British Comedy Guide
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton
Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

  • TV sketch show
  • CBBC / BBC One
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 139 episodes (10 series)

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series. Stars Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

  • Due to return for Series 11
  • Series 5, Episode 5 repeated tomorrow at 9:20am on CBBC
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 622

F
X
R
W
E

Episode menu

Series 2, Episode 11

Barmy Roman emperor Caligula fails to invade Britain so collects seashells instead, King Henry VIII plays tennis while Anne Boleyn is executed, and some naughty Saxon monks throw a funky party.

Further details

Horrible Histories. Laurence Rickard. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Roman Emperor Caligula faces a problem just as he's about to invade England - he's forgotten to tell the troops of his plans, so no one has turned up. Instead, the Emperor is waging a war on the sea and is making all of his men collect sea shells. Meanwhile, a Roman soldier is revealing all about life in the army, advising "just don't try and leave; they throw deserters off a cliff".

Meanwhile, some fiery Scots reveal how the plague got into Scotland in the measly Middle Ages, as well as a few very strange Scottish customs - including throwing herring fat at a wall to see if a man is honest. If it falls straight down, he's an honest man.

Awful Egyptians appear on cookery show Ready, Steady, Feast and reveal some sizzling secrets - including that the builders of the Pyramids were paid in garlic and radishes - and some funky monks tell all in a toe-tapping song and dance routine.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 13th July 2010
Time
5:15pm
Channel
CBBC
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Jim Howick Various
Simon Farnaby Various
Ben Willbond Various
Mathew Baynton Various
Martha Howe-Douglas Various
Laurence Rickard Various
Jon Culshaw Various (Voice)
Jess Robinson Various (Voice)
Alice Lowe Ensemble Actor
Lawry Lewin Ensemble Actor
Dominique Moore Ensemble Actor
John Eccleston Rattus Rattus
Writing team
Ben Ward Writer
Dave Cohen Writer
Laurence Rickard Writer
Gerard Foster Writer
Giles Pilbrow Writer
Jon Holmes Writer
Greg Jenner Writer
Colin Swash Writer
Caroline Norris Writer
Production team
Steve Connelly Director
Dominic Brigstocke Director
Caroline Norris Series Producer
Giles Pilbrow Producer
Richard Bradley Executive Producer
Alison Gregory Executive Producer
Nigel Williams Editor
Mike Holliday Editor
Will Peverett Editor
Miranda Jones Production Designer
Richie Webb Composer

Share this page