History Hit Podcasts

The Unification of Japan

In the 16th century, Japan was embroiled in what is known as Sengoku jidai - ‘The Warring States’ period. It was a time of bloody battles,...

Civil War in Feudal Japan: The Sengoku Period

Dating from 1467-1603, the Sengoku or ‘Warring States’ period is known as the bloodiest in Japan’s history; an era of continuous social...

Oliver Cromwell's Decapitated Head & Charles II's Revenge

***Warning: today's episode contains graphic description of violence***

In 1661 Oliver Cromwell was hung and beheaded...the only problem was...

Caligula

Caligula. One of the most infamous Roman emperors of them all. He didn't rule Rome for long, but he has gained a legacy as this incredibly evil...

The Royal Navy's Darkest Night & The Origins of Longitude

A mix of treacherous seas, navigation errors, and historical intrigue led to one of the Royal Navy's darkest nights. Dan travels to the Scilly...

A Guide to Medieval Churches

​Do you know the difference between a church and a chapel? A bishop and an archbishop? An abbey and an abbess? 

In this episode of...

Medieval Torture & Execution

When you say ‘going medieval’ on someone, it brings up quite nasty connotations. 

But is this brutal suggestion a fair depiction of...

Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt: The Impossible Alliance that Won WWII

In the summer of 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. As the Germans drove towards Moscow, a catastrophic Soviet defeat seemed imminent - a...

Echoes of History: A New Chapter

Introducing a new chapter of Echoes of History, the podcast that explores the incredible real-life stories and events that inspire the locations,...

The Real Hamilton: Downfall, Duel & Death

When Alexander Hamilton took a bullet to the abdomen on the morning of the 11th July 1804, he joined a long list of people who had fallen foul of...

Shardlake and its Creator C.J. Sansom

Fans of historical fiction and crime novels have been saddened to learn of the recent death of the award-winning, best-selling author C.J. Sansom,...

The Great Famine: Ireland’s Darkest Chapter (Part 1)

One million people died. Two million emigrated. The Great Irish Famine was the world turned upside down. The darkest chapter in Ireland's...

Twelve Caesars with Mary Beard

The title of Caesar has echoed down the ages as the pinnacle of absolute power and perhaps even tyranny. A single man at the head of a nation or...

Marshal Pétain: Hero or Traitor?

Marshal Pétain emerged from the First World War as a French national hero. His defence of Verdun had set him on course to become one of France's...

The Cleopatras: A Dynasty of Rule Breakers

Cleopatra. It is one of the most recognisable names in ancient history, made famous by the exploits of Egypt’s controversial pharaoh queen. But...

The Viking Age: What Discoveries Reveal

The Vikings continue to fascinate us because their compelling stories connect with universal human desires for exploration and adventure. But...

Menopause: History, ‘Hysteria’ & Hormone Revolutions

When you look into the history of menopause it’s steeped in misogyny, fear and demonising women’s bodies. 

But what is the truth...

Forbidden Desire in Early Modern Europe

**This episode contains conversation about sexual behaviour**

In early modern Europe, acting upon same-sex desires was forbidden. We only...

President James A. Garfield: Sex Cults & Assassination

This may have been the second shortest Presidency in the history of the United States, but the term of James Garfield is definitely not one to...

Nineveh

Nineveh was one of the great cities of ancient Mesopotamia. Situated on the eastern bank of the River Tigris, it rivalled cities like Babylon and...

Harry Potter Monsters: The Ancient Origins

***Spoiler Alert: this episode contains spoilers for the Harry Potter books and films***

Giant snakes, winged horses and hooded demons. The...