All Episodes — After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

400 Year Old Artist's Dark Revenge

May 14, 202645 min

BONUS: Hear a chapter of Maddy's new book, Hoax

May 12, 202654 min

Human Sacrifice In The Aztec Empire

May 11, 20261h 7m

The Dark Mystery of Princess Caraboo

May 7, 202652 min

The Haunting of Cock Lane

May 4, 20261h 5m

Speaking with the Dead: Ancient Necromancy

Apr 30, 202645 min

Dark Side of Prehistoric Britain

Apr 27, 202643 min

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Apr 23, 202649 min

Titanic's Biggest Myths Debunked

Apr 20, 202657 min

The Murder that Shook Mary Queen of Scots

Apr 16, 202647 min

The Victorian Sex Scandal of Fanny & Stella

Apr 13, 202658 min

Henry VIII's Descent into Darkness

Apr 9, 202649 min

The Victorian Era's Wildest Murder

Apr 6, 202640 min

Ep 264The Real Outlander

The book and TV series "Outlander" has introduced millions of fans to Scottish history and the story of the Jacobites. One of those fans is Maddy Pelling! Maddy is back (in a pre-recorded episode) to delve into the tragic story of the Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army. Joining her today is Dr. Alexandra Dold, expert and scholar in all things Outlander, to take you back to the 18th century Scottish uprisings. Edited by Hannah Feodorov and Anna Brant. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> For tickets to see Anthony and Maddy talking about her new book, Hoax, click here: <a href="https://www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/hoax/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/hoax/</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Apr 2, 20261h 2m

Ep 263The Man Who Ate Everything

Listener warning: this episode contains a description of cruelty to animals One of the strangest tales to emerge from Napoleonic France was that of Tarrare - the man who ate everything. The stories go that he ate corks, cats, snakes and was even guilty of cannibalism. Is this myth or reality? Anthony is joined by Dr Cat Byers, historian of the Paris Morgue to tell this tale. Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey here. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 30, 202643 min

Ep 262Britain's First Ghost Hunt

It was the original modern ghost hunt, the one that set the template for all the haunted houses to come. When a wealthy plantation family moves into a crumbling Georgian mansion in the 1760's the haunting begins. By the end even royalty were on tenterhooks. Eleanor Janega joins Anthony Delaney for this episode. Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 26, 202653 min

Ep 261Dark Side of the Celts: Wicker Men and trophy heads

The Ancient Celts: feared in battle, guided by Druids, and bound together by ritual.Long before Rome pushed north, Celtic peoples ruled forests, hilltops, and river valleys. But in this episode we'll be discussing the darker aspects of this ancient civilisation... We are very lucky to be joined by Professor Ronald Hutton as our guest. Ronald is a returning fan favourite having been on numerous episodes of After Dark, including the Origins of Halloween and the Execution of Charles I. This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Tomos Delargy. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 23, 202649 min

Ep 260Were the Princes in the Tower murdered?

It's one of history's greatest mysteries - 'what happened to the Princes in the Tower?' In 1483, young Edward V and his brother Richard were awaiting Edward's coronation. But next thing we know, they vanished and their uncle Richard III has taken the throne. So what happened? Eleanor Janega guides Anthony through this episode, with a special guest appearance by Eleanor's 'Gone Medieval' co-host Matt Lewis! 'Gone Medieval' is History Hit's medieval history podcast. Check it out if you want to find out more! Edited by Hannah Feodorov and Anna Brant. Research by Phoebe Joyce. Produced by Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 19, 20261h 3m

Ep 259The Human Cost of Fame

You might think the idea of “celebrity” is a modern invention. In reality, its roots stretch back centuries... perhaps even millennia. People have always been fascinated by the rare individuals who rise above the crowd and capture public attention. Whether admired or despised, the famous have always held a powerful grip on our curiosity. In this episode, we explore the dark origins of 'celebrity': where it began, how it has evolved, and the strange ways it has shaped people's lives. We delve into tales of the Ancient Gods of Gossip to the Georgian actor who hired haters to heckle his rivals… And who better to take us through this episode than Greg Jenner? Greg is a public historian, broadcaster and author of works including ‘Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity From Bronze Age to Silver Screen.’ He’s the host of the BBC Podcast ‘You’re Dead to Me.’ This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Tomos Delargy. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 16, 202650 min

Ep 258The Black Death As It Happened

Eyewitness accounts of life during the Black Death are surprising. Sure, there's horror. But there's also d*ck jokes, complicated scientific theories, and buttock-obsessed priests. Taking Anthony through it all is Dr Eleanor Janega, from our sister podcast 'Gone Medieval'. Edited by Hannah Feodorov and Anna Brant. Research by Phoebe Joyce. Produced by Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 12, 202639 min

Ep 257Who Killed Julius Caesar?

