History for You with Douglas and Hugh

If this man had to keep his brain in a jar, it would be one of those giant ones full of pickled eggs you see at the chippie. German-born theoretical scientist and mathematician Albert Einstein is the twentieth century's most famous man with a moustache who didn't start a war. Einstein was a genius who came up with many theories, many of which are far too complicated for anyone to understan...

Harry Houdini was the world's greatest escapologist. There was literally nothing he was in that he couldn't get out of. Except death. Like so many of us, it got to him in the end. But before the Reaper came a' knocking, this Hungarian born entertainer and professional debunker lived an incredible life. And this is it. Join Douglas and Hugh as they each don a straightjacket, lock themse...

So why is it all an almighty mess in the Middle East? As usual, Douglas and Hugh have all the answers. Join us as we take you back to when thin gs were equally messy but people had fewer missiles. And you also get to meet an English (well, Welsh) gentleman who was instrumental in almost sorting everything out: T. E. Lawrence AKA Lawrence of Arabia. Who was he? Why was he there? And why did the tow...

For this episode, Douglas and Hugh take you up the river Thames, through Traitors' Gate and into the heart of England's most infamous place of execution: The Tower of London. Find out why there are ravens nailed down to the ground. Discover the true relationship Beefeaters have with beef. Marvel at the priceless gems the English royal family stole from other countries and shudder at the gh...

Do you start your morning with a nice hot cup of coffee? We know we do. So it's time to celebrate that humble little brown bean. Brew yourself a fresh pot and settle in for a coffee-based adventure as Douglas and Hugh take you around the world! Also, we would all like to point out that Douglas is in no way connected to the recent disappearance of Jeff Hollenbach, the landlord of the recently c...

Douglas and Hugh are well out of their comfort zone for this episode. They need to get to the end zone without causing offence to all of America. Will they succeed? So strap on your helmets and hunker down as we take you through the history of that most baffling of colonial past times, American Football. What is it? How do you play it, and why are the names so silly? Plus we investigate how a simp...

We're back for 2026, positively charged and ready to flow! In this episode, Douglas and Hugh fight it out for the electric crown with the tale of two pioneers in their field. In one corner: Thomas Edison! In the other: Nikola Tesla! What did these two superconductors of Victorian knowledge have in common? Why did they fall out? And who had the last laugh? You'll also discover exactly what...

With the Winter Solstice firmly in our rearview mirror, we round out the year with an especially festive episode! Hugh cordially invites you and Douglas to the Roman Midwinter celebration of Saturnalia, which sowed the seeds of many Christmas traditions we enjoy to this day. Then we exchange gifts as Douglas returns the favour by taking you and Hugh through a typical Victorian working class Christ...

Tremble, listener. This episode brings together some of history's most horrific characters - including both James Corden and Piers Morgan. You have been warned.... Join Douglas and Hugh as they explore the reign of terror that is the Spanish Inquisition. Expect bloodshed, persecution, torture and grisly death. But who were they, who were they after, and how did you become an Inquisitor? You&#3...

We already excavated the Great Pyramid of Giza, so it would be remiss of us not to take a look at the remaining six of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. So we did. And we have. And this is the next. Just what made the Hanging Gardens of Babylon so wondrous? What made them Hanging? Where is Babylon anyway? Did they even exist? And who got to decide the Seven Wonders anyway? So many questions....

Imagine a journey across most of the known world, where wondrous things can be bought and sold. And we're not talking about Sunday's jumble sale in the village hall. Yes, Douglas and Hugh are off on another travelling adventure, this time exploring the Silk Road, and diving into the life and times of Marco Polo, who may or may not have made everything up while staying at home on the sofa e...

This is one small step for our pod, one giant leap for mankind... Join us as the furiously exciting space race reaches its inevitable climax with the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, AKA The Moon Landing. The names of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins will be remembered and celebrated forever, but it did you know it was nearly three very entirely different people altogether? Find out who by u...

