History Hit Podcasts

Life Lessons From Historical Women

When women's stories aren't being flat-out ignored from the history books, they can often be sidelined.

Well not here! Joining Kate today is...

William Marshal: Knight & Crusader

William Marshal was one of the most famous and influential figures in English medieval history, rising from a lowly start to becoming the knight...

The Terracotta Warriors

The world was astonished when 8000 terracotta soldiers were unearthed in 1974 by Chinese farmers digging a well; the warriors opened a window to...

President William Howard Taft: The Reluctant Politician?

Sandwiched between Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson is our 26th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. Did he have the...

Origins of Beer

It's one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world. But did you know that beer is also one of the world's oldest beverages, with a history...

Medici Popes: Power over Piety

Fueled by ambition and the desire to extend their influence, the House of Medici saw the papacy not only as a religious post but a political one. ...

Salem Witch Trials: Interrogation & Torture

The second part of our story on the Salem Witch Trials. Anthony Delaney takes Maddy Pelling inside the courtroom as unbelievable stories of...

The First Emperor of China

Dan heads to China to discover the incredible story of Qin Shi Haungdi, the man who built the mysterious Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall and...

The Battle of Clontarf

On Gone Medieval we like to celebrate the best stories - and storytellers - of history, so today Dr.Eleanor Janega showcases the brilliant podcast...

Renaissance Beauty: Snails, Cat Poo & Fatal Make-Up

Why did Renaissance women say the Lord's prayer while removing pubic hair?

If you're like us you definitely want to know the answer to this,...

Lafayette: The Marquis and the American Revolution

Why did an aristocratic French man fight for American freedom? How influential was Lafayette? And what did he do on his return visit to the United...

Ptolemy XIII: The Forgotten Pharaoh

Antony and Cleopatra. Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. These are household names thanks to Shakespeare’s plays, big budget TV shows and...

Salem Witch Trials: Hysteria & Accusations

First of two episodes on the Salem Witch Trials. We begin the story as accusations are made throughout the town of Salem and a climate of fear...

How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe

We have long been taught that modern global history began when the 'Old World' encountered the 'New', when Christopher Columbus 'discovered'...

The Cocaine Craze in Victorian Britain

Many things may come to mind when you hear the word 'cocaine' - and we'd wager that the last thing on that list would be the Victorians. But as it...

The First Cats

Cats! These much loved furry friends have brightened people’s lives for millenia. And it was the same in ancient times. They were pets. They...

Sex Work in 18th Century Paris

Paris was a wild place in the 18th century.

It was the Age of the Enlightenment, cafe culture was exploding along with the world of ballet...

Crusader Criminals

Please be aware that this episode mentions sexual violence

Amongst the countless crusaders who travelled to the Holy Land, there were...

The Real Society of the Snow: I Survived the Andes Flight Crash

Warning: this episode includes descriptions of human suffering and cannibalism.

High in the remote Andes mountains, a Uruguayan rugby team...

Kamala Harris: An Unprecedented Candidacy?

Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, Boudicca, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel: what do these women have in common? They were all leaders of their...

American History Hit: 200 Episodes On

Host Don Wildman has a message for listeners old and new, marking 200 episodes of American History Hit.

American History Hit first started...