In this HUGE season finale episode I look at the life of Josephine Butler. Probably one of the most amazing women of the Victorian era she spent her life dedicated to the rights of women, especially those economically disadvantaged, and in particular, prostitutes. A pioneer of feminism, Josephine fought and raised the age of consent as well as figh…

This week I take a look at something intrinsic to our perception of the Victorian Era – Steam. And more specifically the advent of the technology that created railways – an invention that changed the culture and society of the time. George Stephenson and his son Robert created the first viable locomotive. This episode I look at their influence on s…

This episode I take a look at the life of the Prince of Wales. Not William, but Queen Victoria’s son. Albert Edward, known to his family as ‘Bertie’. He changed the way we perceive royalty with an influence still extant today.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I look at the Prime Minister William Lamb. 2nd Viscount Melbourne he was PM when Princess Victoria became Queen Victoria. As Prime Minister, Lamb was a great influence on the young Queen and instrumental in the formation of countries around the world, including Canada and New Zealand.Oleh Heath Aston

This 50th episode of the Podcast takes a look at our ostensible patron, Queen Victoria and her life being married to her much loved Prince Albert.Oleh Heath Aston

Concluding my two part look at the grave robbing mercenaries that shocked the Kingdom with their horrendous crimes. The most famous of these being William Burke and William Hare.Oleh Heath Aston

Beginning a two part podcast, these episodes I’ll be looking at the fact that Edinburgh makes way to many smart people that make advances by not following the rules. Also, a great deal of grave robbing. With decomposed bodies and murder, it was never going to be pretty…Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I take a short look at the history of Policing in the 19th century United Kingdom. From a perceived military force, the Metropolitan Police became a civilian entity that sought to serve all the people of London and the Kingdom at large.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I look at the shocking 1811 crime that became known as the Rathcliff Highway Murders. Horrible violence and shoddy investigations created a sadly typical Victorian tragedy.Oleh Heath Aston

This weeks episode looks at the 6th Baron Byron. George Gordan Byron was a legend in his own lifetime. With an amazing heritage he tore through British society in the most scandalous ways. A brilliant poet his life was the stuff of gossip, slander and literary respect.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I look at the education systems in Victorian England. Sure they had the rich schools, but you'll learn about a man who with determination and a sack of potatoes, changed the lives of tens of thousands of childrenOleh Heath Aston

I'm back! And with a new episode out before Christmas. This time I look at the life of the man of military man and Irish landlord Charles Cunningham.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I take a look at the remarkable life of Dr Elizabeth Garret Anderson. The first woman to hold a medical licence in the United Kingdom.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I take a look at the infamous Opium Dens of London. Also, I talk about tea and the world's first monster corporation!Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I have a look into the life of author Wilkie Collins. You might not know his work, but what came from it will surprise you. Also, he has another one of those convoluted personal lives...Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I have a look at the struggle of life as an Orphan in Victorian England (It wasn't all song and dance and working for Fagin, trust me!).Oleh Heath Aston

This episode of the podcast looks at the life of Victoria before she became Queen. A difficult childhood with an ambitious mother who hoped to be Regent, I have a look at the young woman's life and how she was trained to rule.Oleh Heath Aston

The first episode of 2023 takes a look at one of the most prominent landmarks in London. The beautiful Hyde Park!Oleh Heath Aston

Special Xmas mini-episode! In this podcast I have a look at how we got to many of the traditions we enjoy during the Yuletide season. Merry Christmas to you and your families!Oleh Heath Aston

This pre-Christmas episode was such a great opportunity! I got to speak with Dr Iwan Morus about his new Victorian Era book on the science and people of the Victorian era and how it has directly influenced us to this day.His book "How the Victorians took us to the moon" is just out now and makes an excellent Christmas gift.…

Ernest Augustus, 5th son of King George was a man who never thought he would see the throne. Then things changed, and both he and his son are in direct contest to rule the United Kingdom. In this massive episode we look at Ernest and his life.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode idea came from the @victorianparade and has a look at the incredible 1851 Great Exposition and the amazing work of Joseph Paxton in making the Crystal PalaceOleh Heath Aston

This episode, while slightly late (blame international travel issues) is all in threes. But of the Williams involved it is William Wilberforce that spent his life fighting for people being treated as people and not chattel. Oh and he helped create the RSPCA.Oleh Heath Aston

