Explore every episode of the podcast Single Malt History with Gareth Russell

The royal visit to North America in 1939 by Elizabeth II's parents shone a brutal light on Britain's policy of Appeasement towards Nazi Germany and, a chance encounter on a Canadian luxury liner, helped change the future Queen Mother's life forever. 

They ruled for less than a century through a war that allegedly inspired "Game of Thrones." The House of Lancaster consisted of three kings, who reigned through a tumultuous time in England's history.

What really were the Crusades? Far more than a simple conflict between Christianity and Islam, they reshaped the medieval Middle East through war, diplomacy, trade and cultural exchange. In this episode, Gareth Russell is joined by medieval historian Dr Nicholas Morton to discuss his new book The Crusader Storm, exploring the rise of the Crusader States, the Seljuk Turks, the Byzantine Empire, Saladin  -and the remarkable communities who defined the Crusades.

In 1541, a former pirate started stalking the Queen of England. At least, that's one way of interpreting the devastating and very odd behaviour of Francis Dereham, who receives the first ever deep-dive into his life in this episode of Single Malt History.

Was Jane Seymour once friends with Anne Boleyn? What did she really think of Mary Tudor? Was there a hidden reason she pleaded with Henry VIII to spare the monasteries?

Join me for a conversation with Dr Elizabeth Norton about her groundbreaking new book, which draws on fresh archival evidence to offer compelling new answers to these questions - and many more. She reveals Queen Jane Seymour to have been far more complex, ambitious, clever, and politically engaged than history has long allowed.

Forget the quiet, submissive queen of legend. This is the untold story of Henry VIII's third wife.

A biography six years in the making uncovers remarkable details about Anne of Cleves, including a surprising, forgotten, and eerie similarity to her tragic predecessor Anne Boleyn.

For half a century, Edward I won fame on the battlefields. He escaped rebels and vanquished his enemies. But what was the real cost of his ambitions?

Invasions, mysterious deaths, private scandals, quarrels with saints, treachery, and civil wars shaped the dramatic lives of England's four Norman kings.

James VI & I lived a life full of love - and alleged lovers - but did gossip sometimes get it wrong? Yes. But feel free to make up your own mind. This episodes looks at some of the fascinating lives of those who probably never James's lovers  - including a Scottish noblewoman so beautiful she was nicknamed "the Pearl of Lochleven," a handsome but quarrelsome rebel's son, a social- climbing knight, a dashing former soldier, and one of the most powerful noblemen in Ireland. 

Was Kaiser Wilhelm II a victim of circumstance or the author of his own ruin?

Downton Abbey meets The Tudors - Dr Tracy Borman stops to discuss her new historical novel, "The House of Boleyn".

The face that launched a reformation? For centuries, the missing portraits of Anne Boleyn have excited investigation, imagination, and indignation. With her childhood home now mounting the largest exhibition of Anne Boleyn's images in history, I spoke to two of its curators Kate McCaffrey and Dr. Owen Emmerson.

How did three centuries fall apart in three years? The rise of Rasputin, plots in the military high command, riots in the cities, and a monarch's mental breakdown play out against the backdrop of one of the most brutal conflicts in human history.

The dramatic early reign of Nicholas II and Russia's catastrophic entry into the First World War.

24 ghosts of Hampton Court guide you through its extraordinary history.

The daughter of a Shakespearean hero and a Catholic saint, Matilda of Scotland lived a life at the heart of medieval politics.

It is Single Malt History's 100th episode! To celebrate, I'm taking a look back at its most downloaded episode and its (shaky!) first.

There are clips from West End actors, stars of the silver screen, the first historian to stop by for a chat, and the two episodes that are still brought up to me the most often by listeners.

Luke Pepera discusses his debut book, "Motherland." From warrior-queens to Wakanda, from hajj to holy memories, Pepera chats with Gareth Russell about how he used history, anthropology, the memories held by landscape, and the legacy of great buildings to create his critically acclaimed book.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, 'the Lady of Two Kingdoms,' was once described as a woman out of legend. The greatest heiress of her generation, she became one of the Middle Ages' most dramatic, celebrated, and controversial figures.

Dr. Steven Veerapen, author of the new book "Witches: A King's Obsession," discusses the witch-hunts' most infamous textbook, supporters, and legacy.

Anne Boleyn's mother was said to be so beautiful that she inspired poetry. Others believe that Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Ormond and Wiltshire will always remain a mystery. I'm joined by Sophie Bacchus-Waterman, author of the first biography of Elizabeth, to discuss her remarkable story.

A hundred years ago, the Indian Empire of the British Empire covered one of the largest political entities in history. Then, over the space of forty years, it collapsed into five partitions that created twelve new states, triggering one of the largest mass migrations of people in human history. 

To understand what happened, I'm joined by bestselling author Sam Dalrymple, who discusses who acclaimed new book "Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia." 

One of the most glamorous, important, and fascinating queens in the histories of the British monarchies, Anna of Denmark led a life every bit as dramatic as the era in which she lived.

Known to legend as Grace O'Malley, Gráinne Ní Mháille, the "pirate queen of Tudor Ireland," led a life that was adventurous on land and by sea. 

