The history they don't teach you in school.
Original title
Horrible Histories
Released
4/16/2009
Origin country
GB
Genre
Comedy, Family
Production companies
Lion Television, Citrus Television
Status
Returning series
Number of seasons
11
Number of episodes
154
Based on the best-selling children's books and liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, a group of British comedians offer an anarchic and unconventional take on some of history's most gruesome and funny moments, with topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians and the Romans, among others.
A compilation of the songs from the series, featuring Spartan High School Musical, the Viking Rock Band, punky Queen Boudica, Incan emperor Pachacuti, the posh rapping of Charles II, Blackbeard the Pirate, George IV going solo, the Victorian Inventions song, and the World War 2 Girls.
Christmas is a time for charity, hope and goodwill to all men - but for Horrible Histories it's a time of farting jesters, finding bacon in your Christmas card, and having your dinner confiscated by Oliver Cromwell. This episode showcases bizarre Yuletide absurdities from over the centuries with a unique blend of sketches, pastiche and song - a foul and festive treat. Revel in the smelliest, silliest and goriest stories about everyone's favourite time of year.
As part of the 2011 BBC Proms, the cast of Horrible Histories join up with the Aurora Orchestra, the Choir from the Music Centre, the Kids Company Choir and a group of dancers for a special event. The show features a selection of songs from the first three series, some excerpts from classical pieces and original sketches.
Special sport episode of the historical sketch show, based on the successful series of books. All the top sporting action from the past, including Emperor Nero and Jesse Owens singing the history of the Olympics. We're at the finish line to see Pheidippides run the first ever marathon, then we count down the top Marathon Cheats of all time and take a look back at some of our favourite Horrible Histories sporting events.
Death from 'Stupid Deaths' presents a show full of spooky highlights in this Halloween special.
We find out what happens when Henry VIII takes part in TV show Dating In Darkness and meets latest love Anne of Cleves, discover the problems encountered by Queen Elizabeth I’s portrait artist, and are treated to romantic musical interludes from The Love Rats Club, plus Queen Victoria as she duets with Prince Albert. We also say hello to Rattus Rattus’s brand-new girlfriend Ratalie, who Rattus Rattus is hoping will be impressed by a romantic dinner of ‘cockroach in jus de rubbish bag’...
Bob Hale and Rattus Rattus guide us through the horrible history of 1914-18. Featuring the soldiers, pilots, civilians, girl guides, suffragettes and even kings who were all caught up in the fighting.
April 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Britain's greatest playwright, William Shakespeare (or is it William Shagspeare or Willm Shakspere - even the great Bard himself didn't know!). In this episode, we look at the life and times of the playwright - from his largely unknown and humble beginnings in Stratford, through his times as a jobbing actor in London, to his success as the country's most respected and financially savvy writer.
Who wrote the first detective novel? When were books invented? Why do we like stories so much? In its own distinctive and irreverently accurate style, the episode takes a look at some of literature's greatest works and history's wackiest writers. Along the way we see the development of storytelling technology. We learn how a party at Lord Byron's house led to the writing of the Gothic masterpiece Frankenstein, and how Charles Dickens was the Harry Styles of his day. Spanning 3,000 years of recorded history we take a look at the funny and ridiculous ways some of our finest writers cured their writing block - did you know Tennyson used to pretend to go the loo as a party trick? Also, of course, our trusty host Rattus guides the way.
For the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, Horrible Histories returns for a one-off special looking at the disaster and the events that surrounded it. On the night of 2 September, a spark from a baker’s oven in Pudding Lane ignited a fire which roared through the tightly packed streets of London, tearing up the timber-framed houses and destroying up to a third of the city. In true Horrible Histories fashion, this special episode explores London and Britain before the fire, full of plague and party in the raucous Restoration atmosphere personified by King Charles II. We see how London’s Mayor preferred to stay in bed during the fire because been partying the night before, and how Samuel Pepys rushed to bury his parmesan cheese for safety.
Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great, the cash-loving Crassus, the feisty Joan of Arc, the brilliant but miserable Charles Dickens and the very determined Rosa Parks.
In a special musical episode of the award-winning Horrible Histories, host Rattus Rattus chooses his favourite songs from the fourth series to entertain his young nephew.
