Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian's Wall? Why was a West African diver asked to help salvage Henry VIII's ship, the Mary Rose? And the actor Ira Aldridge tells us how he came to leave New York to find fame in 19th-century England. 

Life wasn't always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient civilisations, to the terrible fights the young King Louis XIV had with his little brother - even weeing on each other's beds! And find out just why Henry VIII was so keen for his son Edward VI to stay inside.

Protests about inequality or environmental damage are common today, but how have people protested in the past? Emmeline Pankhurst is our guide through this history of protest, from Cato the Younger's talkative protest in ancient Rome to the cheese riots of 18th-century Nottingham. Also, how will the Luddites cope with the newfangled technology of a video call?

Charles Darwin presents a special show, as Horrible Histories takes a timely look at our planet and how we've behaved towards it throughout history. 

We look at how we've not always treated the planet's resources with the utmost care, from the 19th-century gold rush, to Henry VIII enjoying a little too much deforestation to build his warships 

In The Gone Show, we meet a range of animals that have recently become extinct, and we see how mankind has tried to work with and shape the land, from the earliest guides to farming to the fabulous Gardens of Versailles 

In Historical Educating, head teacher Mrs Thomas has trouble with her geography supply teachers (a Greek philosopher and a Viking), who seem intent on telling their pupils that the Earth is not round. We reveal that plastic bags were originally invented to save the planet, and in Time Beefs, Judge Rinder settles a dispute between environmentalist Rachel Carson and the businessmen who tried to stop her.

Strictly's Shirley Ballas joins Rattus for a waltz through the history of dance, with Bruno Tonioli as Nero, who had his dance teacher killed, and Queen Vic's Highland reel! 

Horrible Histories brings you a cracking Christmas special, delving into the origins of the festive season. 

Horrible Histories serves up the history of foul feasting, from Stone Age lentils to Queen Victoria's anti-fart bread. 

From Cleopatra's hairdo to Elizabeth I's flushing loo, meet history's biggest Influencers. 

From Henry VIII's wine fountain, to Empress Dowager's marble boat, Horrible Histories talks money, jewellery and untold treasures. 

Daily life can be a bit of a grind, but not as much as it was in the past! Rattus takes us round the clock, revealing daily routines throughout history, from waking in Ancient Egypt to Medieval Loo Man. 

Count Rattula guides us through some of history's greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII's Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters. 

Terrible Tudors King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I bicker about who was the best ruler. Henry had a mechanical dragon kite, but Liz had a flushing toilet. 

Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him? 

Rattus has an idea that might make him millions – he is going to launch a streaming service. However, to make Ratify a success, he is going to need some great songs from history. 

Horrible Histories celebrates 100 years of the BBC with this special episode. What was the secret of looking great on a 1930s TV show? How did the BBC try to defeat the Nazi's using regional accents? And just what was a kangaroo doing at the launch of BBC2? Plus our end song takes us through the history of children's TV.