Bloody Tales for National Geographic

Bloody Tales for National Geographic

Since September, when I’ve not been teaching my lovely students at New College of the Humanities, I’ve been filming a new six-part series of Bloody Tales for National Geographic Channel with Joe Crowley (made by production company, True North) which airs in March-May 2013.

Despite the gory subject matter, this horrible histories for adults has been enormous fun. It’s taken me all over Europe: Krakow in Poland, Slovakia, Nantes and Paris in France, northern Germany, Rome, Romania, Spain! I have also been privileged to meet a range of scholars from across Europe who work on the material we’re covering – everything from the death of Nero’s step-brother, Britannicus, to SS officer Amon Goeth in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Of course, I’ve got most excited by those stories that fall broadly in my area of expertise – 15th to 18th century Europe – whether the original French BlueBeard, ‘Vampire Lady’ Elizabeth Bathory, 17th century Polish gravediggers horribly executed for spreading the plague or even the body in the car park – the much maligned, Richard III.

There’s some great stories. If you enjoyed Bloody Tales of the Tower, you’re going to love this new series.