England footie star Alex Scott delves into the Horrible history of Soccer. From the Middle Ages, when whole villages would play against each other, with dire injuries as a consequence - to the famous Christmas truce in World War 1, when British and German troops put down their guns and spoke the universal language of football.
Back to School??! Ugh! It could be worse, though – in honour of everyone going back to school, Emily Atack takes you through the Horrible History of what school days were like in the past…
In celebration of Black History Month, Oti Mabuse brings you a selection of Horrible Histories sketches and songs featuring Rosa Parks, Civil War spy Mary Bowser, pioneering boxer Bill Richmond, plus Mary Seacole and Martin Luther King Jr.
Nish Kumar brings us a selection of sketches about European Historical figures, featuring the dance stylings of the Normans, Italian fashion, Leonardo da Vinci, Louis XIV’s bottom problems & the vocal stylings of the Four Georges…
Chronological compilation of the standout music videos from the third series, as chosen by the producers. An encore is omitted this year to make room for the slightly longer "Monarchs' Song".
In honour of Science Week, Dara Ó Briain brings you some of his favourite science-themed sketches, including the music of Charles Darwin, the serious goings-on at The Royal Society, Historical Paramedics, Victorian Inventions and Vaccinations…
Second season extended episodes and sketches.
Outtakes and gag reel from the second season
All quizzes from the second season
More cut or extended scenes and sketches from the third season
More hilarious outtakes and gag reel from the third season.
Quizzes from the third season.
Extended scenes and cut sketches from the fourth season.
Finished work that had content that didn't match the themes.
Quizzes from the fourth season.
Quizzes from the fifth season.
Life wasn’t always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient civilisations, to the terrible fights the young King Louis XIV had with his little brother - even weeing on each other's beds! And find out just why Henry VIII was so keen for his son Edward VI to stay inside.
Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are our hosts for a special live concert as part of the BBC Proms season at London’s Royal Albert Hall, introducing us to the world of opera. Mozart is sure that the Horrible Histories audience will love opera, with all its grisly and gruesome stories. But Queen Victoria is not so sure, thinking opera is totally unsuitable for children. In fact, she thinks the audience need to leave at once! Can Mozart change her mind?
All 13 episodes of the BBC series! History with the nasty bits left in! Based on the bestselling series of books for kids (and for adults, but they just won't admit it), Horrible Histories is an anarchic, surprising and unconventional take on history's most gruesome and funny moments. Foul facts, rotten rulers, beastly battles and evil inventions feature in horribly hilarious sketches, songs, cartoons and quizzes - all linked by the show's host, a talking rat! Liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, Horrible Histories romps through the ages with fascinating facts from the Savage Stone Age, Awful Egyptians, Rotten Romans and Vicious Vikings, taking in the Measly Middle Ages, Terrible Tudors, Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians, right up to the Woeful Second World War.
A pirate captain worries about an early bedtime and the four King Georges form a boyband.
A Stone Age doctor tries to help a modern patient and a Pharaoh invents the pyramid.
A Roman emperor finds a nasty alternative to candles, and an Egyptian tries to save money.
The Tudors sing their family history, Bob explains the complete history of Rome in two minutes, and a mad Victorian gentleman eats King Louis XIV's mummified heart.
A priest makes a piano from live pigs, Emperor Caligula declares war on the sea, and there are some disgusting beauty tips from Ancient Egypt.
An evil Greek god appears on a daytime chat show, a rich Georgian swaps his wife with a peasant, and we meet some weird medieval monsters.
There is a terrible smell in the Houses of Parliament, Cinderella struggles with the Blitz, and Helen of Troy reveals her complicated love life.
The Saxons exchange disgusting Christmas presents, a caveman goes on a TV cookery show, and we discover the bizarre causes of the First World War.
A Victorian inspector checks that school is suitably cruel, HHTV News reports live from the Great Plague, and Thumbelina drowns unpleasantly.
HHTV News reports live from the Battle of Thermopylae, Celt housewives find decorative uses for severed heads, and we learn the revolting truth about Roman toilets.
Queen Victoria learns that her British comforts are not very British, a Viking warrior won't stop talking in rhyme, and on 'Axe Factor', the contestants try to become executioners.
