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
826
The Holocaust: a 21st-century view
Professors Mary Fulbrook, Richard J Evans and Rebecca Clifford explore how our understanding of the Holocaust has changed over the decades
58 min
827
Russia’s national past: unpicking history from ...
Orlando Figes discusses how Russia has viewed – and weaponised – its own past, from debates around the nation’s foundation to Putin’s historical justifications for invading Ukraine
37 min
828
15 minutes of fame: Malintzin, Aztec interpreter
Caroline Dodds Pennock explore the life and legacy of Malintzin, a Nahua woman who acted as Hernando Cortés’ translator during his conquest of the Aztec empire
15 min
829
Ellis Island: everything you wanted to know
Vincent Cannato answers listener questions of Ellis Island, the “gateway to America” for an estimated 12-13 million immigrants between the 1890s and 1920s
48 min
830
HistoryExtra Plus - Summer Listening Trailer
subscribe to our premium podcast channel HistoryExtra Plus to get exclusive early access to our Summer Listening List
1 min
831
How nomads changed the world
Nomadic societies have altered the shape of human history. But, as Anthony Sattin reveals, their stories are often overlooked
35 min
832
Tutankhamun | 4. The mystery of Nefertiti
<p>The striking bust of Nefertiti has captivated people since its discovery in 1912. But who was this queen? How powerful was she? And how was she related to Tutankhamun? In episode 4 of our series on the boy king, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Aidan Dodson and Professor Joyce Tyldesley to try and unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the woman who may have been Tutankhamun’s mother. Or stepmother. Or grandmother…</p><br><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
38 min
833
Return of the Viking raiders
Dr Caitlin Ellis reveals how a second wave of Viking attacks on Britain and Ireland caused havoc in the 11th century
46 min
834
The big questions of religious history
From the risk of death threats to crucial lessons for today’s politicians, a panel of historians grapple with some of the most pressing issues in studying the history of religion
47 min
835
15 minutes of fame: Franz Nopcsa, Hungarian adv...
Tom Holland discusses the remarkable and somewhat unexpected life of adventurer, aristocrat and palaeontologist Franza Nopcsa
16 min
836
Troy: everything you wanted to know
From Achilles and Agamemnon to the Trojan horse, Paul Cartledge answers listener questions on the ancient city that supposedly fought an epic war with the Greeks
54 min
837
Castles: from mighty fortresses to fantastical ...
John Goodall explores the ever-changing nature of the castle
35 min
838
Tutankhamun | 3. Life & death of a boy king
<p>Tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh of all, but what do we actually know about his short life and reign? In episode three of our series on the boy king, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Aidan Dodson and Dr Chris Naunton about the defining events of Tutankhamun’s reign, before taking a look at his family, health and lavish lifestyle. They also investigate the young pharaoh’s premature death, delving into theories of murder, malaria and death by hippopotamus.</p><br><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
44 min
839
Glass men & killer doubles: a history of delusions
Victoria Shepherd delves into the history of delusions, and what they can tell us about times of historical trauma
34 min
840
The BBC at 100: what can history tell us about ...
Media historian David Hendy explores what the corporation’s history can tell us about its future
43 min
841
15 minutes of fame: St Hadrian of Canterbury, m...
Michael Wood considers the extraordinary achievements of St Hadrian of Canterbury, an early medieval scholar
21 min
842
Robin Hood: everything you wanted to know
Sean McGlynn answers listener questions on Robin Hood, from real medieval inspirations to literary inventions and film adaptations
44 min
843
How one woman liberated a notorious US slave jail
Kristen Green delves into the story of Mary Lumpkin, an enslaved woman who became a founder of one of the first historically black colleges and universities in the US
35 min
844
Tutankhamun | 2. Egypt in the era of the boy king
<p>Tutankhamun’s reign took place during one of ancient Egypt’s most fascinating and turbulent periods – the 18th Dynasty. In episode two of our new series on the boy king, we travel back more than 3,000 years to uncover what was happening in Egypt when Tutankhamun came to the throne. Ellie Cawthorne speaks to expert historians Guy de la Bédoyère and Professor Joyce Tyldesley to uncover stories of immense power and eye-watering wealth, instability, corruption and religious revolution.</p><br><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
42 min
845
Lost languages & travelling communities: unexpe...
Dr Kristina Richardson discusses her research into little-studied travelling communities of the medieval Middle East, uncovering lost languages and early printing methods
32 min
846
Countryside campaigners: four women who fought ...
Matthew Kelly explores the lives of four women who helped to protect the English countryside in the 19th and 20th centuries
49 min
847
15 minutes of fame: Charley Wilson, working-cla...
Fern Riddell reveals the life of Victorian-era transgender man Charley Wilson and details how his story is still relevant to us today
15 min
848
Hollywood history: everything you wanted to know
From silent movies and golden age glamour to the blockbusters of the late 20th century, film historian Mark Glancy answers your questions on Hollywood history
45 min
849
The Sahara: a green and pleasant land
Martin Williams discusses the Sahara’s surprisingly verdant history, revealing how it was once home to lakes, rivers, humans and hippos
34 min
850
Tutankhamun | 1. Unearthing the boy king’s lost...
<p>One hundred years ago, in 1922, Egyptologist Howard Carter made one of the most spectacular discoveries in the history of archaeology, when he unearthed the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. In the first episode in our new series on the life, death and legacy of the iconic pharaoh, Toby Wilkinson and Okasha El Daly tell Ellie Cawthorne about the hunt for the boy king’s tomb – which had lain undisturbed for more than 3,000 years – and the controversies sparked by the discovery.</p><br><p>https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-extra-plus-specials/id1569637306?itsct=podcast_box&amp;itscg=30200&amp;ls=1</p><br><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
41 min