History Rage

Henry VIII: beloved monarch or mass-murdering tyrant we refuse to confront? Why do we glorify a king who executed 1% of England and displaced over 10,000 people for his own power? It’s time to dismantle everything you thought you knew about Henry VIII. Historian and educator Jackson Van Uden joins History Rage to expose the real Tudor ruler: a man his own contemporaries labelled a tyrant , not the...

In this exhilarating episode of  History Rage , host Paul Bavill takes to the skies with social historian and author Midge Gillies, whose latest book,  Atlantic Furies: The Women Who Risked Everything to Be the First to Fly , uncovers the remarkable stories of the female pioneers of early aviation. Join us as we journey through the daring feats and forgotten legacies of women who soared...

Jane Boleyn did not orchestrate the downfall of Anne and George Boleyn In this gripping episode of  History Rage , host Paul Bavill is joined by Tudor historian and author Adam Pennington to unravel the tangled web of intrigue surrounding Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford. Adam passionately dismantles the long-held belief that Jane was an evil schemer responsible for the downfall of her husba...

💥 Jane Austen wasn’t all tea, weddings, and waltzes — she was writing through war, poverty, and radical politics! In this episode of History Rage Live , host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Dr Helena Kelly to take a sledgehammer to the myths surrounding one of England’s most beloved writers — Jane Austen. Think Austen only wrote about polite society, balls, and matchmaking? Think ag...

Hollywood got it wrong: The Spitfire was not the work of one man. Aviation historian Paul Beaver dismantles the myths created by the Hollywood film, First of the Few . He reveals that while Mitchell was a brilliant engineer, the idea of him single-handedly designing the Spitfire is a fantasy. Instead, the aircraft was the result of a collaborative, unsung team at Supermarine. Discover how films di...

This week on  History Rage , host Paul Bavill welcomes the brilliant mythologist and author  Natalie Haynes , to unravel the tangled web of Greek mythology and challenge the male-centric narratives that often dominate our understanding of these ancient tales. Myth vs. Reality:  Natalie passionately argues that the stories from ancient Greece are not as male-dominated as they are oft...

This week on  History Rage , host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author  Mark Ellis , known for his gripping Frank Merlin detective novels and his latest work,  Boom Time: True Crime in World War II London . Together, they traverse the shadowy underbelly of wartime Britain, revealing the grim realities that lay beneath the celebrated Blitz spirit. The Dark Side of the Blitz:...

This week on History Rage, Paul is joined by historian, archaeologist, and author Dr. Simon Elliott, who takes us on an enlightening journey through the life of Septimius Severus, the often-overlooked African emperor of Rome. Together, they challenge the prevailing myths surrounding Julius Caesar and explore the rich tapestry of Severus's reign. Debunking Caesar:  Simon passionately argues ag...

This week on History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Rachel McCarthy James, the mind behind the intriguing book " Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder ." Together, they delve into the infamous case of Lizzie Borden, a crime so notorious it has inspired nursery rhymes and countless myths. Debunking the 40 Whacks:  Rachel sets the record straight on the infamous rhyme, re...

This week on  History Rage , host Paul Bavill welcomes the insightful Dr. Faith Tibble, a historian specialising in iconography and the author of  Crown of Thorns, Humble Gods and Humiliated Kings . Together, they delve into the complex and often misunderstood symbolism of one of Christianity's most iconic images: the crown of thorns. Join them as they unravel the layers of history, art,...

This week on  History Rage , host Paul Bavill welcomes Tudor historian and author Dr. Joanne Paul to dissect the life and legacy of the enigmatic Thomas More. As they navigate the treacherous waters of Tudor England, they delve into the myths and misconceptions surrounding this controversial figure, aiming to separate fact from fiction. Episode Highlights: - The Man Behind the Myths:  Jo...

In this gripping episode of History Rage , host Paul Bavill welcomes back acclaimed historian Dr Helen Fry to uncover the hidden world of Belgium’s wartime intelligence networks — the unsung heroes of espionage who risked everything to fight from behind enemy lines. Drawing from her new book The White Lady , Helen reveals how Belgian agents shaped the course of both World Wars , often at extraordi...

