Horrible Histories (2009 TV series)

Horrible Histories
Title logo (Series 2 onwards)
Format	Children's television series, sketch show
Developed by	Dominic Brigstocke, Caroline Norris
Directed by	Dominic Brigstocke, Steve Connelly Chloe Thomas
Starring	Mathew Baynton Simon Farnaby Martha Howe-Douglas Jim Howick Laurence Rickard Ben Willbond Sarah Hadland (series 1 only) Lawry Lewin (series 2 onwards) Alice Lowe (series 2 onwards)
Composer(s)	Richie Webb
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Language(s)	English
No. of series	3
No. of episodes	37 (37 aired) plus 2 Savage Songs specials, a christmas special and a BBC Proms special (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Richard Bradley Kim Shillinglaw
Producer(s)	Caroline Norris
Running time	28 minutes (Proms special: 60 minutes)
Production company(s)	Lion TV Citrus Television (series 2 onwards)
Broadcast
Original channel	CBBC BBC HD
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Original run	16 April 2009 – Present
Chronology
Related shows	Horrible Histories (2001 TV series) Horrible Histories: Gory Games
External links
Website
Production website

Horrible Histories is an award-winning British children's television series based on the Terry Deary book series of the same name. The first series was thirteen episodes long, and was broadcast from 16 April to 9 July 2009 on CBBC on BBC One. A second series, of twelve episodes (not counting the "Savage Songs Special"), aired from 31 May 2010 to 27 July 2010. A Christmas special was broadcast on 17 December 2010, and a third series, also of twelve episodes (again not including the "Savage Songs Special" at the end), aired from 30 May 2011 to 26 July 2011 on CBBC. A fourth series has been filmed, and according to the official Twitter accounts of its cast, will be broadcast in spring 2012. A spin-off game show entitled Gory Games has started airing, hosted by Dave Lamb, and a second spin-off show, Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry, began on 19 June 2011, looking back on the best sketches of the show during its first two seasons on BBC One on prime time Sunday nights.

Production

In 2009 a live-action television series based on the books by Terry Deary was made by Lion Television and shown on BBC One and CBBC in the United Kingdom. The production of the television series followed a relaunch of Deary's books, and Lisa Edwards, editorial director of Scholastic UK stated: "the TV show will be a great addition to the perennially popular Horrible Histories property."

Before the series went on air, BBC executive producer Kim Shillinglaw said: "Horrible Histories will be stuffed full of blood, battles and black humour – and will also give children some of the great facts and narratives of history". Lisa Edwards, the editorial director explained: "Following the hugely successful re-launch of the books this year, the TV show will be a great addition to the perennially popular Horrible Histories property."

The first series of Horrible Histories was released on Region 2 DVD in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2010, and on Region 4 DVD in Australia on 1 July 2010.

The second series of Horrible Histories began airing on BBC 2 and CBBC on 31 May 2010 in co-production with Citrus Television, following post production by Platform Post Production, London.

The third series began airing on 30 May 2011 alongside the debut of its Gory Games spin-off.

The show was repackaged for a prime-time BBC One slot with Stephen Fry as host. The new six-part series featured a selection of the best clips from Series 1 and 2, and new segments featuring Fry, who replaced the puppet host Rattus Rattus. "Horrible Histories has been a hideously gruesome and gory success for CBBC and we are delighted to welcome it to BBC One," says Cassian Harrison, Commissioning Executive, History and Business, Science and Natural History.

In September 2011, Reece Shearsmith announced via Twitter, that The League of Gentlemen will reunite to perform sketches together on the fourth series of Horrible Histories.

As of December 16, 2011, the fourth season of Horrible Histories has finished filming.

Conception

The idea for the series was brought up from interest in Terry Deary's Horrible Histories books. After an unsuccessful 2001 animated series, he decided to try again at TV with this live action adaption of his books.

Animation

Certain scenes use animation instead of live action. Some scenes, such as the opening monologues after the "Vile Victorians" or "Rotten Romans" etc. card, are in 2d animation. Also, some sketches such as "Dodgy War Inventions" are also animated using 2d animation.The designs for the characters are based on illustrations in the Horrible Histories books. They are narrated by Jon Culshaw, Jess Robinson and Sarah Hadland The spoofs of computer/video games are a mix of 3D animation and live action. In these sequences, the actors had to move their bodies rigidly from side to side to mimic the style of movement the characters have in the menu. Ben Wilbond explains that "you have to be good" to do this sort of green screen acting.

Themes

The style of humour has been described as "python-esque". Mathew Baynton, actor and writer for the Horrible Histories TV show said: "There's definitely a Monty Python influence to it. One of the main themes of the show is that no matter how disgusting or vile the material is, it is all true. In the same interview, Matthew Baynton explained that "However ridiculous things might seem, it's all based on fact."

Cast

Main Cast

Actor	Characters
Mathew Baynton	Charles II of England, Dick Turpin, George II of Great Britain, Pachacuti, Henry I of England, Mark Anthony, Zeus, Caligula (season 2), Black Bart, Robert Knox, Francis I of France, Menelaus, Pompey, Guy Fawkes, Vercingetorix, Elagabalus, D.I. Bones, Æthelred the Unready, William Shakespeare, Philip II of Spain, Charles I of England, Captain Robert Scott, Thomas Farriner, Leonidas I, Aristotle, spoof of Gok Wan in "Historical Fashion Fix", Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (only at The Proms), Hephaestion
Simon Farnaby	Grim Reaper, William the Conqueror, Caligula (series 1 and 3), George III of England (series 1 and at The Proms), William Burke, Hippocrates, Mercury, Robert Walpole, Walter Raleigh, Cliff Whiteley, Executioner, Tiberius, William Harvey
Martha Howe-Douglas	Elizabeth I of England, Cleopatra, Boudicca, Victoria of Great Britain (series 3 and during The Proms), Florence Nightingale, Pet shop owner, Sam from HHTV News, Emmeline Pankhurst, Madame Tussaud, Caroline of Brunswick, Matilda of Flanders, Rhea, Suzanne from Historical Hairdressers
Laurence Rickard	Bob Hale, John Joseph Merlin, William II of England, Paul Revere, Draco, Pepi II, Henry V of England, Deiphobus, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, John Wright, Arthur Aston, Cowboy Mike, Victorian Pauper
Jim Howick	Lord Nelson, George IV of the United Kingdom, Alfred Nobel, Henry II of England, Richard III of England, Blackbeard, Nero, William Hare, Edmund II, Robert III of Artois, The "Shouty Man", Winston Churchill, William Buckland, Matthew Webb, Samuel Pepys, Napoléon I, Archimedes, spoof of Gregg Wallace in "Historical Masterchef"
Ben Willbond	Henry VIII of England, George I of Great Britain, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Kronos, Billy the Kid, Louis XVI of France, Paris of Troy, Commodus, Aeschylus, William Wallace, John Balliol, Sweyn Forkbeard, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, Francis Bacon, Adolf Hitler, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, Robert Catesby, Sir Thomas Hardy, 1st Baronet, Mike Peabody, spoof of John Torode in "Historical Masterchef", judge of the "Court of Historical Law", Francisco Pizarro, Ludwig Van Beethoven (only at The Proms)
Dominique Moore	Agent Moses, Mary Seacole, Presenter of Ready, Steady, Feast (Series 2), Ferne Polyester, Nurse, Andrea
Alice Lowe	Lady Jane Grey, Emily Davison, Marie Antoinette, Joan Of Arc, Mary I of England, Henrietta Maria of France, Jessica Harvey-Smythe, Poppea, Calpurnia Pisonis, Cliff's Receptionist
Lawry Lewin	George III of Great Britain, Oliver Cromwell, Thomas More, Francis Tresham, Duc de Chaulnes, Revolutionary, William Prynne, Gladiator
Sarah Hadland	Victoria of Great Britain (series 1), Florence Nightingale, Helen of Troy, Hatshepsut, Minerva, Presenter of Ready, Steady, Feast (Series 1), Nurse Anne, Cavegirl, Nefertiti

