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.

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  1. 3d ago • Subscribers Only

    The Italians Were Not Cowards with Karen Farrington

    Were Italian soldiers really cowards in World War Two? Think again! In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by author, former journalist, and WWII enthusiast Karen Farrington to challenge the widespread myth of "Italian cowardice" during the Second World War. Together, they dive deep into the overlooked history of Italian soldiers, the harsh realities of the Allied prisoner-of-war camps in Italy, and the incredible, highly dangerous escape network that saved thousands of Allied troops following the September 1943 armistice. Key Takeaways & Historical Myths Debunked • The Myth of "Italian Cowardice": Karen dismantles the long-standing stereotype that Italian forces simply ran away or lacked courage. She highlights the severe logistical handicaps, poor leadership, obsolete equipment, and disease that crippled Italian troops in North Africa. • Bravery on the Eastern Front: Over 200,000 Italians were sent to Stalingrad, fighting in brutal conditions alongside German forces, often receiving recognition for their courage despite inadequate equipment like faulty red devil grenades. • The Scale of the Italian POW Network: Italy held roughly 80,000 Allied prisoners of war from across the British Empire. The Italian-run camps were remarkably secure, with almost no successful escapes prior to the 1943 armistice. • The "Stay Put" Order & The 1943 Armistice: Following Mussolini's fall, Allied High Command ("Whitehall") issued controversial orders for POWs to stay inside the camps. Despite this, around 50,000 men escaped, with roughly 10,000 staying on the run for extended periods. • Italian Civilian Selflessness: Thousands of ordinary, impoverished Italian civilians risked (and lost) their lives, homes, and freedom to feed and shelter Allied escapers from German occupiers. • The Role of the Church & Vatican: Figures like Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty organized complex escape lines in Rome, hiding fugitives with support from both local clergy and wealthy citizens. • A-Force & Bold Escape Operations: Special Allied units like "A-Force" operated behind enemy lines—sometimes marching down occupied roads in full British battle dress—to recover POWs via beach extractions like Operation Darlington 2. Guest Information & Featured Book • Guest: Karen Farrington (Writer, journalist, and WWII author) • Book: The Great Italian Breakout • Support the Podcast: Please use the link in these show notes to buy the book via the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837733736! Ordering through this link helps support the show with a small commission and supports independent bookshops. • Social Links: o Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen.farrington.9237 o BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/karenfarrington.bsky.social Related Episodes & Further Reading • History Rage Ep. 169: James Holland on why Italy was not a soft target. • History Rage Ep. 211: Keith Lowe on the liberation of Naples. • Organization Highlight: The Monte San Martino Trust (representing the history of escaped POWs in Italy). Support History Rage • Join the Patreon: Support the podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage for £3/month to gain access to live streams, early release ad-free episodes, and more! • Apple Podcasts Subscription: Prefer listening on Apple? You can listen completely ad-free for just £3 per month via your Apple Podcasts app. • Spread the Word: Enjoyed the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to hop aboard the rage train!

  2. 3d ago • Subscribers Only

    Europe Was Never Just a Judeo-Christian Entity! with Tharik Hussain

    Is Europe strictly a Judeo-Christian entity, or have we forgotten 1400 years of Islamic history? In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with author, journalist, and historian Tharik Hussain to smash the persistent myth that Europe’s cultural identity is solely Judeo-Christian. Tharik exposes how Islamic heritage is woven directly into the fabric of European identity, tracing back to the earliest days of Islam. Key Insights & Episode Highlights • The First Muslim European Navy: Discover how Caliph Uthman and Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan launched Islam’s first organized naval presence in Cyprus around the 640s AD, placing early companions of Prophet Muhammad on European soil within the first generation of the faith. • The Myth of Conquest vs Liberation: Revisit the 711 AD Muslim arrival in the Iberian Peninsula and how local Jewish communities viewed it as a liberation from severe Visigothic persecution, sparking the Jewish Golden Age. • Golden Age Innovations: Learn about Abbas ibn Firnas—the 9th-century polymath who achieved human flight 600 years before Leonardo da Vinci—and Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Albukasis), the father of modern surgery whose tools mirror modern medical instruments today. • Weaponized Mythologies: Deconstruct nation-building legends like Santiago Matamoros ("Moor Slayer") and the fictional Tribute of 100 Virgins, created to fuel anti-Muslim rhetoric during the Reconquista and Crusades. • Living Indigenous History: Recognize indigenous European Muslims across Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo, proving that Islam never left the continent. Guest Information & Book Links • Guest: Tharik Hussain • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tharik_hussein • Buy the Book: Support independent bookshops and the podcast by purchasing Muslim Europe: A Journey in Search of the 1400 Years of History at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241742822 Recommended Episodes Keep the historical rage going with these referenced episodes from the archive: • Episode 304: Tom Asbridge on why the Black Death was actually a global problem • Episode 237: Steve Tibble on dismantling the glamorization of the Assassins Follow & Support History Rage • Website: https://www.historyrage.com • Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/historyrage • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyrage • Patreon: Join the Angry Mob for early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

