History Rage

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:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
🎧 Listen ad-free on Apple Podcasts for just £3 per month via Apple Subscriptions
⭐ 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

❤️ If you’re enjoying this episode, support the show on Patreon for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage

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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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Templars weren’t the greatest, the longest-lasting, or even the most useful of the medieval military orders.

⚔️ Forget the Bloody Templars. It's Time for the Knights Hospitaller.
In this fiery episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian Rory MacClellan (author of Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Mediaeval Britain) to tear down the Templar myth and put the spotlight where it belongs—on the far more fascinating Knights Hospitaller.

🔥 The Hospitallers: Beyond the Crusades Rory rages against the obsession with Templars in films, books, and conspiracy theories. He argues the Hospitallers were more interesting and important, with a much longer history, existing as an active military force for almost 600 years. Unlike their rivals, the Hospitallers had a dual purpose: they founded hospitals to care for pilgrims and the sick, a function they maintained throughout their history, from Jerusalem to Rhodes to Malta. After losing the Holy Land in 1291, they successfully reinvented themselves as a naval power, while the Templars failed to adapt and were wiped out.

🏰 Politics, Intrigue, and Beheadings Far from being mere crusaders, the Hospitallers were significant landowners and powerbrokers across Europe, a role that drew them into local politics. Rory shares gripping stories of their deep entanglement in royal courts, civil conflicts, and even assassination plots. Key examples include:
Prior Robert Hales: A royal admiral and treasurer, Hales was seen as responsible for a new poll tax and became a specific target during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. He was dragged from the Tower of London by a mob and beheaded at Tower Hill. In a shocking betrayal, three of his own servants were among the mob that burned his priory and were present at his execution.
Prior John Langstrother: He got involved in the Wars of the Roses, initially siding with Henry VI and later joining Edward IV. After switching his allegiance to the Earl of Warwick and the Lancastrian cause, Langstrother was captured after the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 and beheaded on a scaffold outside the abbey.

💡 Legacy That Outlived the Hype So why did the Hospitallers survive when the Templars burned? They acquired their own independent base on Rhodes, which was far away from rulers like the King of France who went after the Templars. They also had a reputation for charity and ran a big network of hospitals, a function the Templars did not have. The Hospitallers' legacy as both warriors and caregivers kept them relevant for 600 years. Today, their legacy is still alive—long after the Templars vanished into myth.

📚 Guest Info Find more from Rory MacClellan in Warrior Monks: Politics and Power in Mediaeval Britain. Support independent bookshops and authors through this link : https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781803996776
Follow Rory on X: @RFMacLellan

❤️ Support History Rage Enjoying the rage? Back us on Patreon or Apple for early episodes, bonus content, and the coveted History Rage mug.
👉 www.patreon.com/historyrage

🔗 Follow History Rage Twitter: @historyrage
Facebook: History Rage
Instagram: @historyrage

Stay angry. Stay curious. And never stop questioning the myths.
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