PODCAST · history
Rogues Gallery Uncovered
by Simon Talbot
Rogues Gallery Uncovered, the podcast of bad behaviour in period costume. True (ish) stories of history’s most fascinating and scandalous men and women. From Casanova and Mata Hari to Errol Flynn and Rasputin, it’s a history podcast with a difference. Join lovable rogue Simon Talbot every fortnight for bawdy, colourful tales of ‘Libertines, Lotharios and Complete Bastards.’ It’s funny, shocking, shameless and doesn’t mention Jane Austin once! It’s not suitable for kids or easily offended grownups.
Episodes
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Agent 00 3some - Dušan Popov 1941
He's a casino roaming, penthouse living, movie star dating, ruthless, fearless, WW2 double agent with a cycling-based codename. Meet the real-life inspiration for Ian Flemming's James Bond, Dušan Popov. Why was his codename 'Tricycle'? How did a champagne cork start a dancefloor brawl? Was it...
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I am the God of Hellfire!!! - Sir Francis Dashwood 1760
Flagellation, Blasphemy, Drunkenness, Promiscuity and Impersonating the King of Sweden, with the legendary leader of the most famous Hellfire Club...Sir Francis Dashwood. How convivial was he? Why did he hate cats? What is 'Erotic Shrubbery ? How many drinking clubs can one man form? All these...
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Welcome to the Devil's Club - Philip Duke of Wharton 1723
“A harmless bit of blasphemy and dressing up" from the chairman of the very FIRST Hell Fire Club - Philip Duke of Wharton. He should support the establishment, but instead he makes fun of it. Discover the debauched history of - arguably- England’s very first Hellfire Club. What is 'Holy Ghost…
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Drunk in Charge of an Enormous Penis - Grigori Rasputin 1915
Grigori Rasputin, everyone's favourite irresistible, indestructible, mad monk is having a night on the town in Moscow. He's a controversial, mystic, healer and holy man but the Romanov family love him so he can get up to all sorts of rude, vodka fuelled high jinks. Why did Tsarina Alexandra like...
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Dead Exciting - George Selwyn 1757
A necrophiliac in Paris! Join 18th-century England's most deviant politician ( and that's saying something) on a fun-packed mini-break to the French capital. With wit, cross-dresser and execution enthusiast George Selwyn. Who was Robert Damiens? How many horses does it take to pull a man apart?…
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Your Money or Your Wife - Claude Duval 1670
High fashion meets highway robbery with the 17th century's most lusted-after gentleman thief, Claude Duval. It's a flamboyantly dressed tale of rampant flirting, lewd piccolo playing and an appalling French accent. Why was France full of posh Englishmen in the 1650s? How many masked women can…
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ErotoManiac - Henry Spencer Ashbee 1901
In an extra rude episode, meet 19th-century England's most prolific and energetic smut collector. Henry Spencer Ashbee. Listener discretion is advised - Those Victorians could be spicy! Just how much X-rated material could one gentleman collect? Who were his famous friends? Did he go blind? Was…
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You Dirty Old Man - William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry 1808
Find out why 69 is just a number to Regency England's most rampant geriatric - William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry, 'Old Q'. It's a heart warming tale of hot chocolate, comfy blankets, early nights and Greek-themed orgies. How does a man in his 80s 'please' the ladies? How fast can you drive…
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Sodomy Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Tomas de Torquemada 1492
No one expects the 15th century's biggest party pooper, Tomas de Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition. It’s a tortuous tale of a controversial historical figure, religious persecution, the Catholic Church, heretics, the Dominican Order and the Spanish monarchy. But I’ve tried to keep it...
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Teenage Rampage - William Hickey 1768
Take a walk on the very wild side in 18th century London with teenage "Lad About Town," William Hickey. There's sex, booze, fighting and disrespecting of elders - what's the youth of yesterday coming to? It’s a nostalgic rose-tinted saunter through the taverns and brothels of Georgian England…
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Filming, Floating & F*****g Around! - Errol Flynn & David Niven 1936
After a bit of a break, Rogues Gallery Uncovered returns. Join Hollywood's most misbehaved duo, David Niven and Errol Flynn, as they water ski and roister through the 1930s - leaving a trail of broken hearts and heads in their wake. It’s a swashbuckling romp through The Golden Age of Hollywood as...
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Stop it, or you'll go blind....and then die!! - Anti-Masturbation 1867
Keep your hands where everyone can see them while attending this stern lecture warning of the physical and moral decay brought about by the 19th century’s most destructive social contagion - MASTURBATION!! It’s a wrist achingly provocative tale of madness, blisters, breakfast cereals, female...
