Dan Snow's History Hit

Have you ever been to an Irish wake? If so, you may have heard of the ancient tradition of keening or the superstition of the 'hungry grass'. In this episode, Dan is joined by the hosts of the After Dark podcast, Dr Anthony Delaney and Dr Maddy Pelling, to explore some of the historic rites and beliefs surrounding death and mourning in Ireland. Anthony explains the role of 'keening women' - once p...

Across early modern Europe, fear spread like wildfire; between the 15th and 17th centuries, tens of thousands were accused, tortured, and executed as witches. At its centre was a man named Heinrich Kramer, whose infamous book, Malleus Maleficarum , or The Hammer of Witches , fanned the flames of hysteria and codified centuries of misogyny. Dan is joined by economic journalist Duncan Weldon to expl...

On the 19th of May, 1919, an Ottoman general stepped ashore at the Black Sea port city of Samsun. This marked the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence, and ultimately the end of the Ottoman Empire. The man's name was Mustafa Kemal, the soldier, statesman and reformer who would create the Republic of Turkey out of the rubble, and become its first president. Dan is joined by Marc David Baer,...

Elizabeth I is often celebrated as one of the greatest English monarchs - but should she be? From her commanding portraits and grand speeches to her brutal suppression of dissent and controversial decisions, we explore whether Elizabeth’s legacy is one of power and stability or one marked by bloodshed and negligence. Renowned historian Anna Whitelock joins us to delve into the duality of Elizabeth...

Quacks, wise women, barber surgeons and private madhouses - just some of the options available if you were to find yourself in ill health in the 16th and 17th centuries. Dan is joined by historian Dr Alanna Skuse to look at healthcare in Renaissance England, from healing the humours and blood letting to cross animal blood transfusions, skin grafts that involved attaching the face to the upper arm...

Today, we dive into the dramatic tale of two men whose rivalry changed the course of English history. We unravel the complex relationship between King Richard II and his ambitious cousin, Henry Bolingbroke - later crowned Henry IV. We're joined by Helen Castor, historian, broadcaster and author of ‘The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV’. We discover how this seismic power...

Was the Industrial Revolution the most important event in human history? Dan is joined by economist and journalist Duncan Weldon to explore why exactly the industrial revolution started on the soggy archipelago of Britain and the impact of its entrepreneurs, politics, and empire had on the country and the rest of the world across the 18th and 19th centuries. They trace a story of ambition and inve...

Today, we journey back to Berlin in the summer of 1943, where a clandestine gathering of Germany’s elite quietly plots to resist Hitler’s regime. But there is a traitor in their midst... We're joined by acclaimed journalist and author Jonathan Freedland, author of 'The Traitors Circle: The Rebels Against the Nazis and the Spy Who Betrayed Them'. He unravels the true story behind the Solf Circle -...

On 31st May, 1916, 250 warships and nearly 100,000 sailors converged in the North Sea for the world's first full-scale clash of dreadnought fleets. Admiral Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet was pitted against Admiral Scheer’s High Seas Fleet for what was supposed to be a decisive battle - but which ended with a less than certain outcome. We're joined by Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History at...

Warning: this episode contains explicit language. Medieval people weren’t prudish—far from it. Dan is joined by medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega to explore sex, marriage, and desire in the Middle Ages. They delve into the beliefs around sodomy as “non-procreative sex”; pilgrimages as raucous release valves, raunchy art and love spells. They'll look at sex habits among the different classes, qu...

This is the story of a city that laid the foundations for our modern world. Sitting at the intersection of East and West, Alexandria has been home to many of humanity's greatest architectural and cultural achievements, like the famous Lighthouse and the storied Great Library. Some of history's most illustrious figures have left their mark there, from Alexander the Great and Aristotle to Julius Cae...

Why did Spain spiral into civil war in 1936? Today, we delve into the grinding class conflicts and ferocious political divisions that split Spain in two, from the dictatorship of the 1920s to the ambitious and divisive government of the early 1930s. We explore why democracy unravelled in Spain, and how foreign intervention - or lack of it - turned a bungled coup into a full-blown conflict that kil...

