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Absolute History

Welcome to Absolute History - the home of fun, shocking and curious tales from throughout history. From Tony Robinson's Worst Jobs in History to Suzannah Lipscomb's Hidden Killers, join us to learn about our history the entertaining way.

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Absolute History is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. To get in touch please email owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com.

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Today · 1 hr 48 min
New DNA Evidence Reveals Complex Evidence About The Viking Age
Over a thousand years ago, Viking longships swept across Northern Europe, leaving a trail of destruction. But new scientific discoveries, tree-ring climate analysis, and ancient DNA extraction reveal a far more complex story. Follow the rise and fall of King Ivar’s ruthless dynasty as they established a global slave empire, built Western Europe’s first major trading cities, and clashed with Anglo-Saxon kings for the fate of England. Did these fearsome warriors actually save ancient societies from extinction? Explore the groundbreaking evidence that is changing everything we knew about the Viking Age. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 53 min
The 7-Year-Olds Who Would Tame Wild Hawks As Their First Job | Worst Royal Jobs
Tony Robinson continues his look at The Worst Jobs in History with a rundown on the worst royal jobs. As Tony takes on the work traditionally done at court we learn of the miserable lot of food tasters, whipping boys, falconers, and laundry women who beat Elizabethan laundry with paddles similar to cricket bats. Tony has a go at knitting chain mail; marvelling at the intricacies and tedium of fashioning one link, let alone a suit which used 200,000. Then there was the lance-makers' task of carving hundreds of lances for jousting tournaments or the shining of shoes for Edwardian hunting parties. Armourers, fire-workers, grooms of the chamber, hall boys and royal messengers all had their moments of misery. But the most unpleasant job of all fell to the unfortunate lackeys who were responsible for the rich purple dye for the monarch's coronation robes. The purple maker created the royal colour by stomping up and down on rotting shellfish which had been soaking in human urine. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 1 hr 3 min
Lizzie Borden: The Chilling History Behind America's Most Shocking Crime
Step back into August 1892 and unearth the chilling history behind one of America's most infamous true crime mysteries. Lizbeth: A Victorian Nightmare delves deep into the lingering legend, myth, and dark lore surrounding Lizzie Borden—the Fall River woman accused, tried, and ultimately acquitted in the gruesome hatchet murders of her father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby. Was she a cold-blooded killer who got away with the ultimate crime, or a victim of sensationalized Victorian gossip trapped in a horrific nightmare? What You'll Discover in This Feature: The Scene at Second Street: A breakdown of the fateful morning of August 4, 1892, and the gruesome discovery that shocked the nation. The Trial of the Century: How 19th-century gender norms, media frenzy, and circumstantial evidence shaped the courtroom spectacle. Myth vs. Fact: Unpacking the famous nursery rhymes, popular misconceptions, and the actual forensic evidence presented by prosecutors. The Haunting Aftermath: Life after acquittal, the rift in Fall River high society, and why the mystery continues to fascinate true crime scholars today. Whether you are a seasoned true crime enthusiast or discovering the Borden case for the first time, this documentary separates Victorian hysteria from cold, hard historical fact. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into history's most mysterious true crime cases, dark legends, and cold files. Hit the notification bell so you never miss an upload! 💬 Join the Discussion: Do you believe Lizzie Borden was truly innocent, or did the Victorian jury get it wrong? Share your theories in the comments below! Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction: The Legend of Lizzie Borden 02:15 - The Murders at Second Street 06:40 - Suspicion Falls on Lizbeth 12:10 - The Trial: Victorian Morality in the Courtroom 18:30 - Acquittal, Isolation, and the Aftermath 24:00 - Fact vs. Fiction: Why the Lore Endures #TrueCrime #LizzieBorden #Documentary #History #VictorianEra #TrueCrimeCommunity #ColdCase 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today · 54 min
The Rise And Fall Of The Greatest City | Alexandria: The Greatest City | Absolute History