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Dildos, Defamation & Disguise - John Wilmot 2nd Earl of Rochester 1673
Ramble on in search of filth with Restoration England's most promiscuous, booze addled, royalty offending, saucy genius - Restoration poet and libertine, John Wilmot 2nd Earl of Rochester. It's a disgraceful double-ended tale of Italian sex woodwork, highway robbery, park abuse and rhyming...
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The English Casanova - Augustus John Hervey 1755
Its "All Aboard" when the 18th century British navy's most promiscuous sailor puts into as many ports as he can, with Admiral Augustus John Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol. Enjoy a salty tale of multiple mistresses, naughty nunneries, and opera. How many brothels did the English Casanova visit in one...
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What are YOU looking at! - George "Fighting" Fitzgerald 1786
Be provoked beyond reason by 18th century Ireland's most quarrelsome and violent bully boy - George "Fighting" Fitzgerald. Its a short tempered tale of animal disguise, head trauma, gratuitous musketry and good old fashioned insanity. What did Fitzgerald do to his father - twice!? How did he…
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The Ups & Downs of a Gentleman Rotter - Edward Sellon 1867
Enjoy non stop 19th century sexcapades with Queen Victoria's most prolific swordsman and erotic wordsmith - Edward Sellon. Its a shameless tale of peeping, pooping, penile stamina and pistols. Why should ladies refrain from playing hide and seek with him? How many 'affairs' could he conduct at…
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Conquista Dora - Catalina de Erauso 1623
Brawling, duelling, thievery and seduction with the 17th century's most enthusiastic woman warrior, and a pivitol figure in LGBTQ+ history - Catalina de Erauso. Its a bloody tale of senseless violence, nunnery escapades, greed, unbelievable coincidences and the Pope. Why did Catalina disguise...
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Beer Monster - On the lash in Victorian London 1866
Enjoy a spectacular bender in Victorian London with one of the 19th century's most prolific party animals, Henry Weysford Charles Plantagenet Rawdon-Hastings. It's a convivial tale of alehouses, drinking,rat baiting, dancing girls, drinking, outrageous pranks,menacing Scandinavians....... and...
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Hey Hey We're The Mohocks - Teenage Street Gangs 1712
Get whipped into a terrified frenzy of social anxiety with the 18th century's most notorious gang of lawless youths - The Mohocks! It's a fear-inducing tale of brutal slashing, barrel-rolling, eye-gouging, random stabbing and violent flatulence. Who was 'King of the Mohocks'? What is “Tippling…
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Sexplorer - Richard Francis Burton 1886
Victorian Superman He translated the karma sutra and The Arabian Nights, sneaked into one of the holiest places on earth, was the first European to see Lake Tanganyika – by accident - and possessed an extremely impressive moustache. His name was Richard Francis Burton and there was very little he...
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Psycho Pirate - François l'Olonnais 1668
Pirate, Cannibal, Bastard!! Tearing the heart out of the Spanish Main with the 17th century's most violently unhinged buccaneer - François l'Olonnais. It's a grisly tale of insane brutality, comedic beheading and poetic justice. Why did l'Olonnais hate the Spanish? Why would he have made a bad...
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Luv Skool - Ninon de Lenclos 1670
Get "Hot for Teacher" with 17th century France's most hands-on sexual educator - Ninon de Lenclos. It's an enlightening tale of a woman who didn't give damn, outraged priests, lute playing, intimate soaping and free love. What did Ninon smuggle out of a nunnery in her underwear? How did Cardinal...
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King Kick Ass - Augustus the Strong 1720
He's built like an outside privy, loves bending horseshoes with his bare hands and tosses foxes into the air for a laugh. He's 18th century Europe's most manly monarch - the heavyweight champion, king of Poland, Augustus the Strong. It's a masculine tale of bullfighting, bear fighting, rampant...
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Doing It "Greek Style" - Alcibiades of Athens 407 BC
He's arrogant, scheming, selfish and will shag anything with a pulse. He's also famous, good looking and an ancient Greek hero. Meet Alcibiades. You'll love him but not as much as he loves himself. It's a classical tale of ego, vigorous promiscuity, shameless backstabbing and phallic statue...
