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
Memories of Churchill and the history of the in...
John Julius Norwich recalls his remarkable childhood, while Larry Siedentop discusses liberalism and the West's 'crisis of confidence'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
50 min
2177
Paxman on World War One
Jeremy Paxman discusses Britain in the First World War, as his new BBC TV series is about to air. Meanwhile, Miles Russell takes us on a trip to a luxurious Roman home  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
51 min
2178
Britain and the Union
Linda Colley discusses the history of the United Kingdom and considers its future  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
46 min
2179
Britain in 1914 and Jesus in history
Mark Bostridge describes some of the challenges facing Britain before the First World War, while Reza Aslan comments on the historical Jesus  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
42 min
2180
The aftermath of the Second World War
Keith Lowe examines the struggles that faced postwar Europe, in a lecture from our recent History Weekend  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
44 min
2181
The Black Death and Tudor adventurers
John Hatcher visits a village devastated by the Black Death, while James Evans describes the doomed search for the north-east passage in the 16th century  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
48 min
2182
Christmas quiz
Test your history knowledge with our annual Christmas podcast quiz  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
23 min
2183
Nelson Mandela special
Following the death of Mandela, Saul Dubow and Aron Mazel consider his remarkable political career and his role in ending Apartheid  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
46 min
2184
The legacy of the First World War and Gandhi's ...
David Reynolds explains how the First World War shaped the 20th century, while Ramachandra Guha considers Mahatma Gandhi's formative years  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
53 min
2185
Victorian vigour and a remarkable family
Simon Heffer discusses the triumphs of Victorian Britain, while Adrian Tinniswood talks about the 17th-century Rainborowes who were involved in the Civil War  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
53 min
2186
JFK and a neglected Tudor
Mark White reappraises JFK on the 50th anniversary of his assassination, while Alison Weir describes the life of Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
57 min
2187
Global history and the rise of the factories
Michael Scott chats about his new Radio 4 series Spin the Globe, while Simon Thurley guides us around an important site in Britain's Industrial Revolution  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
38 min
2188
Cold War culture and the path to the First Worl...
Dominic Sandbrook explores how the Cold War impacted on many aspects of British life, while Margaret MacMillan tells us why she believes the First World War broke out when it did  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
44 min
2189
A new look at Nelson and a haunted castle
Quintin Colville guides us around a major new Nelson gallery, while Charlotte Hodgman pays a Halloween visit to a spooky castle
45 min
2190
Tudor portraits and Victorian footballers
Tarnya Cooper introduces the National Portrait Gallery's new Elizabethan exhibition, while Richard Sanders delves into the early years of football. Plus, we talk to the BBC's Martin Davidson about the corporation's First World War plans
53 min
2191
Ancient Greek theatre and Victorian prisons
Michael Scott delves into the origins of drama, while Alyson Brown takes a trip around the historic Beaumaris Gaol
54 min
2192
The First World War and Richard III
Sir Max Hastings explores the origins and bloody outbreak of the First World War, while Philippa Langley and Michael Jones describe the discovery of Richard III's remains
70 min
2193
The mysteries of the Princes in the Tower
Leanda de Lisle visits the Tower of London to explore the fate of the princes believed to have been killed there. Hannah Greig tells us about the Georgian fashionable elite, and we speak to Hollywood star Matthew Fox about his new historical film Emperor
56 min
2194
Ancient burials and modern murders
Richard Bradley guides us around a Neolithic burial site, while Lucy Worsley explores the 19th and 20th-century British fascination with violent crime
54 min
2195
Witch-hunting and medieval letter writing
Tracy Borman investigates the case of three women accused of witchcraft, while Deborah Thorpe charts the perilous path of a medieval letter
46 min
2196
A fresh look at an Ancient Greek classic
Tom Holland tells us about his new translation of Herodotus, the father of history. Plus Ben Wilson and Margaret MacMillan reveal their favourite history books
35 min
2197
On the Civil War trail
Mark Stoyle and Charlotte Hodgman visit a key location in the clash between King Charles and Parliament
29 min
2198
A fresh look at Edward III
Richard Barber describes the life and career of one of England's most successful medieval kings, based on new research for his book. Rob Attar presents
53 min
2199
England and Scotland go to war
George Goodwin describes the Anglo-Scottish battle of Flodden as the 500th anniversary approaches. Plus Gary Sheffield considers how First World War commanders coped with the peculiar challenges of that conflict. Rob Attar presents
57 min
2200
The history behind the White Queen
Sarah Gristwood considers how the BBC series the White Queen matches up to the history of the period, while Nick Rennison explains how he wrote his debut historical novel. Rob Attar presents
49 min