The Surprisingly Lethal Life Of Medieval Royal Servants | Worst Jobs

*We apologize for any sections with uneven audio levels, we are aware of the issue.* This week we take a close look at the worst rural jobs and remember those who risked their necks to maintain the heart of rural life, shifted excrement to produce enduring images of the countryside and saved souls in the villages by eating bread. Tony experiences life as a shepherd boy, nettle harvester, reddle man, thresher, chaff-box boy, sedge cutter, sin eater, pole man, lead-white maker and featherier. Then he tackles the most arduous job of all, that of the steeplejack when he climbs the highest spire in Oxfordshire.

Among the thankless tasks tackled by Tony this week is the work of the midshipman, lighthouse keeper, stoker, and trimmer. He will live like the men of Britain's first navy who survived on minimal rations and like the men who wore sacks on their heads on the luxury liners.

For centuries the Anasazi of the Southern US have been thought of as peaceful farmers, living in an almost utopian society. However, this has all changed with startling and controversial new research that suggests a far darker side to these ancient peoples; Cannibalism. However, where did this custom come from and were the Anasazi practitioners or victims? Odyssey is your journey into the world of Ancient History; from the dawn of Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. We'll be bringing you only the best documentaries that journey into the mysteries and ruins of worlds long lost.

The Panzer is the most iconic tank of WW2, remembered for its speed and firepower, that dominated the early years of the war. Outside of the main production units there are several more models of Panzer than have been forgotten to time, often with very few units made. War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Chalke History Festival! chalkefestival.com @chalkehistoryfestival Join us at Chalke History Festival, the UK’s biggest celebration of living history, as we explore how human careers have evolved from the Stone Age to the Age of Exploration. Join Kyle Cairns as he tries his hand at ancient and historic trades — from Neolithic cordage weaving to the mastery of sail making. Each craft is judged on skill, difficulty, working conditions, social status, and whether our host could actually do the job — all to find the ultimate historical career! Expect hands-on lessons, fascinating insights from living historians, and a fresh appreciation for the trades that built civilization. Huge shoutout to our contributors at Prehistory To Present, Heritage Blades, Chanz De Reiz, The Historic Sailmmaker, Pario Gallico, and of course Chalke History Festival for making it all possible! Directed and produced by McKenna Fernandez. Written and presented by Kyle Cairns. Edited by Matthew Wilson and Ben Keir. 💚 Join the Absolute History club to get access to exclusive member benefits! 📺 You can now become

In the medieval feudal system, the nobility were generally those who held a fief, often land or office under vassalage in exchange for military allegiance to their sovereign. Living alongside serfs, it was their duty to ensure that the peasants, craftsmen and clergymen were defended so that they could live in peace and act as judges to handle disputes. To explore the often ostentatious and gluttonous lifestyles of the nobility, Eleanor Janega visits Hedingham Castle, perhaps the best preserved Norman keep in Essex, England.