Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
History Hit
300 episodes
Join sex historian Dr Kate Lister on Betwixt the Sheets as she gets intimate with the stories that would make your history teacher blush.
More about the show
What were the Victorians really like behind closed (bedroom) doors? How did the Black Death favour women in medieval England? And what was Caesar like in the sack?
Join Kate as she bed-hops around different time periods; from ancient civilisations, to the middle ages, to renaissance and early modern...right up to now.
You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll ask yourself how much has actually changed.
Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society - a podcast from History Hit.
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Episodes page 2 of 6
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A History of Homophobia
Has there ever been a time when homophobia did not exist? And what causes it to rise and fall? Kate is joined by Dr. Harry Tanner, author of 'The Queer Thing About Sin: Why the West Came to Hate Queer Love'. Harry has…
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How to Get Cancelled in Ancient Judea
What do we know about Jesus? Kate is joined for this episode by Professor of Christian Origins, Helen Bond, to find out more about the historical record for the events of the New Testament, why Jesus was persecuted,…
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The Fake Princess Who Fooled Georgian England
What you'll hear in today's episode is a story that strikes to the dark heart of the British Empire. Despite being set in the time of Jane Austen's early 19th century polite society, Princess Caraboo's strange tale…
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Sex Work in Colonial India
When the British Empire colonised India, how did it treat their different ideas about sex? How did they treat sex workers like the Devadasi, meaning 'slave of God'? And did the Victorians fetishise Indian sexuality?…
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How Scandalous Were Masquerade Balls?
Faces covered, identities unknown - masquerade balls sound like a place of anonymity and, therefore, SCANDAL. But how true is this in the 18th Century? Could people sneak in unrecognised like they do in Bridgerton?…
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The Brothels of Imperial Russia
In today's episode we're taking you back to the brothels of 19th century St. Petersburg. Sex work was legalised under the Emperor Nicholas I, but what was life like for sex workers? Why did they have to carry yellow…
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Who was the first 'Lesbian'?
Was Sappho queer? Or was this Ancient Greek poet just really really good friends with women? Today on Betwixt the Sheets, Kate is joined by Katherine Horgan to find out how Sappho's poetry has lasted through the…
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Sex Work in the American Revolution
Where the American War of Independence raged, the camp followers...followed. Among them were sex workers, for both the American and British troops. What was life like inside army camps where sex workers mixed with…
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The Depravity of the Marquis De Sade
Sadism - the derivation of pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering and humiliation on others - is named after this man. So what exactly did he do? Kate is joined by journalist and author Joel Warner to discuss the…
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Inside the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge opened its doors in 1889, at the height of the Belle Epoch - 'the Beautiful Age'. Its famous windmill structure stood on the fringes of Paris, where intellectuals and artists mixed with thugs and…
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The Truth About the Little Mermaid
What is a mermaid? Do sirens, selkies and Aquaman fit into this category? And how far back in history do they go? Kate is joined by Diane Purkiss to discuss the Little Mermaid, both the Disney and Hans Christian…
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Inside the Brothels of New Orleans
Storyville was the red-light district in New Orleans, created in 1897. What was it like in this neighbourhood, and inside the brothels there? How was race and segregation a factor in Storyville? And what triggered the…
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The Victorian Sex Trafficking Panic
Was there really a boom in sex trafficking at the end of the 19th century? What was 'white slavery'? And how often did the traffickers get caught? Kate is joined by Dr Julia Laite for this episode. Julia is a…
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The Truth about Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin had an extraordinary life: from the workhouses of Victorian London to the glamorous films sets of Hollywood's Golden Age. He revolutionised the art form, but he wasn't without his scandals. So much so…
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Did Fashion Kill Marie Antoinette?