  3. 5d ago

    323. Jane Austen was NOT a genteel saintly woman with Izzy Meakin

    Jane Austen wasn’t polite—she was sharp, savage, and brilliantly misunderstood For generations, Jane Austen has been portrayed as a quiet, genteel figure—an almost saintly observer of polite Regency society. But what if that image is completely wrong? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by Austen expert and What The Austen podcast host Izzy Meakin to dismantle one of literary history’s most persistent myths. Drawing on Austen’s surviving letters, family history, and the subtext of her novels, Izzy reveals a writer who was anything but passive—sharp-tongued, ironic, politically aware, and often brutally funny. From scathing remarks about neighbours and family to her barely concealed disdain for the Prince Regent, Austen’s private voice tells a very different story. With only around 160 letters surviving—and many deliberately destroyed by her sister Cassandra—the version of Austen we’ve inherited is incomplete at best, curated at worst. Izzy explores how Austen’s family helped shape her legacy after her death, particularly through her brother Henry’s glowing (and arguably over-sanitised) biography and even her gravestone inscription—both of which emphasised her sweetness and morality while ignoring her literary achievements. But the real Austen lives in the nuance: A writer who channelled personal frustrations into Sense and SensibilityA keen observer of social hypocrisy and gender constraintsA creator of complex, flawed, and deeply human female characters This episode dives into how Austen’s lived experiences—from financial insecurity to complicated family dynamics—fed directly into her fiction, and why her work continues to reward readers who look beyond the surface. If you think Austen is all romance and manners, this conversation will change your perspective entirely. About the Guest Izzy Meakin is the host of the What The Austen podcast, where she explores the life, works, and cultural legacy of Jane Austen with fresh insight and humour. Instagram: @whattheaustenPodcast: Available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and all major platformsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whattheausten Listen & Follow History Rage Website: https://historyrage.comSubscribe on your favourite podcast appJoin the mailing list via SubstackFollow for updates and episode releases Support the Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: Follow and subscribe on your podcast platformLeave a rating or review on Apple PodcastsShare the episode with fellow history loversJoin the mailing list for exclusive updates at www.historyrage.com or https://historyrage.substack.com/ Step beyond the myth and rediscover Jane Austen as she really was: complicated, contradictory, and endlessly fascinating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Aug 12

    322. There is no real version of a Greek Myth with Emily Hauser | Gloucester History Festival Special

    Are you sure there is a single, "real" version of Achilles, Helen, or the Odyssey? In this episode, classicist and author Emily Hauser (creator of Mythica) joins Paul Bavill to dismantle one of the biggest misconceptions in classical literature: the search for a single, definitive "truth" behind ancient myth. From Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to modern cinematic interpretations, myth was never meant to be a static rulebook. It is a living, flexible oral tradition shaped by who is telling the story, why they are telling it, and which voices—especially those of women—are written into or out of the narrative. Together, Emily and Paul explore how figures like Penelope, Cassandra, Helen, Briseis, and Andromache offer richer, more complex insights into the ancient world than any rigid timeline ever could. They unpack the ancient concept of Xenia (guest-friendship), the tragedy of divine curses, and why asking "why was this myth told this way?" is far more powerful than chasing a "canon" that never existed. Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights The Myth of the "Correct" Myth: Why searching for the "real" Achilles or Helen misses the core purpose of fluid, evolving oral storytelling.The Silencing of Women: How Telemachus’s rebuke of Penelope in Book 1 of the Odyssey marks one of the earliest Western literary examples of silencing female speech—and how female writers resist it.The Real Meaning of Xenia: Why host-guest relationships act as the social glue of ancient Greece, and how both the suitors and Odysseus himself violate these sacred rules.Agency and Curses: The tragic dimensions of Cassandra’s truth-telling curse, Helen’s balance of agency and divine intervention, and how Briseis evolved from Homer to Shakespeare. Featured Guest: Dr. Emily Hauser Dr. Emily Hauser is a classicist, academic, and author of Mythica: A New History of Homer's World Through the Women Written Out of It. Book: Buy Emily's book Mythica at the official History Rage Bookshop:https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781804992791 Gloucester History Festival: Emily is speaking live at the festival on Thursday, 17th September at 6:00 PM. The Gloucester History Festival runs from 12th – 20th September. Get your tickets here:https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk Related History Rage Episodes Continue exploring Ancient Greece, historical myths, and classical voices with these recommended episodes: Episode 257: Natalie Haynes rages that Greek myth is a lot less male-centric than we think.Episode 305: Adrian Goldsworthy rages that Ancient Greece is not all poets and philosophers. Follow, Contact & Support History Rage Follow & Contact: Website: https://www.historyrage.comX / Twitter: https://x.com/HistoryRageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage Support the Podcast: Enjoying the rage? Help keep the thunderbolts raining down by becoming a History Rager! For £5 per month, Patreon supporters receive ad-free episodes, early access, exclusive monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Aug 12 • Subscribers Only

