Horrible Histories Was Our First Radical Education

There’s a certain irony in the fact that one of the most politically subversive children’s shows in British television history aired on the BBC, a broadcaster often accused of cautious centrism and establishment bias. Horrible Histories, based on Terry Deary’s book series, wasn’t just a show about the past, it was an unfiltered look at history’s absurdity, brutality, and class struggle, wrapped up in fart jokes and parodies of pop music.

In a country where public service broadcasters are often expected to toe the line, Horrible Histories stands out as an anomaly. Its very existence on the BBC seems paradoxical, given how subversive and unashamedly critical the show is of historical power structures. It’s hard to imagine something so irreverent, so willing to mock the monarchy and ridicule political elites, coming from a channel that often tries to maintain a sense of national pride and impartiality. Yet, despite its association with a state broadcaster, Horrible Histories played a crucial role in shaping a generation's critical understanding of the past.

For those of us who grew up watching Horrible Histories (particularly the 2009-2014 CBBC run), it was our first real education in power, propaganda, and the ridiculousness of monarchy and empire. It wasn’t just that it made history entertaining, it made history radical. And in the process, it transformed how we viewed the world, encouraging us to question authority and see the contradictions in the narratives we were taught.

History as a Tool of the People, Not the Powerful

Most of us encountered history in school as a subject that focused on dates, battles, and the ‘great men’ who shaped the world. Horrible Histories flipped this on its head, centering the experiences of ordinary people: the peasants, soldiers, and servants who lived through the grand historical moments that textbooks tend to skim over. It didn’t just teach us that history was about the powerful; it showed us that history could be about the powerless, too.

Episodes repeatedly highlighted the cruelty and incompetence of rulers, from the lavish excesses of Henry VIII to the outright stupidity of George III. Unlike traditional educational programming, which often sanitises history to maintain a sense of patriotic pride, Horrible Histories was refreshingly irreverent. It exposed the hypocrisy of Britain’s most ‘respected’ figures, making clear that their mistakes and self-serving decisions shaped the world in ways that still affect us today.

Consider the treatment of monarchy in the show. Whereas most school curricula teach the Tudors and Stuarts as pivotal in shaping Britain’s legacy, Horrible Histories positioned them as deeply flawed individuals, tyrants, fools, and narcissists whose rule was often defined by self-interest rather than wisdom. The song Born to Rule, a parody of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, captured this perfectly, with Charles II dancing through history, bragging about his privilege, and mocking the idea that he deserved power just by birthright.

Horrible Histories made it clear that the power of monarchs was not divine or deserved, it was inherited, often unjustly, and maintained through privilege and manipulation. The series showed how monarchs like Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I were as flawed as they were powerful, driven by egos, paranoia, and a desire for control. The show stripped away the romanticised veneer that had been built around these figures, offering children a more accurate and critical perspective on the British royal family and the monarchy’s role in shaping the nation.

Beyond kings and queens, Horrible Histories also offered scathing critiques of the British Empire. Colonialism was not depicted as a noble pursuit of civilisation, as some outdated history books might suggest, but as a violent, exploitative system reliant on subjugation and deceit. The show’s treatment of figures like Cecil Rhodes and British imperialists pulled no punches, making clear the brutality that underpinned empire-building. In an age when school textbooks often failed to acknowledge the darker aspects of colonial history, Horrible Histories was ahead of its time in highlighting the violence, racism, and exploitation that defined the British Empire.

A Critique of Power Structures: A Critical Perspective for Young Audiences

Horrible Histories isn’t just a show about history, it’s a lens through which young viewers can critically examine power dynamics in society. By portraying the elite as frivolous, self-serving, and often incompetent, the series encourages children to question authority and recognise the exploitation inherent in societal structures. This critical perspective empowers young audiences to view contemporary issues through a historical lens, equipping them with the analytical tools to challenge injustice and inequality in the present day.

From the satirical portrayal of monarchs and imperialists to the depiction of workers struggling against a system stacked against them, Horrible Histories fosters a healthy scepticism of power. It teaches children that history is not just about the powerful shaping events, but about ordinary people resisting, challenging, and reshaping the course of history.

The show doesn’t just teach history, it teaches critical thinking. It invites viewers to question whose stories are told and whose are omitted, urging them to think about how history is shaped by the powerful, and how those narratives can be challenged. This lesson resonates deeply with the current era, where people are increasingly looking to amplify voices that have been marginalised or erased from the historical record.

