The real Game of Thrones: The true story of John of Gaunt

Even today, there are pubs and a horse race named after John of Gaunt, a 14th century prince and warrior who rose to become one of the most powerful men in England, and whose son would return from exile to claim the throne, and found the House of Lancaster. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to…

Hitler's hoard: The real place where looted Nazi treasures still lie hidden

From half a billion buried in a Polish palace to submarines full of glittering loot, ‘lost Nazi gold’ is an urban myth which refuses to die - but there IS one place where there genuinely is a huge amount of Nazi treasure still waiting to be discovered. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to Worl…

The real enigma: Why every story you have heard about Alan Turing is a lie, by Dermot Turing

Alan Turing was the oddball genius who single-handledly broke the Enigma code, ended World War II, and was hounded to death by the ungrateful authorities over his homosexuality… right? Wrong, says his nephew Dermot Turing, who tells author and historian Guy Walters that his uncle’s story has been s…

'Never greater slaughter': The ancient battle which spelt life or death for the English

In the year 937, the idea of Englishness came close to being wiped off the face of the Earth as four armies faced off against the shield wall of the Anglo-Saxon king Athelstan in a brutal battle which left thousands dead. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to author Michael Livingston about why…

Crumbs! The curious history of a very British treat - the biscuit

From its origins in Mesopotamia in 3,000 BC, the history of Britain’s favourite tea-time snack takes many surprising turns - from biscuit recipes made by alchemists, to sponge fingers dipped in wine by aristocrats. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to biscuit guru Elizabeth Collingham about th…

The real Great Escape: The very different true story behind the stirring Hollywood tale

It was one of World War II’s most daring escapes, where dozens of POWs attempted to crawl to freedom down tunnels built under the noses of their German guards - and the 1963 Steve McQueen film became a cherished Bank Holiday favourite in Britain. But what was the real story? Author and historian Gu…

The swords and the stone: The tiny bead which tells us so much about the Vikings

A small reddish-orange bead unearthed in a Viking grave in Derbyshire reveals that the Scandinavian sailors were far more than brutal warriors who loved raiding British monasteries. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to bioarchaeologist Dr Cat Jarman, who reveals how the bead helped her unravel…

Heil school: The Nazi finishing school in East Sussex (and other British friends of the Third Reich)

A new film tells the story of a villa in Bexhill-on-Sea which played host to an extraordinary finishing school, where the children of elite Nazis such as Himmler and von Ribbentrop learned English (while doing Nazi salutes and celebrating the Fuhrer’s birthday). Author and historian Guy Walters tal…

That woman: The real story of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII

Wallis Simpson became the most hated woman in Britain after King Edward VIII gave up his throne for her and left the country (in a move with echoes in today’s Royal Family). Author and historian Guy Walters asks biographer Anne Sebba how alike Wallis and Meghan Markle really are - and whether we ca…

Two minutes to midnight: How the human race came close to the brink in 1953

As America tested the first hydrogen bomb - capable of flattening entire cities - the Cold War entered a new and deadly phase, with the Soviets, America and Britain racing to build weapons of mass destruction (including secret tests of deadly nerve agents) - and the Doomsday Clock set to two minute…