PODCAST · history
Footnoting History
by Footnoting History
Footnoting History is a bi-weekly podcast series dedicated to overlooked, popularly unknown, and exciting stories plucked from the footnotes of history. For further reading suggestions, information about our hosts, our complete episode archive, and more visit us at FootnotingHistory.com!
Episodes
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Imperial Japan and African American Activism in the early Twentieth Century
(Host: Ben) Beginning in the early 20th century, African American intellectuals and organizers such as W.E.B. Dubois and Marcus Garvey held surprising views of solidarity towards the increasingly powerful Imperial Japanese government. Their views evolved in the years leading up to and during the...
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Westward Ho!
(Host: Lucy) A bestselling novel you’ve probably never heard of created pop culture waves and sparked a mid-Victorian tourist industry. Westward Ho! is full of daring adventures, exciting sea battles, lush landscapes, and romance, but – unlike the novels of Stevenson and Dickens – is mostly...
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More Than Makeup: Red Lipstick from Antiquity to WWII
(Host: Jessica) Red lipstick is one of the oldest cosmetics on earth. From its oldest archaeological documentation in Bronze Age Ira n, to women in the military being issued 'Montezuma Red' lipstick to spite Hitler. This episode of Footnoting History explores the history and impact of this famous...
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Henry Knox and the Noble Train of Artillery
(Host: Ted) In the fall of 1775, the British and American forces were stuck in a prolonged stalemate around Boston, Massachusetts. Then, a young bookseller with a passion for fortifications and artillery, came to General Washington with a bold idea. Join me on Footnoting History as we learn about...
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The Origins of the Jury
(Host: Samantha) Have ever had jury duty? Do you dread it or would you like to see what it’s like? The jury – or, rather, the right to a trial by jury – is a cornerstone of the Anglo-American tradition, but where did it come from? Tune into this episode of Footnoting History to learn more. For...
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The Thankful Villages of WWI
(Host: Jessica) The human cost of World War I was extreme; enlisting meant you and the other men in your village went off to serve together. This also meant that in a single battle, one community might lose all of its young men. And yet there were a few villages where everyone came home; these...
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Christianity in the Ancient Kingdom of Aksum
(Host: Ben) In the mid-4th century CE, the powerful Aksumite civilization officially adopted Christianity as its state religion. Join us on this episode of Footnoting History as we look at this often-forgotten chapter of African history and explore the kingdom’s broader trade relationship with…
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The Affair of the Poisons
(Host: Kristin) In 1676, the Marquise de Brinvilliers stood trial in Paris for poisoning. It was a shocking revelation – and result – and, as it turned out, only the beginning of a much larger scandal known as the Affair of the Poisons. Learn about the scandal that rocked Paris on this episode of...
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Leon Czolgosz and the Assassination of President McKinley
(Host: Christine) In 1901, a man named Leon Czolgosz decided to attend the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. While there, he attacked United States President William McKinley. This episode of Footnoting History looks at the lives of Czolgosz and McKinley, their fatal encounter, the...
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Drinking in Medieval England Revisited
(Host: Samantha) Taverns are frequently imagined as bleak, rowdy places occupied exclusively by men but for the occasional buxom serving wench. The popular image, however, does not match the depiction of drinking establishments in medieval sources. Learn more about how medieval drinking...
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Lord Edward's Crusade
(Host: Ted) Before becoming King, the future Edward I of England fulfilled his vow of going on crusade to the Holy Land. Sometimes called the 9th Crusade, this would also be the last crusade to reach the Holy Land before the fall of Acre and the end of the Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem. Join me…
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James Smithson's Institution
(Host: Christine) In the mid-18th century, the illegitimate son of a British noble was born in France. In the mid-19th century, the Smithsonian Institution was founded in the United States. What do these two seemingly unrelated things have to do with each other? Find out in this week’s episode of...
