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
1751
Bart van Es on The Cut Out Girl
Bart van Es talks to us about The Cut Out Girl, which tells the story of how his family took in a Jewish girl in the Netherlands during the Second World War.
36 min
1752
Medieval warrior queen
Catherine Hanley tells the story of Empress Matilda, whose battle for the English throne became known as ‘the anarchy’.
30 min
1753
A global history of philosophy
Julian Baggini speaks about his new book, How the World Thinks, in conversation with Justin Champion.
35 min
1754
Love in Georgian times
For our Valentine’s Day episode, historian Sally Holloway explores the nature of courtship, love and marriage in 18th-century Britain, highlighting the similarities and differences to the modern day
31 min
1755
Eric Hobsbawm: history and politics
Professor Richard J Evans discusses his new biography of Eric Hobsbawm, the influential 20th-century historian who was famously – and sometimes controversially – a committed Marxist throughout his career
45 min
1756
The story of modern Japan
Dr Christopher Harding explores Japan’s dramatic history over the past 150 years, considering its relationship with the west and the cultural impact of its rapid modernisation
37 min
1757
War and music
John Simpson discusses the connections between classical music and some of the most notable events of the mid-20th century.
24 min
1758
Bonus Episode: How technology is changing politics
In this special edition, produced by our friends from the Science Focus podcast, Jamie Susskind explains how the politics of the future will be shaped by the technology influencing our lives today.
35 min
1759
A Roman woman of great power
Emma Southon explores the extraordinary life of Agrippina the Younger, who was the wife of Claudius, the mother of Nero and the sister of Caligula
42 min
1760
World-changing women
Jenni Murray, longstanding presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, discusses her new book, which tells the stories of some of the most fascinating women in global history.
33 min
1761
Legacies of the Holocaust
Historians Mary Fulbrook and Richard J Evans explore the aftermath of the Nazi genocide, looking at how thousands of perpetrators escaped justice and considering how subsequent generations have sought to understand the greatest atrocity of the 20th cen...
47 min
1762
Diversity in history
Olivette Otele, who recently became Britain’s first black female professor of history, joins Dr Sadiah Qureshi of the University of Birmingham to discuss race and equality in the British historical profession
27 min
1763
The story of the Hurricane
Joel Hammer, producer of the new podcast The Hurricane Tapes, revisits the life of Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, the American boxer who was imprisoned for a 1966 triple murder.
25 min
1764
Mary, Queen of Scots’ tragic life
Historian, author and broadcaster Kate Williams tells the dramatic story of the 16th-century Scottish queen and reflects on her doomed relationship with Elizabeth I of England. As part of the conversation, Williams also discusses the upcoming film of M...
33 min
1765
The true history of The Favourite
Historians Amanda Vickery, Hallie Rubenhold and Hannah Greig discuss the acclaimed new historical drama The Favourite and consider how accurately it reflects the reality of Queen Anne’s court in the early 18th century
53 min
1766
Remarkable women through history
Max Adams, author of Unquiet Women, explores the lives of some remarkable women from history whose stories have been largely forgotten. He also overturns the idea that women of this period were either queens, nuns or invisible – and e...
41 min
1767
Egypt’s lost tombs
Egyptologist, author and broadcaster Chris Naunton talks about the search for the resting places of famous Egyptians such as Nefertiti and Cleopatra
38 min
1768
Medieval civil war
Historian, author and broadcaster Nick Barratt explores the dynastic clashes between Henry II and his ambitious sons for control of the Plantagenet crown in the 12th century
43 min
1769
Indians in World War One
Professor Santanu Das explores the experiences of Indians who fought in and were affected by the First World War and explains how he has utilised a wide range of sources to uncover their forgotten stories
38 min
1770
2018 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. Read the text version at: www.historyextra.com/christmasquiz2018
24 min
1771
Bess of Hardwick: a Tudor success story
Kate Hubbard, biographer of Bess of Hardwick, explores the fascinating life of a Tudor woman who rose from relative obscurity to become one of the richest and most influential people of her age
32 min
1772
Wonders of the Middle Ages
Kathleen Doyle and Tuija Ainonen discuss a major Anglo-French project that has made hundreds of medieval manuscripts available for the public to view online
35 min
1773
Letters that changed the world
Bestselling historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore describes some of history’s most fascinating and important letters, from Mark Antony’s thoughts on Cleopatra to a message Gandhi sent to Hitler
28 min
1774
Black radicalism with Kehinde Andrews
Kehinde Andrews, professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, discusses his new book, Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century, and offers his opinions on a range of issues including Black History Month, reparations f...
48 min
1775
Napoleon: the insecure emperor
Historian Adam Zamoyski, author of a new biography of Napoleon, offers his views on the iconic French leader, exploring how his stellar career was driven by insecurities
31 min