EPISODE · Feb 7, 2026 · 50 MIN
First Fascists: How Posh Dreamers, Military Washouts and Thugs Brought Poison to Britain
from History's Devils · host James Crossland
In the very first episode of History’s Devils, hosts James Crossland and Jayne Friend explore the roots of British Fascism by traveling back to the 1920s. They uncover the extraordinary story of Rotha Lintorn Orman, an upper-class tomboy, socialite, and drinker, who became Britain’s first fascist.Lintorn Orman led the British Fascisti, a small but influential group of military veterans, street fighters, and conspiracy theorists, setting the stage for movements that would persist for over a century. From secretive rallies to political machinations, Lintorn Orman's story reveals the origins of fascist ideology that echo in today’s politics.Follow Jayne Friend on Instagram@drjaynefriendFurther ReadingRobert Benewick, A Study of British Fascism: Political Violence & Public Order (London: Allen Lane, 1969)Julie Gottlieb, Feminine Fascism: Women in Britain’s Fascist Movement, 1923-1945 (London: I.B. Taurus, 2000)Martin Pugh, Hurrah for the Blackshirts!: Fascists and Fascism in Britain Between the Wars (London: Pimlico, 2006)Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"Follow HISTORY's DEVILS On Instagram @historysdevilshttps://www.instagram.com/historysdevils/On Substackhttps://jamescrossland.substack.com/Follow JAMES CROSSLANDOn Bluesky @jamescrossland.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jamescrossland.bsky.socialTag HISTORY's DEVILS@historysdevils#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce LockhartThe Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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In the very first episode of History’s Devils, hosts James Crossland and Jayne Friend explore the roots of British Fascism by traveling back to the 1920s. They uncover the extraordinary story of Rotha Lintorn Orman, an upper-class tomboy, socialite, and drinker, who became Britain’s first fascist. Lintorn Orman led the British Fascisti, a small but influential group of military veterans, street fighters, and conspiracy theorists, setting the stage for movements that would persist for over a c...
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First Fascists: How Posh Dreamers, Military Washouts and Thugs Brought Poison to Britain
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