A Victorian teacher is confused by her pupils' bizarre names, the Romans run out of animals to execute, and Queen Victoria advertises her exercise DVD.
A lazy aristocrat invents the sandwich, the Romans host their own revolting cookery show and William Shakespeare is haunted by the ghost of King Richard III.
A prank-loving emperor hosts a dinner party on Roman Come Dine with Me, the Durham Home Guard injure themselves while learning first aid, and the Viking rock band paint the town red... literally.
A pirate captain regrets stealing a herd of seasick cows, a Georgian sportsman invents a whole new way of boxing, King Charles II raps about his party lifestyle, and the Georgian army goes to war against a bunch of naughty schoolboys.
In Ancient Greece, it's time for Spartan High School Musical, a jester breaks bad news to Henry VIII using armpit raspberries, learn how to stay fit with the Caveman Workout, and Roman emperor Nero stars in a (not very) romantic movie.
Britain's greatest sailor, Admiral Nelson, turns out to be horribly seasick, two doctors from the Middle Ages argue over how to treat a patient, discover the many uses for an Incan llama, and the World War 2 Girls sing about Girl Power on the Home Front.
An Incan kid has the worst birthday ever, a Roman farmer meets a door-to-door poo salesman, and King George IV embarks on a solo musical career.
The Ug and Ugio families go head to head on Stone Age Family Fortunes, mad King George III's doctors are even madder than he is, and Emperor Elagabalus launches his pranktastic Roman lottery.
Joan of Arc gets a visit from a confused angel, a pirate captain tries to make his crew dress like ladies, and Mrs Celt enjoys being a Roman on Historical Wife Swap.
Some Vikings attack a monastery but can't remember why, a peasant gets a posh makeover on Georgian Fashion Fix, Crimewatch BC tries to solve the murder of Julius Caesar, and prepare to be confused by the Egyptian Hieroglyphics song.
The Stuarts are confused by the newly-discovered drink of tea, a Viking funeral ends in a massive fight, a child evacuated in the Blitz thinks farm animals are monsters, and some cowboys sing about life in the Wild West.
King Charles I sends someone else to get married for him, a new recruit regrets joining the Georgian army, and Queen Cleopatra reveals her weird beauty secrets.
Barmy Roman emperor Caligula fails to invade Britain so collects seashells instead, King Henry VIII plays tennis while Anne Boleyn is executed, and some naughty Saxon monks throw a funky party.
Ug and Grunt demonstrate how to paint like a caveman, some silly World War Two codebreakers forget their own code, and Henry VIII challenges the King of France to a wrestlemania-style smackdown!
Meet an annoying French prankster from the Middle Ages, witness bizarre Aztec food on Historical Masterchef, see what happens when Queen Elizabeth I needs the toilet, and learn how not to impress a woman in Victorian times -a painful lesson in manners. The truth about Dick Turpin in song; certainly no New Romantic.
Some medieval knights discover the most disgusting way to attack a castle, the Saxons demonstrate the stupidest way to lose a battle, a Georgian goes shopping in a modern pet shop, and the kings and queens of England demonstrate how to remember them all, through the power of song.
A confused World War I soldier spends his first day in the trenches, William Wallace launches his music career as a rock rebel, Lady Jane Grey wins a frankly terrible competition, and the Welsh women of Fishguard defeat a French invasion without even trying.
An unusual Stuart highwayman doesn't always steal cash, a modern detective struggles to solve a series of murders in Emperor Caligula's house, HHTV goes undercover to prove allegations of cheating in Middle Ages jousting tournaments, and King George IV meets his dead relatives.
A Welsh prince from the Middle Ages has a very stupid death, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette go on Historical Wife Swap with some starving French peasants, a Tudor peasant gets a super-hot makeover from Historical Fashion Fix, and Queen Cleopatra sings about her femme fatale reputation.
Henry VIII promotes his all meat, no vegetables diet plan, Bob Hale struggles desperately to explain the Middle Ages War of the Roses, a Stone Age man invents farming, and Admiral Nelson confuses everyone with his last words.