Recognising Propaganda Before We Even Knew What It Was

One of Horrible Histories’ most subversive elements was its handling of propaganda. It repeatedly demonstrated how rulers and governments have used misinformation, censorship, and media manipulation to maintain control. A standout example is the RAF Pilots song, which contrasts the bravery of World War II pilots with the deceptive messaging used to recruit them, hinting at how governments downplay the horrors of war to rally support. The portrayal of historical events through this lens helped viewers recognise that the information presented to them, whether in the past or the present, is often carefully curated to serve the interests of the powerful.

Similarly, the show didn’t shy away from revealing how historical figures crafted their own images. The episode covering Queen Victoria’s reign included a sketch about how she cultivated a persona of a reserved, devoted widow when, in reality, she wielded immense political power and had a much more complex personal life. In doing so, Horrible Histories armed its audience with a critical skill: the ability to question the narratives presented to us. Before we were old enough to fully grasp the term ‘state propaganda,’ we were being shown how rulers rewrote history to serve themselves.

Mocking the Ruling Class: A British Tradition

The British class system is one of the most enduring and insidious aspects of national identity. While school history lessons tend to reinforce class hierarchies, focusing on kings, queens, and prime ministers, Horrible Histories mocked them relentlessly. The show exposed the arrogance, incompetence, and hypocrisy of the ruling elite, making it clear that the wealth and power they enjoyed were often undeserved.

Take the recurring sketch Historical Apprentice, which lampooned historical figures like Henry VIII and Lord Sugar-style businessmen, exposing their arrogance and incompetence. Or the Stupid Deaths segment, which poked fun at the absurd ways in which supposedly ‘great’ leaders met their demise. The show also frequently depicted the ruling class as out-of-touch buffoons, completely detached from the struggles of ordinary people. The Work Terrible song, parodying Blur’s Parklife, contrasted the struggles of workers throughout history with the cushy, consequence-free lives of the upper class. It resonated because it reflected a truth still relevant today: those in power rarely suffer the same hardships as those beneath them.

At its core, Horrible Histories continued a long tradition of British satire, from the political cartoons of the 18th century to modern-day shows like Have I Got News For You. By ridiculing those who wield power, it encouraged a healthy scepticism toward authority, something that has become more important than ever in a world where political decisions often feel increasingly detached from the realities of working people.

A Legacy of Political Awareness

So what happens when an entire generation grows up on a show that teaches them to question power, mock authority, and recognise propaganda? You get young people who are politically aware, cynical about establishment narratives, and unafraid to push back against sanitised versions of history. It’s no coincidence that millennials and Gen Z are more sceptical of monarchy than previous generations. Polling consistently shows that younger Brits are far less invested in the Royal Family and more likely to support republicanism. Part of this can be attributed to changing social attitudes, but Horrible Histories undoubtedly played a role in shaping those attitudes.

Beyond that, it’s hard not to see the show’s DNA in the way young people engage with history and politics today. The meme culture that thrives online, turning figures like Prince Andrew into subjects of widespread ridicule, echoes the same irreverence Horrible Histories instilled in us. The political awareness of movements like Black Lives Matter, which push back against whitewashed historical narratives, reflects the critical thinking the show encouraged. Horrible Histories sowed the seeds of dissent, making us more likely to challenge the establishment and demand a more inclusive, truthful account of history.

Alternative Historical Narratives: A More Inclusive History

Another remarkable feature of Horrible Histories is its challenge to traditional historical narratives, which often glorify empires and powerful figures. The franchise consistently highlights the experiences of the less powerful, those whose stories are typically omitted from mainstream accounts. By offering these alternative narratives, Horrible Histories helps young viewers build a more nuanced understanding of history and consider the perspectives of the oppressed.

The show isn’t afraid to include history from non-Western cultures, broadening children’s horizons and fostering a sense of global awareness. By telling the stories of people from all over the world, it encourages empathy and cultural appreciation, important lessons in an increasingly interconnected world.

Conclusion: The Power of a ‘Silly’ Kids’ Show

For many of us, Horrible Histories was our first taste of radical education, an introduction to the idea that history isn’t just a list of past events, but a battleground for truth, power, and justice. It was a show that made learning fun, yes, but it also made learning dangerous in the best way possible. By teaching us to laugh at authority, to recognise propaganda, and to see through the myths of empire and monarchy, Horrible Histories gave us something more valuable than just historical facts: it gave us the tools to think critically about the world we live in today. And that, more than anything, is why Horrible Histories remains one of the most important educational shows of our time.