Once the biggest and most influential city on the planet, founded by Alexander the Great and home to Cleopatra, Archimedes and the largest library in the world. How did this shining beacon for civilisation and knowledge meet its classical demise? Featuring stunning visualisations from the major movie Agora, acclaimed historian Bettany Hughes looks at Alexandria past and present, unearthing archaeological gems and following in the footsteps of Hypatia, the city's last great female philosopher and guardian of great Library of Alexandria - whose murder would bring down the curtain not just on an era but on the ancient world as a whole. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 57 min
How A Vengeful Queen Almost Destroyed The Roman Empire
The history of the Roman Empire is written in blood and conquest, but few chapters are as intense or shocking as the Celtic uprising led by Queen Boudica. In the first century, British society was thriving with advanced ironwork, vibrant clothing, and a culture that saw women warriors as equals to men. However, the arrival of Emperor Claudius and his ruthless legions changed everyday life forever. After the death of her husband, corrupt Roman officials seized Boudica's kingdom, subjected the queen to public torture, and assaulted her daughters. This monumental betrayal sparked one of the most violent rebellions in ancient history. Witness the terrifying revenge of the Iceni tribe as they united to burn prominent Roman cities to the ground, taking no prisoners in their path. We examine the tactical genius of the Roman military, the horrific final battle that ended the Celtic dream of freedom, and the true story of a legendary warrior who pushed the world's greatest superpower to the absolute brink. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 43 min
The Mystery Of The Lost 13th Century Gaelic Market Town
For centuries, history claimed the native Gaelic Irish were nomadic, with villages and towns only built by invaders. Now, a team of archaeologists in Western Ireland is uncovering shocking evidence that could rewrite Ireland's history forever. Follow their groundbreaking five-year excavation near Lough Key, searching for the fabled 13th-century Gaelic market town mentioned in ancient manuscripts. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 2 hr 36 min
Uncensored Footage Of The Brutal Reality Of WWII In The Pacific
From the surprise assault on Pearl Harbor to the catastrophic nuclear climax at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this comprehensive documentary reveals the brutal reality of World War II in the Pacific. Featuring enhanced color footage and rare footage shot by troops on the front lines, explore how American industrial power and tactical ingenuity overcame Imperial Japan's fierce resistance across Guadalcanal, Midway, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 55 min
Why Building A Lighthouse Took So Many Lives | Worst Jobs | Absolute History
Among the thankless tasks tackled by Tony this week are the work of the midshipman, lighthouse keeper, stoker and trimmer, the men of Britains first navy who survived on minimal rations, and the men who wore sacks on their heads on the luxury liners. Finally he experiences the dangerous occupation of the Victorian lifeboat man. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 56 min
Princess Diana: In Search of Happiness
Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/absolutehistory (In paid partnership with BetterHelp) Stripped of her "Her Royal Highness" title and rejected by the House of Windsor, Princess Diana refused to fade into the background. Explore the story of how a shy teenager transformed into a global icon, outshining the British monarchy and exposing deep rivalries within the Royal Family. Discover the personal battles, public triumphs, and lasting legacy of the "Queen of People's Hearts." Subscribe to our channel for full-length historical documentaries, deep dives into royal history, and unseen stories behind the world's most influential figures. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 1 hr 7 min
Blackbeard: The Mysterious Terror of the Atlantic
He is the most infamous pirate to ever sail the seven seas, yet almost everything we think we know about him is a lie. Was Edward Teach a high-born intellectual, a disgruntled war veteran, or a calculated madman who used theater to terrify his enemies? 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 58 min
Archeologists Uncover Hidden British Treasures | Digging for Britain
Journey across Britain with leading archaeologists as they unearth ground-breaking discoveries that rewrite human history. In this documentary episode, we travel from Norwich Castle Museum into the heart of the Cambridgeshire Fens to explore Must Farm - Britain’s "Bronze Age Pompeii" - revealing industrial-scale fishing, pristine log boats, and combat-scarred weaponry. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 50 min
How The 1950s Invented The Modern Teenager
