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History Rage

Paul Bavill

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. 22h ago

    308. Boudicca and warrior women were not rare with Elodie Harper | Chalke History Festival Special 6

    Think you know Boudicca? Discover the forgotten women who fought beside her. The story of Boudicca is etched into history, but what if the most powerful warrior queen was actually one of three? In this episode of History Rage, regular host Paul Bavill sits down with journalist and bestselling novelist Elodie Harper to shatter modern prejudices and Victorian myths surrounding Iron Age warrior women. If you’ve ever been told that powerful women didn’t exist in ancient Britain, prepare to have that misconception thoroughly dismantled. Inside the Episode Elodie dives deep into the archaeological and written evidence—from warrior style burials to the contemporary Roman records of Tacitus—proving that female authority, status, and military power were very real features of the ancient Celtic world. Discover the hidden history behind Elodie’s latest book, Boudicca’s Daughter. While the Romans recorded the brutal atrocities committed against Boudicca’s two unnamed daughters to humiliate their bloodline, history has long left them in their mother's shadow as mere ciphers. Elodie explains why she chose to give these women their names and voices back, exploring the psychological aftermath of their trauma and their roles as political figureheads in Rome's greatest provincial crisis. From the pitfalls of Victorian romanticization to how Elizabeth I invented our image of Boudicca's red hair, this episode is a passionate rally against the failure of imagination in modern historical storytelling. See Elodie Live at Chalke History Festival Elodie Harper will be speaking live at the Chalke History Festival on Saturday, 27th June at 1:15 PM. Don't miss your chance to hear more about this incredible history immersive experience! Get your tickets here: https://www.chalkefestival.com/ Support the Author & The Show Buy the Book: Grab your copy of Boudicca's Daughter directly from the History Rage Bookshop and support independent retailers: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781804544655Follow Elodie Harper: Connect with Elodie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elodielharper Love Misunderstood Women in Power? Listen Next: Episode 306: Kate Williams rages that Catherine the Great didn't die having sex with a horse.Episode 298: Linda Porter rages that Mary Queen of Scots is not a bloody stupid woman. Support History Rage If you want to help us keep burying historical myths under King's Cross Station, consider becoming a History Rager on Patreon! For just £5 a month, you'll get entry into our monthly book draw, the invite to submit guest questions, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow History Rage on Twitter/X: https://x.com/historyrage Stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

  2. 3d ago

    307. Understand the History of Conspiracy Theory with James Crossland

    The forgotten woman behind today’s global conspiracy thinking Conspiracy theories didn’t begin with the moon landing. They didn’t start with QAnon. And they certainly didn’t begin on Reddit. In this explosive episode of History Rage, Professor James Crossland returns to uncover the origins of modern conspiracy culture — and the overlooked figure who helped shape it. Long before talk of the “deep state,” the “New World Order,” or shadowy global elites, one British writer in the 1920s fused together Jews, Freemasons, Bolsheviks and secret societies into a single sweeping theory of world domination. Her name was Nesta Helen Webster — and according to Crossland, she is “patient zero for the plague of conspiracy-fed stupidity.” Drawing on his research into extremism, fascism and political violence, James explains how Webster inherited earlier myths about the Illuminati and the French Revolution and repackaged them for the post–First World War world. In an age of fear, upheaval and political instability, she offered something dangerously seductive: a simple explanation for complex events. We explore: The real history of the Illuminati in 1770s BavariaWhy the French Revolution became a conspiratorial blueprintHow the Bolshevik Revolution intensified global paranoiaThe role of the Protocols of the Elders of ZionThe rise of the British FascistiThe roots of the American far right and the John Birch SocietyHow conspiracy thinking evolves, mutates and survives From Adam Weishaupt to QAnon, from interwar Britain to modern America, this episode traces the long thread of conspiratorial belief and asks a crucial question: why do these ideas endure? If you want to understand the historical roots of today’s global conspiracy movements — and why they feel so persuasive — this is essential listening. About the Guest Professor James Crossland is Director of the Centre for Modern and Contemporary History at Liverpool John Moores University. His research focuses on extremism, political violence, war crimes and the darker sides of modern history. He is also host of the podcast History’s Devils, where each episode dives deep into some of history’s most troubling and complex figures — terrorists, war criminals, spies and ideological extremists. Follow James: X (Twitter): @DrJCrosslandBluesky: @james.crossland.bsky.socialPodcast: History’s Devils (available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and all major platforms)Follow History’s Devils on Instagram @historysdevils Why This Episode Matters Conspiracy theories thrive in times of fear. After the First World War, confusion and anger created fertile ground for simple answers. Webster provided a framework so adaptable that it still underpins movements today. As James argues, conspiracy culture persists because it offers clarity where history offers complexity. It replaces polycausal explanation with villain-driven narrative. It provides belonging, identity and meaning. Understanding its history is not optional — it’s essential. Support History Rage If you enjoy fearless historical debate and myth-busting: Join the Rage on Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyrage £5 per month includes:Entry into the monthly book drawAccess to the monthly livestreamThe coveted History Rage mugListen ad-free via Apple Subscriptions (£3 per month)Follow and contact History Rage:X (Twitter): @HistoryRageInstagram: @HistoryRageEmail: historyragepod@gmail.com And if you love the show, tell someone. Bring another historian aboard the Rage Train. History is complex. Conspiracies are simple. And that simplicity is the danger. Stay angry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  3. 3d ago • Subscribers Only

