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
1726
Medieval myths
Hannah Skoda tackles some common misconceptions about the middle ages, from irrational peasants to mindless violence. Historyextra.com/podcast
38 min
1727
Confronting a dark past
Chris Bowlby explains how Germany has sought to come to terms with the legacy of Nazism. Historyextra.com/podcast
30 min
1728
From Allies to enemies
Serhii Plokhy describes a World War Two joint operation between the US and USSR that hinted at the Cold War tensions that were to come. Historyextra.com/podcast
39 min
1729
The long history of Brexit
Professor David Reynolds explores how several centuries of British history have fed into the recent Brexit debate. Historyextra.com/podcast
37 min
1730
The filthy Middle Ages?
Does the Medieval era deserve its reputation for poor hygiene and bad odours? Dr Katherine Harvey examines the evidence. Historyextra.com/podcast
24 min
1731
A curious history of Christmas
Historians Sam Willis and James Daybell, creators of the Histories of the Unexpected podcast and books, offer a distinctive take on festive traditions, which takes in violent Christmas cards and obscene snowmen. Historyextra.com/podcast
24 min
1732
2019 Christmas history quiz
Join the BBC History Magazine team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz with questions set by QI writer Justin Pollard. Historyextra.com/podcast
20 min
1733
The birth of the modern world
Charles Emmerson reflects on 1917-24, which witnessed the conclusion of the First World War, the collapse of empires, and new ideologies and conflicts emerging. Historyextra.com/podcast
33 min
1734
Politics, Roman style
Asa Bennett explores the lessons that 21st-century politicians could learn from their Roman forebears. Historyextra.com/podcast
35 min
1735
Eleanor of Aquitaine: myth and reality
Sara Cockerill and Dan Jones explore the life story of the remarkable medieval queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Historyextra.com/podcast
62 min
1736
World War Two’s secret heroes
Simon Parkin tells the incredible story of a real life game of battleships that transformed British fortunes in the battle of the Atlantic. Historyextra.com/podcast
22 min
1737
Asians in 1980s Britain
Kavita Puri, presenter of Radio 4 series Three Pounds in My Pocket, discusses how Asian communities were adjusting to life in Britain during the 1980s. Historyextra.com/podcast
22 min
1738
Secrets of the river
Lara Maiklem, author of Mudlarking, describes some of the fascinating historical objects she has discovered while scouring the banks of the Thames. Historyextra.com/podcast
26 min
1739
The Mountbattens: success and scandal
Andrew Lownie discusses the colourful and controversial lives of Louis and Edwina Mountbatten. It’s a story that incorporates Indian independence, royal connections and scandalous love affairs. Historyextra.com/podcast
41 min
1740
The teashop empire
Thomas Harding describes how a family of Jewish immigrants to Britain in the 19th century created one of the country’s best-known food companies. Historyextra.com/podcast
49 min
1741
Margaret Beaufort: Mother of the Tudors
Nicola Tallis discusses Margaret Beaufort who played a key role in the Wars of the Roses and whose son, Henry VII, began the Tudor dynasty. Historyextra.com/podcast
33 min
1742
Maoism
Professor Julia Lovell discusses her recent book Maoism: A Global History, which has just won the prestigious Cundill History Prize. Historyextra.com/podcast
27 min
1743
A history of the United States
Jill Lepore discusses her acclaimed recent book These Truths, which charts the highs and lows of American history since 1492. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1744
The King: Henry V on film
Historian and author Lauren Johnson discusses the history behind the new Netflix film The King, considering how closely it follows Shakespeare’s plays and the real events of Henry V’s life and reign. Historyextra.com/podcast
35 min
1745
The Pacific War on screen
Director Roland Emmerich tells us about the process of bringing a major World War Two battle to the big screen. Historyextra.com/podcast
24 min
1746
The rise and fall of the Berlin Wall
Iain MacGregor revisits some of the most dramatic events associated with the history of the Cold War barrier. Historyextra.com/podcast
48 min
1747
Treasures of Tutankhamun
As a major new exhibition arrives in London, we speak to Tarek El Awady about the remarkable artefacts buried with Egypt’s boy king. Historyextra.com/podcast
22 min
1748
The Fortress: An epic battle of World War I
Alexander Watson describes the dramatic 1914 battle for the fortress city of Przemysl, which pitted a multi-ethnic Habsburg force against the might of the Russian. Historyextra.com/podcast
38 min
1749
The death of Kitchener: a World War One mystery
David Laws examines the life and dramatic death, in 1916, of Britain’s Secretary of State for War. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1750
Britain in the early 80s
Dominic Sandbrook explores the pivotal early years of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership in Britain: 1979-1982. Historyextra.com/podcast
68 min