    There is no real version of a Greek Myth with Emily Hauser | Gloucester History Festival Special

    Are you sure there is a single, "real" version of Achilles, Helen, or the Odyssey? In this episode, classicist and author Emily Hauser (creator of Mythica) joins Paul Bavill to dismantle one of the biggest misconceptions in classical literature: the search for a single, definitive "truth" behind ancient myth. From Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to modern cinematic interpretations, myth was never meant to be a static rulebook. It is a living, flexible oral tradition shaped by who is telling the story, why they are telling it, and which voices—especially those of women—are written into or out of the narrative. Together, Emily and Paul explore how figures like Penelope, Cassandra, Helen, Briseis, and Andromache offer richer, more complex insights into the ancient world than any rigid timeline ever could. They unpack the ancient concept of Xenia (guest-friendship), the tragedy of divine curses, and why asking "why was this myth told this way?" is far more powerful than chasing a "canon" that never existed. Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights • The Myth of the "Correct" Myth: Why searching for the "real" Achilles or Helen misses the core purpose of fluid, evolving oral storytelling. • The Silencing of Women: How Telemachus’s rebuke of Penelope in Book 1 of the Odyssey marks one of the earliest Western literary examples of silencing female speech—and how female writers resist it. • The Real Meaning of Xenia: Why host-guest relationships act as the social glue of ancient Greece, and how both the suitors and Odysseus himself violate these sacred rules. • Agency and Curses: The tragic dimensions of Cassandra’s truth-telling curse, Helen’s balance of agency and divine intervention, and how Briseis evolved from Homer to Shakespeare. Featured Guest: Dr. Emily Hauser Dr. Emily Hauser is a classicist, academic, and author of Mythica: A New History of Homer's World Through the Women Written Out of It. • Book: Buy Emily's book Mythica at the official History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781804992791 • Gloucester History Festival: Emily is speaking live at the festival on Thursday, 17th September at 6:00 PM. The Gloucester History Festival runs from 12th – 20th September. Get your tickets here: https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk Related History Rage Episodes Continue exploring Ancient Greece, historical myths, and classical voices with these recommended episodes: • Episode 257: Natalie Haynes rages that Greek myth is a lot less male-centric than we think. • Episode 305: Adrian Goldsworthy rages that Ancient Greece is not all poets and philosophers. Follow, Contact & Support History Rage Follow & Contact: • Website: https://www.historyrage.com • X / Twitter: https://x.com/HistoryRage • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage Support the Podcast: Enjoying the rage? Help keep the thunderbolts raining down by becoming a History Rager! For £5 per month, Patreon supporters receive ad-free episodes, early access, exclusive monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug. • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage

  6. Aug 9 • Subscribers Only

    Marilyn Monroe was Neither Diva Nor Dumb Blonde with Lucy Jane Santos

    Marilyn Monroe was a savvy, trailblazing studio boss—not a helpless starlet. In this centennial year of Marilyn Monroe's birth, historian and author Lucy Jane Santos joins Paul Bavill on History Rage to shatter decades of Hollywood mythmaking. From taking on studio executives to setting up her own production company, Marilyn Monroe fought relentless 1950s misogyny to take control of her career—only to be dismissed by contemporaries as a "dumb blonde" or a "diva" on set. Lucy peels back the layers of retro gossip surrounding the chaotic, brilliant production of Some Like It Hot. Discover the real dynamics between Marilyn, director Billy Wilder, and co-stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Plus, unearth the truth about acting coach Paula Strasburg and why this timeless comedy continues to captivate audiences over six decades later. Guest Information & Recommended Book • Guest: Lucy Jane Santos • Website: https://www.lucyjanesantos.com/ • Social Media: Follow Lucy on X @lucyjanesantos and Instagram @lucyjanesantos_ • Buy the Book: Support the guest and the podcast by buying Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781036138806 Recommended Additional Episodes • Episode 175: Guy Walters on our obsession with the Mitford sisters. • Episode 227: Anne de Courcy on Coco Chanel. Follow, Contact & Support History Rage • Support on Patreon: Join the Rage Train at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage for £5/month to get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug! • Follow Us: Twitter/X @HistoryRage | Instagram @HistoryRage • Website: https://www.historyrage.com

