The story of Bartolomé de Las Casas, regarded by some as the first human rights defender and the wider efforts to end the Spanish exploitation of the Indigenous People of Americas.

Episode Icon: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, "Fray Bartolomé de las Casas" by Felix Parra (1845-1919) done in 1875 on display at the Museo Nacional de Arte in Mexico City, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-S.A. 4.0., https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ , By using this image, the creator does not endorse History House or its use, no changes have been made.

Recommended further reading…

• Castro, Daniel, ‘Another Face of Empire: Bartolomé de Las Casas, Indigenous Rights, and Eclesiastical Imperialism’, (Durham, North Carolina, 2007).

• Clayton, A. Lawrence, ‘Bartolomé de Las Casas: A Biography’, (Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2012).

• de Las Casas, Bartolomé, ‘A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies’, (London, 2004, Reprint).

• Hanke, Lewis, ‘All Mankind is One: Study of the Disputation Between Bartolomé de Las Casas and Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda in 1550 on the Intellectual and Religious Capacity of the American Indians’, (DeKalb, Illinois, 1974).

• Hanke, Lewis, ‘Pope Paul III and the American Indians’, in ‘The Harvard Theological Review’, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Apr., 1937), pp. 65-102.

• Hanke, Lewis, ’The Spanish Struggle for Justice in the Conquest of Ameirca’, (Philadelphia, 1949).

• MacNutt, Francis Augustus, ‘Bartholomew de Las Casas; his life, apostolate, and writings’, (Cleveland, United States, 1909).

• Parker, Geoffrey, ‘Emperor: A New Life of Charles V’, (New Haven and London, 2020).

• Thomas, Hugh, ’The Golden Age: The Spanish Empire of Charles V, (London, 2011).

• Thomas, Hugh, ‘Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire’, (London, 2010).

• van Deusen, Nancy E. ‘Why Indigenous Slavery Continued in Spanish America after the New Laws of 1542’, in ‘The Americas’, Vol. 80 No. 3, (2023), pp. 395-432.

Nahuatl Reading of Florentine Codex, 21:12-26:08.

English Reading of Florentine Codex, 26:09-28:42.

Break audio: ‘Song of Summoning’ by Lost Harmonies from PremiumBeat.com (Purchased with Standard License on the 25/01/2026).

Ending and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrgwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024).

The story of Celtic Ireland and the Roman Empire. Trade, religion and possible invasion.

Episode Icon: Ptolemy Cosmographia 1467 - Ireland, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

Recommended further reading...

• Di Martino, Vittorio, 'Roman Ireland', (Cork, 2003).

• Freeman, Philip, 'Ireland and the Classical World', (Austin, Texas, 2001).

History House Newsletter Sign Up Form: https://2fi43x.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2ra1UsFX7SXuZqtGTVUKXNg

Break audio: 'Celtic Journey' by Vinny Falcone from PremiumBeat.com (Purchased with Standard License on the 27/12/2025).

Ending and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrgwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024).

The story of the time when the Dutch “ate” their “Prime Minister”. Why it happened, who did it and what effect did it have on the Dutch Republic?

Episode Icon: Adriaen Hanneman, Johan de Witt, 1652, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. 

Recommended further reading…

• DeSanto, Ingrid Frederika, ‘Righteous Citizens: The Lynching of Johan and Cornelis DeWitt, The Hague, Collective Violence, and the Myth of Tolerance in the Dutch Golden Age, 1650-1672’, University of California, Los Angeles, 2018.

• Israel, Jonathan I. ’The Dutch Republic, Its Rise, Greatness and Fall, 1477-1806’, (Oxford, UK, 1998).

• Rowen, Herbert H. ‘John de Witt True Freedom: Statesman of the "True Freedom” ’, (Cambridge, UK, 1986).

• Schama, Simon, ’The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age’, (New York City, 1997). 

History House Newsletter Sign Up Form: https://2fi43x.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2ra1UsFX7SXuZqtGTVUKXNg 

Break audio: 'A Stormy Spirit by Tiny Music from PremiumBeat.com (Purchased with Standard License on the 29/11/2025). 

Ending and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrgwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024).

The traditions, history and celebrations of Day of the Dead, (Dia de Los Muertos).

Episode Icon: 1. Posada's La Calavera Catrina, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

Recommended Further Reading...

• Brandes, Stanley H. ‘Iconography in Mexico's Day of the Dead: Origins and Meaning’, Ethnohistory, Volume 45 No. 2, (Spring, 1998), pp. 181-218.

• ‘Is There a Mexican View of Death?’, Ethos, Vol. 31, No. 1 (Mar., 2003), pp. 127-144.

• ‘Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond’, (Hoboken, New Jersey, 2007).

• Miliotes, Diana, ‘José Guadalupe Posada and the Mexican Broadside’, (New Haven and London, 2006).

History House Newsletter Sign Up Form: https://2fi43x.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2ra1UsFX7SXuZqtGTVUKXNg

Beginning and closing theme 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrgwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the

01/06/2024).

