Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Odourless, tasteless, colourless, lethal. In the mid-17th century, men were dropping like flies in Italy. And this wasn't just the plague - it was the work of the poison Aqua Tofana.So what is Aqua Tofana? And who was its apocryphal purveyor, Giulia Tofana? In this episode we are diving back to Renaissance Italy to learn more about a circle of women poisoners, and the men they chose to murder. How did they eventually get caught? What is their legacy?Kate is joined by Cathryn Kemp, author of historical novel, 'A Poisoner's Tale'.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.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.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, poet and biographer Fiona Sampson uncovers the life of Mary Shelley, the mastermind behind Frankenstein. Fiona explores scandalous myths, including whether Mary lost her virginity on her mother's grave and if she kept Percy Shelley’s heart after his death. They dive into Mary’s upbringing, her radical intellectual influences, and how personal loss fueled her writing. Discover the dramatic backdrop of Villa Diodati, where the famous ghost story competition sparked her iconic novel, revealing the shadows of her turbulent life.

In this captivating discussion, Dr. Ólína Kjerulf Þorvarðardóttir, a historian and Dean at the University of Bifröst, reveals the shocking truth behind the Icelandic witch trials of the 17th century, where over 90% of the accused were men. She explores how the Christian Reformation fueled mass hysteria and influenced local dynamics. Key figures like Reverend Pál Björnsson led the persecutions, showcasing the intertwining of magic, legal ignorance, and societal fear. The gruesome execution practices and the motivations behind them paint a vivid picture of this dark chapter in history.

Before Mary I was Queen, no other woman had worn the crown of England.This made her a Tudor trailblazer, and a target.During her short reign she burned some 300+ people, earning her the nickname 'Bloody Mary'. Was this nickname justified or was it a case of bad press?Joining Kate today is the fantastic Anna Whitelock, historian and author of books including Mary Tudor: England’s First Queen, to help us get to know this woman.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was 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.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why, just why, would one put a leech up their .. you know where? It's all in the name of virginity, or the faking of it.Kate is joined by Dr Julia Martins to find out why virginity was so necessary to Early Modern people, and how they went about faking it.Julia can be found at juliamartins.co.ukThis episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Sophie Gee. The senior producer was 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.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even among Holocaust researchers, this subject is taboo. Starting in 1942, the Nazis set up brothels inside some of the camps, not for the guards, but for the prisoners.What was the point of these brothels? Who were the women forced to work there? And who were the prisoners who visited them?In this episode we find out from Robert Sommer, author of 'The Concentration Camp Brothel: Forced Sexual Labor under Nazi Rule'. Over 10 years, Robert scoured 70 archives and spoke with 30 survivors to bridge this important gap in the history of the Holocaust.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Sophie Gee. The senior producer was 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.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 16th century was a dangerous time to be talking about magic and hidden forces, so how did John Dee end up being invited into Elizabeth I's court?He was an astronomer, occultist and alchemist who dedicated his life to understanding how celestial activity influenced life on earth.What happened when he thought angels told him to swap wives with another mystic? How did his influence impact the Tudor court? And why was he never accused of witchcraft?Joining Kate today is Rachel Morris, author of The Years of the Wizard: The Strange History and Home Life of Renaissance Magicians.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was 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.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hollie Marquess, a historian at Fort Hays State University, explores the lives of sex workers in the Wild West. She delves into the motivations that brought women to frontier towns, including economic necessity and independence. Hollie also shares insights from her research, revealing the harsh living conditions and health risks these women faced. The conversation highlights their complex roles in society, legal battles, and the community's perception, while addressing the tragic realities of substance abuse and violence in their lives.

Philippa Gregory, a celebrated historian and author, dives deep into the life of Jane Boleyn, sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn, and her perilous existence in the Tudor court. They explore Jane's rise to prominence, role as a potential spy for Thomas Cromwell, and her complex involvement in royal scandals, including her testimony in the Anne of Cleves divorce. Philippa also discusses Jane's tragic end, her unlikely legacy, and reflects on the harsh realities of power and survival during a tyrannical reign.

Elizabeth Lublin, an Associate Professor of Japanese history, delves into the fascinating world of sex work in Edo Japan. She discusses the rise of licensed brothels and the social dynamics of male sex workers and geishas. Elizabeth reveals the challenges faced by sex workers, including indenture and poverty, and highlights the strict hierarchies within the profession. The conversation also explores the impact of Western influence and moral shifts on prostitution, as well as the grim realities beneath the romanticized imagery of the floating world.