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This article is about the franchise. For the franchise's own book series, see Horrible Histories (book series). For other uses, see Horrible Histories (disambiguation).

It is now 20 years since the first Horrible Histories books – Awesome Egyptians and Terrible Tudors – were published, so the first generation of children exposed to the grisly sensibility of Terry Deary and the cartoonist Martin Brown may now have children of their own. The output in those two decades has been extraordinary: there are now more than 100 titles, which have sold 20 million copies (eight million of those in translation), to 31 countries. There are sticker books, annuals, Horrible Histories Top Trumps, mugs, video games, roadshows and a magazine that was launched last autumn. The CBBC series was a relative latecomer to the party in 2009; before that, in 2001-2, there were two series of an animated version that never really took off, then in 2006 the Birmingham Stage Company secured the stage rights and has been touring with Horrible Histories stage productions ever since.

The Telegraph 21 Feb 2013.[1]

Horrible Histories is an educational entertainment franchise encompassing many media including books, magazines, audio books, stage shows, TV shows, and more.

In 2013, Lisa Edwards, UK publishing and commercial director of Scholastic Corporation, described Horrible Histories as one of the company's "crown jewels", and said it is at an "advanced stage of evolution". She added: "We have covered every possible era that has a commercial outcome...We're now in the era of the box set, annuals, newly presented editions and licensed products".[1]

Books

Main series

Main article: Horrible Histories (book series)

Horrible Histories first began as a book series.[2] The series began in 1993 with The Terrible Tudors and The Awful Egyptians, and the following titles continued the trend to describe British history through the context of the ruling dynasties, as well as explore significant worldwide cultures (often within the context of British history such as the Viking and Roman conquests on the British Isles). A series of specials and novelty books have been released, and the last book was announced to be released in 2013.

Gory Stories

There is also a fiction-type of Horrible Histories books that were added to the series called Gory Stories. The first set of these books were published in July 2008:

  • Gory Stories - Tower of Terror (Terrible Tudors)
  • Gory Stories - Tomb of Treasure (Awful Egyptians)
  • Gory Stories - Wall of Woe - (Rotten Romans)
  • Gory Stories - Shadow of the Gallows (Vile Victorians)
  • Gory Stories - Raiders and Ruins (Vikings) - March 2009
  • Gory Stories - Blackout in the Blitz (World War II) - May 2009
  • Gory Stories - The Plague of Pain (aka Plague and Peril) (Middle Ages) - 2009
  • Gory Stories - The Trail of Treasure (aka Pirates and Plunder) (Pirates) - 2009
  • Big Book of Gory Stories (Pack of Tomb of Treasure, Wall of Woe and Tower of Terror)

Blackout in the Blitz is listed on Terry Deary's website as Bombs on Britain,[3] but on Amazon.co.uk it is listed as Blackout in the Blitz, along with a cover.[4]

  • Grisly Quiz Book and Gruesome Games Pack

Television

Main article: Horrible Histories (2001 TV series)
Main article: Horrible Histories (2009 TV series)
Main article: Horrible Histories (2015 TV series)

2001 TV series

Horrible Histories was adapted into an animated series, starting in 2001. It was about Mo and Stitch's adventures through time and how they learnt lessons that could be applied to their modern-day situations.

2009 TV series

A live-action series, styled as a sketch show, began airing on CBBC in 2009. It won many awards over its 5 series run, including some British Comedy Awards - the first children's show to do so.

With Stephen Fry

Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry was an edited version of the 2009 series hosted by Stephen Fry instead of Rattus Rattus, broadcast in 2011, and was aimed at an adult audience.

2015 TV series

A rebooted version of the 2009 sketch show aired in 2015, retaining some members of the original cast in guest roles but with each episode focusing on a particular historical figure.

Gory Games

Gory Games is a children's game show, and is a spin-off to the 2009 series. It is hosted by Rattus Rattus and Dave Lamb. Each episode has 3 contestants competing in challenges to collect Year Spheres.

