History Rage

Victorian England wasn’t calm and orderly—it was a powder keg with Ian BreckonVictorian England is often remembered as a world of polite manners, strict morality, and orderly progress. But beneath the surface lay unrest, desperation, and rebellion. In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and novelist Ian Breckon to dismantle the myth of a peaceful Victorian society.Drawing on his research for the book Mad Tom’s Rising, Ian reveals the extraordinary story of Sir William Courtenay—better known as “Mad Tom”—a charismatic imposter who led a rural uprising in Kent in 1838. What followed was violent confrontation, mass mobilisation of labourers, and what has sometimes been described as the last battle fought on English soil.Far from the tranquil image of Victorian England, this episode explores a period rife with poverty, political anxiety, religious fervour, and social upheaval. Ian explains how economic hardship, the legacy of the Poor Laws, and widespread discontent created the conditions for revolt. When “Mad Tom” emerged preaching radical ideas and promising justice for the oppressed, desperate people were ready to follow.Paul and Ian discuss how this forgotten rebellion challenges popular assumptions about the Victorian era. Was England really stable and orderly—or was it simmering with revolutionary potential? And why has this dramatic episode been pushed to the margins of mainstream history?Expect a gripping conversation about imposters, messianic leaders, class anger, and the uneasy reality of life for ordinary people in the early industrial age.About the GuestIan Breckon is a historical novelist and researcher whose work explores overlooked and dramatic episodes from the past. His book Mad Tom’s Rising tells the extraordinary story of the Courtenay uprising and the social tensions that made it possible.📚 Buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837732289Listen to More from History RageIf you enjoy historians tearing down popular myths, subscribe to History Rage wherever you get your podcasts.Follow and support the show:🌐 Website: https://www.historyrage.com 🐦 Twitter/X: @historyrage 📸 Instagram: @historyrageSupport the PodcastLove the show? Help keep the rage alive:⭐ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Follow on your favourite podcast platform 💥 Join the Patreon community for bonus content and live events: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageYour support helps bring more historians, more myths to dismantle, and more historical rage every week.

Think you know the true story behind the birth of the SAS? Think again.In this extraordinary live episode, recorded on location at the Imperial War Museum History Festival, host Paul Bavill fires up the blue touch paper with best-selling military historian and filmmaker Damien Lewis. Together, they take dead aim at the cheap Hollywood tropes and television distortions that have rewritten the legacy of Britain's most decorated wartime icons.Damien unleashes a masterclass of historical rage against the BBC’s SAS Rogue Heroes portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Mayne. Far from the foul-mouthed, unhinged, drunken stereotype broadcast to millions, the real Paddy Mayne was a qualified solicitor, an Irish rugby international, a devotee of poetry, and the elite unit's hand-picked Discipline Officer who led his men through fraternal brotherhood and transformational command. You will discover the breathtaking truth behind his four Distinguished Service Orders (DSOs), his unmatched record of destroying enemy warplanes on the ground, and the clerical errors that unjustly denied him the Victoria Cross.But the rage doesn't stop in 1945. Damien connects history directly to the modern day, sharing a raw, unfiltered look at the shocking state of modern British defence funding. From frontline special operations to deep post-war psychological trauma, this episode peels back the curtain on the heavy cost paid by the "raiders of the thug variety" who fought to save Western civilization.Grab the Books & Follow the GuestDive deeper into Damien Lewis's meticulous archival research and gripping historical narratives.Buy Damien's Books: Grab SAS Great Escapes 5, SAS The Great Train Raid, or his definitive trilogy on Paddy Mayne's band of warriors (Brothers in Arms, Forged in Hell, and Daggers Drawn) directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781529448245Follow Damien on Social Media: @authordlewisBinge More History Rage Special Forces EpisodesIf this deep dive into WWII Special Forces left you wanting more, check out these recommended past episodes:Episode 33: Gavin Mortimer takes aim at the myths surrounding SAS founder David Stirling.Episode 218: Tony Rushmer confronts the media's portrayal of legendary original member Reg Seekings.Follow & Support History RageHelp keep the podcast angry, independent, and dedicated to historical truth!Visit the Website: Find every episode covering all eras of history at https://www.historyrage.comSupport us on Patreon: Join the inner circle of History Ragers for £5 a month to get entry into monthly book draws, exclusive live streams, the chance to submit questions to guests, and the coveted History Rage mug! Join today at https://www.patreon.com/historyrageGet in Touch: Follow the anger on social media by searching for @HistoryRage on X/Twitter and Instagram, or join the conversation using the hashtag #HistoryRage.And until next time... stay angry!

