There's no such thing as the Dark Ages

There's no such thing as the Dark Ages

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There's no such thing as the Dark Ages
  • Medieval Winter

    Matt Lewis and Eleanor Janega make a hands-on journey into the depths of medieval winter - was it a time of feast or famine; a season of cold, dark and hunger or the time of year when medieval folk could kick back and enjoy seasonal celebrations? From food to cosy fashions and fireside tales, His...

  • Treasures of the Royal Mint

    2 seasons

    With a history stretching over 1,100 years, The Royal Mint has forged a fascinating story through the world of historic coins. As the second oldest mint in the world, and the oldest company in the UK, their history is entwined with the 61 monarchs who have ruled England and Britain.

    The Royal Mi...

  • Rebels: Owain Glyndŵr

    In the second part of his new series, conflict analyst Professor Michael Livingston is continuing his journey across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom on the trail of some of Britain’s best known rebels.

    In this episode Michael is heading to Wales to discover the astonishing story of ...

  • The Dead of Winter: Medieval Ghost Stories

    This winter, Dr Eleanor Janega leads us into the darker corners of the medieval imagination - a world where the boundary between the living and the dead was dangerously thin.

    Drawing on medieval chronicles, religious monuments, and Icelandic sagas, we learn why people believed the dead could ret...

  • Robin Hood: Ray Mears Folklore Heroes

    Join woodsman and survival expert Ray Mears as he embarks on a unique journey into the heart of English history to uncover the truth behind one of Britain’s most enduring legends: Robin Hood.

    Blending his totally unique knowledge of wilderness skills with a passion for history, Ray explores the ...

  • The English Parish Church: An Introduction

    In this introduction to the English Parish Church, Alice Loxton travels across the country to uncover some gems of England’s heritage. From the whitewashing of the Reformation to Wesley’s hymns to William Morris’ efforts to preserve the past, there is lots to discover. And Alice is joined around ...

  • Edward II: Worst King of England?

    Dr Helen Carr explores the extraordinary and chaotic reign of Edward II, a king with a reputation as a disastrous ruler. But how much of that is true?

    Edward's accession as king of England in 1307 led almost immediately to conflict as he favoured close friends, and maybe lovers, like Piers Gaves...

  • Castles that Made Britain

    1 season

    Castles have loomed over the landscape of Britain for centuries. They hold the keys to unlocking some of the greatest stories of our past.

    Join History Hit's medieval expert, Matt Lewis, in this new series as he explores some of Britain’s most iconic castles. It is a spectacular journey to some...

  • Medieval Pleasures, Part 3: Sport

    Eleanor ventures into the Royal Armouries tiltyard, where seasoned jouster Andy Deane, and his opponent Andrew Balmforth, face off in an adrenaline fuelled jousting tournament - and you're invited!

    We discover the harsh realities of this sport that's synonymous with the Middle Ages, and learn ab...

  • Temple Church and William the Marshal

    Just east of where the Strand turns into Fleet Street in London, there is a small stone archway. Walking through it, one stumbles across a hidden world – one that is leafy, serene and historic. Most of the people who wind their way here don’t realise that the whole area was actually the stronghol...

  • Medieval Pleasures, Part 1: Sex

    Get ready to indulge in some Medieval Pleasures. In this three-part series, historian Dr Eleanor Janega (@Going Medieval) takes us on a journey into the sumptuous world of Sex, Booze and Sport throughout the Medieval period.

    Warning: contains very strong language and sexual content.

    Part I: Sex...

  • Life and Death in Medieval London

    Medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega takes us on a whistle-stop tour across London, visiting some key historical sites and shining a light on the various communities of medieval London.

  • Medieval Kings: Henry V

    Henry V's exploits both as a King and as a young man have been cemented in the popular imagination thanks to Shakespeare’s plays. But how much of Shakespeare's depiction is true? Anne Curry, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History from the University of Southampton, answers key questions about thi...

  • Who Killed the Princes in the Tower?

    In 1483, the twelve-year-old King Edward V and his younger brother were put in the Tower of London by their uncle, Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. Weeks later, Richard pronounced himself King. The boys were never seen again.

    For more than 500 years it has been assumed that Richard III killed hi...

  • A History of England

    1 season

    England is a country stuffed full of history. From the Stone Age to the Nuclear Age there are thousands of inspirational sites that have helped to shape the past and present.

    Join Dan Snow on an epic road trip, from Stonehenge in Wiltshire to the Cold War Bunker in York. He’ll be racing across ...

  • Beijing Central Axis: China's Medieval Wonder

    The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Drum and Bell Towers - all of these architectural wonders stand on a line that runs like a spine through the centre of Beijing.  It is known as the Beijing Central Axis, a World Heritage site containing a spectacular array of ancient buildings that together t...

  • History Ranked: Medieval Helmets

    Historian and host of the Gone Medieval podcast Matt Lewis ranks the most famous helmets from the medieval period. From the Great Helm to Sutton Hoo, Matt scores each helmet on protection, comfort, and visibility. Disagree with him? Let us know in the comment section below.

  • The 7 Deadly Sins with Eleanor Janega

    January, time to purge ourselves of the excesses of the holidays! Medievalist Eleanor Janega takes a deep historical dive into the 7 Deadly Sins. When did they begin, what's the worst sin, and should we be so anxious about our vices? And who decided what was evil anyway? Joined by Dr Rachel Sto...

  • Finding the Lost Battlefield of Brunanburh

    The Battle of Brunanburh was one of the bloodiest and biggest battles of early medieval history. Fought 1100 years ago, Athelstan - the king of the English - opposed a coalition of Irish, Scots, Northumbrians and Vikings and won a decisive victory. The enemy shield wall was penetrated. Their troo...

  • Medieval Kings: Richard II

    Helen Carr, medieval historian and author of 'The Red Prince', answers the key questions about King Richard II. What kind of England did Richard inherit? Why was John of Gaunt so influential during his reign? What did John achieve? How significant was the 'Peasant's Revolt'? And many more.

  • Real Fake History: The Alternate Battle of Bosworth

    In this episode of Real Fake History, Dan Snow is joined by historians Matt Lewis, Nathen Amin, and Tracy Borman to discuss the hypothetical scenario: what if Richard III had won the Battle of Bosworth?

    On the 22nd of August 1485, the future of England was decided on the fields of Bosworth. Rich...

  • Medieval Cold Case: Stirling Castle Skeletons

    30 years ago, nine skeletons were discovered buried within the grounds of Stirling Castle, Scotland. Their identities remain a mystery, but injuries found on them suggest that they all suffered brutally violent deaths.

    Dr Jo Buckberry, a battle trauma expert at the University of Bradford, believ...

  • Northmen

    A gang of stranded Vikings cause havoc as they try to make their way home.

  • Exploring the Medieval Afterlife with Eleanor Janega

    Ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night! Dr Eleanor Janega delves into the medieval phantasmic to find out what their restless dead can tell us about the worries of the living. Because if we want to understand what makes another society tick, it helps to take a look at what makes them...