She super-charged Mark Antony's rise to power, whipped up gang violence, went to war with Octavian – and may, just may, have abused Cicero's decapitated head with a hairpin. Here, in conversation with...
2025-04-07 23:00:00
Sir Simon Schama is one of the world's leading historians, a bestselling author and a renowned documentary maker. In his latest documentary film, The Road to Auschwitz, he tells the story of the Holoc...
2025-04-06 23:00:00
The 'Scramble for Africa': everything you wanted to know
Between the 1870s and the First World War, European colonialists set their sights on the Africa, making territorial land grabs that consumed nearly the entire continent. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, P...
2025-04-05 23:00:00
A Nazi in Chile: did an SS commander work for Pinochet?
What connects a notorious Chilean dictator with an SS commander who played a key role in the Holocaust? This is the question at the heart of a book by the author and lawyer Philippe Sands, which follo...
2025-04-03 23:00:00
Tariffs and trade wars: a history of economic warfare
Trade wars and tariffs have once again been making headlines in recent weeks, as US president Donald Trump's government adopts combative economic policies. But are such approaches really that unusual?...
2025-04-01 23:00:00
Funding cuts and culture wars: history behind the headlines
In the latest episode of our monthly series, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss recent headlines about funding cuts to history departments in the UK’s universities - and we hear from Lucy Noakes, pr...
2025-03-31 23:00:00
Why we shouldn't see museum artefacts as 'stolen'
Debates about whether museum artefacts should be returned to the cultures that made them have made headlines several times in recent years. But historian and author Justin M Jacobs explains to Matt El...
2025-03-30 23:00:00
The Belle Époque: everything you wanted to know
Paris's Belle Époque – or 'Beautiful Era' – conjures up images of cafés, can-can dancers and sunny walks along the River Seine. But was life in the French capital in the late 19th and early 20th-centu...
2025-03-30 00:00:00
Body in the basement: Dr Crippen and the 'crime of the century'
In 1910, music hall performer Belle Elmore went missing. Her husband Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen claimed Belle had gone to America to visit a dying relative. But before long, Crippen's stories began to u...
2025-03-28 00:00:00
The Philadelphia gun-runners who supplied the IRA
In the 1970s, as the Troubles divided Northern Ireland, hundreds of armalite guns were sent to the IRA from across the Atlantic. Reporter Ali Watkins follows the smuggling operations of a ragtag group...
2025-03-26 00:00:00
Thomas Becket is probably medieval England's most famous martyr and saint – yet the circumstances of his life are overshadowed by his infamous feud with King Henry II, and his shocking murder in Cante...
2025-03-25 00:00:00
Why Africa's history is more than just the slave trade
Has our focus on the impact of the transatlantic slave trade blinded us to the diversity and complexity of Africa's past? That's one of the arguments at the heart of Luke Pepera's new book Motherland,...
2025-03-24 00:00:00
The Great Stink: everything you wanted to know
Why, in the 1850s, was the excrement of thousands of people being deposited straight into the Thames? How lethal were Victorian London's cholera outbreaks? And why is Joseph Bazalgette one of the most...
2025-03-23 00:00:00
Handel's Messiah: the scandalous birth of a classical masterpiece
Even if you're not a fan of classical music, chances are you will have heard Handel's Messiah. Going behind the scenes of its creation, Charles King delves into the shifting politics of the Hanoverian...
2025-03-21 00:00:00
Women killers of the early modern era
From true crime pamphlets to reports from the scaffold, early modern Britain was gripped by tales of women who killed. But were these cases as common as they seemed, or was something else at play? Spe...
2025-03-19 00:00:00
Rosa Luxemburg: life of the week
While the Suffragettes were fighting to win the vote, over in Germany, Rosa Luxemburg was focused on overthrowing the entire system. A committed Marxist revolutionary and a fervent advocate of interna...
2025-03-18 00:00:00
Women's hidden role in religious reformation
The histories of religious reformations across the globe have largely focused on men. But women were also integral to these major transformations. Speaking with Emily Briffett, historian Merry Wiesner...
2025-03-17 00:00:00
The history of British homes: everything you wanted to know
What was history's worst furnishing trend? Why, in 1953, were you more likely to own a television than a fridge? And how can you learn more about the history of your own house? Deborah Sugg Ryan joins...
2025-03-16 00:00:00
Wolfmen and amazons: why did the Greeks and Romans demonise their neighbours?
Fearsome Amazons. Men who turned into wolves. Tribes who never grew old. Ancient Greek and Roman sources are packed with extraordinary descriptions of the peoples living beyond their borders. Speaking...
2025-03-14 00:00:00
Reform and rebellion in the reign of Henry III
With accusations of favouritism, poor spending and unrealistic international plans, resentment against Henry III simmered among his barons throughout the 1250s. This frustration came to a head in a co...
2025-03-12 00:00:00
Emily Hobhouse: life of the week
Pacifist. Humanitarian. Whistleblower. From humble roots growing up in Cornwall, Emily Hobhouse went on to challenge the societal issues of her day and expose the horrors of British concentration camp...
2025-03-11 00:00:00
Cheese-rolling, horse skulls & morris dancers: Britain's strange folk customs
From green men and jolly horse skulls, to chasing cheese down hills and morris dancing, Britain has a rich tradition of folk customs. Some are strange, some downright silly. But, as Liz Williams tells...