World War II in Asia began earlier—and was far darker.When did World War II really begin in the Pacific? According to historian Jenny Chan, the answer isn’t 1941 and Pearl Harbor. It’s 1931—and the consequences reshaped Asia long before Europe went to war.In this powerful and unflinching episode of History Rage, Paul Bavill is joined by Jenny Chan, historian, author, and co-founder of Pacific Atrocities Education, to expose the forgotten atrocities of the Second World War in Asia. From the Mukden Incident and the invasion of Manchuria to the Rape of Nanjing and the horrors of Unit 731, this episode confronts the systemic violence that began a decade before Pearl Harbor—and challenges the Western narrative of WWII.Jenny argues that framing the Pacific War as starting in 1941 erases millions of Asian victims. Japan’s occupation of Manchuria in 1931 marked the beginning of large-scale imperial expansion, biological warfare experimentation, forced labour, and state-sponsored sexual slavery. The brutality of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 shocked even foreign observers. Meanwhile, Unit 731 conducted human experimentation on an industrial scale—research later shielded from prosecution in exchange for scientific data.This episode explores:Why WWII in Asia began in 1931, not 1941The Mukden Incident and the failure of the League of NationsThe Nanjing Massacre and its global implicationsUnit 731 and Japan’s biological warfare programmeForced labour, “comfort women,” and racial ideologyWhy many perpetrators avoided justice after 1945How the war’s end triggered civil wars and Cold War conflicts across AsiaJenny also explains how Cold War politics reshaped justice in Asia, why some alleged war criminals returned to positions of power, and how unresolved trauma still shapes East Asian geopolitics today.This is essential listening for anyone interested in World War II history, Pacific War history, Japanese imperialism, war crimes, or the global consequences of empire.About Jenny ChanJenny Chan is a historian, author, and co-founder of Pacific Atrocities Education, a non-profit organisation dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of WWII in Asia.Her book: Maruta: Unit 731, Human Experimentation, and the Forgotten Asian AuschwitzBuy: https://amzn.eu/d/01w9DEyvShe is also the creator of the YouTube channel Pacific Front Untold, featuring survivor testimonies and archival research.Follow and connect with Jenny Chan:Instagram: @PacificAtrocitiesEduYouTube: Pacific Front Untold: https://www.youtube.com/@PacificFrontUntoldOrganisation: Pacific Atrocities Education: https://www.pacificatrocities.org/Support History RageIf you enjoy fearless historical debate and myth-busting rage:Join the History Rage Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyrage£5 per month gets you:Entry into the monthly book drawAccess to the monthly live streamThe coveted History Rage mugListen ad-free via Apple Podcasts or Patreon for £3 per monthLeave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more people discover the showShare the episode and recruit another listener to the Rage TrainFollow History Rage:Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook - @historyragePatreon: www.patreon.com/historyrageWorld War II did not begin with Pearl Harbor. It did not end cleanly in 1945. And for millions across Asia, its wounds never truly closed.Listen now and rethink everything you thought you knew about the Pacific War.