Other actors include

• Susie Donkin
• Katy Wix
• Giles Terera
• Nathaniel Martello-White
• Javone Prince
• Rhashan Stone
• George Sawyer
• Daniel Lawrence Taylor
• Allin Kempthorne

With special guests

• Terry Deary
• David Baddiel
• Dave Lamb (voice only)
• Alexei Sayle
• Meera Syal
• Steve Punt
• Tanni Grey-Thompson

Puppeteer

• John Eccleston as Rattus Rattus
• Scott Brooker as Rattus Rattus (certain episodes and Horrible Histories: Gory Games)

Additional voices

• Jon Culshaw
• Jess Robinson
• Sarah Hadland

Features

These are the eras and civilizations that feature in the TV series:

Series One:

• Savage Stone Age
• Awful Egyptians (Original book was titled "Awesome Egyptians")
• Groovy Greeks
• Rotten Romans
• Smashing Saxons
• Cut-Throat Celts
• Vicious Vikings
• Measly Middle Ages
• Wicked Witches (exclusive to Series One, Episode 3; combination of Stuarts and Middle Ages)
• Terrible Tudors
• Slimy Stuarts
• Putrid Pirates
• Gorgeous Georgians
• Vile Victorians
• Potty Pioneers
• Frightful First World War (absent in Series 2)
• Woeful Second World War (absent in Series 3)
• Ruthless Rulers

Series One's Episode 9 also included a Terrible Teachers themed sketch, completely made up and original to the episode. This sketch was a response to the Vicious Vikings Viking Helmet sketch that was shown before it.

Eras/civilisations introduced in Series 2:

• Incredible Incas (absent in Series 3)
• Awesome USA (only in Episode 7 from Series 3)

There was also an internet reminder from Rattus Rattus about the Horrible Histories 'Terrible Treasures' game at the end of each episode of Series 2:

"Want to travel through the time sewers with me? Ha! Then play Horrible Histories 'Terrible Treasures'. Go to the CBBC website and click on Horrible Histories!"

The reminder is absent in the DVD release.

Eras/civilisations introduced in Series 3:

• Angry Aztecs (replaces Incredible Incas)
• Nasty Knights (Series 3, episodes 2 and 4)
• Fabulous French

In Series 3 there were two different internet reminders from Rattus Rattus about the Horrible Histories CBBC website at the end of episodes:

"Want some more Horrible Histories? Then come with me down the Time Sewers. Just go to the CBBC website and click on Horrible Histories. See you down there!"

"Psst! Can you keep a secret? No, me, neither. I've just found some great games in the Time Sewers. Want to come and play? Then just go to the CBBC website and click on Horrible Histories. See you there!"

Sketches

Each episode features 6-8 different eras/civilisations with 1-4 sketches from each. Sketches include :

• HHTV News (pastiche of BBC News)
• HHTV Sport (once in Rattus fantasises)(pastiche of Sportsround)
• The Bob Reports
• Twisted Fairytales (Series 1 only)(pastiche of Tellytales)
• Historical Hairdressers (Series 1 only)
• Historical Wife Swap (pastiche of Wife Swap)
• Historical Hospital (incorporates pastiche of Holby City)
• Court of Historical Law (Series 1, Episodes 5 and 11)
• My Stuart Family (Series 1, Episode 2 only)
• Historical Magazines (Series 1, Episodes 4, 5, 7 and 11, then on Series 2, Episodes 3 and 11, also on Series 3, Episodes 2 and 10)
• Shouty Man (pastiche of various advertisements)
• Stupid Deaths
• Greek Myth Talk (Series 1, Episode 6 only)
• Historical Art Show (Series 1, Episodes 2, 3 and 12 then in Series 2, Episodes 2 and 12, also in Series 3, Episode 8) (pastiche of SMart)
• This Is Your Reign (Series 1 only)
• Historical Eastenders (pastiche of East Enders) (Once in Series 1, Episode 4 (Saxons) then on Series 2, episodes 9 and 10 (Victorians), Also in series 3, Episode 11 (Victorians))
• Warrior (Series 1, Episode 1 and 10, then Series 3, Episode 10)(pastiche of various gaming advertisements)
• Dodgy War Inventions (series 1 and 2 only)
• Ready Steady Feast (series 1 and 2 only)(pastiche of Ready Steady Cook)(replaced by Historical Masterchef)
• Great Historical Inventions (Series 1, Episode 10 only)
• Rattus fantasises (Series 1 and 2 only)
• Historical Dragon's Den (in series 2 episode 7 and in series 3 episode 11) (pastiche of Dragons Den)
• That Was Entertainment (Series 1, Episode 7 only)
• Ye Sun (Series 1, Episode 9 only)(pastiche of The Sun)
• The Axe Factor (Series 1, Episode 11 only)(pastiche of X Factor)
• Historical Come Dine with Me (Once in Series 2, but appeared more often in Series Three)(pastiche of Come Dine with Me)
• Historical Mastermind (Series 2, Episode 1 only)
• Historical Masterchef (Once in Series 2's Christmas special, then in series 3 episodes 1,2,10 and 11)(pastiche of Masterchef)
• Scary Stories (Series 2, then two more times in Series 3)(pastiche of Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids)
• Historical Desktops (Series 2, Episode 2 and episode 12 on Rattus fantasizes then one more time in Series Three episode 8) (pastiche of Windows Vista and/or Windows XP)
• Cliff Whiteley (Series 2, Episodes 3 & 6 and series 3 episode 12)
• School (2 times in Series 1,2)
• News of the Empire (Series 2, Episode 8 only) (pastiche of News of the World)
• Historical Fashion Fix (played twice in each series starting from Series 2)(pastiche of Gok's Fashion Fix)
• Crimewatch BC (Series 2, Episode 8 only)(pastiche of Crimewatch)
• Historical Shopping Channel (Series 2, Episodes 4 & 5)(pastiche of teleshopping)
• Historical Family Fortunes (Series 2, Episode 6 only) (pastiche of Family Fortunes)
• Histrorical Weather Forecast (Series 1, Episode 9 also on Series 2, Episodes 6 and 11 then on Series 3, episodes 2 and 11)) (pastiche of Daybreak Weather)
• My Big Fat Medieval Scottish Wedding (Series 2, Episode 11 only) (pastiche of My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
• Historical Paramedics (once in series 2 episode 3 but in episodes 1,3,6 and 11 in Series 3)
• Historical Pet Shop (Series 3 episodes 6,9 and 11)(pastiche of Pads 'N' Paws Pet Shop)
• Horrible Points of View (Series 3 episodes 6 and 7 and 12)
• Detective D.I. Bones (Series 2, Episode 12 and Series 3 episode 4)
• Winter Cooking with The Hairy Vikings (Series 3, Episode 8 only)
• Historical Gardener's World (Series 3, Episode 9 only)
• We sell any monk (A pastiche of 'we buy any car')

Series 1, Episode 7 included an Egyptian Mummy fantasises sketch a spin-off of Rattus fantasises. Completely rare to the show.

