History Rage

Think history is a neat, upward march of progress? Think again.

We love to tell ourselves a cozy story about human history: we started as innocent hunter-gatherers in perfect harmony with nature, invented farming, and smoothly leveled up all the way to modern civilization. But Patrick Wyman—historian, author, and creator of the smash-hit Tides of History podcast—is here to tell us that standard textbook narrative is absolute bollocks. In this explosive episode of History Rage, Patrick unleashes on the myth of the "golden age" of human innocence and exposes the messy, chaotic reality of our deep past.

The truth? Human prehistory isn’t a straight line—it’s 10,000 years of spectacular booms, violent crashes, and desperate trade-offs. From prehistoric European societies tearing themselves apart in mysterious waves of conflict to sophisticated urban centers that completely rejected the need for kings or rulers, our ancestors weren't floating through an age of innocence. They were just like us: making shit up as they went along, altering their environments, and desperately trying to stay in the game.

Plus, Patrick stays fired up to deliver a much-needed, historically accurate beatdown to the internet's favorite conspiracy theory: no, aliens did not build the pyramids.

Ready to abandon the march of progress and see our ancestors for who they truly were? Hit play now to get angry, get smart, and look at human history with a whole new perspective.

About Our Guest: Patrick Wyman
Patrick Wyman is a historian, author, and the brilliant mind behind the massive history podcasts The Fall of Rome and Tides of History.

Buy the Book: Support the podcast and pick up Patrick's incredible new book, The Lost Worlds, directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780063256484
Listen to the Podcast: Search for Tides of History on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your audio.
Follow Patrick on Threads & Instagram: https://www.threads.net/@wyman_patrick or https://www.instagram.com/wyman_patrick
Follow Patrick on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/patrick_wyman

Recommended Additional Episodes
If you loved diving into the mysteries of the ancient world, make sure to queue up these recommended episodes of History Rage next:

Episode 17: Caroline Nicolay rages that there was plenty of rich civilization thriving long before the Romans ever turned up.
Episode 132: Professor Jim Leary talks about the deep prehistory of human movement and migration.

Support & Follow History Rage
History Rage relies entirely on the support of our legendary listeners to keep the rage train rolling.

Support us on Patreon: Get early, ad-free episodes, access to monthly livestreams, and the coveted History Rage mug for just £5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HistoryRage
Share the Rage: If you loved this episode, the absolute best thing you can do is leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to get them on board!
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Forget Henry VIII: It is Time to Reignite the Power of the Six Queens

Are you ready to stop defining these six extraordinary Tudor women by the man they married? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes back Tracy Borman, Chief Historian of Historic Royal Palaces. Together, they shatter the centuries-old "six wives" narrative to focus on the individual achievements, political savvy, and lasting legacies of these phenomenal rulers.

From Catherine of Aragon’s military leadership and Anne Boleyn’s driving force behind the Reformation, to Jane Seymour’s sharp financial agency, Anne of Cleves’s masterclass in diplomatic survival, Katherine Howard’s misunderstood agency, and Katherine Parr’s radical political and literary intellect—discover why it is time to throw out the "wives" myth and put the Six Queens front and centre.

This episode is produced in proud partnership with Historic Royal Palaces and their Six Queens campaign, an initiative transforming how these legendary women are taught in schools. Discover educational resources, classroom videos, and updates on next year's Six Queens Week at the Historic Royal Palaces website: https://www.hrp.org.uk.

Recommended Additional Episodes
Episode 262: Stop Glorifying Henry VIII with Jackson Van Uden
Episode 264: Team Catherine vs. Team Anne with Kate McCaffrey

Guest Info & Resources
Guest: Tracy Borman (Chief Historian, Historic Royal Palaces)
Website & Books: Learn more about Tracy's work and her latest novel, The House of Boleyn, at https://www.tracyborman.co.uk
X/Twitter: @TracyBorman

Follow & Support History Rage
Website: https://www.historyrage.com
X/Twitter: @HistoryRage
Support on Patreon: Get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug for £5/month at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
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Have you ever noticed that the JFK assassination is the only event in history where absolutely everyone feels entitled to an aggressive opinion? 🤬 The rich, human narrative of Dealey Plaza has been completely hijacked by toxic internet debates and dogmatic conspiracy culture.

But what if everything we've been arguing over misses the point entirely? 🕵️‍♂️ In this episode, author Martin Fitzgerald joins the pod to rescue history from the shouting matches. We move past the tired political theories to explore the incredible, bizarre, and deeply moving stories of the ordinary, reluctant witnesses who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

From the absolute chaos of an unpreserved crime scene to government agencies lying out of sheer institutional self-preservation, we unpack how official blunders birthed modern conspiracy culture. We also dive into the fragile nature of memory under trauma—including a witness who swore the six-second shooting lasted five minutes! Plus, Martin finally reveals the idiosyncratic, hilariously human truth behind the infamous "Umbrella Man".