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Bloodbath at Elizabeth's - Elizabeth Bathory 1610
She was one of history's first recorded serial killers. Meet the 17th century's worst employer - Countess Elizabeth Bathory It's a tale of psychopathy, torture, soccer and witchcraft. Why was Elizabeth known as "The Blood Countess"? How many did she kill? What did she do with knitting needles?…
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What Rhymes With "Tits"? - Ivan Barkov 1768
Putting the "Verse" into "Perverse" with Russia's rudest 18th century poet - Ivan Barkov. This may be a shorter episode than usual but it's packed with literary smut. It's a tale of excessive drinking, wordsmithery, and an irresistible joy in causing outrage and offence. He's a giant of Russian...
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Pride & Extreme Prejudice - Charles Sibthorp MP 1852
If it's new, different or foreign - he hates it! Get whipped up into an outraged frenzy with the 19th century's most reactionary politician - Charles De Laet Waldo Sibthorp. It's a blustering tale of outrage, offence, & old fashioned values. What was so offensive about trains? How did Sibthorp...
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Duel Personality - Charles Mohun 1712
Have a ringside seat as two 18th century gentlemen hack each other to pieces over an argument. It's a savagely violent tale of bombast, bloodletting and brutality as obnoxious aristocratic duellist Charles Mohun, Baron Mohun picks fights with anyone who gets in his way. But has he bitten off more...
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Bad Girl, Good Behaviour - Mae West 1927
Meet Mae West, the Hollywood icon who invented sex, at the beginning of her scandalous career It’s a shocking tale of prostitution, playwrighting, prize-fighters and jazz. What did all the boys shout when she was on stage? Why was she arrested? How bad were the reviews of her play “Sex”? Did she...
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Spank You Very Much - Teresa Berkley 1836
It's Flogging, Fustigation and Fun & Games with Regency London's most successful dominatrix (and BDSM pioneer) Teressa Berkley. Visit her specially appointed salon in the heart of the city, pay at the door and bend over as we explore 19th century England's fascination with "six of the best." Did...
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You Dirty,Dirty Rat - Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel 1947
Charming the dames, killing the opposition and taking care of business with the 1930s most glamorous gangster - "Bugsy" Siegel. Its a tale of Hollywood extravagance, contract killing, high society and the birth of Las Vegas. What happened when "Bugsy" caught someone cheating at cards? What did he...
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W**k Like an Egyptian - Gustave Flaubert 1851
Join Gustave Flaubert, the self-pleasuring French literary giant as he explores the delights and diseases of the mysterious East. It's a grubby tale of 19th-century sex tourism, habitual masturbation, Realism, writer's block and VD. Why couldn't Flaubert leave himself alone? What happened when he...
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He's Drunk...& On Fire! - "Mad" Jack Mytton 1832
Meet "Mad" Jack Mytton, the port loving, dogfighting, bare-knuckle boxing, speed racing Regency gentleman who spent £20 million doing what the hell he liked. It's a tale of biblical drinking, nudity and a total disregard for personal safety. How many bottles did he get through every day? How did...
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The Electric Sex Bed - Dr James Graham 1781
Its "Danger High Voltage" with the 18th century's most tech-savvy sex expert - Dr James Graham. Visit the 'Temple of Health' Georgian London’s most fashionable wellness spa and marvel at the scientific wonders of magnetism and electrotherapy. Forget about the controversy, this eminent Scottish...
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Saga Lout - Egill Skallagrimsson
Extreme violence, senseless butchery, tactical vomiting and poetry. It's hard-drinking, hard rhyming, easily offended Viking warrior heartthrob Egill Skallagrimsson. How many men did he kill in combat? How much ale did he drink in one session? Why did he take an axe to a football match? How much…
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Death by Fellatio - Marguerite Steinheil 1899
What a way to go! It was one of the most famous scandals of Belle Époque France involving the famous courtesan Marguerite Steinheil and the president Félix Faure. French society was shocked and the legal dramas of the infamous trial became notorious around the world. Did the French president die...
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Wicked Jimmy, "What a C***!" - James Lowther 1802
Marvel at the jaw-dropping cruelty and mean-spiritedness of the 18th century's most unpleasant millionaire...James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale. It's a grim tale of bullying, duelling and irresponsible horse riding. Was he a corrupt British Politician? ( what do you think?) Was he an eccentric...
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Pearl's Necklace - Cora Pearl 1867
Splashing out on the finer things in life with the 19th century's most extravagant courtesan and the toast of French society - Cora Pearl. It's a whirlwind of sex, parties, fireworks, horses and expensive gifts as Cora's charms entrance the nobility of Belle Époque Paris. What did she serve up at...