Unseen Sketches

On the Horrible Histories Series 2 DVD there is a feature showing a montage of dejected sketches.

• Vile Victorians: Cliff Whiteley: Queen Victoria
• Measly Middle Ages: Dr Do'om (3-parts)
• Rotten Romans: Roman Army Retierment Deal
• Terrible Tudors: Scary Stories: The Visions of Mother Chipton
• Gorgeous Georgians: Stupid Deaths: Adolf Frederick

Series 1

• Born 2 Rule (pastiche of Westlife)
• Divorced, Beheaded and Died (The Wives of Henry VIII)
• How to Make a Mummy Song'
• We're the Tudors (pastiche of Madness)
• A Gorgeous Georgian Lady
• I'm a Knight (two parts; pastiche of Monty Python)
• Caveman Love (two parts; pastiche of doo-wop)
• It's Not True! (with on-screen lyrics; pastiche of "The Laughing Policeman song
• Bring Out Your Dead (Plague Song)
• British Things
• We Are Greek (two parts; pastiche of Flanders and Swann)
• Burke and Hare Song

Series 2

• The Vikings: Literally (pastiche of Guns N Roses)
• Charles II: King of Bling (incorporates pastiche of Eminem)
• Spartan High School Musical (pastiche of the High School Musical)
• The World War II Girls (pastiche of The Promise)
• George IV: Couldn't Stand My Wife (sequel to Born 2 Rule; another Westlife pastiche)
• Blackbeard (pastiche of Gilbert & Sullivan, particularly Pirates of Penzance and If I Were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof)
• Victorian Inventions (pastiche of music hall)
• The Hieroglyphics (pastiche of "ABC" by The Jackson Five)
• The Cowboy Song (pastiche of bluegrass music)
• Boudicca (pastiche of The Ting Tings) and incorporates pastiche of Pop Muzik
• The Monk Song (incorporates pastiche of "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry)
• Pachacuti (pastiche of summer novelty songs)

Christmas Special

• Silent Night (pastiche of "Silent Night"; with on-screen lyrics) (reveals truth about said night)
• Good King Wenceslas (pastiche of "Good King Wenceslas"; with on-screen lyrics) (reveals truth about said King)
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas (pastiche of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"; with on-screen lyrics)
• O Christmas Tree (pastiche of "O Christmas Tree"; with on-screen lyrics) (reveals truth about said decoration)

Series 3

• Dick Turpin the Highwayman (pastiche of "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants)
• English Kings and Queens Song (with on-screen lyrics for chorus; pastiche of Chas & Dave) - The longest Savage Song in the series.
• William Wallace, Scottish Rebel (pastiche of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol)
• Work, Terrible Work! (Victorian Work Song) (pastiche of "Food, Glorious Food" in Lionel Bart's Oliver!)
• Ra Ra Cleopatra (pastiche of Beyonce and Lady Gaga, particularly "Bad Romance")
• Richard III Song (pastiche of Leona Lewis, particularly "Better in Time")
• Evil Emperors Song (pastiche of "Bad" by Michael Jackson)
• We're the Suffragettes (pastiche of Bananarama)^{[citation needed]}
• Ain't Staying Alive (Aztec Priest's Song) (pastiche of "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees)
• Cavaliers versus the Roundheads (English Civil War Song) (pastiche of "Cool" from Jerome Robbins's West Side Story)
• The Stone Age (pastiche of Randy Newman)
• Celtic Boast Battle (pastiche of Tinie Tempah)

