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
1901
Jeremy Paxman on the empire
Jeremy Paxman considers the British empire, and Peter Thompson looks at the American Revolution.
47 min
1902
Foxe's Book of Martyrs
Mark Greengrass examines Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Chris Woolgar discusses the highlights of the Broadlands Archives, and Oliver Creighton introduces ‘polite’ landscapes.
41 min
1903
100th episode special
For our 100th podcast episode we put your questions on the Crusades to historian Tom Asbridge.
51 min
1904
Homosexuals in the armed forces
Saul David talks military logistics and Stephen Bourne explores the role of homosexuals in the armed services during the Second World War.
44 min
1905
Civilisations old and new and the M Shed museum
Peter Watson considers the differences between Old and New World civilisations, while Dave Musgrove heads to the new M Shed museum to find out about a rather gruesome book.
45 min
1906
Antarctic expedition special
In an Antarctic expedition special, Elin Simonsson talks about Captain Scott’s scientific legacy while Sophie Gordon considers the power of the Antarctic photographs taken on Scott and Shackleton’s expeditions.
43 min
1907
Ancient Egypt through Victorian eyes
Sheilagh Ogilvie discusses unusual consumption regulations in early modern Germany and David Gange examines Victorian notions of Ancient Egypt.
45 min
1908
King George VI and stories from Africa
Denis Judd explains the appeal of King George VI and Gus Casely-Hayford tells the remarkable story of a golden African kingdom.
55 min
1909
How is history relevant to us?
Roman Krznaric explains how history can guide our lives today, while Bill Cash MP lauds the statesman John Bright.
38 min
1910
Hidden tunnels in Exeter
Professor Mark Stoyle explores the historic passages that lie under the city of Exeter in Devon and Dr Steven Gunn talks about the perils of water in Tudor England.
60 min
1911
Religion and war
Michael Snape considers the role of religion in war, and Julie Gottlieb reviews how female voters were seen in the interwar period.
44 min
1912
Peter Englund's new book
Peter Englund speaks about his new book on the First World War and we interview Michael Hunter about the scientist Robert Boyle.
49 min
1913
How to escape the tower
David Cannadine examines the history of teaching history and Nigel Jones reveals the best methods for escaping from the Tower of London.
36 min
1914
The mourning of Queen Victoria
Helen Rappaport discusses the impact of Prince Albert’s death on Queen Victoria and the monarchy and Scot McKendrick considers what led Edward IV to create his royal library.
43 min
1915
Voices of veterans and the debate on sugar
Second World War veterans describe their experiences of a three month forced march and Richard Huzzey explains how sugar caused fierce debate in Victorian Britain.
45 min
1916
Second World War arctic convoys
Quintin Colville explores the World War Two Arctic convoys, and Steven Rippon considers medieval wetlands.
35 min
1917
Dambusters
James Holland explores the iconic Dambusters raid.
28 min
1918
Edward III and a naval battle
Mark Ormrod examines the reign of Edward III and Sam Willis takes us back to a major naval battle in the French Revolutionary Wars.
65 min
1919
Misconceptions of WWII
Max Hastings explores Second World War misconceptions and Justin Meggitt discusses pirates.
65 min
1920
A new history of England and the Oxford Diction...
Peter Ackroyd talks to us about his new history of England and Philip Carter explains how a group of architects have made it into the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
34 min
1921
Queen Matilda
Tracy Borman considers the life and times of Queen Matilda, while Jon Henderson takes us underwater to the lost prehistoric city of Pavlopetri.
46 min
1922
Bernard Cornwell on his novels
Gary Sheffield describes Douglas Haig’s post-war career and Bernard Cornwell chats about his work as a historical novelist.
40 min
1923
The East India Company and Nelson
Professor Andrew Lambert considers the career of Horatio Nelson.
38 min
1924
The spies of Queen Elizabeth I
Dr John Cooper of York University explores the murky world of secret agents in the reign of Elizabeth I.
26 min
1925
Being a British Missionary and troubles in Ireland
Emily Manktelow considers how British missionaries interacted with native peoples and Claire Fitzpatrick explores a site of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
37 min