History Hit Podcasts

Rise of Wessex

In Gone Medieval’s special series exploring some of Anglo-Saxon Britain’s most influential kingdoms, we reach Wessex - the last kingdom left...

Fetishwear: A Kinky History

What is the origin of the word fetish? How did the war play a part in shaping fetishwear? And what are some of the styles that are most...

President Ulysses S. Grant: The Myth of the Butcher

How does a heroic general of the Civil War become one of the lowest rated Presidents (at least until recently)?

To discuss Grant's...

Bigfoot: the Origin Story

Our second episode examining the very real history of Bigfoot. This time we're looking at ancient Native American rock art and meeting the extinct...

Unusual Births and Disability in 17th Century England

**WARNING: This episode contains themes that some listeners might find distressing and commonly-used historic terminology that does not reflect...

The Trial of Charles I

In the mid-17th century, King Charles I of England was put on trial for treason against the sovereign state. Such a process involved a singular...

What is Zionism?

Dan delves into the complex history of Zionism, exploring its multifaceted origins and the various ideological strands that have shaped it over...

Looted Artefacts: Black Market of Archaeology

Have you ever wondered about the dark side of archeology? The illegal seizing of ancient artefacts? The looting of goods from age old historical...

Ulysses S. Grant & the Civil War

Strategic brilliance? Relentless determination? Unbeatable leadership and cooperation with Lincoln? How did Ulysses S. Grant distinguish himself...

The History of Drag Queens

The word drag is synonymous with flamboyant, fun performances. But where does the term come from and what does it mean? 

This more...

Rise of Mercia

In Gone Medieval’s special series examining some of Anglo-Saxon Britain’s most significant kingdoms, we arrive at the kingdom of Mercia, which...

Seducing James I: Mary & George

The major new TV series, Mary & George tells the scandalous story of George Villiers, who rose - thanks to his mother Mary’s...

The First Europeans

Europe’s earliest known humans lived over 1.2 million years ago. After initially roaming the plains of Iberia in small groups, they spread...

Deadly Dancing Plague of 1518

When people think of Medieval diseases, hysterical dancing is not usually what first comes to mind. Yet in 14th and 15th century Germany, dozens...

Plagues

From a plague in Athens during the Peloponnesian War in 430 BCE, to another in 540 that wiped out half the population of the Roman empire, down...

Life on Crusade

Accounts of the Crusades were usually commissioned by wealthy and influential people about themselves, to make their piety and righteousness known...

Hollywood Spy: The British WW1 Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbour

Frederick Rutland was one of Britain's finest naval pilots and a celebrated hero of the First World War. And yet in the interwar period, he would...

The Rise & Fall of Al Capone

Al Capone is one of the most notorious gangsters in US history. His story of rags to riches, set against the backdrop of the prohibition era, is...

Erasmus: Renaissance Radical

In the 16th century, Erasmus of Rotterdam was about as famous as anybody could be, one of the greatest intellectuals of his age. To Martin...

Bigfoot: Hunt for the Truth

Does Bigfoot really walk among us? Today we start a three-part mini-series exploring the very real histories of Bigfoot and the Yeti.

We...

Sex & Scandal in King James' Court

King James I was a man whose sexuality was known by people in France, let alone (the newly formed) Britain of the early 17th century.

So it...