2025-03-10 00:00:00
Roman medicine: everything you wanted to know
What were your chances of surviving illness in ancient Rome? How did the Roman army deal with ailments and injuries on the go? And in what way were the medical practitioners of this ancient civilisati...
2025-03-09 00:00:00
What's the state of women's history in 2025?
What is new research revealing about women's lives in the past? Does all women's history have to be feminist? And why do we need to be cautious about the 'girlbossification' of historical figures? To...
2025-03-07 00:00:00
Medieval murder mystery: who killed King James III?
On 11 June 1488, King James III of Scotland was hunted down and slain as he fled the field of battle. And more than 500 years later, the identity of his killer remains shrouded in uncertainty. Here, i...
2025-03-05 00:00:00
Virginia Woolf: life of the week
From To The Lighthouse to Mrs Dalloway, the writing of Virginia Woolf shook up literary norms and challenged societal ideas about what it meant to be a woman. In this 'life of the week' episode, Franc...
2025-03-04 00:00:00
How violent were towns and cities in the Middle Ages? And how did medieval citizens deal with cases of murder? Drawing on detailed coroner's reports, Professor Manuel Eisner has mapped out cases of mu...
2025-03-03 00:00:00
The Assyrians: everything you wanted to know
Why were Assyrian armies so powerful? Did the Assyrians produce the ancient world's greatest cultural treasure? And what should we make of claims that they forged the world's first empire? In conversa...
2025-03-02 00:00:00
King Leopold's elephant expedition: a story of colonialism in Congo
In 1879, King Leopold of Belgium commissioned an expedition to transport Asian elephants from India to the African interior, with a vision of using them as working animals to unlock the continent's re...
2025-02-28 00:00:00
Introducing History's Greatest Battles | New Podcast
Vicious civil wars. Gruelling sieges. Rebellious provinces, galling betrayals and tribes seeking revenge… Join us for the first series of History’s Greatest Battles, where we’re heading back to the Ro...
2025-02-27 00:00:00
What did a Roman wear under their tunic? What was the best occasion to wear socks with sandals? And what might land you in trouble with the ancient Roman fashion police? Speaking to Emily Briffett, hi...
2025-02-26 00:00:00
Frederick Barbarossa: life of the week
Frederick Barbarossa has gone down in history as one of medieval Europe's most formidable rulers. He waged ruthless wars in Italy, clashed with the papacy, and came to an ignominious end on crusade. S...
2025-02-25 00:00:00
Sexuality on trial in colonial America
In 1774, as Britain’s colonies in America teetered on the brink of revolution, one regiment was torn apart by the trials of a British army chaplain – Robert Newburgh – who was accused of having sex wi...
2025-02-24 00:00:00
Mining history: everything you wanted to know
Historically, how much would a British miner have earned for a hard day's work? Did women and children also work underground? And why were canaries taken down the pits? In conversation with Lauren Goo...
2025-02-23 00:00:00
Bruisers and bare knuckles: the brutal world of Victorian boxing
Men fighting pumas. Brutal prize-fights in sacred chapels. A pair of sisters who could pack a punch. In Victorian Britain, boxing offered up edge-of-your-seat entertainment to all levels of society. A...
2025-02-21 00:00:00
Did Britain really rule the waves?
It's often proclaimed that British sea power was at its pinnacle in the years following the French and Napoleonic wars. But was this really a time when Britain 'ruled the waves'? And how did the rise...
2025-02-19 00:00:00
Jane Austen remains one of the most influential novelists in English literature. Her sharp social commentary, wit, and exploration of love, class, and gender continue to captivate readers. This year m...
2025-02-18 00:00:00
The princess who fled Romanov Russia
Born in 1781, Princess Juliane of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld grew up in a world convulsed by the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. And her life proved to be as tempestuous as the age she inhabited. Wed...
2025-02-17 00:00:00
The Opium Wars: everything you wanted to know
Why did Britain go to war with China in the 19th century to protect the interests of drug dealers? Speaking with Elinor Evans, Stephen R Platt discusses the web of economics, addiction, and imperial a...
2025-02-16 00:00:00
Rome's most scandalous emperors
How cruel was Caligula? How depraved was Tiberius? And how monstrous was Nero? The dark reputations of these emperors owe a great deal to the Roman writer Suetonius, whose 121 AD work Lives of the Cae...
2025-02-14 00:00:00
The royal threesome that rocked Anglo-Saxon England
In the year 955, Eadwig became king of England – and, according to 10th-century sources, he celebrated in quite a salacious fashion. These stories claim that at his coronation feast, Eadwig left the h...
2025-02-12 00:00:00
Are we celebrating the wrong Magna Carta?
The history books tell us that Magna Carta was sealed on 15 June 1215. But, according to Professor David Carpenter, that's not actually the date we should commemorate. He explains to David Musgrove wh...
2025-02-11 00:00:00
The forgotten JFK assassination plot
In December 1960, as president-elect John F Kennedy made his way to church in Florida, a would-be assassin waited nearby, preparing to detonate a bomb that would end the Democrat's presidency before i...
2025-02-10 00:00:00
The Indian Rebellion of 1857: everything you wanted to know
What ignited resentment at British rule in India into outright violence? How brutal was British troops' suppression of the uprising? And how did the events of 1857 poison relations between the British...
2025-02-09 00:00:00
From dinosaurs to Godzilla: a 15,000-year history of monsters
What makes a monster, and why do they fascinate us? Dr Natalie Lawrence unravels 15,000 years of human storytelling through the tales of creatures like dragons, Medusa, and even Godzilla. Speaking to...
