History Hit Podcasts

Alexandria

This is the story of a city that laid the foundations for our modern world. Sitting at the intersection of East and West, Alexandria has been home...

Inside Imperial Japan's Brothels

After the first licensed brothel opened in the 17th century, how was sex work thought of in Japan throughout the following centuries?

From...

Odin, Asgard & the Norse Gods

Dr. Eleanor Janega gets chummy with the gods of Norse Mythology. She's joined by Professor Carolyne Larrington to explore Odin’s quest for...

America's Invasion of Canada

'Canada ought to be the 14th colony' was a view held by many American revolutionaries. In the winter of 1775, Benedict Arnold led an incredible...

The Railway Murder That Shook Victorian Britain

It's 1864 and the height of industrialisation. The thrill of railway travel is shattered with the first murder that takes place on it.

Join...

The Russian Revolution: What Really Happened?

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia transports us to the tense atmosphere of World War One as Russia made the difficult transition from an...

The Last Plantagenets in Tudor England

Direct descendants of the Plantagenets were once at the very heart of Tudor politics, yet their story is often overlooked. From Margaret Pole,...

The Spanish Civil War

Why did Spain spiral into civil war in 1936? Today, we delve into the grinding class conflicts and ferocious political divisions that split Spain...

Gladiators: A Day in the Life

The Colosseum packed with roaring crowds, the sand stained with sweat and blood. But today, you’re not watching - you’re fighting. Welcome to...

The Scandalous Royal Mistress Who Ruled France

Is this strangest threesome in royal history?!

We're endlessly fascinated with the lives of royal mistresses, and this has to be one of the...

Norse Mythology: Creation Myths

Across October Gone Medieval embarks on an epic journey through Norse Mythology in a new series. From the first creation myth to Ragnarok, hosts...

The Battle of Agincourt

In this episode, Dan explains the dramatic story of the Battle of Agincourt when, against overwhelming odds, Henry V’s underdog English army...

Who Was the Worst President Ever?

What makes a bad President? Who was the worst of all time? Don is joined by Professor Jeremi Suri, author of The Impossible Presidency and co-host...

The Dark Reality of Life at Sea

Dan Snow joins After Dark to reveal the brutal reality of life of sailors during the golden age of sail. From the cat o' nine tails, to the...

Origins of Mythology

From Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast, the roots of fairy tales stretch back thousands of years — to the dawn of Indo-European languages and...

Fig Leaves & A Grumpy Jesus: Renaissance to Baroque Art

Have you ever wandered through a museum and thought: Why is the Virgin Mary always dressed in blue? Did they really use eggs in egg tempera—and...

Magna Carta

Dan and leading medieval historians explain everything you need to know about Magna Carta...and the story is more dramatic than you might think....

Ballads of Love and Death

In this enchanting episode, Dr. Eleanor Janega dissolves the boundaries between history, folklore, and music to explore the haunting world of...

Inside The 18th Century Brothel Ship

Why did a British ship carry over 200 women to Australia in the late 18th century? In this episode, we are going inside the Lady Juliana, a...

Origins of the Second Amendment

'A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be...

Rudolf II, the "Mad Habsburg Emperor"

In the final episode of her short series on the Habsburg dynasty, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb turns to one of the most fascinating and...