History Rage

Anne Boleyn myths destroyed live at Katherine of Aragon Festival
Recorded live at the Katherine of Aragon Festival, this special episode of History Rage sees host Paul Bavill joined on stage by Owen Emerson (Assistant Curator, Hever Castle) and Alfred Hawkins (Curator, Tower of London) to challenge the biggest myths surrounding Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and Tudor England.

Anne Boleyn remains one of the most mythologised figures in British history. Was she a ruthless schemer? A Protestant heroine? A tragic innocent? Owen Emerson argues that much of what we “know” about Anne was shaped by Victorian historians. Far from being a woman without substance, she was highly educated, shaped by Renaissance France, politically aware and deeply engaged in religious reform — though not the architect of the English Reformation.

The panel explores:
Anne Boleyn’s relationship with Catherine of Aragon
Whether Anne pursued Henry VIII — or resisted him
The political reality behind the Break with Rome
The truth about her execution and burial
Why we don’t actually know what most ordinary people thought of her

Alfred Hawkins also tackles a major misconception: the idea that the Tower of London is simply a grim execution site. While Anne’s death looms large, the Tower was a royal palace, administrative hub, armoury, archive and community for centuries. Reducing it to a Tudor “theatre of death” ignores over 1,000 years of English history.
This live discussion is packed with Tudor historiography, debates about historical “expertise”, the limits placed on queenship, and why applying modern labels to early modern women can distort more than it clarifies.

If you’re interested in Anne Boleyn, Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, the English Reformation, Tudor queens, or the Tower of London, this episode restores complexity to one of the most dramatic periods in British history.

Guest Details
Owen Emerson
Assistant Curator, Hever Castle
Visit: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk
Alfred Hawkins
Curator, Tower of London
Visit: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

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Recorded live at the Katherine of Aragon Festival.
Stay angry.
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The Desert Fox legend endures, but how much of it is true?
In this landmark 200th episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined once again by military historian and author Peter Caddick Adams to dismantle the enduring myths surrounding one of WWII’s most famous — and most misunderstood — figures: Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox.

Rommel has long been painted as the daring genius of North Africa and even as a “good German” who stood against Hitler. But how much of that is reality, and how much is myth-making? Paul and Peter dig deep into the legend, the propaganda, and the politics that shaped Rommel’s reputation during the war — and long after it.

The Strategic Genius?
Rommel’s early victories in North Africa cemented his reputation, but Peter reveals the other side: his lack of staff training, his tendency to lead like a battalion commander even at army level, and how much his success relied on captured British equipment, Allied weakness, and signals intelligence.

The Propaganda Machine
Rommel wasn’t just lucky; he was a propaganda dream. From his days as Hitler’s bodyguard in Poland to his carefully staged desert photographs, he cultivated the Desert Fox image with Nazi backing.

Politics and the July Plot
Did Rommel oppose Hitler? Peter explains why there’s no evidence he joined the July 20th plot — a post-war myth shaped by biography and politics.

The Post-War Reinvention
After 1945, Rommel was recast as the “clean Wehrmacht” figure NATO needed. Churchill himself called him “a daring and skilful opponent,” sealing the legend.

Packed with anecdotes — from a dachshund in the classroom, to Coronation Street’s “Rommel the cat” — this milestone episode strips away the myth to reveal the complex man behind the Desert Fox.

🎧 Celebrate 200 episodes of History Rage with a myth-busting deep dive into Rommel’s real legacy.

Guest Information:
Follow Peter Caddick Adams on X: @militaryhistori and Instagram: @pcaddickadams

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👉 Help us challenge the myths of history — share this episode and spread the rage!
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Why history lessons drain passion – and how we can fix it

History should ignite curiosity, creativity and connection. Instead, too often, it does the opposite.

In this powerful History Rage Live episode, host Paul Bavill is joined by medievalist, broadcaster and historian Professor Janina Ramirez to rage against the way history is taught – and how rigid curricula, “great man” narratives and siloed subjects are snuffing out a lifelong love of the past.
Drawing on her own personal journey, Janina explains how school history almost drove her away from the subject she loved, why women and ordinary people remain marginalised in classrooms, and how our education system has all but killed the polymath. From medieval walls to modern smartphones, she makes a passionate case for interdisciplinary history that reflects real human lives – not just battles, kings and dates.

Along the way, the conversation ranges widely:
• Why women’s history is still treated as optional or tokenistic
• How figures like Christine de Pizan and Hildegard of Bingen challenge everything we think we know about the past
• Why timelines matter – but rigid periodisation often doesn’t
• How digital access could create a new generation of polymaths
• And why rewriting history isn’t about politics, but accuracy

This episode is essential listening for teachers, students, parents, historians and anyone who’s ever felt bored by history lessons – and wondered why.
If you’ve ever loved history but felt pushed away by how it’s taught, this rage is for you.

About the guest: Professor Janina Ramirez
Professor Janina Ramirez is a medievalist, art historian and broadcaster, and President (for life) of the Gloucester History Festival. She is renowned for bringing interdisciplinary, people-centred history to wide audiences through books, television and public scholarship.