2025-02-07 00:00:00
How monasteries powered medieval Europe
Monasteries and convents were a common sight throughout medieval Europe and beyond. But who were they for? What did they do? And how did religious life there change over the centuries? Speaking to Emi...
2025-02-05 00:00:00
Greenland, forest fires and presidential power: history behind the headlines
Historians Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look at the shifting dynamics of presidential power and discuss the history behind President Trump's stated desire to acquire Greenland, in 2025's first instalm...
2025-02-04 00:00:00
George Villiers: from royal favourite to enemy number one
George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, had charm and political ambition by the bucketload – and his rise as a favourite of King James I and VI in the late 16th century was meteoric. Speaking to Elin...
2025-02-03 00:00:00
Extinct animals: everything you wanted to know
From the depths of the Ice Age to the 20th century, why – and how – have species gone extinct? And are humans always to blame? In conversation with James Osborne, Dr Ross Barnett unpacks how the cause...
2025-02-02 00:00:00
Agony and ecstasy: the lives of mystics
From medieval mystic Julian of Norwich to countercultural figures of the 1960s, various individuals down the centuries have felt they have access to spiritual forces beyond human understanding. But wh...
2025-01-31 00:00:00
How medicine became a moneymaker
How did we go from sharing homegrown cures free of charge to buying medicine from strangers on the open market? This transition is more complex than you might think, and it's something that Karen Bloo...
2025-01-30 00:00:00
Carolingians in crisis: the medieval civil war that shaped Europe
History is full of dysfunctional families, but few more so than the Carolingian ruling clan. The empire was at the height of its power under renowned ruler Charlemagne. But just two generations later,...
2025-01-29 00:00:00
Charles Dickens: life of the week
Charles Dickens is one of the most famous figures in literary history. But, there's lots about the author that you might not know, from his obsessive workaholism and marital strife, to the fact he was...
2025-01-28 00:00:00
In September 1940, the German Luftwaffe began raining bombs on British cities, causing death and destruction on a scale never before seen. But, in the capital, the Blitz wasn’t the only threat to peop...
2025-01-27 00:00:00
British TV history: everything you wanted to know
From early shows that looked as if they were filmed "in a heavy and persistent shower of rain" to today's multi-platform streaming world, the history of television has been marked by rapid innovation...
2025-01-26 00:00:00
The big questions of the Holocaust
How did the Nazis’ poisonous antisemitic rhetoric eventually culminate in the systematic mass-murder of millions? Speaking to Rachel Dinning back in 2023, historian Laurence Rees charts the course of...
2025-01-25 00:00:00
Happiness: history of an emotion
The word 'happiness' came into common usage in around the 17th century, but the concept has a much longer history. So how have people conceptualised happiness over time – and how have they sought to a...
2025-01-24 00:00:00
The 1453 fall of Constantinople: capturing the Byzantine capital
In 1453, the once grand and formidable city of Constantinople fell to the hands of the Ottoman Turks – bringing over a millennium of Byzantine rule to a dramatic close, and heralding the rise of the O...
2025-01-23 00:00:00
Inside the mind of the Third Reich
What drives people to commit atrocities? Few periods in history confront this question as starkly as the rise of the Nazis, whose crimes stand as a chilling testament to humanity’s capacity for darkne...
2025-01-22 00:00:00
Sacagawea is remembered in US history as the Shoshone Native American woman who acted as interpreter to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the early 19th-century mission to chart territory in the America...
2025-01-21 00:00:00
Women's bodies: an unreliable history
The history of women's bodies is far from simple. Female anatomy and the ideas surrounding it – from breastfeeding to virginity – still cause contention today. From the surprising original Pandora myt...
2025-01-20 00:00:00
Ancient Mesopotamia: everything you wanted to know
Do you know your Sumerians from your Babylonians and your Akkadians? All these civilisations formed part of the story of ancient Mesopotamia, where city states were formed, writing flourished, the whe...
2025-01-19 00:00:00
Who moulded Winston Churchill?
Later this week marks 60 years since the death of Winston Churchill, on 24 January 1965. So we thought it would be interesting to bring back this episode with Professor David Reynolds from 2023. In it...
2025-01-18 00:00:00
Elizabethan London: a multicultural melting pot
London today is a bustling, multicultural city. But what about in the past? Emily Briffett spoke to Dr John Gallagher to find out more about the vibrant and exciting melting pot of languages and cultu...
2025-01-17 00:00:00
Strange stories of medieval saints
What can Saint Augustine tell us about attitudes to grief in the Middle Ages? What made women steer clear of the shrine of Saint Cuthbert? And why did pilgrims bring gifts of wax to the dead saint Wil...
2025-01-16 00:00:00
What is the greatest historical movie of all time?
What makes a great historical movie? An accurate portrayal of a period, a nostalgic look back at the past, or simply a ripping yarn? Well, on our website HistoryExtra.com, we've been running a poll to...
2025-01-15 00:00:00
Nell Gwyn epitomised the wild spirit of the Restoration era. An orange-seller turned actress, turned royal mistress of King Charles II, she hustled her way to the very top with charm, wisecracks and w...
2025-01-14 00:00:00
How pigs caused a stink in medieval England
They attacked children. They exhumed dead bodies. They were even thought to be in league with the devil. And yet, despite this long list of misdemeanours, pigs were an indispensable part of urban life...