In 44 BCE, Roman senators assassinated Julius Caesar to stop his ascent towards becoming a king. Dr Jess Venner takes Anthony blow-by-blow through the deadly events of the Ides of March. Dr Jess Venner's new book The Lost Voices of Pompeii: The Final Day in Seven Lives' will be out in April. This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 9, 202644 min

Ep 256The Medieval Murder of Thomas Becket

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Anthony is joined by the iconic Eleanor Janega from our sister podcast 'Gone Medieval' to tell the story of the most famous murder of the medieval world - Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Cantebury. How did a bromance between Thomas and his king turn into a deadly divide between church and crown? This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 5, 202656 min

Ep 255Mysterious History of Tarot Cards

Maddy and Anthony get their Tarot cards read by Melissa Mercury! As well as reading their cards, Melissa tells us about the history of Tarot cards and who is responsible for their iconic design. Find out why Swords aren't always bad and why the Death card can be good news! This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy and Vilde Oksnes. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Mar 2, 202655 min

Ep 254Origins of Victorian Murder Detectives

We have an image in our heads of Victorian Homicide Detectives, but what was the reality? Who were they? What murder cases shaped their history? What methods did they use? Were they anything at all like Sherlock Holmes? Anthony Delaney takes Maddy Pelling on this journey through the history of the Victorian Homicide Detective. Edited by Tim Arstall, produced by Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 26, 202644 min

Ep 253Who Was the Man In The Iron Mask?

For decades a mysterious figure was held prisoner by Louis XIV. His face was covered, his identity was a secret beyond all others. Why? Who was this figure? How much of the story is myth and how much is fact? Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney the story today. This episodes was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and researched by Phoebe Joyce. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 23, 202645 min

Ep 252The Dark Truth about the Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution is the only successful, permanent slave revolt in history, resulting in the creation of an independent state. Haiti is also the first modern nation of the world to permanently abolish slavery. So what happened the August night of 1791 when the enslaved people of what was known as Saint-Domingue, rose up and started burning plantations? It's a history that involves American and French Revolutions, with the British and Spanish also waging in on the fighting. Joining Anthony and Maddy is Marlene Daut, Professor of French and African Diaspora Studies at Yale University and author of several books on Haiti, including Awakening the Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution. This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 19, 202656 min

Ep 251The French Revolution's Reign of Terror

The French Revolution was famously inspired by ideals such as republicanism and individual liberty. Yet, for all its promises of freedom, the Revolution also descended into what is often considered its darkest chapter... the Reign of Terror. Today's guest is Dr Michael Rapport, a Reader in Modern European History at the University of Glasgow and is author of works including ‘The Napoleonic Wars: A Very Short Introduction’, ‘1848: Year of Revolution’ and most recently ‘City of Light, City of Shadows: Paris in the Belle Epoque’. This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and Tom Delargy. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 16, 202657 min

Ep 250The Dark Truth about Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Brontë in 1847, depicts a gothic world full of violence and passion, set against the wild Yorkshire Moors. So how did the daughter of a clergyman create such a story? How was it received at the time? And what darkness and intrigue happened in the Brontê's lives that could have influenced such stories? With a new Wuthering Heights film being released, Anthony and Maddy are exploring that world with you in today's episode. It’s one of relentless death and tragedy, wild creativity, and supernatural belief, all to the backdrop of an industrial Victorian England. If you're interested to find out more, you can watch the documentary <a href="https://access.historyhit.com/videos/death-in-the-parsonage-the-brontes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Death at the Parsonage: The Brontês</a>, on <a href="https://HistoryHit.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HistoryHit.com</a>. This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 12, 202632 min

Ep 249Bloody Beginning of the French Revolution

The Storming of the Bastille in 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution... the day a Parisian crowd stormed the royal fortress-prison that had come to embody absolutist power. This is the story of how mounting unrest erupted into full-scale revolution, and how one looming stone fortress became a lasting symbol of freedom, violence, and the power of the people. Today’s guest is Michael Rapport, a Reader in Modern European History at the University of Glasgow. His works include ‘The Napoleonic Wars: A Very Short Introduction’, ‘1848: Year of Revolution’ and most recently ‘City of Light, City of Shadows: Paris in the Belle Epoque’. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and Tom Delargy. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 9, 202653 min

Ep 248Al Capone and the Valentine's Day Massacre

Bootleg liquor. Tommy guns. Gangs ruling the city with crooked cops. The Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929 Chicago sounds cinematic, but the fear and the bloodshed was very real. What was the perfect storm that created this horrifying moment? How did it unfold? And how did the cops finally catch their man? Joining Anthony and Maddy today is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author <a href="https://www.jonathaneig.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jonathan Eig</a>, to take us back to this bloody moment almost 100 years on. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 5, 202636 min