    Rome IS NOT just a Land Power with Stephen DeCasien

    Why the "Roman Land Power" Myth is a Massive Historic Lie There is a stubborn myth floating around popular culture and older history books that the Romans hated the sea, were terrible at sailing, and let their navy rot the second a war ended. But according to ancient historian and nautical archaeologist Dr. Stephen DeCasassian, that is complete history rage material. In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill dives deep into the ancient Mediterranean to shatter the misconception that Rome was strictly a land power. By exploring cutting-edge underwater archaeology, ancient naval rams, and the industrial scale of Roman shipbuilding, Dr. DeCasien proves that Rome was just as formidable on the waves as they were on land. Discover how the Romans fought an ancient naval arms race against Carthage during the First Punic War, engineered devastating boarding tools like the Corvus, and deployed massive warships weighing thousands of kilograms at the legendary Battle of Actium. If you want to understand how Rome truly dominated the ancient world, you have to look at their navy. About the Guest: Dr. Stephen DeCasien Dr. Stephen DeCasien is an ancient historian and nautical archaeologist specializing in ancient Greek and Roman naval warfare, shipbuilding, and the bronze naval rams used on the bows of ancient warships. • Follow Stephen on Social Media: Connect with him on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @SDeCasien Binge These Additional Episodes Next! If you loved this deep dive into ancient Rome, check out these highly recommended episodes from the History Rage archive: • Episode 255: Simon Elliott makes the case for why Septimius Severus was the greatest Roman emperor. • Episode 296: Emma Southon rages against the myth that Roman slavery was somehow better than Roman poverty. Follow, Contact & Support History Rage Do you love historians getting angry about historical inaccuracies? Help us keep the rage train rolling! • Support us on Patreon: Join the inner circle at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage. For just £5 a month, you get access to our exclusive monthly live stream, early ad-free episodes, and the coveted History Rage mug! • Follow us on Social Media: Get updates and submit your own history rages on X @HistoryRage or Instagram @HistoryRage. • Spread the Word: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and tell a friend to get them aboard the rage train! Until next week, thanks for listening and stay angry!

