Horrible Histories TV

An energetic, surprising and unconventional take on history's most gruesome, unpleasant and funniest moments. From the Savage Stone Age to the Troublesome 20th Century, history has never been so horrible.

CLIPS:

Clips

Episodes

Series 5 aired 12 half-hour episodes and a highlights special (Savage Songs) on CBBC from May to July 2013, along with a Ridiculous Romantics special in August 2014 and a Frightful First World War Special to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the Great War.

At the time this was planned to be the last series when the producers decided to cease full-time production citing concerns around the increasing difficulty in finding suitable historical material.

Series 5 Episode 1

The Saxon gods form an unlikely team of superheroes, famous astronaut Neil Armstrong reveals his new weight-loss programme and Rosa Parks sings about her struggle for equality.

Horrible Histories Series 5 Episode 3-Viking disputes.png

Series 5 Episode 2

There's a surprisingly charming Stuart highwayman, the captain of the Titanic holds the world's worst safety briefing and famous writer Mary Shelley pitches the movie of her life.

Series 5 Episode 3

The boys test their horsepower to the max on Stone Age Top Gear, Charles Dickens sings about his life and books, and the Greek philosophers host weird dinner parties on Historical Come Dine with Me.

Series 5 Episode 4

Featuring the rather eccentric Georgian philosopher Jeremy Bentham, super-rich Roman politician Crassus, who raps about his blinging lifestyle, and some unusual soldiers who are recruited to fight in WWII.

Series 5 Episode 5

Famous monk St Augustine struggles to introduce Christianity to Saxon England, Stuart diarist Samuel Pepys annoys the smartest men in Britain, and witness a daring escape from the Tower of London.

Series 5 Episode 6

Queen Victoria's coronation doesn't go quite as planned, George IV pulls out all the stops to impress his guests on Historical Come Dine with Me, and ancient Greek bighead Alexander the Great refuses to stop conquering things.

Series 5 Episode 7

Roman emperor Caesar Augustus reveals the lazy secret of his success, TV's most excitable reporter Bob Hale explains the very complex history of WWII, and we meet Georgian England's most forgetful vicar.

Series 5 Episode 8

The surprising identity of Britain's top-scoring footballer is revealed, a Celtic farmer isn't terribly keen on plans for Hadrian's Wall, and the brainy pioneers of transportation sing about their inventions.

Series 5 Episode 9

There is public confusion when King Charles II bans coffee shops, a seasick chicken ruins a Roman sea battle and mighty Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II meets some smelly peasants on Historical Wife Swap.

Series 5 Episode 10

A Victorian businessman goes undercover in his own factory, there's a right royal squabble over who should rule medieval England and the Real Tudor Hustle reveals the cleverest con tricks by historical criminals.

Series 5 Episode 11

DI Bones investigates an unusual Victorian traffic accident, Roman scientist Pliny the Elder suffers a Stupid Death in ancient Pompeii, and prime ministers Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill argue online over what to do about Adolf Hitler.

Series 5 Episode 12

Featuring a female dinosaur expert who sells seashells down on the seashore, Brian the handsome scientist reveals the weird wonders of the Greek Universe, and there's a fitting musical finale to the end of the series.

Specials

Series 5 Episode 13

Savage Songs Special

Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great, the cash-loving Crassus and the feisty Joan of Arc.

Series 5 Episode 14

Ridiculous Romance Special

A romance special of the award-winning comedy, featuring some of history's biggest love rats. Plus, King Henry VIII goes on a TV dating show.

Series 5 Episode 15

Frightful First World War Special

Bob Hale and Rattus Rattus guide viewers through the horrible history of 1914-18. Featuring the soldiers, civilians, suffragettes and even kings who were caught up in the fighting.

Songs