2025-01-13 00:00:00
The Hanseatic League: everything you wanted to know
The Hanseatic League was often compared to a crocodile, because it was a shadowy, somewhat sinister entity that kept its true intentions concealed. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Professor...
2025-01-12 00:00:00
Secret forceps & pig bladders: medical objects through time
What was it like to undergo an operation in a world with no anaesthetic? How was the stethoscope invented? And when did surgeons first operate on a human heart? Talking to Lauren Good, Dr Carol Cooper...
2025-01-10 00:00:00
How Roman roads transformed Europe
They spanned a continent, offered a conduit for soldiers and pilgrims alike – and may not have been as straight as legend suggests. Roman roads played a formative role in Europe's development for cent...
2025-01-09 00:00:00
Hotel Lux: the guesthouse of world revolution
History is often told through the epic struggles of famous personalities or grand movements. Yet sometimes the voices of ordinary people break through. In this episode, Maurice J Casey speaks to Danny...
2025-01-08 00:00:00
Introducing History's Greatest Scandals | New Podcast
Poisoned sweets. Criminal misdeeds. And a sex scandal involving… the prime-minister. Listen to HistoryExtra's new podcast History’s Greatest Scandals, delving into the murky underworld of The Victori...
2025-01-07 12:00:00
Susan B Anthony: life of the week
The name Susan B Anthony is inextricable from any history of the American movement for women's suffrage. Yet the life of the woman herself can be obscured by her status as a campaigner and figurehead....
2025-01-07 00:00:00
How the compass became a political weapon
Why did early Islamic cartographers place south at the top of their maps? Who invented the magnetic compass? And why has 'the west' become an intensely political term, as well as a geographical one? H...
2025-01-06 00:00:00
Medieval towns: everything you wanted to know
What was it like to live in a British town or city in the Middle Ages? Were they filthy hotbeds of crime and violence? How often did fires break out? And where could you get a good slap-up meal if you...
2025-01-05 00:00:00
Harold Wilson: the rock 'n' roll prime minister
Harold Wilson is as central to the story of sixties Britain as the Beatles, Profumo and miniskirts. Admirers applauded the social reforms he introduced while in office; his critics accused the prime m...
2025-01-03 00:00:00
The Sutton Hoo ship burial is one of the most famous discoveries in British archaeological history. But who is actually buried there? Or perhaps a better question is: why was the man buried with such...
2025-01-02 00:00:00
Sex and Christianity: 2,000 years of love and fury
What were Jesus's views on sex? Why did so many Christians choose a life of celibacy? Has the church ever been tolerant of homosexuality? These are some of the questions explored by Professor Diarmaid...
2025-01-01 00:00:00
Catherine the Great: life of the week
Catherine the Great stands out from the rulers of Imperial Russia – a 'philosopher empress' whose wit, political savvy, and unyielding ambition transformed her empire into a European powerhouse. Seizi...
2024-12-31 00:00:00
William of Normandy famously invaded England in 1066 – but, he didn't quite conquer it all. In fact, the duty of leading a second assault was left to his son William Rufus almost 30 years later. Speak...
2024-12-30 00:00:00
The Carolingians: everything you wanted to know
The early medieval Carolingian empire played a crucial role in the development of Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Though the dynasty itself was not that long-lived, it was star-studded with famous...
2024-12-29 00:00:00
The SAS in WW2: everything you wanted to know
Series two of SAS Rogue Heroes hits our screens later this week, so we're bringing you an episode to get you up to scratch on the WW2 escapades of Britain’s elite special forces. Why was the SAS – or...
2024-12-28 00:00:00
Arnhem: 24 hours that shattered Allied dreams
The morning of Tuesday 19 September 1944 was ripe with possibility for Allied forces at Arnhem, says Al Murray. Just 24 hours later, the die of defeat had well and truly been cast. Here, in conversati...
2024-12-27 00:00:00
Tudor England | 5. The wider world
The 16th century is often seen as a 'golden age' of exploration, which witnessed England's emergence as a major player on the European stage. But it was also a period in which the English became embro...
2024-12-26 00:00:00
2024 in review: history behind the headlines
Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at the history behind some of the year's biggest news stories in this special episode of our monthly series From the rise of AI to a plethora of elections and l...
2024-12-24 00:00:00
Shipwrecks: a porthole to the past
From a sunken Tudor flagship brought back to life by the wonders of osteoarchaeology, to the tales of bravery and endurance surrounding the tragic fate of WW2's SS Gairsoppa, shipwrecks can reveal far...
2024-12-23 00:00:00
Quaker history: everything you wanted to know
Radical rabble-rousers, trusted bankers and conscientious objectors; the Quakers have been viewed in many different ways down the centuries. Their non-conformist origins and unique religious principle...
2024-12-22 00:00:00
Christmas history: everything you wanted to know
Did Oliver Cromwell ban mince pies? When did people first give Christmas presents? And why does Santa wear red? Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne in this episode first aired in 2020, George Goodwin, histori...
2024-12-21 00:00:00
How convict labour forged empires
Think of the transportation of convicts, and your mind probably goes to the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia in 1788. But, as historian Clare Anderson reveals in this episode, convict transport...
2024-12-20 00:00:00
Tudor England | 4. Religion and superstition
The English Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries were major milestones in 16th-century England, shaking the very foundations of Tudor religious belief. But while the nation moved back an...
2024-12-19 00:00:00
Churches were central to life in the Middle Ages. But with the Reformation wreaking havoc on religious buildings, nowadays it's hard to get a sense of what a medieval church would actually have looked...