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“A Forgotten Spot in the Caribbean”: Nevis
(Host: Jessica) On the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis, sugar, slavery, and empire shaped the childhood of future Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and the early married life of naval hero Horatio Nelson. From bustling Charlestown streets to windswept plantation estates, this episode of…
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Tsianina: Artist, Trailblazer… Princess?
(Host: Lucy) The life of Tsianina Redfeather Blackstone was a remarkable one. It was also a life surrounded by myths, many of which she created herself. This episode explores the career of a Cherokee-Creek woman who lived through the violence of US expansion, forged a musical career that took her...
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The Dog at the Heart of the Corps of Discovery Expedition
(Host: Ben) One of the most famous members of the Corps of Discovery Expedition (aka, the Lewis and Clark Expedition) was a four legged 150-pound Newfoundland named Seaman. Join us on this episode of Footnoting History as we take a look at one dog’s remarkable journey, and learn about the lives…
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The Shots Not Heard Round the World
(Host: Ted) On April 19th, 1775, colonial militia battled the British regulars at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts in what would become the first conflict of the American Revolution. But what if I were to tell you that the first shots were actually fired months before, in December 1774? And...
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The Hidden Treasure of the Cairo Genizah
(Host: Kristin) A hidden storeroom in the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo was the repository for old, worn out manuscripts. For centuries, a wide variety of writings were deposited and then lay untouched. Explore a medieval time capsule and learn why historians are so excited about a trash heap this...
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Alexander's Worlds
(Host: Lucy) Alexander was heir to a small kingdom, and became ruler of multiple worlds, uniting the Greek archipelago with the territories of Persia, and creating an empire that spanned continents, reaching across the Mediterranean into Egypt as well as to the edge of the Himalayas. Now. How did...
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Beer Through the Ages
(Host: Samantha) Over the past nine millennia, people have made beer out of rice, berries, barley, wheat, hops, corn, honey, and even bananas. Join us on Footnoting History as we skim over the evolving and fascinating history of beer from its origins straight into the modern period. For further...
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History for the Holidays V
(Hosts: Christine, Lucy, Kristin) Celebrate the end of 2025 with our annual selection of historical stories about the holiday season!
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Thank You, James Hemings (the man who brought you mac and cheese)
(Host: Kristin) You know it and love it, but did you realize who was responsible for bringing macaroni and cheese into your life? Learn about James Hemings, the enslaved man who traveled to France and trained in French cuisine, this week on Footnoting History! For further reading suggestions and...
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Dr. Blackwell
(Host: Samantha) In 1847, the idea that a woman could be a medical doctor was absurd. Some thought it couldn’t be done. Others accepted the premise that a woman could learn to be a physician, but suggested such a woman would need to disguise herself as a man and go study far away where no one…
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History for Halloween XII
(Hosts: Christine, Lucy, Sam, and Kristin) It's the spookiest time of the year and we are here with your annual dose of historical Halloween tales! For further reading suggestions and more, please visit: https://www.footnotinghistory.com
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Ren Faire History: From Folk Music to Fried Food
(Host: Lucy) Giant turkey legs, fried food, implausible costumes… and counterculture? This episode explores the roots of Renaissance Faires in the US, and how this originally hippie-centric phenomenon was linked to other forms of medievalism in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Communes, folk music…
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The Pendle Witches
(Host: Kristin) In 1612, nine-year-old Jennet Devize accused her mother in court of witchcraft. Her testimony led to the conviction of 11 people, 10 of whom were sent to the gallows. Find out about the most famous witchcraft event in English history that you may never have heard about in this...
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Playing War: The Development and Early Use of Kriegsspiel
(Host: Samantha) Games are amazing. They teach us how to engage with the world through play. They’ve also been used to train some of the greatest military minds. Chess is notoriously the game of the aristocracy, used to teach strategy and forward thinking. In the 19th century, a Prussian father…
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A Brief History of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Sisters
(Host: Christine) One of Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite methods of expanding control was to place his siblings in positions of power. Here, Christine takes a look at the lives of Napoleon’s three dynamic sisters (Elisa, Pauline, and Caroline), their rise to imperial prominence, and how they were...
