Today Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Dan Jackson to talk about one of the greatest inventions known to man - the railways.
Where were they first created? When did they arrive in England? And how did they relate to the standardisation of GMT in Britain?
From Eric Hobsbawm to cucumber straighteners, this pod has it all!
Producer: Dom Johnson
Exec ... Show More
Aug 2
693. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)
Why is Sir Francis Drake enshrined as one of England’s greatest heroes? Where did he come from, and how did he rise to prominence and earn the adoration of Elizabeth I, from obscure poverty? And, why is he also such a controversial figure…? Join Tom and Dominic as they sail into ... Show More
1h 16m
Jul 29
692. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
What inspired the deadliest bloodbath of the Tudor age: the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572, in which protestants were slaughtered en masse? How did it drive Elizabeth I’s spy master, Francis Walsingham, to repress all treasonous activity in her realm? And, what terrible tr ... Show More
1h 11m
Jul 26
691. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)
How did Elizabeth I rule England? Why was she constantly in mortal peril in 1569? Who was Sir William Cecil, and why was he so crucial to her reign? And, how did his network of spies keep her alive, and England uninvaded…? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the secret war ragin ... Show More
1h 12m
Nov 2021
From chariots to e-scooters: transformations in transport
Tom Standage traces technological advances in transport, from the invention of the wheel to the rise of the car
Tom Standage, author of A Brief History of Motion, speaks to Jon Bauckham about technological advances in transport, from the invention of the wheel to the rise of the ... Show More
58m 12s
Dec 2022
20. Nationhood, the Indian constitution, and the railways
Join William and Anita for the second part of this week’s special question time bonanza where they answer all of your queries. In this episode they discuss the impact Jallianwala Bagh had upon Indian nationhood, the influence that Britain had upon the writing of the Indian consti ... Show More
39m 16s
Apr 2025
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution—a turning point in history that transformed the world as we know it. From steam engines to spinning looms, it sparked innovation, reshaped societies, and ushered in a new era of progress and possibility. But what was life like during this time of rapid c ... Show More
52m 18s