Episodes

#	Title	Original air date
1	"Series 1, Episode 1"	16 April 2009 (2009-04-16)
Some Vikings have their hair washed, a soldier from the First World War struggles to cook with fake food and the four King Georges form a boyband. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: Funeral Fights and Rattus fantasizes : Gladiator School Frightful First World War: Lice Wars (part-animated) and Ready Steady Feast: Ersatz Food Putrid Pirates: The Black Spot and Pirate Rules Savage Stone Age: Stone Age Tool Set and Chief's Funeral Vicious Vikings: Historical Hairdressers and Warrior: Viking vs. Monk Gorgeous Georgians: Twisted Fairytales: The Three Little Pigs (Georgian window tax), Georgian Elections and Born 2 Rule (song)
2	"Series 1, Episode 2"	23 April 2009 (2009-04-23)
A Stuart family discover bananas, a whining Pharaoh invents the pyramid, and King Henry VIII meets his dead friends. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Measly Middle Ages: Shouty Man: Pee-sil Non Bio (two parts) (parody of Persil) and Public Toilets Savage Stone Age: Historical Hospital and Caveman Art Show Woeful Second World War: Mary, the Carrier Pigeon (animated) and Prisoner of War Camp Slimy Stuarts: Stupid Deaths: Francis Bacon and My Stuart Family Awful Egyptians: King Pepi's Super Sticky, Anti-fly Honey Slave, Rattus fantasizes : The First Pyramid and Twisted Fairytales: The Princess and The Pea (killing off royal family members) Terrible Tudors: This Is Your Reign: King Henry VIII and Divorced, Beheaded and Died (song)
3	"Series 1, Episode 3"	30 April 2009 (2009-04-30)
A Roman emperor finds a nasty alternative to candles, an Egyptian tries to save money on mummification, and the Puritans and Royalists take part in Historical Wife Swap. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Wicked Witches: Witchfinder's Direct, Twisted Fairytales: The Frog Prince (witchcraft involving frogs) and The Middle Ages Witch Craft Show Vicious Vikings: Viking Beliefs (animated, 3-part), Eric and Asgot and Valhalla or Hell Potty Pioneers: Captain Scott and the South Pole Race Awful Egyptians: Making a Mummy (song), The History of Mummies and Shouty Man: All Purpose Ancient Egyptian Mummy Rotten Romans: Nero's Christian Candles and Rattus fantasizes : HHTV Sport: Lions vs. Christians Slimy Stuarts: HHTV News: Charles I's Execution and Historical Wife Swap: Puritans and Restorers
4	"Series 1, Episode 4"	7 May 2009 (2009-05-07)
The Tudors sing their family history, Bob explains the complete history of Rome in two minutes, and a mad Victorian gentleman eats King Louis XIV's mummified heart. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Smashing Saxons: Saxon EastEnders (Weregeld law) and Anglo-Saxon Ghost Hunt Vile Victorians: Ready Steady Feast: Dr William Buckland and Stupid Deaths: Matthew Webb Frightful First World War: TNT Hair Dye and Dodgy War Inventions No. 16: Zeppelin Airship (animated) Groovy Greeks: Historical Hospital and Alexander's Cities of Alexandria Rotten Romans: HHTV News: Bob Hale's Roman Report and Caligula's Crazy Speech Terrible Tudors: Liz's Nicknames, Oh Yea! Execution Special and We're Tudors (song)
5	"Series 1, Episode 5"	14 May 2009 (2009-05-14)
A priest makes a piano from live pigs, Emperor Caligula declares war on the sea, and we discover disgusting beauty tips from Ancient Egypt. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Awful Egyptians: Pharaoh Phashion and Mouse Fresh Max Ruthless Rulers: Louis XI and the Pig Piano (animated, with special guest Simon Cowell) Measly Middle Ages: HHTV News: The Domesday Book and William the Conqueror's Funeral Rotten Romans: Caligula's attack on Poseidon Savage Stone Age: HHTV News: Bob Hale's Stone Age Report and Rattus fantasizes : Neanderthal Dinner Guests Smashing Saxons: Court of Historical Law and Twisted Fairytales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Saxon punishments) Gorgeous Georgians: Georgian Navy Recruitment Ad and Historical Hospital
6	"Series 1, Episode 6"	21 May 2009 (2009-05-21)
An evil Greek god appears on a daytime chat show,a soldier finds his lucky bible, and we meet some weird medieval monsters. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Measy Middle Ages: Flagellant Beliefs and The Made-Up Planet (animated) Vile Victorians: Victorian Claims Direct and Chimney Sweeps Gorgeous Georgians: Georgian Fashion (song) and Historical Wife Swap: Lords and Peasants Potty Pioneers: Stupid Deaths: Franz Reichelt Rotten Romans: Rattus fantasizes : Galley Safety Announcement (2 parts) and Dodgy War Inventions No. 7: The Onager (animated) Frightful First World War: Twisted Fairytales: The Old Woman Who Lived In The Shoe (urinating on boots) and Lucky Charms Groovy Greeks: Greek Myth Talk: The Story of Cronos
7	"Series 1, Episode 7"	28 May 2009 (2009-05-28)
Tudors see Elizabeth I looking ugly, Cinderella struggles with the Blitz, and Helen of Troy reveals her complicated love life. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Terrible Tudors: Oh Yea! Royal Special and Historical Hospital Groovy Greeks: The Story of Helen of Troy and Rattus fantasizes : The Wooden Horse Measly Middle Ages: I'm A Knight (song, 2 parts) and That Was Entertainment: Jousting on Ice Woeful Second World War: Twisted Fairytales: Cinderella (rationing clothes) and Gravy Stockings Awful Egyptians: Egyptian Mummy fantasizes : Real Estate Pyramids and Meet the Gods (animated) Vile Victorians: Rattus Fantasizes : A girl is told to wash herself and Parliament discusses the Thames Sewers problem
8	"Series 1, Episode 8"	4 June 2009 (2009-06-04)
The Saxons exchange disgusting Christmas presents, a caveman goes on a TV cookery show and we discover the bizarre causes of the First World War. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Vicious Vikings: Stupid Deaths: Edmund II and Valhalla Tours Savage Stone Age: Caveman Love (song, 2 parts) and Ready Steady Feast: Stone Age Special Rotten Romans: Trailer for The Battle of Avaricum and the Invention of Decimation Smashing Saxons: Historical Hairdressers and Presents of Poo Gorgeous Georgians: Georgian Food and Georgian Dentists Frightful First World War: The Cause of WWI and The Fighter Plane (animated) Measly Middle Ages: Confusing Wat Tyler and The Rules of Chivalry
9	"Series 1, Episode 9"	11 June 2009 (2009-06-11)
A Roman priest forgets a God, HHTV News reports live from the Great Plague and Thumbelina drowns in poo. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Terrible Tudors: Tudor Forecast and Twisted Fairytales: Thumbelina (dirty streets) Vile Victorians: Shouty Man: Victorian Child Chimney Cleaner and School : Strict Schools Rotten Romans: Roman Gods Direct and Appease the Gods Vicious Vikings: Viking Words and Hornless Helmets (animated) Terrible Teachers: It's Not True (song) Groovy Greeks: Historical Wife Swap: Athenians and Spartans Slimy Stuarts: HHTV News: The Great Plague, Ye Sun Plague Special and Ready Steady Feast: The Great Fire of London
10	"Series 1, Episode 10"	18 June 2009 (2009-06-18)
HHTV News reports live from the Battle of Thermopylae, Celt housewives find decorative uses for severed heads and we learn the revolting truth about Roman toilets. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: Sponge on a Stick (2 parts) and Viper Deodorant Vile Victorians: Victorian Slang and Great Victorian Inventions: The Car (animated) Terrible Tudors: Ready Steady Feast: Rich and Poor and Historical Hairdressers Cut-Throat Celts: Severed Head Decorations and Warrior: Romans Vs. Celts Measly Middle Ages: Twisted Fairytales: The Pied Piper of Hamlin (plague spreading) and Bring Out You Dead (song) Ruthless Rulers: This Is Your Reign: Napoleon Bonaparte Groovy Greeks: Weapons Store and HHTV News: The Battle of Thermopylae
11	"Series 1, Episode 11"	25 June 2009 (2009-06-25)