2024-12-18 00:00:00
Isabella of Castile: life of the week
From the fall of Granada to the issuing of the Alhambra decree, Isabella of Castile's reign was one that saw an extraordinary amount of history-altering events and, as such, has earned her a complex l...
2024-12-17 00:00:00
The massacre that shattered the old Ottoman world
In 1860, the diverse Ottoman city of Damascus witnessed the massacre of thousands of Christians. The killings, combined with Constantinople’s hardline response, shattered the city’s tolerant society a...
2024-12-16 00:00:00
Underwear history: everything you wanted to know
When did people first start wearing underwear? What's the difference between drawers and bloomers? Did medieval women wear bras? Were Victorian corsets really as uncomfortable to wear as you might ima...
2024-12-15 00:00:00
Medieval relic hunters: the quest for Notre-Dame's crown of thorns
The crown of thorns was one of the greatest medieval relics, supposedly pressed into the head of Jesus Christ by mocking Roman soldiers. Hunted down by an intrepid pair of Dominican friars, it was bro...
2024-12-13 00:00:00
Tudor England | 3. Culture and innovation
Why were festivals and feasts such major events in the Tudor age? What toxic beauty products did Elizabeth I plaster her face with? And were the works of the celebrated playwright William Shakespeare...
2024-12-12 00:00:00
Tempting treats & festive feats: christmas shopping down the ages
As we get closer to Christmas, many people will be heading out to the shops to look for the perfect presents. And this mad dash in search of festive gifts is nothing new. In this episode, Annie Gray,...
2024-12-11 00:00:00
Robert the Bruce: life of the week
Robert the Bruce may be lauded as a Scottish national hero, a noble warrior who fended off the English and claimed a spectacular victory at the battle of Bannockburn. But how to true to life is this g...
2024-12-10 00:00:00
In 1945, Germany lay in ruins – both physically and morally. Nearly 80 years after the Second World War, it has since been transformed into an economic powerhouse and a leader on the world stage. Hist...
2024-12-09 00:00:00
Robot history: everything you wanted to know
When did automatons first emerge? Which science-fiction depiction of robots is the most accurate? And why did so many people fall for a hoax machine called the "Mechanical Turk"? In conversation with...
2024-12-08 00:00:00
Britain's wild republican decade
For some, it's hard to imagine Britain without a king or queen. Yet, nearly 400 years ago, that prospect became a reality. In January 1649, after a bloody civil war, King Charles I was put on trial, f...
2024-12-06 00:00:00
What was the most popular pastime of the Tudor age? Why was bathing even once a month considered dangerous? And how could living alongside your pets help save on your heating bill in the 16th century?...
2024-12-05 00:00:00
Kublai Khan: ruler of the waves
Genghis Khan may have built a formidable land empire, but his grandson Kublai Khan mastered the seas. So how did a nomadic leader come to have such a formidable navy – and conquer China in the process...
2024-12-04 00:00:00
Princes in the Tower: could this new discovery solve the mystery?
The disappearance of the princes in the Tower in 1483 is one of British history's most enduring mysteries. But a brand new discovery made by Professor Tim Thornton may offer some more clues about what...
2024-12-03 00:00:00
The murders at Rillington Place: postwar London's grisliest crimes
On 24 March 1953, a tenant of 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill made a gruesome discovery. Inside the walls of the downstairs flat, he uncovered the bodies of three women. More were to follow. A natio...
2024-12-02 00:00:00
Tudor explorers: everything you wanted to know
By the time the Tudors took to the waves, much of the world had already been mapped by Europeans. So what was left for Tudor explorers to uncover – and should we call them 'explorers' at all? Historia...
2024-12-01 00:00:00
Nelson & Winnie: inside the Mandelas' marriage
Nelson and Winnie Mandela were one of the most famous couples of the 20th century. Their relationship became a powerful symbol of the freedom struggle in apartheid South Africa, but it was also dogged...
2024-11-29 00:00:00
Tudor England | 1. Power and politics
The Tudor world was a turbulent one, with momentous decisions reliant on the whims of those in power. But how was authority felt by the average person? And what were the consequences of losing favour...
2024-11-28 00:00:00
Tudor England: the big questions | Trailer
From vicious court politicking and cultural innovation, to global voyages of discovery and total religious upheaval, Tudor England was a turbulent – and exciting – place to be. In this HistoryExtra po...
2024-11-27 23:50:00
A Victorian cult: inside the strange world of the Agapemone
In the 1840s, a strange, secretive community known as the Agapemonites set up camp in Spaxton, Somerset. Presided over by a rogue Anglican priest who believed he had a hotline to god, this religious c...
2024-11-27 00:00:00
History behind the headlines: Trump's win – parallels with the past
In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, historians Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the historical episodes that have most to tell us about Donald Trump's...
2024-11-26 00:00:00
Humans have been infatuated with sport for thousands of years. But what drove this obsession in the first place? And how did ancient pursuits evolve into the games we know and love today? Jon Bauckham...
2024-11-25 00:00:00
Ancient Egyptian warfare: everything you wanted to know
Ancient Egypt conjures up images of pharaohs, pyramids and hieroglyphics – but what about soldiers, generals and military campaigns? In today's episode, Jon Bauckham talks to Egyptologist Nicky Nielse...
2024-11-24 00:00:00
The bloody road to Rome: liberating Italy from the Nazis in WWII
When the Allies invaded Italy in the summer of 1943 they hoped to be in Rome by Christmas. Instead, it wasn't until June 1944 that the Italian capital was liberated, following a gruelling march up the...
