A monastic life, is a simple life. Daily prayer. Quiet contemplation. A pursuit of inner peace over worldly excitements. A pirate’s life on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Daily turmoil upon the high seas. Fiercely plotting deadly revenge. A pursuit of fame, fortune and all the pleasures of the world. This is the tale of a man who traded one life for another, with a bit of black magic thrown in for the hell of it… For this months episode of the Cloak and Dagger Podcast we are joined by a great friend of the podcast, Charlie Denton, who has brought us an extraordinary tale of a monk of questionable piety, sailing his way into the middle of a war between France and England. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Life on this planet must endure a lot to survive. Earthquakes and tsunamis rock entire regions. While floods and wildfires destroy complex ecosystems in a matter of hours. And yet life always finds a way to flourish despite everything the world can throw at it. However these acts of god are no longer the only cataclysms life must face. Mankind’s development over the last 10,000 years came from our unique ability to sculpt the world around us to better serve our needs. But in the last few centuries, this power of ours has been kicked into overdrive. Without knowing where this path would lead us, we developed a new way to run our civilisations that stoked the flames of industry while scorching the world around us even more. And this is the tale of where the spark of this new flame, first began to ignite… If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In the elite world of 11th-century Japan, matters of the heart unfold alongside matters of state. Where the ability to compose poetry and display quick wit counted for more than brute strength and male dominance. At the heart of the imperial court, two women (Sei Shonagon and Murasaki Shikibu) from rival factions kept diaries and penned extraordinary works of fiction making them the Japanese counterparts to William Shakespeare. In this special episode, the brilliant Meg Hyland takes the reins, guiding us through a world of elegance and rivalry, artistry and ambition.

In 1885, a Pittsburgh journalist wrote an article about women and their role in society - it argued that their only purpose was to get pregnant and keep up with the laundry. One reader was so angry with this that she wrote a retort to the editor arguing that women should be given more employment opportunities. The editor agreed and offered a young Nellie Bly her first job as a journalist. From there, Bly never stopped – from ridiculing a Mexican dictator, to exposing American CEOs and challenging the very fabric of US society. There was no stopping her. Bly once wrote, “I have never had but one desire, and that was to benefit humanity.” This is her story.

Hey guys, welcome to another special episode! The Film in our sights this time? Exodus: Gods & Kings. The 2014 biblical epic directed by Ridley Scott, with Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton in the leading roles. Join Will, Jamie, and both Patricks, as they discuss their likes, dislikes, and general shit talking...With plenty of rage quits from Patrick (ALH).

Someone once said, that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Sage words such as these should always be followed, and woe betide those who fail to heed this lesson. For there a those in this world, who will promise you the world, while taking everything you hold dear... In this episode of the Cloak & Dagger podcast we tell the tale of a queen, a cardinal and a confidence trickster, set agains the backdrop of the days leading up to the French Revolution. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As the New Zealand government militia treks through the jungle pass, they have no idea what might await them in the shadows. Tales of the man they are hunting are blended with myths of his supernatural powers; like an ability to melt into thin air. Despite hundreds of attempts, no amount of force has been able to vanquish the Maori guerrilla prophet called Te Kooti. Fear gripped the white settlers and their Maori allies across New Zealand - Te Kooti was known for his ruthlessness as much as for his divine inspiration. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Humanity has spent an alarmingly large amount of it's existence at war with itself. Wars full of pain and loss and terror. But for most of our existence, we could take solace in the knowledge that while one army may be attacking another, or one city had been set alfame, the rest of the world could go about their day unperturbed. That was, until 1945. Until the first atomic bomb.From that day on, humanity knew it now possessed the keys to its total destruction. And this is the story of the day we came closer than ever before, to turning that key.... If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As the US Civil War entered its second bloody year, a young man recently arrived from Ireland enlists in the 95th Illinois Volunteer Regiment and marches to war.He joined thousands of other young men but unlike them, he has a secret which if revealed, could lead to great hardship and potential physical harm if discovered. This does not deter him from his choice to fight and makes him one of the bravest soldiers of the Civil War. Welcome to our episode on the incredible life of Albert Cashier. Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Pope Stephen was furious. So angry, in fact, that he was going to make his predecessor feel his wrath - no matter the consequences. His cardinals were too scared or too shocked to intervene and soon the pope had his wish - he dragged his predecessor into a trial that would echo through the centuries and mark one of the lowest points in the history of the papacy. Welcome to the Cadaver Synod.

