After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Built in 1862, Borley Rectory became known as England's most haunted house. From ghostly nuns and unexplained disturbances to paranormal investigator Harry Price's controversial investigations, discover the history behind one of Britain's most famous haunting legends.Was Borley Rectory truly haunted, or was its reputation shaped by folklore, sensationalist journalism and questionable evidence? Join After Dark as we separate historical fact from supernatural fiction.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy and McKenna Fernandez. Edited by Anna Brant. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

In the sixteenth-century, down the winding cobbled streets of Prague, there once lived a towering supernatural being: the Golem. Legend has it that it was conjured to life through mystic rituals, and acted as the protector of the city’s Jewish inhabitants. But what are the origins of this myth? And how has its legend shaped Prague in the centuries since?To help take us through this story is History Hit's very own Eleanor Janega! Listeners can catch her along with co-host Matt Lewis on our sister podcast, Gone Medieval.Edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

The story goes that in 1895 Bridget Cleary was burned to death by her husband who believed she was a 'changeling' fairy.In today's episode, Anthony and Maddy interrogate the stories we've been told about this murder in rural Ireland and if an interesting story of supernatural belief has gotten in the way of the brutal truth.Was there a genuine belief in fairies by Bridget Cleary's husband? Is this ultimately a story of domestic abuse? And how much of this is a colonialist projection by the British?Edited by Anna Brant. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and McKenna Fernandez. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

With Halloween just around the corner, it's the perfect time to really get to know the familiar figure of Dracula.What vampires came before him? What fears were the Victorians projecting onto him? And perhaps most importantly, who played the best version of him?Joining Anthony and Maddy today is Dr Kaja Franck of the University of Hertfordshire, who is a master of all things Gothic.This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

You've heard of the witch trials, but have you heard of the werewolf trials?!This fascinating history takes us to back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when panic spread through villages in mainland Europe leading to a number of people being tried and executed as werewolves.What evidence did they have? How did they believe you turned into a werewolf? And why did one man in 1691 claim to be a werewolf fighting evil?This episode was edited by Anna Brant. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

When the studious, unassuming brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm left home for university, little did they know their fairy-tale collections would take Europe by storm.We've all heard of Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and Rapunzel. But how well do we really know them?From severed limbs, blinded lovers, and some good old-fashioned cannibalism, these deliciously dark tales continue to entrance and horrify audiences today.Join Anthony and Maddy for a very After Dark-coded story time, as they explore and dissect the origins of these disturbing 'children's' stories.This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Hannah Feodorov. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

In 1845 two Royal Navy ships, HMS Terror & HMS Erebus, departed Britain on an expedition into the Arctic. Along their ill-fated icy expedition, they disappeared almost completely, becoming one of history's greatest maritime mysteries…In this episode, Anthony and Maddy follow the trail of clues left behind by the crew of this doomed voyage and uncover what really happened to them...Edited by Anna Brant. Produced by Tomos Delargy and McKenna Fernandez. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.

It's a story that's been around for a good 800 years, but is there any evidence that Robin Hood actually existed?Find out what really went on inside Sherwood Forest, how medieval outlaws lived, and why the Sheriff of Nottingham was a hated figure in the time.Delving into the historical records with us is medieval expert and co-host of our sister podcast, Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis.This episode was edited by Hanna Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

When the Romans left Britain in the 5th century, what happened next?The following centuries saw a messy and bloody struggle for power that left us with some gruesome royal murders.Taking us through the bloody details is medieval expert and co-host of our sister podcast, Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis.This episode was edited by Anna Brant. Produced by Stuart Beckwith and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™