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. 17h ago • Subscribers Only

    Of Course Medieval and Tudor People Ate Vegetables with Sam Bilton

    Can we please stop believing that our ancestors didn't eat vegetables? Are you tired of the myth that historical diets consisted only of giant turkey legs and gout-inducing meats? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes food historian, author, and podcaster Sam Bilton to dismantle the persistent lie that people in the past avoided fruit and veg. From the misconception that medieval tables lacked greens to the Victorian culinary crimes that saw Brussels sprouts boiled for 40 minutes, Sam sets the record straight using the very text evidence left behind by historical cooks. Discover how Tudor banquets actually incorporated seasonal produce, why Giacomo Castelvetro tried to get early 17th-century Brits to eat more celery, and how potatoes became the ultimate Shakespearean aphrodisiac. Plus, Sam reveals why an Elizabethan "boiled salad" is actually closer to modern gastropub fare than you think. It’s time to torch the meat-only myth and find out what our ancestors were really cooking. Recommended Episodes If you loved diving into the realities of historical dining, check out these recommended episodes from the History Rage archive: • Episode 204: Neil Buttery rages that medieval people did have table manners. • Episode 208: Annie Grey rages that British food is not dull and beige. About the Guest Sam Bilton is a food historian, lecturer, and author specializing in historical culinary arts. She is the author of Much Ado About Cooking: Delicious Shakespearean Feasts for Every Occasion. • Buy the Book: Get your copy of Much Ado About Cooking directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035427680 • Podcasts: Listen to Sam on the Comfortably Hungry podcast and A Is for Apple. • Social Media: Follow Sam on all platforms @MrsSBilton. Support & Follow History Rage Help us keep the rage train rolling! You can support the podcast, get ad-free early access, join monthly live streams, and grab your exclusive History Rage mug by becoming a patron. • Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/HistoryRage • Website: https://www.historyrage.com

  2. 3d ago • Subscribers Only

    The Russians and Austro-Hungarians in WWI are not rubbish with Nicolai Eberholst | Great War Group Conference Special

    Think the First World War was just the Western Front and incompetent Eastern armies? Think again! In this explosive episode of History Rage, First World War historian, Trustee of the Great War Group, and Ring of Fire co-author Nicolai Eberholst tears down the persistent myths surrounding the Russian and Austro-Hungarian armies. Nicolai breaks down why dismissing these powers as "bad armies" or useless corpses is wrong, proving how vital they were to the conflict. What You’ll Discover: • The Russian Army: Beyond the "steamroller" and Tannenberg myths—how Russia inflicted devastating casualties and bound German forces until 1918. • The Austro-Hungarian Empire: Why fighting a 1.3-front war with an 8-million-man army was essential for Central Power survival. • Post-War Myths: How interwar bias, post-imperial storytelling, and Western-centric history buried the real story of the Eastern Front. Don't miss Nicolai speaking live at the Great War Group Conference from 9th – 11th October at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds! Grab your conference tickets here: https://greatwargroup.com/product-category/conference/ Recommended Episodes • Episode 210: The Great War is a Global War (with Nicolai Eberholst & Alex Churchill) • Episode 154: The Indian Army Contribution (with Adam Prime) Books & Referral Details • Buy Ring of Fire: A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035903412 Guest Information • Guest: Nicolai Eberholst • Social Media: @pikegrey1418 • Great War Group: https://greatwargroup.com Follow, Contact & Support History Rage • Website: https://www.historyrage.com • X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage • Patreon: Support us for £5/month for ad-free episodes, early releases, live streams, and the exclusive mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage

