Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
By History Hit
Why did kings and queens have spectators on their wedding night? Who had the very first boob job? And did our ancestors have their unmentionables pierced?
Join historian, Kate Lister, Betwixt the Sheets as she unashamedly roots around the topics which seem to have been skipped in history class.
Everything from landmark LGBTQ+ court cases, to political scandal, to downright bizarre medieval cures for impotence. The etymology of swear words, gender bias in medicine, and satanic panic and cults - there’s nothing off limits.
She'll be bed-hopping 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.
So join Kate Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society - a podcast from History Hit.
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe.
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Latest episode
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Sex in the Aztec Empire
The Aztec Empire might conjure up images of human sacrifice.And whilst religious violence was part of their society, theirs was also a very egalitarian society where pleasure was valued and sexuality was an unash… -
Fetishwear: A Kinky History
What is the origin of the word fetish? How did the war play a part in shaping fetishwear? And what are some of the styles that are most enjoyed?Kink and fetish scenes have been a part of society for years, and th… -
The History of Drag
The word drag is synonymous with flamboyant, fun performances. But where does the term come from and what does it mean? This more modern story of playing with gender identity’s dates back to the… -
Sex & Scandal in King James' Court
King James I was a man whose sexuality was known by people in France, let alone (the newly formed) Britain of the early 17th century.So it may come as no surprise that men, such as the handsome George Villiers, m… -
Viking Royalty: Nicknames, Love Poems & Victorian Myths
We think we know the Vikings, but how well do we really know them?From the insignia we think they wear, to the names they call themselves and the way they spoke to each other, there's a lot t… -
History of Sh*t: Aztec Poo Goblins to Viking Turds
Of all the taboo topics covered on Betwixt the Sheets, this one might make you wince the most.But it cannot be denied that poo and our management of it through history has massively shaped human civilisation. -
Scandalous Sex Lives of Royalty
We've been fascinated by royalty for hundreds of years, but what do we know about their sex lives? Quite a lot, it turns out.Today we're revisiting an episode Kate recorded with bestselling author Eleanor Herman … -
The Dark History of Ballet
Whilst ballet is undoubtedly one of the most graceful and elegant art forms, it also has a long and dark history of sexual exploitation.How did King Louis XIV's love of the ballet fundamentally change it? What wa… -
Abraham Lincoln's Sex Life
Abraham Lincoln is often thought of as the most loved president in America's history, but how much do we know about his personal life?Furthermore, how much do we know about his sexuality, and the potential he mig… -
The Celebrity Sex Worker of Ancient Greece
This is the story of one of the most notorious women of the Ancient world.Phrynne was a sex worker in the 4th century BC who came from an impoverished background to be one of the most talked about, and wealthiest…