When you say the name ‘Elizabeth Bathory’, a few things probably spring to mind. After all, she’s widely known as the Blood Countess, so you probably imagine a woman in a bath of blood. But did she really do this? Is it fair to call her one of history’s worst serial killers? Or are the…

Lady Godiva has been immortalised in some strange ways, giving her name both to a brand of chocolates and a line in Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’. Yet it’s fascinating that the star of an 11th-century story continues to have an impact even now. For some, she’s simply the woman who rode naked through the…

Every year, panto season rolls around again, and amid the usual mixture of fairy tales and family favourites, we often find several versions of Dick Whittington around the country. Unlike Sleeping Beauty or Snow White, Dick Whittington professes to be based on a real person. Indeed, Richard Whittington was a real historical figure. But cats…

The name ‘Boudica’ conjures up a range of associations, but most often we perhaps think of a flame-haired warrior standing up to the might of Rome. Freedom fighter, warrior queen, Celtic icon—she’s perhaps all of these things and more. But the length of time between her lifetime and the general lack of primary evidence about…

New Year’s Day has long been a time associated with gift-giving, visiting friends, and attempting to predict the fortunes of the year ahead. Unsurprisingly, it’s also been a time of rituals and superstitions designed to influence the coming year.  Let’s learn about old rituals to improve your luck and prospects in this week’s episode of…