
After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
This is After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal. The podcast that takes you to the shadiest corners of the past, unpicking history’s spookiest, strangest, and most sinister stories.Join historians Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling, every Monday and Thursday to take a look at the darker side of history. From haunted pubs and Houdini, to witch trials and weird UFO sightings.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal - a podcast by History Hit, the world's best history channel and creators of award-winning podcasts Dan Snow's History Hit, Gone Medieval, and Betwixt the Sheets.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
Latest episodes

Feb 17, 2025 • 42min
Peasants' Revolt: Murder in the Tower of London
(2/2) A boy King, a rebel army, and the first ever execution at Tower Hill. Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney the days in the summer of 1381 when rebels took control of London and King Richard II, only fourteen, restored a world turned upside down.Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

4 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 35min
Glencoe Massacre: Hell in the Scottish Highlands
Dr. Allan Kennedy, a historian specializing in 17th-century Scotland, and Lucy Doogan of the National Trust for Scotland discuss the harrowing Glencoe Massacre of 1692. They delve into the complex political tensions that led to the slaughter of Clan MacDonald, exploring Alistair MacDonald's ill-fated oath of allegiance and the broader cultural implications of this atrocity. Vivid descriptions of the landscape and personal reflections from descendants enhance this tale of betrayal, loyalty, and the profound scars it left on Scottish identity.

Feb 10, 2025 • 35min
Peasants' Revolt: Medieval Rebellion
1381, England, the world turned upside down as the commoners rise up and dismantle the mechanisms of power. They're angry about taxes, serfdom, about being forcibly kept in their place by corrupt lords...about a lot of stuff. But will they prevail? Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney about how the uprising began.Edited by Tomos Delargy, produced by Freddy Chick, Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Feb 6, 2025 • 35min
Final Days of the Romanovs (Part 2)
(2/2) We join the captive Romanovs as they are moved from The Alexander Palace to Siberia and then to Ekaterinburg, where their dreadful murder awaits them. It's a story that still has the power to shock us. Guiding us through is returning guest Helen Rappaport, author of "Ekaterinburg: The Last Days of the Romanovs".Edited by Freddy Chick. Produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Feb 3, 2025 • 41min
Sweating Sickness: Deadly Tudor Plague
It's a medical-history-mystery: the Sweating Sickness. Things get clammy as Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling ask what was this deadly disease? What happened when Anne Boleyn got it? And why were sufferers sewn into their bedsheets?Edited by Nick Thomson. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Jan 30, 2025 • 43min
Final Days of the Romanovs (Part 1)
Helen Rappaport, a renowned expert on the Russian Revolution and the Romanov family, delves into the haunting final days of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. She highlights the socio-economic disparities that contributed to their downfall and Alexandra's struggle to fit societal expectations. The podcast also covers the chaos leading up to the abdication and the desperate circumstances faced by the family during their house arrest. Rappaport offers expert insights into the significance of their tragic fate and the historical context surrounding their last days.

Jan 27, 2025 • 44min
Typhoid Mary: Original Super-Spreader?
Dive into the chilling story of Mary Mallon, known as Typhoid Mary, who unknowingly spread disease across communities. Learn about the societal implications of her actions and the public's obsession with her life. Explore her tragic isolation as an asymptomatic carrier, battling stigma while seeking work. The podcast reveals a deeper narrative, highlighting the evolution of public health and the complexities of living with such a notorious label. Discover the grim legacy left behind and the advancements in medical science that followed.

Jan 23, 2025 • 37min
Is the Devil Dead?
In a fascinating discussion, Dr. Mikki Brock, a historian specializing in religion and the supernatural in early modern Scotland, unpacks the evolving notion of the devil. She explores the haunting tale of 'Half-Hang Maggie' and the societal fears tied to her resurrection. The conversation dives into the tensions of 17th-century Scottish Calvinism and the impact of the Enlightenment on perceptions of evil. Dr. Brock also highlights the lasting influence of the devil in modern culture and politics, revealing deep-seated human fears that persist today.

Jan 20, 2025 • 40min
Final Days of Henry VIII
Dive into the chaotic twilight of Henry VIII's reign, where declining health met political strife. Explore the stark contrast between his rotting body and the royal image portrayed in Holbein's portrait. Discover the power struggles among women in his life and the eerie silence surrounding his death. Unpack the urgencies of succession and the strategic legacy left for his children. With a mix of humor and history, this tale sheds light on a turbulent monarch's final days and lasting impact on England's future.

4 snips
Jan 16, 2025 • 50min
Origins of the Devil
In this insightful conversation, Professor Michelle Brock, a specialist in the history of religion and the supernatural, details the evolution of the devil's image throughout history. She reveals how the devil transitioned from an abstract notion to a beautiful yet fearsome figure during the medieval period. The discussion delves into 17th century Scotland, examining the witch trials, societal fears, and the impact of Calvinist beliefs. Brock also explores the devil's role in spiritual warfare, highlighting its significance in church engagement and moral guidance.