History for You with Douglas and Hugh

The relationship between Cleopatra of Egypt and Mark Antony of Rome is one of the great romances in human history - much like Hugh's marriage, only not at all. Join us as we reach back to antiquity and uncover the real woman behind the legendary Queen. Discover why everyone in Egypt had the same name. Marvel at how Cleo was able to marry her relatives, have an affair with Julius Caesar AND del...

STAND AND DELIVER! YOU'RE MONEY OR YOUR WIFE!! That's right. We're galloping back to the golden age of highway robbery. While the most famous mounted cad was Dick Turpin, there were others equally notorious and nefarious. Discover the many types of murderous highwaymen and women who roamed the English countryside during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Recoil in horror as Doug...

This episode you get two for the price of one! Douglas and Hugh discover what REALLY caused the Great Plague , otherwise known as the Black Death. Then we cough and splutter our way to Pudding Lane, where one of the greatest catastrophes to ever hit England's fair capital began: The Great Fire of London . But how many people actually perished? Which buildings were incinerated? And what does wo...

Another request from one of our loyal listeners, and you better hold your nose for this one! Douglas and Hugh are taking you back to Victorian London, which was so filled with poo, dead bodies, disease and general filth you'd think you were in France. Join us as we sniff out the Great Stink of 1858. What was it? What caused it? and how many pine cone air fresheners were needed to get rid of it...

We kick off 2024 with an episode suggested by one of our keen fans. We do that, by the way. So if you want to hear our take on a historical person or event that tickles your fancy, drop us a line either in the comments where you get your podcasts or via our social channels listed below. Anyway, this episode is about England's most famous outlaw, Robin Hood - and things get pretty testy between...

A HUGE historical thank you to all of you who have found, listened, recommended and supported History For You since we launched only four months ago. We have fun making these, hope you enjoy listening to them half as much. We wish you a merry Christmas, happy New Year and hope you will enjoy many more episodes to come. Until then, as a special treat, here's another bonus festive gift: four min...

This is it. The final day in our midwinter dozen. And what a way to end the year. Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is! Douglas and Hugh explore the colourful history of the longstanding Christmas tradition of Pantomime, or Panto for short. Minor celebrities, gender reversal, fairy tales...it's "fun for all the family". Oh no it isn't! Or IS it? Join us for the final mini episode and...

We're at the home stretch now. Our penultimate bonus episode on the Twelve Days of Christmas is all about why we decorate our homes with tinsel, fairy lights and, of course, that most beloved of our festive ornaments, the Christmas Tree. But can a dead chunk of oversized shrub really make a happy home? And why was Douglas abandoned as a boy to walk Regent Street alone in the cold night air? Al...

We all know why Christmas Day is called thus. You'd have to be an utter idiot not to. But even clever folk are stumped about Boxing Day. Is it named after the sport? Boxes? Geometry? Who knows? Well. Douglas does and he's about to blow Hugh's - and your mind. Discover the origins of Boxing Day, why Queen Victoria was an excellent prize fighter, and whether or not Hugh is allowed back i...

As we creep closer to a festive crescendo for the Twelve Days of Christmas, we get acquainted with two bits of common or garden foliage commonly associated with yuletide. But did you know that the historical roots for both the Holly and the Ivy are profoundly erotic? Well they are. Deeply so. Join Douglas and Hugh as they strip away the layers of myth to reveal the undergarments of truth - and hop...

Ever wonder why we have Christmas crackers? Or Christmas cards? Or why elderly relatives eat discarded sprouts off the floor? Well, like so much in the modern world, we owe many festive traditions to the Victorians . And of course, no yuletide is complete without Charles Dickens' immortal classic, A Christmas Carol . Join Douglas and Hugh as they reveal for the first time that earlier drafts o...

This is it. The story that started it all. Or DID it? Well, luckily for you, Douglas and Hugh are on hand to reveal the truth behind the Nativity Story, the most famous baby tale ever told. Or IS it? Well, luckily for you, Douglas and Hugh are on hand to reveal just why baby Jesus was born in an animal husband centre. Or WAS he? Well - you get the idea. ------- History for You with Douglas and Hug...