Robert Walpole struggles to talk to England's German king, a Scottish sportsman attacks dead cows in the Highland Games, American inventor Paul Revere demonstrates his gunpowder toothpaste, and the Roman Emperors channel the King of Pop in their musical argument over who's baddest of all.
HHTV reporter Mike Peabody gets caught up in the French Revolution, Henry VIII enjoys a highly dangerous sport for children, Saxon King Ethelred the Unready suffers online bullying from the Vikings, and the Suffragettes set the record straight in song.
The Vikings launch their advert for 'We Sell Any Monk', Queen Elizabeth I surprises her court with some very odd laws, the sacrifice obsessed Aztec priests sing their gruesome disco song, and we discover the Roman equivalent of text messaging.
Some WWI soldiers try some very unusual ways to cure frostbite in the winter. Plus, the not at all romantic movie starring William the Conqueror, the story of Aztec Emperor Motecuhzoma, and a strange Stuart doctor takes a snooze during the middle of a battle.
We rejoice in the odd marriage of Mary I and Philip II of Spain, whilst a pirate chef disgusts the judges on Historical Masterchef and a Stone Age man appears on Dragons' Den with his innovative inventions. Plus, the Victorian paramedics offer their bizarre medical advice to a modern patient.
The people of Strasbourg literally can't stand still with 'Dance Fever', HHTV presenter Fearne Polyester reports from a bizarre Greek festival, two Celtic warriors hold a rap battle to see who is best at boasting, and King Charles II meets the man who tried to steal the Crown Jewels.
Savage Songs compilation. Featuring the hip hop battle of the boasting Celts, pop superstar Cleopatra, rock rebel William Wallace, the soulful Suffragettes, the funky Aztec priests, the crooning caveman, bad boy heartthrob Dick Turpin, pouting Richard III, the children of the Victorian workhouses, and the many, many, merry monarchs!
Dick Whittington pitches a movie about his life, Stone Age technology geeks queue for hours at the unveiling of the Bronze Age, and some German bomber pilots find an unfortunate use for a tourist guidebook to Britain.
Henry VIII appears on a TV show hoping to raise money from his antique abbeys. Also, Charles Darwin sings about his theory of Natural Selection, and a pirate captain aims to be Lord Sugar's next Historical Apprentice.
Queen Elizabeth I goes online dating, Greek philosopher Socrates foils his own rescue from prison, and Emicho of the Rhineland goes crusading with some very unusual Sat Navs to lead the way.
HHTV's War Reporter Mike Peabody regrets his decision to cover the Norman Siege of Palermo, the Pilgrim Fathers rap about Jamestown in America, and a German submarine captain has the worst toilet accident in history.
Some Bronze Agers argue about building the world's first city, Bob Hale explains the entire history of the Renaissance, Mary Seacole sings about her Crimean hotel, and William Shakespeare gets into a rap battle.
A confused Christopher Columbus declares he has found India and a Georgian woman reveals her very Stupid Death. Also, Victoria and Albert attend the Great Exhibition and Tsar Peter III brings a very weird case to the Court of Historical Law.
Emperor Napoleon plays in a very unusual chess match, a Victorian inventor builds an anti-seasickness ship with one small design flaw, a snowball fight breaks out at a public execution and the British army hires a dead tramp to defeat the Germans in World War II.
Emperor Nero visits the victims of the Great Fire of Rome, some Crusaders attend a training course on how to fight weird monsters, and we meet the man with the best (and worst) job in Tudor England.
King Edward III gets married in a building site, Julius Caesar reveals his secret tips on hiding baldness, we learn the tricks of the criminal trade on the Real Victorian Hustle and we meet Renaissance Italy's most corrupt family: the Borgias.
William the Conqueror has some trouble conquering the town of Ely, Greek philosopher Diogenes reveals his disgusting tactic for getting rid of people he doesn't like, a Saxon joins a modern dating agency and there is a surprise in store for the people on Victorian Wife Swap.
Dr Culpeper invites us all to his highly unhealthy health spa, a Crusader knight competes on Historical Masterchef, King John worries about all the internet haters and crooner William Shakespeare serenades us with his big band.
A Victorian woman books a ticket on a very odd railway, a modern patient is (mis)treated by a Roman dentist, Alfred the Great pitches a movie about his life, and a Greek geek competes on Historical Mastermind.
