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

Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th century nun, was a certified genius and a true polymath.From her many side hustles to her skincare recommendations, she wrote about everything from what happens when the world ends to what the female orgasm feels like.Why would a celibate nun know about this? What did she have to say about swollen testicles? And why were her achievements so significant?Joining Kate today is the one and only Eleanor Janega, co-host of History Hit podcast Gone Medieval. You can also check out her website here: https://eleanorjanega.com/This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Why were children punished for illegitimacy in the 18th century? And what does the word even mean?The truth is quite shocking, and probably still affects a lot of the people you know today.Joining Kate today is Kate Gibson, historian and author of Illegitimacy, Family, and Stigma in England, 1660-1834, to explore the ways that female sexuality played a part in the stigma of illegitimacy, and how attitudes evolved, from the Victorians up until the modern day.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer is Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Sexual purity was hugely importance in the medieval world, especially for women.How did chastity work in practice? Why was it so important? And was the infamous chastity belt really used?Joining Kate today is friend of the show and co-host of our sister podcast, Gone Medieval, Eleanor Janega, to help us unlock the mysteries of Medieval chastity once and for all. This podcast was edited and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

How sexually liberated were the people of Ancient Mesopotamia? In what is modern day Iraq and dates back to around 3000 BC.The answer may surprise you, with gender fluidity and sexual diversity quite commonplace. Look no further than their frisky goddess, Ishtar.Taking us back to this fascinating period is Stephanie Budin, historian and author of Gender in the Ancient Near East.This episode was produced and edited by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Whatever your underwear preferences, have you ever wondered about their history?From the Tudor codpiece to Victorian bloomers, they've all got a story to tell. Sharing them with Kate today is Nina Edwards, author of The Virtues of Underwear: Modesty, Flamboyance and Filth. This episode was edited by Max Carrey, the producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Were the Vikings the original trendsetters?Even when they were raiding the poor monks in Lindsfarne in 793, they were passing on hairstyles that annoyed some of the local elders.Why did they file their teeth? How often did they bathe? And what influence did their gods have on all of this?Joining Kate today to explore the beauty standards of the Vikings is Dr. Eleanor Barraclough, author of Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

With privacy being a modern luxury, where did people in the past go to meet and hook up? Public toilets were (and can still be) a popular option.But what were secret signals? And what were the risks? Especially if, like many of the people who did it, you were part of the gay community.Joining Kate today is Dr. Jeff Meek, lecturer in economic and social history at the University of Glasgow, to take her into this world and help us find out.You can find out more about Jeff's work at https://queerscotland.com/.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Struggling for role models in the modern world? We've got your back, looking way back to the ancient world.Join Kate and Jasmine Elmer, author of her new book, Goddess With A Thousand Faces, as they explore the remarkable stories of some of histories most incredible ancient Goddesses and the lessons we can learn from them.What can Artemis the Greek Goddess of Wild Hunting and Virginity tell us about sexual autonomy? And what does Huitaca, the Goddess of Rebellion tell us about taking a stand when our freedoms are in danger?This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXTYou can take part in our listener survey here.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.