  3. Jul 19 • Subscribers Only

    Did the Ancient Greeks and Romans Invent Homophobia? With Harry Tanner

    Did the ancient world celebrate queer love, or did they invent homophobia? Stop repeating the myth that the ancient Greeks and Romans lived out an enlightened, carefree bisexual paradise. In this explosive episode of the History Rage Podcast, where historical myths are debunked, host Paul Bavill sits down with historian, linguist, and author Harry Tanner to tear down everything you think you know about ancient sexuality truths. From popular pop-history literature to classic classrooms, we are constantly told that sexuality is a modern 19th-century invention and that ancient city-states completely tolerated same-sex love. But the original ancient Greek texts paint a much darker reality, exposing the deep roots of ancient Greek homophobia. In discussing his book, The Queer Thing About Sin, Harry exposes the starting gun of systemic bias in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, tracking how societal crises, severe wealth inequality, plagues, and wars forced ancient cultures to turn aggressively on their queer citizens. Discover the hidden truth behind discriminatory laws in Athens and Sparta, the reality of Romans and homosexuality, and the broader history of queer phobia. We explore why we must finally stop confusing brutal acts of wartime dominance with actual sexual tolerance. We also dive into the linguistic traps of the New Testament, confronting the intersection of religion and homophobia, and how academic nuance is the ultimate antidote to dogmatic prejudice. It is raw, it is angry, and it is a vital rewrite of Western history from History Rage. Recommended Episodes to Binge Next • Episode 275: The Lives and Loves of Alexander the Great with Stephen Harrison • Episode 185: The Relationships of James I with Gareth Russell About Our Guest • Buy the Book: Grab your copy of The Queer Thing About Sin directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399422314 • Follow Harry Tanner: Connect on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/harryjamestanner or find him on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@harryjamestanner Support & Follow History Rage • Support us on Patreon: Unlock early, ad-free episodes, monthly livestreams, and the highly coveted History Rage mug for just £5 a month at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Follow the Show: Stay updated with the latest historical rants on Twitter/X at https://x.com/HistoryRage or visit our central hub at https://www.historyrage.com • Spread the Rage: If you are loving the show, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and tell a friend to get aboard the rage train!

  4. Jul 19

    315. The Battle of Badon was NOT a Britain-defining victory with Nick Higham

    The battle that built Arthur’s legend may never have mattered Was the Battle of Badon really the decisive moment that saved Britain from the Anglo-Saxons — or has history given it far more importance than it deserves? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by leading early medieval historian Professor Nick Higham to challenge one of the most persistent myths in British history. The popular narrative tells us that Badon was a crushing British victory that halted Anglo-Saxon expansion for generations — often linked to the legendary figure of King Arthur. But when you dig into the sources, archaeology, and timeline, that story begins to unravel. Drawing on early texts, including the writings of Gildas, Professor Higham explains how the earliest reference to Badon describes a siege rather than a dramatic battlefield clash. More importantly, the event seems to have been used mainly as a chronological marker rather than as evidence of a decisive national victory. Later writers transformed this brief reference into a heroic turning point, laying the foundations for the Arthurian tradition that still shapes popular history today. This episode explores how archaeology challenges the idea of a long pause in Anglo-Saxon expansion after Badon. Instead of retreat, the material record shows continued settlement growth and cultural spread across southern Britain. Rather than one defining battle, the fall of Roman Britain and rise of Anglo-Saxon England appears to have been a long, complex transition shaped by migration, shifting power, and cultural change. If you enjoy myth-busting history and want to understand how legends are created — and why they endure — this episode delivers a powerful rethink of one of Britain’s most famous early medieval events. About the Guest — Professor Nick Higham Professor Nick Higham is Emeritus Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Manchester and one of the UK’s leading experts on the transition from Roman Britain to Anglo-Saxon England. His research focuses on the origins of England, early medieval warfare, and the development of historical traditions. Buy the Book Featured in This Episode: How England Began: From Roman Britain to the Anglo-Saxons Support the podcast and the author by purchasing here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300254921 Find out more about Professor Nick Higham’s work through his academic publications and public history contributions.   Explore More History Rage Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: Episode 201 — The Anglo-Saxons Were No Better Than the VikingsEpisode 148 — Vikings Are Not Just Mass SlaughterersThese episodes expand on the realities behind popular myths about early medieval Britain. Follow and Contact History Rage Got a historical myth you’d like to see challenged? Get in touch: 📧 Email: historyragepod@gmail.com 🌐 Website: https://historyrage.com 🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/historyrage 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/historyrage 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/historyrage Support History Rage If you love bold, myth-busting history, you can help keep the rage alive: ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📣 Share this episode with fellow history lovers 🎧 Support on Patreon for bonus content, livestreams, and exclusive perks: https://patreon.com/historyrage Every share, review, and supporter helps bring more historians and bigger historical debates to the microphone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 13

