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
2301
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
2302
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
2303
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
2304
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
2305
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
2306
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
2307
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
2308
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
2309
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
2310
History Extra podcast - May 2009 - Part 2
Roger Moorhouse is on the trail of a serial killer in Nazi Berlin, Deborah Youngs discusses the fascinating diary of an ordinary gentleman in Tudor England.
28 min
2311
History Extra podcast - May 2009 - Part 1
The Great Turning Points in British History, Tristram Hunt discusses the life and legacy of Friedrich Engels, Angus Wainwright gives his thoughts on the Anglo Saxons and Sutton Hoo.
32 min
2312
History Extra podcast - April 2009 - Part 2
Brett Dolman considers King Henry VIII and Hampton Court, Nick Lloyd discusses the bloody Amritsar massacre of 1919.
30 min
2313
History Extra podcast - April 2009 - Part 1
Louise Raw discusses the 1888 Matchgirls strike, David Stevenson returns to 1918 in our Time Machine.
31 min
2314
History Extra podcast - March 2009 - Part 2
Marc Morris discusses how Edward I appropriated the legend of King Arthur, Peter Hart reflects on the dangerous careers of First World War fighter pilots.
26 min
2315
History Extra podcast - March 2009 - Part 1
Hallie Rubehold reveals a remarkable tale of adultery that caused a scandal in the 18th century, David Hipshon speaks about the controversial king Richard III and his violent death at the Battle of Bosworth.
27 min
2316
History Extra podcast - February 2009 - Part 2
Sir David Attenborough gives his thoughts on Charles Darwin and the impact of his work, Adrian Desmond explains why he believes a passionate hatred of slavery was one of the driving forces behind Darwin's career.
29 min
2317
History Extra podcast - February 2009 - Part 1
Saul David talks about the forgotten battles of the Zulu Wars, Jane Hamlett talks about Victorian men and household furnishing, Richard Carwardine discusses US President Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.
40 min
2318
History Extra podcast - January 2009 - Part 2
Professor Robert Crawford giving us a taste of the poetry of Robert Burns, Richard Serjeantson talks about the Elizabethan courtier and polymath Francis Bacon.
37 min
2319
History Extra podcast - January 2009 - Part 1
Sarah Wise discusses life in London's notorious Old Nichol slum in the 19th century, Art historian Beth Williamson describes part of the medieval painting of the Last Judgement at Dauntsey Church in Wiltshire.
34 min
2320
History Extra podcast - December 2008 - Part 2
BBC History Magazine's Christmas Quiz with QI quizmaster Justin Pollard.
27 min
2321
History Extra podcast - December 2008 - Part 1
Stephen Conway returns to 1775, Professor Mark Connelly describes how the Victorians began to shop until they dropped, The 'father of history' on one of the great ancient civilisations.
48 min
2322
History Extra podcast - November 2008 - Part 2
Film-maker Laurence Rees discusses the secret top-level dealings of WW2, Munro Price visits the French Revolution in the Time Machine, The making of the new documentary series 'The History of Scotland'.
44 min
2323
History Extra podcast - November 2008 - Part 1
Michael Palin looks back at the final hours of the conflict, Professor Gary Sheffield explains how the Allies were able to triumph in 1918, David Reynolds discusses the terms of the Armistice.
46 min
2324
History Extra podcast - October 2008 - Part 2
Kate Williams talks about the young Victoria's spirited struggle to become queen, Richard J Evans asks "how far did the German people support the Third Reich?".
31 min
2325
History Extra podcast - October 2008 - Part 1
Patricia Davies recalls the brilliant deception plan Operation Mincemeat, Dr Ian Mortimer reveals what life was like for the inhabitants of medieval towns, Hannah Greig explains her role as historical advisor to the new film 'The Duchess'.
46 min