History Extra podcast

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


Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra 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
576
Penal transportation to Australia: everything y...
From criminal sentencing to colonial settlement, Nancy Cushing answers questions on the transportation of British convicts to Australia
53 min
577
Pregnancy & childbirth in the 19th century
Jessica Cox shares stories of pregnancy and childbirth from the 19th century, and explores what they can tell us about women’s experiences of motherhood in the era
36 min
578
Historical echoes of the Ukraine war
Serhii Plokhy discusses the historical backdrop that helps make sense of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine
42 min
579
Plato: the world’s greatest philosopher?
Robin Waterfield considers what we know really about the life of Plato of Athens, and why his work was so pioneering
39 min
580
How women helped sustain the slave trade
Stephanie E Jones-Rogers reveals how white women across the American South played crucial roles in perpetuating the system of slavery
27 min
581
The fall and rise of Henry III
David Carpenter charts a tumultuous year in the mid-13th century when one of England’s longest reigning monarchs was removed from power
48 min
582
The SAS in WW2: everything you wanted to know
Joshua Levine tackles listener questions about the origins of Britain’s most famous special forces unit
46 min
583
Plot or paranoia? The Amboyna conspiracy trial
Adam Clulow explores how fears of a sprawling conspiracy took hold in a remote Dutch East India Company fort in 1623 – with deadly consequences
35 min
584
Messalina: sex, slander & scandal in imperial Rome
Honor Cargill-Martin outlines the sexual scandals and ruthless success of the notorious Julio-Claudian empress Messalina in the first century AD
36 min
585
Amazing archaeological discoveries that trounce...
Professor Michael Scott sheds light on some of the most exciting and impressive stories of archaeological exploration
44 min
586
Living the life of luxury with the Persians & G...
From “barbaric” trousers to decadent drinking cups, Jamie Fraser and Kelly Accetta Crowe explore how ideas about luxury and power shaped the Greco-Persian world
46 min
587
Simon Schama on how inoculation changed the world
Simon Schama discusses how scientific ingenuity and the fear of contagion combined to produce life-saving vaccines
49 min
588
Mountaineering on Everest: everything you want ...
Marking the 70th anniversary of the first Everest summit, Jonathan Westaway answers listener questions on the history of expeditions on the mountain
42 min
589
The History Extra podcast – tell us what you think
Have you always wanted us to cover a certain topic, or interview your favourite expert? This is your chance to tell us, so we can give you more of what you want.
0 min
590
Is history too politicised?
Zareer Masani shares his thoughts on whether our view of the past is becoming distorted by present-day political concerns
38 min
591
Six wives | 6. Katherine Parr
Dr Estelle Paranque and Dr Tracy Borman reveal how Henry VIII’s last wife used her position to advance religious reform – and bolster her own power
45 min
592
Battling the British empire
David Veevers argues that the early years of Britain’s imperial project were characterised by resistance, violence and, often, failure
43 min
593
William the Conqueror’s invasion plans
Rebecca Tyson reexamines William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion plans – and explores the huge challenges his forces faced in crossing the Channel
44 min
594
Did Black Death trigger the rise of Europe?
James Belich considers how the Black Death had consequences that stretched far beyond the Middle Ages – and was, in fact, one of the key reasons why Europe rose to prominence
33 min
595
Chartism: everything you wanted to know
Joan Allen answers listener questions on the working-class mass campaign for political reform
40 min
596
Three young queens: the unexpected bonds betwee...
Leah Redmond Chang explores the intertwined lives and legacies of three Renaissance queens – Catherine de’ Medici, Elisabeth de Valois and Mary, Queen of Scots
49 min
597
Six wives | 5. Catherine Howard
Kate McCaffrey and Dr Tracy Borman chart the tragic story of Catherine Howard, Henry’s vivacious fifth wife, who was ultimately sent to the executioner’s block
49 min
598
Ramesses II: Egypt’s greatest pharaoh?
Toby Wilkinson explores the remarkable reign of Ramesses II and considers whether he really was the most accomplished of all Egyptian pharaohs
28 min
599
Tudor childhood: from dodging death to nursery ...
Nicholas Orme uncovers what infancy and childhood were like in the 16th century
43 min
600
What can Richard I tell us about medieval mascu...
Dr Gabrielle Storey investigates what Richard I can reveal about medieval concepts of masculinity, and why whispers about the crusader king’s sexuality might not be all they seem
26 min