Single Malt History with Gareth Russell

For half a century, Edward I won fame on the battlefields. He escaped rebels and vanquished his enemies. But what was the real cost of his ambitions?

Invasions, mysterious deaths, private scandals, quarrels with saints, treachery, and civil wars shaped the dramatic lives of England's four Norman kings.

James VI & I lived a life full of love - and alleged lovers - but did gossip sometimes get it wrong? Yes. But feel free to make up your own mind. This episodes looks at some of the fascinating lives of those who probably never James's lovers  - including a Scottish noblewoman so beautiful she was nicknamed "the Pearl of Lochleven," a handsome but quarrelsome rebel's son, a so...

Was Kaiser Wilhelm II a victim of circumstance or the author of his own ruin?

Downton Abbey meets The Tudors - Dr Tracy Borman stops to discuss her new historical novel, "The House of Boleyn".

The face that launched a reformation? For centuries, the missing portraits of Anne Boleyn have excited investigation, imagination, and indignation. With her childhood home now mounting the largest exhibition of Anne Boleyn's images in history, I spoke to two of its curators Kate McCaffrey and Dr. Owen Emmerson.

How did three centuries fall apart in three years? The rise of Rasputin, plots in the military high command, riots in the cities, and a monarch's mental breakdown play out against the backdrop of one of the most brutal conflicts in human history.

The dramatic early reign of Nicholas II and Russia's catastrophic entry into the First World War.

24 ghosts of Hampton Court guide you through its extraordinary history.

The daughter of a Shakespearean hero and a Catholic saint, Matilda of Scotland lived a life at the heart of medieval politics.

It is Single Malt History's 100th episode! To celebrate, I'm taking a look back at its most downloaded episode and its (shaky!) first. There are clips from West End actors, stars of the silver screen, the first historian to stop by for a chat, and the two episodes that are still brought up to me the most often by listeners.

Luke Pepera discusses his debut book, "Motherland." From warrior-queens to Wakanda, from hajj to holy memories, Pepera chats with Gareth Russell about how he used history, anthropology, the memories held by landscape, and the legacy of great buildings to create his critically acclaimed book.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, 'the Lady of Two Kingdoms,' was once described as a woman out of legend. The greatest heiress of her generation, she became one of the Middle Ages' most dramatic, celebrated, and controversial figures.

Dr. Steven Veerapen, author of the new book "Witches: A King's Obsession," discusses the witch-hunts' most infamous textbook, supporters, and legacy.

Anne Boleyn's mother was said to be so beautiful that she inspired poetry. Others believe that Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Ormond and Wiltshire will always remain a mystery. I'm joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman, author of the first biography of Elizabeth, to discuss her remarkable story.

A hundred years ago, the Indian Empire of the British Empire covered one of the largest political entities in history. Then, over the space of forty years, it collapsed into five partitions that created twelve new states, triggering one of the largest mass migrations of people in human history.  To understand what happened, I'm joined by bestselling author Sam Dalrymple, who discusses who accl...

One of the most glamorous, important, and fascinating queens in the histories of the British monarchies, Anna of Denmark led a life every bit as dramatic as the era in which she lived.

Known to legend as Grace O'Malley, Gráinne Ní Mháille, the "pirate queen of Tudor Ireland," led a life that was adventurous on land and by sea. 

In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots faced execution. Had her own son helped bring her to this terrible fate? One of the great mysteries of James VI's life are his feelings towards his exiled, Catholic mother. In this episode, I explore surprising evidence from the heart of James's court that shows the role he played in his mother's final tragedy.

Skullduggery, espionage, royal narcissism, and plots a-plenty were the order of the day in the dying days of the Tudor dynasty - and to uncover it, we're joined on Single Malt History by Dr. Tracy Borman, Sunday Times bestselling author of the new hit book "The Stolen Crown".

Matilda of Boulogne was a powerhouse in medieval politics, almost universally admired in a time of treachery, anarchy, and civil war.

In the sixteenth century, a Scottish king called James braved sea and storm to bring home Scotland's new queen.

Discover the brutal story of the witch-hunts that consumed Scotland, one hundred years before Salem.

In a Single Malt History exclusive, the first chapter of my book "Queen James" - narrated by me - is shared here on UK publication date.

From the dreams of a religious pharaoh and the ambitions of Cleopatra, to Britain's first anti-technology movement, Single Malt History takes a look at three of History's lost causes.