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. 

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History
2176
A history of the world and a second Norman Conq...
Arne Westad discusses the challenges of writing global history, while Sean McGlynn describes how a French invasion nearly overthrew King John
39 min
2177
Wolfson History Prize special
The winners of this year's Wolfson History Prize, Christopher Duggan and Susan Brigden, join Rob Attar for a discussion about their books and the importance of popular history
60 min
2178
Ancient Greek warriors and Neolithic huts
Jason Crowley discusses some of Athens' fiercest fighters, while Charlotte Hodgman heads to Wiltshire to meet the reconstructors of some Neolithic buildings. Rob Attar presents
51 min
2179
Sick royals and the last year of peace
Lucy Worsley explores the health problems of past British monarchs, while Charles Emmerson explores the world of 1913. Rob Attar presents
58 min
2180
Britain's last Dambuster
Britain's last surviving member of the Dambusters raid, 'Johnny' Johnson, recalls his adventures. Plus Sam Willis reveals how Antigua became Nelson's Caribbean hellhole. Rob Attar presents
51 min
2181
The ideas of the First World War
Professor Hew Strachan considers the ideologies that propelled combatants in the 1914–18 war, in a lecture delivered at BBC History Magazine's First World War day event. Rob Attar presents
40 min
2182
Dwarves in the Holocaust and the Vikings' cultu...
Yehuda Koren and Eilat Negev relate the sad story of a group of dwarves during the Holocaust. Plus Janina Ramirez explains how the Vikings changed the culture of the British Isles. Rob Attar presents
54 min
2183
Pompeii comes to London
Rob Attar takes a tour of the British Museum's major new Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibition in the company of curator Paul Roberts. Plus we broadcast the winning entries of our Young Historians' Podcast Competition. Rob Attar presents
44 min
2184
With Anne Boleyn at the Tower
Suzannah Lipscomb and Charlotte Hodgman explore the downfall of Anne Boleyn, at the Tower of London where she met her end. Plus Kate Donington describes the nature of British slave ownership. Rob Attar presents
58 min
2185
Henry V and Thomas Cromwell – hero and villain
We challenge the reputations of two titans of English history. Anne Curry explores Henry V's disreputable youth, while Diarmaid Macculloch offers a robust defence of Wolf Hall star Thomas Cromwell. Rob Attar presents
46 min
2186
German prisoners and Nelson's navy
Panikos Panayi explores the experiences of German internees in Britain during the First World War, while Sam Willis introduces some first-hand accounts from Nelson's navy. Rob Attar presents
48 min
2187
Papal election special
To mark the upcoming papal election, historian Stella Fletcher explores the long tradition of conclaves. Rob Attar presents
40 min
2188
The Industrial Revolution and post-war eugenics
Emma Griffin discusses the beneficiaries of the growth of British industry, while Clare Hanson explores the controversial eugenics movement of the post-war period. Rob Attar presents
32 min
2189
Georgian banking and medieval royalty
Anne Murphy discusses an 18th-century investigation into the Bank of England, while Judith Green reveals what Henry I spent his money on. Presented by Rob Attar
37 min
2190
Hitler's philosophers, and a Bronze Age boat
Yvonne Sherratt explains why German thinkers were enraptured by the Nazis, while Robert Van De Noort introduces a project to recreate a Bronze Age boat. Presented by Rob Attar
39 min
2191
Richard III special
Following the momentous announcement that the body found in a Leicestershire carpark is indeed Richard III, Matt Elton speaks to Leicester archaeologist Lin Foxhall and Phil Stone, chairman of the Richard III Society, to get an inside view on the devel...
48 min
2192
Britain's European rejection and an intimate vi...
With Britain's membership of the EU in the news again, we examine the moment 50 years ago, when Charles de Gaulle vetoed Harold Macmillan's request to join the EEC. Plus, we chat with Richard Morris about his new, rather personal, book on Bri...
31 min
2193
Spielberg's Lincoln and a new look at Jane Austen
Adam Smith offers a historian's perspective on the new Lincoln film, while Paula Byrne explores the life of Jane Austen on the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice
43 min
2194
The history of music and the Knights Templar
Tim Blanning discusses how music has shaped history, while Michael Haag explores the history of the Knights Templar in the context of the Crusades
46 min
2195
Tudor accidents and the real Anglo-Saxons
Steven Gunn analyses accidental death in Tudor times, while Ryan Lavelle explores the darker side of the Anglo-Saxons.
47 min
2196
Royal personality in Tudor and Medieval times
Mark Ormrod and John Cooper give a joint lecture on Edward III and Francis Walsingham
48 min
2197
The First World War and Roman shopping
Chris Clark challenges the traditional view of the First World War's origins, while Claire Holleran takes us on a shopping trip in ancient Rome.
41 min
2198
History Extra Christmas quiz
Test your history knowledge with our festive trivia challenge.
17 min
2199
Napoleon and Mussolini
Alan Forrest considers how Napoleon used art as propaganda, while Christopher Duggan argues that Mussolini was a popular ruler.
65 min
2200
The Victorian cadaver trade, and lessons from t...
Elizabeth T Hurren explores how the bodies of paupers helped advance medical science, while Robert Greene explains how you can become the next Napoleon or Leonardo da Vinci.
48 min