History Rage

Why the Jack the Ripper legend is completely useless.Get ready to hear the truth behind the headlines with social historian Hallie Rubenhold. Her groundbreaking book, The Five, challenges everything you thought you knew about the case by focusing on the victims, not the killer.Hallie explains why the endless speculation about Jack the Ripper's identity is "useless" and built on "pure mythology". As a trained museum curator, she argues that applying modern DNA testing is impossible due to tainted evidence and a lack of provenance for objects. The real "restorative justice," she argues, comes from understanding the lives of the women themselves.Discover the shocking reality of the five women's lives, which were far more complex than the common "prostitute" label suggests. Hallie reveals that only two of the women, Elizabeth Stride and Mary Jane Kelly, were known to engage in sex work. You'll learn:Polly Nichols was the daughter of a blacksmith who left her husband and children after they secured a home in one of London's first social housing buildings.Annie Chapman came from a surprisingly middle-class background, with a father who served in the Queen's lifeguard. Her life was tragically impacted by her struggle with alcoholism.Elizabeth Stride was born in Sweden and was known to be a "con artist".Catherine Eddowes came from a large family and had a difficult, nomadic existence, traveling the country selling ballads with her partner.Mary Jane Kelly, the youngest victim, may have had a different name and was said to be a skilled artist—an accomplishment reserved for the middle class at the time.Hallie argues that the Victorian press and police unfairly labelled these women based on moral judgment, and that this same bias influenced investigations much like it did with the Yorkshire Ripper case decades later. The true value of history, she says, is not to romanticize the past but to "shock" us with the "ugly shit" of truth.Join us and rage against the myths that have long obscured the truth. Guest InformationLearn more about Hallie’s work and get your copy of The Five here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781784162344Follow Hallie Rubenhold on social media: @hallierubenhold.Support History Rage on PatreonIf you're enjoying this episode, please consider supporting the show. Your support helps us to continue to produce well-researched episodes and bring you unique and compelling conversations with experts who are as passionate and angry about history as we are!As a thank you, you'll receive access to a range of exclusive benefits, including:Exclusive Content: Access to bonus episodes and behind-the-scenes content.Early Access: Be the first to listen to new episodes before anyone else.The Iconic History Rage Mug: Show your support with some exclusive merchandise.Join the History Rage community here: patreon.com/historyrage.Stay connected with History RageTwitter: @HistoryRageFacebook: History RageInstagram: @historyrageFrom all of us at History Rage, stay curious, stay passionate, and above all—stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop pitting Tudor queens against each other and confront the real villain.Two of the most famous women in Tudor history are still framed as enemies—but what if that story is fundamentally wrong?In this History Rage festival special for the Katherine of Aragon Festival, castle historian and Assistant Curator of Hever Castle, Kate McCaffrey, dismantles the deeply entrenched myth that Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn were bitter rivals defined by loyalty versus seduction. Instead, this conversation reveals two strikingly similar women shaped by education, intelligence, faith, and survival in a brutally patriarchal court.Kate draws on her original research into Anne Boleyn’s Books of Hours—including a remarkable discovery that both Anne and Katherine owned copies of the same edition—to expose moments of shared piety, cultural sophistication, and even reluctant solidarity. These sources challenge simplistic labels such as “Catholic martyr” and “Protestant temptress” and reveal how both queens were politically astute, internationally educated, and fiercely protective mothers to England’s first two queens regnant.The episode explores how Henry VIII’s needs, insecurities, and ambition have long been obscured by narratives that pit women against each other. From Katherine’s prolonged legal resistance to Anne’s calm dignity in the face of a foregone conclusion, this is a reassessment of queenship, downfall, and legacy that puts responsibility firmly back where it belongs.If you’re interested in Tudor history, women’s power, religious reform, or how historical myths are created and sustained, this episode offers a compelling, evidence-based rethink of one of the most enduring rivalries in popular history.Festival Info:The Katherine of Aragon Festival Talks are on January 31st and February 1st 2026 at Peterborough Cathedral:Tickets are available at: https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/about/history/katharine-of-aragon/kofa_26/ Guest: Kate McCaffreyKate McCaffrey is Castle Historian and Assistant Curator at Hever Castle, co-creator of Owen & Kate History, and a PhD researcher specialising in Tudor material culture, religion, and queenship.Follow & contact KateInstagram: @kateemccaffreyhistorianInstagram: @owenandkatehistoryPatreon: Owen & Kate History – monthly videos, articles, and behind-the-scenes curator research https://www.patreon.com/cw/OwenandKateHistoryMore from History RageHistory Rage is the podcast where historians challenge myths, confront bad history, and rage against lazy narratives.Follow & listenInstagram / X / Facebook: @HistoryRageWebsite : www.historyrage.comSupport the podcast£3 per month – ad-free listening via Apple Podcasts or Patreon£5 per month – bonus content, exclusives, and the coveted History Rage mugSupport here: patreon.com/historyrageRecommended listeningEpisode 182 – Anne Boleyn did not withhold sex to become Queen (Nicola Clark) - https://pod.fo/e/2aa892Episode 155 – In defence of Thomas Boleyn (Lauren Mackay) - https://pod.fo/e/2714d3History isn’t a catfight. It’s complicated, political, and far more interesting than the myths we inherit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The War of 1812 wasn’t sailors’ rights — it was empire.Think you know why the War of 1812 started? Most people believe it was all about the Royal Navy “pressing” innocent American sailors. Historian Matt Taylor calls nonsense on that myth – and reveals how the real story is far darker, and far more explosive.Paul Bavill is joined by Matt Taylor, author of Black Redcoats, to uncover the hidden narratives of the War of 1812. From the forgotten African Americans who fought for Britain to the political smokescreens that dragged America