    55 min

  4. Jun 17

    306. Catherine The Great Did Not Have Sex With a Horse with Kate Williams | Chalke Festival Special 5

    Discover the truth behind history's most persistent and monstrous sexual slur. Think you know how Russia’s greatest empress met her end? If you are still repeating the infamous stallion myth, you have fallen hook, line, and sinker for 18th-century wartime propaganda. In this special episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with the brilliant Professor Kate Williams to completely dismantle the pervasive, malicious lies built to tear down powerful women in history. From Cleopatra being branded a mere "seductress" to Marie Antoinette's alleged scandals, powerful women have always faced intensely gendered character assassinations. But Catherine the Great took the brunt of it. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The Cold Hard Truth: Exactly how Catherine the Great actually died (peacefully in her bed at age 67 from a stroke!).The Origin of the Lie: How her British, French, and Polish enemies weaponized satirical gossip to reduce a massive global superpower to a monstrous joke.The Real Legacy: Why Catherine was actually a groundbreaking vaccine pioneer, a champion of state education, and a builder of public health infrastructure.Despot vs. Democrat: The fascinating dichotomy of an absolute ruler who implemented policies we now associate with modern democracies. Stop letting 300-year-old "banter" dictate historical fact. It is time to respect one of Russia's most successful monarchs for her sharp political mind rather than a fabricated bedroom scandal. Hear More From Kate Williams ·        Grab the Book: Unpack the full history of how the images imposed on queens become all-consuming. Buy Kate's latest book, Regina: A New History of Women and Power, directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781474621359 ·        See Her Live: Kate will be speaking at the Chalke History Festival on Thursday, 25th June at 2:00 PM. Secure your spot and buy tickets now at the Chalke Festival Official Website: https://www.chalkefestival.com/ Connect: Follow Professor Kate Williams on social media for more historical insights on social media at @KateWilliamsme Recommended Episodes to Catch Next If this deep dive into historical misrepresentation got your blood boiling, check out these related episodes: Episode 232: Elizabeth Norton rages about the Queens Regnant.Episode 199: Una McIlvenna rages the truth about Catherine de Medici. Support History Rage & Join the Revolution! Loved this episode? Help us keep the rage alive and access exclusive perks: Patreon: Support the podcast for just £5 a month to get entry into our monthly book draw, invite privileges for future guest Q&As, access to monthly live streams, and the highly coveted History Rage Mug! Join the inner circle at https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow Us: Stay updated on all future rages by following the show on your favorite podcast platform. Stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

  5. Jun 14

    305. Ancient Greece wasn’t peaceful philosophers in flowing robes with Adrian Goldsworthy

    What if everything you think you know about Ancient Greece is wrong? In this episode of History Rage, bestselling historian Adrian Goldsworthy dismantles the comforting myth of a civilised, philosophical utopia. Forget marble statues and thoughtful men in cloaks — this is a world of bitter rivalries, brutal warfare, political volatility, and communities obsessed with proving they were the best. Drawing on his latest book, Athens and Sparta: The Rivalry That Shaped the Ancient World, Adrian reveals a Greek world far more dangerous, competitive and unstable than most documentaries dare to show. Ancient Greece: 800 Rival States, Not One Noble Nation There was no “Greece” in the modern sense. Instead, there were 800–1,000 fiercely independent city-states, constantly competing for prestige, power and survival. In this episode, we explore: Why the Persian invasions weren’t an attack on a united GreeceWhy more Greeks fought for Persia than against itHow competition — not culture — defined Greek identityWhy colonisation, warfare and rivalry were normalThe performance culture of honour and reputationThis isn’t Plato’s academy come to life. It’s a volatile world where cities needed enemies — but not so destroyed that there was no one left to applaud their victories. Athens vs Sparta: Democracy, Discipline and Myth We also unpack the two giants of the Greek world: Athens – Radical Democracy or Mob Rule? Athens pioneered a form of direct democracy that feels startlingly modern — and terrifyingly unstable. Every male citizen could voteThousands could serve on juriesOffices were filled by lotteryCitizens were paid for political serviceLeaders could be exiled through ostracismAdrian explains how Athenian democracy worked in practice — including how the Assembly once voted to execute an entire rebellious city… and reversed the decision the next day. This was participation politics at its most extreme. Sparta – Military Machine or Misunderstood Society? Sparta’s reputation as a society of full-time soldiers doesn’t tell the whole story. Because the Spartans wrote almost nothing themselves, much of what we “know” comes from outsiders — often centuries later. Adrian challenges the clichés: Were Spartans truly permanent warriors?How rigid was their society in reality?What was life like for the Helots?Why did Sparta’s citizen population collapse?How democratic was Sparta — really?The result is a more complex, less cartoonish Sparta than Hollywood’s 300 ever allowed.   About Adrian Goldsworthy Adrian Goldsworthy is a leading historian of the ancient world and bestselling author. Though best known for his work on Rome, he has written extensively on Greece and the classical world. Book Athens and Sparta: The Rivalry That Shaped the Ancient WorldBuy: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781800245426🔗 Website: https://www.adriangoldsworthy.com Follow & Support History Rage If you enjoyed this episode, here’s how to support the show: 🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast app ⭐ Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts – it helps more than you know 🔔 Follow to never miss an episode   Support the Podcast 💷 Become a supporter for just £3 or £5 per month and help keep the rage alive. Support here: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage Follow History Rage 🌐 Website: www.historyrage.com All social media platforms : @historyrage History isn’t polite. It isn’t tidy. And it certainly wasn’t pacifist. This is History Rage — where myth gets fed to Charybdis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

