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History Rage

Paul Bavill
  • 4.9 (31)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Think history is boring? That’s because you’ve only ever heard the fake version. On History Rage, professional historians come in swinging — smashing the myths, clichés, and half-truths that keep getting recycled in classrooms, documentaries, and TikToks. Vikings with horned helmets? Nope. Britain standing alone in 1940? Wrong. Medieval people never bathed? Rubbish. Why listen? Because the truth is way more exciting. You’ll leave every episode with jaw-dropping stories, killer facts to shut down pub bores, and the smug satisfaction of knowing what really happened. 🎧 Episodes drop every Monday. 📲 Follow now and get the history they don’t teach you — raw, raging, and real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Trafalgar is just not that important with Zack White

    Horatio Nelson. Glorious victory. Britain “ruling the waves.” We've all heard the legend — but what if the real story of Trafalgar is far more complicated… and far less heroic… than we’ve been led to believe? In this episode of History Rage, three-time returning rager Dr Zack White tears apart centuries of patriotic mythmaking to reveal the uncomfortable truths behind Britain’s most celebrated naval battle. From propaganda to psychology, from invasion fears to Victorian moralising, Zack makes the case that Trafalgar’s fame owes more to storytelling than strategy. Discover why Napoleon had already abandoned his invasion plan before the battle… why Nelson himself was disappointed… why the French and Spanish navies were nowhere near as formidable as we imagine… and how Victorian historians rewrote the whole saga to craft a national legend of heroic sacrifice and divine destiny. This episode is a masterclass in myth-busting — bold, funny, furious and absolutely packed with historical insight. ________________________________________ What You’ll Learn • Why Trafalgar did NOT end the French invasion threat • How Nelson’s death became the backbone of a nation-building myth • The real state of the French and Spanish fleets • How British naval supremacy was already secured before Trafalgar • What actually changed the balance of power in the Napoleonic Wars • Why Victorian writers reshaped Nelson’s story — and erased the uncomfortable bits • How propaganda shaped the way Britain remembers its “great men” • Why battles like Copenhagen and the Nile mattered just as much — if not more ________________________________________ About Our Guest: Dr Zack White Dr Zack White is a historian, broadcaster and host of The Napoleonic Wars Podcast, exploring every corner of the era from major battles to the strangest personalities. Follow & Contact Zack: 👉 Social media: @zwhitehistory 👉 Listen to The Napoleonic Wars Podcast: available on all major podcast apps ________________________________________ Enjoying History Rage? If this episode fired you up, here’s how to stay angry (in the best possible way): Follow & Contact History Rage 📌 Twitter/X: @HistoryRage 📌 Instagram: @HistoryRage Support the Show 🔥 Apple Podcasts: ad-free listening for £3/month 🔥 Patreon: £5/month for live streams, Q&A invitations, and the legendary History Rage Mug Become a supporter at: patreon.com/historyrage Spread the Rage The best way to help us grow is simple: Tell someone else who loves history — or loves arguing about it.

    1h 4m

  2. 5D AGO

    262. Stop Glorifying Henry VIII with Jackson Van Uden - Katherine of Aragon Festival Special 1

    Henry VIII: beloved monarch or mass-murdering tyrant we refuse to confront? Why do we glorify a king who executed 1% of England and displaced over 10,000 people for his own power? It’s time to dismantle everything you thought you knew about Henry VIII. Historian and educator Jackson Van Uden joins History Rage to expose the real Tudor ruler: a man his own contemporaries labelled a tyrant, not the charming Christmas-bauble king of Hampton Court gift shops. Henry didn’t just kill wives — he destroyed lives, seized land, staged show trials, and crushed dissent with Stalin-level brutality. We dig into: How The Act of Supremacy turned Henry into a Caesar-papist dictator The Dissolution of the Monasteries and the 0.4% of England suddenly made homeless 200 peaceful Protesters executed after the Pilgrimage of Grace for simply disagreeing with the King Tudor “big, sexy history” that distracts from a reign built on fear How education today still sanitises Henry for the sake of heritage and TV scandals If pop culture has convinced you Henry was a misunderstood romantic, strap in — Jackson launches a rage that puts Henry in the same moral category as history’s worst dictators. By the time we’re finished, those Holbein portraits will never look the same again. Festival Info: The Katherine of Aragon Festival Talks are on January 31st and February 1st 2026 at Peterborough Cathedral: Tickets are available at: https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/about/history/katharine-of-aragon/kofa_26/ 🎙 Guest: Jackson Van Uden Historian • Teacher • Host of History With Jackson Katherine of Aragon Festival contributor and organiser Tickets for the festival via Peterborough Cathedral link in show notes 📌 Listen to History With Jackson wherever you get your podcasts 📱 Follow Jackson: Instagram & other socials: @historywithjackson X/Twitter: @HistoryWJackson 🙌 Support History Rage & Join the Fight Against Bad History If you loved this rage, consider helping keep us angry: 💥 Subscribe for bonus episodes and the right to ask questions to future guests from only £3/month 👉 Patreon: patreon.com/historyrage 🛍 Grab your coveted History Rage mug at Patreon’s £5 tier 💬 Or simply tell a friend and get another person aboard the Rage Train! 🔗 Connect with History Rage Follow us everywhere @HistoryRageRate & review on Apple Podcasts to help more people discover real historyJoin us live at the Katherine of Aragon Festival for our special recording with Owen Emerson and Alfred Hawkins at Peterborough Cathedral  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  3. 12/29/2025 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Stop Calling Renaissance Doctors Stupid with Alanna Skuse

