The companion podcast to David Beeson's "A history of England". Michael Beeson (some relation) asks increasingly dumb questions in the hope of getting to grips with just how messy history really is.
The fighting starts, and Cromwell makes a (late) entrance
In this episode we cover the beginning of the English civil war(s) as the nation divides itself and readies for England's deadliest war. We discuss:
Why did the navy side with the Parliamentarians?
Undisciplined cavalry
Who the hell is Waldemar Januszczak?
Don't forget to write to us at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
23 Mar 2023
Charles I gets his behind handed to him on a plate by the Scots, and parliament comes back with a vengeance
We're back to following the episodes of A History of England by the masterful Mr. David Beeson. We cover the lead-up to the English civil war, where we discuss:
Veteran Scottish soldiers doing a better job than hapless militia being dragged around the country by their king
Glorious self sacrifice
Descartes and his health problems
Don't forget to contact us at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
3 Mar 2023
Sub episode A: When are we talking about, exactly?
In this sub episode we try to get a sense of perspective, and see where the last few episodes have been situated in the grander scheme of things. We discuss:
The evils of writing
Did the dark ages deserve that monicker?
Did the renaissance start in Italy or Spain?
Don't forget to email us at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
17 Feb 2023
A scorned Charles I goes conspiratorially Catholic-friendly
In this episode we cover episode 16 of a history of England, "Slippery slope", covering Charles I's marriage and reign, including his eleven-year "personal rule" and his dealings with Calvinists and Catholics. We discuss:
Buckingham's incompetence, and sticky end
A long digression on conspiracies
These calvinists are crazy!
Don't forget to send us feedback at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
3 Feb 2023
James and Charles, hypocrite and fool
Here we talk about James' family, and his lovers ;). We discuss
Charles' silly escapades in Europe
Gunpowder-based treason
The good stuff: James' homosexuality, and a surface scratching look at gayness in history
Don't forget to write to us at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
20 Jan 2023
James I and VI. Appointed by God, crappy in his earthly deeds
In this episode we barely hold on to the thread as we explore various themes around James I / VI's reign. We cover
His desire to unite England and Scotland
Catholics are fine, but hell has no wrath like a king James scored.
Don't insult people you need to work with
Don't forget to write to us at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
30 Dec 2022
Where the hell did who the hell is Norfolk go?
Welcome to our little trial run with new mics in the hope of making the podcast sound a little less like it's coming from the bottom of a well
We go over the material covered in the era-defining season 1 of who the hell is Norfolk, comprising 11 truly amateurish episodes that span Henry VIII to James the VI and I.
Look forward to a crisper season 2, where David's mellifluous tones are not drowned out by the slightest outside noise.
20 Sept 2022
James murders and hunts his way through England
In this episode we go through the process by which James I / VI became king, the people who manoeuvred their way into his affections, and why he wasn't greeted with quite as warm a welcome as he might have liked. We also discuss:
Monarchy or no monarchy, we do like family legacies
Why Tolkien is conservative
How bad behaviour forces us to make laws (not that it matters)
Don't forget to write in with feedback at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
25 Aug 2022
Elizabeth and her suitors
Here we explore more about Elizabeth's personal life, and her family tree which is more of an insane bush of connections involving all too many Seymours, Edwards, Thomases and a whole collection of step mothers. All this to say she had no child, so the crown was to pass on to James I, whose relationship to Elizabeth is scientifically impossible to determine. We also discuss:
Romping
The murderous inclinations of modern politicians, possibly
What's up with the Swedes?
Don't forget to get in touch at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
9 Aug 2022
Sequel to the Spanish Armada, and a great deal of digression
In this episode we barely manage to stay on the topic of Britain's woeful response to the Spanish Armada, but we seem to spend more time focused on Portugal, economic theory and when does regime change justify breaking treaties. Specifically we go over:
Britain's relationship with Portugal
America's cop out when not honouring its alliance with France
How on Earth did Venice have such a big and long-lived empire?
Don't forget to write in with questions and criticism to whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
28 Jul 2022
Elizabeth the first's stomach defeats the Spanish Armada
Here we discuss the mythical and disastrous invasion of England by Spain, and we also discuss:
Bowls (the game)
How the English are like Parthians
Where's Calais?
Why is Shakespeare good?
Don't forget to send us feedback at whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
13 Jul 2022
Drake the pirate, helping the English to irritate the Spanish
So before looking at the great Armada, it might be interesting to find out why Spain wanted to invade in the first place. We also talk about:
Some of Michael's idiotic misconceptions about the Cutty Sark and the tower of London
What is Spain?
The virtues of trade over conquest
Don't forget to write in to whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
30 Jun 2022
Christianity – a definitive overview
Well after listening to this I think all your ecumenical issues will be fully resolved, as we discuss the role of Christianity in Europe (and a tiny bit on other religions). We also discuss:
Divine retribution in the form of explosive diarrhoea
The same bloody argument about the trinity that won't go away for thousands of years
Why Christianity is like birds
14 Jun 2022
Sisterly love, Scotland and strange explosions
In episode 5 we are finally onto Elizabeth the first! But really we're focusing on Mary queen of Scotts, getting to the bottom of her relationship with Elizabeth, where she came from and if she married her husband's murderer.
We also talk about:
What's a good monarch? Is it like homeopathy?
What's a parliament?
When's the best time to defect?
Don't forget to write in with questions to whothehellisnorfolk@gmail.com
31 May 2022
Bloody Mary the farmer's wife and Philip builds a navy
Welcome to the somewhat badly organised fourth episode of our distinguished podcast! In this episode we cover:
- tomato-based cocktails
- the revolutionary invention of a time machine to correct minor factual mistakes
- how Arabic advances allowed for double-entry book keeping
17 May 2022
Who the hell is Norfolk? Edward but not Edwardian
We go over the short reign of Henry's littlest child. We also talk about:
- Unfortunate romping
- What's a nation state?
- The Baader-Meinhof effect
- Learning through computer games
3 May 2022
Who the hell is Norfolk? Divorced, executed, died... a couple were Norfolk's nieces
We go over what Henry VIII is probably best known for: his wives. We also discuss:
- What's a Habsburg?
- Who comes after Henry? Spoiler: his kids
- Michael attempts to have some input by waffling about Holbein for a bit
19 Apr 2022
Who the hell is Norfolk? Henry and his Thomases
In our inaugural episode, we go back to fill in some of the details of episode 1 of "A history of England". Specifically, we talk about Henry VIII and his two chief chancellors, Thomas Moore and Thomas Cromwell. We also cover:
- How embarrassed the Catholic church was of the contents of the bible.
- Who the hell is Norfolk?
- Wage inequality in 16th century England
- International student exchange programmes.
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