Head to https://betterhelp.com/absolutehistory to get 10% off your first month with our paid partner, BetterHelp. Therapy can be a meaningful space to reflect, grow, and create positive change in your life. In 1950, "teenagers" didn't exist—you were either a child or a mini-adult wearing your father's old blazer. But over ten short years, a scientific revolution transformed Britain from a grey, austere post-war nation into a technicolor wonderland. In this episode, experimental engineer Brendan Walker fast-forwards a typical 1950s house to reveal how crude oil, transistors, and electromagnetic induction created the modern world. From the "magic" of nylon making underwear comfortable (and sexy) to the petrochemical breakthroughs that gave us hairspray and rock 'n' roll, discover how the lab-coat innovators of the 50s gave youth its first-ever voice. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 1 hr 49 min
Going Medieval: Life In The Middle Ages With Eleanor Janega
Life in the Medieval period looked like lots of different things to lots of different people. Your place in society could dictate everything. From what food you ate, where you could go, how educated you were and even how long you were likely to live for. Across this series, discover what life was like for those that worked, those that earned, those that learned and those that played in Medieval England. Presented by medieval historian, Dr Eleanor Janega. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 49 min
The Mysterious Origins Of The Waubansee Stone
Scott Wolter investigates a 3000-pound boulder hidden inside the Chicago History Museum's secret storage location. The Waubansee Stone used to be even bigger when it sat along the Chicago River outside Fort Dearborn. Known as the city's oldest piece of art, the stone features the face of a man with closed eyes, parted lips and a chin beard. Some think it was an homage to a local Native American chief, but others believe the stone may have had a more sinister use hundred of years earlier. Scott's search for the truth about the Waubansee stone results in a wild romp through important events in the history of Chicago--from ancient to modern times--in which the Waubansee Stone always seems to have played a role. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 👉 https://bit.ly/3qTE0NR 📺 You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: https://bit.ly/4pyExyn This channel is part of the History Hit Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #AbsoluteHistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 1 hr 5 min
Was Caligula A Psychopath? | Rome's Most Notorious Emperor | Absolute History
Two thousand years ago one of history's most notorious individuals was born. Professor Mary Beard embarks on an investigative journey to explore the life and times of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - better known to us as Caligula. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 55 min
The Mystery Of The Misfit Mummy | Mummy Forensics | Absolute History
A body inside a coffin which it is too large for, missing genitals, and an obvious overbite are the clues which set the Mummy Investigation Team on the trail in this mystery. They know who the coffin was made for - a female Egyptian temple dancer - what they need to know is who rests there now and why this mummy is in such strange condition. Extraordinarily, what they discover is a tragic tale played out at the highest echelons of Egyptian society, set at the court of one of Egypt's greatest Pharaohs. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 30 min
The Real Reason Ancient Egyptians Built Pyramids | Egypt Detectives
Intrigue and mystery have always surrounded the pyramids. Mysteries abound about how and why they were built, but questions still remain unanswered about where they were constructed. With Miriam investigating the geology of the Nile Valley and Dominic the Egyptian religion and myth, the Egypt Detectives try and piece together some logic behind the geography of the royal tombs. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 53 min
The Mystery Of The Pierced Skull Mummy | Mummy Forensics
The Mummy Research Team at the University of York is called out to look at the body of a South American mummy that has a number of visible wounds. Was the man a victim of crime? It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 1 hr
The Art of the Airplane | Secrets of the Exhibit EP3
Explore the history of the legendary aircraft. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yesterday · 36 min
The Body Destroying Effects Of Victorian Beauty | Hidden Killers | Absolute History
Go back in time with Suzannah Lipscomb to the Victorian times, the Edwardian era and the 50s and see what hidden killers most affected women. It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit to start watching now https://bit.ly/45CPh5u This channel is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. Any queries please contact: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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