    Renaissance medicine wasn’t ignorant—its cures were stranger and smarter than you think. Step back into a world of blood, bones, bile, and groundbreaking innovation as Dr Alanna Skuse dismantles the biggest myths about Renaissance medicine. From battlefield surgeries and prosthetics, to midwives, quacks, toads, and the four humours, this episode reveals a medical world far more logical, experimental, and effective than popular history suggests. Discover why Renaissance surgeons weren’t reckless, why quacks sometimes worked wonders, and why patients were far from naïve. Packed with bizarre cures, pioneering breakthroughs, and the surprising origins of modern treatments, this is the ultimate guide to the misunderstood world of 16th and 17th-century healing. Whether you're into medical history, social history, early modern England, quackery, midwifery, apothecaries, or surgical innovation, this episode of History Rage delivers deep insight, dark humour, and a fresh perspective. ________________________________________ What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why Renaissance medical practitioners were not ignorant or cruel • How surgeons made astonishing breakthroughs long before modern medicine • Why patients demanded treatments like bloodletting • The strange power of quacks—and why some were surprisingly effective • How apothecaries, midwives, and women healers shaped everyday healthcare • The bizarre logic behind cures involving toads, spiders, and boiling puppies • The truth about syphilis nose reconstruction, battlefield prosthetics, and chemical medicine • Why the four humours actually made intuitive sense • What Renaissance medical thinking still influences today • What future historians will find horrifying about modern treatments ________________________________________ About Our Guest: Dr Alanna Skuse Dr Alanna Skuse is a literary scholar, medical historian, and author specialising in early modern disease, surgery, and the cultural history of the body. Her latest trade book uncovers the real experience of staying alive in Renaissance England. 📚 Buy Her Book The Surgeon, the Midwife, the Quack: How to Stay Alive in Renaissance England 👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781836430773 📨 Contact / Follow Dr Alanna Skuse Website: https://www.dralannaskuse.co.uk/ Twitter / X: @alanna_skuse Instagram: @historian_alanna ________________________________________ Explore More Medical History Episodes If this episode left you hungry for more medical history: • Ep 161 – Karen Bloom Gevirtz on 17th-century healer-women • Ep 56 – Louise Wilkie on Robert Liston & Victorian surgery ________________________________________ Follow & Support History Rage 🎙 Follow History Rage: Twitter/X: @HistoryRage Instagram: @historyragepod Facebook: History Rage Podcast Email: historyrage@gmail.com 💥 Support the Show & Get Bonus Content • £3/month – Ad-free listening on Apple & Patreon • £5/month – Monthly livestreams + the coveted History Rage Mug Join Here: patreon.com/historyrage ❤️ Best way to help? Tell a friend about the podcast and get them raging too.

