Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

The Paris Showgirl Who Fought The Nazis

Josephine Baker went from poverty and segregation in St. Louis to becoming Paris’s most sensational showgirl, captivating Europe with her dancing, sexuality and scandalou

Mary Queen of Scots & Her Sh*thead Husband

Mary Queen of Scots has gone down in history for her power struggle with her cousin, Elizabeth I. But this was just one of the challenges she faced. Another was that Mar

How Many Penises Are There On The Bayeux Tapestry?

The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most famous works of medieval art in the world, but what do we actually know about it? Who made it? Where? Why? And are those actually h

Slavery in the Roman Empire

Behind the impressive relics the Romans left behind lurks a much darker story: that most of Rome was built on the back of enslaved people. It's shocking to know that up

History's Deadliest Women: The Blood Countess

Elizabeth Bathory was a fabulously wealthy Noblewoman accused of torturing and killing some 600 women in the 16th century. Her story is popularly spoken about as one of

Sex and Scandal on the Titanic

It's the most famous sunken ship in history, but its story is surrounded by a lot of myth. Were the working classes locked below deck and doomed to drown? Could the Tita

History's Deadliest Women: The Evil Stepmother

In 1909, the third and final woman hanged in Western Australia was executed. She had murdered three of her step children. What drove Martha Rendall to kill these childre

The Mad Monk & The Witch Hunts

Malleus Maleficarum may sound like a spell but it is actually almost the opposite. This book was nicknamed the Hammer of Witches, and today we're finding out if it really

History's Deadliest Women: The Husband Killer

Until the 19th century in Britain, a woman killing her husband was guilty of worse than murder, she was guilty of petty treason. So what is petty treason? What is its ve

The Scandalous Affair of Lord Nelson & Emma Hamilton

Lord Nelson is remembered as one of history's greatest military commanders. His victories at the Battle of the Nile, the Battle of Copenhagen and the Battle of Trafalgar

The Mystic Nun Killed By Henry VIII

As if the Tudor world wasn't mad enough, in 1528 a mystic nun showed up demanding an audience with Henry VIII. Elizabeth Barton stood in front of him and told him that h

Sex Lives of the Samurai

The samurai are some of the most mythologised people in history, so let's do some myth busting! Kate is joined by Joe Nickols, who co-curated the British Museum's samura

Medieval Europe's Biggest Sex Scandal

This is the wild story of a 12th century French philosopher, Abelard, who fell in love with his student, Heloise. There are a lot of problematic issues going on. Not lea

The Truth About Coco Chanel

You know her from the perfume, the little black dress, the double C bag clasp, but who was the woman, Coco Chanel? What even was her real name? From her origin story, th

Britain's Most Scandalous Queen

‘Who wants a girl with a personality?’ Historically, not the royals. Queen Caroline of Brunswick became Queen Consort of the United Kingdom in 1820, when her husband bec

Why Catherine Howard Lost Her Head

Poor Catherine Howard. She was smart, intelligent and undeniably beautiful, but ultimately no match for the vicious Henry VIII. She was certainly a victim but was she to

The Truth About Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso's impact on the art world was sensational, but what impact did he have on the people around him? His relationship history contains some problematic moments

Sex Work in Soviet Russia

After the Russian Revolution in 1917, sex work was a prime example of what capitalism did to society.  Under communism, sex work would no longer need to exist in society

Why Helen Of Troy Is The Real Star Of 'The Odyssey'

Beautiful women are always causing trouble in history, and perhaps none more so than Helen of Troy. She's the daughter of Zeus and a human mother, after all. With the n

The Most Badass Dragon Slayers in History

Picture a dragon and its dragon slayer. What do you imagine? It's likely going to be a giant, scaly, fire-breathing beast and a rugged knight with a massive sword. Howev