Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton
Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

  • TV sketch show
  • CBBC / BBC One
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 140 episodes (10 series)

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series. Stars Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 3

A Roman emperor finds a nasty alternative to candles, an Egyptian tries to save money on mummification, and the Roundheads and Cavaliers take part in Historical Wife Swap.

Further details

Sketches detailing unusual uses for unearthed Egyptian mummies and Emperor Nero's cruel choice of candles are included in this week's edition.

An ad for Witchfinders Direct provides a comic portrayal of how women were accused of witchcraft during the 17th century, while a sketch on Charles I's execution in 1649 reveals that the monarch wore two shirts at the time of his death - as he did not want the weather to make him shiver, which the crowd could have mistaken for fear. And in Historical Wife Swap, problems arise when jovial Restoration family the Merrys swap with dour Puritan family the Miserables.

An Egyptian explains the mummy-making process in a witty song and the series also reveals the bizarre uses found for the mummies dug up from tombs in the 19th century.

The programme is rounded off with a selection of the Vicious Vikings' strange beliefs and details the Roman Emperor Nero's horrid human alternative to candles.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 30th April 2009
Time
4:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 21st January 2010 4:05pm BBC1
Saturday 28th May 2011 3:00pm CBBC
Friday 3rd June 2011 11:00am CBBC
Monday 12th March 2012 6:15pm CBBC
Monday 9th April 2012 11:30am CBBC
Saturday 7th July 2012 10:00am CBBC
Sunday 21st October 2012 9:00am CBBC
Tuesday 16th July 2013 10:30am CBBC
Wednesday 4th September 2013 7:45am CBBC
Sunday 19th January 2014 6:30pm CBBC
Wednesday 13th April 2016 7:00pm CBBC
Tuesday 2nd August 2016 7:00pm CBBC
Wednesday 7th December 2016 7:00pm CBBC
Sunday 9th April 2017 9:30am CBBC
Sunday 3rd December 2017 8:30pm CBBC
Tuesday 27th March 2018 12:00pm CBBC
Tuesday 27th March 2018 2:45pm CBBC
Tuesday 27th March 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Wednesday 25th July 2018 1:45pm CBBC
Wednesday 25th July 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Wednesday 5th September 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Thursday 29th November 2018 7:00pm CBBC
Sunday 17th March 2019 11:30am CBBC
Tuesday 25th June 2019 7:00pm CBBC
Wednesday 28th August 2019 7:00pm CBBC
Friday 24th January 2020 5:30pm CBBC
Thursday 9th December 2021 6:25pm CBBC
Tuesday 3rd May 2022 10:30am CBBC
Thursday 26th January 2023 8:30am CBBC
Wednesday 4th October 2023 10:25am CBBC

Cast & crew

Cast
Jim Howick Various
Simon Farnaby Various
Ben Willbond Various
Mathew Baynton Various
Martha Howe-Douglas Various
Laurence Rickard Various
Sarah Hadland Various
Jon Culshaw Various (Voice)
Jess Robinson Various (Voice)
Meera Syal Self
Katy Wix Ensemble Actor
Lisa Devlin Ensemble Actor
Javone Prince Ensemble Actor
John Eccleston Rattus Rattus
Writing team
Ben Ward Writer
Steve Punt Writer
Jon Holmes Writer
Arnold Widdowson Writer
Marc Blakewill Writer
James Harris Writer
Production team
Steve Connelly Director
Chloe Thomas Director
Caroline Norris Series Producer
Giles Pilbrow Producer
Dominic Brigstocke Producer
Richard Bradley Executive Producer
Kim Shillinglaw Executive Producer
Charlie Fawcett Editor
Michelle Turkington Editor
Miranda Jones Production Designer
Richie Webb Composer
Matt Katz Composer

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