Marie Antoinette went to her death as one of the most hated people in the world, but in recent years she has inspired millions with her style. How did she become such a contradiction? For this episode, Kate and the…
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Hollywood's Shocking First Sex Symbols
Nearly 100 years ago, films in Hollywood were so much sexier and shocking than you might think they were. One of the most shocking things was how empowered and sexual women were in those films. Who were these women?…
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Tiberius and his Island of Depravity
The Roman Emperor Tiberius has a harrowing reputation based on stories surrounding his latter years on the island of Capri. Stories of debauchery and abuse of the worst kind. But who was Tiberius and where does the…
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The Murder That Shocked Hollywood
In post-war Hollywood, the film industry had a reputation for its dark side as much as anything happening on the big screen. So when Elizabeth Short was dramatically - and cinematically - murdered in Hollywood, the…
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Shag, Marry, Kill: Kings Edition (Live Show Recording)
Henry VIII, Charles II and Richard the Lionheart. What do all of these men have in common? They're incredibly eligible bachelors! Well, if not that then they are all former kings of England. At this live show in…
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Sex & Scandal in Hollywood’s Golden Age
Over 100 years ago the Hollywood film industry was shiny, new and sexy. Sex and sexuality was present on screen, but as the 1920s drew to a close, scandals and censorship crept in. Why did films begin to be made out…
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Who Was The Witch Queen of Scotland?
The 17th century witch trials in Scotland were many and they were brutal. Amongst the many people tried for being a witch, one woman's confessions stood out for being the most scandalous across all of Europe: Isobel…
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The Most Scandalous Author in 19th-Century France
By the age of 30, George Sand's literary career was soaring. She was internationally renowned, outselling Victor Hugo in English. So why is she now better known for wearing mens clothes and having a relationship with…
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A Very Borgia Break Up | History's Worst Breakups
If people are still talking about your divorce and rumoured penis related issues 500 years later, it's safe to say you've had a bad break up. For the final episode in our Worst Breakups series, we’re heading back to…
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The Medici vs. Tudor Rivalry
Neither woman expected to rule, but Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici became two of the most powerful women in Europe. Was their relationship a fierce rivalry or something more respectful? And how did they navigate…
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Who Makes a Doll of their Ex? | History's Worst Break Ups
A 'bad boy' of Austrian art meets the 'loveliest girl in Vienna', what could possibly go wrong? Why did artist Oskar Kokoschka commission a life sized doll of his ex lover, Alma Mahler? And why did that doll end up…
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The Truth about Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo is an icon of art, feminism and... eyebrows. Her art and imagery has entered into the mainstream like few artists have, and her life was as colourful and challenging as her creations. She lived through…
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Lord Byron vs. Lady Lamb | History's Worst Breakups
Sending a lock of hair to your lover has fallen a little out of fashion. Sending a lock of pubic hair to your ex-lover ... well, we aren't sure that was ever in fashion. This is just one of the things that Lady…
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Sex & Scandal behind Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights is a story full of passion, violence and sexual tension. So it's no surprise that it shocked Victorian readers when it first came out. How did Emily Brontë, the daughter of a clergyman, create such a…
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Henry VIII vs. Catherine of Aragon | History's Worst Breakups
Welcome to a brand new mini-series on Betwixt the Sheets, where our host, Dr Kate Lister, takes you through the most catastrophic breakups in history. We're starting with one that our guest, author and historian…
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How Filthy Were the Victorians?
They say people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The Victorians might have done well to live by that rule. For all of the dirt that the Victorians threw at other eras, suggesting that all those who came before…
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The Most Notorious Sex Worker of 18th Century Dublin
Dublin in the 18th century was a wealthy colonial capitol, but only for a select few. Amongst this hugely divided and politically charged world was the infamous sex worker Peg Plunkett, who counted some of society's…
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How Filthy was the Renaissance?
The Renaissance, a period of transformation in art, learning, philosophy and science that brought us Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello (the artists, not the turtles). This era of the Early Modern…
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The Syphilis Explosion of the American Civil War
It's been estimated that between eight and twelve percent of soldiers contracted a venereal disease during the American Civil War. What on earth were they up to? Kathryn Olivarius is a Professor at Stanford. She joins…
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How Filthy Were Medieval People?
