Horrible Histories Catch up, Series 8: 8. Putrid Politics on CBBC

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 8. Putrid Politics

Rattus has formed ‘The Demoratic Party’, and has enlisted the help of a political advisor - Dani Dyer - to help him rise to political power. Although Dani may be a surprise appointment for some, her experiences on Love Island have actually given her the perfect experience of the back-stabbing, unholy alliances and lying needed for life in the political sphere.\n\nTogether, they guide us through a history of politics from the birth of democracy in ancient Greece right up until the arrival on the scene of Britain’s first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.\n\nAlong the way, we see how the shift from monarchist to parliamentary rule began in Britain, and some of the workings of parliament itself. The speaker of the house oversees debates within parliament, but did you know that the speaker’s chair actually used to include its own toilet facilities? ThesSpeaker could not leave the house while a debate was still ongoing, so here we see how 'the little speaker's room' might have come into play during a particularly lengthy parliamentary session.\n\nAlso in the Houses of Parliament, Spencer Perceval’s PR team work hard to come up with some fittingly historic final words for him to utter, after he becomes the first (and only) prime minister to be shot within its hallowed halls. We also take a look at several political injustices, be it the European 'scramble for Africa’, or the fight women had to undertake to even get themselves a voice in British politics - we see them having to sit in The Ladies Gallery (the only place from which they were allowed to watch parliamentary debates), we meet the suffragettes campaigning for women to get the right to vote, and we see how Margaret Thatcher even had to change her voice in a bid to be taken more seriously in her political career.

Source: CBBC

Most recent episodes of Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

Series 5: 14. Ridiculous Romance

29-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 14. Smash Hit Songs

Rattus has an idea that might make him millions – he is going to launch a streaming service. However, to make Ratify a success, he is going to need some great songs from h ...

27-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 13. Cursed Careers

Rattus considers a career change, and luckily he has the whole of history to look through for ideas. Could he be an inventor like Babbage, or is the pirate life for him?

26-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 12. Henry And Liz's Family Face-off

Terrible Tudors King Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I bicker about who was the best ruler. Henry had a mechanical dragon kite, but Liz had a flushing toilet.

25-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 11. Monstrous Myths

Count Rattula guides us through some of history’s greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII’s Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters.

24-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 9. Diabolical Daily Life

Daily life can be a bit of a grind, but not as much as it was in the past! Rattus takes us round the clock, revealing daily routines throughout history, from waking in Ancient E ...

23-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 5 - Song Special

Historical sketch show. Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great.

22-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes