For this episode, Douglas and Hugh take you up the river Thames, through Traitors' Gate and into the heart of England's most infamous place of execution: The Tower of London. Find out why there are ravens nailed down to the ground. Discover the true relationship Beefeaters have with beef. Marvel at the priceless gems the English royal family stole from other countries and shudder at the ghosts of dead queens and German spies said to haunt the grounds. Douglas would also like to give a full and f...
Mar 04, 2026•38 min
Do you start your morning with a nice hot cup of coffee? We know we do. So it's time to celebrate that humble little brown bean. Brew yourself a fresh pot and settle in for a coffee-based adventure as Douglas and Hugh take you around the world! Also, we would all like to point out that Douglas is in no way connected to the recent disappearance of Jeff Hollenbach, the landlord of the recently closed Nut and Squirrel - which, like the Ferret and Trouser Leg, will remain closed indefinitely pending...
Feb 18, 2026•37 min
Douglas and Hugh are well out of their comfort zone for this episode. They need to get to the end zone without causing offence to all of America. Will they succeed? So strap on your helmets and hunker down as we take you through the history of that most baffling of colonial past times, American Football. What is it? How do you play it, and why are the names so silly? Plus we investigate how a simple admin negotiation created a billion-dollar national event that has over 100 million Americans glu...
Feb 05, 2026•37 min
We're back for 2026, positively charged and ready to flow! In this episode, Douglas and Hugh fight it out for the electric crown with the tale of two pioneers in their field. In one corner: Thomas Edison! In the other: Nikola Tesla! What did these two superconductors of Victorian knowledge have in common? Why did they fall out? And who had the last laugh? You'll also discover exactly what Hugh's girlfriend has stolen from his house, and the new hobby that has made Douglas so very sweet... ------...
Jan 23, 2026•38 min
With the Winter Solstice firmly in our rearview mirror, we round out the year with an especially festive episode! Hugh cordially invites you and Douglas to the Roman Midwinter celebration of Saturnalia, which sowed the seeds of many Christmas traditions we enjoy to this day. Then we exchange gifts as Douglas returns the favour by taking you and Hugh through a typical Victorian working class Christmas eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. And you're all invited to a special Christmas quiz at the Fer...
Dec 22, 2025•38 min
Tremble, listener. This episode brings together some of history's most horrific characters - including both James Corden and Piers Morgan. You have been warned.... Join Douglas and Hugh as they explore the reign of terror that is the Spanish Inquisition. Expect bloodshed, persecution, torture and grisly death. But who were they, who were they after, and how did you become an Inquisitor? You'll also discover how Douglas got himself a four-legged friend and what's gone horribly wrong in Hugh's kit...
Dec 11, 2025•34 min
We already excavated the Great Pyramid of Giza, so it would be remiss of us not to take a look at the remaining six of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. So we did. And we have. And this is the next. Just what made the Hanging Gardens of Babylon so wondrous? What made them Hanging? Where is Babylon anyway? Did they even exist? And who got to decide the Seven Wonders anyway? So many questions...and we have the answers! Use your ears to discover the truth. And you'll also find out what's gone...
Nov 27, 2025•37 min
Imagine a journey across most of the known world, where wondrous things can be bought and sold. And we're not talking about Sunday's jumble sale in the village hall. Yes, Douglas and Hugh are off on another travelling adventure, this time exploring the Silk Road, and diving into the life and times of Marco Polo, who may or may not have made everything up while staying at home on the sofa eating crisps. Join us as we trade in silks, spices, religion and just about anything your heart desires - ev...
Nov 12, 2025•34 min
This is one small step for our pod, one giant leap for mankind... Join us as the furiously exciting space race reaches its inevitable climax with the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, AKA The Moon Landing. The names of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins will be remembered and celebrated forever, but it did you know it was nearly three very entirely different people altogether? Find out who by using your ears... ------ History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a spoof comedy podcast about histo...
Oct 29, 2025•35 min
Part Two of our epic Space Race saga will astound you. Not only will you learn about all the creatures that were sent into orbit by the Americans and the Russians, you'll also finally learn which is the best pasta to eat in zero gravity. And who doesn't want to know that? ------ History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a spoof comedy podcast about history written, performed and produced by Adrian Mackinder and James Devonshire , with music by Mike Jones . Let us know your thoughts and suggestion...
