Incest. It’s not the lightest topic of conversation, we wouldn’t recommend bringing it up as an icebreaker on a date, or when you’re trying to impress new people at a party - but it’s one which has fascinated many of us for centuries nonetheless.

But has it always been taboo? How have the necessary degrees of separation between partners grown and shrunk over the years? And why were so many royal families keen on familial relations in the past...Hapsburg chin anyone?

Kate is Betwixt the Sheets with Brian Connolly to discuss the history of incest, an episode suggested to us by a listener. You can read more of Brian's work here.

WARNING: There is adult content and explicit words in this episode.

Senior producer: Charlotte Long. Producer: Sophie Gee. Mixed by Siobhan Dale.

Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

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This podcast includes music from Epidemic Sounds.