David Hendy considers the soundscape of civil conflict in 18th century Paris and 19th century America - quiet diplomacy to angry howls. Show more

Professor David Hendy tells the story of a Medieval street party that lasted for eight weeks, with streets filled with processions, animal baiting, games and mystery plays. Show more

Professor David Hendy hears how new codes of conduct in the 16th and 17th centuries outlawed noise of every kind. Show more

David Hendy follows the writer Thomas Carlyle's grumpy attempts at soundproofing, as next door’s noise became harder to escape. Show more

David Hendy explores the early recording technology that captured voices of Florence Nightingale and Robert Browning. Show more

David Hendy visits one of the oldest church bells in the UK, and explores how the sound of the bell carries religion out into the world. Show more

David Hendy explains how sound played a part in the Medieval battle between Good and Evil. Ears were a gateway to the soul. Show more

David Hendy eavesdrops with the servants in an eighteenth century home - a world of whispers, gossip and scandal. Show more

David Hendy explores the soundscape of slavery, from Ghana's Gate of No Return to the Carolina plantations. Show more

David Hendy visits Flanders, Belgium, to explore the sonic onslaught that was released at the Front during the First World War. Show more

David Hendy explores the arrival of radio, but all too soon the seductive power of the disembodied voice was being misused. Show more

David Hendy explores how music has been used to soothe us, cheer us, and make us productive over the past 100 years. Show more

David Hendy explores how the volume of modern life has risen inexorably, visiting the noise rich capital of Ghana, Accra. Show more

David Hendy considers the modern quest for quiet, and asks whether what really makes us happy is as little noise as possible. Show more

Epic tales could take days to perform and storytellers told them from memory. David Hendy explains how ancient tales were remembered and passed down. Show more

Over the centuries, great orators have changed our minds, given us hope and sent us to the barricades. David Hendy reveals their rhetorical tricks. Show more

Rome was the largest - and loudest city in the ancient world. David Hendy listens to its babble and reveals where rich Romans went to get some peace. Show more

Early Christians needed to be quiet - but often weren't. David Hendy explores the ecstatic sound-world of underground house churches in ancient Rome. Show more

Epic tales could take days to perform and storytellers told them from memory. David Hendy explains how ancient tales were remembered and passed down. Show more

David Hendy considers the visceral impact of a stadium full of noisy humans, from the London Olympics to the Roman Colosseum. Show more