History Hit Podcasts

Legends of Robin Hood

Was Robin Hood a symbol of justice? A challenge to authority? Or simply a folk hero offering a fantasy of freedom? Whether or not he truly...

What Made You Ugly In Tudor Times?

Why did royalty have worse teeth than commoners? How would the Tudor court have smelt? And when even the Queen of England can be accused of being...

Why is Timbuktu Famous?

Synonymous for somewhere far away, Timbuktu has been mythologised by the stories of old European explorers. But in fact, for centuries it was in...

Shakespeare's First Playhouse

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Dr. Daniel Swift to delve into the formative years of William Shakespeare's career. They explore the...

How to Survive the Desert: Cities of the Southwest

How did cities grow in America's largest and hottest desert? How did the rivers of the South West shape its history? Don is joined by Kyle...

The Last Roman Emperors

No grand battle. No final blaze of glory. In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed not with a roar, but with a quiet abdication. A boy...

The Dark Side of Ancient Egypt

When people talk about Ancient Egypt, they often focus on the amazing pyramids, mummies, and the advanced civilisation.

At After Dark, we...

The Glorious Revolution

In this episode we hear all about the Glorious Revolution, a pivotal moment in British history that saw the overthrow of King James II and the...

Ivar the Boneless

Ivar the Boneless is renowned as a fearsome Norse leader who invaded England and Ireland. But beyond the myth-making, who was Ivar really? Was he...

The Dandy: Dressing in Defiance

He cuts a fine figure, walking down the street. Whether it's a bow tie and a sharp suit, perfectly curated clashing colours, or a moustache with...

Jonestown: The Death of a Cult

Did you ever wonder where the phrase 'drink the Kool-Aid' came from? In this second episode about the Peoples Temple, we rejoin them in Jonestown,...

Lost Colony of Roanoke: Mystery of Virginia Dare

WTF happened to Virginia Dare, America's first English child? How did her and her mother's legend grow over time? Did mysterious carvings found on...

Sparta vs Athens: The Peloponnesian War

Assassin's Creed Odyssey puts us at the heart of the expansive conflict that occurred when Athens went to war with Sparta: the Peloponnesian War....

Young Elizabeth I

Before she became Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth Tudor was surrounded by scandal, suspicion and deadly intrigue. Born to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII,...

The Siege of Vienna

In the summer of 1683, Vienna was under siege. A vast Ottoman army surrounded the city, poised to breach the walls and clear the way for Ottoman...

Did Plague Destroy the Roman Empire?

War, invasion, civil unrest… or plague? Could a series of deadly pandemics have helped bring down the mighty Roman Empire?

In the third...

Medieval Guide to Magic

What did medieval minds truly believe about the cosmos, demons, and the hidden forces of the universe? Could ancient manuscripts still hold...

What Made You Ugly In Medieval Times?

Beauty fads come and go - remember super low-rise jeans in the 90s? IYKYK.

What was considered cool and beautiful in the medieval period?...

The History of Alcatraz

Home to the likes of Al Capone and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly, Alcatraz was once the jewel in the American prison system. The wind-swept island...

1945: America & Victory in Europe

May 8th saw the final surrender of Nazi Germany, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. Eighty years on, we're taking a look at the...

The Maya and the Inquisition

**This episode includes graphic descriptions of torture**

When Franciscan friar Diego de Landa arrived in Yucatán (now in Mexico), his...