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

Luke Turner, the author of Men At War: Loving, Lusting, Fighting, Remembering 1939-1945, delves into the hidden stories of World War II soldiers. Topics covered include unconventional sexual activities during the war, the significance of oral testimony, the repression of sexuality under the Nazis, the life of LGBT activist Dudley Cave, and the progress made in LGBTQ+ representation in the military.

This November marks 60 years since President John F Kennedy was assassinated. His name is associated with history defining events, but it’s also connected with a dynasty, known for their celebrity and notoriously for being ‘cursed.’The Kennedy family, thought of as American royals by many, have a fascinating and tragic history - especially the women in JFK’s life and family line.Today we’re going right back to the start, to a farm in Ireland to meet JFK’s great-grandma, Bridget, who overcame tragedy and poverty to forge the foundation of a dynasty.This is the first instalment in a mini-series, The Kennedy Women, which will look into the lives of Bridget, Jackie, Rosemary and the so-called family curse.The senior producer was Charlotte Long. The producer was Stuart Beckwith.Archive courtesy of NBC.You can read more about Neal Thompson’s work here.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/

They’re famously thought of as a buttoned up prudish bunch, but we all know they loved to bump uglies as much as anyone today. Were the spanking punishments of boarding schools really the origins of flagellation brothels? Who were the pin-ups of Victorian women? And what did the saucy portrait Queen Victoria gave to Prince Albert look like? Today we go Betwixt the Victorian Sheets with Dan Snow, from History Hit sister podcast Dan Snow’s History Hit, to find out all about Victorian Sex. This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy. The producers were Charlotte Long and Freddy Chick. The senior producer was Charlotte Long. Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Kate Lister, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code BETWIXT. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.

Explore the origins of witchcraft, the history and prevalence of witch trials throughout Europe, and the factors that led to the rise of witch hunting. Debunk misconceptions spawned from the Maleficent Maleficarum. Discuss the theory of ergot poisoning's involvement in the Salem witch trials.

Josephine Baker, an extraordinary figure, went from poverty to being a superstar. She became a spy for the Allies in WW2, using invisible ink and hiding documents. Her rise to fame, iconic banana skirt, and racism she faced are discussed. Her activism in civil rights and humanitarian work in adopting 12 children are highlighted.

Tony Bogaert, author of Understanding Asexuality, joins Kate to discuss the origins and impact of asexuality. They explore the challenges faced by asexual individuals in a hypersexual world and dive into the historical perception and medicalization of asexuality. They also delve into the peculiarities and complexities of human sexuality.

We all know how the song goes, the one about Hitler having one testicle.And whilst it's disarming to poke fun at someone so evil, there's an interesting and serious conversation to be had about how Hitler's relationships and sexuality could have shaped him.Today Kate is joined by Norman Ohler, author of Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany, to find out more about Adolf Hitler's personal life, his views on sex, and whether there's any truth to the rumours.Did Hitler have a testicle bitten off by a goat? Was his interest in coprophilia true, or anti-Nazi propaganda? And who was the love of his life?Let's go Betwixt the Sheets to find out.This podcast was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long. Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Kate Lister, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more.Get 50% off your first 3 months with code BETWIXT. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.

Explore the concept of spectrophilia, a fetish involving sexual encounters with ghosts. Discuss the historical origins, power dynamics, and connection between sex and death. Debunk controversial accounts of erotically charged encounters with Christ. Discover the vengeful ghost of Javanese folklore and contemporary examples of spectrophilia in movies and celebrities' encounters with ghosts.

Discover how the Black Death in 14th century England led to increased autonomy and opportunities for women. Learn about the challenges of researching women's history and uncovering their forgotten voices. Explore the societal pushback against sex workers and women during the Black Death, and the subsequent pushback on women's rights. Find out about changes in laws surrounding domestic violence and women's involvement in the peasants revolt.

Learn about Helen Duncan, aka Hellish Brown, the last woman in England to be tried as a witch during WW2. Joined by Jess Marlton, manager of Bodmin Jail, they delve into Duncan's memorable performances, why her trial captivated the public, and the lasting impact of the 1735 Witchcraft Act.