2024-11-22 00:00:00
The invisible tracks that have shaped the world
Each ocean voyage through history has laid down a track that tells a story. These invisible pathways across the seas can reveal how the world has been shaped by power, conquest and exploration. Dr Sar...
2024-11-21 00:00:00
Should we stop talking about the crusades?
When you think about 'the crusades', you probably think of a series of military campaigns in the Holy Land, representing a great battle between the forces of Islam and Christianity. But is this actual...
2024-11-20 00:00:00
Æthelred the Unready: life of the week
King Æthelred II ruled England from 978 to 1016 – with a little gap in 1014. Known to history as 'the Unready', he faced many challenges in his reign, not least the attentions of several Viking invasi...
2024-11-19 00:00:00
The golden age of the country house
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Britain’s country houses enjoyed something of a renaissance. No longer were stately homes only seen as the preserve of stuffy landed gentry. Instead, the ari...
2024-11-18 00:00:00
Victorian schools: everything you wanted to know
The 19th century witnessed a revolution in Britain's schools, as compulsory mass education was rolled out, and thousands more children learnt how to read and write. But what was it like to study in a...
2024-11-17 00:00:00
Gladiators: everything you wanted to know
Who became a gladiator? Were they really the superstars of their day? And was giving a thumbs down for a death sentence a real thing? As Gladiator II hits cinemas, Emily Briffett speaks with historian...
2024-11-16 00:00:00
Nelson: a life of heroism and scandal
Nelson is one of the most well-known historical figures from British history. His leadership of the British fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and his death in the same battle, rende...
2024-11-15 00:00:00
The medieval approach to sustainability was entirely different to ours today. In a world where the modern definition of 'waste' didn't even exist, the repair market boomed and building materials were...
2024-11-14 00:00:00
Thomas Cromwell: the triumph and tragedy of Henry VIII's right-hand man
In the spring of 1540 Thomas Cromwell was at the height of his power, but just a few months later he found himself at the scaffold on Tower Hill preparing to be executed for treason and heresy. What h...
2024-11-13 00:00:00
Joseph McCarthy: life of the week
Joseph McCarthy's infamous crusade in the 1950s whipped up a frenzy of anti-communist sentiment across America – and wrecked the reputations of scores of people accused of harbouring sympathies for th...
2024-11-12 00:00:00
How did gladiators supercharge the rise of Julius Caesar? What can we learn about arena fighters from the petrified remains at Pompeii? And why did gladiatorial bouts get banned there for a whole deca...
2024-11-11 00:00:00
The Brontës: everything you wanted to know
From their remote Yorkshire parsonage, sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë penned stories that would capture the imaginations of generations of readers. But how popular were books such as Jane Ey...
2024-11-10 00:00:00
Lord Lucan: the vanishing earl
On 7 November, 1974, nanny Sandra Rivett was found murdered in the affluent London neighbourhood of Belgravia. The prime suspect? The father of her young charges, Lord Lucan. But before the aristocrat...
2024-11-08 00:00:00
The Tyrant, the usurper and the hero | Henry V: hero
Henry V only had a short reign, but his legacy looms large over the medieval landscape. Remembered as a heroic warrior king, who bested the French at Harfleur then marched his forces to victory at Agi...
2024-11-07 00:00:00
In June 1944 Allied armies landed in force in northern France, and the liberation of western Europe began. But, the battle that really sealed Hitler's fate was taking place in the east, as the Red Arm...
2024-11-06 00:00:00
The Venerable Bede: life of the week
The Venerable Bede was a monk who lived in Northumbria 1300 years ago, but his influence reached far beyond the confines of his monastic home. In fact, he is remembered today as the 'Father of English...
2024-11-05 00:00:00
How might cryptic messages written from within a political prison bring us closer to understanding a captive queen? Historian Jade Scott has studied the letters Mary, Queen of Scots wrote in captivity...
2024-11-04 00:00:00
The Blitz: everything you wanted to know
How did British civilians respond when they found themselves under aerial bombardment during the Second World War? Was normal life put on hold during air raids? And was 'Blitz Spirit' a real thing? Sp...
2024-11-03 00:00:00
The gunpowder plot: everything you wanted to know
What drove a group of plotters to attempt to blow up the king on 5 November 1605? To what extent did the conspiracy sour relations between Protestants and Catholics? And why do we continue to be so fa...
2024-11-02 00:00:00
Telling the story of modern Jerusalem
First published in 2011, Simon Sebag Montefiore's book Jerusalem: The Biography charts life in the city across the course of centuries. Now he's returned with an updated version, which extends the sto...
2024-11-01 00:00:00
The Tyrant, the usurper and the hero | Henry IV: usurper
Henry Bolingbroke has gone down in history as the usurper that stole the English crown from the tyrant Richard II – and was later plagued by rebellion and ill health. But what else do we know about th...
2024-10-31 00:00:00
Satan & the sabbath: witchhunting in the Basque Country
Satanic sabbaths, magic potions and demonic toads – in the early 17th century, the Basque Country was convulsed by strange accusations of supernatural activities. A new book by Jan Machielsen explores...
2024-10-30 00:00:00
Florence Nightingale: life of the week
From her groundbreaking work in nursing and public health reform to her battles against societal expectations and love of animals, Melissa Pritchard explores the life and legacy of English nurse and s...
