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
1701
Peterloo: the story of a massacre
Ahead of the 200th anniversary of Peterloo, Robert Poole reveals why a peaceful demonstration ended in death and injury. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1702
Britain's key archaeological discoveries
Mike Pitts discusses some of the British Isles' most exciting archaeological sites.
35 min
1703
Gordon Brown on Andrew Carnegie
Former prime minister Gordon Brown describes the astonishing philanthropic activities of the American businessman Andrew Carnegie, who gave away almost all of his gigantic fortune at the turn of the 20th century. Historyextra.com/podcast
12 min
1704
Prisoner dilemmas
Lawyer and historian Harry Potter explores the twists and turns in the history of the British penal system, describing how attempts at reform have met with mixed success over the years. Historyextra.com/podcast
32 min
1705
Why black hair matters
Emma Dabiri explains how the history of black hair reflects themes such as capitalism, slavery and colonialism. Historyextra.com/podcast
33 min
1706
The Zinoviev Letter conspiracy
Gill Bennett explores how a forged letter in 1924 shocked Britain and helped undermine the Labour Party. Historyextra.com/podcast
31 min
1707
Making jokes about Romans
Greg Jenner, historical consultant for Horrible Histories, talks their new film, Rotten Romans. He also explores wider questions about presenting history to the public. Historyextra.com/podcast
18 min
1708
Charlemagne: medieval empire builder
Professor Dame Janet L Nelson talks about her major new biography of Charlemagne, the 8th-century king of the Franks who became one of medieval Europe’s most important and influential rulers. Historyextra.com/podcast
21 min
1709
Stonewall and the fight for gay rights
Chris Parkes explores the background to the Stonewall riots and shows how the episode became a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. Historyextra.com/podcast
41 min
1710
The race to the moon
Kendrick Oliver explores the space race that led to the 1969 moon landing and considers the legacy of the momentous events of July 1969. Historyextra.com/podcasts
43 min
1711
An Indian cricket team in imperial Britain
Prashant Kidambi revisits the first Indian cricket tour of Britain, which took place in the summer of 1911. Historyextra.com/podcasts
34 min
1712
The battle of Trafalgar
Sam Willis describes the 1805 British naval victory and challenges misconceptions about the importance of the battle in the war against Napoleon. Historyextra.com/podcasts
35 min
1713
King killers in America
Matthew Jenkinson tells the stories of Edward Whalley and William Goffe who fled to New England following their involvement in the execution of Charles I. Historyextra.com/podcasts
34 min
1714
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
1715
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
1716
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
1717
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
1718
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
1719
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
1720
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
1721
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
1722
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
1723
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
1724
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
1725
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