286: England: Beef and Liberty

Who was Emperor Tewodros II, the colourful and controversial Emperor of Abyssinia? Why did he brutally imprison a number of British emissaries, and how did Queen Victoria respond? And, how would this spark one of the most ambitious expeditions undertaken by the British Empire…? J ...  Show more

Who was Gaius Marius’ son, and how did he set out to bring down his father’s rival, Sulla? Which two rising stars in Sulla’s faction, Crassus and Pompey, would go on to bring down the Republic, with Julius Caesar? And, how did a momentous battle in the East see Sulla elevated to ...  Show more

Did you know that the seemingly bucolic Ploughman's lunch actually came about because of a marketing ploy? Or that turnips were once thought to be an aphrodisiac? Pen Vogler takes Lauren Good on a culinary journey through Britain's history, exploring moments when food was at the ...  Show more

Fish and chips is the most iconic, and one of the most popular, dishes from the United Kingdom. Today, let me give you a detailed explanation of the origins, history, and variations of this classic meal! ⁠Transcript - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2024/01/08/278-the-histo ...  Show more

The history of England and Denmark. Tonight’s Euro 2020 semi-final is just the latest chapter in a long shared history between England and Denmark. The Rest Is History Podcast team take Adam back in time to explain the biggest moments these two nations have shared (and what these ...  Show more

In the midst of the English literary revival of the late 1300s, the household chefs of Richard II compiled the first cookbook in the English language. In the episode, we examine the cookbook known as ‘The Forme of Cury,’ and we explore the nature of food and cooking in medieval E ...  Show more