Marking the eightieth anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, Horrible Histories looks at how the war affected those left back home in the UK, on the home front. \n\nWe start with the initial panic following the declaration of war and the measures taken at home to prepare for an imminent Nazi invasion, which didn't actually turn out to be that imminent at all. However, the Nazis are busy planning their invasion - Operation Sea Lion is being carefully orchestrated to avoid damaging places in the UK that they have previously been to on holiday. \n\nWe see how the blackout during the Blitz affected everyday life, and also how King George and Queen Elizabeth refused to leave Buckingham Palace while London was being bombed, despite being advised to head to Canada by their staff. We meet the 'ATA Girls' - the heroic women of the Air Transport Auxiliary led by Pauline Gower. It was their (horrendously dangerous) job to fly broken planes around the country, so that they could be fixed and put back into battle. The planes had no manuals, were often very badly damaged and had nothing in the way of guns mounted on them, so this was a hugely brave undertaking. \n\nWe see how things on the home front change when the American GIs arrive, bringing with them items like chocolate and nylon tights, which had not been seen on these shores for some time! German spies were also a real concern for those on the home front, but we tell one real tale of a set of spies who were caught after they washed up in Scotland in possession of radios, guns and, most tellingly, German sausages. \n\nFinally, we chart the path to allied victory, including Churchill holding conversations with American president Roosevelt in his secret loo, and a barnstorming song as the nation celebrates VE Day.
Source: CBBC
Series 9: 11. Monstrous Myths
Count Rattula guides us through some of history’s greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII’s Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters.
03-03-2025
CBBC
Series 7: 14. Awesome Ancient Civilisations Special
Horrible Histories presents our guide to Ancient Civilizations, featuring new sketches about Alexander the Great's first kiss, Emperor Nero's greatest hits, and how double parki ...
02-03-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 4. Terrible Transport
From camels to space rockets, via Dandy Horses, actual horses, royal train rides, cars, balloons and planes, it's the Horrible History of travel.
28-02-2025
CBBC
Series 4 - Episode 8
Historical sketch show. Emperor Nero visits the victims of the Great Fire of Rome and some Crusaders attend a training course on how to fight weird monsters.
28-02-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 9. Diabolical Daily Life
Daily life can be a bit of a grind, but not as much as it was in the past! Rattus takes us round the clock, revealing daily routines throughout history, from waking in Ancient E ...
28-02-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 11. Banging Bling
From Henry VIII’s wine fountain, to Empress Dowager’s marble boat, Horrible Histories talks money, jewellery and untold treasures.
27-02-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 8. Infectious Influencers
From Cleopatra’s hairdo to Elizabeth I’s flushing loo, meet history’s biggest Influencers.
26-02-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 7. Foul Feasting
Horrible Histories serves up the history of foul feasting, from Stone Age lentils to Queen Victoria’s anti-fart bread.
25-02-2025
CBBC
Series 10: 1. Daft Dads
In honour of Father’s Day, Horrible Histories takes a look at some of history’s daftest dads, featuring Henry VIII, Charles Dickens, William the Conqueror and Joseph ...
05-01-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 11
Historical sketch show. Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill argue online over what to do about Adolf Hitler.
08-03-2024
CBBC
Series 10: 3. Foul Football
In honour of the Women’s World Cup, legendary Lioness Jill Scott is joined by Rattus for a journey through the history of the beautiful game.\n\nAlthough football as we kn ...
18-01-2025
CBBC
Series 10: 14. Songtastic Musical Special
Rattus has enlisted the help of Richie - the Horrible Histories songwriter - to help him present a special song-filled show by making every one of Rattus’s bits a song too ...
16-02-2025
CBBC
Series 3 - Episode 4
Historical sketch show. A modern detective tries to solve a series of murders in Emperor Caligula's house, King George IV meets his dead relatives and other historical high jinks.
23-11-2023
CBBC
Series 9: 13. Cursed Careers
Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him?
15-12-2024
CBBC
Series 10: 15. Kings And Queens - A Right Royal Special
Featuring a new sketch with Elizabeth I searching for a successor in her show England’s Got Monarchs, and Rattus is the guide through some of HH's most regal sketches!
23-02-2025
CBBC
Series 3 - Episode 12
Historical sketch show. The people of Strasbourg are afflicted with 'dance fever' and HHTV presenter Fearne Polyester reports from a bizarre Greek festival.
05-12-2023
CBBC
Series 7: 12. Deadly Dynasties
A look at the deadliest dynasties and how they came to, and then held on to, power. Witness Aggrippina's deadly recipes for success and Napoleon's needy sister, how the Lancastr ...
17-01-2025
CBBC