The Things That Made England

David Crowther and Roifield Brown

An affectionate meandering through the things that make England the way she is – from HP Sauce to the Allottment, Aethelstan to the politics of Queuing. With Luke Baxter, Roifield Brown, David Crowther and Fiona Powell trying to make some sense of it all, though rarely succeeding it might be said. And when you’ve listened, join us on Facebook, vote, and tell us what you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 27/02/2025

    Birmingham Midweek, Turning Points in English History with David Crowther

    In this lively episode of Birmingham Midweek, host Roifield Brown returns from California to catch up with historian David Crowther, creator of The History of England podcast. The duo embarks on an ambitious journey through English history, aiming to cover turning points from the Battle of Hastings to Brexit, though they start much earlier, around 6000 BCE. Crowther brings his signature wit and depth, proposing the sinking of Doggerland as England’s first turning point, setting the stage for an insular identity. The conversation moves swiftly through history, from the arrival of the Beaker people and the Anglo-Saxon migrations, to Alfred the Great’s resilience in 878 and the seismic shift of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Crowther highlights the establishment of Parliament in the 13th century and the pivotal role of the Magna Carta, while Brown interjects with a mix of sharp questions and local pride (including a plug for Birmingham’s market charter in 1166). The pair push into modernity with the Industrial Revolution, abolition of slavery, and the 19th century’s political reforms, before time runs short. Despite a few playful jabs, the episode strikes a fine balance between education and entertainment, setting up a likely return to tackle the 20th century. Five Notable Quotes: David Crowther: “We are who we believe we are. If there’s someone in Mongolia who considers themselves English, then as far as I’m concerned, they are English.”Roifield Brown: “Aren’t you David first? No, you’ve subsumed yourself. You are just England.”Crowther on 1066: “The Normans didn’t just conquer England, they imposed a colonial lordship that echoes through our countryside ownership even today.”Brown: “We pivoted from looking across the North Sea to looking south. The Normans didn’t just bring castles, they reoriented our entire culture.”Crowther on Cromwell: “Ironically, it’s Cromwell’s legacy that pushes us toward religious toleration. Not the story most people tell.” Further Reading: The History of England PodcastBenedict Anderson’s Imagined CommunitiesInformation on the Putney Debates: British LibraryThe Magna Carta at the National Archives: National ArchivesThe 1832 Great Reform Act: UK ParliamentIf you love a blend of historical insight and sharp banter, this episode delivers, and with a promise of more to come, it’s worth keeping an eye on Birmingham Midweek. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  2. The Levellers

    26/05/2024 · BONUS

    The Levellers

    The Levellers were the first radical political movement of modern history. They developed a full constitution based on wide male suffage, religious toleration and equality in law. They called it 'The Agreement of the People'. In 1649 they were at the very centre of power; where did they come from - and where did they go? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  3. In Glen's Steps: A Journey with Dementia Promo

    16/05/2024

    In Glen's Steps: A Journey with Dementia Promo

    In Glen's Steps: A Journey with Dementia is a deeply personal and heartfelt podcast series that explores the impact of dementia on Glenroy Brown, a man of remarkable character, and his family. Through candid conversations, personal reflections, and expert insights, we share the journey of his life, from his early years in Jamaica to his current experiences with dementia. This series offers an intimate look at the challenges, changes, and unexpected joys that come with living with this condition, providing support and understanding to families facing similar challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min
  4. The Sandwich

    18/07/2023

    The Sandwich

    In 1762 John Montague earl of Sandwich ordered an easy to east snack to keep his strength up while gambling - and the word Sandwich was born. Was this one of the things that made England? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  5. 25/06/2023

    Anthony Brown, a Windrush Story.

    Seventy-five years ago, on June 22, 1948, the HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, marking a pivotal moment in British history. In this episode, we delve into the significance of this landmark event, as we explore one man's journey to prove his British citizenship amidst a hostile environment. Thanks to the dedicated work of journalist Amelia Gentleman, who shed light on the plight of tens of thousands of British West Indians facing wrongful deportation, the Windrush scandal came to the forefront of public consciousness Amelia Gentleman, a journalist renowned for her tireless efforts, played a crucial role in bringing the Windrush scandal to light. Her in-depth reporting exposed the injustices faced by the Windrush generation, many of whom had lived in Britain for decades, only to find themselves wrongly targeted by deportation measures. By acknowledging Gentleman's sterling work, we pay tribute to her dedication and the impact of her reporting in raising awareness about the systemic mistreatment faced by British West Indians and the urgent need for reform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min

  6. 24/02/2023

    David and Roifield answer your questions on UK political history.

    David and Roifield answer your questions on British political history. This episode is the last in a five-part miniseries going from The Exclusion Crisis to the vote on Brexit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 6m

  7. 25/01/2023

    UK Party Politics - 1945 to 2019

    -1945: The end of World War II and the election of Clement Attlee's Labour Party, which introduced the National Health Service (NHS) and the National Insurance Act.1950: Labour Party loses the general election to the Conservative Party, led by Winston Churchill, who becomes Prime Minister for the second time.1964: The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, wins the general election and begins a period of economic and social reform.1970: The Conservative Party, led by Edward Heath, wins the general election, but is unable to form a stable government and calls for a new general election in1974: The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, wins the general election, but is unable to form a stable government and calls for a new general election in October.1974: Labour Party led by Harold Wilson wins the general election in October and forms a minority government.1976: The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, wins the general election and begins an era of neoliberal economic policies.1979: The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, wins the general election, beginning an era of neoliberal economic policies.1997: Tony Blair's Labour Party wins a landslide victory, introducing policies such as the minimum wage and devolution for Scotland and Wales.2010: Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government2015: Conservative Party led by David Cameron wins the general election, beginning a period of austerity measures and the Brexit referendum.2016: The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum.2017: Conservative Party led by Theresa May loses majority in general election, leading to a hung parliament and a minority government.2019: Conservative party led by Boris Johnson wins a majority in general election, resulting in the UK leaving the EU on January 31, 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 16m

  8. 15/01/2023

    UK Party Politics - 1906 to 1945

    David and Roifield tackle the first half of the 20th century. Labour Representation Committee (1900–1906) Liberal reforms 1906–1914 People's Budget (1909) David Lloyd George First Labour government and period in opposition (1923–1929) 1926 General Strike Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 7m
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Trailer

About

An affectionate meandering through the things that make England the way she is – from HP Sauce to the Allottment, Aethelstan to the politics of Queuing. With Luke Baxter, Roifield Brown, David Crowther and Fiona Powell trying to make some sense of it all, though rarely succeeding it might be said. And when you’ve listened, join us on Facebook, vote, and tell us what you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    David Crowther and Roifield Brown
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Crowther and Roifield Brown
  • Show Website
    The Things That Made England