I think last week's puzzle felt "strange" because it covered the handing over of the reins and was therefore a bit contrived. We also need to allow for some change of style with the new setter. I wonder if we've heard the last of NCF, TTF and LLF? Their occasional appearances were part of the scenery, maybe Sean has some equally idiosyncratic friends.
The reference to "the father of English history" got me to the right city this week and it was fairly straightforward after that