Footnoting History

Jan 24 2025 300 ep. 21 mins 14.4k
Footnoting History Podcast artwork

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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Hummel and Howe – Attorneys at Crime

Jan 24 2025 17 mins  
(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. On this episode of Footnoting History, come learn all about their misdeeds and mi

History for the Holidays IV

Dec 06 2024 16 mins  
(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

A Royal Son: Eustace, Count of Boulogne

Nov 22 2024 15 mins  
(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, from growing up during a period called 'The Anarchy' to the aftermath of learning he wo

Thurkill’s Excellent Adventure: A Medieval English Peasant’s Tour of Hell

Nov 08 2024 24 mins  
(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 Kristin, in this episode of Footnoting History! For further reading suggestions and mo

History for Halloween XI

Oct 25 2024 16 mins  
(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

How to Avoid the Death Penalty in Medieval England, Part II

Oct 11 2024 15 mins  
(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 visit: https://www.footnotinghistory.com/

How to Avoid the Death Penalty in Medieval England, Part I

Sep 28 2024 8 mins  
(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 suggestions and more, please visit: https://www.footnotinghistory.com/

So You've Been Elfshot

Sep 13 2024 26 mins  
(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: https://www.footnotinghistory.com

Napoleon Bonaparte and the Malet Coup

Aug 30 2024 17 mins  
(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 that Napoleon had died - except, of course, he hadn’t. Learn all about the attempt

The Adventure of Cabeza de Vaca

Aug 16 2024 15 mins  
(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 drifted across the Gulf of Mexico before landing near modern day Galveston, TX. Cab