Do you leave a mince pie for Santa? Kiss under the mistletoe? Punch a badger? Whatever your festive traditions, you'll love this journey through some of the world's most weird, odd and downright baffling rituals people perform every Christmas. Join Douglas and Hugh as they also explore the even more curious superstitions behind them. You'll never look at a broom the same way again! ---...

Grab a napkin - and perhaps a bucket! Time to tickle your tastebuds as Douglas and Hugh take you on a festive taster menu through the ages. All the classic Christmas food and drink gets a sample, from the very first pre Christmas Winter feasts to what we all enjoy round the Yuletide table today. And find out how homemade mulled wine got Douglas out of an awkward legal dispute. To confirm: no charg...

He goes by many names. But how does he know if little kiddies are naughty or nice? And who appointed him judge of all children everywhere anyway? Douglas is about to open his sack and hand out truth gifts to everyone, regardless of their behaviour. Meanwhile, Hugh wrestles with an upset stomach for reasons we won't go int here. Day Four in our Twelve Days of Christmas is all about Father Chris...

How many kings visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem? Were they really that wise? And why did they bring with them such silly gifts? Join Douglas and Hugh as they follow the star of truth that leads us all to the stable of facts. Unwrap the real meaning of gold, frankincense and myrrh - and discover why school nativity plays are really effective contraceptives. ------ History for You with Douglas and Hu...

Bet you thought the paper crown in your Christmas cracker was because of the Three Kings? Well, think again. Then be astounded, confounded and dumbfounded as we unwrap the second of our Twelve Days of Christmas mini episodes. In this festive frolic, our two esteemed historians look back at the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia , which gave us so many Christmas traditions. This is also a very spec...

We kick off our dozen Christmas mini episodes for the festive season with this cracker! We all know the tunes, we pretend to know the lyrics, but what do we really know about Christmas Carols? Well, Hugh is about to gift Douglas - and all you merry gentlefolk - with some baubles of truth that will illuminate the tree of confusion. WARNING: this episode contains aggressive wassailing and a nasty ca...

This is it. The Big Fight. This epic tale reaches its thrilling conclusion with the iconic Battle of Waterloo, which put an end to little tiny Napoleon and his special exo-suit. Why did Nappy surrender? Why was the Duke of Wellington such a total git? And what does no one talk about Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher? History may have forgotten him, but Douglas and Hugh certainly haven't! Shove thi...

The rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte is a truly epic tale. So epic, Douglas and Hugh need two episodes to uncover the man behind the myth. The leader behind the legend. Just how short was he? Did he really write erotic fiction? And where did he get those fabulous hats? From his birth on the island of Corsica to his decisive defeat at the Battle of Waterloo , prepare to have the infantry of lies...

In 1888, the slums of London's East End were gripped by fear. An unknown murderer lurked the lamplit streets and fog-filled alleys, committing foul deeds and even worse penmanship. The name? Jack the Ripper!!!! Join Douglas and Hugh as they walk the trail of history's most notorious serial killer, only to discover that there were several other murderers operating in Whitechapel at that tim...

"Remember, Remember The Fifth of November..." This explosive episode sees Douglas and Hugh take you back to the Autumn of 1605, where they place thirty six barrels of truthpowder under the Houses of History and light the fuse. Discover why Guy Fawkes and the rest of the Gunpowder plotters failed to blow up the English Parliament, how King James had exceedingly large nostrils and why peop...

Join Douglas Wrattle and Hugh Canard for a decidedly spooky episode about things that go bump in the night. From Victorian séances and bare bottoms in Bermondsey to satanic ungulates and pro-celebrity debunker Harry Price, we suggest you draw the curtains, dim the lights and hide behind the sofa. Not in that order. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode features at least one phantom chicken. ---------- His...

Douglas and Hugh take a seat at the Round Table to drink from the Holy Grail. Custard! Baked Beans! How do these kitchen larder staples stack up in the story of Arthur? The once and future podcast History For You takes a dip with the Lady of the Lake and doggy paddles through the misty mythical moat of Camelot to bring you all the stuff. -------- History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a comedy p...

Men named by dogs! Boobie pens! New Build Housing in Hereford! Douglas and Hugh take you on a day trip to Hastings in 1066 for the first royal rivalry between a William and Harry. Learn all the things about 1066: The Battle of Hastings with Douglas and Hugh on History for You. ---- History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a comedy podcast about history written, performed and produced by Adrian Mac...