logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
32m 1s

How to Spot Magic in Medieval Buildings

History Hit
About this episode
tail spinning
Up next
Today
The First Crusade: The Road to Jerusalem
In 1095, Pope Urban II’s fiery sermon lit the fuse for a so‑called holy war in the Holy Land. In the first episode of a new series, Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis unpack the First Crusades, when this Christian armies fought against Muslim lords for possession of the arid deser ... Show More
1h 27m
Feb 27
Scotland's Medieval Queens
Scotland’s history is filled with war, betrayal, political intrigue. At the heart of it were powerful Queens; from saintly rulers to strategic alliances, the women behind the throne were anything but passive.Matt Lewis is joined by historian Sharon Bennett Connolly to explore the ... Show More
56m 9s
Feb 24
How to Get to Heaven: Papal Indulgences
Were papal indulgences really just a medieval “get out of hell free” card? How were they expanded after the Crusades? And how were they used to fund projects, including the rebuilding of St Peter’s in Rome?Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Dr. Felicity Hill to unpack this complicat ... Show More
51m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
History of the Witch
<p>It’s that time of year again, Halloween. A word which conjures up images of pumpkins, ghosts, and of course…witches.</p><br><p>But have you ever wondered what the ancient origins of witchcraft is? How did the black-hat-broomstick stereotype emerge? And what causes the waves of ... Show More
32m 2s
Jun 2023
The First Spears
<p><br></p><p>According to the work of today's guest, Dr Annemieke Milks, humans were using spears approximately 400,000 years ago. Thanks to fragments of wooden spears incredibly well preserved at sites like Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, and Schöningen in Germany, there's now evidenc ... Show More
41m 55s
Nov 2021
Writing a New History of the Middle Ages: Interview with Dan Jones on Powers and Thrones
<p>Friend of the Show, TV presenter, author extraordinaire, and historian Dan Jones returns to Tides to discuss his new book, <em>Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages</em>. It’s a wonderful book and a tremendous achievement, written with both a consummate grasp of ... Show More
52m 36s
Jul 2023
Stonehenge
<p>Stonehenge. The most iconic prehistoric monument in the world. And yet its story is still so enigmatic.</p><br><p>In this episode, host Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Sue Greaney to shine a light on Stonehenge’s prehistoric story. Together they explore this monument's creation ... Show More
47m 54s
Jun 2023
The Picts
<p>Emerging around the 3rd century CE and later designated official adversaries of the Roman Empire, the Picts wreaked havoc across the northern fringes of Roman Britain. But due to their limited presence in the archaeological record and the complexities of multiple kings, kingdo ... Show More
43m 10s
Dec 2023
A Guide to Ancient Egypt
<p>Egypt was a vast kingdom of the ancient world. Its rulers were considered gods and wielded tremendous power and wealth. Egyptian scholars, astrologists and thinkers pioneered in their fields. Lasting for millennia, the kingdom's influence on culture, economics and politics was ... Show More
41m 32s
Apr 2022
Before Rome: The Truth About Late Iron Age Britain
<p>Roman connections with Britain stretch back to (at least) the mid 1st century BC. But what has archaeology revealed about the Late Iron Age British societies they interacted with? Do we have any concrete evidence for the druids? Was human sacrifice a thing? Sit back and enjoy ... Show More
43m 28s
Nov 2023
Magic books: a global history
What are the earliest forms of written magic? How do the stories of magic and religion intersect? And how will these stories’ continued presence in popular culture influence events yet to come? Professor Owen Davies takes Lauren Good on a journey through the twisting history of t ... Show More
26m 3s
Sep 2023
Sabotage & Secret Weapons: The WW2 Dirty Tricks Department
<p>What is a bat bomb? Why would you cover a fox in radioactive paint? And who are the masterminds behind the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA?</p><br><p>In this episode, Don is joined by John Lisle to discuss the creations of the Research and Development br ... Show More
36m 1s
Jul 2023
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
<p>The last monument to be added to the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria (also known as the Pharos), was one of the tallest man-made structures in ancient history. Serving as the only guiding beacon along 900km of Mediterranean coast, i ... Show More
44m 38s