Oct 15, 2025•41 min
Time to boldly go where no one has gone before. Grab your flight suit, strap yourself to your rocket and buckle the hell up. Douglas and Hugh are taking you through the early years of space travel. Picture the scene: it's the birth of the Cold War and the heat is on between Russia and the United States. Who will get into space first? And how far are they prepared to go to get there? Well, as it turns out, quite far. Too far? You decide! How did the Cold War get its name? What role did dastardly ...
Oct 01, 2025•37 min
Standing alone in the desert for thousands of years, The three gigantic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt have captivated our minds and filled our souls with wonder. But why are they there? What's inside? Who built them? How did they do it? What are they for - pharaohs, gods...or aliens? So many questions...well Douglas and Hugh have the answers! Join us as we unwrap the bandages of truth from the mummy of myth. Discover what these pyramids have to do with Jaffa Cakes. Marvel at the outbreak of sexually...
Sep 17, 2025•37 min
There have been few romances as powerful as the love shared between Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort Albert. Some have come close. Anthony and Cleopatra. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Bert and Ernie... But none can hold a candle to the lust, love and loss that defines the marriage between the most powerful woman in the history of the world, and a German man. Join Douglas and Hugh as they rummage through drawers to find love letters, erotic post cards and dirty drawings shared between...
Jun 15, 2025•36 min
One of the most famous Kings of England. He was French, but we don't hold that against him too much. Join Douglas and Hugh as they "Take the Cross" and draw swords against the most famous medieval monarch named after a massive cat. Discover how he really got his name, how he accidentally became king, why he hated his father, and why Douglas believes Richard's rivalry with arch nemesis Saladin is on a par with his own relationship with a certain pub landlord in Lavenham... ------ History for You ...
May 15, 2025•37 min
It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. Douglas and Hugh have finally decided to tackle those vicious, bloodthirsty Nordic warriors. But were they really vicious and bloodthirsty? Time to pillage truth from the village of myth. We've also compiled a run down of the top ten most iconic vikings who ever lived. And some who probably didn't. What a treat. So pull up a longship, sup on your horns of mead and prepare yourself for sagas untold! ------ History for You with Douglas and Hugh ...
May 01, 2025•34 min
War! Europe is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Kaiser Wilhelm. There are heroes on both sides. Evil is everywhere. But whither, you may ask, is WINSTON CHURCHILL? Well, that's what Douglas and Hugh reveal as they continue their informed and unbiased account of the man some believe to be BRITAIN'S GREATEST BRITISH PERSON. This thrilling episode follows the political and military career of Winnie during the First World War. And what a tale it is. One of astonishing highs and catastrophic l...
Apr 16, 2025•37 min
Many consider Winston Churchill to be the greatest British human who ever lived. But was he, when it comes down to it, a massive bellend? Come with us brave time traveller, and join Douglas and Hugh on the first part of an epic journey as they debate the life, deeds, beliefs, politics and legacy of the man who helped shape the twentieth century. Also, Douglas has some very exciting news. Very exciting indeed... ------ History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a spoof comedy podcast about history ...
Mar 30, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Douglas and Hugh take the Hyundai over to Italy where you'll meet the original Godfathers of crime, corruption, extortion, murder and much much more: The Medicis. For centuries, this extravagant gangsta dynasty kept a vicelike grip over Italy -vice being the operative word. Experience their rise and fall, as well as the Humanist world in which they lived and died, better known as The Renaissance. You'll also discover why chafing has forced Hugh to wear short shorts out of season...
Mar 06, 2025•36 min
Lights! Camera! Silence on the set! Tape rolling...3,2,1 ACTION!! This episode follows the unique life of a true titan of cinema: the mighty Orson Welles . Join Douglas and Hugh as they explore this remarkable filmmaker, actor, wit, intellect, lover, bon vivant and consumer of many many pies. From the precocious cinematic genius that changed the medium, to the frustrated raconteur who became an extra large, we leave no stone unturned. Discover how Welles convinced a nation that the martians were...
Feb 19, 2025•39 min
Imagine a time when wealthy, privileged bullies controlled the minds of millions by making up stories to publish in their rotten newspapers. A time when rich old men married young aspiring Hollywood starlets and wild zebras roamed the hills of California.... STOP THE PRESS!! We're back! In the first episode of 2025, Douglas and Hugh present the rise and fall of the world's first notorious international media mogul, American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Discover how Hearst built his...
