

Echoes of History
History Hit & Assassin's Creed
Dive into the real-life history that inspires the locations, characters, and storylines of the legendary world of Assassin’s Creed. ‘Echoes of History’ is the official Assassin's Creed history podcast. We’ll head down the narrow side streets of Medici-ruled Florence, cross sand dunes in the shadow of ancient pyramids, climb the rigging of 18th century brigs sailing across the Caribbean and meet the most powerful warlords in Feudal Japan - all before hearing from the developers themselves to understand how and why these moments are recreated in the acclaimed historical game series.Every week, join historian Matt Lewis, and regular contributor Holly Nielsen, as they speak to historical experts about the secrets of the past and uncover how these stories influence Assassin’s Creed.A Ubisoft podcast brought to you by History Hit.If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. For more Echoes of History, including guided tours through the places of the past recreated in Assassin’s Creed, head to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@assassinscreedEOH To find out more go to www.assassinscreed.com or find us on Facebook & Twitter.(Re)discover Assassin’s Creed full catalogue with Ubisoft+”Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 15, 2024 • 55min
The Industrial Revolution: The Birth Of Modern London
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century, giving birth to an era that has changed world history. The period was characterised by rapid economic, social and technological growth. Marked by innovation and inventions like the steam engine, spinning jenny and telephone, industrialisation also saw a rise in urbanisation, the factory system, poverty and the exploitation of a new urban working class. This in turn led to social and political movements such as communism. Matt Lewis and Tom Furber from The London Archives provide an overview of how the Industrial Revolution came about and transformed the city of London as its epicentre. What were some of the most important advances during this period? What were the effects of rapid industrialisation on Victorian society?Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Tim ArstallProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis, Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:The Dance Begins by Austin WintorySoothing Syrup by Austin WintoryDanza alla Daggers by Austin WintoryIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 8, 2024 • 42min
How The Metropolitan Police Shaped London
Scotland Yard: the home of London's Metropolitan Police Force. In this episode, Matt Lewis and Dr Jonah Miller put a magnifying lens to the history of both Scotland Yard as a place and on the policemen and detectives that worked within it. What went on inside? Why did it come to be known as Scotland Yard? And how significant a role did it play in shaping Victorian London?Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Alex JonesProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis, Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 1, 2024 • 50min
Queen Victoria: The Woman Behind An Era
Queen Victoria was the last English monarch of the House of Hanover and gave her name to an era in British history. Although small in stature, she was a towering figure as she witnessed major turning points in British history. Yet she is often caricatured as a spiky and stubborn woman.In this episode, historian Alex Churchill join Matt Lewis to life the veil on Victoria's life as queen; unpacking the myths about her personality, exploring how she ruled in tandem with her beloved husband Albert, survived eight assassination attempts and then emerged from his shadow to rule with imperial magnificence.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Anisha DevaProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt Lewis, Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2024 • 38min
Shogun and Shinto: What Life Was Like In Feudal Japan
What was life like in feudal Japan? If you were born into the chaos of the Warring States period, would you have been a farmer, a merchant or a samurai? Or perhaps even an Emperor?Delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Dr Tomoko Kate Kitagawa shed light on the customs, culture and class structures of medieval Japan. They explore what daily life would have been like for people beyond the famous names of history and legend, and how they saw themselves within the shifting society of the Sengoku eraEchoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Ella BlaxillProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt LewisSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 2024 • 46min
Kyoto: Japan's Imperial City
During the Onin Wars of the early Sengoku period, Kyoto was razed as civil war struck the Imperial capital. Only with unification did the city begin to rebuild. This episode will explore the rise and fall and rise again of Kyoto, what life in the city might have looked like, and why it held such significance to unification in the 16th century. In turn, we'll reveal how the Sengoku period shaped the city’s meaning for early modern Japan.Delving into the history behind a major location in the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Lesley Downer shed light on the culture, fortunes and misfortunes of the great city of Kyoto.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Ella BlaxillProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt LewisSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 10, 2024 • 35min
Samurai vs Shinobi: The Tensho Iga War
In the sixth episode delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Nathan Ledbetter follow the sound of marching footsteps and clashing blades into Japan’s mountainous Iga province, to learn about the fearsome conflict between samurai armies and guerrilla shinobi, or ninja, that was the Tensho Iga War between 1578 and 1581.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft Podcast brought to you by History Hit.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Anisha DevaProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt LewisSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 3, 2024 • 49min
Japan's First Unifier: Oda Nobunaga
Delve into the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Japan's first 'Great Unifier', his ruthless ascent to power, battles with the Shinobi Ikki league, and tragic downfall at the hands of his ally, Akechi Mitsuhide. Explore the samurai culture of Supergu, strategic victories, and power consolidation in ancient Japan.

May 27, 2024 • 30min
Yasuke: The First African Samurai
Delve into the captivating tale of Yasuke, the first African samurai in Japan. Explore his mysterious origins, rise to samurai status, and impact on Japanese society. Uncover the influence of foreign technologies in medieval Japan and Yasuke's divine image in Japanese culture. Learn about his disappearance and resurgence in modern popular culture.

May 20, 2024 • 35min
Portuguese Missionaries in Japan
Portuguese missionaries made a significant impact on feudal Japan, introducing Christianity and firearms. They encountered challenges, navigated political games, and ultimately faced banishment from the land. The podcast explores the cultural clashes, Jesuit propaganda, and the consequences of their presence in 16th century Japan.

May 15, 2024 • 45min
The Unification of Japan
Discover the ruthless warlords who unified Japan, ending centuries of civil war. Explore the key figures like Oda Nobunaga and the intricate alliances that shaped Japan's history. Learn about the decline of succession and the enduring impacts of Japan's unification period on its culture.