History Hit Podcasts

Zoroastrianism

A faith born in the distant prehistoric past, rooted in ancient Iranian texts over 4,000 years old, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest...

The Truth About Roald Dahl

The Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda. Roald Dahl wrote some of the world's most loved children's books.

But what do we know...

How the Wind Blew Up The Middle Ages

From the tactical nautical decisions of the Normans and Vikings to medieval monks' meticulous wind records, medieval civilisations have always...

What if the Texas Republic survived?

In 1845, the Republic of Texas stood at a crossroads. In our history, they chose to join the USA… but what if they chose another path? Was this...

Nuremberg: The Trial of Göring

Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide.

When the Nuremberg Trials began in November 1945, Hermann Göring was the...

Tudor True Crime: Who Murdered Lord Darnley?

**Contains accounts of murder and sexual violence**

After an explosion rocked Edinburgh in February 1567, Lord Darnley - husband to Mary,...

Why Did Henry VIII Kill Catherine Howard?

In 1540 Henry VIII was getting old, and his eyes turned to teenager Catherine Howard.

He fell hard and fast for Catherine - his "rose...

The Nabataeans

Assassin's Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory takes players to the haunting tomb city of Hegra, a remarkable memento of the Nabataeans. Hewn from the...

Decline & Fall of the Ancient World

Tristan Hughes invites Matt Lewis, host The Ancients's sister podcast Gone Medieval, for a lively debate with about the blurred boundary between...

The Birth of the Medieval World

Matt Lewis pays a visit to Gone Medieval's sister podcast The Ancients for a lively debate with Tristan Hughes about the blurred boundary between...

Sex and Scandal of Medieval Royals

What did Queen Isabella of France do to deserve the nickname She-Wolf? What sex scandals happened in the 14th century? And why did the Black Death...

The Hurricane Betsy Conspiracy: New Orleans

Did New Orleans' officials bomb the levees protecting the Lower Ninth Ward in 1965?

When Hurricane Betsy swept through the Atlantic Basin,...

Who Was Nostradamus?

Did Nostradamus really predict everything from the Great Fire of London to the rise of Hitler?

We predict that you'll find out in this...

Hans Holbein: New Discoveries

Henry VIII’s commanding gaze, Thomas More’s intellect, Anne of Cleves’ cautious poise; Hans Holbein’s portraits didn’t just depict the...

Roman Toilets

They built roads, aqueducts, and bathhouses but what about toilets?

Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Hannah Platts, to uncover the...

The Black Death

Could the plucked backside of a chicken really cure the plague? If that question has ever crossed your mind, then this episode is for you. Today,...

Lizard Shampoo, Potions & Remedies

Can vultures eyes wrapped in fox pelt help heal sore skin? How important are leeches? Medieval people cared deeply about beauty, health and...

The Truth About Vincent Van Gogh

However you pronounce his name, one thing is for certain: Van Gogh made made his mark on the world.

But how did he interact with the world...

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

Today in this bonus episode Tristan introduces us to History Daily podcast, where host Lindsay Graham takes us back in time to explore a momentous...

The Supreme Court’s WORST Ever Case: Dred Scott v Sandford

A Supreme Court decision that sent shockwaves across America. Dred Scott v Sandford, 1857. Who was the Chief Justice responsible for the decision?...

Day in the Life of a Tudor Executioner

Did they wear black hoods? Whose axe did they use? How did you get the job in the first place? Today Anthony Delaney takes Maddy Pelling inside...