
From the ancient Egyptians pioneering smelling good (a heady mix of fat and perfume plonked on your head, so that it would gradually melt throughout the day and make you smell all lovely and fragrant), to Coco Chanel turning fashion for women on its head, this show brings you the Horrible History of looking good.\n\nFeaturing some of fashion’s greatest innovations, pioneers, and victims, we look at how the way people have dressed has had an impact on their lives. We visit ancient Rome, where wearing a cumbersome five-metre toga was the law and elsewhere, while in 'Viking Eye for the Saxon Guy' some marauding Vikings take time out of their busy pillaging schedule to give Dave the smelly Saxon some tips on looking good, and smelling a little bit better.\n\nWe visit Henry VIII, who is having online beef with the Holy Roman Emperor over (literally) dressing to kill, as they argue over who’s the best armour maker. Other royals featured include Elizabeth I (who is busy making her courtiers look exactly like her), and King Louis XV who, along with some of his courtiers, has dressed as a hedge for a fancy dress party, so that he can hide from his wife.\n\nAlso, the Macaronis discover that their outrageous stylings aren’t fashionable any more, the Victorians advise us on how to properly dress for mourning, and we look at some of the least practical shoes ever.
Source: CBBC
Series 11: 11. Hair-raising Holiday
Horrible Histories takes a short trip through the history of holidays, including Queen Victoria by the sea, Napoleon the tourist attraction and deadly sweet treats.
21-11-2025
CBBC
Series 8: 13. Holly H Song Special
Rattus has launched his own radio station (‘BBC Radio Number Two’) and who better to advise him on the songs he should be playing than social media star Holly H? Tog ...
20-11-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 1. British Black History
Horrible Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian’s Wall? Why was a West ...
19-11-2025
CBBC
Series 1 - Episode 1
Historical sketch show. A pirate captain worries about an early bedtime, a soldier from World War I struggles to cook with fake food and the four King Georges form a boyband.
17-11-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 4
Historical sketch show. Featuring the rather eccentric Georgian philosopher Jeremy Bentham and super-rich Roman politician Crassus, who raps about his blinging lifestyle.
15-09-2025
CBBC
Animated Specials: 1. Gruesome Guide To Growing Up
Life wasn’t always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient ...
26-09-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 6
Historical sketch show. Queen Victoria's coronation doesn't go quite as planned, while George IV pulls out all the stops to impress his guests on Historical Come Dine With Me.
17-09-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 8. Infectious Influencers
From Cleopatra’s hairdo to Elizabeth I’s flushing loo, meet history’s biggest Influencers.
10-11-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 15. Big Bbc Birthday Bonanza
Horrible Histories celebrates 100 years of the BBC with this special episode. What was the secret of looking great on a 1930s TV show? How did the BBC try to defeat the Nazis us ...
19-09-2025
CBBC
Sport Special
All the top sporting action from the past, including Emperor Nero and Jesse Owens singing the history of the Olympics.
02-11-2025
CBBC