HistoryExtra podcast

The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.


HistoryExtra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past. 

 

We delve into global history stories spanning the ancient world right up to the modern day. You’ll hear deep dives into the lives of famous historical figures like Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn and Winston Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day. 

 

Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens. 

 

Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history. 

 

Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War.  

 

Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK.  

 

Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past. 

Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/

History
2551
The Royal Navy
Sam Willis explores the history of the Royal Navy in the concluding half of our Tower of London lecture.
48 min
2552
The British Army
Saul David describes the role of the British army in propelling the country to global-power status.
46 min
2553
The Cold War Olympic boycott
Matthew Roberts talks about the Luddite uprisings and Kevin Jefferys recalls a Cold War Olympic boycott.
52 min
2554
Medieval travel and anti-suffrage postcards
Paul Oldfield details the medieval travelling experience, while June Purvis analyses anti-Suffragette postcards.
45 min
2555
Smuggling and sport
Evan Jones explores smuggling in the Tudor era, and Alistair Dougall tells us why sport became a battleground in the 17th century.
47 min
2556
Historic healthcare
Peter Caddick Adams revisits the battle of Monte Cassino and George Goslings talks us through the history of healthcare.
49 min
2557
British queens
Anna Whitelock and Kate Williams discuss Queens Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II in a special episode recorded at the Tower of London.
78 min
2558
Ancient Egypt and Trafalgar
John Romer considers ancient Egypt, while Sean McGlynn delves into the story of England's medieval battle of Trafalgar.
41 min
2559
The Scottish military
Edward Spiers explores Scotland's military history, while Malcolm Chase tells us why 1820 was a year of great importance.
45 min
2560
The subcontinent
Antony Beevor talks to us about his new history of the Second World War and Sarah Ansari discusses the subcontinent since partition.
62 min
2561
Napoleon in Russia
Dominic Lieven reviews Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, while Llewelyn Morgan considers the story of the Bamiyan Buddhas.
57 min
2562
Thomas Beckett and WWII relived
John Guy tackles the story of Thomas Becket, and a Second World War veteran recalls his experiences.
64 min
2563
Viking sagas and royal pageants
Emily Lethbridge considers Viking sagas, while Robert Blyth reviews royal pageants of the past. Find out more about Viking sagas and Emily's travels at http://sagasteads.blogspot.co.uk/
47 min
2564
The War of Independence
Andrew Lambert discusses the War of 1812 between Britain and the USA, and we talk to Kishore Rao, director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
55 min
2565
Shakespeare's Richard III
Paulina Kewes considers Shakespeare's treatment of Richard III, and Michael Wood tells us why he's championing ordinary Britons.
48 min
2566
The Norman Conquest
Marc Morris explores the Norman Conquest, and Anna Whitelock discusses public history.
63 min
2567
History in our schools
Mary Beard describes life for ordinary people in ancient Rome, while Richard Evans considers the state of school history teaching.
45 min
2568
Shakespeare's Richard II
Gillian Hovell explores the Roman invasion of Britain and Dan Jones considers Shakespeare’s treatment of Richard II.
51 min
2569
The Falklands War
Max Hastings looks back on the Falklands War, and Helen Parr considers the impact of that conflict on veterans.
60 min
2570
The FBI
Tim Weiner explores the murky history of the FBI, while James Robinson explains why some countries became rich as others remained poor.
42 min
2571
Letters from the front line
Diarmaid MacCulloch considers religion and Englishness, while Sian Price explores soldiers' letters from the front.
41 min
2572
Tudor courtiers and the Great Bed of Ware
Suzannah Lipscomb talks about Tudor courtiers, while Kate Hay introduces the Great Bed of Ware.
54 min
2573
Fleeing nuns and sinking ships
James Kelly on early modern nuns on the run, and Patrick Bishop on the sinking of the Tirpitz.
44 min
2574
Britain's enemies
Ian Mortimer explores the sensations of Elizabethan England, and Julian Farrance introduces some of Britain’s toughest military opponents.
37 min
2575
Jeremy Paxman on the empire
Jeremy Paxman considers the British empire, and Peter Thompson looks at the American Revolution.
47 min