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Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society - Origins of Virginity
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Origins of Virginity

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

08/26/25

49m

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From luring in unicorns to protecting the Roman Empire, myths have surrounded virginity for centuries. But is virginity itself a myth?


In this episode from the archive, Kate speaks to Anke Bernau about where the so-called cherry comes from, what it stands for and why it has been important throughout history.


*WARNING there are mentions of sexual assault in this episode*


Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Peter Dennis.


Please vote for us for Listeners' Choice at the British Podcast Awards! Follow this link - https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting - and don’t forget to confirm the email. Thank you!


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here.


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

undefined - How Hot Was Henry VIII?
How Hot Was Henry VIII?

August 22, 2025

45m

With SIX wives, Henry VIII must have had something going for him, right? Was he handsome? Charming? Intelligent? Just plain powerful?


In this episode, Kate is joined by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, host of our sister podcast Not Just the Tudors. They discuss the vanity of Henry VIII, his sporting prowess, and his injuries. Listen to discover just how terrible this Tudor king smelt.


This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


Please vote for us for Listeners' Choice at the British Podcast Awards! Follow this link, and don’t forget to confirm the email. Thank you!


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here.


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards! UK & Ireland listeners please place your vote on the Spotify mobile app here: https://open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Which would be better for a fling, which would you not touch with a barge pole, and which is marriage material? There's only one way to find out.


This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


Please vote for us for Listeners' Choice at the British Podcast Awards! Follow this link - https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting - and don’t forget to confirm the email. Thank you!


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here.


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards! UK & Ireland listeners please place your vote on the Spotify mobile app here: https://open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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