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 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.
May 15, 2024 • 34min
Civil War in Feudal Japan: The Sengoku Period
Dating from 1467-1603, the Sengoku or ‘Warring States’ period is known as the bloodiest in Japan’s history; an era of continuous social upheaval and civil war which transformed the country. Shogun-led authority was shattered and 150 years of murder and betrayal followed as fearsome warlords ruled local territories with unflinching ruthlessness. In the first episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lewis and Dr Christopher Harding discuss the origins of the Sengoku Period. Together, they explore how political power was organised in Japan during this time, introduce some of the key players, and discuss how the seeds were sown for Japanese unification. 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.
May 13, 2024 • 2min
Echoes of History: A New Chapter
Introducing a new chapter of Echoes of History, the podcast that explores the incredible real-life stories and events that inspire the locations, characters, and storylines of the legendary Assassin’s Creed.Join your host, historian Matt Lewis, and regular contributor Holly Nielsen, as they guide you into the worlds of Assassin’s Creed, talking to historical experts to uncover the secrets of the past before stepping ‘into the Animus’ to delve into how these moments are recreated.New weekly episodes every Monday.Echoes of History - a Ubisoft podcast brought to you by History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