The story of the "Ethnarch", Eleftherios Venizelos, (1864-1936). His arrival into Greek Politics, his various departures, returns and his final fall from power, along his often forgotten rapprochement with Turkey.

Episode Icon: Autochrome: "La Haye , Pays-Bas Monsieur Venizelos”, 1929, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.

Links to photos associated with the episode...

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyhouse1.bsky.social/post/3lzwdarup6k22

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EcaQxptoA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKQIuEjJGI/?igsh=YnRwbmUxMXgzdmlp

Recommended further reading…

• Beaton, Roderick, ‘Greece, Biography of a Modern Nation’, (London, 2019).

• Llewellyn-Smith, Michael, ‘Ionian Vision, Greece in Asia Minor 1919-1922’, (London, 2022 Edition).

• Llewellyn-Smith, Michael, ‘Venizelos, The Making of a Greek Statesman, 1864-1914’, (London, 2021).

• Article by host about the Treaty of Lausanne and the Irish Free State: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/956692

History House Newsletter Sign Up Form: https://2fi43x.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2ra1UsFX7SXuZqtGTVUKXNg

Break audio: 'Prime Minister of Greece--outtakes', 1929, from the University of South Carolina University Libraries Digital Collections, (permission for use granted on the first of September 2025)

Ending and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrgwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024)

Warning: This episode discusses themes of a Sexual Nature including Prostitution.

The extraordinary story of one of History's most remarkable women.

Episode Icon: Depiction of the Empress Theodora from a contemporary portrait mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th Century, Host’s own photo.

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyhouse1.bsky.social/post/3lxarl2osd22s

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EuqMC7Jqf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNyivuk2Iu_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Recommended further reading...

• Allan Evans, James, ‘The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian’, (Austin, 2003).

• Herrin, Judith, ‘Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe’, (London, 2021).

• Hughes, Bettany, ‘Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities’, (London, 2017).

• Potter, David, ‘Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint’, (Oxford, 2017).

• Procopius, Sarris, Peter (ed. and translator), Williamson, G.A. (Translator), ‘The Secret History’, (London, 2007).

• Sarris, Peter, ‘Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint’, (New York, 2024).

Break Music: Byzantine Memories provided by SonicArt on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 24/08/2025)

Ending and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrqwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024)

Warning: This episode talks about difficult topics including Murder and Suicide.

The story of the Mayerling Incident of 1889, which was not only a tragedy for the Habsburg Dynasty of Austria-Hungary but had unexpected implications for European History.

Episode Icon: Crown Prince Rudolf and Mary Freiin von Vetsera, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

Links to photos associated with the episode…

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyhouse1.bsky.social/post/3luy4uterjs2t

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19GPrTaTiM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMoH6BQoWQF/?igsh=bmtmbW9qenFlbWR1

Recommended further reading...

• Coatman, Lucy, 'Love is Dead, Newly discovered letters get us closer to understanding the tragic truth of royal murder-suicide at Mayerling', in History Today, Volume 72, Issue 2 (February 2022), pp. 16-18- For a study on Rudolf and Mary's letters.
• Hamann, Brigitte, 'The Reluctant Empress, A biography of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, (Berlin, 2018 Edition)- For a biography on the mother of Crown Prince Rudolf, Empress Elisabeth "Sisi".
• Judson, Peter M. 'The Habsburg Empire – A New History', (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2018)- For an in-depth survey of the Austro-Hungarian State.
• King, Greg, Wilson, Penny, 'Twilight of Empire, The Tragedy of Mayerling and the End of the Habsburgs', (New York, 2017)- For a comprehensive survey of the Mayerling Incident.
• Rady, Martyn, 'The Habsburgs: The Rise and Fall of a World Power', (London, 2022)- For a detailed overview of the Habsburg Dynasty.
• Vocelka, Karl, Mutschlechner (eds.), Franz Joseph, 1830-1916, (Vienna, 2016)- For a comprehensive survey of the life and reign of Emperor Franz Joseph.

Additionally, Lucy Coatman is working on the first English Language biography of Mary Vetsera, which should shed new light on her for a wider audience beyond German- speaking countries in Europe and Hungary.

Break Music: 'Brahms - Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F# Minor by Wilfred Symphony Orchestra on PremiumBeat by Shutterstock, https://www.premiumbeat.com (Purchased with license on the 20/07/2025).

Beginning and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrqwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024).

Warning: This episode briefly discusses themes of a Sexual Nature including Prostitution.

The story of Lafcadio Hearn/Koizumi Yakumo, a key figure in introducing Japanese Culture to the Western World.

Episode Icon: Lafcadio Hearn, 1. From a photograph taken at Martinique, August 24, 1888, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

Links to photos associated with the episode...

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyhouse1.bsky.social/post/3lsro7fjmas2e

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BurYzqv9H/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLf9nkxoh12/?igsh=MW55Nmxwa3c4N2ZqOQ==

Recommended further reading...