Magazines

One of the first additions to the franchise was a series of magazines in 2003. A new magazine series was launched in 2012.

2003 series

In late 2003 the Horrible Histories Magazine Collection, a series of magazines based on Terry Deary's book series. They were published by Eaglemoss Publications, distributed by Cornag Magazine Marketing, printed by UK company Headley Bros, colour originated by Icon Reproductions, and released every fortnight. Some of the material was previously published in the Horrible Histories books on the same topics. Originally planned to be 60, the series was continued with an additional 20. Extra items that were included in each edition include Terrible Timelines, Wild 'n' Wicked cards, and royal family trees. The set came with tins to put the cards into, files to hold the timelines and trees, and boxes to hold the magazines. Here is a list of the 80 Issues of the magazine in the order in which they are received:

2

Each issue came with small cards depicting historic people, places, events and customs as well as a collection of timelines. The first 60 issues came with timelines each showing an era of human history, while the later 20 had timelines showing the history of themes such as fashion, art and science. Some of the first 60 issues also had a royal family tree based on a certain period of history. The only exception of for Savage Stone Age, which instead had a comparison of all the ancient forms of man and what they ate.

There have also been three "special" magazines in the series:

  • S1. Horrible Christmas
  • S2. Cruel Crimes and Painful Punishments
  • S3. Cruel Kings and Mean Queens – (English Monarchs)

The collection will not be relaunched in the UK in September 2009 Due To Low Trial Sales.[5]

2012 series

A new monthly Horrible Histories magazine was launched in the UK in October 2012, published by Immediate Media Company.[6] The main page of the magazine series is at http://www.hhmag.co.uk/. The magazine is aimed at ages 7 to 10, and is released monthly. The aim is to capture the "style and humour of the books".[7] A digital edition of the Horrible Histories magazine was also launched on iOS for the iPhone and iPad, with each issue delivered via Apple’s Newsstand system.[8]

Theatre

Some of Terry Deary's books have been adapted into plays.[9] The children's theatre company Birmingham Stage Company Productions have the license to present Horrible Histories on stage around the world. They use the "bogglevision" 3D effects.

Exhibitions

Prom

Main article: Horrible Histories Prom

Horrible Histories Prom was a 2011 concert showcasing the original songs of the 2009 TV series, interspersed with classical music. It was performed in the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the BBC's annual Proms series of concerts. An edited version of the prom was televised as a special episode of the 2009 CBBC TV series entitled Horrible Histories Big Prom Party.

Audio tapes/CDs

In 2003 and 2004, BBC Worldwide released 10 CDs of Audio tape/CD dramatizations of books from the Horrible Histories' series, starring Terry Deary. Horrible Histories teamed up with Kellogg's. All of the CDs are read by Terry Deary and were available inside some Kellogs cereals. The books contained material from the original books, as well as original material. In addition, the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph gave away four free audiobooks over a two-week period in October 2006.

  • The Savage Stone Age
  • The Groovy Greeks
  • The Rotten Romans
  • The Vicious Vikings
  • The Stormin' Normans
  • The Measly Middle Ages
  • The Terrible Tudors
  • The Vile Victorians
  • The Frightful First World War
  • The Woeful Second World War

Between 8 and 14 September 2007, the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph gave away 7 new Horrible Histories audiobooks, again read by Terry Deary and adapted from his books. They were:

  • The Villainous Victorians
  • The Savage Stone Age
  • The Angry Aztecs
  • The Incredible Incas
  • The Cut Throat Celts
  • The Groovy Greeks
  • The Barmy British Empire

Reception

The response has been generally positive:

