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
1676
AC Grayling on the history of philosophy
Author and philosopher AC Grayling ranges through 2,500 years of history to explore the impact of great thinkers like Aristotle, Immanuel Kant and Bertrand Russell and to show how philosophers have guided and been guided by the great changes of their t...
36 min
1677
The problem with the Anglo-Saxons
Archaeologist Professor Susan Oosthuizen considers what doesn’t add up about the way we talk about the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons at the end of Roman period in Britain. historyextra.com/podcasts
45 min
1678
Victorian freak shows
Dr John Woolf explores the extraordinary and complex stories of 19th-century performers such as General Tom Thumb who became stars in the age of PT Barnum. historyextra.com/podcasts
29 min
1679
Appeasement and the road to World War Two
Tim Bouverie explores the failed diplomacy that led to World War Two and the Nazi domination of Europe. Historyextra.com/podcasts
29 min
1680
The women of Bletchley Park
Tessa Dunlop shares the stories of women who worked at Britain’s codebreaking centre in World War Two. Historyextra.com/podcasts
28 min
1681
At home with the royals
Historian and author Adrian Tinniswood explores the fascinating history of Britain’s royal households, from the Tudor period until the present day. historyextra.com/podcasts
28 min
1682
The story of Madame Tussaud
Edward Carey, author of the acclaimed historical novel Little, discusses the life of Madame Tussaud, who created her famous waxworks in the era of the French Revolution. historyextra.com/podcasts
18 min
1683
The life of Saladin
Jonathan Phillips and Dan Jones discuss the life and legacy of the Muslim ruler Saladin, who famously captured Jerusalem in the 12th century. historyextra.com/podcasts
56 min
1684
A new view of D-Day
On the 75th anniversary of D-Day, military historian James Holland revisits the events of 6 June 1944 and challenges a number of myths that have grown up around the Allied landings and the battle for Normandy that followed. historyextra.com/podcasts
36 min
1685
Monarchy and faith in Tudor England
Historians Estelle Paranque and Emma J Wells reflect on the great religious changes that took place during the reigns of Henry VIII and his three children. historyextra.com/podcasts
24 min
1686
Rachel Reeves on women who changed politics
Labour MP Rachel Reeves talks about her new book, Women of Westminster, which explores the achievements of some of Britain’s foremost women politicians over the century since Nancy Astor was elected in 1919. Historyextra.com/podcasts
27 min
1687
Jacob Rees-Mogg on the Victorians
Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg discusses his new book, The Victorians, which explores the lives of a selection of 19th-century figures who he believes were crucial in creating modern Britain. historyextra.com/podcasts
48 min
1688
Women in the 1960s
Social historian and author Virginia Nicholson talks about her new book How Was It For You?, which explores how some of the radical changes of the decade, from the pill to feminism, shaped the lives of women from many different backgrounds. historyextr...
35 min
1689
Gentleman Jack
Angela Steidele explores the life of 19th-century gay pioneer Anne Lister. historyextra.com/podcasts
22 min
1690
Jared Diamond on countries in crisis
Jared Diamond discusses how several nations have coped with traumas through history. historyextra.com/podcasts
47 min
1691
Secrets of Britains castles
Marc Morris reveals the fascinating history of Britain’s castles, exploring why they were built, what they were used for, and the challenges of capturing them.
37 min
1692
The Rise and Fall of the Boleyns
Lauren Mackay on the tumultuous lives of Anne Boleyn’s father and brother, Thomas and George.
25 min
1693
Women who made modern Britain
Cathy Newman discusses trailblazing women who changed the course of modern British history.
28 min
1694
How population has shaped world history
Paul Morland explores how population change has shaped global events over the past 200 years.
29 min
1695
The landscape of England
Stephen Rippon explores the changing nature of England’s landscape from the Iron Age until the Anglo-Saxon period. Historyextra.com/podcasts.
31 min
1696
The Amritsar assassin
BBC broadcaster and author Anita Anand discusses her new book, The Patient Assassin, which tells the story of one man’s quest for revenge following the 1919 Amritsar massacre in British India
35 min
1697
Letters from World War Two leaders
David Reynolds discusses the relationship between Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt, as revealed by their messages
40 min
1698
Notre-Dame
Following Monday’s fire, we speak to historian Emma J Wells about the medieval cathedral’s remarkable history and what its future might hold
24 min
1699
Melvyn Bragg on Heloise and Abelard
The renowned author and broadcaster discusses an enduring 12th-century love story
30 min
1700
Exploring Britain’s cathedrals
Christopher Somerville discusses his experiences of visiting some of Britain’s historic cathedrals
37 min