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

Latest episodes

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Mar 31, 2023 • 41min

Early Modern Murder

What was the early modern version of CSI? Why might whole pubs have been singing an executed person’s final words? And was the crime of murder different back then?In this episode, Kate spoke to Blessin Adams, a former member of the police who has been researching murders between the 16th and 18th centuries. Her book is called Great and Horrible News: Murder and Mayhem in Early Modern Britain.*Warning - this episode contains mentions of murder, torture, infanticide, suicide, miscarriage, abortion and some gruesome details*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. 
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Mar 28, 2023 • 41min

Pestle or Sex Toy? The Roman 'Dildo'

You may have seen the news that archaeologists have been reassessing a phallic object from Vindolanda Roman Fort in the north of Britain.How does the saying go ... "If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck." Do you think this counts for d*cks too?Today, Kate is talking to Rob Collins to find out how we can prove what an ancient artefact was actually used for.*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Joseph KnightBetwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. 
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Mar 24, 2023 • 50min

Sordid Soho

From the Chevalier de Saint-Georges to the Merry Monarch to Madame Jojo and Madame Trenti, the district of Soho in London has played host to many of the naughtiest names in history. And now, we can include Kate Lister on that list.In this episode, join us for a walking tour of Soho with Katie Wignall from Look Up London. You can even follow along, just start off at the black and white hut on Soho Square: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1BQRD8E6Joc1xEniGomROdGSyKX6OLf0&usp=sharing*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Anisha Deva.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. 
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Mar 21, 2023 • 47min

Lord Byron: Incest, Adultery & Daddy Issues

How debaucherous do you have to be to be remembered as the original bad boy? How mad, bad and dangerous to know was Lord Byron? And how much of it did he get from his family?For this episode, Kate is joined by Emily Brand, the author of ‘The Fall of the House of Byron: Scandal and Seduction in Georgian England’. From incest to murder - this family must have made for a very awkward dinner party.Poems by George Gordon Byron read by Matt Lewis: ‘So, We’ll Go No More A Roving’ and lines 1089 to 1096 of Don Juan, canto 2.*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.
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Mar 17, 2023 • 50min

Female Nudity & Modesty

Why is the naked body of a life model more respected than a glamour model? Why has there been a resurgence in virtue policing? And why was Kate completely naked during the interview with today’s guest?!Today we’re casting off our clothes and slipping Betwixt the Sheets with academic, feminist, economist and naked protestor, Victoria Bateman.Hear about the cyclical nature of modesty culture in Ancient Egypt and Babylonia right up to now, and find out about society’s hypocritical attitudes towards women’s bodies.You can find out more about Victoria’s book here.Produced by Charlotte Long. Mixed by Stuart Beckwith.
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Mar 14, 2023 • 38min

Medieval Women: Beauty, Work & Pubic Hair

How would a medieval woman achieve a Brazilian bikini line? Why can’t you trust a nun in the night time? And what were women doing at Medieval universities? Kate is joined for the THIRD time by Eleanor Janega to talk about how women were expected to be in the medieval era, and how they actually were. From biology to appearance to careers, it’s time to shed light on this half of the medieval population.Eleanor has just released a new book, ‘The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society’.*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. 
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Mar 12, 2023 • 37min

Drag Queens

RuPaul. Lily Savage. Bianca Del Rio. Dame Edna Everage. These iconic drag queens are household names, but have you ever heard about Princess Seraphina? Or William Dorsey Swann, aka 'The Queen'?Today we're bringing you a very special mash-up episode for Comic Relief, all about the history of Drag Queens. Kate is joined by Gossip Gays hosts Danny Beard (winner of RuPaul's Race UK) and DJ Billy Andrew.Where did the term Drag Queen come from? What is a Molly House? And why could you expect to be served a stewed prune there? It wasn't to aid digestive health that's for sure...Red Nose Day has always been a time to spread a bit of joy. We know there’s a lot going on right now and for many people things are really tough. But if you can donate, every penny will add up to a life-changing difference. Text PODCAST to 70205 to give £5 today. To donate £5 text the word PODCAST to 70205. Texts cost your donation amount plus your standard network message charge and 100% of your donation will go to Comic Relief, a registered charity. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill-payer’s permission. For full terms and conditions visit comicrelief.com/podcastmashupProduced by Charlotte Long & Lucas Poole. Mixed by Stuart Beckwith.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.
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Mar 10, 2023 • 43min

Women Rebels: The Spanish Civil War

From aristocratic rebels to Civil Rights activists, tens of thousands of people travelled to Spain during the Civil War - and not all of them were men...Whether they were fighting, nursing or reporting, in this episode of Betwixt the Sheets we are going to meet a few of the women who chose to risk their lives.Kate is joined by Sarah Watling, author of ‘Tomorrow Perhaps the Future’ to hear about Gerda Taro, Martha Gelhorn and more.*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Anisha Deva.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. 
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Mar 7, 2023 • 42min

From Eve to Austen: Women in Literature

Why might a woman have willingly confined herself to a cell for the rest of her life? Why have so many female authors in history published under aliases or initials? And what was Jane Austen’s dirtiest joke?In this episode of Betwixt the Sheets, Kate is joined by Anna Beer to discuss an alternative history of English literature. What prevented women from publishing their work, and how did they get around this?Produced by Sophie Gee. Mixed by Stuart Beckwith. Senior producer: Charlotte Long.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.
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Mar 3, 2023 • 38min

The History of Periods

‘It’s my time of the month’, ‘the painters are in’, ‘aunt flo is visiting’, or a simple ‘I’m on the rag’Periods are a fact of life for so many people. So how have they been understood? How have they been talked about and concealed? And why have periods stopped so many people from going swimming?In this episode, Kate is joined by Elissa Stein, one of the authors of FLOW: the Cultural Story of Menstruation to find out how menstruation has been dealt with throughout history. This episode was requested by Betwixter Lisa. If you also have a request, please let us know at betwixt@historyhit.com.*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Anisha Deva.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. 

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