Part Two of our epic Space Race saga will astound you. Not only will you learn about all the creatures that were sent into orbit by the Americans and the Russians, you'll also finally learn which is the best pasta to eat in zero gravity. And who doesn't want to know that? ------ History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a spoof comedy podcast about history written, performed and produced by...

Time to boldly go where no one has gone before. Grab your flight suit, strap yourself to your rocket and buckle the hell up. Douglas and Hugh are taking you through the early years of space travel. Picture the scene: it's the birth of the Cold War and the heat is on between Russia and the United States. Who will get into space first? And how far are they prepared to go to get there? Well, as i...

Standing alone in the desert for thousands of years, The three gigantic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt have captivated our minds and filled our souls with wonder. But why are they there? What's inside? Who built them? How did they do it? What are they for - pharaohs, gods...or aliens? So many questions...well Douglas and Hugh have the answers! Join us as we unwrap the bandages of truth from the mum...

There have been few romances as powerful as the love shared between Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort Albert. Some have come close. Anthony and Cleopatra. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Bert and Ernie... But none can hold a candle to the lust, love and loss that defines the marriage between the most powerful woman in the history of the world, and a German man. Join Douglas and Hugh as th...

One of the most famous Kings of England. He was French, but we don't hold that against him too much. Join Douglas and Hugh as they "Take the Cross" and draw swords against the most famous medieval monarch named after a massive cat. Discover how he really got his name, how he accidentally became king, why he hated his father, and why Douglas believes Richard's rivalry with arch ne...

It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. Douglas and Hugh have finally decided to tackle those vicious, bloodthirsty Nordic warriors. But were they really vicious and bloodthirsty? Time to pillage truth from the village of myth. We've also compiled a run down of the top ten most iconic vikings who ever lived. And some who probably didn't. What a treat. So pull up a long...

War! Europe is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Kaiser Wilhelm. There are heroes on both sides. Evil is everywhere. But whither, you may ask, is WINSTON CHURCHILL? Well, that's what Douglas and Hugh reveal as they continue their informed and unbiased account of the man some believe to be BRITAIN'S GREATEST BRITISH PERSON. This thrilling episode follows the political and military car...

Many consider Winston Churchill to be the greatest British human who ever lived. But was he, when it comes down to it, a massive bellend? Come with us brave time traveller, and join Douglas and Hugh on the first part of an epic journey as they debate the life, deeds, beliefs, politics and legacy of the man who helped shape the twentieth century. Also, Douglas has some very exciting news. Very exci...

In this episode, Douglas and Hugh take the Hyundai over to Italy where you'll meet the original Godfathers of crime, corruption, extortion, murder and much much more: The Medicis. For centuries, this extravagant gangsta dynasty kept a vicelike grip over Italy -vice being the operative word. Experience their rise and fall, as well as the Humanist world in which they lived and died, better known...

Lights! Camera! Silence on the set! Tape rolling...3,2,1 ACTION!! This episode follows the unique life of a true titan of cinema: the mighty Orson Welles . Join Douglas and Hugh as they explore this remarkable filmmaker, actor, wit, intellect, lover, bon vivant and consumer of many many pies. From the precocious cinematic genius that changed the medium, to the frustrated raconteur who became an ex...

Imagine a time when wealthy, privileged bullies controlled the minds of millions by making up stories to publish in their rotten newspapers. A time when rich old men married young aspiring Hollywood starlets and wild zebras roamed the hills of California.... STOP THE PRESS!! We're back! In the first episode of 2025, Douglas and Hugh present the rise and fall of the world's first notorious...

As is now tradition (i.e. we did it once before, last year), here's a bonus Christmas present: five minutes of us failing to keep it together. A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of you who have listened to our silly little show throughout the year. We don't run ads, we don't make a penny on these shows, we do it for the love of history, sending up history and sending up those history podcast presenters a...

Season's greetings! For our third and final Christmas compilation - and the last full-length episode of 2024 - Douglas and Hugh unwrap the gift of truth from under the Christmas tree of lies. In this slice of historical Yule log, you'll discover the erotic side of XXXmas, the REAL reason we have a dying pine tree in the corner of our living room ever December, how Queen Victoria's bareknuckle prow...