Youtube Channels for History Buffs

For the first few months of new parenthood,  all I wanted to do at the end of each day was collapse into bed and watch TV. I haven’t had cable television for almost two decades, so instead I binge-watch videos on Youtube when I feel the need to vegetate. As a life-long history nerd, here are a few of the many Youtube channels that I find fascinating, and that you might just enjoy too!

Bernadette Banner

Banner is a sewing master, and recreates ladies’ fashion from the 18th and 19th centuries with as much historical accuracy as possible, which means the majority of her work is done painstakingly by hand. Her work is absolutely stunning, and she presents a lot of very interesting information on the history of fashion through the centuries.

Townsends

“Explore the flavors and aromas of the 18th century” – that’s the tagline for John Townsend’s 18th Century Cooking program, where he recreates 18th century recipes, primarily American recipes, using as authentic techniques and materials as he can. Again, the series is as much about the history as it is about the food, though the final dishes always look delicious!

History Buffs

The premise behind this channel is pretty simple – the host compares and contrasts “based on a true story” films with the actual events they’re based on. Previous entries in the series have included Amadeus, A Bridge Too Far and Master and Commander. 

Modern History TV

“Others talk about it. We do” Want to know what it’s like to ride a horse while clad in full medieval armor? Or what the average medieval person ate for lunch? Wondering about how a medieval warhorse is trained for battle? This series explores history by re-enacting it. Perfect for medieval history buffs!

Baumgartner Restorations

Who knew that watching works of art be cleaned, repaired and restored could be so endlessly fascinating?? If you’re looking for a relaxing yet informative video series, definitely check this channel out – I know it sounds a bit odd, but I’m heavily addicted to this one.

Cooking the Victorian Way