Terry Deary and Martin Brown's brilliant books about the nastiest periods in history have now—with the help of some astounding actors—been transformed into a series of audio extravaganzas. Featuring new, extra material not found anywhere in the books, these sound spectaculars are just as thrilling and spilling, funny and fast as their printed counterparts. Horrible Histories are guaranteed to bring you history with the nasty bits left in! The Rotten Romans features beastly battles, deadly doctoring and marvellous myths—and you can even find out how to tell the future using a dead chicken! It's packed with quizzes, sketches, music and jokes, as well as mini-dramas and real life re-enactments—telling you the kind of foul facts which just aren't available from a classroom education![11]

Games and toys

Virtual world

Main article: Horrible Histories World

Scholastic went into partnership with agency Yomego to create an online world using the HuzuVirtual virtual world framework from software company HuzuTech. Visitors to the virtual world will be able to create an avatar dressed in historical costume, explore, look in a virtual world shop, chat, and subscribe to events where the children may meet the author, Terry Deary. The idea is that users will be able to explore areas with names like "Rotten Rome", "Awesome Egypt", and "Terrible Tudor London".

The virtual world went live in August 2011. [12] [13] [14]

Battle Arena

Main article: Horrible Histories Battle Arena

In 2013, an action figure battle toy was released. A YouTube channel releasing videos explaining battle techniques and strategies was set up. A series of Horrible Histories toys have been released.[15] One of the main ones, released in 2013, is the Battle Arena, which features action figures based on the book illustrations by Martin Brown.[16]

Video game

In 2009, a video game based on the books Rotten Romans and Ruthless Romans, entitled Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans, a video game based on the book, was released in 2009. It received "generally unfavorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[17]

Sophisticated Games board games

Sophisticated Games "has the board game license for Horrible Histories board games".[18] A board game edition of the Rotten Roman book and videogame was released in 2008. Terry Deary and Mike Siggins are the designers, the artwork was done by Martin Brown and Dave Smith, and the text was by Simon Breed. The game was published by Sophisticated Games.[19][20] The game is for 2-4 players and is of the "roll and move" genre.[21] Awful Egyptians was published in 2013.[18]

Brainbox board games

The Brainbox series of Horrible Histories themed board games has also been released. They are quiz-based games, which involve the answering of questions on the back of cards.[22] The series includes Awful Ancients and Vile Villains.[23] It was reviewed at The Dice Tower.[24]

Fancy dress costumes

In partnership with Smiffy's, a range of official Horrible Histories costumes was released in 2014.[25][26]

Horrible Histories Interactive

Horrible Histories Interactive is an online experience for children, available via the CBBC website or by the Red Button platform. The content, which was designed and developed by Red Bee Media, was commissioned by Horrible Histories[27] to work in tandem with the 2009 CBBC TV series. The online experience includes 12 exclusive Behind the Scenes clips, sing-along versions of the show's songs,[28] and the online gaming experiences: Terrible Treasures, Time Sewer Adventures, and AD/BC Time Tour.

The aim of the multi-platform promotion was to shift perceptions about the series and to increase online participation. A beauty spoof campaign was devised, promos were run on BBC, countdown web banners were created, and an interactive promo for the site ran during the trailers for ahead of Shrek Forever. An interactive spoof talent show campaign was also launched, in which various historical characters vied for the title "Horrible Hero". Horrible Histories Interactive's work led to an increase of unique users to the Horrible Histories microsite,[29] and an increase in the percentage of people who associated Horrible Histories with the CBBC.[30][30]

Terrible Treasures is a point-and-click computer game available for free on the CBBC website. It was co-produced by Littleloud Studios,[27] and written and co-directed by Will Jewell.[31] The premise, which involves some of the same writers and actors as the TV series, involves Rattus Rattus recovering pieces of map from the Time Sewers in order to find treasure.[27] Since being launched in August 2009, it became the top rated game for CBBC.[32] There were various internet reminder from Rattus Rattus about the Horrible Histories 'Terrible Treasures' game at the end of each episode (starting in series 2).

