Was Robin Hood just a story? Did outlaws really roam Sherwood forest, robbing the rich and hunting the king’s deer? The answer is more exciting than you might imagine. There are many stories of Robin Hood, and a lot of history embedded in them. This episode takes you into the world of Robin Hood, in…

This is the story of a woman who began as a circus performer and child prostitute, and became Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire. No less remarkable is her husband Justinian, who became emperor. This episode takes you into the heart of Constantinople in the 6th century, where slaves, chariot races, spies, and intrigue are…

The story of Troy has resounded across millennia: the beauty of Helen, the nobility of Hector, and the feats of Achilles have become legend. One man set out to prove that this story was not just legend, it was history. His name was Heinrich Schliemann, and he is an incredibly controversial and deeply eccentric character….

Rumi was a 13th century poet and mystic often quoted today.  He was born into a world shattered by the Mongol invasions that sent his family fleeing the only home they had known.  Along the road we meet Francis of Assisi, the army of the Fifth Crusade, a couple of sultans, and cave dwelling Christians. …

The story of Portugal during the 100 Years War is a story of lust, treachery and murder.  It is also a story of survival and resistance.  This episode covers Portugal’s most notorious queen: a beautiful woman who imprisoned and killed her political enemies.  The history of the royal court includes tragic love story of Ines…

The volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii was a catastrophe of epic proportions. But the mass burial site it created also preserved details of daily life in a first century Roman city that we might otherwise never know. From flying phalluses and gladiators to condiments made from decaying fish, dive into the life and death of…

Santa Claus is a very strange figure when you think about it.  Where does he come from and why does he fly through the sky handing out presents at night? This episode traces the connection with an old Norse god and an Anatolian bishop from the 3rd century, and explores the gritty reality of life…

What did life look like for the average soldier in the Roman army?  In this episode we get into the details of packs, march speed, camp construction, and food on the march.  Many of the procedures for new recruits in the Roman military machine sound shockingly familiar.  The penalties for breaking the rules were extremely…

The sword is more than just a weapon. It has been used to dub knights and legitimise kings, determine guilt and settle matters of honour. From the ancient Romans and the Song of Roland to dueling culture and German Mensur matches, this cultural history traces the legends and traditions that have given the sword its…