  6. Jun 14 • Subscribers Only

    Elizabeth Báthory was NOT a Blood-Bathing Serial Killer with Shelley Puhak

    Vampires, bloodbaths, and historical smear campaigns: why the legends you know are dead wrong. Think you know the story of Elizabeth Báthory, the "Blood Countess" who bathed in the blood of virgins to stay forever young? Think again. In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with former professor and author Shelley Puhak to tear down four centuries of myth and reveal the real woman behind the monster. The canonical legend has cemented Báthory as the world's most prolific female serial killer, a creature walled up in a tower after being caught red-handed. But the reality has nothing to do with horror tropes and everything to do with early modern witch trials, immense wealth, and a cutthroat political turf war against the Habsburg Empire. Shelley exposes how a powerful, literate, and politically inconvenient widow was systematically dismantled by ambitious, paranoid men who used the era's raging satanic panics to launch a massive land grab. If you love true history, political intrigue, and watching legendary myths get turned to ash, this rage is exactly what you need. Discover the Real History: • The Fabricated Myth: Why the infamous "bathing in blood" detail wasn't added until a century after her death by a Jesuit priest looking to sell local folklore. • A Political Target: How Báthory’s control of vast strategic fortresses and her family's ties to open rebellion made her a massive threat to the Habsburg crown. • An Investigation Without Bodies: The shocking truth behind the lack of evidence, missing victims, and the hurried torture and execution of her servants. • The Weapon of Misogyny: How powerful women throughout history—from Anne Boleyn to Catherine de' Medici—are consistently transformed into monsters in the historical imagination. Links and Resources • Buy the Book: Grab your copy of Shelley Puhak's gripping book, The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster, from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781639732159 • Follow the Guest: Connect with author Shelley Puhak and dive deeper into her work on marginalized histories by visiting her website: https://www.shelleypuhak.com Recommended Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, dive into these angry deep-dives from our archives: • Episode 254: Rachel McCarthy James rages about the misunderstandings surrounding the Lizzie Borden murders. • Episode 306: Kate Williams sets the record straight on the royal, scandalous myths of Catherine the Great. Support History Rage! If you want to help us keep slaying historical myths, please consider supporting the show: • Patreon: Join our community as a free or premium member at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Substack: Subscribe to the History Rage mailing list for updates at https://historyrage.substack.com • Website: Find everything History Rage right here at https://www.historyrage.com Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Google, and—until next week—stay angry!