    54 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    261. There are more female pioneer pilots than Amelia Earhart with Midge Gillies

    In this exhilarating episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill takes to the skies with social historian and author Midge Gillies, whose latest book, Atlantic Furies: The Women Who Risked Everything to Be the First to Fly, uncovers the remarkable stories of the female pioneers of early aviation. Join us as we journey through the daring feats and forgotten legacies of women who soared to new heights long before the fame of Amelia Earhart. Challenging the Narrative: Midge passionately argues that the contributions of women like Amy Johnson, Beryl Markham, and Ruth Elder are often overshadowed by the singular narrative of Earhart. Discover how these aviators faced societal constraints and media scrutiny while bravely pursuing their dreams of flight, and why it's crucial to acknowledge their stories within the broader context of aviation history. The Perils of Flight: As Midge shares the harrowing tales of women who attempted to cross the Atlantic, we delve into the dangers they faced, including harsh weather conditions and the ever-present threat of disappearance. Midge reflects on the tragic fates of pilots like Frances Grayson and Lady Anne Saville, who risked everything in their pursuit of adventure. Women in Aviation: Explore the camaraderie and competition among these pioneering women as Midge highlights their relationships and rivalries. Learn how the media of the time played a role in shaping their legacies, and why it’s essential to remember the collective efforts of these remarkable figures who pushed the boundaries of what was possible for women in aviation. Join us for this thrilling discussion that not only celebrates the bravery of female aviators but also challenges the misconceptions that have long persisted in the annals of history. For more insights into Midge Gillies’ work, be sure to check out her book available in the History Rage bookshop. Buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781915590527 Follow Midge on Social Media @midgegilles   Stay Connected: Follow History Rage on social media for updates and discussions: Twitter: @HistoryRage Instagram: @historyrage Facebook: History Rage Support History Rage:  If you’re passionate about this episode, consider joining the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon at patreon.com/historyrage for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug. Stay passionate, stay curious, and most of all stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  5. 12/22/2025 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Edgar Peacock and SOE in the Far East Deserve Better Recognition with Richard Duckett and Duncan Gilmour

    Jungle warfare that reshaped the war – and history forgot it Step into the dense, unforgiving jungles of Burma in WWII as Dr Richard Duckett and Duncan Gilmour uncover the astonishing, largely untold story of Lt. Col. Edgar Peacock – the man they argue was Britain’s greatest SOE commander. In this gripping episode of History Rage, we expose the scale, the bravery, and the strategic brilliance of Operation Character, the SOE mission whose impact rivals anything achieved in Europe… yet is almost never discussed. ________________________________________ Episode Summary In this deep-dive conversation, Paul Bavill welcomes back historian Dr. Richard Duckett and introduces author Duncan Gilmour, grandson of SOE commander Lt. Col. Edgar Peacock. Together, they reveal the extraordinary special operations campaign in Burma that reshaped the outcome of the Far East theatre—and yet remains almost unknown outside specialist circles. Hear how Peacock’s unique upbringing in the jungles of India and Burma forged a commander with unmatched environmental mastery; how SOE recruited thousands from 19 different ethnic groups; how Operation Character halted entire Japanese divisions; and why internal politics and secrecy kept these achievements out of mainstream military history for decades. This is military history at its rawest and most revealing. ________________________________________ What You’ll Learn in This Episode • The true scale of SOE activity in Burma—far larger than in Europe • Why Lt. Col. Edgar Peacock may be the most effective SOE commander of the war • The astonishing numbers: 12,000 Japanese casualties for just 22 Allied (Caucasian) losses • The pivotal role of Operation Character in enabling 14th Army’s race to Rangoon • The overlooked role of SOE’s 723 women working behind the lines • How ethnic groups long thought incapable of cooperation fought side-by-side • Why Peacock and his officers were deliberately denied recognition • The brutal post-VJ Day fighting few histories ever mention • How secrecy and missing archives buried Burma’s SOE achievements for 80 years This episode is essential listening for fans of covert warfare, the Burma Campaign, special forces history, resistance studies, and forgotten fronts of WWII. ________________________________________ About the Guests Dr. Richard Duckett Historian, researcher, and leading authority on SOE operations in the Far East. Website & SOE Burma Database: https://www.soeinburma.com (Features 450+ biographies of SOE women and hundreds of Burma operatives.) Follow Richard on X/Twitter: @RichardDuckett Duncan Gilmour Author, researcher, and grandson of Lt. Col. Edgar Peacock. Co-author of Jungle Warrior: Britain’s Greatest SOE Commander. Follow Duncan on X/Twitter: @DuncanGilm4133 ________________________________________ Get the Book – Jungle Warrior Discover the full story of Edgar Peacock and SOE’s epic Burma operations in “Jungle Warrior: Britain’s Greatest SOE Commander” https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781916556843 This is the definitive account of the unseen heroes who helped turn the tide in the Far East. ________________________________________ Links & Further Listening • Richard Duckett’s SOE Burma archive: https://www.soeinburma.com • Episode 126 – Richard Duckett on why SOE is not just France • Episode 150 – Claire Mulley on the Polish Home Army • Search “History Rage” on all major podcast platforms ________________________________________ Support History Rage If you enjoy the show, spread the word—tell a friend, share the episode, or post online. Independent history podcasts grow because of you. Support History Rage directly: • Apple Podcasts: £3/month for ad-free listening • Patreon: £5/month for ad-free episodes, monthly livestreams, and the coveted History Rage mug → https://patreon.com/historyrage Follow & Contact History Rage: • Twitter/X: @HistoryRage • Instagram: @HistoryRage • Email: historyragepod@gmail.com