Jim Hall worked on Time Sewer Adventures and AD/BC Time Tour.[33] Regarding the latter project, LionTV said "For season four [we] wanted to create an experience based on the hugely popular songs."[34] OverDigital described AD/BC Time Tour as "A very fun game with obvious similarities to Guitar Hero. It takes advantage of Stage3D in an appealing and engaging live music stage environment. What is amazing though is the combination of actually really fun music with an increasing level of difficulty, and simple, but fun action."[35]

Year Award Title Recipient Result
2010 British Interactive Media Association Award Best Game Horrible Histories: Terrible Treasures Nominated[36]
2010 PromaxBDA Award Best Interactive Marketing Red Bee Media Nominated[37]
2010 PromaxBDA Award Best Viral, Widget or Application Red Bee Media Nominated[37]
2011 Digital Broadcast Award Best use of Interactive Horrible Histories: Terrible Treasures Won[36]
2011 History Makers Award Best Interactive Production Horrible Histories Interactive Won[36]
2011 Promax UK Award Best Children’s Promo (Originated) Red Bee Media Won (Gold)[38]
2011 Promax UK Award Best Use of Direction Red Bee Media Won (Gold)[38]
2011 Promax UK Award Most Effective TV Promo Campaign Red Bee Media Won (Gold)[38]
2012 Eurovision Showcase Award Best Children's or Young Peoples' Promotion Horrible Histories Nominated (Silver)[39][40]
2012 Promaxbda Europe Award Best Integrated Marketing Campaign Red Bee Media Nominated[41]

Theme park

Author Terry Deary stated in March 2003 that he had plans for a £130 million theme park "...on an enormous scale, something that will really put this region on the map the way Disney World has done for Florida." Terry Deary's History Experience was to be built on South Tyneside, close to where Deary was born.[42] These original plans fell through, but new talks are underway about a second proposal, based in County Durham, which would include the Horrible Histories name.[43]

Terry Deary said of The Terry Deary History Experience Park: "What I hope to build is a History Experience where I recreate authentic villages from various periods — Tudor, Roman, Victorian perhaps — with nothing of the 20th century in them...They'll be enclosed in domes like the Eden Project in Cornwall so they'll be all-weather attractions and they will not be museums or theme parks; they will be peopled by actors and the visitors can join in the never-ending re-enactments of the past — with all its horrible history flavour — over there is a pickpocket on trial for stealing ... is he guilty, do we hang him? You, the visitor, must decide." He wanted the audience to be fully immersed into the culture of the period, "Over there is Mr Shakespeare rehearsing a play and having trouble with the Puritans ... over here are the preparations for Queen Elizabeth's visit...in that house is a craftsman turning wooden bowls, and in that one a woman selling roast thrushes to take away while there is a house being built using genuine tools and skills and over there a Tudor ship. (When the ship is completed it will sail on the river and a new one built — when we have two we'll have a sea battle!)".[10][10] The proposed park, to be set up in South Tyneside, was a £130m project. "The original plans included an all-weather attraction where recreated villages from the Roman times to Tudor and Victorian England were to be encased in domes similar to the Eden Project in Cornwall."[44]