If there's one sure way to irritate an historian of the Medieval period, it's to ask why the people of the Middle Ages didn't wash. In this episode, we did just that with Dr Eleanor Janega. Kate and Eleanor get into…
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Who Was the Victorian Thames Torso Murderer? With Lucy Worsley
For over a century, a series of gruesome murders have gone unsolved. Until now? The Thames Torso Killer terrified Victorian Londoners by dismembering their victims and scattering their body parts along the River…
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How Filthy Were the Egyptians?
Lead in eyes, scented animal fat melting over wigs, teen circumcision - the Ancient Egyptians went to great lengths for beauty and hygiene. So how clean were they, and how has the colonial perspective impacted…
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How to Survive as a Medieval Single Woman
Being single in 2026 is a major disadvantage, so what was it like as a single woman in the Medieval period?! Joining Kate today is the always-fantastic Eleanor Janega, author and co-host of our sister podcast, Gone…
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How Filthy Were The Romans?
Some of the key remnants of the Roman Empire are their public baths - huge complexes, multiple different rooms, the basis of many of our modern spas. But were the Romans clean? How regularly did they wash? Were they…
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How Sexy Was Shakespeare?
There's a bit of interest around Shakespeare at the minute - can we call this the Paul Mescal effect? The Bard’s work featured many references to sex and sexuality - some more obvious than others. But what does the…
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How Hot Was Lord Byron?
How 'mad, bad and dangerous to know' was Lord Byron really? We know the Romantic poet had a bit of a reputation, but how true was it? And how unusual would his behaviour have been? In this episode from our series on…
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How Has Porn Changed Through History?
With Christmas around the corner and everything being oh-so wholesome, we thought we would offer an episode from the archives of something not-so wholesome: a history of porn. What did porn look like before the…
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Who Was The Virgin Mary?
Despite virginity being a myth, why has Mary’s virginity been considered so important? What does this tell us about the relationship between Christianity and sex? And what else do we know about this woman? Joining…
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The Truth About Sigmund Freud
It's the one we've all been waiting for! The Oedipus Complex; the oral, anal and phallic stages; penis envy; psychoanalysis - we've all heard of Sigmund Freud's work. But who was he? What did Freud really think about…
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Inside the Royal Harems of the Ottoman Empire
You can't move for people talking about the Roman Empire or the British Empire, but what about the Ottoman Empire? It spanned a huge period of time and at the heart of it was the Royal harem: enslaved women who lived…
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The Mother of All Tudors: Child Bride to Kingmaker
Ever heard of Margaret Beaufort? Probably not. But whilst her name has been overshadowed by those of her son, grandson and great-grandchildren, her impact on history remains. Lauren Johnson joins Kate for this episode…
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Sex & Scandal in Ancient Egypt
What did the Ancient Egyptians think about sex? Is there any truth to a rumoured royal sex scandal? What did they think of same-sex relationships? In today's episode, Kate's joined by the fantastic historian and…
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The Truth About Mythical Women
Myths are incredibly powerful, especially when it comes to creating nations. Why are mythical women so central to how we think about our nations? When women had so little power in creating them in the first place.…
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Origins of Aphrodite: The Sex-Positive Goddess
Who was Aphrodite? She's often thought of as a goddess of sexuality, but there's so much more to this woman. Which ancient civilisation was she created by? How did the early Christians react to her overt sexuality?…
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The Truth About the Mitford Sisters
The Mitfords could rank as the strangest family of the 20th century. Unity and Diana were passionate fascists who became obsessed with Adolf Hitler, while Jessica became a communist. Unity even became mates with…
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Did Henry VIII Have An Affair With Anne Boleyn's Sister?
She was 'the Other Boleyn Girl' - Anne's sister, Mary, who supposedly had an affair with King Henry VIII. Such drama! What evidence is there that the two got betwixt the sheets together? How likely was it?! Joining…
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