Our final guest for season 1 is Ian Dunt, a British political journalist. He hosts Origin Story with Dorian Lynskey and is the author of “How to be a Liberal”, “Brexit: What the Hell Happens Now?” and “How Westminster Works…And Why it Doesn’t”. The plaque he chose is at 18 Kensington Square, South Kensington and reads: John Stuart Mill, 1806-1873, …

Irenosen Okojie is the Nigerian-British author of Butterfly Fish and the short story collections, Speak Gigantular and Nudibranch. She co-presented the BBC's Turn Up for The Books podcast, she’s vice chair of the Royal Society of Literature and was a judge for the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction. The plaque she chose is on Lands Lane in Leeds and re…

Andrew Cotter has been working as a sports broadcaster - primarily for the BBC - for over 20 years. He is also known for his two very good dogs, Olive and Mabel, whose antics he filmed and commentated on during the Covid 19 pandemic. The plaque he chose is at 82 Waldegrave Road in Teddington and reads: Edward Whymper 1840-1911, mountaineer, lived h…

Kit Kemp is an interior designer, the founder and creative director of Kit Kemp Design Studio and Firmdale Hotels. She’s known for championing British art and craft and for her colourful, eclectic and much-imitated style. The plaque she has chosen is at 46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury and reads: "Vanessa Bell 1879-1961 Duncan Grant 1885-1978 artists l…

Albert Muzquiz, aka @edgyalbert, is a content creator, stylist, and fashion historian who produces popular and educational vintage clothing and style content on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube. The plaque he has chosen is at 4 Chesterfield Street, Mayfair, London and reads: "Beau Brummell, 1778-1840, Leader of Fashion lived here". We spoke about Brum…

Val McDermid is an award-winning Scottish novelist who has sold over 19 million books. She's the author of the 'Wire in the Blood' and 'Traces' series and 'Past Lying'. She's also the lead singer of the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers. The plaque she's chosen is on Castle Street in Inverness and reads: "Site of MacKintosh fruit shop, family business of wr…

Levison Wood is a professional explorer, writer and photographer who has walked the length of the Nile and circumnavigated the Arabian Peninsula. Levison spent time in the armed forces and served in Afghanistan. His latest book Escape from Kabul: The Inside Story was released in March 2023. The blue plaque he chose is at 2 Westwood Hill, London SE2…

Celia Richardson is the Director of Communications for the National Trust. For the past six years, she’s been responsible for the Trust’s brand and marketing, policy, advocacy and reputation. Previously, she’s worked for the Historic England, the Refugee Council and several mental health charities. The blue plaque she chose is at 2 Garbutt Place, M…

Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, commentator on LGBTQ+ issues and an ambassador for Manchester Pride. He’s the author of The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted and One Love. The blue plaque he chose is at 2 Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, London W9 1ER. It reads: Alan Turing, 1912-1954, Code-breaker and Pioneer…

Have you ever looked up at a blue plaque in London or elsewhere and wanted to know more about the person being commemorated? The Blue Plaque Pod is a new history podcast from best-selling author Kassia St. Clair. In each episode a notable guest will select a plaque that intrigues them. We'll talk about why they chose it and what it means to them, a…

This week Fi shares an account of a fireworks disaster and Claire discusses the Moberly-Jourdain Incident which is a little creepy. Bon Appetite!By Claire Cotter

We are finally back! We missed you so much. Today's episode is as chaotic as ever, with discussions of castration, cults, Vin Diesel and there is singing, of course. Please come back to us. Also Fi is engaged, huzzah!By Claire Cotter

Today, Claire tells us about some frankly GRIM ritual sacrifices throughout history and Fi tells us the truly gripping story of Kim Hyon-hui. And yes, there are Facebook memories.By Claire Cotter

Hi there! We are back with a super fun episode. We lament the passing of the First Dog of Ireland and Fi talks us through Bernie Madoff, the mad lad. Claire shares some truly CRAZY historical coincidences. Enjoy!By Claire Cotter

We are finally back! We have missed you so much :( Today, Claire tells us all about the historicity of the one and only Jesus Christ and Fi talks us through the history of the circus and a very tragic event that we laugh really inappropriately at and feel really really bad about. We are sorry for who we are. Also, check out Claire's new website for…

Episode 62 is here and we're back and ready to tell you all about beavers dropping out of the skies and extinct creepy creatures. We also dish out some more cringey Facebook memories to enlighten your day and make you feel better about yourself. It's a public service!By Claire Cotter

