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Artwork for After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit
Black Death
Henry VIII
French Revolution
London
Samuel Pepys
Ancient Egypt
Victorian Era
Plague
Stonehenge
Charles II
Titanic
Easter Rising
Salem Witch Trials
Witch Trials
Russian Revolution
Mary Queen Of Scots
Slavery
Foundling Hospital
Thomas Cromwell
Anne Boleyn

This is After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal. The podcast that takes you to the shadiest corners of the past, unpicking history’s spookiest, strangest, and most sinister stories.

Join historians Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling, every Monday and Thursday to take a look at the darker side of history. From haunted pubs and Houdini, to witch trials and weird UFO sightings.

After Dark: Myth... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes328Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Latest Episodes

You've heard of the witch trials, but have you heard of the werewolf trials?!

This fascinating history takes us to back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when panic spread through villages in mainland Europe leading to a number of people being tried a... more

When the studious, unassuming brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm left home for university, little did they know their fairy-tale collections would take Europe by storm.

We've all heard of Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, and Rapunzel. But how well do we... more

In 1845 two Royal Navy ships, HMS Terror & HMS Erebus, departed Britain on an expedition into the Arctic. Along their ill-fated icy expedition, they disappeared almost completely, becoming one of history's greatest maritime mysteries…

In this episod... more

It's a story that's been around for a good 800 years, but is there any evidence that Robin Hood actually existed?

Find out what really went on inside Sherwood Forest, how medieval outlaws lived, and why the Sheriff of Nottingham was a hated figure i... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Dr Jacqueline Riding
Historian; specialist in 18th and 19th centuries; author of Hard Streets, Working-Class Lives in Charlie Chaplin's London
University/Independent historian (as introduced)
Episode: How Grim Were Victorian Slums?
Dr Misha Ewen
Historian from the University of Sussex, regular guest on After Dark
University of Sussex
Episode: Dark History From The Caribbean Plantations
Louise Brangan
Historian and author; London School of Economics
London School of Economics
Episode: Magdalene Laundries: Ireland's Dark Secret
Paddy Melling
Author and historian, co-author of Queer Georgians
History Hit
Episode: 18th Century France's Most Outrageous Spy
Clare Mulley
Award-winning public historian and author
Author of Agent Zo, The Untold Story of a Fearless World War II Resistance Fighter
Episode: The Spy Who Fooled The Nazis
Jenny Benham
Professor of Medieval History at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Episode: How To Be A Medieval Spy
Dr. Eleanor Baraclough
Historian; author of Embers of the Hands, Hidden Histories of the Viking Age
Self-identified historian; author
Episode: What Did The Vikings Do With Their Dead?
Estelle Paranque
Associate Professor of History at Northeastern University London; author
Northeastern University London
Episode: Murder In The Medici Court
Tim Harford
Host of the Cautionary Tales podcast, invited guest to discuss the R101
Cautionary Tales / BBC History
Episode: Britain's Worst Airship Disaster

Hosts

Anthony Delaney
Host of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Maddy Pelling
Co-host of the show
Kate Lister
Guest co-host, Betwixt the Sheets; History Hit podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 6.9k ratings
  • Politics

    Can we leave the politics out? Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    icunurse1993
    United States6 days ago
  • Do better, hosts

    The episode topics are very interesting but I unfollowed due to the hosts not being able to name Heath Ledger and calling him “the other guy” when talking about the Brothers Grimm movie.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mangosteens22
    United States6 days ago
  • Love this podcast

    I love history podcasts- and this is a great one. I wasn’t sure I was going to love the format, but Anthony and Maddie (?) hooked me on the first episode. Can’t wait to go back through their catalog! Enjoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ddg320
    United States6 days ago
  • Anything History Hit brings out is decent

    Think the presenters are quite annoying and unprofessional but the facts and information is interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RosieDaffy
    United Kingdom7 days ago
  • Disappointed

    Potentially good stories, but silly (mostly ‘woke’) banter that takes away from it. After listening since the beginning, I can’t anymore. They used to be on point.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    daiw
    United States7 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High regard for scholarly guests and rigor in source discussion.
Guests are well researched and the hosts bring engaging, accessible storytelling.
Positive feedback on engaging narrative style and humor balancing heavy topics.
Some listeners note strong opinions and banter; a few prefer fewer interruptions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Did Robin Hood Exist?
Q: Did Robin Hood exist?
Yes, in terms of an archetypal 'everyman' who appears across centuries; a real or semi-mythic figure who shifts through medieval periods, embodying rebellion and hope rather than being a single, fixed historical person.
How Grim Were Victorian Slums?
Q: What was life like for working-class families in the Lambeth area, and how did institutions shape their lives?
Families faced overcrowding, housing insecurity, and periodic floods, but communities also showed solidarity; workhouses and later asylums framed how the state managed poverty, while music halls, potteries, and markets provided employment and social life.
How Grim Were Victorian Slums?
Q: How proportionate is our perception of London in the 19th century as filled with criminals?
While crime and sensational stories were prominent in the cultural imagination, the discussion suggests crime rates were not fundamentally higher or lower than today, but the visibility and reporting amplified certain narratives, such as street gangs and stage criminals, shaping public perception.
When Medieval Peasants Attacked London
Q: What happened at the Tower of London during the revolt?
Rebels breached the tower with apparent permission in some accounts, seized Canterbury records, and executed Archbishop of Canterbury and the Treasurer after dragging them out, highlighting the breakdown of orderly legal process during the crisis.
When Medieval Peasants Attacked London
Q: How did Richard II respond to the rebels' demands at Mile End and Mile End parley?
Richard II initially agreed to consider reforms and to issue writs; however, the follow-through proved unstable as writs were reversed and power dynamics shifted back toward the crown and its advisers.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A history-focused show that pairs enthusiastic hosts with scholarly guests to unpack the darker corners of the past. Episodes cover Viking death rituals, shipwrecks and maritime disasters that inspired classic literature, mutinies and naval leadership, high-profile murders and political intrigues, as well as lesser-known episodes in witch trials, sex education history, and royal intrigue. The tone blends rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, humor, and vivid scene-setting, often bringing on subject-matter experts to ground debate in archival sources and archaeology. A notable strength is its habit of balancing primary sources, secondary scholarship, and engaging counterpoints, which can spark thoughtful conversations for listeners... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Gone Medieval
2. Not Just the Tudors
3. Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
4. The Ancients
5. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 328 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dr Jacqueline Riding
2. Dr Misha Ewen
3. Louise Brangan
4. Paddy Melling
5. Clare Mulley
6. Jenny Benham
7. Dr. Eleanor Baraclough
8. Estelle Paranque

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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