Everyone thinks they know about Katharine of Aragon but beyond a few nursery rhymes and inaccurate tv shows, the true story of Katharine is far more compelling and rich than you can imagine. Jackson Van Uden is hosting the Katharine of Aragon Festival in Peterborough from 22nd to the 29th January and he came on the show to tell us about this extraordinary queen.

Happy festive season listeners! Whether you're celebrating Christmas or just enjoying the day off work, we've got a tale for you. A spectacular story of a man's journey across a world turned upside down by revolutions, culminating in an engineering feat to rival the pyramids and panama canal! If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Vengeance is a fire that burns white hot. A life once filled with joy, can become shadowed with the dark specter if revenge. But sometimes in a time of horror, brutality and misery, the only thing one can hold onto, is he hope of vengeance. And when all things crumble into to dust, that fire will keep you going. To the bitter end. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As an old Irish proverb says “What whisky will not cure, there is no cure for”. And while I’m no doctor, I am Irish so I do believe there is something in that. Even in a land so divided it’s close to breaking, where a man may be countered as only three fifths of a person, this elixir could form the most unbreakable bonds that would last through generations until this very day. Don’t believe us? Well then join us for a tale of whiskey, wickedness, and the two men who shaped this illustrious concoctions history in America - Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniel. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Well this has gotten out of hand. The new and improved England seemed to be going so well, but a sunken ship, a flurry of royal bastard, and few too many sexist principles and now the whole kingdom’s falling apart. I’m sure it’ll all work itself out… Welcome back to Part 2 of out tale of the Anarchy! For this episode of the podcast we are very excited to have our friend Jess (an actual real historian) join us and tell us the epic tale of The Anarchy. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Ever have a family spat go a bit too far? Well 12th Century two cousins did just that, and their little argument over who got to sit in their grandfathers chair, tore the entire English Kingdom in half. And only 72 years after Aegon William the Conqueror had taken the throne. For this episode of the podcast we are very excited to have our friend Jess (an actual real historian) join us and tell us the epic tale of The Anarchy. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Can a great mind cut deeper than a sword? If the history of humanity’s endless wars with itself is anything to go on, the answer is undoubtably yes. Again and again, great scientists, engineers, and mathematicians have been pulled from their pursuit of unravelling the mysteries of our world and put to work creating terrible machines of war. And at a time where a big bridge stuck to the front of a ship was the cutting edge of siege warfare, a mind that has already developed methods for measuring the unmeasurable can be wielded to devastating affect. In this episode of the Cloak and Dagger Podcast, we’re tell the tale of one of the greatest mathematicians and scientists of history, and of the war he was dragged into. If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

1930s New York was a city of opportunity. Where any man with enough grit and determination could make his fortune... inside or outside the law. But this was a world built by and for men. So who knows how much grit and determination it would take for a woman to make something of herself. Well, Anna Genovese knew exactly what it would take... In this months episode of the Cloak & Dagger Podcast, we hear the truly extraordinary and inspiring tale of the mob wife who became a kingpin (or maybe queenpin). If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

War is terrible. But some stories of war are even more terrible than others. Fighting on a strange island, in a strange land, for a lost cause, the Japanese imperial soldiers stationed on Ramree Island would learn the truth of this. In this episode of the Cloak and Dagger Podcast, we delve into what is truly one of the most terrifying moments of the second world war (which is saying something). If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Do you believe in ghosts? This may seem an inappropriate question for this incredibly serious history podcast, but sometimes to broaden ones mind, one must leave the safe, factual world of history and journey into the world of the paranormal… Or at least into the bizarre tales of the paranormal from the past. In this episode of the Cloak and Dagger Podcast, we are joined by our good friend and expert in suspicious stories Rich, who tells us the tale of the mysterious (and unsolved) Hammersmith Ghost… If you want to see this episode’s accompanying images and a sneak peek of upcoming episodes, follow us on Instagram - @cloakanddaggerpodcast  Music: Positive Fat Bass Intro Loop by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6093-positive-fat-bass-intro-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license