We managed to stick to our schedule which means we have a lovely long episode for you all! We share HORRIFIC Facebook memories #RunRompPlay. Fi cools us all down with a pretty sad tale of an old-timey blizzard and Claire talks about jaws and Joanna the Mad...and the worst husband there ever was. Enjoy frens.…

Episode 60 is in the house. We're back! We have missed you so much! In this week's ep, we explain our absence and encourage you to keep both hands on the steering wheel. This week, Claire dives into the topic of ADHD where she shares her own personal experiences of living with ADHD, as well as its research history which dates back to the 1700s. Fi …

Episode 59 of What's The History? is now available on Spotify and Applepodcasts. It's Halloween time! In this weeks episode Claire and Fi celebrate Halloween by confronting some Facebook memories, diving into Loftus Hall and learning about some very scary ghost ladies. Claire also discusses the story of the headless horseman. They also discuss some…

We are back! Claire talks about the Nazi racial policy, in particular the mass murder of disabled children. It is a very tough listen but it's important that they are never forgotten. Fi tells us about the history of court jesters. Listen out for Roland the Farter. It's a bit of levity in an otherwise difficult episode but we tried to make you all …

This week on 'What's The History?', Fi tells us all about the Batavia disaster. (Basically the ship trip of your nightmares). Claire introduces us to Barney the Dinosaur and all the different ways society absolutely hated him. Just check out Jihad.net!By Claire Cotter

Hello History Buffs! Claire is here to infect your minds with knowledge of the Plague. She could have worded that better. Fi shares the best maritime story yet. If you think you're incompetent, meet the USS Willie D. Enjoy xxBy Claire Cotter

Hi there, hello there! This week, we have the chats (tm) and Fi tells us about Formosus, the Dope Pope who was dug up to stand trial. Claire tells us the sad story of the Queen's first cousins whom you've probably never heard of. Enjoy!By Claire Cotter

We are back and as spicy as ever. We talk very candidly about our reaction to Queen Elizabeth's death. We also discuss the case of the Transphobic Teacher. I told you it was spicy.By Claire Cotter

It's an entire episode about cats. That's it. Too hot, can't type.By Claire Cotter

Fi is back and she has another classic tale of survival at sea. It involves shark blood and terrible accents. Claire is here to depress and educate us all with tales of the Encephalitis Lethargica epidemic of the early 20th century. Enjoy!By Claire Cotter

What's the History is officially one year old! We will have a normal episode for you all real soon but today, I (Claire) took some time to say thank you, have a little chat with you all and tell you the story of the Hunt family from Kilkelly, Mayo, Ireland. There is an absolutely beautiful folk song written by American songwriter Peter Jones based …

WE ARE BACK!!! We absolutely loved recording this episode and had such a laugh. Claire tells the creepy story of the lost Roanoke Colony of 1590 and Fi tells us about Roy, a park ranger whose luck is definitely worse than yours.By Claire Cotter

It is our 50th episode and what better way to celebrate than to discuss all things nineties and naughties. We talk school, books, toys, music and TV with a bit of miscellany thrown in. It's like a warm bath in the sink. uTthjpZAErXEUgK6tL7sBy Claire Cotter

We are back! Fi tells us all about Jeanne de Clisson who sailed her revenge ship which she called.. 'My Revenge.' We love her. Claire discussed the Amish community in the US as well as Ireland's small Amish-Mennonite community. We also talk about carpet sweepers, call cards and cassette because of course we do.…

Hello frennns. This week, Claire has perhaps the most BONKERS story ever told on the pod. It is amazing. It is the story of a man, his dickie bow, a double murder and the Attorney General. Fi talks us through the mystery of The Man in the Iron Mask and it is so much fun. We loved this one.By Claire Cotter

There are no words to describe how chaotic this episode is but we will try: -Fi tells us an AMAZING story about a local man who aimed to break a world record. He puts all other mad lads to shame. -Claire gives you all nightmares by reminding you of your Leaving Cert poets. But actually, they're super lovely and fun. Trigger warning if you've lost s…

We've gone full History Channel and talked about alien abductions. But like, in the context of the Cold War. Claire tells us all about the alleged abduction of Betty and Barney Hill and Fi shares the great story of Nellie Bly, all-round feminist bad-ass. Happy listening!By Claire Cotter