• ​Cott, Jonathan, 'Wandering Ghost: The Odyssey of Lafcadio Hearn', (Tokyo and New York, 1992).
• ​Dawson, Carl, 'Lafcadio Hearn and the Vision of Japan', (Baltimore and London, 1992).
• ​Evangelista, Stefano, 'Lafcadio Hearn and Global Aestheticism', in 'Literary Cosmopolitanism in the English Fin de Siècle: Citizens of Nowhere', (Oxford, 2021).
• ​Hearn, Lafcadio, 'Japanese Ghost Stories,' (Republished by Penguin Classics, London, 2019).
• ​Hearn, Lafcadio, 'Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan', (Republished by Tuttle, North Clarendon, Tokyo, 2009).
• ​Hearn, Lafcadio, 'Kokoro, An Intimate Portrait of Japanese Inner Life', (Republished by Tuttle, North Clarendon, Tokyo, 2022).
• ​Hearn, Lafcadio, 'Lafcadio Hearn's Japan, Stories and Essays from Japan's Most Famous Foreign Observer, (Republished by Tuttle, North Clarendon, Tokyo, 2022).
• ​Kemme, Steve, 'The Outsider, The Life and Work of Lafcadio Hearn, The Man Who Introduced Voodoo, Creole Cooking and Japanese Ghost Stories to the World', (North Clarendon, Tokyo, 2023).
• ​Koizumi, Setsu, 'The Annotated Reminiscences of Lafcadio Hearn', (Republished in San Francisco and Tajimi, 2012).
• ​Murray, Paul, 'A Fantastic Journey: The Life and Literature of Lafcadio Hearn', (Folkestone, 1993).
• ​Ronan, Senan, Koizumi, Toki, 'Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), His Life, Work and Irish Background', (Dublin, 1991).
• ​Ronan, Senan (ed.), 'Irish Writing on Lafcadio Hearn and Japan, Writer, Journalist & Teacher, (Folkestone, 1999).

I would also highly recommend 'Black Dragonfly' by Jean Paisley, (London, 2021). While it is a fictionalised biography of Lafcadio Hearn, it is based extensively on his own letters and told in a way that I found highly engaging.

Link to Lafcadio Hearn's 'explicit' resignation letter from Harper's, (Obviously this contains strong language)... https://djflanagan.blogspot.com/2016/02/japan-times-articles-on-lafcadio-hearn.html

Break Music: 'Yosakoi Bushi' by Mocha Music on PremiumBeat by Shutterstock, https://www.premiumbeat.com (Purchased with license on the 27/06/2025).

Beginning and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrqwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024).

The life of King Hussein I of Jordan, one of the most consequential Middle Eastern Leaders of the 20th Century.

Image Icon: King Hussein of Jordan among his troops 1 March 1957, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. 

Links to photos associated with the episode...

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyhouse1.bsky.social/post/3lqgga5ozhk2k

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19AxbRvBVk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKTANcuILKq/?igsh=bDJkcG10MzZhZjVx

Recommended further reading… 

Ashton, Nigel, ‘King Hussein of Jordan, A Political Life’, (London and New Haven, 2008).

Shlaim, Avi, ‘Lion of Jordan, The Life of King Hussein in War and Peace’, (London, 2008).

Break Recording: King Hussein interview (August 1970), Purchased from Getty Images on the 29th of April 2025, with further permission secured from ITN on the 30th of April 2025. 

Beginning and closing theme, 'Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrqwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024.) 

Warning, this episode will talk extensively about Prostitution and other themes of a sexual nature.

The story of the Edo/Tokyo’s main Red Light District from 1617 to 1958, its history, influence on art and the lives of the women who lived there.

Episode Icon: A courtesan promenading under cherry trees of the Yoshiwara, accompanied by her child attendant. Colour woodcut by Yoshitora, 1859. Iconographic Collections Keywords: Yoshitora, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

Links to photos associated with the episode...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ARbsKkNUg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DI2NYK8IvpZ/?igsh=eHB2YWUyYnc5Mmgz

Recommended further reading…

• ​De Becker, J.E. The Sexual Life of Japan, Being an Exhaustive Study of the Nightless City or “History of the Yoshiwara Yukwaku” (First published in 1899 and revised in the 1900s).

• ​Longstreet, Ethel and Stephen, ‘Geishas and the Floating World, Inside Tokyo’s Yoshiwara Pleasure District, (North Clarendon, Vermont, 2020).

• ​Ryōko, Matsuba, ‘Shunga and the Floating World: The Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarter’ in Clark, Timothy, Gerstle, C. Andrew, Ishigami, Aki, Yano, Akiko, (eds.), ‘Shunga: Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art’, (London, 2013).

Break Music: Sakura, Sakura by Steffen Schmidt on PremiumBeat by Shutterstock, https://www.premiumbeat.com (Purchased with license on the 23/04/2025)

Beginning and closing theme, ‘Classical Orchestral Dvorak Serenade Waltz Strings Music, provided by mrqwertz on https://www.pond5.com (Purchased with license on the 01/06/2024)