HHTV news reports the British empire, a Viking warrior won't stop talking in rhyme, and the contestants try to become executioners on Axe Factor. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Terrible Tudors: Oh Yea! Royal Special and Rattus fantasizes : The Axe Factor (parody of The X Factor) Groovy Greeks: Stupid Deaths: Pausanius, The Court of Historical Law and Twisted Fairytales: Sleeping Beauty (disobeying the non-idleness law) Vile Victorians: HHTV News: Bob Hale's British Empire Report and British Things (song) Vicious Vikings: Viking Words and Viking Rhymes Slimy Stuarts: Bonfire Safety Tips with Guy Fawkes and HHTV News: Civil War Breakout Measly Middle Ages:Stupid Deaths: The Gory Middle Ages and Ready Steady Feast: Live from the Siege of Órleans
12	"Series 1, Episode 12"	2 July 2009 (2009-07-02)
A Victorian teacher is confused by her pupils' bizarre names, the Romans run out of animals to execute, and Aeschylus explains his gory death. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Smashing Saxons: Saxon Mealtime Charades and The Monk Art Show Vile Victorians: School : Children's Names and The Queen Victoria Workout Rotten Romans: Titus' Animal Absence and Execution Animals 'r' Us Measly Middle Ages: Twisted Fairytales: The Ugly Duckling (swan hunting) and The Earl of Warick's Dinner Party Groovy Greeks: Brainy Greeks (song, 2 parts), The First Play Ever and Stupid Deaths: Aeschylus Woeful Second World War: The Evacuees, Hitler Youth ad and Hitler Rumours (animated)
13	"Series 1, Episode 13"	9 July 2009 (2009-07-09)
A lazy aristocrat invents the sandwich, the Romans host their own revolting cookery show, and William Shakespeare is haunted by the ghost of King Richard III. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: Roman Kitchen Nightmares and Communal Toilets Vile Victorians: Crimean Hospitals and Robert Knox (song) Awful Egyptians: This Is Your Reign: Cleopatra and Hatshepsut: The First Woman Pharaoh Terrible Tudors: Shakespeare's Globe: A History (animated) and Richard III's Reality Check Vicious Vikings: HHTV News: Bob Hale's Viking Report and Stupid Deaths: Sigurd The Mighty Gorgeous Georgians: Sandwich's Sandwiches and HHTV Sport: Lice Racing
14	"Series 2, Episode 1"	31 May 2010 (2010-05-31)
A prank-loving emperor hosts a dinner party on Roman Come Dine with Me, the Durham Home Guard injure themselves while learning first aid, and the Viking rock band paint the town red... literally. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: Roman Come Dine With Me Terrible Tudors: Queen Elizabeth Painting and Historical Mastermind: Shakespeare Incredible Incas: Shouty Man: Incan Hole and Incan Shampee Advert Vile Victorians: Inventing Badminton, 2nd Baron Rothschild (animated) and Stupid Deaths: Bobby Leach Slimy Stuarts: Fawkes' 13 and Charles I's Deaf Punishments Woeful Second World War: British Home Guard discussion, Operation Defend Britain and Durham Home Guard accidents Vicious Vikings: Vikings Navigating and The Viking Song (song)
15	"Series 2, Episode 2"	1 June 2010 (2010-06-01)
A pirate captain regrets stealing a herd of seasick cows, a Georgian sportsman invents a whole new way of boxing, King Charles II raps about his party lifestyle, and the Georgian army goes to war against a bunch of naughty schoolboys. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Putrid Pirates: Basil Hood's Cow theft and Historical Hospital: Pirate Doctor Woeful Second World War: World War II Art Show and Child Package Mix-Up Groovy Greeks: Stupid Deaths: Heraclitus, Evil-Spirit-Prevention-Door-Frame-Tar and the Oracle's prediction of Aeschylus' Death Slimy Stuarts: Oliver Cromwell's Christmas Ban and Charles II: King of Bling (song) Awful Egyptians: Rattus fantasizes : Historical Desktops : Egyptian Social Network Gorgeous Georgians: HHTV Sport: Horrible Histories Boxing and Pupil Rebellions
16	"Series 2, Episode 3"	2 June 2010 (2010-06-02)
In Ancient Greece, it's time for Spartan High School Musical, a jester breaks bad news to Henry VIII using armpit raspberries, learn how to stay fit with the Caveman Workout, and Roman emperor Nero stars in a (not very) romantic movie. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: I'm a Christian, Get Me Out of Here!, Love You to Death and Ave! Magazine: Spiculus Measly Middle Ages: Historical Paramedics and Scary Stories: The Children of Woolpit Groovy Greeks: Late Schoolboy and Spartan High School Musical (song) Terrible Tudors: Will Somers the Jester and Stupid Deaths: Tudor Entertainer Savage Stone Age: Hunting Trip Preparations and the Caveman Workout Awesome USA: Invention of the Telegraph and Cliff Whitelie: Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid.
17	"Series 2, Episode 4"	3 June 2010 (2010-06-03)
Britain's greatest sailor, Admiral Nelson, turns out to be horribly seasick, two doctors from the Middle Ages argue over how to treat a patient, discover the many uses for an Incan llama, and the World War 2 Girls sing about Girl Power on the Home Front. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Gorgeous Georgians: Lord 'Seasick' Nelson and HHTV News: The Public Execution of Jack Sheppard Measly Middle Ages: Historical Hospital: Europe & Arab Argument and Stupid Deaths: Humphrey De Bohun Incredible Incas: Historical Shopping Channel: Inca Hour and Llama Farmer Ad Vile Victorians: Scary Stories: The Cabinet of Mystery, Con-Artist's Tapeworm Traps and Victorian Beer Groovy Greeks: HHTV Sport: Paris Vs. Achilles and Dodgy War Machines No. 14: Elephants Woeful Second World War: Late Night Winston Churchill's D-Day Plan and The World War Two Girls Song (song)
18	"Series 2, Episode 5"	4 June 2010 (2010-06-04)
An Incan kid has the worst birthday ever, a Roman farmer meets a door-to-door poo salesman, and King George IV embarks on a solo musical career. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Putrid Pirates: Unusual Treasure and Historical Shopping Channel: Pirate Hour Incredible Incas: Live Like An Incan (song) and Incan Child's Birthday Awful Egyptians: Real Tomb Raider and Scary Stories: The Curse Of Tutankhamun Gorgeous Georgians: George IV's (not so) Bad News and George IV: Couldn't Stand My Wife (song) Measly Middle Ages: HHTV News: Bob Hale's Crusades Report and Crusader Crones Awesome USA: Agent Moses Rotten Romans: Door-to-door Poo Salesman and How to Behave at a Roman Dinner Party
19	"Series 2, Episode 6"	8 June 2010 (2010-06-08)
The Ug and Ugio families go head-to-head on Stone Age Family Fortunes, mad King George III's doctors are even madder than he is, and Emperor Elagabalus launches his pranktastic Roman lottery. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Gorgeous Georgians: George III's Mad Doctors and Ready Steady FEAST: George III's Beef Tree Rotten Romans: Elagabalus' Romo Lottery Millions and Emperor 'Scaredy Cat' Tiberius Smashing Saxons: Saxon Weather Forecast, Ghost Prevention (a woman violently berates her husband for burning their crops) and Anglo Saxon Famine Beliefs Awesome USA: Stupid Deaths: Clement Vallandingham and Dodgy War Tactics No. 23: Battle of the Crater (with stick figures) Putrid Pirates: Blackbeard (song) Savage Stone Age: Trepanadol and Stone Age Family Fortunes Vile Victorians: Cliff Whitelie: Florence Nightingale & Mary Seacole and School: Continual Repetition
20	"Series 2, Episode 7"	15 June 2010 (2010-06-15)
Joan of Arc gets a visit from a confused angel, a pirate captain tries to make his crew dress like ladies and Mrs Celt enjoys being a Roman on Historical Wife Swap. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Measly Middle Ages: Knight Fight Refusal Argument and Rattus fantasizes : Confused Joan of Arc Putrid Pirates: Ready Steady FEAST: Captain Ned Low and Pretty Clever Tricks Vile Victorians: Victoria Dragon's Den and Victorian Inventions (song) Smashing Saxons: Words We Get from the Saxons, New Saxon Sign of the Cross and Engelbert, Edwin & Ergotism Slimy Stuarts: HHTV News: 1: Bob Hale's Civil War Report and 2: Marston Moor Dinner Ambush Cut-Throat Celts: Dodgy War Inventions No. 79: Stilts and Historical Wife Swap: Romans and Celts
21	"Series 2, Episode 8"	22 June 2010 (2010-06-22)