In this enlightening episode of  History Rage , host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Dr. Francis Young to delve into the often overlooked history of Eastern Europe. Together, they challenge the dominant narratives surrounding the region, particularly the misconceptions that arise from a focus solely on the 20th century and the pervasive influence of Russian perspectives. Episode...

Discover the untold story of the RAF heroes who photographed victory. What if the intelligence that won World War II didn’t come from Bletchley Park — but from the skies above? In this gripping episode of History Rage , host Paul Bavill is joined by historians and podcasters Dave Robertson and Tony Hoskins from For You The War Is Over to uncover the hidden story of the RAF’s Photographic Reconnais...

In this thought-provoking episode of  History Rage , host Paul Bavill engages with historian and author Ada Palmer, whose book  Inventing the Renaissance  challenges the romanticised narratives surrounding this revered period in Western history. Together, they dissect the myths of golden and dark ages, revealing the complexities and realities that often go unnoticed. The Myth of the...

Is Tom Hanks too old to storm Omaha Beach? Host Paul Bavill welcomes Rob Hutton and Duncan Weldon, hosts of the War Movie Theatre podcast, to kick off a series of previews for the Imperial War Museum’s (IWM) Podcast Live Festival. This week, they are raising the curtain on movies in a historical setting with a fierce debate on the one historical inaccuracy that Hollywood keeps getting away with. R...

This week on  History Rage , host Paul Bavill is joined by military historian and expert on Ian Fleming, Dave Roberts, as they delve into the intriguing world of wartime intelligence and the often-overlooked contributions of Fleming during the Second World War. Together, they dismantle the myths surrounding Fleming's role, revealing the truth behind the man who created James Bond and his sign...

Britain’s Cold War story is bigger than you ever knew. In this explosive episode of History Rage , host Paul Bavill sits down with historian and author Fraser McCallum to uncover the often-overlooked story of Cold War Britain. Too often reduced to a superpower showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War was a global conflict — and Britain was absolutely central to it. Fra...

Think the WWII U-Boat War was Britain’s closest brush with defeat? Think again. In this live History Rage special, historian Roger Moorhouse – author of Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War – joins host Paul Bavill to torpedo one of the Second World War’s most persistent myths. Drawing on brand-new research from the German perspective, Roger reveals why the Battle of the Atlantic was not the near-...

In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Jem Duducu, who returns to tackle the myths surrounding the Wild West. Together, they delve into the fantastical narratives spun by Hollywood and how these portrayals have distorted our understanding of American history.   Myth vs. Reality: - Jem passionately argues that the glorified image of cowboys...

The Troubles remain one of the most defining and misunderstood chapters in modern British and Irish history. In this powerful episode of History Rage , host Paul Bavill is joined by Oliver Webb-Carter , host of the Aspects of History podcast, to confront the myths, explore the roots of conflict, and reveal why Britain has too often turned a blind eye to Northern Ireland’s past. Oliver explains how...

Think Quakers are all pacifism, porridge and quiet meetings? 🕊️🥣 Think again. In this electrifying History Rage LIVE episode recorded at the Gloucester History Festival , host Paul Bavill welcomes historian Dr. Erica Canela to uncover the shocking, dramatic and often law-breaking beginnings of Quakerism. From the 17th-century English Civil Wars to miracle attempts on the banks of the Severn, Eric...

In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and podcaster Dirk Hoffman-Becking to challenge one of the most pervasive myths about the Holy Roman Empire. Together, they dissect the infamous quip that it is "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire," revealing the rich and complex history that contradicts this oversimplification. Unraveling the Myth: - Dirk passio...

In this eye-opening episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by Professor Hanna Diamond, a leading expert in French history and author of "Josephine Baker's Secret War." Together, they uncover the remarkable and often overlooked wartime contributions of the iconic entertainer and spy, Josephine Baker, who defied expectations and played a crucial role in the Second World War. Episode Hig...

In this riveting episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes ancient historian and author Alexandra Sills to explore the captivating world of gladiators in ancient Rome and Greece. Together, they cut through the myths and misconceptions surrounding these iconic figures, offering a fresh perspective on their roles in society and the true nature of the games.   Setting the Record Straigh...