The massacre that shattered the old Ottoman world
In 1860, the diverse Ottoman city of Damascus witnessed the massacre of thousands of Christians. The killings, combined with Constantinople’s hardline response, shattered the city’s tolerant society a...
16 Dec 202440min
Underwear history: everything you wanted to know
When did people first start wearing underwear? What's the difference between drawers and bloomers? Did medieval women wear bras? Were Victorian corsets really as uncomfortable to wear as you might ima...
15 Dec 202438min
Medieval relic hunters: the quest for Notre-Dame's crown of thorns
The crown of thorns was one of the greatest medieval relics, supposedly pressed into the head of Jesus Christ by mocking Roman soldiers. Hunted down by an intrepid pair of Dominican friars, it was bro...
13 Dec 202437min
Tudor England | 3. Culture and innovation
Why were festivals and feasts such major events in the Tudor age? What toxic beauty products did Elizabeth I plaster her face with? And were the works of the celebrated playwright William Shakespeare ...
12 Dec 202449min
Tempting treats & festive feats: christmas shopping down the ages
As we get closer to Christmas, many people will be heading out to the shops to look for the perfect presents. And this mad dash in search of festive gifts is nothing new. In this episode, Annie Gray, ...
11 Dec 202436min
Robert the Bruce: life of the week
Robert the Bruce may be lauded as a Scottish national hero, a noble warrior who fended off the English and claimed a spectacular victory at the battle of Bannockburn. But how to true to life is this g...
10 Dec 202452min
Germany's postwar reinvention
In 1945, Germany lay in ruins – both physically and morally. Nearly 80 years after the Second World War, it has since been transformed into an economic powerhouse and a leader on the world stage. Hist...
9 Dec 202444min
Robot history: everything you wanted to know
When did automatons first emerge? Which science-fiction depiction of robots is the most accurate? And why did so many people fall for a hoax machine called the "Mechanical Turk"? In conversation with ...
8 Dec 202435min
