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
2201
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
2202
The downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots and a Brit...
Linda Porter explores the Scottish queen's turbulent life, while Paul Stephenson recounts his experiences as a leader of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott. Rob Attar presents
63 min
2203
Early Christianity in England and Douglas Hurd ...
Historian Sarah Foot explores the rise of Christianity in England, while former home secretary Douglas Hurd discusses his new book about Benjamin Disraeli. Matt Elton presents
56 min
2204
English Heritage's History Live festival at Kel...
Anna Whitelock, Chris Skidmore MP, English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley and other leading historians discuss the value of heritage in a special report from the History Live! festival at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire
40 min
2205
The Spanish Armada and an Iron Age mansion
Robert Hutchinson explores the reality of the Spanish Armada campaign of 1588, while Professor Michael Fulford discusses the discovery of a huge Iron Age mansion at Silchester. Matt Elton presents
51 min
2206
Georgian marriage and food in history
Lesley Adkins discusses the realities of marriage in Georgian Britain, while Sarah Pennell explores changing attitudes to food in the early modern period. Matt Elton presents
58 min
2207
China's Second World War and royal births throu...
Rana Mitter explores China's little-known contribution to Allied effort in World War Two, while Kate Williams explains how royal babies have been treated through history. Rob Attar presents
58 min
2208
Nazi spies and Viking ships
Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones tells the story of an unlikely German spy, while Giles Kristian recalls his adventures on a recreated Viking ship. Rob Attar presents
40 min
2209
Margaret Thatcher's path to power, and the stor...
Matt Elton speaks to Charles Moore about the first volume of his authorised Margaret Thatcher biography, while Roy Hattersley explores the history of one of Britain's most influential dynasties. Rob Attar presents
58 min
2210
Elizabeth I's two bodies
Anna Whitelock explores the contradictions of the Virgin Queen's private live in a lecture recorded on our recent Tudors Day
38 min
2211
Richard III vs Henry VII
Chris Skidmore describes how the first Tudor king seized the crown from Richard III at Bosworth, while Brendan Simms examines Europe's past, present and future. Matt Elton presents
57 min
2212
Horrible Histories special
Charlotte Hodgman pays a visit to the set of the award-winning Horrible Histories TV series to find out the secrets of the show's success. Rob Attar presents
42 min
2213
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
2214
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
2215
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
2216
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
2217
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
2218
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
2219
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
2220
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
2221
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
2222
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
2223
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
2224
Papal election special
To mark the upcoming papal election, historian Stella Fletcher explores the long tradition of conclaves. Rob Attar presents
40 min
2225
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