logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
37m 26s

Final Days of Captain Cook

History Hit
About this episode

The violent death of Captain James Cook, British explorer, on a Hawaiian beach in 1779 has become the stuff of legend. Should we believe the story that's been handed down? How should we remember a man who means so many different things to so many different people?


Anthony Delaney tells Maddy Pelling the story of the Final Days of Captain Cook.


Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick and Charlotte Long.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AFTERDARK

You can take part in our listener survey here.


After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.


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

Up next
Today
Who was the Last Witch of Scotland?
<p>With the nights closing in, what better time to re-visit a favourite episode of ours.</p><br><p>In 1727, Janet Horne of the Highland community of Dornoch became the last person in Britain to be tried and executed for witchcraft.</p><br><p>As the poet Edwin Morgan put it; They ... Show More
29m 2s
Nov 20
Could you Survive the Medieval Apocalypse?
<p>For Medieval Europe, the Apocalypse wasn’t just a metaphor - it was very real and very imminent.</p><p>We are talking about the four horsemen, locusts the size of horses, the beast of the abyss, the Whore of Babylon, and, obviously, the anti-christ.</p><p>We’re going to go thr ... Show More
45m 18s
Nov 17
Why Did Henry VIII Kill Catherine Howard?
<p>In 1540 Henry VIII was getting old, and his eyes turned to teenager Catherine Howard.</p><br><p>He fell hard and fast for Catherine - his "rose without a thorn" - but when he found out about her past, all hell broke loose.</p><br><p>Amidst all the panic and confusion, who was ... Show More
52m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
When Europeans reached Australia
<p>Professor Suzannah Lipscomb delves into the dramatic story of the first European encounters with the indigenous people of Australia. She's joined by Professor Alistair Paterson who sheds light on the reported events of February 1606 when the Dutch unexpectedly stumbled upon th ... Show More
46m 1s
Aug 2024
Life Lessons From Historical Women
<p>When women's stories aren't being flat-out ignored from the history books, they can often be sidelined.</p><br><p>Well not here! Joining Kate today is the comedian and author of <a href="https://www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/life-lessons-from-historical-women-by-eleanor-morton" re ... Show More
35m 48s
Oct 16
316: Introducing a chilling new podcast: TWISTED TALES WITH HEIDI WONG
<div>Reality is the real horror.<br> <br> Every Monday, poet and paranormal obsessive Heidi Wong unearths the chilling true stories behind the world’s most terrifying legends. From haunted dolls to cursed houses, each episode of Twisted Tales reveals the disturbing real-life even ... Show More
8 m
Oct 17
Wife-Swapping Magician of the Tudor Court
The 16th century was a dangerous time to be talking about magic and hidden forces, so how did John Dee end up being invited into Elizabeth I's court?He was an astronomer, occultist and alchemist who dedicated his life to understanding how celestial activity influenced life on ear ... Show More
38m 54s
Sep 28
S23 Ep13: NoSleep Podcast S23E13
<div>It's Episode 13 of Season 23. Tune in to WNSP for tales about unsettling imaginations.<br> <strong><br> "Calm Springs"</strong> written by C.D. Vazquez (Story starts around 00:05:00)<br> Produced by: <a href="http://auralstimulation.net/">Jeff Clement</a><br> Cast: James - P ... Show More
1h 42m
Feb 2025
Jamestown: The Journey To America
<p>In May 1607, over 100 English settlers arrived at Chesapeake Bay on the East Coast of North America. Traveling 50 miles inland along the James River, they established what would become the first permanent English settlement: Jamestown. But what motivated their journey? Why was ... Show More
30m 26s
Sep 2
History's Worst F*ckboys: Charles II
Our mini-series exploring the worst f*ckboys in history is back!In today's episode, Kate is joined by Dr. David Taylor of Oxford University to get to know the so-called Merry Monarch and the many women in his life.Was it better to be married or be a mistress to Charles II? How ma ... Show More
44m 49s