Ep 247Dark Truth About Victorian 'Freak Shows'

Julia Pastrana was a Mexican woman exploited as a sideshow attraction in life and grotesquely exhibited even after her death because of her appearance. Her story is part of the dark history of the Victorian 'freak show'. Anthony tells Maddy the story. This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and researched by Phoebe Joyce. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Feb 2, 202649 min

Ep 246Essex's Darkest Witch Hunt

This is the story of a 16th century cunning woman, a folk healer, who was found guilty of being a witch. Accusations spiralled until more than a dozen women faced the threat of death. The St Osyth witch hunt became a landmark case, setting a dark precedent for the witch hunts that would explode across the country in the century that followed. Our guest today is Marion Gibson, author of 'Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials'. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 29, 202645 min

Ep 245Who Was the Witchfinder General?

Mathew Hopkins, also known as the ‘Witchfinder General,’ was responsible for a campaign of terror across 17th-century England. In just a few short feverish years, his witch hunts swept through East Anglia, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people…&nbsp; Edited by Tim Arstall, Produced by Tom Delargy, Senior Producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 26, 202650 min

Ep 244Inside A Medieval Leper Colony

Come back with us to a Medieval leper colony. What was life really like for patients inside the gates? What did it mean when the 'leper bell' rang? And what happened at a 'living funeral'? Join Anthony and Maddy as they separate popular myth from fact, taking you through a typical day inside a leper colony in medieval Europe. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick and researched by Phoebe Joyce. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 22, 202633 min

Ep 243The Victorian's Dark Obsession with Ancient Egypt

The Victorians had a lot of twisted fascinations, but their fixation on Ancient Egypt might be the darkest of the lot. From 'mummy unwrapping parties' (yes, really), to gothic stories of romances with mummified bodies and beetles that came to life. Was this a desire to connect with the past? Something darker? Or maybe both. Joining Anthony and Maddy today is historian and author <a href="https://www.drjaysullivan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr Jay Sullivan</a>, to help us uncover the truth. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 19, 202640 min

Ep 242The Deadly Arctic Witch Trials

It all started when a huge storm drowned 40 men on Christmas Eve, 1617. The people of Vardø, northern Norway, needed someone to blame. What followed were devastating witch trials which featured one of the highest execution rates in Europe, and implicated the town's women and the surrounding indigenous population. Joining Anthony and Maddy to delve into this icy world is author and historian Marion Gibson. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 15, 202640 min

Ep 241The Great Fire of London As It Happened

The Fire that struck London in 1666 was one of the city's darkest chapters. In this episode, Anthony and Maddy examine the accounts of people who witnessed the disaster at the time, tracing the story from its origin in Pudding Lane right up until its dying embers... Who quickly did the Fire spread? How did the terrified population turn to scapegoating the innocent? And how did the aftermath of this catastrophe shape the city we know today? Edited by Tim Arstall, Produced by Tom Delargy, Senior Producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> You can view the map of London referenced in this episode on Anthony & Maddy's instagram pages:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTcq3yzCvdN/?igsh=dmw5cXNwNGV6dWgz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/DTcq3yzCvdN/?igsh=dmw5cXNwNGV6dWgz</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 12, 202650 min

Ep 240Day in the Life of a Salem Puritan

What did it feel like to wake up Salem Village during the darkest days of the witch trials? Would you be able to swallow down your beer and pottage breakfast? As you walked towards the simple wooden Meetinghouse in the afternoon, what feeling would have been in your breast?&nbsp; Anthony & Maddy are on a quest to find out! Sign up to History Hit to watch this and hundreds of other original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.&nbsp;&nbsp; Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tom Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on YouTube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit All music from Epidemic Sounds. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 8, 202649 min

Ep 239Inside the Victorian Asylum

One of the dark symbols of the Victorian age is the asylum. It struck fear into the mind but what was the reality of life inside its walls? Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney the story today. Edited by Richard Powers, Produced by Stuart Beckwith, Senior Producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 5, 202640 min

Ep 238The Truth About the Conjuring's Ghost Hunters

Ghost hunting couple Ed and Lorraine Warren transformed twentieth century America into an enchanted land dotted with haunted houses, cursed objects, and portals to hell. Their exploits are the basis for the Conjuring movie franchise. They are the originators of the Annabelle doll. They are the most famous demon hunters ever. Who were the Warrens? Did they make it up? Or did they believe it all? Maddy and Anthony's guest today is Professor Joseph Laycock from Texas State University. He was our guest last week on our episode about the Amityville Horror. Joseph is the author of: The Penguin Book of Exorcisms and co-author of The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief. Edited & produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Jan 1, 202633 min