  7. Aug 9

    321. The English Civil Wars were WAY more than King v Parliament with Jonathan Healey

    The English Civil Wars were far messier than King versus Parliament The English Civil Wars are often reduced to a simple clash: King versus Parliament, Cavaliers versus Roundheads, tyranny versus democracy. But as historian Jonathan Healey reveals, that tidy narrative collapses the moment you look closer. In this episode of History Rage, Jonathan dismantles the myths surrounding the mid-17th century conflicts and shows just how tangled the reality truly was. Parliament itself was divided, loyalties shifted constantly, and ordinary people weren’t passive followers—they made choices, took sides, and shaped events in ways that still surprise historians today. We explore why religion mattered—but not always in the way you think—how political factions splintered into ever more radical movements, and why the execution of Charles I was never inevitable. What began as disputes over authority spiralled into debates about sovereignty, representation, and the limits of monarchy—arguments that would echo through centuries of political thought. Jonathan also challenges the comforting idea of clear heroes and villains. The English Civil Wars were morally grey, filled with figures whose decisions reshaped the kingdom in unpredictable ways. The result is a conflict far more complicated—and far more fascinating—than the schoolbook version. Whether you're new to the period or already fascinated by 17th-century politics, this episode will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the Civil Wars. About the Guest Jonathan Healey is a social historian of early modern England and author of The Blazing World: A New History of Revolutionary England. His work focuses on the lives, politics, and ideas that transformed Britain during the revolutionary decades of the 17th century. Follow Jonathan Healey: Bluesky: @JonathanHealey Buy the Book: The Blazing World: A New History of Revolutionary England History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781526621696 Listen Next If this episode sparks your interest in 17th-century conflict, you might also enjoy: Episode 35 – Kirstine MacKenzie on why it’s really the War of Three KingdomsEpisode 102 – Mark Turnbull’s defence of Charles I Support & Follow History Rage Enjoying the show? Here’s how to stay connected and support the podcast: Follow History Rage: Twitter/X: @HistoryRage Facebook: History Rage Podcast Instagram: @historyragepod Support the Podcast: Get ad-free listening and bonus content:https://www.patreon.com/historyrageSubscribe directly on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyLeave a rating and review—it helps more listeners discover the show History isn’t simple—and that’s exactly why it’s worth raging about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Aug 5

    320. The Crusades are not the only thing going on in the Middle East with Nic Morton | Gloucester History Festival Special

    Think the Crusades were the defining conflict of the medieval Middle East? Think again. In this opening special for the Gloucester History Festival, host Paul Bavill welcomes back Associate Professor of History at Nottingham Trent University, Dr Nicholas Morton, to tear down one of history’s most persistent misconceptions. While popular memory draws a neat line down the Middle East dividing Crusaders and Islamic forces in endless war, the reality was far richer, more complex, and endlessly fascinating. While Western crusaders captured only a handful of cities, massive nomadic powers like the Seljuk Turks forged vast empires stretching from Central Asia across Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Far from a permanent warzone, the medieval Middle East served as the global crossroads for trade, culture, and technology. From knightly rivalries turning into unexpected friendships to shared siege catapult designs, international currency trading, and mobile artisans crossing borders, Dr Morton reveals why the Crusades were merely one small piece of a much grander Eurasian mosaic. Guest Information & Book Guest: Dr Nicholas Morton (Associate Professor of History, Nottingham Trent University)University Profile: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/arts-humanities/nicholas-mortonNew Book: The Crusader StormBuy the Book: Support the podcast and pick up your copy from the History Rage Bookshop at https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399818728Live Event: Dr Nicholas Morton is speaking at the Gloucester History Festival (running 12th–20th September) on Thursday, 17th September at 12:00 PM. Book tickets now at https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk Recommended Episodes Mentioned Episode 214: Dr Nicholas Morton rages that the Mongols are a civilization, not a rabble.Episode 267: Rory McClellan rages that the Hospitallers are way more important than the Templars. Follow & Support History Rage Support on Patreon: Get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug at https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow & Review: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform, leave a review, and share the episode with a fellow history enthusiast!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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
    424
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 Paul Bavill
  • Show Website
    History Rage
  • Provider
    PAUL BAVILL

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