Jan 29, 2025•37 min
As is now tradition (i.e. we did it once before, last year), here's a bonus Christmas present: five minutes of us failing to keep it together. A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of you who have listened to our silly little show throughout the year. We don't run ads, we don't make a penny on these shows, we do it for the love of history, sending up history and sending up those history podcast presenters a bit too keen on the sound of their own voices. You know who you are. So wherever you are, we hope yo...
Dec 25, 2024•4 min
Season's greetings! For our third and final Christmas compilation - and the last full-length episode of 2024 - Douglas and Hugh unwrap the gift of truth from under the Christmas tree of lies. In this slice of historical Yule log, you'll discover the erotic side of XXXmas, the REAL reason we have a dying pine tree in the corner of our living room ever December, how Queen Victoria's bareknuckle prowess gave Boxing Day its name and the origins of that horrific festive tradition: panto. Warning. Thi...
Dec 19, 2024•45 min
Season's greetings! Welcome to the second of our Holy Trinity of festive specials, where we take our collected Christmas mini episodes from the archive and smush them together into full-length episodes to get you through the Yuletide period. In this episode Douglas and Hugh tuck in to the history of Christmas food and drink throughout the ages, the world's weirdest Christmas rituals, the truth behind the Nativity and iconic Victorian Christmas traditions. You'll finally discover the real differe...
Dec 11, 2024•56 min
Last Christmas we gave you our hearts. We recorded twelve mini-episodes all about different aspects of the festive period - and they were incredible. So this year, because we're both going on holiday (separately, you understand), Hugh has asked his nephew Gavin to cut these episodes together into a trio of full-length episodes for your ears. And this is the first. In this episode, expect a staggeringly incisive analysis of Christmas carols, the Roman origins of Christmas and everything we know -...
Dec 03, 2024•45 min
In 1851, Prince Albert, Royal Consort to Queen Victoria, held a magnificent celebration of his adopted homeland. Think Cool Britannia only less cocaine and more things stolen from other countries. To house this Great Exhibition, he had built an enormous Crystal Palace, a marvel of Victorian architecture and a shrine to Empire, excess and elephants. Today, not a single shard of glass from this vast building remains. Why? What happened? And what exactly was inside its shimmering walls? Don't get u...
Nov 27, 2024•31 min
Grab your pickaxe, we're going digging! Let Douglas and Hugh take you back to Egypt, at once thousands of years, and then just over a century ago, as we expose the life of the most famous Egyptian king Tutankhamen - a life tragically cut short. We then flash forward to Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon uncovering King Tut's majestic tomb in the Valley of the Kings, which came with all the mod cons you expect from a royal burial chamber - and a terrible TERRIBLE curse. Or so they say... Talking of...
Nov 13, 2024•40 min
We're back for another Halloween special episode for the Spooky Season and Douglas and Hugh are delving into the mucky and grim history of witchcraft in Europe. Why were so many men so scared of women? Which King of England wrote arguably the definitive book on witches, warlocks, demons, goblins and imps? And what terrible secret has Douglas unearthed in his loft? All will be revealed if you lend us your ears... ------ History for You with Douglas and Hugh is a comedy podcast about history writt...
Oct 30, 2024•36 min
This episode has divided Douglas and Hugh. The former believes it to be a Halloween special, the latter insists that it isn't. As ever, you be the judge! Prepare for an unforgettable trip back to Tudor England as we guide you inside Hampton Court , arguably the most famous British royal palace that doesn't have an actual royal currently living in it. We invite you to tiptoe nervously through its grand arches, mind-boggling maze, candlelit chapels, bustling kitchens and decadent chambers, you mig...
Oct 16, 2024•36 min
The term "genius" is banded around all too casually these days. Very few deserve the title. But this man definitely does. Artist. Anatomist. Engineer. Aviator. Gardener. There was nothing Leonardo da Vinci couldn't do. If he were alive today, he'd probably also be an excellent podcaster. But he isn't, so you're going to have to make do with Douglas and Hugh. In this episode, we examine the world of Leonardo da Vinci. The Mona Lisa. The Last Supper. The helicopter. All singular creations, all fro...
Oct 01, 2024•40 min
In this obscenely violent episode, Douglas and Hugh become a pair of American wise guys as they blow the lid off bootlegging on the streets of New York and Chicago during the 1920s and 30s. A time where crime most definitely DID pay. A time of Prohibition. Discover how Al Capone rose through the ranks of street hoodlums to become the most notorious gangster who ever lived, how Hugh managed a forty a day smoking habit before he was twelve, why Douglas has cancelled al plans for an extension to hi...
Sep 18, 2024•34 min
