Bring Out Your Dead - The Great Plague of London 1665

We're Not Experts - Two Amateurs Muddle Through History by Sarah Smith & James Nason

Episode notes

Ready to jump into 1665 without needing a time machine or a biohazard suit? In this episode, our two favourite amateur historians (emphasis on amateur) tackle the Great Plague of London—because nothing says “lighthearted banter” like bubonic death and 17th-century sanitation!

Join us as we unpack how fleas, rats, and questionable medical advice combined to turn London into a real-life horror story. From plague doctors with beaky masks to some truly terrible health tips, we separate the facts from the filthy fiction—with a few laughs along the way.

Whether you're a history buff or just here for the plague puns, you’ll come away entertained, mildly educated, and very grateful for modern plumbing.

Keywords
historydry humourBritish humour17th century Englandmedieval englandmedieval britainThe PlagueBubonic plagueThe Great PlagueMedieval Londonplague doctors