In this episode, we explore the dramatic 1244 siege of Montségur, the last stronghold of the Cathars, a heretical Christian sect hunted by the Catholic Church… Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Dr Marie-Elise Gardel: Archaeologist, Site Medieval De Cabaret a Lastours Frederic Loppe: Archaeologist, Site Medieval De Cabaret a Lastours Fabrice Chambon: Cultural Ambassador, Chateau & Musee De Montsegur Andre Czeski: Archaeologist, Musee De Montsegur Eric Meyers: Narrat...
Jul 10, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 22
In 1947, a strange crash in the New Mexico desert sparked rumours of alien contact and a military cover-up… In this episode, we dives into the conflicting reports, declassified documents, and enduring questions surrounding the Roswell incident. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 08, 2025•38 min•Season 8Ep. 21
In 1925, the SS Cotopaxi vanished without a trace while sailing through the infamous Bermuda Triangle, leaving behind no clear explanation. In this episode, we dive into the mysterious theories, and join experts on their hunt for the shipwreck... will they find what they're looking for? Cast List: Chuck Meide: Maritime Archaeologist Michael Barnette: Marine Biologist and Underwater Explorer Douglas Myers: Captain William Myers’s Grandson Guy Walters: Historian & Author Al Perkins: Avid Diver...
Jul 01, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 20
What happened to Jesus between ages of 12 and 30? In this episode we explore the mystery of his "missing years," from ancient legends to modern theories, and what they reveal about faith, history, and the unknown. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 26, 2025•31 min•Season 8Ep. 19
Who was the St. Bees Man? In this episode, we continue exploring the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. This second instalment to the story has us trying to figure out exactly who this man was... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Chris Robson: Local Expert Dr Robin Darwall-Smith: Magdalen College Archivist Ian McAndrew: Local GP Tim Guard: Author, Chivalry, Kingship and Crusade David Nicolle: Author & Historian Eric...
Jun 24, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 18
Who was the St. Bees Man? In part one of this episode, we explore the incredible story of the Cumbrian Knight who was discovered in a lead shroud in 1981. With his body coated in beeswax, the man was found in a near perfect state of preservation... but how? Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Chris Robson: Local Expert Deirdre O’Sullivan: Archaeologist, University of Leicester Ian McAndrew: Local GP Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Jun 19, 2025•22 min•Season 8Ep. 17
During World War II, Nazi Germany launched a secretive effort to harness the power of the atom - but how close did they really get to building a nuclear weapon? In this episode, we explore the science, the scientists, and the sabotage behind Hitler’s atomic ambitions. Was the world closer to a Nazi bomb than we realise, or was it doomed from the start? Cast List: Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jun 17, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 16
In this episode, we journey to Portugal to uncover the secrets of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrotta, where Portuguese forces and their English allies triumphed against the Castilians and French under the blazing August sun. An ancient ossuary filled with the battle’s fallen could unlock new insights into medieval warfare in Europe. Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York Manuel Joao Matias: Dryas Octopetala Archaeological Services Professor Joao Gouveia Monteiro: Universidade ...
Jun 12, 2025•43 min•Season 8Ep. 15
In this episode, we explore the ancient biblical story of the Exodus, tracing the Israelites' journey from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. Join us as we uncover the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this legendary migration that has inspired countless generations. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 10, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 14
Join us as we explore the surprisingly private and complex life of Henry VIII beyond his public image. From his refined tastes and athletic pursuits, this episode reveals a lesser-known side of the Tudor monarch. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist Rebecca Rideal: Author, ‘Plague, War & Hellfire’ Dr. Matt Green: Historian Lesley Ronaldson...
Jun 05, 2025•40 min•Season 8Ep. 13
In this episode, we investigate a medieval skeleton found near Lewes, Sussex, initially suspected to be a casualty of the Battle of Lewes in the 12th century. But with radiocarbon dating revealing an even older origin, possibly the Norman era, the research team delves into whether this could be the first skeletal link to the Battle of Hastings... Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University Of York Malin Holst: Osteoarcheologist, University Of York Chris Whittick: Senior Archivist, East ...
