History Hit Podcasts

Tudor Ghosts and Angels

To this day, the presence of angels is synonymous with the Christmas story and the momentous events associated with the Nativity. For the...

What Food Did Medieval People Eat?

In times of plenty, we stuff ourselves. When the food runs out, we're basically stuffed. How did people in medieval Britain share the riches...

President James K. Polk: Lies, Warmongering & the Myth of Success

Is this the only president to have achieved all of their campaign promises? James K. Polk, the 11th Commander-in-Chief successfully led the nation...

Charles Dickens' Christmas Ghosts

Like Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve, we are visited by three Dickensian ghosts today. One rattling chains, one made out of dark memories, and...

The Middle Ages in 5 Facts

Where is the grave of King Arthur? What was the worst year in human history? Who were the most fractious royal siblings? What were the origins of...

Saint Nicholas

It's that time of year when the beloved Santa Claus comes around once again. But the celebrated image of this prolific gift-giver is based on an...

King Arthur's Sex Life

The words "the man, the myth, the legend" can easily apply to King Arthur.

Today we're looking past the round table, the sword in the stone,...

The Amish: Origins and Society

Simple living, plain dress and pacifism. This is not a lifestyle typical of the United States. So how did the Amish come to be in America? Where...

Palmer the Poisoner: Victorian England's Doctor of Death

In a century of poisoners, William Palmer stands out as the prince of them all. Charles Dickens called him "the greatest villain that ever stood...

Medieval Humour at Christmas

Just like us, medieval people loved a bit of entertainment at Christmas. But what did they consider funny? How did humorous stories...

How the Elizabethan World Shaped Shakespeare

We think of Shakespeare as a man out of time. His stories and characters, his capturing of human nature, and his exquisite use of language,...

Who was Ali ibn Muhammad?

Slavery in medieval Baghdad was complex, and though slaves had some social mobility, the Zanj people had been mistreated and were hungry for a...

Fighting Hitler's U-Boats

The Second World War is remembered for its colossal battles in the air, on land and at sea. But perhaps the most terrifying were those waged UNDER...

Sparta vs Athens: The Greek World War

Marked by shifting alliances, chaotic power struggles, and devastating consequences - the Peloponnesian War was a conflict for the ages. Fought...

17th Century Sci-Fi Writer & 'It Girl': Margaret Cavendish

Margaret Cavendish was extraordinary for any time, let alone the 17th century.

She was a trailblazer in fiction, writing and publishing what...

Tea, Tax & Revolution: Boston Tea Party Aftermath

Why did the Boston Tea Party happen? Why Boston? And how did the events of December 1773 fit in to the American Revolution?

In this episode,...

Origins of Pantomime

Have you ever wondered how and where our Christmas tradition of pantomime originated? 

In this edition of Not Just the Tudors,...

Richard I's Consort: Berengaria of Navarre

Berengaria of Navarre is mainly remembered for just one thing: being a Queen of England who never set foot in England, at least not as...

The Boston Tea Party

On December 16th, 1773, a band of American patriots quietly boarded three ships in Boston Harbour, under the cover of night. Armed with axes and...

Why Do People Kill at Christmas?

 Why do people kill in the season of goodwill? Why are we fascinated when they do? And what does it say about us?

Professor David...

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous figures in history. Believed to be the Son of God in Christianity, he is the central figure in one of...