

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
History Hit
Join sex historian Kate Lister on Betwixt the Sheets as she gets intimate with the stories that would make your history teacher blush.What were the Victorians really like behind closed (bedroom) doors? How did the Black Death favour women in medieval England? And what was Caesar like in the sack? She'll be bed-hopping around different time periods; from ancient civilisations, to the middle ages, to renaissance and early modern...right up to now.You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll ask yourself how much has actually changed.So join Kate Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society - a podcast from History Hit.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 5, 2024 • 36min
The Ancient Origins Of Sex
Discover the ancient origins of sex in this fascinating podcast as Professor John Long discusses his discovery of fossils showing copulation in ancient armoured fishes. Explore the evolution of sexual pleasure, courtship rituals in ancient creatures, the diversity of animal sexuality, and the importance of understanding our place in nature.

Jan 2, 2024 • 38min
Napoleon's Penis & Other Iconic Body Parts From History
From Frida Kahlo's monobrow to Queen Victoria's swollen armpit, this podcast explores the intriguing stories behind iconic body parts throughout history. Topics include Napoleon's allegedly auctioned off penis, Rasputin's penis, the early understanding of germ theory, resistance to handwashing, and the physical manifestations of inbreeding in historical figures.

Dec 29, 2023 • 45min
The Slave Revolt That Created A Country
Marlene Daut, author of Awakening The Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution, joins the podcast to discuss the largest slave revolt in modern history. Topics include the role of women, vodou ceremonies, and the revolution's legacy.

Dec 26, 2023 • 37min
The Book That Changed Sex Forever
Dr. Alex Comfort, a poet, novelist, anarchist, and philosopher, is the man behind the revolutionary book, The Joy of Sex, which sold over 12 million copies. Eric Laursen, author of Polymath, joins Kate to explore Comfort's work and the impact of his book on society. They discuss Comfort's ideas of anarchy and activism, as well as the philosophy of free love and the importance of communication in relationships. Don't miss this fascinating exploration of the book that changed sex forever!

Dec 22, 2023 • 22min
The Festive Fetish: Santaphilia
Exploring the allure of Santa as a sexual fetish, the evolution of Father Christmas and the sexual allure of Santa Claus, and the dominant appeal and forbidden allure of Santa Claus. Also, touches on the decline in cellular function and the promotion of a new podcast series.

Dec 19, 2023 • 48min
King Arthur's Sex Life
The words "the man, the myth, the legend" can easily apply to King Arthur.Today we're looking past the round table, the sword in the stone, and his magician mate Merlin to explore what his love life can tell us about this man.Did his love Guinevere really do the dirty on him with his mate Lancelot? What does his own love life say about him as a man?Today, dear friend of the show Eleanor Janega, host of sister podcast Gone Medieval and author of The Once And Future Sex, is joining Kate to separate the man from the myth and legend.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/
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Dec 15, 2023 • 42min
17th Century Sci-Fi Writer & 'It Girl': Margaret Cavendish
Margaret Cavendish, 17th-century trailblazer in fiction and author of the first science fiction book, discussed by Francesca Peacock. Topics include her scandalous lesbian affair, Samuel Pepys' obsession with her, and her role in London's elite.

Dec 11, 2023 • 44min
JFK Special 5. | The Kennedy Curse
Prof. Barbara Perry joins Kate to explore the tragic history of the Kennedy family, discussing the concept of the Kennedy Curse and its impact. They delve into the family's pursuit of the American dream and the history of their risk-taking. The episode also examines the phenomenon of political dynasties in American politics, including the Kennedys, the Bushes, the Clintons, and the Obamas.

6 snips
Dec 8, 2023 • 41min
The Invention of Heterosexuality
Explore the invention of heterosexuality in 19th century Germany and its influence on societal norms. Learn about the origins of the terms 'heterosexual' and 'homosexual' and the role of science in normalizing heterosexuality. Discover the intersectionality of sexuality with power and privilege. Also, enjoy an ad about exploring the history and judgments of past US presidents.

Dec 4, 2023 • 34min
JFK Special 4. | How Jackie O Defined An Era
If the Kennedy's were America's first royal family, then Jackie was its queen.She was a style icon who, alongside her husband and president JFK, symbolised a fresh hopeful start in post-war America.And then on 22nd November 1963, the unimaginable happened.But who was the woman who led the country in its grief? Famously defining that time in America as Camelot. Who was the woman behind the immaculate hair do and pink Chanel suits? What was her life like before the spotlight, and how did she seek to rebuild it after JFK's assassination?Today Kate is joined by two guests to tell her story. Author Eleanor Herman, and first up Laurence Leamer, author of The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family, to find out more.This episode was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts.Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code BETWIXTTHESHEETS1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.