2024-10-29 00:00:00
Introducing History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories
Was the moon landing faked? Did Shakespeare actually pen the works he’s credited with? And were the pyramids really built by aliens? In History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories, the new podcast from His...
2024-10-28 12:00:00
Cocaine: a Victorian sensation
In a much-publicised race in the 1870s, the most celebrated athlete of his day, the long-distance pedestrian Edward P Weston, admitted that he had chewed coca leaves, sparking a frenzy of interest in...
2024-10-28 00:00:00
Medieval science: everything you wanted to know
Was the medieval Church really anti-science? Why did one monk hurl himself from an the roof of his abbey tower in the name of experimentation? And what were the high-tech gadgets of the Middle Ages? S...
2024-10-26 23:00:00
Halloween traditions: everything you wanted to know
How did a Catholic religious celebration transform into a spooky, supernatural festivity? Why were turnips and swedes replaced by pumpkins? And what happened on ‘mischief night’? Speaking with Ellie C...
2024-10-25 23:00:00
Medieval women: friendship, wanderlust and the medieval hustle
Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan and Margery Kempe: what can these four extraordinary female writers reveal about the everyday lives of ordinary women in the Middle Ages? Well, r...
2024-10-24 23:00:00
The Tyrant, the usurper and the hero | Richard II: tyrant
Richard II lacked all the qualities a medieval monarch needed, bar one: birthright. Born believing he was God's representative on Earth, the narcissistic tyrant seems to have done everything wrong. Bu...
2024-10-23 23:00:00
Chris Packham & Peter Frankopan: can history help tackle the climate crisis?
Climate change is an issue that animates politicians, scientists and activists around the world – but could looking to history help shape our approach to the climate crisis today? And what role do his...
2024-10-22 23:00:00
History Behind the Headlines: political memoirs, fuel and access to nature
In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore the history of political memoirs, Britain's changing energy supplies across the c...
2024-10-21 23:00:00
Tudor spymaster: the secret machinations of Robert Cecil
Late Tudor England was a dangerous place, with plots both at home and abroad, and no certainty about who was going to succeed the ageing queen, Elizabeth I. Into this perilous world stepped Robert Cec...
2024-10-20 23:00:00
The Korean War: everything you wanted to know
On today's Everything You Wanted to Know episode, we're covering the Korean War, exploring how the nation came to be divided in two, what the impact of fighting was on the peninsular's civilian popula...
2024-10-19 23:00:00
Roman slavery: a brutal life in the ancient empire
How many slaves were there in the Roman empire? Were they cruelly treated, or could they sometimes go on to win fame, fortune and freedom? And how often did they – like Spartacus –rebel? Here, in conv...
2024-10-17 23:00:00
1066: the battle for England | 4. the long and violent Norman Conquest
William of Normandy’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066 was far from the end of the Norman Conquest of England. It took many years, and putting down no small amount of rebellion, for W...
2024-10-16 23:00:00
Imperial spectacle: inside Britain's 1924 'Empire Exhibition'
A century ago, in 1924, the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley opened its doors, receiving as many as 27 million visits over two years. It was a grand declaration of an empire at its territorial hei...
2024-10-15 23:00:00
Across the 65 years of his life, writer John Milton packed a lot in: poet, polemicist, political operator – engaging with ideas that often challenged the status quo. In today's Life of the Week episod...
2024-10-14 23:00:00
Why did people kill for Hitler?
Why were so many Germans prepared to participate in the crimes of the Third Reich? It's a question that has exercised historians and the wider public for decades, and now, in his new book, Hitler's Pe...
2024-10-13 23:00:00
The Cathars: everything you wanted to know
Denounced as heretics by the Catholic church, the Cathars were a offshoot Christian movement which emerged in southern Europe during the 12th century. But what was it about their beliefs that was so o...
2024-10-12 23:00:00
Black British History: everything you wanted to know
October is Black History Month here in the UK. But how far back does the story of black people in Britain stretch - and what evidence do we have about their experiences? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman...
2024-10-11 23:00:00
Shopping and snacking: a social history of the high street
Daring department store stunts. Warming cups of cocoa. Argumentative bartering with butchers. What can revisiting high streets gone by reveal about British social history? Historian Annie Gray takes l...
2024-10-10 23:00:00
1066: the battle for England | 3. Three kings and three battles
The year 1066 is the most famous in English history. It was marked by not just one, but three major battles, and saw three different men ruling as king of England. Marc Morris, in conversation with Da...
2024-10-09 23:00:00
The race to identify all living creatures
In the 18th century, two men – Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon – both independently took on a mammoth task. They set out to identify, describe and categorise all life on Earth. Speaking to M...
2024-10-08 23:00:00
King John has a terrible reputation. He's best known as the monarch who broke the terms of Magna Carta, lost Normandy to the French and committed numerous acts of unspeakable cruelty. Here, in convers...
2024-10-07 23:00:00
Ordinary Vikings: hidden histories of the Nordic world
We know the Vikings best as brutal, seafaring, pagan raiders – and that’s an important part of their lives and histories. But it’s only one aspect: what about their love lives, experiences of travels,...
2024-10-06 23:00:00
Tea history: everything you wanted to know
Chances are, like most of us, you probably enjoy a good cup of tea. But how did the world come to be so obsessed with this now-ubiquitous hot beverage? Where did it originate? How did trading it trigg...
