History Hit Podcasts

Who Built The Parthenon?

An enduring symbol of ancient Greek artistry and architecture. Arguably the most recognisable monument they left behind. The...

"The Elephant Man": Joseph Merrick's True Story

The life of Joseph Merrick, the man they dared to call "The Elephant Man", will fill you with pain and anger. He was treated so cruelly by society...

The Rise of Roman Britain

On August 26th, 55 BC, Julius Caesar and his legionaries waded ashore just north of the White Cliffs of Dover. Right there in the surf, they were...

Mycenae: Cradle of Bronze Age Greece

Overlooking the Argolid Plain in the eastern Peloponnese, Mycenae was once the envy of the Mediterranean world. It rose to prominence in the late...

The Curious History of Beds

Sex and beds have a long, interwoven history. Here on Betwixt we often cover sex history, but we haven’t done a deep dive into the history of...

Antisemitism in Medieval Europe

Christians had a problematic relationship with Jewish populations as the Medieval period progressed. Jews were frequently persecuted, targeted...

The Bronze Age Collapse

Around 3,200 years ago, a vast, interconnected civilisation suddenly collapsed. A 'perfect storm' of climate catastrophe, famine, drought and...

Lawrence of Arabia

The famed British officer who fought alongside Arab guerrilla forces in WW1. Best known for his legendary exploits as an intelligence officer in...

The Scottish Island, The Shipwreck and The Whisky

In 1941, the SS Politician ran aground off Eriskay in the Scottish Hebrides Islands, carrying 260,000 bottles of whisky. As war rationing gripped...

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

"Speak softly and carry a big stick."

The youngest President ever, Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment, uncle to Eleanor...

Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor

Known as one of Rome's worst emperors, Commodus is famed for both his infamy and bravado. Ascending the throne as a teenager, he dressed up as...

Rise of the Medici

The House of Medici ruthlessly wielded control of Florence for nearly 300 years. Through financial and political machinations, they transformed...

American Serial Killer Family: Bloody Benders

When a series of mysterious disappearances and gruesome murders happened on the American Frontier in the 19th century, fingers started to point in...

The Falaise Pocket: WWII's 'Corridor of Death'

The D-Day landings were just the first step in the liberation of France. They were followed by two months of vicious fighting for control of the...

The Real Anne Boleyn: Sex, Scandal & Betrayal

Anne Boleyn was smart, sophisticated and had SO much charisma.

She kept Henry VIII waiting for SEVEN YEARS before they finally got together,...

The Normans in Italy: From Pilgrims to Conquerors

Say Norman Conquests; think 1066 and William the Conqueror. But the massive success of the English conquest often overshadows the several other...

Hellfire Club: Scandal & Satanism in Georgian England

Sex, Satanism and Scandal surrounded the Hellfire Club that operated out of a network of caves in the country estate of 18th century aristocrat...

Origins of Political Campaigns: Publicity Stunts & Fake News

How do our politicians use the media? Throughout the 2024 election we have seen a boom in the use of social media and cable news, so how far back...

The Ancient Olympics: Games Of The Gods

A tradition that endured millennia. The ancient Olympic Games began in 776 BC and took place every four years until at least 396 AD. It was a...

Innocent or Axe Murderer? Lizzie Borden

It's one of the most infamous trials in American history, Lizzie Borden's story is breathtaking even today. In 1893 she was accused of using an...

Magellan: The First Man to Sail the World

Just over 500 years ago, a small band of sailors completed the first ever circumnavigation of the globe, launched by Ferdinand Magellan. From...