Some Vikings attack a monastery but can't remember why, Crimewatch BC tries to solve the murder of Julius Caesar... and prepare to be confused by the Egyptian hieroglyphics song. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Vicious Vikings: Viking War Paint and Lindisfarne Attack Memory Loss Terrible Tudors: HHTV Sport: Tudor Football and Mugging Fines Awful Egyptians: Hieroglyphics Song (song) Woeful Second World War: Stalingrad Improvisation and Dodgy War Inventions No. 28: Dog Bombs Gorgeous Georgians: Shouty (Wo)Man: Georgian Fan, Fan Sign Language examples and Historical Fashion Fix: Macaroni clothing Slimy Stuarts: Stupid Deaths: Arthur Aston and Scary Stories: The Terror of Tedworth Rotten Romans: News of the Empire: Julius Caesar and Crimewatch BC
22	"Series 2, Episode 9"	29 June 2010 (2010-06-29)
The Stuarts are confused by the newly discovered drink tea, a Viking funeral ends in a massive fight, a child evacuated in the Blitz thinks farm animals are monsters, and some cowboys sing about life in the Wild West. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Slimy Stuarts: Tea Drinking and Historical Hospital Vicious Vikings: HHTV Sports: Viking Feud and Viking Chief Funeral Woeful Second World War: Bomb Shelters, Stupid Deaths: World War II Businessmen and The Farm Incredible Incas: Chasqui Messenger Service and HHTV News: Bob Hale's Incan Report Vile Victorians: School: NO WELSH ALLOWED! (based on the Welsh Not) and Victorian EastEnders Awesome USA: New Multi-Purpose Bandana and The Cowboy Song (song)
23	"Series 2, Episode 10"	6 July 2010 (2010-07-06)
A Celt is surprised by his armour, a new recruit regrets joining the Georgian Army, and Queen Cleopatra reveals her weird beauty secrets. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Measly Middle Ages: News at 1066 and Now Miserable volume 3 (with special guest Simon Cowell, a reference to the Pig Piano sketch of Series 1) Vile Victorians: Victorian EastEnders: Victorian Boy's birthday, Shouty Man: Victorian Maid and Scary Stories: The Freaks Cut-Throat Celts: Historical Fashion Fix: Celtic warrior and Boudica (song) Slimy Stuarts: King Charles I's Wedding and Crazy Church Goings-On Gorgeous Georgians: HHTV Sport: Georgian Pinching Match and Georgian Army Recruit Awful Egyptians: Cleopatra's Beauty Regime and Historical Hospital: Dr. Isis
24	"Series 2, Episode 11"	13 July 2010 (2010-07-13)
Barmy Roman emperor Caligula fails to invade Britain so collects seashells instead, King Henry VIII plays tennis while Anne Boleyn is executed, and some naughty Saxon monks throw a funky party. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: Caligula and Mr. Hand (2 parts) and Roman Army Measly Middle Ages: The Plague Report, Scottish Invasion and My Big Fat (Medieval Scottish) Wedding Smashing Saxons: The Monk Song (song) Awful Egyptians: Ready Steady FEAST: Peasant Food and Pyramid Weekly Awesome USA: Dodgy War Inventions No. 21: the Ironclad Ship and General Stonewall 'Narcoleptic' Jackson Groovy Greeks: Spartan School and Stupid Deaths: Draco Terrible Tudors: HHTV News: Bob Hale’s Catholic Report and Henry’s Tennis Execution
25	"Series 2, Episode 12"	20 July 2010 (2010-07-20)
Ug and Grunt show us how to paint like a caveman, some silly WW2 codebreakers forget their own code, and The King of France win Henry VII by Tripping him up Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Savage Stone Age: Historical Crime Squad and Caveman Art Show Woeful Second World War: Codebreaking Mix-up and Agent Sophie's Gadgets Rotten Romans: Andabatae Troubles and Stupid Deaths: Diodorus Smashing Saxons: Bag-O-Swallow-Chick Stomach Stones, Saxon Helmet Company and Words we get from the Saxons Terrible Tudors: Horrible Histories World Wrestling and Rattus fantasizes : Historical Desktops : Mullions xp Incredible Incas: Very Rough Guides and Pachacuti (song)
26	"Savage Songs Special"	26 July 2011 (2011-07-26)
Compilation of songs from the second series Savage Songs: Spartan School Musical, Boudicca, The Viking Song, Pacacuti, Charles II King of Bling Song, Blackbeard, George IV Solo: Couldn't Stand My Wife, Victorian Inventions Song, The World War Two Girls Song and the Born 2 Rule
27	"Christmas Special: Horrible Christmas"	17 December 2010 (2010-12-17)
Christmas is a time for good will, family and presents. However, in Horrible Histories it's a time for farting jesters from Henry II, christmas cards full of bacon and the Christmas dinner confiscated by Oliver Cromwell and William the Conqueror's soldiers believing that appreciators were attackers on Christmas Day and burned Westminster Abbey. Merry Christmas, Horrible Histories style! Viewers tuning in will discover that William the Conqueror was crowned on Christmas Day 1066, but when the congregation cheered his soldiers thought it was a riot and burned down Westminster Abbey. Other tales include that of King Henry II's famous medieval jester, Roland the Farter, the man whose sole job was to break wind on Christmas Day. The show also explores some weird Victorian Christmas cards which could include anything from a slice of bacon to a dead mouse.[5] Eras/Civilistions and Sketches featured: Measly Middle Ages: Roland the Farter, the true meaning of the Silent Night carol, Scary Stories: The Night Before Childermass (A Poem) and HHTV News: Willim the Conquerer's Christmas Crowning Riot Smashing Saxons: Presents of Poo (from Series 1) and the truth of the Good King Wenceslas carol Terrible Tudors: Mr. Tudor's Exceedingly nice Mince Pies, Historical Masterchef and Elizabeth I's Christmas Slimy Stuarts: Oliver Cromwell's Forbidden Christmas (from Series 2), We wish you a merry Christmas carol and A Christmas Message from King Charles II 1666 Vile Victorians: Victorian Prison Christmas, the truth of the O Christmas Tree carol and Victorian Weird Cards Frightful First World War: HHTV Sport: Christmas Day 1914 Note: This episode has a different title sequence to the other season 2 episodes and it features sketches from other episodes.
28	"Series 3, Episode 1"	30 May 2011 (2011-05-30)
Meet an annoying French prankster from the Middle Ages and see what happened when Queen Elizabeth I needs the toilet. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Rotten Romans: Qualifying for the Roman Triumph and The New aBook (pastiche of Kindle) Fabulous French: You've Been Artois'd (parody of American show Punk'd) Terrible Tudors: Gong Farmers and The Queen Moves In Angry Aztecs: Historical Masterchef and Howler Monkeys (animated) Gorgeous Georgians: Newgate Prison (parody of the Premier Inn adverts) and Dick Turpin Highwayman Song (song) Vicious Vikings: Words we get from the Vikings and Historical Paramedics Vile Victorians: Victorian Manners and Victorian Floral Messaging System Frightful First World War: The Somme Campaign and Fabulous Fat King's Fat Factory
29	"Series 3, Episode 2"	31 May 2011 (2011-05-31)
Some medieval knights discover the most disgusting way to attack a castle and a Georgian goes shopping in a modern pet shop. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Nasty Knights: Attacking a Castle and the Siege Forecast Slimy Stuarts: Historical Masterchef and Dead Head Walter's Dinner Groovy Greeks: Words we get from the Greeks and Stupid Deaths: Greek Boxer Gorgeous Georgians: Historical Pet Shop: Georgian and John Joseph Merlin's NEW Roller Skates Smashing Saxons: HHTV News: The Battle of Maldon and Monk Magazine Vile Victorians: The First Public Toilet and Nobel's Peace Prize Ruthless Rulers: Kings and Queens Song (song)
30	"Series 3, Episode 3"	1 June 2011 (2011-06-01)
A confused World War I soldier spends his first day in the trenches and the Welsh women of Fishguard defeat a French invasion without even trying. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Frightful First World War: First Day in the Trenches and Shouty Man: World War One WeeWee Smashing Saxons: Invasion, Invasion, Invasion: Hengest and Horsa Slimy Stuarts: Scary Stories: Evil Edmund and Historical Paramedics Measly Middle Ages: Stupid Deaths: James II of Scotland and William Wallace Song (song) Terrible Tudors: Queen for Nine Days and the Invention of the English Mile Fabulous French: HHTV News: 1: Bob Hale's French Revolution Report and 2: Napoleon's Failed Invasion of England
31	"Series 3, Episode 4"	2 June 2011 (2011-06-02)