The Thinkers, Mary I, William Shakespeare, The New World, Luddites, Victoria and Albert, Mary Seacole, Natural Selection and RAF Pilots
The Saxon gods form an unlikely team of superheroes; famous astronaut Neil Armstrong reveals his new weight loss programme; we meet Georgian London's crime-fighting genius, and Rosa Parks sings about her struggle for equality.
Featuring a surprisingly charming Stuart highwayman; the Captain of the Titanic holds the world's worst safety briefing; famous writer Mary Shelley pitches the movie of her life; and those violent Vikings show their softer side in a song.
The boys test their horsepower to the max on Stone Age Top Gear; Charles Dickens sings about his life and books; the Greek philosophers host weird dinner parties on Historical Come Dine With Me; and Vlad the Impaler reveals his horrible new plan for keeping out the neighbours.
Featuring the rather eccentric Georgian philosopher Jeremy Bentham; super-rich Roman politician Crassus raps about his blinging lifestyle; some unusual soldiers are recruited into WW2; and Johannes Gutenberg goes head-to-head with some monks on The Historical Apprentice.
Famous monk St Augustine struggles to introduce Christianity to Saxon England; Stuart diarist Samuel Pepys annoys the smartest men in Britain; we witness a daring escape from the Tower of London; and Joan of Arc's story is quite an unusual one for a teenage girl.
Queen Victoria's coronation doesn't go quite as planned, George IV pulls out all the stops to impress his guests on Historical Come Dine With Me, ancient Greek bighead Alexander the Great refuses to stop conquering things, and the HH Sport team report live from the horrible pirate races.
Roman emperor Caesar Augustus reveals the lazy secret of his success, TV's most excitable reporter, Bob Hale, explains the very, very complex history of WW2, we meet Georgian England's most forgetful vicar, and Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr takes on the English in battle.
The surprising identity of Britain's top-scoring footballer is revealed, things get ridiculous on Germany's version of Historical Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, a Celtic farmer isn't terribly keen on plans for Hadrian's Wall, and the brainy pioneers of transportation sing about their inventions.
There is public confusion when King Charles II bans coffee shops, a seasick chicken ruins a Roman sea battle, mighty Egyptian Pharaoh, Ramesses II, meets some smelly peasants on Historical Wife Swap, and a cave-dwelling Stone Age couple try to buy their first house.
A Victorian businessman goes undercover in his own factory, there's a right royal squabble over who should rule medieval England, we meet eccentric Georgian politician Mad Jack Mytton and the Real Tudor Hustle reveals the cleverest con tricks by naughty historical criminals.
DI Bones investigates an unusual Victorian traffic accident, Roman scientist Pliny the Elder suffers a Stupid Death in ancient Pompeii, Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill argue online over what to do about Adolf Hitler, and we discover the horrible history of early Australia.
Featuring a female dinosaur expert who sells seashells down on the seashore, Brian the handsome scientist reveals the weird wonders of the Greek Universe, TV's fastest-talking pensioner, Bob Hale, tries to explain the Space Race between the USA and the USSR, and there's a fitting musical finale to the end of the series.
Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great, the cash-loving Crassus, the feisty Joan of Arc, the brilliant but miserable Charles Dickens, and the very determined Rosa Parks.
