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
2251
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
2252
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
2253
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
2254
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
2255
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
2256
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
2257
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
2258
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
2259
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
2260
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
2261
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
2262
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
2263
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
2264
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
2265
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
2266
History Extra podcast - October 2009 - Part 2
Michael Scott explains why the 4th century BC was just as important as the previous 100 years in the history of Ancient Greece. Also in this edition we speak to Caroline Dodds Pennock about the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II and the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
26 min
2267
History Extra podcast - October 2009 - Part 1
Amanda Vickery talks about her new radio series that delves into the history of private lives in Britain. Also in this edition Ian Mortimer explains why he thinks Henry V was a cruel king who doesn’t deserve his heroic reputation.
25 min
2268
History Extra podcast - September 2009 - Part 2
This month Dan Snow gives his opinions on the momentous Battle of Quebec that took place 250 years ago. Plus we speak to Tracy Borman about how Elizabeth I grew envious of the other women at her court.
28 min
2269
History Extra podcast - September 2009 - Part 1
This month's podcast is a Second World War special. We speak to Dr Dan Todman about the situation on the home front in 1939 and you can hear exclusive extracts from two new BBC Second World War Audiobooks.
47 min
2270
History Extra podcast - August 2009 - Part 2
Peter Thompson explains how a 17th-century shipwreck brought Bermuda into the British Empire; Sean McGlynn discusses Medieval atrocities and reveals how they compare to modern-day brutality.
31 min
2271
History Extra podcast - August 2009 - Part 1
John Gillingham explains how the murder of Thomas Becket inspired a magnificent fortress; Nicholas Orme leafs through a 16th-century guide to the art of swimming.
31 min
2272
History Extra podcast - July 2009 - Part 2
Mark Ormrod gives a colourful insight into medieval petitions; Christopher Lewis and Alison Boyle discuss two of the 17th century's greatest astronomers: Galileo and Thomas Harriot.
38 min
2273
History Extra podcast - July 2009 - Part 1
Christine MacLeod challenges popular perceptions of the Industrial Revolution; Mark Collins talks about the history of Big Ben on its 150th anniversary.
28 min
2274
History Extra podcast - June 2009 - Part 2
Edward Vallance explores the story of Thomas Paine, hated in England in his lifetime but loved in America, June Purvis tackles the subject of the force feeding of suffragettes 100 years ago.
24 min
2275
History Extra podcast - June 2009 - Part 1
Antony Beevor discusses his latest book on D-Day and the Battle for Normandy, Helen J Nicholson explains what happened to the Knights Templar who went on trial in Medieval Britain.
24 min