Think you know Boudicca? Discover the forgotten women who fought beside her.The story of Boudicca is etched into history, but what if the most powerful warrior queen was actually one of three? In this episode of History Rage, regular host Paul Bavill sits down with journalist and bestselling novelist Elodie Harper to shatter modern prejudices and Victorian myths surrounding Iron Age warrior women. If you’ve ever been told that powerful women didn’t exist in ancient Britain, prepare to have that misconception thoroughly dismantled.Inside the EpisodeElodie dives deep into the archaeological and written evidence—from warrior style burials to the contemporary Roman records of Tacitus—proving that female authority, status, and military power were very real features of the ancient Celtic world.Discover the hidden history behind Elodie’s latest book, Boudicca’s Daughter. While the Romans recorded the brutal atrocities committed against Boudicca’s two unnamed daughters to humiliate their bloodline, history has long left them in their mother's shadow as mere ciphers. Elodie explains why she chose to give these women their names and voices back, exploring the psychological aftermath of their trauma and their roles as political figureheads in Rome's greatest provincial crisis.From the pitfalls of Victorian romanticization to how Elizabeth I invented our image of Boudicca's red hair, this episode is a passionate rally against the failure of imagination in modern historical storytelling.See Elodie Live at Chalke History FestivalElodie Harper will be speaking live at the Chalke History Festival on Saturday, 27th June at 1:15 PM. Don't miss your chance to hear more about this incredible history immersive experience!Get your tickets here: https://www.chalkefestival.com/Support the Author & The ShowBuy the Book: Grab your copy of Boudicca's Daughter directly from the History Rage Bookshop and support independent retailers: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781804544655Follow Elodie Harper: Connect with Elodie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elodielharperLove Misunderstood Women in Power? Listen Next:Episode 306: Kate Williams rages that Catherine the Great didn't die having sex with a horse.Episode 298: Linda Porter rages that Mary Queen of Scots is not a bloody stupid woman.Support History RageIf you want to help us keep burying historical myths under King's Cross Station, consider becoming a History Rager on Patreon! For just £5 a month, you'll get entry into our monthly book draw, the invite to submit guest questions, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow History Rage on Twitter/X: https://x.com/historyrageStay angry!

The forgotten woman behind today’s global conspiracy thinkingConspiracy theories didn’t begin with the moon landing. They didn’t start with QAnon. And they certainly didn’t begin on Reddit.In this explosive episode of History Rage, Professor James Crossland returns to uncover the origins of modern conspiracy culture — and the overlooked figure who helped shape it. Long before talk of the “deep state,” the “New World Order,” or shadowy global elites, one British writer in the 1920s fused together Jews, Freemasons, Bolsheviks and secret societies into a single sweeping theory of world domination.Her name was Nesta Helen Webster — and according to Crossland, she is “patient zero for the plague of conspiracy-fed stupidity.”Drawing on his research into extremism, fascism and political violence, James explains how Webster inherited earlier myths about the Illuminati and the French Revolution and repackaged them for the post–First World War world. In an age of fear, upheaval and political instability, she offered something dangerously seductive: a simple explanation for complex events.We explore:The real history of the Illuminati in 1770s BavariaWhy the French Revolution became a conspiratorial blueprintHow the Bolshevik Revolution intensified global paranoiaThe role of the Protocols of the Elders of ZionThe rise of the British FascistiThe roots of the American far right and the John Birch SocietyHow conspiracy thinking evolves, mutates and survivesFrom Adam Weishaupt to QAnon, from interwar Britain to modern America, this episode traces the long thread of conspiratorial belief and asks a crucial question: why do these ideas endure?If you want to understand the historical roots of today’s global conspiracy movements — and why they feel so persuasive — this is essential listening.About the GuestProfessor James Crossland is Director of the Centre for Modern and Contemporary History at Liverpool John Moores University. His research focuses on extremism, political violence, war crimes and the darker sides of modern history.He is also host of the podcast History’s Devils, where each episode dives deep into some of history’s most troubling and complex figures — terrorists, war criminals, spies and ideological extremists.Follow James:X (Twitter): @DrJCrosslandBluesky: @james.crossland.bsky.socialPodcast: History’s Devils (available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and all major platforms)Follow History’s Devils on Instagram @historysdevilsWhy This Episode MattersConspiracy theories thrive in times of fear. After the First World War, confusion and anger created fertile ground for simple answers. Webster provided a framework so adaptable that it still underpins movements today.As James argues, conspiracy culture persists because it offers clarity where history offers complexity. It replaces polycausal explanation with villain-driven narrative. It provides belonging, identity and meaning.Understanding its history is not optional — it’s essential.Support History RageIf you enjoy fearless historical debate and myth-busting:Join the Rage on Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyrage £5 per month includes:Entry into the monthly book drawAccess to the monthly livestreamThe coveted History Rage mugListen ad-free via Apple Subscriptions (£3 per month)Follow and contact History Rage:X (Twitter): @HistoryRageInstagram: @HistoryRageEmail: historyragepod@gmail.comAnd if you love the show, tell someone. Bring another historian aboard the Rage Train.History is complex. Conspiracies are simple.And that simplicity is the danger.Stay angry.