    56 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    260. Jane Boleyn is not a Scheming Cow with Adam Pennington

    Jane Boleyn did not orchestrate the downfall of Anne and George Boleyn In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by Tudor historian and author Adam Pennington to unravel the tangled web of intrigue surrounding Jane Boleyn, Viscountess Rochford. Adam passionately dismantles the long-held belief that Jane was an evil schemer responsible for the downfall of her husband, George Boleyn, and sister-in-law, Anne Boleyn. Reassessing Jane Boleyn: Adam challenges the narrative that paints Jane as a malicious figure, arguing instead that she was a loyal wife and a supportive member of the Boleyn family. He delves into Jane's background, her marriage to George, and the dynamics of their life at the Tudor court, highlighting the absence of evidence for the claims against her. The Trials of Anne and George Boleyn: Exploring the trials of Anne and George, Adam reveals the lack of credible evidence linking Jane to their accusations, urging listeners to reconsider the role she played during this tumultuous period. He discusses the historical context of their trials and how misconceptions have perpetuated the myth of Jane as a treacherous figure. The Downfall of Catherine Howard: As the episode unfolds, Adam examines Jane’s later involvement in the court of Catherine Howard, questioning her motivations and the circumstances that led to her own tragic end. The discussion highlights the complexities of Tudor court politics and how Jane's actions were often misinterpreted through a modern lens. Join Paul and Adam as they navigate the murky waters of Tudor history, urging listeners to challenge preconceived notions and seek the truth behind the myths. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the real stories of the Tudor dynasty. Guest Information: Check out Adam Pennington's podcast, The Tudor Chest, available on all major platforms. https://podcasts.apple.com/eg/podcast/the-tudor-chest-podcast/id1704070565 Buy Adam’s book, Henry VIII and the Plantagenet Poles, through the link in the show notes to support independent bookstores. https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399071710 Follow Adam on Social Media @thetudorchest Support History Rage: For exclusive content and early access to episodes, consider supporting History Rage on Patreon for just £3 per month at patreon.com/historyrage. Stay Connected: Follow us on all social media for updates and more historical discussions @historyrage Stay angry, stay informed, and let the truth of history prevail! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  7. 12/18/2025 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    History Teaching Is Killing Curiosity with Janina Ramirez

