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.


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
801
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
802
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
803
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
804
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
805
Chartism: everything you wanted to know
Joan Allen answers listener questions on the working-class mass campaign for political reform
40 min
806
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
807
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
808
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
809
Tudor childhood: from dodging death to nursery ...
Nicholas Orme uncovers what infancy and childhood were like in the 16th century
43 min
810
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
811
Britain in the 1990s: everything you wanted to ...
Alwyn Turner answers listener questions on British history in the decade of Major, Blair and Britpop
40 min
812
Everyday life in East Germany
From secret surveillance and popular protest to work, school and family life, Katja Hoyer weighs up what life was like for ordinary people during the GDR’s 40-year history
37 min
813
Six wives | 4. Anne of Cleves
Dr Elizabeth Norton and Dr Tracy Borman reveal how the woman commonly mocked as a “Flanders mare” actually led a full and fascinating life
54 min
814
Why revolution engulfed 19th-century Europe
Christopher Clark charts the causes and consequences of the wave of revolutions that swept across Europe in the 1840s
47 min
815
Keeping time: a watchmaker’s history
Watchmaker Rebecca Struthers charts the history of watches and other timekeepers – and reveals how they have revolutionised humanity’s perception of time
24 min
816
Native Americans: a new history
Ned Blackhawk discusses the central role that Indigenous people have played in centuries of United States history
45 min
817
Goths: everything you wanted to know
Peter Heather answers listener questions about the ancient Germanic tribes that shared a frontier with the Roman empire
57 min
818
How (and how not) to stage a coronation
Looking back at royal coronations through history, Dr Tracy Borman shares her top tips for staging a successful ceremony
34 min
819
Six wives | 3. Jane Seymour
Dr Nicola Tallis and Dr Tracy Borman reveal why there was more to Jane Seymour than just being the wife who gave King Henry VIII a son
44 min
820
Queen Charlotte: real history behind the new Br...
Polly Putnam, historical advisor on Netflix’s new series, delves into the real royal history that inspired Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
22 min
821
Pomp & power: royal ceremonies through the cent...
Ahead of King Charles’ coronation, Dr Alice Hunt explores how British royals have long used pomp and pageantry to reinforce their power and popularity
26 min
822
WW2 the big questions: final stages of the conf...
From D-Day to the atom bomb, Laurence Rees guides listeners through the closing stages of the Second World War
36 min
823
Westminster Abbey: everything you wanted to know
David Carpenter answers listener questions on the history of Westminster Abbey, which has hosted royal coronations since the Middle Ages
42 min
824
How the Bristol bus boycott changed Britain
Hannah Cusworth reflects on a landmark moment in the campaign for racial equality in Britain
33 min
825
Six wives | 2. Anne Boleyn
Dr Owen Emmerson and Dr Tracy Borman chart the dramatic rise and deadly fall of Anne Boleyn, revealing how she changed the course of English history
57 min