The Blues

Imagine an executioner. Are they big, strong, cloaked and masked? Are they male? Probably - because most executioners in history have been. Today, though, we're meeting a woman who broke the mould.Jou...

6 Mai 202540min

What was a Roman skincare routine like? Why did the beard make a comeback under Emperor Hadrian? And what did it mean to be ugly in this time?In this new mini-series, we'll be exploring the beauty sta...

2 Mai 202547min

You could be forgiven for thinking the Greek myth of Medusa has zero relevance to us today. Snake for hair?!But as you'll hear in today's episode, she's a woman who was vilified for her femininity and...

29 Apr 202532min

Charismatic, passionate, insatiable - Henry VIII is known across the world as the king who had 6 wives, and a few mistresses on the side. But was Henry a romantic or a scoundrel?Kate is joined by Nata...

25 Apr 202549min

We've been tying the knot for thousands of years in one way or another, but what did a medieval wedding look like?The church had very strict ideas around monogamy and sex in this period, which affecte...

22 Apr 202543min

Can you imagine being SO smooth-talking and seductive your surname becomes an actual noun in the dictionary to describe someone who has a reputation for being an expert at in the sack?Well today we’re...

17 Apr 202528min

How did a working class illiterate woman become King Charles II's favourite mistress?Nell Gwyn was an incredibly talented comedy actor who came from a working class background, and was part of a group...

15 Apr 202543min

Have you ever heard of the Emperor who made his horse a senator? Seems like a top bloke, right? Today on Betwixt the Sheets we’re going to meet (possibly) the most debauched Roman Emperor.From stealin...

10 Apr 202546min