26. Witches

What does the Brazilian national anthem reveal about its history of slavery and revolt? Why did the king of Portugal rule his country all the way from Rio in the 19th century? Who was the first emperor of Brazil? And, why was the second anthem a symbol of liberty? Join Tom and Do ...  Show more

How is the Dutch national anthem, that has its origins during a 1568 siege of a French city, connected to the Dutch Revolt? What is the revolt’s role in the birth of modernity? And, why does it say ‘to the King of Spain I’ve granted a lifelong loyalty’? Join Tom and Dominic as th ...  Show more

Discover the truth behind the European Witch Craze. Far from the world of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, discover how one book turned the world upside down as a disgruntled patriarchy murdered thousands of innocent women. Join Greg Jenner, comedian Cariad Lloyd and historian Prof Suza ...  Show more

On this episode of History of the 90s we are looking back at the decade’s obsession with witches. From The Craft to Charmed, witches were everywhere in popular culture with a slew of movies and tv shows that showcased wiccan rituals and magic. The witch craze in the 90s was nothi ...  Show more

For centuries, a woman could be accused of being a witch for the simple crime of being too poor, too rich, or too old.

For those accused, the trials were deeply unfair, and the punishment was often torture and death.

In this episode ...

June 10, 1692. Bridget Bishop is loaded into a two-wheeled cart and brought from her Salem jail cell to a pasture on a hill, where a rope is hanging from freshly-installed gallows. A crowd forms around her: law officers to read the death warrant, ministers to offer last rites, an ...  Show more