Dirt, Dragons, and Dictators: A Curious Histories' London Special
Schedule
Mon Apr 27 2026 at 06:15 pm to 08:45 pm
UTC+01:00Location
The Tokenhouse, Moorgate | London, EN
About this Event
Curious Histories makes a welcome return to the Tokenhouse on Moorgate, and we're very happy to be partnering again with the Arts and Humanities Society. Our show will be in the downstairs function room and bar, and it will feature three typically idiosyncratic talks.The event will begin at 6.15pm, but doors will open at 5.45pm. If you would like to eat beforehand, the Tokenhouse offers a great menu, so arrive early and order food and drinks before we start; you do not need to reserve a table. The bar will stay open throughout the show. We will finish around 8.45pm (running order below).
Our talks:
The Great Stink of 1858
In the 1850s London was a city of two and a half million inhabitants, more than twice as many as fifty years earlier. The sewers could not cope with these numbers; effluent gushed into the Thames. In June 1858, a crisis point was reached when temperatures hit 35ºC. What could be the solution? Professor Rosemary Ashton takes up the story of Joseph Bazalgette, who had ambitious plans to remove the nuisance from the city. However, he had to fight against widespread and ferocious objections, not least financial ones. How did he overcome them?
Science, Folklore, and the Unexplained: John Aubrey's Natural History
John Aubrey (1626-1697) is best known as a polymathic antiquarian with a deep interest in the supernatural. Yet Aubrey was a scientist too, and often combined his curiosity for folk wisdom and the unexplained with revolutionary scientific insights. Sadly, his major work on the subject, the Natural History, was not published in his lifetime, and subsequently only in truncated form. In it, Aubrey vigorously applied scientific method not only to conventional flora and fauna, but also to the phenomena of dragons, ghosts, witches, magic rings, secret tunnels, murderous clouds, and giants - a fervour that led to an African expedition to hunt for a two-legged dragon, the Wyvern. Dr Louise Ryland-Epton invites us to discover more about Aubrey’s extraordinary world ahead of the publication of his Natural History in June.
Adolf von Batocki: Food Dictator
In May 1916, Adolf von Batocki was appointed as head of the Imperial German War Food Office in the midst of World War One. A controversial character, he quickly earned the sobriquet of 'The Food Dictator' as civilians faced growing food shortages and hunger. Dr Jonathan Slater explores his role on the Kaiserreich's beleagured home front at a pivotal point in the conflict.
Our speakers:
Professor Rosemary Ashton is Emeritus Quain Professor of English Language and Literature at UCL and an Honorary Fellow of UCL. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and was awarded an OBE in 1999 for services to comparative literature. She is the author of four critical biographies and five works on nineteeth-century literature and culture, including (2017), the subject of her Curious Histories' talk.
Dr Louise Ryland-Epton is an award-winning freelance historian and contributing editor on Victoria County History. She is an expert on John Aubrey and is currently editing his Natural History for publication on his 400th anniversary. Her most recent book is . You can read her fascinating blog, on Aubrey and other early modern curiosities, here. This is her second talk for our programme.
Dr Jonathan Slater is a postdoc at the London School of Economics, whose research concentrates on ersatz food products in First World War Germany. He is originally from Paw Paw, Michigan in the USA. This is his second talk for Curious Histories.
Running order (all times approximate):
5.45pm - Doors
6.15pm - First talk
8.45pm - Expected end time
There will be two intervals during the evening.
Our partner:
The Arts and Humanities Society is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation which offers a range of walks, talks, tours, and study days for past and present Open University students and others.
FAQs
How do I find out more about Curious Histories?
You can follow us here on eventbrite, join our public facebook group, or explore our YouTube channel.
How do I find out more about the Arts and Humanities Society?
You can follow the AHS on eventbrite, on its facebook page, or on its Youtube channel.
How do I get to the Tokenhouse?
The Tokenhouse is within easy walking distance of Liverpool Street mainline rail station, plus Bank and Moorgate tube stations. Buses 21, 43, 76, 141, 153 and 214 all stop nearby the pub as well.
What food and drink will be available?
The Tokenhouse has a full food menu. We recommend that you arrive around 5.30pm in order to eat before the show. Drinks are available throughout the evening from the downstairs bar in the function room.
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the talks?
The event will be held in licensed premises, so sadly minimum age is 18.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, we will have a list of names on the door.
What if I've bought a ticket but am unable to come?
If you're not able to come, you are welcome to offer your ticket to someone else. If you can't give your ticket to another person, drop Curious Histories a line - if the event is sold out we may be able to re-sell it for you.
Will latecomers be admitted?
Talks will begin at 6.15pm, but there will be some places reserved for latecomers.
Is there wheelchair access to the venue?
The downstairs area, where the talks are being held, is wheelchair accessible.
Where is it happening?
The Tokenhouse, Moorgate, 4 Moorgate, London, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 5.50 to GBP 7.50
