An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

1066 and All That

Author: W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman

Referenced in 13 episodes

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Episodes Referencing This Book

March 17, 2025

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Described as 'probably the most famous comic version of English history ever written' and noted as being written in 1930. The hosts quote from it regarding the Norman Conquest being 'a good thing.'

September 29, 2024

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Referenced as a book written in 1930 that makes jokes about British historical knowledge, specifically mentioning that 55 BC and 1066 are the only two dates in the book

June 01, 2023

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Quoted at the beginning of a discussion about Gladstone and the Irish question. The book is identified by name and noted as being 'published in 1930.' The quote humorously describes Gladstone's attempts to solve the Irish question.

April 10, 2023

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Referenced in connection with a joke about the Order of the Garter's motto, where the hosts mention 'the joke in 1066 and all that is, honey, your garter's fallen off.'

November 07, 2022

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Referenced for its 'running joke' that all invasions begin in the Isle of Thanet, a humorous history book

January 28, 2022

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Referenced humorously when discussing the claim that Charles I's head was chopped off and he wandered around the block for a few seconds - 'it's in 1066 and all that. So it must be true.'

November 23, 2021

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Referenced when discussing the Order of the Garter motto, noting how '1066 transcribes it' as 'honey, you've lost your garter.'

October 04, 2021

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Tom mentions remembering information about 'the Picts and the Scots' from this book, a famous satirical history book

August 09, 2021

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Mentioned as a parody of the style of history education focused on kings, battles, and dates that was common in older exam papers.

July 20, 2021

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Referenced when discussing Sir Walter Raleigh, quoting the book's humorous description that Raleigh was 'put in the tower by James I for being left over from the previous reign.' This is the famous satirical history book.

June 10, 2021

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Referenced when discussing King John's reputation, noting that the book describes him as 'our first memorable wicked uncle in English history'

April 19, 2021

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Quoted at the opening of the episode as a classic satirical take on English history, specifically the passage about William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest being 'a good thing'

March 04, 2021

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Discussed as 'the first funny book I ever read about history' and described as 'the ur text of sort of funny history.' The hosts and Al Murray discuss how it shaped their understanding of history, particularly the Civil War and concepts like 'good king, bad king.'