We all know the story of Pompeii: the Roman town reduced to ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Roughly two-thousand years later, archaeologists have been able to uncover the stories of its victims. What do we know of the lives of this city's inhabitants? Who were they? And what do we know about their terrible final moments?

Today, Anthony and Maddy are joined by ancient historian Dr Jess Venner, whose book ‘The Lost Voices of Pompeii’ will be published in April 2026.

Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick.

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How dark really were the Vikings? How much of a part did human sacrifice play in their world? And what was their relationship with magic?

Joining Anthony and Maddy in today's episode is historian, author and all-round Viking expert Dr Eleanor Barraclough, to take us back to darkest corners of the Viking era.

This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

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After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

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Was this moment the closest Britain came to revolution? When Prime Minister Spencer Perceval lay dying on the floor of the Parliament, many feared it was the start of bloody revolt. We discover the assassin, John Bellingham, and what drove him to commit murder.

Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick.

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Who was the very worst of all the Medieval monarchs? No spoilers but we've got monarchs driven psychopathic by love, terrible sadists, and egos that straddled a continent. They were the worst of the worst, but who was the worst of all?

Our guest today is Dr Eleanor Janega, co-host of Gone Medieval from History Hit - if you are a fan of the medieval world, you need to be listening!

This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

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With the nights closing in, what better time to re-visit a favourite episode of ours.

In 1727, Janet Horne of the Highland community of Dornoch became the last person in Britain to be tried and executed for witchcraft.

As the poet Edwin Morgan put it; They tarred her and feathered her, bound her and barrelled her burning in the peat-smoke, while the good folk of Dornoch paused briefly for a look.

But maybe the events aren’t quite as black and white as they seem?

Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney the story this week.

Written by Maddy Pelling. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.

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For Medieval Europe, the Apocalypse wasn’t just a metaphor - it was very real and very imminent.

We are talking about the four horsemen, locusts the size of horses, the beast of the abyss, the Whore of Babylon, and, obviously, the anti-christ.

We’re going to go through the medieval apocalypse blow-by-blow to see how this obsession with the end led to bizarre real-world cults like the Flagellants, who abandoned all norms for group sex in the woods.

Our guest today is Dr Eleanor Janega, co-host of Gone Medieval with Matt Lewis. Watch Eleanor's documentary about the Medieval Apocalypse here.

This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

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In 1540 Henry VIII was getting old, and his eyes turned to teenager Catherine Howard.

He fell hard and fast for Catherine - his "rose without a thorn" - but when he found out about her past, all hell broke loose.

Amidst all the panic and confusion, who was this young woman who rose to be queen? Why did Henry VIII want her killed? And how should we remember her?

Joining Anthony and Maddy is author and historian Gareth Russell, to help us get to know this woman.

This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

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Did Nostradamus really predict everything from the Great Fire of London to the rise of Hitler?

We predict that you'll find out in this episode...

Join Anthony and Maddy as they explore the life of 16th century astrologer and so-called seer, Nostradamus, to find out if he really had the ability to see into the future.

This episode was edited by Tim Artsall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

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Did they wear black hoods? Whose axe did they use? How did you get the job in the first place? Today Anthony Delaney takes Maddy Pelling inside the world of the Tudor Executioner.

Research by Phoebe Joyce, edited by Tim Arstall, produced by Freddy Chick.

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Henry VIII was a monarch everyone was excited for, and turned into someone who weaponised his powers for murder.

What happened in his life that caused the death toll to suddenly rise?

In this episode, Anthony and Maddy are joined by historian and author, Gareth Russell, to unpack the warning signs that led to beheadings, burnings and savagery in the Tudor court.

Find out more about Gareth's work: https://www.garethrussell.co.uk/

This podcast was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.

You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.