Discover the truth behind history's most persistent and monstrous sexual slur.Think you know how Russia’s greatest empress met her end? If you are still repeating the infamous stallion myth, you have fallen hook, line, and sinker for 18th-century wartime propaganda.In this special episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with the brilliant Professor Kate Williams to completely dismantle the pervasive, malicious lies built to tear down powerful women in history. From Cleopatra being branded a mere "seductress" to Marie Antoinette's alleged scandals, powerful women have always faced intensely gendered character assassinations.But Catherine the Great took the brunt of it.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Cold Hard Truth: Exactly how Catherine the Great actually died (peacefully in her bed at age 67 from a stroke!).The Origin of the Lie: How her British, French, and Polish enemies weaponized satirical gossip to reduce a massive global superpower to a monstrous joke.The Real Legacy: Why Catherine was actually a groundbreaking vaccine pioneer, a champion of state education, and a builder of public health infrastructure.Despot vs. Democrat: The fascinating dichotomy of an absolute ruler who implemented policies we now associate with modern democracies.Stop letting 300-year-old "banter" dictate historical fact. It is time to respect one of Russia's most successful monarchs for her sharp political mind rather than a fabricated bedroom scandal.Hear More From Kate Williams·        Grab the Book: Unpack the full history of how the images imposed on queens become all-consuming. Buy Kate's latest book, Regina: A New History of Women and Power, directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781474621359·        See Her Live: Kate will be speaking at the Chalke History Festival on Thursday, 25th June at 2:00 PM. Secure your spot and buy tickets now at the Chalke Festival Official Website: https://www.chalkefestival.com/Connect: Follow Professor Kate Williams on social media for more historical insights on social media at @KateWilliamsmeRecommended Episodes to Catch NextIf this deep dive into historical misrepresentation got your blood boiling, check out these related episodes:Episode 232: Elizabeth Norton rages about the Queens Regnant.Episode 199: Una McIlvenna rages the truth about Catherine de Medici.Support History Rage & Join the Revolution!Loved this episode? Help us keep the rage alive and access exclusive perks:Patreon: Support the podcast for just £5 a month to get entry into our monthly book draw, invite privileges for future guest Q&As, access to monthly live streams, and the highly coveted History Rage Mug! Join the inner circle at https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow Us: Stay updated on all future rages by following the show on your favorite podcast platform.Stay angry!

