History Hit Podcasts

The Ghost of Mary Queen of Scots

*TW: This episode contains references to sexual violence.*

Mary Queen of Scots' life was defined by violence, heartbreak and ultimately,...

Origins of Astronomy

Long before telescopes or space agencies, ancient Mesopotamians were decoding the secrets of the cosmos. Beneath skies unpolluted by modern light,...

John Dee's Angels

Was an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I communicating with angels? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Egyptologist Garry J. Shaw to explore the...

How Did Genghis Khan Change the World?

Genghis Khan reshaped the world with brutal force and brilliant organisation. He began life in exile and rose to be a powerful nomadic warrior who...

The Murderous Affairs of King James

Against the paranoid backdrop of the Scottish witch trials, a murder plot involving King James and some of his lovers took place.

To make...

Medieval Indonesia

Long before the arrival of Europeans, the islands of Indonesia were home to powerful kingdoms who fended off Genghis Khan and took a part in...

Heaven's Gate: The UFO Cult

What did the appearance of a comet in 1997 have to do with a tragic event in San Diego? Was Heaven's Gate a cult? And how does it compare to the...

The Truth About the Knights Templar

Why are the Knights Templar surrounded by myths and legends? Is there any truth to the tales of the Holy Grail or that the Knights survived? Why...

Philip II of Spain, King of England

Philip II of Spain - the most powerful monarch of the early modern period - was married to Queen Mary Tudor from 1554 until her death in 1558. But...

The Minoan Labyrinth: Myth or Reality?

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey immerses players in the mythology of Ancient Greece. In particular, they can walk in the footsteps of Theseus through...

The Battle of Okinawa

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence against children and suicide.

The Battle of Okinawa was the final, climactic battle...

Successors of Alexander the Great

What happened after Alexander the Great died?

On June 11, 323 BC, at just 32 years old, Alexander left an empire without a clear heir,...

Victorian Beauty Standards

Why did Victorians value pale skin so highly? And how were black bodies viewed by Victorian society?

In this episode Kate is joined by...

Richard III's Queen Anne Neville

Why do we know so little about Anne Neville, despite her significant role in history?

Anne Neville led a life shaped by power, tragedy, and...

Captain Cook

Dan tells the extraordinary tale of Captain James Cook. Born a labourer's son, he would rise to become one of history's greatest explorers. He...

Gerald Ford: The Unelected President

Gerald Ford is the only person to serve as president without being elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency. He was handed a...

Dancing Plague of 1518

In 1518 one woman's mysterious dance sparked an uncontrollable epidemic, leading up to 400 people to dance wildly for weeks.

Professor...

Final Days of Abraham Lincoln

One split second - and one individual - can upturn an entire nation.

This was definitely the case when John Wilkes Booth shot President...

The Saxons

Saxon mercenaries, collapsing Roman order, and a new chapter for Britain. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Peter Heather to explore the mysterious...

Mount Hiei: Home of Japan's Warrior Monks

Assassin's Creed: Shadows gives players the chance to visit the imperial capital of medieval Japan. But today, we're heading to a mountain lying...

The Last Pagans

What really happened when the last pagans of medieval Europe were 'converted' to Christianity?

Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Dr. Francis...