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Simon de Montfort Revisited
(Host: Christine) In the 13th century, nobleman Simon de Montfort led an infamous and bloody rebellion against his brother-in-law, King Henry III of England. Simon’s fight against royal power (and controversial life!) caused him to be a focus of one of Footnoting History’s earliest episodes. Now,...
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Pockets! And Why Women Don’t Have Them
(Host: Samantha) Ladies, do you ever feel frustrated by the lack of pockets in your clothes? Gentlemen, have you ever heard a woman friend complain about her pockets or been asked to stow a phone or a wallet for a companion? This phenomenon isn’t new. Since the introduction of the three-piece…
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Beyond Sad Gruel: Food and Diet in Medieval Europe
(Host: Lucy) Seasonal eating and regional eating were the variables responsible for the most widespread differences in what people ate, although then as now, wealth and class played a significant role in what was available to and prized by diners. Contrary to Hollywood myth, though, sad gruel was...
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William and Caroline Herschel, Astronomer Siblings
(Host: Christine) In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, siblings William and Caroline Herschel dedicated their lives to studying the stars. Among their accomplishments were discovering a planet (William) and comets (Caroline), causing them to leave their marks on the field of astronomy...
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Say ȝes to the Chausemles: Fashion in the Medieval West
(Host: Kristin) Medieval clothing was much more than simply a way to keep warm and decent: it was a statement about social class, wealth, and increasingly personal taste. Clothing meant something – and what people wore could change with a mood or the day or the family they were born into. Find…
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Christianity and the Roman Empire: Jerusalem to Constantinople
(Host: Lucy) The second through fourth centuries C.E. saw a profound transformation, and profound upheavals, in the Roman world as a result of the rise of Christianity as a universal religion. Religion, flexible and syncretic, was a powerful source of identity for the Romans, from the temples of...
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The Archdiocese of Khanbaliq
(Host: Josh) In the 14th century, Pope Clement V sent several missionary friars to Khanbaliq (modern-day Beijing) to consecrate fellow missionary Franciscan John of Montecorvino the new archbishop of a new archdiocese that included most of China and India. Who was John of Montecorvino and why did...
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The Executioner in the Premodern West
(Host: Kristin) Both feared and respected, the executioner was indispensable to the premodern system of justice in the West. The skill and the service he provided were essential to keeping order but: who were they, how did one become an executioner, and did he wear a mask? Find out this week on...
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Cassandra Austen: Jane’s Adored Sister
(Host: Christine) Cassandra Austen is certainly not as famous as her author sister, Jane, but one thing is for certain: she was a massively significant presence in Jane’s world. In this episode of Footnoting History, Christine takes a look at Cassandra’s life and her close, protective, bond with...
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Tales from the Tower of London II
(Hosts: Kristin, Christine) In this episode, Kristin and Christine bring back a fan-favorite topic, the Tower of London! First, Kristin talks about Jewish connections to the Tower in the Middle Ages. Then, Christine takes you to the Stuart era to talk about the death of Tower prisoner Sir Thomas...
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Coming Home from War in Ancient Greece
(Host: Lucy) The Iliad and The Odyssey dramatize not only war, but how challenging it can be to return from war, and how war separates those who fight from their families and communities — even when there aren’t angry gods involved. Figuring out the history behind these beloved poems has a long…
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Hummel and Howe – Attorneys at Crime
(Host: Josh) At the height of America’s Gilded Age, two men William F Howe and Abraham Hummel practiced criminal law in New York City. These unscrupulous lawyers represented some of the most notorious of NYC criminals of the era using theatrics and loopholes to find “justice” for their clients.…
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History for the Holidays IV
(Hosts: Christine, Josh, Kristin) As the year comes to a close, holidays abound! Join us for our newest episode in our series about history that ties to these festive times. For further reading suggestions and more, please visit: https://www.footnotinghistory.com
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A Royal Son: Eustace, Count of Boulogne
(Host: Christine) When England's King Henry I died in 1135, his nephew Stephen usurped the throne. Had Stephen's reign been an accepted success, his son Eustace would have been recognized as the next in line to become king, but that did not come to pass. Here, Christine recounts Eustace's story,...
