform act transformed politics and parties in the UK - and Victoria's reign was the stage for one of the great political rivalries - Gladstone and Disraeli 1832: The Reform Act of 1832 expands the electorate, giving more men the right to vote. 1867: The Second Reform Act expands the electorate further, giving many working-class men the right to vote. 1885: The Liberal Party, led by William Ewart Gladstone, wins a general election. 1886: The Irish Home Rule Bill is introduced, but it f...
Jan 08, 2023•59 min
David and Roifield go over the start of UK party politics from Exclusion Crisis to the Great Reform act of 1832 Make the point that the growth of political parties is closely linked to the growth in the power of parliaments in Britain, and the exercise of politics in parliament rather than court, in the public eye (importance of war in that process) What are political parties? A few definitions Parliamentary politics before the Stuarts & the shock of the Civil Wars, & the arrival of adve...
Dec 31, 2022•56 min
Where did metal start? What were its influences? Who is the greatest guitarist ever? What is Feminist Doom Metal? No idea, but you will hear some clips of guitar music, and hopefully there'll be a small plastic caddy at the end of it all Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 21, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Luke and Roifield discuss whether Rave Culture can be considered a Thing That Made England. The episode includes an interview with globe-trotting DJ Tristan and we hear one of his banging tunes. We also have music from Occult playing while we chat and this chilled, ambient track plays out to the end of the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 30, 2022•1 hr 37 min
Luke announces the Intelligent Speech Conference, find out more at: https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2022•3 min
Ancient routes criss-cross England and Wales, giving access in law to all English and Welsh citizens across private property, to tread in the feet of countless generations. We talk firstly to Kate Ashbrook of the Open Spaces Society about the OSS's work to broaden access to the countryside and protect what we have. Then Luke and I blather on about some other issues and Right to Roam - R2R not being, I hasten to add, part of the OSS policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
Mar 13, 2022•1 hr 14 min
Lulu and I discuss beer, a topic we have avoided for a while it must be said. Because - beer's been available everywhere for ever. How can the English lay claim to such a thing? And yet...and yet... I figure many people would say there's something distinctive to the English about beer. Is it the type of beer? Or the setting? Or does it stay outside the Cabinet along with The Sun? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 30, 2022•1 hr 2 min
In this second episode on English comedy, we put the historical comedy, Blackadder up for consideration. Is it a thing that made England? Does it exemplify English comedy? Is it historically accurate? Is it even funny? Is David a polyglot? For the answers to all these and more, have a listen to the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 14, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Is there such a thing as specifically English comedy? Certainly the English have thought so since Shakespeare's time, it's one of our vanities. Luke and David sicuss what English comedy might be - and test Monty P against the framework Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2021•1 hr 16 min
At long last we bring you the one and only William Shakespeare, or "Billy the Bard" as some prefer. Fiona proposes the great man as a thing that made England. Does anyone dare disagree? Have a listen to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 6
Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s. Ska combined elements of mento and rhythm and blues . It is characterized by accented with stabs on the off-beat . Prince Buster Ska developed in Jamaica in the 1960s with Prince Buster , producers Clement Dodd , and Duke Reid and found its way to England in the early sixties alongside the wave of Jamaican immigrants that moved to England's big cities from the Caribbean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
May 15, 2021•43 min
The Buns that made England - Crumpets and Muffins, and some bun throwing traditions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 02, 2021•36 min
To Lardy Cake and beyond! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 14, 2021•42 min
Some triumphant buns in the bread cabinet of English cooking over which you may salivate. And come to Facebook to post pictures of your buns too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 28, 2021•49 min
The British Empire... was it a thing that made England or a thing that England made? Find out here, well, find out what we think any way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 3Ep. 101
Fish and chips is a hot dish consisting of fried fish in batter , served with chips . The dish originated in England, where these two components had been introduced from Jewish immigrants and probably flemish migrants. Fish and chips is a common take-away food in England and numerous other countries, particularly in English-speaking nations. Fish and chips first appeared in the UK in the 1860s, and by 1910, there were over 25,000 chippies across the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Jan 15, 2021•57 min
The Constitution of the United Kingdom is the system of rules that decides the political governance of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Unlike in most countries, it is not codified into a single document. However, it recognises that there are principles, such as parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, democracy and upholding international law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Luke and David discuss Elizabeth I, sometimes called the Virgin Queen, Gloriana or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the last of the five monarchs of the House of Tudor . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2020•1 hr 2 min
A public school is a fee-charging endowed school originally for older boys which was "public" in the sense of being open to pupils irrespective of locality, denomination or paternal trade or profession. Public schools have had a strong association with the ruling classes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 02, 2020•50 min
Following World War II, there was a baby boom which brought about the birth of a distinct youth culture in England which frequently reinvented itself every few years or so. Young people began to turn away from their parent’s ethics and style of dress to dance to new music, the influence of US culture and post war affluence created the English Teenager but then England made it its own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Athelstan was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to 939 when he died. He was the son of King Edward the Elder and his first wife, Ecgwynn. Modern historians regard him as the first King of England and one of the greatest Anglo-Saxon kings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2020•51 min
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694 to act as the English Government's banker, and still one of the bankers for the Government of the United Kingdom, it is the world's eighth-oldest bank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 17, 2020•50 min