As this episode drops, I'm currently in the very top of the highlands of Scotland - in Tongue no less!And this episode I take a look at the well known concept of the Press Gang. Or as it was formally known, Impressment.Oleh Heath Aston

Finally I'm back and bringing you more amazing stories from Victorian England!Straight out of the gate we're talking about Fight Club and the incredible men who boxed in these never ending bouts of bare knuckled violence!Oleh Heath Aston

This episode is a look at the fascinating life of Dr James Barry. Dr Barry was a person ahead of their time in their access to people of privilege but also their support of people less fortunateOleh Heath Aston

Newgate Prison has been an institution since the 13th century, so it should come as no surprise that it has been a leading light in rehabilitation of criminals. No, just kidding, the place was a living nightmare. Listen to how it treated people and I look at some of the more famous 19th century inmates…

This episode has a look at one of the well known aspects of of the Era. We've all seen the tragic hero or heroine suffering from the dreaded Consumption. How they saw this disease though, will really surprise you...Oleh Heath Aston

This episode takes a look at the man who was Prime Minister at the beginning of the 19th Century, William Pitt the Younger.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode takes a look at one of the fundamentals of Victorian society. Etiquette. Would you know what to do in some of the tense social situations you might find yourself in?Oleh Heath Aston

This episode is a light look at one of the era's great innovations - the humble postage stamp. It helped change the world and open communications regardless of class and wealth.Oleh Heath Aston

In an era that saw incredible achievements throughout the Kingdom, one part of the realm was desperate and dying in the hundreds of thousands. Welcome to mid 19th Century Ireland and the Great Famine.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I'm having a look at some of the foods people ate and what their diet was like during the Victorian era!Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I take a look at the event of the year 1858 in London and what became known as 'The Great Stink'Oleh Heath Aston

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an incredible engineer that changed both his world and the one we live in today. Brilliant by any standard he not only saved lives, but made the world a smaller place.Oleh Heath Aston

This week I take a look at how you would get about in the biggest city in the world. Carriages, trains and ferries oh my!Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I have a look at the items known as Momento Mori - photographs of the recently deceased taken alone or sometimes with family members and why this happened.Oleh Heath Aston

It's 1861 and in Tooley Street, London a fire breaks out in the warehouses along the docks. This is one of the defining moments in the history of the London Fire Brigade.Oleh Heath Aston

I'm back! Time off for reading and research is over and episodes are returning fortnightly. This week I have a look at19th century dentistry... It ain't pretty...Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I finish my two part overview of the personal life of the man who will be King and also the cause of what has become known as the ‘Regency Period’. King George IVOleh Heath Aston

This episode I begin a two part overview of the personal life of the man who will be King and also the cause of what has become known as the 'Regency Period'. King George IVOleh Heath Aston

Some things never change, one of these being that humans love to gossip and love a juicy sordid scandal! Some fun entertaining stories from the Victorian era for you this week!Oleh Heath Aston

It's kind of a Part Two (but not really) where this week I have a look at one of what I think is the pivotal factors in the success of Queen Victoria's Kingdom throughout the 19th century.Oleh Heath Aston

Sort of a Part One, this and the next podcast are looking at two of what I see as among the biggest factors in the fiscal success of the British Empire in the 19th Century.Firstly: The fight against the 'Corn Laws' (Debate pictured below)Oleh Heath Aston

Polymath John Ruskin was the leading art critic of the Victorian Era, He was also a strong advocate for environmental and architectural preservation as well as raising concerns of the human cost of Industrialization. Way ahead of his time, he is a fascinating figure of the era. This episode looks into some of his work and also his private life.…

Two legends that have never been explained. Who was the Hammersmith Ghost and what is the story behind the decades long sightings of Spring Heeled Jack?Oleh Heath Aston

Nothing got the attention of the public during the Victorian era like a juicy dramatic murder! And this episode I'm looking at one of the most famous outside of Jack the Ripper. William Corder and the Red Barn Murder.Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I take a look at a lesser examined topic of the Victorian Era. Certainly we all admire the wonderful dresses ladies wore, but what of legendary dandies such as Beau Brummel and what men wore during the 19th Century?Oleh Heath Aston

This episode I look at a brilliant woman, her life, her work and life. It's time to talk about Mary Shelley and aside from writing Frankenstein her life was amazing!Oleh Heath Aston

This episode looks at one of the icons of the London skyline. So we're topping the tower and looking at good ol' Big Ben!Oleh Heath Aston