We are back and we are GIDDY. Fi tells us the story of an absolute BOSS survivor. We giggle inappropriately and we are sorry. Claire fangirls over Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. We missed you, let's never fight again.By Claire Cotter

It's Claire's birthdaaaaaay! She is here to share some fun and weird historical facts, have a laugh and cause general chaos. Fi tells us all about Colditz Prison and there is bonus Johnny Logan in honour of Claire's birth. We love you.By Claire Cotter

This week's episode is a long one but we promise it's super interesting! Fi tells the story of one of the most famous robberies in American history and we discuss whether snitches should in fact get stitches. Claire discusses some famous fugitives who simply disappeared: Lord Lucan, DB Cooper, The Bloody Benders, Black Bart and a 13th century Irish…

A few snippets of some of our favourite moments for your listening pleasure ❤️By Claire Cotter

The title makes it sound like they dueled each other but they probably didn't. Claire talks us through the life and death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Fi details a duel between Andrew Jackson and someone who was not Charles Dickens. Fi drops an F-bomb that we didn't edit out due to a popular vote (and you can barely hear it anyway). Claire snorts. …

Hello there listeners! This week, Claire opens up about her mental health struggles. We know this is a history podcast so if you want to skip the personal stuff, skip forward to 20.00. Fi tells a riveting story about two friends on a dangerous mountaineering expedition where one of them has to make a pretty tough decision. Claire spreads her pagan-…

Hello and thank you so much for tuning in! This week, Claire talks about the most controversial incident in wrestling history: The Montreal Screwjob. Even if wrestling isn't your bag, this story is guaranteed to shock and entertain you. Fi tells us all about The Turk, a chess playing automaton. He just wants to be loved. And play chess.…

We are BACK! This week's episode is A LOT but hey...if you're still listening, you clearly like it so technically, TECHNICALLY, this is your fault. Fi tells us all about the time she found a shark. Oh, and she talks about Pearl Hart, a gunslinger from the Old West with just the purdiest name. Claire talks about some absolute beauties of Hollywood a…

Hi! We hope you enjoy our new and improved sound so you can enjoy our singing in crispy audio format. Claire traumatises us all with fairy tales or as Fi has dubbed them, 'Clairey Tales'. Fi is begging me to write 'Can Genghis Kick It? Yes he Khan' and I can't say no...so here we are.By Claire Cotter

We have ANOTHER episode for you because we missed you so much. Fi recounts the tragic tale of the Hindenburg Disaster and Claire talks about Lizzie Borden, the most dodgy person ever acquitted of murder with the possible exception of someone else we wont name because we don't want to be sued, oj? Sorry, that was a typo.…

A few things: we hadn't seen each other in a while and we had just watched Shrek the Musical. Claire talks about Saint Patrick and plays Music Box Dancer and Fi tells us all about the shambolic 1904 Olympic marathon. It's a bonkers episode but you're still here, sooo...By Claire Cotter

(Return of the Claire). In this week’s episode, our girl Claire returns to the podcast where she discusses the assassination of American President Abraham Lincoln, while simultaneously diving into some (seriously freaky) astonishing facts that occurred around the build up to his death. Let’s just say, there are a lot of people with a lot of ‘links’…

This week's episode covers the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the history of NATO, the EU and the escalation of tensions. We also look at what it means for Ireland. Fi tells us about a terrible Ivan.By Claire Cotter

We fit a lot in today. We spoke about our love for Red Dead Redemption 2, Wikipedia and... Santana. Fi spoke about a steamboat disaster from the 19th Century and Claire discussed the Milgram Experiment, held during the trial of captured Nazi, Adolf Eichmann.By Claire Cotter

This week, Claire chats about the Irish War of Independence, focusing on the actions of the infamous Black and Tan reinforcements. Fi tells us all about Mauro Prosperi, a marathon survivor with just... the best story. As always, we would appreciate a subscription on your platform of choice and a rating. You can follow is on whats_thehistory on Inst…

Ok, the title is clickbait. There are comets coming but it's fine. Fi tells us all about the 1910 arrival of Halley's Comet and the ensuing panic. Claire talks about Jack the Ripper and it is pretty gruesome but she really tried to leave out the worst of it because she loves you and doesn't want to give you bad dreams. It's still pretty rough. It's…

This week we have a special guest on the pod- Dave O' Connell, chemistry teacher extraordinaire is here to chat with us about Marie Curie. Claire recounts the events of Bloody Sunday, 1972 and Fi talks crap. Literally.By Claire Cotter