Jun 03, 2025•46 min•Season 8Ep. 12
In this episode we uncover the true origins of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a story born from scientific curiosity and the eerie promise of reanimation. Over 200 years later, its questions about creation, responsibility, and the limits of human ambition are more prominent than ever in the age of artificial intelligence... Cast List: Guy Walters: Author, historian and journalist Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 29, 2025•27 min•Season 8Ep. 11
In this episode, we dive into the extravagant reign of King Louis XIV, the "Sun King" who ruled France for over 70 years. Discover how his obsession with absolute power and the lavish court life at Versailles transformed the French monarchy and left a lasting legacy on European culture. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Journalist Rebecca Rideal: Auth...
May 27, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 10
In 2013, a team of metal detectorists in Janakkala, Finland, stumbled upon something astonishing - a mysterious grave dating back over a thousand years. Buried with two swords, the extraordinary find suggests a link between Christians and Pagans. Cast List: Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist Simo Vanhatalo: Archaeological Field Services, Museuivirasto Paul Macdonald: Sword maker, MacDonald Armouries Rachel Wood: University of York Raila Altonen: Landowner Mikko Mäkelä: Metal Detectorist Eric Meyers: ...
May 22, 2025•44 min•Season 8Ep. 9
In this episode, we journey into one of the most enduring conspiracy theories of the 20th century: Did NASA really land astronauts on the Moon in 1969, or was it an elaborate hoax filmed on a Hollywood soundstage? We explore the origins of the Apollo moon landing conspiracy theory, discuss the most common claims made by skeptics, and examine how science, photography, and cold war politics fuelled both belief and doubt. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist a...
May 20, 2025•31 min•Season 8Ep. 8
In this episode, we unpack the life of King George III, his battles with mental illness and how they forced his son, the Prince Regent, into power. As the king faded from public life, the prince indulged in grand architectural dreams and lavish tastes, ushering in a new era shaped by crisis, culture, and conflict. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Tony McMahon: Author & Journalist Hallie Rubenhold: Author, ‘The Scandalous Lady W’ Dominic Selwood: Author & Jou...
May 15, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 7
In this episode, we’re joined by Tony McMahon to explore the life and legacy of James, the so-called “brother” of Jesus. Was James an early leader in the Jerusalem church whose influence shaped the foundation of Christianity, and a truly a devoted follower of Jesus? Or are there hidden texts or Gnostic writings that reveal a different James than the one we’re told about... Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more a...
May 13, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 6
In this episode we explore the Nazi regime’s radical urban planning ambitions, from Hitler’s vision for “Germania” - a colossal, totalitarian capital meant to eclipse all others, to the destruction of Warsaw. Cast List: Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press. Nicholas O’Shaughnessy: Professor of Communication at Queen Mary, University of London Terry Charm...
May 08, 2025•40 min•Season 8Ep. 5
In this episode we’re joined by historian and author, Guy Walters, as we explore the mysterious world of the Freemasons - their origins, symbols, rituals, and the conspiracy theories that swirl around them. From medieval stonemasons to modern lodges, discover what’s fact, what’s fiction, and why they’ve fascinated the public for centuries. Cast List: Guy Walters: Author & Historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 06, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 4
How did Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command, cheat the hangman at Nuremberg? This episode unpacks the mysterious circumstances of his death, his manipulative charm, and the unsettling bond he formed with U.S. Army psychiatrist Lt. Colonel Douglas M. Kelley. Cast List: Dr. Linda Papadopoulos: Psychologist Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Jack El-Hai: Author, 'The Nazi and the Psychiatrist' Frank McDonough: Author & Historian of the Third Reich Douglas Kelley Jr.: Son of Dr. Douglas ...
May 01, 2025•46 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Behind the image of a stern monarch, Queen Victoria lived a deeply emotional life marked by personal tragedies, private struggles with grief and the quiet use of laudanum. This episode explores Victoria’s intense relationships, from her devotion to Prince Albert to her rumoured bond with John Brown - alongside the assassination attempts and hidden vulnerabilities that shaped the woman beneath the crown. Cast List: Tracy Borman: Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces Dr. Rosemary Leonard: General ...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Enter Montana’s infamous penitentiary and hear the explosive story of a tense siege, the firing of bazookas and a maverick warden. -- Bringing you a bonus episode from a brand new podcast from the Like A Shot network. Join historian Sascha Auerbach, and comedian Tom Ward, as they reveal the incredible stories behind eerie ghost towns, ruined mansions, forgotten factories, crumbling castles, wartime relics, haunted prisons, and much more. 'Where Did Everyone Go? Histories of the Abandoned' is an ...