Books
📘 Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths That Shaped Europe
Available here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780753560419

Follow & contact Janina Ramirez
Twitter / X / Instagram: @drjaninaramirez
Gloucester History Festival: https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk

More History Rage with Janina Ramirez
🎧 Episode 82 – Medieval women written out of history: https://pod.fo/e/1ef944
🎧 Episode 147 – Life inside a medieval convent: https://pod.fo/e/269598

About History Rage
History Rage is the podcast where historians vent their frustrations and dismantle the myths we were taught at school. Hosted by Paul Bavill, each episode challenges comfortable narratives and puts passion back into the past.

Follow History Rage
Twitter / X / Instagram / Facebook: @HistoryRage
Website & bookshop: https://www.historyrage.com

Support the podcast
❤️ Join Patreon for live streams and exclusive content:
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⭐ And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or recommend History Rage to a friend – it really helps the podcast grow.

Stay angry. History depends on it.
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Why are we still obsessed with the Tudors?
In this lively episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by the brilliant comedian and World War II historian Al Murray to tackle the relentless fixation on the Tudor dynasty. With a blend of humour and historical insight, Al argues that it’s high time we move beyond the soap opera of Henry VIII and his six wives to explore the far more transformative events of the 17th century — namely, the English Civil War.

Join us as we delve into:
- Tudor Fatigue: Al’s candid thoughts on why the Tudors have overstayed their welcome in popular history.
- The English Civil War: Discover why Al believes this tumultuous period is far more relevant and interesting than the Tudor saga.
- Revolutionary Ideas: How the Civil War set the stage for modern British governance and the ongoing struggle between power and the people.
- Historical Narratives: The importance of perspective in history and how personal biases shape our understanding of the past.
- Fresh Approaches: Al shares insights from his writing, including how to approach historical events without the burden of hindsight.

With Al's unique blend of comedy and historical analysis, this episode is a call to arms for history enthusiasts to broaden their horizons and explore the rich tapestry of our past beyond the Tudors. Get ready for a passionate discussion that challenges the status quo of historical storytelling!

📚 Connect with Al Murray
Check out his latest book Victory 45 co-authored with James Holland: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781472146360
Follow Al on social media: Instagram/Threads: @thealmurray | Twitter/Bluesky: @almurray

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Join us for a spirited debate that’s sure to ignite your passion for history and challenge your views on what truly matters in our past!
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James I wasn’t weak, stupid, or slobbering — history got lazy

James I has gone down in history as a disappointment, a fool, a drunken slob — a king wedged awkwardly between Elizabeth I and Charles I and remembered largely for what others did to him. But what if almost everything you think you know about James I is wrong?

Historian and author Gareth Russell returns for a record-breaking fifth appearance to dismantle the enduring caricature of James I of England and VI of Scotland. From supposed physical deformities and “slobbering” table manners to accusations of cowardice, weakness, and religious extremism, Gareth takes aim at centuries of lazy myth-making and historical snobbery.

Drawing directly on contemporary sources, Gareth explains why the image of James as a grotesque failure tells us far more about xenophobia, propaganda, and bad history than it does about the man himself.

This episode explores:
Why James I became the “unpopular in-between king” of British history
How English and Scottish prejudice shaped his posthumous reputation
The truth behind claims of physical deformity and drunken incompetence
James’s surprisingly effective rule in Scotland — and why people wept when he left
His deep commitment to peace and how he kept Britain out of the Thirty Years’ War
The complex reality of his religious views, Catholic toleration, and hatred of Puritan extremism
His dangerous but evolving obsession with witchcraft and the long shadow of Daemonologie
How and why James authorised the King James Bible — and how involved he really was
Why his failure to unite England and Scotland politically haunted his reign

This is not an exercise in rehabilitation or hero-worship. As Gareth makes clear, James I was deeply flawed — but he was also intelligent, scholarly, peace-driven, and far more effective than history likes to admit.

If you’ve ever repeated the myths, laughed at the caricature, or dismissed James I outright — this episode is your invitation to rage at bad history and demand better.

Live Appearance Announcement
📍 Gareth Russell is speaking at the Katharine of Aragon Festival
🗓 31 January & 1 February
🎟 In-person tickets and digital passes available here:
https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/about/history/katharine-of-aragon/kofa_26/
Gareth’s festival talk explores the powerful and emotionally complex relationship between James I and his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, whose remains were once held at Peterborough Cathedral.

About the Guest: Gareth Russell
Gareth Russell is a historian, broadcaster, and bestselling author specialising in early modern Britain and Europe.

Books:
Queen James: The Life and Loves of James I https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780008660857
The Palace: 500 Years of History at Hampton Court https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780008437015
Podcast:
Single Malt History with Gareth Russell: https://open.spotify.com/show/1WESbOrpImFKKF55tfYYYj
Follow Gareth Russell:
Website: https://www.garethrussell.co.uk
X / Twitter: @garethrussell1

About History Rage
History Rage is the podcast where professional historians come armed with evidence — and fury — to tear down historical myths, misinformation, and lazy storytelling.
Hosted by Paul Bavill, History Rage challenges everything you think you know about the past and demands better standards from popular history.

Follow History Rage:
All Social Media: @HistoryRage
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms

Support the podcast:
History Rage is proudly independent. You can support the show, access bonus content, and help keep historians raging by backing the podcast on Patreon. www.patreon.com/historyrage

If you care about truth, nuance, and calling nonsense what it is — this one’s for you.
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