Think the Black Death was just a medieval European tragedy? Think again.When you picture the Black Death, you probably imagine a third of Europe being wiped out while flagellants marched through British and French villages. But pandemics don’t stop at borders. What if our standard history lessons have completely ignored more than half of the story?In this special episode for the Chalke History Festival, host Paul Bavill sits down with Tom Asbridge, Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London and author of The Black Death, a Global History. Together, they shatter the Euro-centric myths to reveal a truly global disaster that stretched from Central Asia all the way across the medieval world.Discover how the plague reshaped the wealthy and sophisticated Mamluk Empire. Massive Middle Eastern cities like Cairo—which completely dwarfed London with a population of half a million people—faced unimaginable mass mortality. Tom explains the fascinating doctrinal differences that dictated survival; while Christian Europe viewed the disease as divine punishment that justified flight and abandonment, Islamic doctrine saw it as a merciful martyrdom. This completely altered how communities reacted, locked down, and ultimately collapsed under the weight of the pandemic.From the horrific eyewitness accounts of parents burying their own children to the long-term socioeconomic shifts that triggered peasant revolts and altered workers' rights, this episode zooms out to a global scale and zooms in on the raw human experience. If you want to understand the true scale of history's most terrifying disease, hit play now!About Our GuestTom Asbridge is a professional historian, author, and Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary University of London.See Tom Live: Catch Tom speaking at the Chalke History Festival on Friday 26th June at 4:00 PM. Grab your tickets at: https://www.chalkefestival.com/Buy the Book: Get your copy of The Black Death, a Global History directly from the History Rage Bookshop to support the show: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241399408Recommended Episodes To Check Out NextEpisode 193: Luke Pepera rages that there is an African history long before any Europeans turned up.Episode 143: Eleanor Janega brings the rage to prove that medieval women absolutely worked.Support and Follow History RageIf you love truth being freed and myth getting a long, slow, brutal death, help us keep the anger alive!Support us on Patreon: Join the inner circle for £5 a month to get entry into our monthly book draws, pitch questions to future guests, access live streams, and grab the coveted History Rage mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/HistoryRageVisit our Website: Get the latest updates and episodes directly at https://www.historyrage.com

Berlin wasn’t blockaded — and that changes everything you think.Was Berlin really “blockaded” in 1948? Or have we been repeating a Cold War myth for nearly eighty years?In this explosive episode of History Rage, cultural historian and author Joseph Pearson dismantles one of the most entrenched narratives of the early Cold War. We all know the story: Stalin sealed off West Berlin, starving its people, and the West heroically saved the city through the Berlin Airlift. But what if Berlin was never truly blockaded at all?Drawing on deep archival research and firsthand accounts from Berliners, Pearson argues that the term “blockade” is historically misleading. While ground and rail access from West Germany was restricted, movement between East and West Berlin continued. Civilians crossed borders. Food flowed in. Even Soviet authorities offered rations. The airlift was real — and extraordinary — but the idea of a city completely sealed off is far more myth than fact.We explore:What a “blockade” actually means — and why the word mattersHow ordinary Berliners experienced the airliftThe women who built Tegel Airport in just 90 daysThe terrifying near-misses that could have sparked World War IIIThe propaganda war that turned former enemies into alliesWhy the Berlin Airlift remains a masterclass in geopolitical brinkmanshipJoseph Pearson, originally from Canada and now based in Berlin, specialises in everyday history — the lived experience behind the headlines. His latest book examines the Berlin Airlift through the eyes of civilians and pilots, revealing a more complex, human and politically charged story.Guest Details:Joseph Pearson is a cultural historian and author based in Berlin.Book: The Airlift: Victories, Myths, and the Berlin BlockadeBuy here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781803998220Follow Joseph on Instagram @writing_josephIf you care about Cold War history, post-war Germany, the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, or how propaganda shapes memory — this episode will challenge what you thought you knew.Episode recommendations:Episode 219 – Giles Milton on Post War Berlin - https://pod.fo/e/2f6bc6Episode 103 – Katja Hoyer on East Germany - https://pod.fo/e/21793e Follow & Support History Rage🎙 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms 🌐 Website: www.historyrage.com 📱 Patreon & Apple Subscriptions for early access and exclusives 👉 www.patreon.com/historyrageJoin the conversation on social media and share your rage @historyrage Have a myth you want dismantled? Get in touch via the website.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it genuinely helps more people discover the show.History is human. History is political. And sometimes… history is wrong.Welcome to History Rage.