HistoryExtra podcast

The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.


HistoryExtra 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
2101
The Amritsar assassin
BBC broadcaster and author Anita Anand discusses her new book, The Patient Assassin, which tells the story of one man’s quest for revenge following the 1919 Amritsar massacre in British India
35 min
2102
Letters from World War Two leaders
David Reynolds discusses the relationship between Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt, as revealed by their messages
40 min
2103
Notre-Dame
Following Monday’s fire, we speak to historian Emma J Wells about the medieval cathedral’s remarkable history and what its future might hold
24 min
2104
Melvyn Bragg on Heloise and Abelard
The renowned author and broadcaster discusses an enduring 12th-century love story
30 min
2105
Exploring Britain’s cathedrals
Christopher Somerville discusses his experiences of visiting some of Britain’s historic cathedrals
37 min
2106
The Scottish Clearances
Professor Tom Devine explores one of the most traumatic moments in Scottish history
35 min
2107
King John: medieval monster
Nicholas Vincent discusses the life and reign of the infamous 13th-century monarch.
31 min
2108
World War Two's 'ordinary' soldiers
Jonathan Fennell discusses the experiences of citizen soldiers from Britain, its empire and commonwealth in the battle against the Axis.
46 min
2109
Rethinking the crusades
Historian Nicholas Paul explores some little known aspects of the crusades and explores their place within medieval history.
29 min
2110
The women killed by Jack the Ripper
Hallie Rubenhold discusses the little-known life stories of Jack the Ripper’s five victims.
27 min
2111
The global Vikings
Levi Roach describes how the Norse people travelled, raided and settled far beyond their Scandinavian homeland.
46 min
2112
Henry VI: terrible king
Lauren Johnson discusses the life and reign of Henry VI, whose decades on the throne coincided with the disaster of the Wars of the Roses.
32 min
2113
Churchill's navy
Matthew Seligmann describes the changes made by Winston Churchill to the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the First World War.
46 min
2114
Victorian murder scandal
Claire Harman talks to us about a 19th-century killing that drew in the literary world
23 min
2115
Rutger Bregman: historian in the news
Rutger Bregman discusses some of his ideas that recently caused a global sensation and the role of a historian in the modern world.
23 min
2116
King George V at war
Alexandra Churchill considers the impact of the British monarch on the First World War.
36 min
2117
Schools through time
Former education secretary Alan Johnson discusses the history of schooling since the Victorian era, which is the subject of his new series on BBC Radio 4
20 min
2118
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
2119
Medieval warrior queen
Catherine Hanley tells the story of Empress Matilda, whose battle for the English throne became known as ‘the anarchy’.
30 min
2120
A global history of philosophy
Julian Baggini speaks about his new book, How the World Thinks, in conversation with Justin Champion.
35 min
2121
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
2122
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
2123
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
2124
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
2125
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