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

Yo ho ho, a pirate’s life for me - but what is a pirate’s life, and what was it like for women?This is the story of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, a pair of reputably vicious pirates, and their journeys onto and across the seas.With the help of Julie Walker, author of 'Bonny & Read', find out whether Bonny and Read's fellow crew mates knew that they were women, their reasons for being there, and what life was actually like for them.*WARNING this episode contains naughty words and adult themes*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Matthew Peaty.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit. For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here. If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts, and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today!

As the right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy is challenged on the other side of the Atlantic, today Betwixt the Sheets we are looking at the history of abortions here in Britain.This is the second episode in our two-part series on abortion in the US and the UK.First, Kate speaks to Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women, about the history of abortion law in the UK, and the significance of harrowing case of 'the horse with a green tail’ in the journey to legalising abortion.Kate is then joined by Diane Munday, an abortion rights activist who became active in the movement in the 1960s, and believes that her work is not yet done.*WARNING there is discussion about abortion, sexual assault and death in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

From luring in unicorns to protecting the Roman Empire, myths have surrounded virginity for centuries. But is virginity itself a myth?In this episode, Kate speaks to Anke Bernau about where the so-called cherry comes from, what it stands for and why it has been important throughout history.*WARNING there are mentions of rape and assault in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Peter Dennis.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

What comes to your mind when you think of a witch? Broomsticks? Black cats? Warts?Early modern witchcraft expert, John Callow, is Betwixt the Sheets with Kate to explain the history behind the stereotypes we have today.They also chat about the Bideford Witches, the last three women to be hanged for witchcraft in England, as well as the misogyny in witch trials throughout the ages.You can find out more about John's work here.*WARNING this episode includes naughty words*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Seyi Adaobi.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit. This podcast includes an archive clips from The Witch's Curse 1962.

When the Bender family disappeared from Labette county, Kansas, in 1873, they left a dozen bodies buried in the garden of their home.But who were they? Who were their victims? And why did people take bricks from their well as souvenirs?Today Betwixt the Sheets, Kate is joined by Susan Jonusas to explore the mystery of the Benders, a family of serial killers, and finding out how their crimes were handled by the law enforcement and the press of the time.*WARNING this episode includes discussion of murder*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.

From facilitating affairs to public facilities, how has shopping changed our lives?And where did the one-stop shop, the palace of splendour and opportunity that is the department store come from?Kate talks to Erika Rappaport about the birth of shopping culture, the mark that department stores have had on our everyday lives and how exactly women could have their husbands sent to jail by buying an expensive sofa.*WARNING There is some fruity language in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Peter Dennis.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

In this episode we are looking into the first time abortion was made illegal in the US. This is the first of a special two-part series looking at the history of abortion in the US and the UK.The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June ended almost half a century of the option to choose whether to continue a pregnancy in the US. But abortion had not always been illegal before Roe v. Wade. So when did this happen? How was it policed? And were all abortions forced into alleyways or were there any safer options?Kate spoke to Professor Leslie J. Reagan from the University of Illinois. Leslie is the author of When Abortion Was a Crime, she explains the forces which drove abortions underground in the late 19th century, the methods of enforcement for these laws and the ways that people found to get around them.*WARNING there is discussion of abortion and death in this episode which some listeners might find upsetting*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.

From a rifle-carrying brothel madam to missionaries walking for months on end; from the Native American First Ladies of settler outposts to the mormon pilgrim whose name meant ‘rotten vagina’: the women of the American West were a varied group.Usually when we talk about the ‘Wild West’ we think of men in cowboy hats, but today Betwixt the Sheets, Katie Hickman tells us about the women who are integral to the story of the great migration across North America.*WARNING There is some fruity language in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Seyi Adaobi.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.Vote for Betwixt the Sheets in the Listener’s Choice Award at The British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voteBritish Podcast AwardsListeners' Choice Award — British Podcast AwardsVote for your favourite podcast in the Listeners' Choice Award supported by Acast+

Bras are an everyday item for around half of the adult population, and for as long as humans have developed breasts they have been faced with the question of how to keep them contained within intricate outfits and during strenuous activity.But how has the modern day bra developed from strapping and so-called bra bags? When did cups and cup sizings make their debut? What about underwires and padding? And has the pandemic changed our preferences?Kate is joined by Lorraine Smith, twitter’s Master of Bras, to find out about the technical and stylistic development of bras, and what burning them is all about.*WARNING There is some fruity language in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Edited & Mixed by Thomas Ntinas.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society.A podcast by History Hit.Vote for Betwixt the Sheets in the Listener’s Choice Award at The British Podcast Awards

Warrior. Diplomat. Queen.From fighting alongside her father and negotiating with the Portuguese on her brother’s behalf, to campaigning for the freedom of Ndongo and Matamba until her death aged 82, Queen Nzinga’s life was full to the brim with drama.So who was the Mother of Angola? Why did she have to lead an army for three decades? And what is her legacy?To get some answers, Kate spoke to Astrid Madimba and Chinny Ukata, the authors of a new book ‘It’s a Continent’ *WARNING There are adult themes and discussion of racism in this episode*Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Edited & Mixed by Thomas Ntinas.Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society.A podcast by History Hit.Vote for Betwixt the Sheets in the Listener’s Choice Award at The British Podcast Awards