A modern detective struggles to solve a series of murders in Emperor Caligula's house and King George IV meets his dead relatives. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Slimy Stuarts: The Good Highwayman James Hind and Charles II's Crowning Gift Measly Middle Ages: Historical Fashion Fix: Peasant to Nobleman and Leech Collecting Rotten Romans: Historical Crime Squad: Murders of Caligula, Arena Fighter and Roman God Body Inspectors Vile Victorians: Victorian Work Song (song) Nasty Knights: HHTV Investigates and Stupid Deaths: Knights Templar Groovy Greeks: Words we get from the Greeks and Historical Head Teachers : Mr. Brasidas Gorgeous Georgians: George IV's Windsor Tombs Tour
32	"Series 3, Episode 5"	3 June 2011 (2011-06-03)
A Welsh Prince from the Middle Ages has a very stupid death and Queen Cleopatra sings about her femme fatale reputation. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Measly Middle Ages: John Balliol's Release Request and Stupid Deaths: Griffith Ap Llewelyn Rotten Romans: Historical Hospital and Shouty Man: Criminal's Head Fabulous French: Historical Wife Swap: Pre-Revolution Frightful First World War: Multi-Country Soldiers and New Ladies Tights for Men Terrible Tudors: Elizabeth I's Christmas (from the Horrible Christmas special), Platform Shoes (animated) and Historical Fashion Fix: Peasant to Nobility Awful Egyptians: HHTV News: Bob Hale's Tutankhamun Report and Cleopatra (song)
33	"Series 3, Episode 6"	7 June 2011 (2011-06-07)
Henry VIII advertises his meat-and-no-vegetables diet, and Bob Hale explains the Wars of the Roses. Eras/Civilisations and Sketches featured: Terrible Tudors: The Henry VIII Tudor Diet Plan, Historical Paramedics Cut-Throat Celts: Horrible Points of View and Historical Pet Shop: Celt Measly Middle Ages: HHTV News: Bob Hale's War of the Roses Report and Richard III Song (song) Angry Aztecs: Aztec Come Dine With Me Savage Stone Age: Stone Age Farmer and Shouty Man: New Multi-Purpose String Gorgeous Georgians: The Final Moments of Admiral Nelson (2-part) and Stupid Deaths: Countess of Coventry
34	"Series 3, Episode 7"	14 June 2011 (2011-06-14)
Robert Walpole struggles to talk to England's German king and a Scottish sportsman attacks dead cows in the Highland Games. Eras/Civilisations and sketches featured: Awful Egyptians: Mysterious Underground Tombs and Shouty Man: Ushabti Coffin Dolls Gorgeous Georgians: German George I and HHTV Sport: Highland Games Slimy Stuarts: Horrible Points of View and Stupid Deaths : Molière Vicious Vikings: Historical Wife Swap: Vikings and Thralls Awesome USA: HHTV News: Bob Hale's American Report and Paul Revere's All-American Toothpaste Rotten Romans: Caligula's Recovery and Evil Emperors Song (song)
35	"Series 3, Episode 8"	21 June 2011 (2011-06-21)
Ethelred the Unready suffers online bullying and the Suffragettes set the record straight. Eras/Civilisations and sketches featured: Measly Middle Ages: The Death of William II and Stupid Deaths: Henry I Fabulous French: HHTV News: French Revolution Mob and Madam Tussaud's Make Show Smashing Saxons: Kidnapped (2 parts) and Words We Get From The Saxons 2 Terrible Tudors: Historical Head Teachers : Mr Bullen and HHTV Sport: Tudor Horse Racing Vicious Vikings: Winter Cooking with The Hairy Vikings and Historical Desktops : Stained Glass Windows XP Potty Pioneers: Suffragettes Song (song)
36	"Series 3, Episode 9"	28 June 2011 (2011-06-28)
HH viwers discover the Roman equivalent of text messaging, The Vikings advertise a We Buy Any Car-spoof advert and Queen Elizabeth surprises her court Eras/Civilisations and sketches featured: Vicious Vikings: Writing a History Book and We Sell Any Monk Vile Victorians: Historical Pet Shop: Victorian (Note: This sketch was a response to the Scary Stories The Freaks sketch from Series 2) and Victorian Traffic Report Terrible Tudors: Complicated Money Currencies and Liz's Weird Laws Angry Aztecs: Aztec Gardeners' World, Aztec Whodunnit-o (parody of Cluedo) and Aztec Priests' Song (song) Frightful First World War: Soldier Judgement and Splat That Rat (and Rattus isn't at all pleased!) Rotten Romans: Tabellarii Messenger and Emperor Constatine's Security Measly Middle Ages: Medieval Come Dine With Me
37	"Series 3, Episode 10"	12 July 2011 (2011-07-12)
Some WWI soldiers try some very unusual ways to cure frostbite in the Winter Eras/Civilisations and sketches featured: Frightful First World War: A winter in the trenches and Historical Masterchef Smashing Saxons: HHTV News: Norman report, Mud & Matilda and words we get from the Normans Gorgeous Georgians: Going to a hospital and Solomon's Live (Not So Very) Long Water Angry Aztecs: Scary Stories: The Mystery of Motecuhzoma and Warrior: Spanish conquistador and Aztec Rotten Romans: Danke magazine and the fall of Rome Slimy Stuarts: William Harvey's research and English Civil War Song (song)
38	"Series 3, Episode 11"	5 July 2011 (2011-07-05)
Featuring some time-travelling TV contestants from Pirate chefs to Stone Age inventors. Eras/Civilisations and sketches featured: Terrible Tudors: Phillip and Mary: Love Story and Tudor Sugar-Paste Toothpaste Putrid Pirates: Historical Master Chef and Pirate Weather Forecast Vile Victorians: Victorian EastEnders and Historical Paramedics Savage Stone Age: Stone Age Dragon's Den (2 parts) and Stone Age Song (song) Groovy Greeks: HHTV Sport: Ancient Greek Olympics and Stupid Deaths: Milo of Croton Slimy Stuarts: Historical Pet Shop: Stuart and Historical Don't Tell The Bride
39	"Series 3, Episode 12"	19 July 2011 (2011-07-19)
Eras/Civilisations and skteches featured: Measly Middle Ages: Peasant’s Pay Rise and Strasbourg Dance Fever Groovy Greeks: Historical Pet Shop, Fearne Polyester at Greek Festival and HHTV Sport: Isthmain Games Cut-Throats Celts: Celtic Poetry Banning and Celtic Boast Battle Song (song) Savage Stone Age: Stonehenge & Pyramids (animated) and Cliff Whiteley: Stonehenge Purposes Angry Aztecs: Aztec Hi-Tec All-in-one Cactus and Chuckle Resin Slimy Stuarts: Horrible Points Of View and Charles II & Thomas Blood Case
40	"Savage Songs Special"	26 July 2011 (2011-07-26)
Compilation of songs from the third series Savage Songs: Stone Age Song, Cleopatra, Celtic Boast Battle Song, William Wallace Song, Aztec Priest Song, Richard III Song, Dick Turpin Highwayman Song, Victorian Work Song, Suffragettes Song and the English Kings and Queens Song
41	"The Horrible Histories Big Prom Party"	30 July 2011 (2011-07-30) — Radio 9 September 2011 (2011-09-09) — TV
Horrible Histories is at the proms! Enjoy a selection of all your favourite Horrible Histories songs as performed at the BBC Proms. Oh, and watch out for the usual sketches inbetween! Compilation of songs from the first three series, classical music and original sketches Mike Peabody reports from outside the Royal Albert Hall/Arrival of Queen Victoria, Charles II and Rattus Rattus Also sprach Zarathustra; Horrible Histories Theme Tune HHTV News: Bob Hale's Orchestra Report; 4'33" Born 2 Rule; George II in the Theatre during George III and George IV in their dressing room; Danse Macabre Queen Victoria in theater box; Richard III Song William Shakespeare backstage; Excerpt from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet ballet; Rattus Rattus in box Queen Victoria served historical foods; Divorced, Beheaded and Died Charles II backstage; March to the Scaffold; Charles II: King of Bling George III and George IV dressing room; Handel's Royal Fireworks Music; Rattus Rattus in box Interval; Mike Peabody and Stone Age man; Shouty Man: Royal Albert Hall; Queen Victoria, Charles II, George III and George IV queue for royal toilets Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs; Stupid Deaths: Jean-Baptiste Lully; Mozart and Beethoven; Overture from "The Marriage of Figaro"; Rattus Rattus in box George IV: Couldn't Stand My Wife; William Shakespeare and Stone Age man in box; Wedding March Mike Peabody exclusive; Cleopatra; William Shakespeare and Stone Age man in box; Stone Age Jazz; Ride of the Valkyries; Viking invasion; The Viking Song; Horrible Histories Theme Tune

