HistoryExtra podcast
The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.
GET MORE WITH MEMBERSHIP
Become a HistoryExtra podcast member and unlock access to The Full Story podcast, plus enjoy ad-free listening, early access to other podcast episodes, and a member-exclusive newsletter.
EXPLORE MORE
For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at historyextra.com/podcast.
GET IN TOUCH
We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube to keep in touch.
1801
Thomas Becket: from murder to martyrdom
Eight hundred and fifty years ago today, the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was brutally murdered in his cathedral. Dr Emily Guerry explains what happened next
52 min
1802
Bridgerton: ripping up the rulebook on Regency ...
Hannah Greig, historian and etiquette advisor to new Netflix show Bridgerton, joins us to talk about the historical detail that can be found in the drama – and the inspirations behind it
26 min
1803
The Wars of the Roses: everything you wanted to...
Lauren Johnson responds to listener questions about the Wars of the Roses, the 15th-century clashes for the English throne between the houses of Lancaster and York
64 min
1804
Editor’s pick: the Windrush generation
In this episode from our archive, Colin Grant tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the Caribbean
41 min
1805
Our 2020 Christmas quiz
Test your historical knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin Pollard
19 min
1806
Editor’s pick: Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
In this episode from our archive, biographer Ron Chernow discusses the extraordinary life of the American Founding Father who inspired a hit musical
45 min
1807
Christmas ghost stories
Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Francis Young explains the origins of this custom and what it tells us
32 min
1808
The history of Christmas: everything you wanted...
Did Cromwell ban mince pies? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin responds to listener questions and internet search queries on festive history
49 min
1809
A WW2 story of survival
The Cut Out Girl author Bart van Es gives a lecture on the Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the Netherlands
46 min
1810
Editor’s pick: Were the suffragettes terrorists?
Fern Riddell explores some of the darker aspects of the campaign for votes for women, in this episode from our archive
27 min
1811
Ten things to do with a medieval donkey
Kathryn Smithies discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle AgesKathryn Smithies, author of Introducing the Medieval Ass, discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages.
42 min
1812
Hunting down the Portland Spy Ring
Trevor Barnes details the 1960s operation to uncover the infamous Portland Spy Ring – one of the most dangerous KGB espionage networks ever to operate in the UK.
58 min
1813
The gay MPs who opposed appeasement
Chris Bryant tells the story of a group of young, queer British MPs who were some of the first to resist appeasement and warn Britain’s government about the dangers of Hitler.
36 min
1814
Magna Carta: everything you wanted to know
Professor David Carpenter responds to listener questions on the great medieval charter and its 800-year-long legacy
41 min
1815
Japan and the west
Chris Harding gives a lecture on Japan’s attempts to carve out a place for itself in a world dominated by western power and cultureIn a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend
40 min
1816
Cundill Prize-winner Camilla Townsend on global...
We speak to historian Camilla Townsend, who recently won the Cundill History Prize for her book Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs
22 min
1817
Castro and the trip that shaped the 1960s
Simon Hall explores why Fidel Castro’s visit to New York City in 1960 shaped the rest of the decade.
37 min
1818
Imperialism on the oceans
Sujit Sivasundaram offers a new perspective on the expansion of the British empire across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
34 min
1819
The International Brigades: fighting fascism in...
Giles Tremlett discusses how more than 35,000 volunteers from across the globe fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War
61 min
1820
The Glorious Revolution: everything you wanted ...
How did James II’s replacement by William of Orange as king of England, Scotland and Ireland change the course of British history? Ted Vallance responds to listener questions about the 1688 Glorious Revolution
57 min
1821
The orphan hero who fought at Trafalgar
Helen Berry gives a lecture on the extraordinary story of an 18th-century foundling, George King
49 min
1822
England’s sporting obsession
Robert Colls discusses the importance of sport to English society over the past 200 years.
37 min
1823
How did the Reformation impact Jews?
Kenneth Austin explores what impact the Reformation had on Europe’s Jewish communities.
48 min
1824
Ethiopia 1935: The real history behind The Shad...
Maaza Mengiste discusses her Booker prize-nominated historical novel The Shadow King.
31 min
1825
The ‘lost’ city of Atlantis
Edith Hall explores Plato’s legend of Atlantis and considers why the tale continues to endure 2,500 years on
64 min