References

  1. ^ a b TV and Radio. "Horrible Histories: 20 years of entertaining children". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  2. ^ Jerome de Groot Consuming History: Historians and Heritage in Contemporary Popular ... 2008 p. 39 "Horrible Histories are designed to engage and enthuse the reader about the subject while appearing subversive.30 The books are primarily entertainment, with educative purpose. They are ancillary to school history, offering an iconoclastic ..."
  3. ^ http://www.terry-deary.com/shop/pages/horrhistory.html
  4. ^ Deary, Terry. "Blackout in the Blitz Horrible Histories Gory Stories: Amazon.co.uk: Terry Deary, Martin Brown: Books". Amazon.co.uk. ISBN 1407108301. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. ^ "Deary Diary", House of Adventure, URL retrieved 7 April 2008
  6. ^ Inside Magazine Publishing - Google Books. Books.google.com.au. 2014-03-05. ISBN 9781317817130. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  7. ^ "Horrible Histories to launch children's magazine". Press Gazette. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  8. ^ Dredge, Stuart (2013-09-26). "Horrible Histories Magazine comes to iPhone and iPad". Appsplayground.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  9. ^ "Theatre - Terry Deary". Terry Deary: Best Selling Author & Television Personality. Terry Deary Limited. 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "Exhibitions — Terry Deary". Terry Deary: Best Selling Author & Television Personality. Terry Deary Limited. 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  11. ^ "Media". Terry Deary. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  12. ^ "Scholastic creates virtual world for Horrible Histories books — Today's Top Stories". Netimperative.com. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  13. ^ "Scholastic,Yomego Creates "Horrible Histories" Virtual World". Engage Digital. 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  14. ^ "Horrible Histories® brought to life in virtual world created by Yomego - news on creativematch". Creativematch.com. 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  15. ^ "Horrible Histories Toys". Horrible Histories Toys. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  16. ^ "Horrible Histories Toys Battle Arena". YouTube. 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  17. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/horrible-histories-ruthless-romans/critic-reviews
  18. ^ a b "About Sophisticated Games". Sophisticated-games.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  19. ^ "Horrible Histories Boardgame: Rotten Romans | Board Game". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  20. ^ "Rotten Romans". Sophisticated-games.com. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  21. ^ "Horrible Histories Rotten Romans". BrainBox. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  22. ^ BrainBox Horrible Histories - Vile Villains. "BrainBox Horrible Histories - Vile Villains - The Consortium Education". Educationsupplies.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  23. ^ "Brainbox - Horrible Histories Vile Villains - Compare Prices and Deals, Shop & Buy Online in Australia at". Myshopping.com.au. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  24. ^ "Brain Box Review - with Tom Vasel". YouTube. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  25. ^ "Smiffy's Viking Boy Costume". Horrible Histories. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  26. ^ "Scholastic U.K. Fetes Horrible Histories | License! Global". Licensemag.com. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  27. ^ a b c "Lion Television . Case Study . Horrible Histories". Liontv.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  28. ^ "CBBC - Games: Horrible Histories". BBC. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  29. ^ "Horrible Histories - CBBC Yourself | Work". Red Bee Media. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  30. ^ a b "Horrible Histories - Horrible Hero | Work". Red Bee Media. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  31. ^ "Making Drama Work Online (Panel) | RaindanceRaindance". Raindancefestival.org. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  32. ^ "Horrible Histories Audio Books : Horrible Histories | Horrible Histories Audio Books : Books Audio Online : Online Audio Books For Children". Horriblehistoriesaudiobooksiit.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  33. ^ http://www.happylander.co.uk/parallax.swf
  34. ^ "Lion Television . Case Study . Horrible Histories AD/BC Time Tour". Liontv.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  35. ^ "Horrible Histories: AD/BC Time Tour and Stage3D". Overdigital.com. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  36. ^ a b c "Lion Television . Awards". Liontv.com. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  37. ^ a b http://www.intersections.tv/uk/2010_Final_Nominations.pdf
  38. ^ a b c "2011 Awards Winners". PromaxUK. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  39. ^ "Récompenses | Red Bee Media France". Redbeemedia.fr. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  40. ^ http://eurovisionshowcase.com/programmes/horrible-histories
  41. ^ http://recursos.anuncios.com/files/481/51.doc
  42. ^ "UK | England | Author's plan for 'Horrible' theme park". BBC News. 2003-03-24. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  43. ^ Published on Friday 22 August 2008 11:01 (2008-08-22). "'Horrible' theme park for County Durham - Local". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 2011-12-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "NEWS: Horrible Histories attraction planned for County Durham, UK". meta-meta-medieval. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
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