Are you ready to drop the dogmatism and enjoy the fascinating mystery of the unknown? Click your favourite player below to stream the episode right now! 🎧

Links & Resources

Get the Book:
Grab your copy of Martin Fitzgerald's fantastic book, The Umbrella Man and Other Stories, directly from the History Rage Bookshop to support the show:
👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837360253

Connect with the Guest:

Follow Martin Fitzgerald on Social Media: @4hundredblows

Recommended Companion Episodes:

Episode 54: Stephen Wisdom rages on the moon landing theories.
Episode 265: Hallie Rubenhold rages on why identifying Jack the Ripper is completely pointless.

Support & Follow History Rage
If you love tearing down historical myths and want to keep the rage alive, here is how you can support our independent podcast:

Become a Patron: Join the Rage Train on Patreon for £5/month to get early, ad-free episodes, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug!
👉 https://www.patreon.com/historyrage

Follow Us: Stay updated with our latest historical rants on social media.
Spread the Word: Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to get aboard the Rage Train!
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Did the Tudors really invent medieval fake news, or did the Yorkists get there first?

When we think of historical spin, Tudor propaganda usually takes centre stage. But host Paul Bavill sits down live at the Gloucester History Festival with acclaimed medieval historian and author Nathen Amin (House of Beaufort, Son of Prophecy) to completely shatter this dynastic myth.

In this fiery live session, Nathen exposes how Henry VII was simply a student of the game, adopting the very political playbook created by the House of York. From medieval Photoshop on parchment rolls and character assassination against Margaret of Anjou to the destruction of parliamentary records, discover how the Yorkists pioneered every trick in the book long before the Tudors ever claimed the throne.

Digital Passes & Festival Information
Nathen Amin appeared as part of the Gloucester History Festival. Digital passes to catch up on other talks from the festival can be purchased online at https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk.

Recommended History Rage Episodes
If you enjoyed this deep dive into medieval politics, check out these related episodes:
Episode 79: Richard III Fanatics with Nathen Amin – Nathen's famous first appearance unleashing his rage on Ricardian myths.
Episode 137: Nathen rages that Henry VII should not be the Tudor nobody talks about

Guest Info & Books
Follow Nathen Amin and order his books:
Website / Books: Find Son of Prophecy, and more at https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781398133525
X (Twitter): https://x.com/nathenamin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathenaminauthor

Connect, Follow & Support History Rage
Angry about bad history? Join the movement, follow us, and help keep the rage alive!
Support on Patreon: Get early access, exclusive extras, and the coveted History Rage mug at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast providers.
Follow on X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage
Visit the Website: https://www.historyrage.com
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Unlock the hidden secrets of your ancestors because history didn't just happen, it happened to families.

Are you tired of dry, dusty history books that only talk about prime ministers and battlefield generals? It is time to smash the myth that genealogy is just an isolated, second-rate hobby for tracking pedigree charts. In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with professional genealogist and research specialist Jen Baldwin to blow the lid off traditional historical study.

Discover why family history is actually an essential, interdisciplinary gateway to understanding the real human consequences of our past. From the handwriting left on the 1921 Census of England and Wales to the surprising, messy tales preserved in global newspaper archives, learn how ordinary citizens were right in the thick of history's greatest upheavals. Whether you are tracing elusive agricultural laborers, criminal ancestors, or early colonial migrants, this episode will completely reframe how you look at your family's history. Don't leave your family's unique narratives trapped in the attic—tune in, get angry about forgotten history, and start digging today!

About Our Guest
Jen Baldwin has been working as a professional genealogist for over 15 years. She serves as a research specialist for FindMyPast and is a passionate advocate for connecting family archives with broader social and contextual history.

Instagram: @jenbaldwin_genealogy
Listen to the FindMyPast Podcast: Start uncovering historical deep-dives by subscribing to A Family History of… podcast, available wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

Ready to dive down your own genealogical rabbit hole and start uncovering the truth about your ancestors? All new users can start their FREE FindMyPast trial today!

Claim Your Free Trial: https://www.findmypast.co.uk

Recommended Additional Episodes
If you loved this episode's deep dive into local, human-centered histories, check out these festival special episodes from the History Rage archive:

Episode 121: Phil Moss and Andrew Armstrong uncover the surprising, hidden history of Gloucester.
Episode 176: The Vice Dean of Peterborough Cathedral, Tim Alban Jones, rages that Peterborough is definitely not just some dull new town.

Follow, Contact & Support History Rage
Join the Rage Train and make sure you never miss an angry historian exposing the myths of the past!

Support us on Patreon: Join the inner circle of History Ragers for £5 per month to get access to monthly live streams, early ad-free episodes, and the coveted History Rage mug! Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage.
Ad-Free Early Releases: Available on both Patreon and Apple Podcasts https://www.apple.com/apple-podcasts/.
Spread the Word: If you are loving the show, please tell a friend and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
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