In this episode, Dan explains the dramatic story of the Battle of Agincourt when, against overwhelming odds, Henry V’s underdog English army emerged victorious over their mighty French opponents. We explore why the battle happened in the first place, as well as the key characters, weaponry, and tactics that turned the tide. Join Dan to discover how Agincourt became a legendary military triumph in...

Dan and leading medieval historians explain everything you need to know about Magna Carta...and the story is more dramatic than you might think. Magna Carta sprang from an England on the brink of civil war; the feeble king John left grappling for control after a disastrous defeat in France in the early 13th century and a baron's rebellion in England. It was forged at a standoff on the banks of the...

On 27 September 1825, a steam-powered marvel known as Locomotion No.1 made history, pulling passengers and coal from Shildon to Stockton-on-Tees in the North of England. This 25 mile journey, changed the world forever. Dan is joined by historian Steven Brindle as they mark the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger steam train journey—a moment that astonished crowds and launched a transp...

On 14 October 1066, the armies of William, the Duke of Normandy, and the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson clashed near Hastings in one of the most famous battles in history and one that would decide the fate of the English throne. We all know the outcome, but how and why did the battle take place? To answer this question, Dan returns with another explainer episode to tell the incredible story of...

In the 13th century, a force unlike any Europe had ever seen came thundering across the steppe. The Mongols had already carved out the largest land empire in history - but after conquering vast swathes of Asia, they turned their gaze west. Today, we explore why the Mongols began pushing into Europe and how successful their invasions really were. For this, we’re joined by Marie Favereau, a historia...

The Trojan War is one of the great foundational stories of Western literature - a tale of gods and heroes, betrayal and siege, immortalised by Homer in the Iliad . But was it mere myth, or did it spring from real events in a real place? Today we're joined by Eric H. Cline, a professor of ancient history and archaeology at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. He digs into the evide...

The life of Anne Boleyn has intrigued audiences for centuries. Everyone knows something about her time as Queen of England, and of course, her betrayal and execution. But her formative years in France remain a bit of a mystery. Joining us today is Estelle Paranque, an Associate Professor in History at Northeastern University London, and author of ‘Thorns, Lust and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boley...

Augustus has often been hailed as Rome’s greatest emperor - he ended civil war, built an empire and declared a new age of peace. But behind the architectural marvels and military triumphs lies a story of ruthless power plays, propaganda and dynastic uncertainty. In this episode, we're joined by Gregory S. Aldrete, a Professor Emeritus of history and humanistic studies at the University of Wisconsi...

William the Marshal’s story reads like a legend. Born a landless younger son, he rose through sheer skill and courage to become the greatest knight of his age. In this Explainer episode, Dan takes you through his extraordinary life - from tournament competitor to fearsome warrior, loyal servant and master of chivalry. Produced and written by Dan Snow, and edited by Dougal Patmore. We'd love to hea...

Today, we unravel the dramatic North African campaign of World War II. Discover how the Allies turned the tide against Rommel, why Tunisia’s fall was as pivotal as Stalingrad, and how these battles shaped the fate of Europe. We're joined by Saul David, broadcaster, historian and author of 'Tunisgrad: Victory in Africa' for a sweeping look at strategy, leadership, and global stakes of the desert wa...

From the late 1960s to 1998, Northern Ireland was gripped by "The Troubles" - three decades of bloodshed, resulting from competing visions for its future. This week, we're releasing a two-part series that explores why this conflict erupted and how it played out. For this, Dan is joined by Dr Thomas Leahy, Lecturer in British and Irish Politics and Contemporary History at Cardiff University. In thi...

From the late 1960s to 1998, Northern Ireland was gripped by "The Troubles" - three decades of bloodshed, resulting from competing visions for its future. This week, we're releasing a two-part series that explores why this conflict erupted and how it played out. For this, Dan is joined by Dr Thomas Leahy, Lecturer in British and Irish Politics and Contemporary History at Cardiff University. In thi...

Scotland’s struggle for independence was marked by rebellion, betrayal, and remarkable victories. In this episode, we trace the story from William Wallace’s uprising against English rule, through the rise of Robert the Bruce, to the decisive Scottish triumph at Bannockburn in 1314. We're joined by Helen Carr, author of 'Sceptred Isle', to explain the century that changed the course of English-Scot...