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Shutting In

Episode 17 of 30

Professor David Hendy explains how cramped conditions led to a brutal massacre of cats.

In the 18th century, Edinburgh was one of most overcrowded cities in Europe. Narrow alleys or 'wynds' separated looming tenement buildings, each housing multiple families. Individuals of very different classes and ways of life had to rub along in cramped conditions.

Professor David Hendy of the University of Sussex squeezes in among them, and explains how a similar situation in Paris led to a surreal and brutal massacre of cats.

30-part series made in collaboration with the British Library Sound Archive.

Producer: Matt Thompson.
A Rockethouse production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2013.

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 12 Jun 201902:15
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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See all episodes from Noise: A Human History

Gladstone's Land

The photograph used to illustrate this episode was taken at Gladstone's Land, an authentically restored 17th Century Edinburgh tenement (© National Trust for Scotland.)

Broadcasts

  • Tue 9 Apr 201313:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tue 10 Nov 201514:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Nov 201502:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 11 Jun 201914:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 12 Jun 201902:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

Noise retold by Matthew Herbert

Noise retold by Matthew Herbert

The head of the New Radiophonic Workshop retells the Noise series using only the sounds.

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