
News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime
Welcome to News of the Times!
Step into the shadowed alleyways and gaslit parlours of the 18th and 19th centuries with News of the Times — a meticulously curated journey through historical crime. Each episode draws from authentic reports and court records, bringing you the darkly fascinating tales that gripped Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian Britain.
With over 500 episodes and counting, we explore true accounts of mischief, murder, and mayhem from days gone by — all delivered with a wry nod and a love for the curious corners of the past.
🕵️ For those with a taste for the peculiar, you may also enjoy our new side project: Volume 1: Slightly Unreliable Memoirs — a whimsical collection inspired by the lives (and occasional misadventures) of our research team. Think cravats, crumpets, and the occasional cactus on the lam. Intrigued? Find it here:
👉 https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime
Murder by Fire: The Notting Hill Tragedy of 1881
🔥 Murder by Fire: The Notting Hill Tragedy of 1881 | Ep522 | News of the Times
In Victorian London, fire could be a constant threat—but what if the flames were no accident?
On a quiet night in May 1881, a Notting Hill lodging house erupted into an inferno. Six people perished. One couple escaped unharmed—and fully dressed. Suspicion grew. Insurance claims were filed. And whispers turned into a murder trial that gripped the press and shocked the courts.
This gripping case follows William Nash and Anna Maria Wright from the flames of Portobello Road to the dock at the Old Bailey, as Victorian society tried to untangle the difference between misfortune... and murder.
🔍 Join us for a journey into:
Arson and insurance fraud
Victorian housing horrors
Suspicious escape stories
And a final twist that defied even the black cap of Justice Grove
👒 Stay to the end for “Further Particulars,” where a corset becomes the unexpected villain of a separate Victorian demise. Because in 1881, if it wasn’t fire, it was fashion.
👤 Hosted by Robin Coles
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❤️ Support the Channel
Enjoying these tales of historic mayhem and murky mischief? Help keep the archive candle burning:
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📖 New! Slightly Unreliable Memoirs – Volumes 1 & 2 with more to come
Whimsically illustrated 24-page PDF packed with eccentric tales, mysterious cacti, and at least one scandalous goat in the mode of PG Wodehouse and "Saki":
https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
And if donations aren’t your thing, a like, comment, or share is just as precious — and rumour has it, Colin the Cactus blushes green when you hit thumbs up. 🌵
🕯 About News of the Times
We are a small (and mildly chaotic) band of history enthusiasts uncovering the darker corners of Britain’s past — no corporate sponsors, no boardroom edits. Just a genuine love of forgotten and wonderful crime.
Expect forgotten headlines, dusty trial transcripts, and the occasional scandal involving
Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs.
Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.
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