    52 min

  7. Jun 10

    304. The Black Death was not just a European Problem with Tom Asbridge | Chalke Festival Special 4

    Think the Black Death was just a medieval European tragedy? Think again. When you picture the Black Death, you probably imagine a third of Europe being wiped out while flagellants marched through British and French villages. But pandemics don’t stop at borders. What if our standard history lessons have completely ignored more than half of the story? In this special episode for the Chalke History Festival, host Paul Bavill sits down with Tom Asbridge, Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London and author of The Black Death, a Global History. Together, they shatter the Euro-centric myths to reveal a truly global disaster that stretched from Central Asia all the way across the medieval world. Discover how the plague reshaped the wealthy and sophisticated Mamluk Empire. Massive Middle Eastern cities like Cairo—which completely dwarfed London with a population of half a million people—faced unimaginable mass mortality. Tom explains the fascinating doctrinal differences that dictated survival; while Christian Europe viewed the disease as divine punishment that justified flight and abandonment, Islamic doctrine saw it as a merciful martyrdom. This completely altered how communities reacted, locked down, and ultimately collapsed under the weight of the pandemic. From the horrific eyewitness accounts of parents burying their own children to the long-term socioeconomic shifts that triggered peasant revolts and altered workers' rights, this episode zooms out to a global scale and zooms in on the raw human experience. If you want to understand the true scale of history's most terrifying disease, hit play now! About Our Guest Tom Asbridge is a professional historian, author, and Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London.See Tom Live: Catch Tom speaking at the Chalke History Festival on Friday 26th June at 4:00 PM. Grab your tickets at: https://www.chalkefestival.com/Buy the Book: Get your copy of The Black Death, a Global History directly from the History Rage Bookshop to support the show: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241399408 Recommended Episodes To Check Out Next Episode 193: Luke Pepera rages that there is an African history long before any Europeans turned up.Episode 143: Eleanor Janega brings the rage to prove that medieval women absolutely worked. Support and Follow History Rage If you love truth being freed and myth getting a long, slow, brutal death, help us keep the anger alive! Support us on Patreon: Join the inner circle for £5 a month to get entry into our monthly book draws, pitch questions to future guests, access live streams, and grab the coveted History Rage mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/HistoryRageVisit our Website: Get the latest updates and episodes directly at https://www.historyrage.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  8. Jun 10 • Subscribers Only

    Boudicca and warrior women were not rare with Elodie Harper | Chalke History Festival Special 6

    Think you know Boudicca? Discover the forgotten women who fought beside her. The story of Boudicca is etched into history, but what if the most powerful warrior queen was actually one of three? In this episode of History Rage, regular host Paul Bavill sits down with journalist and bestselling novelist Elodie Harper to shatter modern prejudices and Victorian myths surrounding Iron Age warrior women. If you’ve ever been told that powerful women didn’t exist in ancient Britain, prepare to have that misconception thoroughly dismantled. Inside the Episode Elodie dives deep into the archaeological and written evidence—from warrior style burials to the contemporary Roman records of Tacitus—proving that female authority, status, and military power were very real features of the ancient Celtic world. Discover the hidden history behind Elodie’s latest book, Boudicca’s Daughter. While the Romans recorded the brutal atrocities committed against Boudicca’s two unnamed daughters to humiliate their bloodline, history has long left them in their mother's shadow as mere ciphers. Elodie explains why she chose to give these women their names and voices back, exploring the psychological aftermath of their trauma and their roles as political figureheads in Rome's greatest provincial crisis. From the pitfalls of Victorian romanticization to how Elizabeth I invented our image of Boudicca's red hair, this episode is a passionate rally against the failure of imagination in modern historical storytelling. See Elodie Live at Chalke History Festival Elodie Harper will be speaking live at the Chalke History Festival on Saturday, 27th June at 1:15 PM. Don't miss your chance to hear more about this incredible history immersive experience! • Get your tickets here: https://www.chalkefestival.com/ Support the Author & The Show • Buy the Book: Grab your copy of Boudicca's Daughter directly from the History Rage Bookshop and support independent retailers: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781804544655 • Follow Elodie Harper: Connect with Elodie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elodielharper Love Misunderstood Women in Power? Listen Next: • Episode 306: Kate Williams rages that Catherine the Great didn't die having sex with a horse. • Episode 298: Linda Porter rages that Mary Queen of Scots is not a bloody stupid woman. Support History Rage If you want to help us keep burying historical myths under King's Cross Station, consider becoming a History Rager on Patreon! For just £5 a month, you'll get entry into our monthly book draw, the invite to submit guest questions, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug. • Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Follow History Rage on Twitter/X: https://x.com/historyrage Stay angry!

    45 min
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Trailers

4.9
out of 5
33 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
    400
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 Paul Bavill
  • Show Website
    History Rage
  • Provider
    PAUL BAVILL

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