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 Falklands War
Max Hastings looks back on the Falklands War, and Helen Parr considers the impact of that conflict on veterans.
60 min
2202
The FBI
Tim Weiner explores the murky history of the FBI, while James Robinson explains why some countries became rich as others remained poor.
42 min
2203
Letters from the front line
Diarmaid MacCulloch considers religion and Englishness, while Sian Price explores soldiers' letters from the front.
41 min
2204
Tudor courtiers and the Great Bed of Ware
Suzannah Lipscomb talks about Tudor courtiers, while Kate Hay introduces the Great Bed of Ware.
54 min
2205
Fleeing nuns and sinking ships
James Kelly on early modern nuns on the run, and Patrick Bishop on the sinking of the Tirpitz.
44 min
2206
Britain's enemies
Ian Mortimer explores the sensations of Elizabethan England, and Julian Farrance introduces some of Britain’s toughest military opponents.
37 min
2207
Jeremy Paxman on the empire
Jeremy Paxman considers the British empire, and Peter Thompson looks at the American Revolution.
47 min
2208
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
2209
100th episode special
For our 100th podcast episode we put your questions on the Crusades to historian Tom Asbridge.
51 min
2210
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
2211
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
2212
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
2213
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
2214
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
2215
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
2216
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
2217
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
2218
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
2219
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
2220
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
2221
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
2222
Second World War arctic convoys
Quintin Colville explores the World War Two Arctic convoys, and Steven Rippon considers medieval wetlands.
35 min
2223
Dambusters
James Holland explores the iconic Dambusters raid.
28 min
2224
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
2225
Misconceptions of WWII
Max Hastings explores Second World War misconceptions and Justin Meggitt discusses pirates.
65 min