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
1351
Healthcare before the NHS
Professor Barry Doyle explains what kind of treatment you could expect If you were ill before the National Health Service was founded in 1948
62 min
1352
The Medici: everything you wanted to know
Historian Catherine Fletcher responds to listener questions about the infamous Italian family, from their role in the Renaissance to stories of dark deeds and scandalous affairs.
43 min
1353
From hysteria to wandering wombs: women and med...
Elinor Cleghorn traces the long history of the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of women’s health issues, from the ancient world to the modern day.
42 min
1354
Hogarth: the chronicler of the 18th century
Jacqueline Riding discusses the life and work of the famed artist and satirist William Hogarth, and explores how his many engravings and portraits charted the morals and vices of the 18th century
56 min
1355
Digging into the Klondike gold rush
Stephen Tuffnell delves into the Klondike gold rush, a two-year whirlwind that brought at least 30,000 prospectors to the remote Yukon in search of glory and gold.
38 min
1356
The Cold War battle for Berlin
Giles Milton reveals how the German capital became the frontline in a bitter diplomatic conflict between the western Allies and the Soviet Union in the wake of the Second World War.
29 min
1357
The history and mystery of UFOs
Dr David Clarke explains how the idea of extra-terrestrials in mysterious flying saucers developed from its origins in the Cold War to become an enduring modern myth.
44 min
1358
Canadian history: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series tackling big historical topics, historian Donald Wright answers listener questions on the history of Canada, from the country’s indigenous population and its contribution to the two world wars
53 min
1359
Forgotten heroes: Japanese Americans in World W...
Daniel James Brown reveals how a group of young Japanese Americans became some of the most decorated US soldiers in World War Two
27 min
1360
The trials of Ethel Rosenberg
Anne Sebba explores the life of Ethel Rosenberg, who was executed for espionage in one of the most sensational and controversial episodes of the Cold War.
42 min
1361
Socialite, countess, WW2 spy: Aline Griffith
Larry Loftis details the life and work of Aline Griffith, a model-turned-spy who rose to the upper echelons of society in WW2 Spain.
43 min
1362
Murder: a legal history
Kate Morgan chronicles the legal history of murder, discussing the cases that shaped UK murder laws
37 min
1363
The merits of meritocracy
Adrian Wooldridge explores meritocracy’s role in forging the modern world, and weighs up its challenges and advantages.
40 min
1364
The Enlightenment: everything you wanted to know
Ritchie Robertson responds to listener questions on the intellectual and philosophical movement that swept Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries
42 min
1365
African Europeans
From Roman emperors and medieval saints to enslaved people, Olivette Otele charts the long history of Africans in Europe.
40 min
1366
Women secret agents in Nazi-occupied France
Kate Vigurs discusses the female agents of Britain’s Special Operations Executive, who carried out resistance work in France during the Second World War.
35 min
1367
Introducing: HistoryExtra Plus
We’re launching a brand-new premium podcast feed, HistoryExtra Plus – a subscription channel where we take you on a deep dive into the past, with even more on history’s most gripping events.
0 min
1368
Censorship, contradiction & controversy: a deca...
Biographer Frances Wilson discusses a pivotal decade in the turbulent life of writer DH Lawrence.
34 min
1369
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Secr...
For the final episode in our series on the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most, Anthony Seldon discusses the secrets of being a great leader.
30 min
1370
Unearthing Britain’s prehistoric secrets
Alice Roberts reveals what archaeological discoveries and cutting-edge science can reveal about Britain’s prehistoric past.
43 min
1371
The Titanic: everything you wanted to know
Tim Maltin answers listener questions about the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912
48 min
1372
What can we learn from past catastrophes?
From the eruption of Vesuvius to Chernobyl and Covid-19, Niall Ferguson charts how disasters have changed the course of history
50 min
1373
Women reporters of WW2
Judith Mackrell explores the experiences of six women war correspondents who broke some of the key stories of the Second World War
37 min
1374
Knights, dragons and beasts: the strange world ...
From gallant knights to dragon-slaying damsels, Lydia Zeldenrust reveals why medieval readers couldn’t get enough of romance tales.
45 min
1375
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Marg...
In the latest episode in our series on the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most, Andrew Roberts nominates Margaret Thatcher.
22 min