Ep 237Banshees: Herald of Death

Today we're delving back into the After Dark vaults to revisit our episode on Banshees... Siobhan McSweeney (Derry Girls) joins Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling for the story of the Banshee. The Banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member, usually by shrieking, or keening. Anthony tells us a story about one dying man in 1772 who is called to his death by her wailing cries. Written by Anthony Delaney. Edited by Tom Delargy. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 29, 202541 min

Ep 236Ghosts of Henry VIII's Palace

We’re re-running this episode because it’s one of our favourites — and it’s worth another listen! The ghost of Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, screaming down a corridor. A nursemaid's spinning wheel clicking in the walls. Robed Tudor figures slamming open fire exits. A noisy group of ghosts haunt Hampton Court Palace. Tracy Borman, Joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, joins Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney to guide them through the spectres of Hampton Court. Edited by Tomos Delargy, Produced by Freddy Chick, Senior Producer is Charlotte Long. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 25, 202542 min

Ep 235Dark Truth About Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd - the demon barber of Fleet Street who beheads people and then sends their bodies through a trapdoor to be made into pies. It's just a story right? Right? There's not any real history to it....or is there? Like two food inspectors examining a particularly noxious looking pie, Maddy and Anthony dig into the dark truths that led to Sweeney Todd's creations. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Research was by Phoebe Joyce. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 22, 202537 min

Ep 234The Most Notorious Viking Raid

The Viking attack on the monastery at Lindisfarne, a remote tidal island in North East England, sent psychological and cultural shockwaves through the history. It's a story of blood and terror, but there's more subtlety to it as well, as Maddy and Anthony learn today with returning guest Dr Eleanor Barraclough.&nbsp; Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 18, 202543 min

Ep 233Oscar Wilde's Very Victorian Scandal

In 1895, the world witnessed its first true celebrity trial when Oscar Wilde was charged with “Gross Indecency". To tell the powerful story of Wilde's life in its fullness, Anthony and Maddy are joined by Merlin Holland, grandson of Oscar Wilde. Anthony and Merlin met while Anthony was filming his new History Hit documentary <a href="https://access.historyhit.com/videos/a-very-victorian-scandal-the-trials-of-oscar-wilde" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Very Victorian Scandal: The Trials of Oscar Wilde</a>. Sign up to History Hit to watch this and hundreds of other original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and Tom Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 15, 20251h 6m

Ep 232Does Every Family Hold A Dark Past?

Maddy and Anthony dig into their own family history in collaboration with Ancestry! They find stories from the darker side of the past in their own family trees. Huge thanks to Ancestry's genealogists and family historians Jenn Utley, Joe Buggy and Christina Copland. If you haven’t yet, head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ancestry.com/s500162/t102437/rd.ashx?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to start your own family history journey today for free. The AncestryDNA kit makes an amazing stocking stuffer. Be sure to subscribe to the Ancestry YouTube Channel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AncestryUS" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@AncestryUS</a>&nbsp;too! Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick, Peta Stamper and Charlotte Long. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 11, 202557 min

Ep 231What Happened The Day Pompeii was Destroyed?

We all know the story of Pompeii: the Roman town reduced to ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Roughly two-thousand years later, archaeologists have been able to uncover the stories of its victims. What do we know of the lives of this city's inhabitants? Who were they? And what do we know about their terrible final moments? Today, Anthony and Maddy are joined by ancient historian Dr Jess Venner, whose book ‘The Lost Voices of Pompeii’ will be published in April 2026. Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 8, 202553 min

Ep 230The Dark Side of the Vikings

How dark really were the Vikings? How much of a part did human sacrifice play in their world? And what was their relationship with magic? Joining Anthony and Maddy in today's episode is historian, author and all-round Viking expert Dr Eleanor Barraclough, to take us back to darkest corners of the Viking era. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 4, 202556 min

Ep 229The Only Prime Minister Ever Assassinated

Was this moment the closest Britain came to revolution? When Prime Minister Spencer Perceval lay dying on the floor of the Parliament, many feared it was the start of bloody revolt. We discover the assassin, John Bellingham, and what drove him to commit murder. Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Dec 1, 202546 min

Ep 228Who Was Medieval Europe's Most Evil Monarch?

Who was the very worst of all the Medieval monarchs? No spoilers but we've got monarchs driven psychopathic by love, terrible sadists, and egos that straddled a continent. They were the worst of the worst, but who was the worst of all? Our guest today is Dr Eleanor Janega, co-host of Gone Medieval from History Hit - if you are a fan of the medieval world, you need to be listening! This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit</a> Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Nov 27, 202549 min