    Why history lessons drain passion – and how we can fix it ________________________________________ History should ignite curiosity, creativity and connection. Instead, too often, it does the opposite. In this powerful History Rage Live episode, host Paul Bavill is joined by medievalist, broadcaster and historian Professor Janina Ramirez to rage against the way history is taught – and how rigid curricula, “great man” narratives and siloed subjects are snuffing out a lifelong love of the past. Drawing on her own personal journey, Janina explains how school history almost drove her away from the subject she loved, why women and ordinary people remain marginalised in classrooms, and how our education system has all but killed the polymath. From medieval walls to modern smartphones, she makes a passionate case for interdisciplinary history that reflects real human lives – not just battles, kings and dates. Along the way, the conversation ranges widely: • Why women’s history is still treated as optional or tokenistic • How figures like Christine de Pizan and Hildegard of Bingen challenge everything we think we know about the past • Why timelines matter – but rigid periodisation often doesn’t • How digital access could create a new generation of polymaths • And why rewriting history isn’t about politics, but accuracy This episode is essential listening for teachers, students, parents, historians and anyone who’s ever felt bored by history lessons – and wondered why. If you’ve ever loved history but felt pushed away by how it’s taught, this rage is for you. ________________________________________ About the guest: Professor Janina Ramirez Professor Janina Ramirez is a medievalist, art historian and broadcaster, and President (for life) of the Gloucester History Festival. She is renowned for bringing interdisciplinary, people-centred history to wide audiences through books, television and public scholarship. Books 📘 Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths That Shaped Europe Available here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780753560419 Follow & contact Janina Ramirez • Twitter / X / Instagram: @drjaninaramirez • Gloucester History Festival: https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk ________________________________________ More History Rage with Janina Ramirez 🎧 Episode 82 – Medieval women written out of history: https://pod.fo/e/1ef944 🎧 Episode 147 – Life inside a medieval convent: https://pod.fo/e/269598 ________________________________________ About History Rage History Rage is the podcast where historians vent their frustrations and dismantle the myths we were taught at school. Hosted by Paul Bavill, each episode challenges comfortable narratives and puts passion back into the past. Follow History Rage • Twitter / X / Instagram / Facebook: @HistoryRage • Website & bookshop: https://www.historyrage.com Support the podcast ❤️ Join Patreon for live streams and exclusive content: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/historyrage 🎧 Listen ad-free on Apple Podcasts for just £3 per month via Apple Subscriptions ⭐ And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or recommend History Rage to a friend – it really helps the podcast grow. ________________________________________ Stay angry. History depends on it.

    58 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    259. Jane Austen is not all tea, dancing and romance! With Helena Kelly

    💥 Jane Austen wasn’t all tea, weddings, and waltzes — she was writing through war, poverty, and radical politics! In this episode of History Rage Live, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Dr Helena Kelly to take a sledgehammer to the myths surrounding one of England’s most beloved writers — Jane Austen. Think Austen only wrote about polite society, balls, and matchmaking? Think again. Dr Kelly reveals how Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion are steeped in the Napoleonic Wars, rural poverty, class tension, and even political radicalism. From cousin marriage to enclosure, from naval officers to the fear of French invasion — Austen’s world was anything but tranquil. Dr Kelly explains how Persuasion unfolds during Napoleon’s exile and return, why Emma explores the politics of land and hunger, and how Austen’s teenage “History of England” may have been a bold critique of monarchy itself. Together, Paul and Helena expose how critics and TV adaptations have softened Austen’s sharp social observations into a genteel myth — and why it’s time to reclaim the radical Jane. Whether you’re a lifelong Austen fan or “Austen-curious,” this episode will make you see her world — and her wit — in an entirely new light. About Our Guest — Dr Helena Kelly 📚 Author of Jane Austen: The Secret Radical and The Worlds of Jane Austen Dr Helena Kelly is a literary historian and acclaimed Austen scholar whose work uncovers the hidden politics and subversive messages behind England’s favourite novelist. 📖 Buy her books: Jane Austen: The Secret Radical — https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837731237The Worlds of Jane Austen — https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781836004189 📲 Follow Helena: Twitter/X & Threads: @msashtondennis About History Rage 🎙 History Rage is the podcast where historians deliver their anthems for doomed myths — where truth has its mention in despatches and lazy legends are made to listen to all that bloody poetry. 📡 Follow & Contact: Twitter/X: @HistoryRageInstagram: @historyrageThreads: @historyrageFacebook: facebook.com/HistoryRageEmail: historyragepod@gmail.com 💬 Support the Podcast: Help keep the Rage alive and get early, ad-free episodes, bonus content, and access to live streams! 👉 Join us on Patreon or subscribe via Apple Podcasts. www.patreon.com/historyrage 📢 If you enjoyed this episode: Tell a friend, share the rage, and leave us a review — it really helps other history lovers discover the truth behind the myths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
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Trailers

4.9
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Think history is boring? That’s because you’ve only ever heard the fake version. On History Rage, professional historians come in swinging — smashing the myths, clichés, and half-truths that keep getting recycled in classrooms, documentaries, and TikToks. Vikings with horned helmets? Nope. Britain standing alone in 1940? Wrong. Medieval people never bathed? Rubbish. Why listen? Because the truth is way more exciting. You’ll leave every episode with jaw-dropping stories, killer facts to shut down pub bores, and the smug satisfaction of knowing what really happened. 🎧 Episodes drop every Monday. 📲 Follow now and get the history they don’t teach you — raw, raging, and real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Bavill
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    340
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 Paul Bavill
  • Show Website
    History Rage
  • Provider
    PAUL BAVILL

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