logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
43m 10s

Samhain: The First Halloween

History Hit & Assassin's Creed
About this episode

Halloween is a tradition that only grows in popularity each year. Yet its origins are mysterious, shrouded by myth and misconception. 


Some of its roots trace back to the Gaelic festival of Samhain. In this episode, Matt Lewis and Dr Kelly Fitzgerald explore the traditions and significance of Samhain to the people who celebrated it, and its connections to Halloween.


Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. 


Hosted by: Matt Lewis

Edited by: Robin McConnell

Produced by: Matt Lewis, Robin McConnell, Peta Stamper

Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff

Production Coordinator: Beth Donaldson

Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett


Music:

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Main Theme by Sarah Schachner, Einar Selvik, Jesper Kyd

Asgard Hall Of The Aesir by Sarah Schachner, Einar Selvik

Ravensthorpe by Sarah Schachner


If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK


Tell us your favourite episode or Assassin's Creed game at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Jul 7
Crusader Queens of Jerusalem
The very first Assassin's Creed video game takes us back to the Third Crusade, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. As Saladin's Islamic armies tried to reconquer the Holy Land, the Christian rulers of Jerusalem faced as many threats from within as without - perhaps none moreso than Syb ... Show More
54m 4s
Jun 30
Assassin's Creed Writer Reveals How They Brought The French-Indian War To Life
Assassin’s Creed Rogue lets players explore the frozen world of the Arctic coastline of North America. Players inhabit the memories of Shay Cormac, an Irish Assassin who switches sides to join the Templars, against the backdrop of the Seven Years’ War, or as its American theatre ... Show More
53m 42s
Jun 23
The Northwest Passage: Doom of Arctic Explorers
Assassin's Creed Rogue and Assassin's Creed III let us sail through the frozen waters of the Northwest Passage at the most dangerous time in history.From Hudson Bay to Hawaii, the coasts of Canada and the USA were mapped as an unintended consequence of history’s greatest explorer ... Show More
39m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Irish Origins of Halloween
Pumpkins, trick or treating and ghost stories are what we associate with Halloween, but what about turnips, fairies and a fortune-telling cake? Anthony and Maddy are joined by historian Dan Snow, and host of sister podcast Dan Snow’s History Hit. They go in search of the origins ... Show More
49m 27s
Oct 2024
The History of Halloween
We're celebrating this years Halloween by talking about... Halloween. Join me as we explore the history and development of this fascinating holiday, from ancient Celtic roots, to Catholic celebrations and modern pop culture. Sources/Recomended Reading: Morton, Lisa (2019). "Trick ... Show More
26m 40s
Oct 2024
88: Halloween Horror Folklore: The Scary Origin of Jack O' Lanterns, The Real Story Behind The Headless Horseman, and All Hallow's Eve Folklore
Let's look into the legends, folklore, and history of the Halloween holiday. What does the devil have to do with jack o' lanterns? Who is the real headless horseman and where is he buried? And what stories were told around a fire at an All Hallow's Eve celebration thousands of ye ... Show More
36m 56s
Dec 2024
Midwinter Medieval Traditions
Ever wondered how Christmas was celebrated in Medieval times? Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis explore the fascinating world of Medieval festive traditions. From the violent brawls of medieval football to the quirky custom of 'mumming,' Eleanor and Matt dive into the rich tapest ... Show More
42m 19s
Oct 2024
146: Death by Oujia Board? Murder by Monopoly? The Dark History of Board Games
For tickets to MURDER MYSTERY & MAKEUP - A Live Digital Premiere... head to moment.co/mmm. I wanted to do something special for all my incredible fans as a thank you. So... for the first time ever... you can be part of an exclusive, LIVE Murder Mystery & Makeup episode. That's ri ... Show More
48m 20s
Nov 2024
NoSleep Podcast Halloween 2024 Hiatus 02
With the Halloween season over for another year, the NoSleep Podcast team is taking a couple of weeks off. But remain fearful, we have tales from our Sleepless Sanctuary Premium episodes to keep the horror rolling into November. "Never Be Hungry Again" written by Fiona McKenna (S ... Show More
1h 22m
Oct 2024
Fun Sized Spooks: 10 Ghastly Pop Culture Tales!
Happy Halloween, Boils and Ghouls! One of the few things I enjoy as much as Halloween are fascinating random facts from history and pop culture! So I’m resurrecting one of my favorite series, Fun Sized Spooks! These 10 episodes are each as short and sweet and Trick r Treat candy! ... Show More
45m 6s
Nov 2023
The Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings Presents: Skin Crawl
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Gkh9oHoC5I97m3ceridEn?si=69be26c46d0a4c3bSubscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skin-crawl/id1711070741We would like to introduce you to Skin Crawl, an anthology of psychedelic nightmares, otherworldly monste ... Show More
38m 49s
Aug 2023
Small Frights Friday: The Spooky Forest
Today we take a stroll down a wooded path filled with terrors! We read EEEEKmails about handmade Halloween decor and trick-or-treat memories. Plus, we get a letter from London! Be featured on a Small Frights episode! Submit all Halloween queries, advice, recommendations, or memor ... Show More
46m 11s
Apr 4
History of Coffee: from devil’s brew to our favourite beverage
Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Jonathan Morris and comedian Sophie Duker to learn all about the bittersweet history of coffee.Coffee is undoubtedly one of the most popular drinks worldwide, and we consume an estimated 95 million cups of the stuff everyday in the UK alone. But ... Show More
57m 29s