into war, Matt shatters the schoolbook version of this conflict.Highlights include:The Real Cause of War – Forget sailors’ rights: the United States launched the war as an imperialist grab for territory, land, and dominance over Native Americans.Black Redcoats & the Colonial Marines – Enslaved African Americans who escaped to British lines were armed, uniformed, and helped tear apart America’s defenses. Their presence led directly to the collapse at Bladensburg and the burning of Washington.The Psychological Bombshell – Fear of slave uprisings paralysed militias, making the Chesapeake campaigns devastatingly effective.Aftermath & Legacy – From the unique “company villages” in Trinidad that still survive today, to the tragic destruction of Negro Fort in Florida, the legacy of the Black Redcoats still reverberates.The Human Story – Meet Fernando, enslaved, freed, re-enslaved by Andrew Jackson, and finally liberated – choosing to carry the name of the British officer who once commanded him.This episode doesn’t just retell history – it rips apart comfortable myths and shows how race, freedom, and empire collided in ways that shaped nations. If you want history with bite, this is it.📚 Connect with Matt TaylorBuy the book: Black Redcoats: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399034012Follow Matt on Social Media: [@BlackRedcoats]❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode fired you up, join the Angry Mob on Patreon for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage or join through Apple Subscriptions🔗 Follow the RageTwitter: @HistoryRageFacebook: History RageInstagram: @historyrageJoin us as we rage against the myths of the War of 1812 and rediscover the extraordinary African Americans who fought for freedom.Stay angry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry VIII: beloved monarch or mass-murdering tyrant we refuse to confront?Why do we glorify a king who executed 1% of England and displaced over 10,000 people for his own power? It’s time to dismantle everything you thought you knew about Henry VIII.Historian and educator Jackson Van Uden joins History Rage to expose the real Tudor ruler: a man his own contemporaries labelled a tyrant, not the charming Christmas-bauble king of Hampton Court gift shops. Henry didn’t just kill wives — he destroyed lives, seized land, staged show trials, and crushed dissent with Stalin-level brutality. We dig into:How The Act of Supremacy turned Henry into a Caesar-papist dictator The Dissolution of the Monasteries and the 0.4% of England suddenly made homeless 200 peaceful Protesters executed after the Pilgrimage of Grace for simply disagreeing with the King Tudor “big, sexy history” that distracts from a reign built on fear How education today still sanitises Henry for the sake of heritage and TV scandals If pop culture has convinced you Henry was a misunderstood romantic, strap in — Jackson launches a rage that puts Henry in the same moral category as history’s worst dictators. By the time we’re finished, those Holbein portraits will never look the same again.Festival Info:The Katherine of Aragon Festival Talks are on January 31st and February 1st 2026 at Peterborough Cathedral:Tickets are available at: https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/about/history/katharine-of-aragon/kofa_26/🎙 Guest: Jackson Van UdenHistorian • Teacher • Host of History With Jackson Katherine of Aragon Festival contributor and organiser Tickets for the festival via Peterborough Cathedral link in show notes 📌 Listen to History With Jackson wherever you get your podcasts 📱 Follow Jackson:Instagram & other socials: @historywithjackson X/Twitter: @HistoryWJackson 🙌 Support History Rage & Join the Fight Against Bad HistoryIf you loved this rage, consider helping keep us angry:💥 Subscribe for bonus episodes and the right to ask questions to future guests from only £3/month 👉 Patreon: patreon.com/historyrage 🛍 Grab your coveted History Rage mug at Patreon’s £5 tier 💬 Or simply tell a friend and get another person aboard the Rage Train!🔗 Connect with History RageFollow us everywhere @HistoryRageRate & review on Apple Podcasts to help more people discover real historyJoin us live at the Katherine of Aragon Festival for our special recording with Owen Emerson and Alfred Hawkins at Peterborough Cathedral Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this exhilarating episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill takes to the skies with social historian and author Midge Gillies, whose latest book, Atlantic Furies: The Women Who Risked Everything to Be the First to Fly, uncovers the remarkable stories of the female pioneers of early aviation. Join us as we journey through the daring feats and forgotten legacies of women who soared to new heights long before the fame of Amelia Earhart.Challenging the Narrative:Midge passionately argues that the contributions of women like Amy Johnson, Beryl Markham, and Ruth Elder are often overshadowed by the singular narrative of Earhart. Discover how these aviators faced societal constraints and media scrutiny while bravely pursuing their dreams of flight, and why it's crucial to acknowledge their stories within the broader context of aviation history.The Perils of Flight:As Midge shares the harrowing tales of women who attempted to cross the Atlantic, we delve into the dangers they faced, including harsh weather conditions and the ever-present threat of disappearance. Midge reflects on the tragic fates of pilots like Frances Grayson and Lady Anne Saville, who risked everything in their pursuit of adventure.Women in Aviation:Explore the camaraderie and competition among these pioneering women as Midge highlights their relationships and rivalries. Learn how the media of the time played a role in shaping their legacies, and why it’s essential to remember the collective efforts of these remarkable figures who pushed the boundaries of what was possible for women in aviation.Join us for this thrilling discussion that not only celebrates the bravery of female aviators but also challenges the misconceptions that have long persisted in the annals of history. For more insights into Midge Gillies’ work, be sure to check out her book available in the History Rage bookshop.Buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781915590527Follow Midge on Social Media @midgegilles Stay Connected: Follow History Rage on social media for updates and discussions:Twitter: @HistoryRageInstagram: @historyrageFacebook: History RageSupport History Rage: If you’re passionate about this episode, consider joining the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon at patreon.com/historyrage for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug.Stay passionate, stay curious, and most of all stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.