Apr 27, 2025•41 min
In this episode, we explore the legendary Staff of Moses, an unassuming shepherd’s rod turned divine instrument of miracles. From transforming into a serpent, to parting the Red Sea, we're joined by historian Tony McMahon to help us trace its symbolic power and enduring mystery throughout history. Cast List: Tony McMahon: Former BBC news producer, author, print journalist and historian Eric Meyers: Narrator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 24, 2025•38 min•Season 8Ep. 1
In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast we take a look at the dark ambitions of Hans Kammler, whose fingerprints remain on some of the Nazi regime’s most lethal projects, from the development of the V-2 rocket to the construction and operation of concentration camps. Cast List: Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Dr Michael Allen: Author, ‘The Business of Genocide’ Dr. Paul Jaskot: Author, ‘The Architecture of Oppression’ Dr. Karina Urbach: Author, ‘Go-Betweens for Hitler’ Guy Walters: ...
Apr 22, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 40
In this episode of Forbidden History, we delve into the CIA’s controversial and secretive experiments that were conducted in the name of national security. From Project MK-Ultra’s mind control trials to the mysterious Operation Sea Spray, the strange outbreak in Pont-Saint-Esprit in 1951, and the conspiracy-laced Montauk Project, experts explore the threads that may connect these suspicious events… Cast List: Peggy Brunache: Historian, archaeologist and lecturer at University of Glasgow Lindsay ...
Apr 17, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 39
In 1941, Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, embarked on a mysterious solo flight to Scotland in an unauthorised bid for peace. What drove him? Was he a rogue idealist, or was this part of a deeper plot? In this episode we unpack the strange mission, the unanswered questions surrounding his decades in Spandau Prison, and his subsequent controversial death. Cast List: James Douglas-Hamilton: The Duke of Hamilton’s Son Nigel Jones: Author & Historian Roger Moorhouse: Author & Historian Prof. Man...
Apr 15, 2025•45 min•Season 7Ep. 38
TW: The following episode contains discussion of child abuse, please listen with care. In 1483, two young heirs vanished from the Tower of London, sparking centuries of speculation. In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we examine the theories surrounding their disappearance, including the controversial connection to Richard III, whose recently exhumed body has reignited questions about his role in their deaths… Cast List: Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist Prof. Michael Green: Fo...
Apr 10, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 38
In this episode we delve into the bizarre circumstances surrounding the death of Edward II of England, a king whose tragic end has long been shrouded in mystery. After being deposed and imprisoned by his wife, Queen Isabella, and a faction of powerful barons, Edward's demise has sparked centuries of debate. Was his death a result of natural causes, a tragic accident, or a carefully orchestrated murder? Cast List: Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist And...
Apr 08, 2025•36 min•Season 7Ep. 37
In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we look into how Adolf Hitler leveraged recreation and leisure activities to control Germany's workforce and instill the ideals of the Nazi regime in the citizens of the Third Reich. Cast List: Guy Walters: A British author, historian, and journalist who has written several books on WWII. As a journalist for The Times, he writes on historical topics for the national press. Andrew Gough: Writer, presenter and editor of The Heretic Magazine Terry C...
Apr 03, 2025•42 min•Season 7Ep. 36
In this episode of the Forbidden History podcast, we delve into the mysterious murder of Arthur of Brittany, the young heir whose death in 1203 raised questions of betrayal and political intrigue. Was it a power play by King John of England, or something more sinister? Cast List: Stephen Church: Historian & Expert on King John Ciaran O’Keefe: Criminal Psychologist Prof. Michael Green: Forensic Pathologist Andrew Rose: Barrister & QC Richard Felix: Author & Historian Lynn Picknett: Hi...
Apr 01, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 35
