HORRIBLE HISTORIES
Welcome to the world of Horrible Histories! This website is all about bringing creativity, history, and fun together in one place. Whether you're exploring quirky facts, diving into creative writing, or simply looking for something interesting, you'll find a little bit of everything here. The goal is to make learning and discovering new things enjoyable—because who said education can't be fun?
Terry Deary
Creator of Horrible Histories
ABOUT THE CREATOR
William Terence Deary is a British children's author of 351 books, selling over 38 million copies in over 45 languages, best known as the writer of the Horrible Histories series.
Born: January 3, 1946 — Sunderland, UK
Children: Sara Deary
Education: University of Sunderland, East Point Academy
Spouse: Jenny Deary
Parents: Freda Deary, Bill Deary
THE HISTORY OF HORRIBLE HISTORIES
Horrible Histories began in 1993 when British author Terry Deary created the first book in the series. Deary wanted to make history fun and engaging for children by focusing on the unusual, gruesome, and often overlooked aspects of the past. Unlike traditional history books, which often emphasized dates, battles, and political events, the series used humor, quirky facts, and vivid storytelling to bring historical periods to life. From the beginning, Deary’s goal was to encourage young readers to enjoy history rather than see it as a boring or difficult subject.
The early books in the series covered a wide range of historical periods. Readers could explore the Stone Age, Ancient Egypt, the Greeks, the Romans, the Tudors, and the Victorian era. Each book included short stories, comic strips, illustrations, and fascinating details about daily life, crime, medicine, and warfare. This inventive approach made history relatable by showing that people in the past experienced similar fears, desires, and challenges to those of today. The combination of humor and factual information quickly attracted young readers, schools, and parents, who praised the series for making learning both enjoyable and memorable.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Horrible Histories series had expanded to more than twenty books. Each new volume explored a different period or theme, including the Vikings, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and modern history. The books consistently highlighted the shocking, bizarre, or funny aspects of each era, setting the series apart from other history books. This distinctive style turned Horrible Histories into a popular and influential educational resource, inspiring children to develop a love for history and encouraging them to seek out more knowledge independently.
In 2009, Horrible Histories made the transition to television with a BBC series. The show translated the series’ mix of humor, historical facts, and storytelling into sketches, songs, and recurring characters that illustrated key events and figures. The television adaptation was widely acclaimed for its creativity, educational value, and ability to make history entertaining for a young audience. It won multiple awards and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, further cementing the series’ reputation as a unique and effective way to teach history.
Following the success of the books and television series, Horrible Histories expanded into theatre productions, museum exhibitions, and even a feature film in 2011. Stage shows allowed audiences to experience the humor and historical lessons live, while exhibitions provided interactive ways for children to engage with history. The film adaptation brought the stories to a wider audience, combining cinematic storytelling with the familiar comedic style of the series. These expansions demonstrated the versatility and enduring popularity of the franchise.
Today, Horrible Histories continues to thrive across multiple platforms, including books, television reruns, theatre, exhibitions, and digital media. Its success shows that history does not need to be dull or inaccessible. By combining education with humor and presenting the past through an entertaining lens, Terry Deary and the teams behind Horrible Histories have created a legacy that inspires curiosity, learning, and laughter. The series remains a beloved resource for children and adults, proving that history can be both informative and fun.
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Horrible Histories Books in ORDER!
Terrible Tudors (1993)
A hilarious look at the tumultuous reign of the Tudor dynasty, including Henry VIII's wives!
Awesome Egyptians (1993)
Explore ancient Egypt's fascinating culture, including mummies and pharaohs!
The Vile Victorians (1994)
Dive into the dark side of Victorian life, with stories of child labor and smog-filled streets...
Vicious Vikings (1994)
Discover the savage ways of the Vikings, their raids, their gods, and their taste for adventure and violence.
Rotten Romans (1994)
Journey through the Roman Empire and its decadence, from gladiators to the brutal side of Roman society.
Groovy Greeks (1995)
Learn about ancient Greek gods, myths, and philosophy, along with the quirky history of this legendary civilization.
Dreadful Diary (1996)
Follow the daily life of a young child in medieval times, filled with the horrors of living through the Middle Ages.
The Measly Middle Ages (1996)
A comedic dive into the middle ages, with knights, peasants, and grim lives people led.
Poisonous Postcards (1996)
Postcards from history, each filled with dark and bizarre facts about historical figures and events.
The Cut-Throat Celts (1997)
Explore the fierce and warrior-filled world of the Celts, their fierce battles, and their mysticism.
Angry Aztecs (1997)
A deep look at the mighty and angry Aztecs, their rituals, their gods, and the brutal aspects of their society.
Terrifying Tudors (1998)
A darker, more in-depth look at the infamous Tudor period, focusing on its most grisly moments.
The Savage Stone Age (1999)
Step back to the Stone Age and witness the savage ways of prehistoric humans and struggles for survival.
Woeful Second World War (1999)
A gruesome and funny take on World War II, including major battles and terrible tragedies.
The Gorgeous Georgians (1999)
Explore the elegant yet shocking life during the Georgian era, from fashion to darkness...
The Incredible Incas (2000)
Travel to South America to discover the extraordinary civilization of the Incas, including their rituals!
Horrible Christmas (2000)
A holiday special full of grisly details about Christmas traditions with a dark twist.
Cruel Crime and Painful Punishment (2002)
Look at the brutal punishments and crimes from different eras!
Barmy British Empire (2002)
Delve into the bizarre, often cruel history of the British Empire, from its greatest triumphs to its darkest acts.
The Slimy Stuarts (2004)
Explore the messy reign of the Stuart dynasty, with scandalous stories of bloody revolutions.
Smashing Saxons (2004)
Discover the Saxons' fight for survival, their battles with Vikings, and their fierce kings and queens.
The Stormin' Normans (2004)
A thrilling account of the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror, and the battles that changed history.
Blitzed Brits (2004)
Learn about the lives of ordinary Britons during World War II, focusing on the Blitz and the tough times that followed.
Frightful First World War (2004)
Explore the horrors of the First World War, with its trench warfare, battles, and shocking loss.
Loathsome London (2005)
Take a dark tour of London’s history, including plague, crime, and all the nasty details of the city’s past.
Who's Horrible in History (2009)
Discover the most infamous historical figures who lived scandalous lives...
Knights - A High Speed History (2011)
A quick, fun guide to the life of knights, including battles, chivalry, and the gruesome aspects of medieval warfare, you might never imagine.
Rome - A High Speed History (2011)
Rome rose from its legendary founders and conquered the known world. But even the mightiest empire couldn’t escape a violent, messy end!
Deadly Days in History (2013)
A collection of the most deadly and dangerous days in history, with wars and major turning points.
Top 50 Kings and Queens (2015)
A countdown of the top 50 kings and queens from history, filled with quirky facts and regal disasters.
Crackin' Castles (2016)
Discover the medieval world of castles, from their design to the brutal sieges that often took place.
The Secret Diary of Henry VIII (2021)
A humorous, fictionalized diary from King Henry VIII, revealing his royal drama.
The Secret Diary of Queen Victoria (2021)
A comedic look at the life of Queen Victoria!