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Thurkill’s Excellent Adventure: A Medieval English Peasant’s Tour of Hell
(Host: Kristin) Hundreds of years before Dante took us on a tour through the afterlife, there was Thurkill, an English peasant from the 13th century, who described his journey into hell and the edge of paradise. What was it like and what can we learn from his story? Come on a vision quest with...
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History for Halloween XI
(Hosts: Christine, Lucy, Kristin) Spooky season is here again! To celebrate we have another selection of historical frights just for you. For further reading suggestions and more, please visit: https://www.footnotinghistory.com
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How to Avoid the Death Penalty in Medieval England, Part II
(Host: Samantha) Not everyone who received the death penalty in medieval England was actually killed. Picking up where she left off in our last episode, Samantha explores two more methods of avoiding execution: gaining sanctuary and buying pardons. For further reading suggestions and more, please...
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How to Avoid the Death Penalty in Medieval England, Part I
(Host: Samantha) In medieval England, just because you received the death penalty for your crimes doesn't mean you necessarily had to actually die. Here, Samantha looks at two methods of avoiding having your sentence carried out: benefit of clergy and turning to outlawry. For further reading...
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So You've Been Elfshot
(Host: Kristin) Oh no, you’ve been shot by an invisible arrow and now you’re sick. What’s a person to do? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered this week with cures for those times when you’ve been elfshot, this week on Footnoting History. For further reading suggestions and more, please visit:...
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Napoleon Bonaparte and the Malet Coup
(Christine) In 1812, while France’s Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was on a military campaign in Russia, he learned of trouble back home: General Claude-François de Malet and several co-conspirators had tried to take control of the French government. Part of their plan centered around telling people...
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The Adventure of Cabeza de Vaca
(Josh) In 1527, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca set off as a part of the Narvàez Expedition to conquer Florida. The expedition ended in disaster for the Spanish after several encounters with Native Americans defending their lands. Using makeshift boats, Cabeza de Vaca and a handful of other survivors...
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Medieval Midwives Beyond Myths
(Host: Lucy) Who were medieval midwives and what did they do? As imagined in novels and films, the medical expertise of such women might be secret, mystical, persecuted, or some combination of all three. In the archives, traces of their activities can be tantalizingly hard to find. This podcast...
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Tales from the Tower of London: Gruffudd ap Llywelyn and Ranulf Flambard
(Hosts: Christine and Kristin) Since the Middle Ages, the Tower of London has fulfilled many roles including hosting the Crown Jewels. It has, more infamously, also been a prison for many who were viewed as threats or criminals–leading to no shortage of fascinating stories tied to this property.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Footnoting History is a bi-weekly podcast series dedicated to overlooked, popularly unknown, and exciting stories plucked from the footnotes of history. For further reading suggestions, information about our hosts, our complete episode archive, and more visit us at FootnotingHistory.com!
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Footnoting History
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Footnoting History have?
Footnoting History currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Footnoting History about?
Footnoting History is a bi-weekly podcast series dedicated to overlooked, popularly unknown, and exciting stories plucked from the footnotes of history. For further reading suggestions, information about our hosts, our complete episode archive, and more visit us at FootnotingHistory.com!
How often does Footnoting History release new episodes?
Footnoting History publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Footnoting History?
You can listen to Footnoting History on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Footnoting History?
Footnoting History is created and hosted by Footnoting History.
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