    314. The Fifth Crusade is the coolest Crusade with Thomas Smith

    Forget what you think you know about medieval holy wars. Move over, Richard the Lionheart—the most action-packed, technologically wild campaign happened in the land of the pyramids, and it’s time to stop ignoring it! In this live episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with public historian, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and author Thomas Smith to rescue the Fifth Crusade from historical obscurity. If you think the Crusades were just knights waiting around in a dusty Syrian desert, prepare to have your mind blown by a campaign dominated by amphibious warfare, terrifying medieval technology, and a truly jaw-dropping twist ending. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: The Strategic Shift: Why Western Europe realized that the true key to holding Jerusalem was actually conquering Egypt—the wealthy breadbasket of the Near East.D-Day in 1218: Discover the incredible engineering behind flat-bottomed landing craft, complete with bow ramps for cavalry charges, used 800 years before Normandy.Medieval Napalm & Hand Grenades: Get a breakdown of Greek fire, the terrifying incendiary weapons used on the Nile, and the highly unpleasant acidic liquids required to put them out.The Floating Siege Engine: Meet Oliver of Cologne, the genius German schoolmaster who built a rotating wooden fortress on stilt-ships to conquer the Nile's impenetrable Chain Tower.Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory: How a combination of apocalyptic prophecy, a flooding River Nile, and a massive, poorly-timed wine-drinking session brought the entire campaign crashing down. Links & Resources Mentioned: Buy the Book: Grab your copy of Thomas Smith's ground-breaking new book, The Fifth Crusade: A History of the Epic Campaign to Conquer Egypt, from the History Rage Bookshop.Recommended Episodes:Episode 174: Steve Tibble rages about crime during the Crusades.Episode 300: Aleks Pluskowski rages that Crusades are not all in the Middle East. Connect with the Guest: Instagram: Follow Tom for more incredible medieval insights @medieval_tom Support & Follow History Rage: Join the Rage Train and make sure you never miss an episode where truth is liberated from the infidels! Support us on Patreon: Get exclusive access to live streams, ask questions directly to our guests, and join the community at patreon.com/HistoryRage.Apple Subscriptions: Listen completely ad-free for just £3 per month via your Apple Podcasts app.Spread the Word: If you love the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to hop aboard the rage train! Are you ready to look past the myths? Stay angry!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 12 • Subscribers Only

    Civilisation Does Not Start With Romans and Greeks with Patrick Wyman

    Think history is a neat, upward march of progress? Think again. We love to tell ourselves a cozy story about human history: we started as innocent hunter-gatherers in perfect harmony with nature, invented farming, and smoothly leveled up all the way to modern civilization. But Patrick Wyman—historian, author, and creator of the smash-hit Tides of History podcast—is here to tell us that standard textbook narrative is absolute bollocks. In this explosive episode of History Rage, Patrick unleashes on the myth of the "golden age" of human innocence and exposes the messy, chaotic reality of our deep past. The truth? Human prehistory isn’t a straight line—it’s 10,000 years of spectacular booms, violent crashes, and desperate trade-offs. From prehistoric European societies tearing themselves apart in mysterious waves of conflict to sophisticated urban centers that completely rejected the need for kings or rulers, our ancestors weren't floating through an age of innocence. They were just like us: making shit up as they went along, altering their environments, and desperately trying to stay in the game. Plus, Patrick stays fired up to deliver a much-needed, historically accurate beatdown to the internet's favorite conspiracy theory: no, aliens did not build the pyramids. Ready to abandon the march of progress and see our ancestors for who they truly were? Hit play now to get angry, get smart, and look at human history with a whole new perspective. About Our Guest: Patrick Wyman Patrick Wyman is a historian, author, and the brilliant mind behind the massive history podcasts The Fall of Rome and Tides of History. • Buy the Book: Support the podcast and pick up Patrick's incredible new book, The Lost Worlds, directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780063256484 • Listen to the Podcast: Search for Tides of History on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your audio. • Follow Patrick on Threads & Instagram: https://www.threads.net/@wyman_patrick or https://www.instagram.com/wyman_patrick • Follow Patrick on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/patrick_wyman Recommended Additional Episodes If you loved diving into the mysteries of the ancient world, make sure to queue up these recommended episodes of History Rage next: • Episode 17: Caroline Nicolay rages that there was plenty of rich civilization thriving long before the Romans ever turned up. • Episode 132: Professor Jim Leary talks about the deep prehistory of human movement and migration. Support & Follow History Rage History Rage relies entirely on the support of our legendary listeners to keep the rage train rolling. • Support us on Patreon: Get early, ad-free episodes, access to monthly livestreams, and the coveted History Rage mug for just £5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage • Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HistoryRage • Share the Rage: If you loved this episode, the absolute best thing you can do is leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to get them on board!