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Sex God,Slaphead - Gabriele D'Annunzio 1930
He's an Italian poet, a playwright, a novelist, an aviator, a World War 1 hero and a decadent politician. He's 1900’s bald renaissance man Gabriele D'Annunzio and he claims to have seduced over 1000 women. How were his good looks described by actress Sarah Bernhardt? What was his relationship…
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The Elizabethan Love Doctor - Dr Simon Forman 1595
It's boiled potatoes, bonking and buboes when Elizabethan England's randiest doctor makes his codpiece bursting house calls. Join 16th century astrologer, physician, occultist and lothario, Dr Simon Forman as he studies the stars, cures the plague and makes up a new word for fornication. If your...
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Nero's Golden House Party - Emperor Nero AD 67
You're imperiously invited to a night out at the greatest party palace the world has ever seen - The Domus Aurea or "Golden House." Hosted by fiddle playing* narcissist Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - better known as Emperor Nero in an orgy of first century ancient roman extravagance. Bring...
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Whip It! - Lola Montez 1867
It's 1847 and Europe’s most exciting woman has just seduced a king and started a revolution. Join 19th-century dancer, actress, courtesan and adventuress, Lola Montez as she scandalises Bavaria, horrifies London and terrifies Ludwig I. How did a whip-wielding exotic dancer become a controversial...
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Diary of a Sadman - Samuel Pepys 1667
He's responsible for some of the most famous diaries in history, but some pages were written using a secret code. Take a carriage ride through 17th century, England - just after The Great Fire of London - to find out why and uncover the seedy secrets of Samual Pepys. It’s a Restoration romp of...
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Unlawful, Unpleasant & Unclean - Adam the Leper 1348
Join Adam the Leper, 14th century England's most diseased criminal, as he robs whole towns, beats up civil servants and really annoys the King. It's a bubo bursting tale of medieval true crime and brazen thievery. How did Adam offend Philippa of Hainault? How did he anger Edward III? Was burning...
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Earthquake Hangover - John Barrymore 1906
Join legendary actor and bon viveur John Barrymore as he drinks his way through the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Its a boozy tale of Hollywood, Broadway, a golden age and fearsome theatrical talent. Why was he called 'The Great Profile? ( Hint, it was because he had a great profile) Was he...
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Everyone's Gone Fanny Mad - Fanny Murray 1751
How did eighteenth-century England's most desirable celebrity, become so successful she could literally afford to eat money? With Fanny Murray It’s a scandalous tale of how a notorious courtesan in Georgian London transformed herself into a sex symbol and fashion icon. What were her connections…
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A Quiet Pint at the Cock Tavern - Charles Sedley 1663
Seventeenth century London’s most outrageous drinking session gets blasphemously out of hand. With Restoration, wit, dramatist, poet and libertine, Sir Charles Sedley. How did the scandalous behaviour of one bawdy playwright change English Law? Who were ‘The Ballers”? Which other rakish…
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Introducing Rogues Gallery Uncovered
Welcome to Rogues Gallery Uncovered. Libertines, Lotharios and Complete B******s. True stories of history's most badly behaved men and women. Join bawdy historian Simon Talbot as he uncovers the disreputable lives and fascinating times of a new historical rogue every week. You'll laugh, you'll...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Rogues Gallery Uncovered, the podcast of bad behaviour in period costume. True (ish) stories of history’s most fascinating and scandalous men and women. From Casanova and Mata Hari to Errol Flynn and Rasputin, it’s a history podcast with a difference. Join lovable rogue Simon Talbot every fortnight for bawdy, colourful tales of ‘Libertines, Lotharios and Complete Bastards.’ It’s funny, shocking, shameless and doesn’t mention Jane Austin once!
It’s not suitable for kids or easily offended grownups.
HOSTED BY
Simon Talbot
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Rogues Gallery Uncovered have?
Rogues Gallery Uncovered currently has 48 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Rogues Gallery Uncovered about?
Rogues Gallery Uncovered, the podcast of bad behaviour in period costume. True (ish) stories of history’s most fascinating and scandalous men and women. From Casanova and Mata Hari to Errol Flynn and Rasputin, it’s a history podcast with a difference. Join lovable rogue Simon Talbot every fortnight...
How often does Rogues Gallery Uncovered release new episodes?
Rogues Gallery Uncovered has 48 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Rogues Gallery Uncovered?
You can listen to Rogues Gallery Uncovered on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Rogues Gallery Uncovered?
Rogues Gallery Uncovered is created and hosted by Simon Talbot.
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