Horrible Histories returns for a special about King John and Magna Carta, starring Ben Miller. John annoys the Barons and agrees Magna Carta at Runnymede, after a banging rap battle. Meanwhile across the world we meet the formidable Genghis Khan in Mongolia, and catch up with the crafty Saladin during the Crusades. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode about King Alfred the Great, starring Tom Rosenthal. Watch Alfred argue with his older brothers then defeat the Vikings using his cunning hit-and-run tactics, summoning the spirit of Ed Sheeran. Meanwhile, across the world, Ant and Dec host a very special Chinese edition of I'm A Celebrity, and the Egyptians tell us how healthcare should really be done. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode about William the Conqueror, starring Kevin Eldon. We meet young William, Duke of Normandy, as he quarrels with Harold Godwinson about who should be King of England, before bashing the English and taking the crown at the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066! Meanwhile, across the world we discover Chinese technology light years ahead of the dunderheaded Normans and Saxons in England, and meet one of the world's first scientists in Egypt. With, of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode about Mary Queen of Scots, starring Jessica Ransom. This episode follows the young Mary as she stumbles from young girl in Scotland to queen in France, back to queen in Scotland and finally to Elizabeth I's public enemy no 1 - with a bit of Queenian Rhapsody thrown in for good measure! Meanwhile, across the world we meet silver-nosed Danish scientist Tycho Brahe, and Mr H gives us his unique take on the epic Battle of Lepanto in another History's Craziest Fools. With, of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode about the great French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, starring Jim Howick. We follow Napoleon as he rises from humble beginnings to be the Emperor of France, bashing most of Europe along the way, and ultimately meeting his Waterloo at, well, Waterloo! Meanwhile, across the world we meet the Indian traveller who brought shampoo to the world. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode about King Henry VIII, starring Rowan Atkinson. We meet the young Henry as he struggles with his boring dad Henry VII, before becoming king himself and going through wives like most people go through toothbrushes! Meanwhile, across the world we meet the great Ottoman leader Suleiman the Magnificent in Turkey, and the mad, bad, and very dangerous to know Emperor Zhengde in China. With, of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show about the great Egyptian queen Cleopatra, starring Kathryn Drysdale. We meet Cleo as she clashes with her brother, seizes power and hooks up with great Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Meanwhile, across the world, we catch up with the thoughts of famous Chinese philosopher Confucius and encounter the less glamorous side of life in Rome. With, of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show about King George III, starring Simon Farnaby. We follow George from a young unpopular king to a much loved figure some 60 years later, and check out a bit of his court life along the way. Meanwhile across the world we hear about some of the words we have got from India, and the Battles of the Day team give us their unique insight into the American Revolution. With, of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show, focusing on the great British Queen Boudica, starring Lorna Watson from Watson & Oliver. We follow Boudica as she turns against her Roman masters and unleashes her wrecking ball on Colchester, St Albans and London. It is cut-throat Celts versus rotten Romans - it's going to be very gory! Meanwhile, across the world, we meet famous emperors Caligula and Nero, dishing out their own unique brand of Imperial nastiness. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show about Winston Churchill, starring Jim Howick. We follow Churchill from a young soldier in India during the time of Queen Victoria, through the First World War, to victory in World War II, and finally to his retirement in the Swinging Sixties - what a journey! Meanwhile across the world we meet the American soldier literally spreading propaganda around the battlefields, and learn about Gandhi's more eccentric side. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show about Queen Victoria, starring Sarah Hadland. We meet young Vicky as she becomes queen aged only 18, marries her true love Albert, and has to put up with the open sewers at the not-so-luxurious Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, across the world, we catch up with Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, and discover plans for the Great Hedge of India. Yes, hedge! With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show about Oliver Cromwell. We follow Oliver as he rises from obscurity, challenges King Charles I in the English Civil War, and ultimately orders the King's execution - as he says, a it was a 'cruel necessity'. In other parts of Britain we meet a bunch of oddly named Puritan soldiers, and the great writers Shakespeare and Milton square up for a word battle. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show featuring all your favourite rotten rulers from the series. Including naughty Napoleon annoying his Josephine and horrid Henry VIII getting married again! There's also a song from wily Winston Churchill and of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
A special episode of the historical sketch show, featuring ghastly Genghis Khan, the wise Confucius and a dance-off during a naval battle! There's also a Bollywood number from Queen Victoria. With Rattus to guide the way.
A special episode of the historical sketch show, featuring all your favourite songs from the series! Sing along with King Alfred about his burnt cakes, or with Henry VIII about his love of reformation - or get down Norman-style with William the Conqueror. With of course, our host Rattus to guide the way!
Horrible Histories charts monstrous musicians, from Neanderthal screeches to Jimi Hendrix.
Meet explorers throughout the ages, from Vikings in America to the first man on the moon.
Take a journey of romance through history, including King Henry VIII's 6 First Dates.
From Dali's surrealism to Chris Ofili's elephant poo, Horrible Histories does art history.
Steve Biceps searches for his top Deadly 60 villains, and Rattus meets his inner demons.