Awards

In 2009, Horrible Histories received an RTS nomination for best Children's Programme. It was also nominated for Europe's most prestigious children's award, the Prix Jeunesse. Executive Producer Richard Bradley said, "After one series, Horrible Histories' unique blend of historical fact and gory, grisly, bloody comedy has clearly made its mark with children and a surprising number of adults. We look forward to laughing ourselves even smarter with series two and three." The series was also nominated for two Baftas at the 2009 EA British Academy Children's Awards. The nominations were in the categories of Best Writing and Best Factual programme. The nominees were Caroline Norris, Chloe Thomas, Steve Connelly, Giles Pilbrow, Ben Ward and Laurence Rickard. Executive Producer Richard Bradley said "We are thrilled that Lion's first venture into children's television has been acclaimed in this way. It's a tribute to all the efforts of an incredibly talented team in creating such a fresh, innovative and ambitious show." In 2010, the TV series was nominated for, and later won 3 BAFTA awards: Best Children's Comedy, Best Writer (the writing team), and Best Performer. (Jim Howick) Horrible Histories won a 2011 Broadcast Award in the category of Best Children’s Programme.

In 2011, Horrible Histories was nominated for BAFTA awards in Writing (writing team), Performer (Martha Howe-Douglas) and Comedy in the children's section. They won the award for Comedy, but lost out on the other categories.

The programme was also the surprise winner of the Best Sketch Show category of The British Comedy Awards of 2010, the first ever children's programme to be recognised at the ceremony. The show won the same award again the following year in 2011 (16/12/11). Again, no other children's show has won a British Comedy Award, so to win twice in a row is a spectacular achievement.

Ratings

In the week before 15 June 2009, the show topped the children’s TV viewing figures with 191,000 viewers. The Daily Telegraph commented on its success: "The show...proved a huge hit, with nearly 50 per cent of six to 12 year-olds in the UK tuning in to watch an episode"

DVD release

The Season 1 Region 2 DVD was released on 10 May 2010. A region 4 2-disc DVD box set of the series has also been released. The Season 2 Region 2 DVD was released on 30 May 2011. Series 3 will be released on DVD as Region 2 soon and is listed on Amazon UK.

Critical response

Alice-Azania Jarvis of The Independent praised the first episode of the series, writing that, although she did not enjoy the Terry Deary book series, she loved the first episode for being "everything that Blue Peter isn't: fun, filthy and genuinely engaging in a peer-to-peer way." The British Comedy Guide gave the first series a positive review, stating: "This show is great! A talented cast and writing team have made this a comedy highlight for us." Mike Ward of the Daily Star commented: "Kids can learn to love history just so long as it's told to them in a way that brings it to life. And this new series [...] does precisely that". Harry Venning of The Stage wrote: "Horrible Histories scours the past for interesting, bizarre, unpleasant and unpalatable facts and uses them as the basis for some seriously funny, beautifully performed and endlessly inventive sketches." Naomi West of The Daily Telegraph described the series as "boundary-pushing" and a "comic gem", writing that the first series "delivered more laughs than most post-watershed comedies". Tom Stucliffe, also of The Independent commented that: "As a grown-up you might quibble with the fact that they don't always distinguish between things that genuinely are true and the things that people would like to be (sadly, there's no hard evidence that Aeschylus was brained by a tortoise dropped by an overflying eagle). But grown-ups and children should enjoy the gleefully anachronistic way in which information is conveyed".

Throughout its run, the show received many positive reviews from various publications. Radio Times praised the new season, saying "three cheers for the return of this factual but funny series". It also complemented the series by explaining that "history hasn’t been this much fun since the last series finished". The Mail on Sunday referred to the series as "superior edutainment" and Radio Times deemed it "one of the best shows anywhere". Telegraph heralded the series, calling it "a boundary-pushing sketch show … more laughs than most post-watershed comedies …a comic gem". The show has also been acclaimed by TV Times for its ability to surruptitiously teach children facts about history in a funny and clever show, "slapstick gags and hilarious pastiches disguising useful educational content…our favourite take on British history…we wish history had been taught like this in our day!". The Sunday Express said "There’s nothing kids like quite so much as violence and horror which is why Horrible Histories has been such a success" The Sunday Times referred to the series as "An attention grabbing mix of the wilder parts of history". The Independent called it "Educational Silliness" The British Comedy Guide gave a positive review, saying "This show is great! A talented cast and writing team have made this a comedy highlight for us. In fact, it has become quite a hit with those outside its target audience. Why? Well, much like Sorry, I've Got No Head, the material doesn't patronise but instead treats the children watching as the intelligent people they are. The musical numbers are the real highlight - make sure you check them out!

Damian Kavanagh of Controller CBBC said "Horrible Histories is a stand-out critical and ratings success for CBBC loved as much by adults as by our young viewers. The 11 awards the series has now picked are testament to its enormous appeal. Series three is a belter and is even bigger and better than the last."

Cultural Impact

Horrible Histories is the only children's TV show to win a British Comedy Award. This is testament to the show's appeal. The comedy on the show is on par with many shows aimed at adult audiences, and has proven that kids shows can also have adult humour and cultural references that the kids probably wouldn't pick up on.

External links

• Horrible Histories at the Internet Movie Database
• Horrible Histories at the British Comedy Guide
• Horrible Histories Series 1 at BBC Programmes
• Horrible Histories Series 2 at BBC Programmes