HistoryExtra podcast
The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.
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1001
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
1002
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
1003
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
1004
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
1005
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
1006
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
1007
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
1008
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
1009
Amazing archaeological discoveries that trounce...
Professor Michael Scott sheds light on some of the most exciting and impressive stories of archaeological exploration
44 min
1010
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
1011
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
1012
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
1013
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
1014
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
1015
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
1016
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
1017
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
1018
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
1019
Chartism: everything you wanted to know
Joan Allen answers listener questions on the working-class mass campaign for political reform
40 min
1020
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
1021
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
1022
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
1023
Tudor childhood: from dodging death to nursery ...
Nicholas Orme uncovers what infancy and childhood were like in the 16th century
43 min
1024
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
1025
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