From the wheel to WIFI, Horrible Histories takes a look at the world's greatest inventors.
Horrible Histories looks at the 45 US presidents so far, and they are a strange bunch.
From Vicious Vikings to 20th Century tyrants, experience history's most ruthless rulers.
Horrible Histories explores Russia's Revolting past in this bumper special episode.
Will drilling a hole in your head really cure a headache? Horrible Histories investigates.
There is much more to Florence Nightingale than being 'The Lady with the Lamp'...
Horrible Histories explores some of the most famous families that have shaped the world.
An episode featuring songs from the series. Join the Horrible Hearts Club Band to sing through music, or go Downtown Threat with Al Capone.
The team takes a look at many ancient cultures. Sketches: Alex the great finds out about kissing The Romans, Greeks and Chinese face off in a rap battle
Go through the history of the Tudor dynasty, through from Henry seven to Elizabeth the 1st. Along the way, also find out about Mary 1, in her vlog.
Featuring Victorian fake news, paparazzi, and cameramen strapped to the front of moving trains, Queen Victoria shows you how her subjects invented and became obsessed with films!
The Horrible History of (sometimes literally) dressing to kill. Henry VIII has beef over whose armour is best and Louis XV dresses as a hedge.
History is filled with tales of great minds coming together, and collaborating, to achieve incredible things. It’s also full of idiots working together to create an unholy mess, and people forming partnerships for decidedly sinister reasons - welcome to Horrible Histories’ Chaotic Collabs!
Rattus is panicking, as the Rat Queen is visiting the sewer and he has no idea how to behave nicely around royalty! Not only that, if he can somehow appear attractive to the Queen, maybe he could be the next Rat King?! Luckily, help is at hand in the (very well-mannered) shape of First Dates’ Fred Sirieix, a man who knows all about how to behave politely in high society. Fred will guide Rattus through the Horrible History of Manners and Etiquette, in a bid to help him on his quest.
Families - sometimes you love them, sometimes you bicker with them, and sometimes you marry them off to consolidate your power in Europe. Welcome to a look at some of history’s most fearsome families.
A look at some of the various ways in which, throughout history, humans have lived with, worked with, and interacted with animals.
Comedian and space nerd Dara O Briain joins Rattus as guest host for a special show that marks the anniversary of the 1969 moon landings.
Dani Dyer becomes Rattus’ political advisor as we look at everything from the birth of democracy to Margaret Thatcher having to change her voice so she would be taken more seriously.
A look at how World War II played out on the home front, featuring Churchill's secret loo, the heroic 'ATA Girls' and German spies being caught out by their delicious sausages.
A celebration of some of history’s greatest females, including Spartan Queen Gorgo terrorising Historical Love Island, supergroup The Tudor Queens and the original Wonder Women.
Alex Scott joins Rattus for a sport-themed special. Mary Queen of Scots goes grief-golfing, the H2 Freestylers take on a whole village, and the sports-mad Henry VIII sings Get Sweaty.
The Puritans set sail, Queen Elizabeth I loses a colony, and the Founding Fathers sing!
Rattus has launched his own radio station (‘BBC Radio Number Two’) and who better to advise him on the songs he should be playing than social media star Holly H? Together, they bring us a collection of some of the best songs of this series, plus new material from some of the famous historical faces we meet along the way.
A special show featuring some of history’s greatest firsts, including the first ever library, Olympic Games, people on the moon and rat roller-skating on TV!
Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken join Rattus for a selection of old and new sketches relating to bodies.
Historical sketch show, based on the successful books by Terry Deary.
Horrible Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian’s Wall? Why was a West African diver asked to help salvage Henry VIII's ship, the Mary Rose? And the actor Ira Aldridge tells us how he came to leave New York to find fame in 19th-century England.
Life wasn’t always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient civilisations, to the terrible fights the young King Louis XIV had with his little brother - even weeing on each other's beds! And find out just why Henry VIII was so keen for his son Edward VI to stay inside.
Protests about inequality or environmental damage are common today, but how have people protested in the past? Emmeline Pankhurst is our guide through this history of protest, from Cato the Younger’s talkative protest in ancient Rome to the cheese riots of 18th-century Nottingham. Also, how will the Luddites cope with the newfangled technology of a video call?
