Restless Times in History
From the daring escapes of would-be-queens to impossible feats of ordinary people in the past - this podcast covers it all, from chaos and conflict to little known facts that changed the world.
Podcast Description
From the daring escapes of would-be-queens to impossible feats of ordinary people in the past - this podcast covers it all, from chaos and conflict to little known facts that changed the world.

"Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too"
Marcus Aurelius
Image: Tim Hill
Episodes
Jan 2, 2024
Jan 2, 2024
8 min
Extra history episode with a quick quiz, based on 3 historical films
Do you know the answers to history facts about:
A violent upheaval
The "other" hero
The ambitious outwit the angry
Like classical literature? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Dec 27, 2023
Dec 27, 2023
9 min
Second and concluding episode on this 2 part series on the amazing life and adventures of the 12th century adventurer, Margaret of Beverley, who walked from Yorkshire into the heart of some of the pivotal battles of the late 12th century - and lived to see the wonders of Rome - and survived a death sentence at the hands of her foes...
Like classical literature? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Dec 12, 2023
Dec 12, 2023
13 min
A Re-edit (of an earlier episode) and more info in this 2 part series on the amazing life and adventures of the 12th century adventurer, Margaret of Beverley, who walked from Yorkshire into the heart of some of the pivotal battles of the late 12th century.
Nov 28, 2023
Nov 28, 2023
13 min
The fantastic history of Robert Carey's incredible horseback ride from Richmond Palace in England to Scotland in just 2 days, in March 1603 - in a dash to be the first to bend the knee to a new Stuart king. A story of death, ambition, a secret ring, and friends in the right places...
For the full story of the last days of Elizabeth I - see the 3 part podcast episode
Last Days of Elizabeth I
Nov 14, 2023
Nov 14, 2023
11 min
The Justinian Plague of 542 CE ravaged the mighty city of Constantinople and had lasting consequences for the Eastern Roman Empire.
In this concluding episode, we explore the aftermath and wide ranging effects of the Justinian Plague - and speculate on what might have happened, had the plague not left Constantinople, ravaged, hungry - and bereft of half its population?
Like classical literature? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Oct 31, 2023
Oct 31, 2023
13 min
The Justinian Plague of 542 CE ravaged the mighty city of Constantinople and had lasting consequences for the Eastern Roman Empire.
Why did the plague pandemic erupt at this particular time in history?In this third episode, the possible meteorological, biological, and socio-cultural events which affected the progression of the plague are examined.
Like classical literature? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Oct 17, 2023
Oct 17, 2023
15 min
The Justinian Plague of 542 CE ravaged the mighty city of Constantinople and had lasting consequences for the Eastern Roman Empire.
In this second episode, the emperor persists with his dreams of conquest even as Constantinople is ravaged by the plague. But enemies take stock of a weakened city...and internal conflict threatens to overwhelm the hard hit citizens...
Like classical literature? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Oct 3, 2023
Oct 3, 2023
11 min
The Justinian Plague of 542 CE ravaged the mighty city of Constantinople and had lasting consequences for the Eastern Roman Empire.
In this first episode, the plague arrives by grain ship - and as physicians are overwhelmed, the emperor is preoccupied with other matters...
Like classical literature? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Sep 12, 2023
Sep 12, 2023
14 min
Part 2/2 Arthur Ransome's fantastic escapes in 1919
Arthur Ransome is best remembered as a successful author of children's books, most notably Swallows and Amazons.
But in 1919 he had a series of truly remarkable, daring, improbable - and fantastic escapes through partisan forests and vast landscapes, as he attempted to reach Estonia and escape with the woman, he loved.
Like classical literature or film reviews in general? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning
Email for the podcast
Restlesstimesinhistory@gmail.com
Aug 20, 2023
Aug 20, 2023
21 min
Part 1/2 Arthur Ransome's fantastic escapes in 1919
Arthur Ransome is best remembered as a successful author of children's books, most notably Swallows and Amazons.
But in 1919 he had a series of truly remarkable, daring, improbable - and fantastic escapes through partisan forests and vast landscapes, as he attempted to reach Estonia and escape with the woman, he loved.
Like classical literature or film reviews in general? Consider listening to my other channel as well: Literature, Laughter, and Learning