  7. Jul 12

    313. Thomas Arundel was NOT a Pantomime Villain with Chris Given-Wilson

    Was England’s greatest medieval villain actually a misunderstood power broker? Thomas Arundel has long been cast as one of the great villains of English history — a persecutor, a political schemer, even the man blamed for burning heretics. But is that reputation deserved, or is it a product of centuries of misunderstanding? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by renowned medieval historian Chris Given-Wilson to challenge one of the most persistent myths of the Plantagenet era. Together, they unpack the life, career, and controversies of the Archbishop of Canterbury who stood at the centre of one of England’s most dramatic regime changes. Arundel’s rise was meteoric — from a wealthy noble family to Bishop of Ely at just 20, and eventually Archbishop of Canterbury. But his true influence came during the turbulent transition from Richard II to Henry IV, where he played a decisive role in legitimising the overthrow of a king. Far from a shadowy manipulator, Arundel emerges as a crucial architect of political authority in a deeply unstable England. The episode dives into the chaos of late 14th-century politics: rebellion, deposition, and the uneasy foundations of Lancastrian rule. Arundel wasn’t simply along for the ride — he helped provide the religious and legal justification that made Henry IV’s kingship possible. But it’s Arundel’s association with the suppression of the Lollards that cemented his dark reputation. Were these early reformers brutally persecuted by a tyrannical churchman? Or was Arundel responding to what he genuinely believed was a dangerous and destabilising religious movement? Chris Given-Wilson explores the reality behind the accusations — including the controversial introduction of heretic burning in England. The truth is more complex than the legend: Arundel did not create these laws, but he operated within a system determined to preserve religious unity at a time of crisis. By the end of this episode, the image of Arundel as a pantomime villain begins to crumble. Instead, we see a deeply embedded medieval figure — a man shaped by the politics, religion, and fears of his time. If you think you know the story of medieval power and persecution, think again. 👤 Guest Information Chris Given-Wilson Emeritus Professor of Medieval History, University of St Andrews Book: Archbishop, Chancellor, Kingmaker: Thomas Arundel and the Politics of Late Medieval EnglandAcademic profile: Available via the University of St Andrews website 📚 Buy the Book Support independent bookshops and grab your copy here: 👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300286403 🎧 More from History Rage Love challenging historical myths? There’s plenty more where this came from. Episode 184 with Helen Castor on Medieval Royal PoliticsEpisode 220 with Michael Livingston on the Battle of Agincourt 📢 Follow & Contact History Rage 🌐 Website: https://www.historyrage.com📧 Email: historyragepod@gmail.com🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/historyrage📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyrage📧 Newsletter: https://historyrage.substack.com/ 💥 Support the Podcast Want more rage in your life? 🎟️ Join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageMonthly livestream accessEntry into the book drawSubmit questions to future guestsExclusive History Rage merch🍏 Apple Subscriptions: Listen ad-free for £3/monthOr simply share the podcast and bring someone else aboard the Rage Train 🚂 History isn’t just about what happened — it’s about who gets remembered, and why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jul 8

    312. History, Hijacking, and the Poppy Thong: A Rant on War Commemoration with Peter Caddick Adams, and Alex Churchill | IWM History Festival Live 2

    Stop commercializing historical grief and ignoring the true scale of global warfare. Recorded live at the Imperial War Museum Festival, host Paul Bavill sits down with two of History Rage’s favourite returning guests—Dr. Peter Caddick Adams and Alex Churchill—for an unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply insightful look at how we commemorate global conflicts. From the tacky monetization of grief to the complete erasure of French contributions on the Western Front, this live crowd episode pulls no punches. Why has our memory of the First World War become so lazy? The team breaks down the "Airfix School of Military History," explores the forgotten British conflicts post-1945, and takes aim at the deeply problematic world of Axis reenactment cosplay. Finally, they tackle the terrifying future of AI-generated history slop and explain why preserving your personal family archives on physical paper is the ultimate act of historical preservation. Recommended Episodes to Unleash More Rage If you loved this live panel, dive back into the archives with these essential episodes: Episode 75: Dr. Peter Caddick Adams rages on Bernard Montgomery and explains why "Monty" might not be all he’s cracked up to be.Episode 210: Alex Churchill rages against the narrow British lens of the First World War, proving it truly was a global conflict. Featured Book Support the authors who keep history honest. Grab your copy of Alex Churchill's brilliant book, which balances the scales of global wartime contributions: Buy the Book: Ring of Fire: A Global History of the Great War by Alex Churchill. Order directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035903429 Support and Follow History Rage Help us keep the rage alive! Subscribe, review, and join our community of history lovers who prefer hard truths over comfortable myths. Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get monthly updates on upcoming shows, guests, and future live appearances at https://historyrage.substack.com or visit our main hub at https://www.historyrage.com.Follow Us on Socials: Search for @HistoryRage across all major podcast directories and social media platforms to download, subscribe, and never miss a rant. Stay Angry. Stay Informed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.9
out of 5
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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
    413
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 Paul Bavill
  • Show Website
    History Rage
  • Provider
    PAUL BAVILL

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