Charles Darwin presents a special show, as Horrible Histories takes a timely look at our planet and how we’ve behaved towards it throughout history. We look at how we’ve not always treated the planet's resources with the utmost care, from the 19th-century gold rush, to Henry VIII enjoying a little too much deforestation to build his warships.
Strictly’s Shirley Ballas joins Rattus for a waltz through the history of dance, with Bruno Tonioli as Nero, who had his dance teacher killed, and Queen Vic’s Highland reel!
Horrible Histories brings you a cracking Christmas special, delving into the origins of the festive season.
Horrible Histories serves up the history of foul feasting, from Stone Age lentils to Queen Victoria’s anti-fart bread.
From Cleopatra’s hairdo to Elizabeth I’s flushing loo, meet history’s biggest Influencers.
From Henry VIII’s wine fountain, to Empress Dowager’s marble boat, Horrible Histories talks money, jewellery and untold treasures.
Daily life can be a bit of a grind, but not as much as it was in the past! Rattus takes us round the clock, revealing daily routines throughout history, from waking in Ancient Egypt to Medieval Loo Man.
Count Rattula guides us through some of history’s greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII’s Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters.
Terrible Tudors King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I bicker about who was the best ruler. Henry had a mechanical dragon kite, but Liz had a flushing toilet.
Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him?
Rattus has an idea that might make him millions – he is going to launch a streaming service. However, to make Ratify a success, he is going to need some great songs from history.
An animated special, celebrating BBC's birthday.
In honour of Father’s Day, Horrible Histories takes a look at some of history’s daftest dads, featuring Henry VIII, Charles Dickens, William the Conqueror and Joseph Stalin!
How did the NHS come into being? When was the first kidney transplant? Is half a chicken actually a cure for anything? Find out as comedian and former psychiatric nurse Jo Brand joins Rattus to host a special episode in honour of the NHS’s 75th birthday. They discover how the NHS came to be, some of its weirder moments, and what life was like before we had the NHS to look after us. Did you know that before the NHS, getting medical help could be both difficult and expensive? We take a look at the role of the almoner, who decided who would have to pay for their treatment, and how much, before Nye Bevan comes along with his notion of free health care for all.
Legendary Lioness Jill Scott joins Rattus to look at the history of the beautiful game, including Shakespearean mentions, women’s football being banned and coffins on the pitch!
Horrible Histories presents the sometimes-ludicrous story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.
From how Henry VIII had the most comfortable poo possible, to finding out which bit of his house Charles Dickens called The Demon – take a tour of horrible homes through history.
From warring brothers to farting mothers, Horrible Histories presents some of the biggest, best and worst rivalries throughout time. Guest starring Rosie Jones, Fred Sirieix and Rob Rinder.
Legendary artists Da Vinci and Michelangelo are the guides for a journey through one of history’s most creative, and sometimes weirdest, periods.
Comedian and children’s author Rosie Jones is here to help Rattus choose his World Book Day outfit, and discover the gory details behind some favourite children’s books!
Famous inmates, botched escapes and thefts, and Henry VIII’s favourite executions – they’re all here in a terrifying history of the Tower of London.
Everything from roads to baths to pies, hosts Emperor Nero and warrior queen Boudicca are here to show what the Romans did while they were here in Britain
From bottom complaints to snot, bird poo and farts, Loo Man provides a guided tour through some of history’s grossest things.
Rattus has enlisted the help of Richie – the Horrible Histories songwriter – to help him present a special song-filled show by making every one of Rattus’ bits a song too!
Featuring a new sketch with Elizabeth I searching for a successor in her show England’s Got Monarchs, and Rattus is the guide through some of HH's most regal sketches!
Mark Labbett joins Rattus for a look at some of history’s most brilliant brainboxes.
Horrible Histories takes a look at some of history’s most ridiculous rules.
Horrible Histories takes a tour of the world’s greatest landmarks.
From camels to space rockets, it's the Horrible History of travel.
The mobile phone! The vibrating poo platform! HH journeys through the history of tech.
Find out how even the biggest empires rise and fall - also featuring mid-battle diarrhoea.
Rattus and his mum look at Monstrous Mothers!
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