Surprising History of Redheads: From Prehistoric Gingers to Ed Sheeran

Boudica. Elizabeth I. Ed Sheeran. The history of the redhead goes back thousands of years, and it fluctuates from prejudice in medieval Europe, to the height of fashion in Protestant England.

2% of the global population are redheads, so if you are one, you're one of a special few.

Jacky Colliss Harvey, author of Red: A History of the Redhead, joins Kate Betwixt the Sheets to explore red hair throughout the ages, debunking myths and analysing its place in society.

This episode was edited by Tom Delargy, the producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

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