Sexuality is a funny thing. It's a social construct just as much as, say, virginity is.
We use words like heterosexuality and homosexuality because they are convenient, more than because they're wholly accurate.
What roots do these words have in 19th century Germany? How did the word 'straight' come from the gay community? And what is the future of sexuality and its terms?
Joining Kate today is the fantastic Hanne Blank, author of Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality.
This episode was edited by Teän Stewart-Murray. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
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The Invention of Heterosexuality

Why did kings and queens have spectators on their wedding night? Who had the very first boob job? And did our ancestors have their unmentionables pierced?
Join historian, Kate Lister, Betwixt the Sheets as she unashamedly roots around the topics which seem to have been skipped in history class.
Everything from landmark LGBTQ+ court cases, to political scandal, to downright bizarre medieval cures for impotence. The etymology of swear words, gender bias in medicine, and satanic panic and cults - there’s nothing off limits.
She'll be bed-hopping around different time periods; from ancient civilisations, to the middle ages, to renaissance and early modern...right up to now.
You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll ask yourself how much has actually changed.
So join Kate Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society - a podcast from History Hit.
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History

Society & Culture

The long-awaited third season of Bridgerton is here! And with it, we all become obsessed with a particularly sexy version of Regency-era history.
Today's episode is the first in our mini-series on the REAL Bridgerton. Across four episodes we'll uncover Georgian attitudes to drugs and alcohol, insights into the celebrities of the time, and a re-cap on the historical accuracies of the latest season.
First and foremost, though, what was sex really like in Georgian England? How effective were the fashionable animal gut condoms? And what erotica were people enjoying?
Today's guests are Catherine Curzon, Kate Stephenson, Julie Peakman and Katie Wignall.
This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
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The REAL Bridgerton: Georgian Sex

When you say ‘going medieval’ on someone, it brings up quite nasty connotations. 
But is this brutal suggestion a fair depiction of medieval times and their thoughts on torture and punishment? What are some of the more gruesome methods they employed? And why did Henry I give authorisation for his own granddaughter-in-law to be blinded? 
Joining Kate today is Matt Lewis, co-host of our sister podcast, Gone Medieval, to find out more. 
This episode was edited by Sophie Gee. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long. 
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Medieval Torture & Execution

When you look into the history of menopause it’s steeped in misogyny, fear and demonising women’s bodies. 
But what is the truth behind some of the popular menopause myths? How has it been understood (or misunderstood) throughout history? And how have post-menopausal women essential to human evolution? 
Joining Kate today is Dr. Jennifer Gunter, author of the Menopause Manifesto and gynaecology physician of 30+ years.
You can also read more of Jen’s writing on her blog here: https://vajenda.substack.com/
This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long. 
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscription/
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Menopause: History, ‘Hysteria’ & Hormone Revolutions

There are many privileges that come with being a royal, but where do mistresses lay amongst these? If you'll excuse the pun.
Charles II was notorious for the women in his life, from his wife Catherine to infamous mistresses like the formidable Nell Gwynn.
What was in it for them? And how did they all get along? Joining Kate today is Linda Porter, author of Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II.
This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://historyhit.com/subscription/.
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Sex & Scandal in Charles II's Court

What does it mean to be a geisha? How does someone become one? And how do they differ from sex workers?
The geisha world is famously very secretive and private, and taking us into it today is Lesley Downer, who spent years befriending geishas in research for her book Geisha: The Secret History of a Vanishing World.
This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer is Charlotte Long.
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/
You can take part in our listener survey here.

The Invention of Heterosexuality

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