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
Britain under Roman rule and the truth about th...
Tom Asbridge considers the real nature of the Crusades and Manda Scott opines on the Roman occupation of Britain.
40 min
2202
The Duke of Wellington and Alfred the Great
On the first of our weekly podcasts we have Peter Snow discussing the merits of the Duke of Wellington and Sarah Foot explaining why Alfred the Great’s legacy towers over Æthelstan’s.
36 min
2203
News for the BBC's Doomsday Project and the fut...
Michael Wood discusses the BBC’s Domesday Project, David Reynolds reflects on Operation Barbarossa, Angus Konstam considers the fate of Captain Kidd and the new CEO of the Nation Archives comments on the organisation’s future plans.
56 min
2204
History Extra podcast - May 2011
Miles Russell explores the mystery of the Roman Ninth Legion, Tara Hamling discusses Elizabethan drama and Paul Addison and Jeremy Crang reveal how British morale held up during the Second World War.
50 min
2205
History Extra podcast - April 2011
David Edgerton explains why Britain was no underdog in the Second World War, Lucy looks at how hairstyles reflected political and social change and Chris Evans discusses British involvement in Latin American slavery.
43 min
2206
History Extra podcast - March 2011
Harry Bennett discusses the role of the Merchant Navy in the Battle of the Atlantic, Niall Ferguson considers how much longer western supremacy can last, and Edward Higgs explores the challenges of the Victorian census.
45 min
2207
History Extra podcast - February 2011
Mark Ormrod discusses the Black Death, Mark Nicholls explores the life of Sir Walter Ralegh and Simon Sebag Montefiore explains the challenges involved in writing a history of Jerusalem.
41 min
2208
History Extra podcast - January 2011
Ryan Lavelle discusses Viking warfare, Robb Robinson recalls the lives of Edwardian fishing fleets and David Musgrove visits Avebury with archaeologist Nicola Snashall.
43 min
2209
History Extra podcast - Christmas 2010
The BBC History Magazine team dish up a festive history quiz, with questions set by QI’s Justin Pollard.
17 min
2210
History Extra podcast - December 2010
Mark Stoyle explains the 16th-century Prayer Book Rebellion, Clive Bloom discusses Edwardian Terrorism and a selection of eyewitnesses recall momentous events of the 20th century.
35 min
2211
History Extra podcast - November 2010
Karen Allen reveals the Yorkshire origins of trick or treat and Richard Carwardine explains the importance of Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election victory.
38 min
2212
History Extra podcast - October 2010
Miles Russell discusses the key moments in the Roman occupation of Britain, RJB Bosworth talks about Mussolini’s love life, and Dr Hannah Newton analyses the anguish of bereaved parents in the 17th century.
46 min
2213
History Extra podcast - September 2010
Tim Benbow offers his thoughts on the Korean War, Helen Castor explains the difficulties of being a queen in the 12th century and Helen Rosslyn describes the impact of The Da Vinci Code on Rosslyn Chapel.
53 min
2214
History Extra podcast - August 2010
Max Jones on the decline of British heroes, Robert Bartlett talking Normans and Hugh Lunghi recalls his time with Stalin.
60 min
2215
History Extra podcast - July 2010
Claire Jowitt talks about Elizabeth I’s pirates, Kay Chadwick introduces a Vichy propagandist and John Spurr discusses swearing in history.
39 min
2216
History Extra podcast - June 2010
Edward Vallance discusses a 17th century radical and Hugh Doherty on true life Robin Hoods. Also, survivors of the Blitz in the Second World War relive the experience.
45 min
2217
History Extra podcast - May 2010
Laurence Rees explains why Hitler didn’t press his advantage at Dunkirk in 1940. Plus Michael Scott offers his insights into the 490 BC Battle of Marathon. Also this month Gillian Mawson tells the stories of Guernsey’s Second World War child refugees.
35 min
2218
History Extra podcast - April 2010
Jenny Uglow gives us the lowdown on Charles II and the Restoration. Plus Emma Robertson explores the origins of chocolate in the British Empire.
29 min
2219
History Extra podcast - March 2010
Glenn Foard reflects on the discovery of the true location of the Bosworth battlefield and Ina Zweiniger-Bargielowska explains the role of rationing in the Second World War.
34 min
2220
History Extra podcast - February 2010
John Morrill explains why we need to look more closely at the words of Oliver Cromwell, Juliet Gardiner considers the 1930s, and Thomas Asbridge delves into Richard I’s crusades.
42 min
2221
History Extra podcast - January 2010
Neil MacGregor discusses key objects in world history, Robert Hume looks at toilet designer Thomas Crapper and Elaine Leong talks about medicines in the 18th century.
29 min
2222
History Extra podcast - December 2009 - Part 2
Robert Ferguson considers what drove the Vikings to launch their seaborne attacks, while Peter Martin reviews the life and personality of Dr Johnson.
28 min
2223
History Extra podcast - December 2009 - Part 1
Rachael Duffett considers how First World War soldiers took to the food they were served. Plus Julian Swann offers his thoughts on the origin of the French Revolution.
30 min
2224
History Extra podcast - November 2009 - Part 2
Sue Elliott explains how the children of the Britons who tended First World War graves at Ypres went on to fight the Nazis. Also in this issue Jeremy Black reveals why the battle of Quiberon 250 years ago saved Britain from invasion.
23 min
2225
History Extra podcast - November 2009 - Part 1
This week’s podcast is a First World War special. We begin with oral historian Peter Hart who introduces clips of interviews with war veterans from the Imperial War Museum sound archive. Also in this issue Fiona Reid explores the changing nature of Rem...
37 min