In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots faced execution. Had her own son helped bring her to this terrible fate? One of the great mysteries of James VI's life are his feelings towards his exiled, Catholic mother. In this episode, I explore surprising evidence from the heart of James's court that shows the role he played in his mother's final tragedy.

Skullduggery, espionage, royal narcissism, and plots a-plenty were the order of the day in the dying days of the Tudor dynasty - and to uncover it, we're joined on Single Malt History by Dr. Tracy Borman, Sunday Times bestselling author of the new hit book "The Stolen Crown".

Matilda of Boulogne was a powerhouse in medieval politics, almost universally admired in a time of treachery, anarchy, and civil war.

In the sixteenth century, a Scottish king called James braved sea and storm to bring home Scotland's new queen.

Discover the brutal story of the witch-hunts that consumed Scotland, one hundred years before Salem.

In a Single Malt History exclusive, the first chapter of my book "Queen James" - narrated by me - is shared here on UK publication date.

From the dreams of a religious pharaoh and the ambitions of Cleopatra, to Britain's first anti-technology movement, Single Malt History takes a look at three of History's lost causes.

In 1922, a murder happened in Belfast that was so horrific that everyone - from Winston Churchill to Michael Collins - condemned its savagery. Yet, the killers were never brought to justice. A century later, I’m joined by historian Dr. Edward Burke, author of the new book “Ghosts of a Family,” who set out to solve the mystery of Ireland’s greatest unsolved cold case.

Author AJ West visits Single Malt History to discuss his new Sunday Times best-selling novel “The Betrayal of Thomas True,” and the world, hidden in plain sight in Georgian London, that inspired his book.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode of Single Malt History contains discussions of sexual behaviour. Listener discretion is advised.

New York Times bestselling author Doug Brunt joins Single Malt History to discuss his hit new book "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War One."

In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret attended a glamorous all-night ball. To celebrate the US and Canadian paperback release of my book "The Palace," I'm taking you into the night when Elizabeth II partied at Hampton Court.

From working in a Victorian mansion, to a murder that rocked a working-class community, and a society that enriched another, join me for these tales from 19th-century Ulster.

From a childhood on an Irish mountainside to the banquets of Hampton Court Palace, Barnaby Fitzpatrick lived a remarkable life. Best friends to the Tudor boy-king, he dazzled the court of Catherine de Medici, rescued a relative from kidnapping, fought an emperor, impressed Philip II, and charmed Elizabeth I.

From the mysterious death of a marquess to one of the largest anti-independence rallies in Irish history, join me for a trip to 19th century Belfast.

Dan Jones returns to Single Malt History to discuss his new biography, "Henry V: The astonishing rise of England's greatest warrior king."

From the downfall of Anne Boleyn to the reign of her daughter, Elizabeth I, join us in part 2 of "The House of Tudor."

They are one of Europe's most famous royal families, but are they worth their modern hype? Join me in part 1 of 2 on the House of Tudor, chronicling their extraordinary rise - from a handsome Welsh servant to a controversial English queen.

England's last Catholic queen, Mary-Beatrice of Modena, was detested by many of her husband's subjects, who accused her of orchestrating one of the greatest political cons in history. In later years, she was considered saintly by many who knew her. What was the truth behind Mary-Beatrice's remarkable career?

The shocking childhood of Germany's last emperor, Wilhelm II.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode of Single Malt History contains details of medical experiments, which some may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

24 mini-stories from the Boiler Rooms to the Grand Staircase onboard history's most famous ship.

With Jake Douglas (Lawrence Beesley), Joanne Doody (Kate Buss), and Ashley Montgomery (Mary Sloan).

I'm joined from the University of Cambridge by Caroline Burt and Richard Partington, authors of the new critically acclaimed history "Arise, England: Six kings and the making of the English State," for a fascinating discussion on six individuals, two centuries, and the transformation of a country.

Single Malt History is back with a new episode on how Queen Catherine Howard's reputation was shaped by Tudor merchants, Victorian professors, feminist revisionists, French novelists, the Me Too movement, and the silver screen.

I am joined by internationally best-selling author Dr Philippa Gregory, author of the new play "Richard, My Richard" and two of its stars, Richard III (Kyle Rowe) and Margaret Beaufort (Laura Smithers), for an exclusive interview about the new royal play garnering rave reviews in England.

Jay Britton is setting the world of immersive history alight and I'm thrilled she's joining me here for the Christmas - and season finale - of Single Malt History.

I'm joined by the Marquess of Anglesey to discuss his fascinating new book "The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age," about his ancestor Sir William Paget. Paget was Jane Seymour's secretary, and Anne of Cleves', an adviser to Henry VIII, Edward VI made him a baron, he supported Lady Jane Grey but then served Mary I, and died in the reign of Elizabeth. 

I am joined this week by Robert Child, author of “Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of World War II,” to discuss his acclaimed research into the remarkable story of the seven African American soldiers who were awarded the World War II Medal of Honor – and the 50-year campaign by some to deny them the heroes’ recognition.