2024-10-05 23:00:00
Apprehending thieves in the street. Disguising as housemaids to spy on adulterous husbands. Investigating and exposing child abuse. The exploits of women detectives in the Victorian era were dramatic,...
2024-10-03 23:00:00
1066: the battle for England | 2. The power behind the Anglo-Saxon throne
Harold II – best known as the defeated king who reportedly got an arrow through the eye at the Battle of Hastings – was part of the Godwin family. In this episode, Marc Morris reveals how the Godwins...
2024-10-02 23:00:00
A hidden history of black civil rights
When we think of American civil rights, we tend to focus on the mid 20th-century and the likes of Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks, who fought for the rights of black people in an era of segregati...
2024-10-01 23:00:00
Eleanor Roosevelt: life of the week
Historian and biographer Susan Ware joins Elinor Evans to discuss the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, from her transformative role as First Lady of the United States during her husband Franklin Delano Roos...
2024-09-30 23:00:00
How did the US get so many guns?
Today there are an estimated 450 million guns in civilian hands in the United States – ten times the number than at the end of the Second World War. But how did that conflict spark a weaponry boom? An...
2024-09-29 23:00:00
Communism: everything you wanted to know
First published in 1848, the The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels presents communism as a 'spectre' haunting Europe. During the century that followed, this revolutionary ideology...
2024-09-28 23:00:00
Liberating WW2 Naples: triumph and tragedy
When Allied forces arrived in Naples in October 1943, they found a city on its knees. Already ravaged by three years of war, Naples had been further decimated by German occupiers and now faced a despe...
2024-09-26 23:00:00
1066: the battle for England | 1. Vikings, Normans and rebellious Anglo-Saxons
The roots of the Norman Conquest of 1066 can be traced all the way back to 1016 – when England was hit by an earlier foreign invasion. This time, the assault came from Denmark and the forces of Cnut. ...
2024-09-25 23:00:00
Churchill's prewar crisis meetings
In the run-up to the Second World War, Winston Churchill's Kent home, Chartwell, was transformed from a cosy country pile to an informal Home Office, as the politician invited influential guests to co...
2024-09-24 23:00:00
Henry VII has gone down in history as the miserable miser who, rightly or wrongly, seized the English Crown from the hands of Richard III at the battle of Bosworth. But, according to historian and aut...
2024-09-23 23:00:00
Tokyo 1946: the war crime trial that shaped Japan's future
In 1946, as Japan stood in ruins at the end of the Second World War, an international trial was launched in Tokyo. It was a mammoth legal and political undertaking that lasted more than two years, as...
2024-09-22 23:00:00
The Stuarts: everything you wanted to know
What do we know about James I's sexuality? How did Charles I squander his throne? How successful was the 'Glorious Revolution'? And why is the turbulence of the 17th century still overshadowed by the...
2024-09-21 23:00:00
Hidden environmental histories of the last 500 years
From the Mongol expansion to the world wars, and from colonialism to the slave trade, the biggest historical events of the past 500 years have reshaped not only human history, but also the natural wor...
2024-09-19 23:00:00
Ancient Egypt | 5. a lost world?
Why are we still so obsessed with ancient Egypt? In this fifth episode of Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett is joined by curator and Egyptologist Campbell Price for a final time to expl...
2024-09-18 23:00:00
Congo, Cold War & CIA plotting: the 1961 assassination that shook Africa
Soon after gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the new Republic of the Congo was rocked by the assassination of its young firebrand leader, Patrice Lumumba. Stuart A Reid unpicks this story in...
2024-09-17 23:00:00
Viking trade, Titanic and Olympic rings: history behind the headlines
Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss the historical news stories that have made headlines this month In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and...
2024-09-16 23:00:00
How ancient India transformed the world
From the Roman economy and Angkor Wat to the spread of Buddhism and the numerical system we use today, ancient India was one of the great seedbeds of human civilisation. Indian art, religion, technolo...
2024-09-15 23:00:00
The Hittites: everything you wanted to know
The Hittites were one of the most powerful civilisations in the Near East, building a vast empire that encompassed much of modern-day Turkey. But aside from a few vague references in ancient texts, pr...
2024-09-14 23:00:00
The Iranian embassy siege: an SAS hostage drama in London
In May 1980, TV coverage of the world snooker final was interrupted by live footage of men in black balaclavas abseiling down the walls of the Iranian Embassy in London. This was Operation Nimrod, a d...
2024-09-12 23:00:00
Ancient Egypt | 4. religion and death
Nothing is more synonymous with ancient Egypt than mummification. But why was this postmortem practice actually performed? And what other rituals and beliefs surrounded death in the ancient civilisati...
2024-09-11 23:00:00
Native Americans: a history of power and survival
The story of Native American societies decimated by European arrival is a familiar one. But, while undoubtedly important, that’s only one part of the story. In her new book Native Nations, Kathleen Du...
2024-09-10 23:00:00
Isambard Kingdom Brunel: life of the week
From pioneering railways and awe-inspiring bridges to ocean-spanning passenger ships and flatpack hospitals, there was no engineering challenge too ambitious for Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The impressiv...
2024-09-09 23:00:00
The 1943 battle of Kursk – and its present-day echoes
Recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war have seen Kursk make headlines – provoking parallels with the Second World War battle that took place in the region. But are such links helpful? And how i...
2024-09-08 23:00:00
Medieval torture: everything you wanted to know
Why were people tortured in the Middle Ages? Was it ever legal? Did the infliction of physical pain play as large a role in medieval prosecutions as we might think? And did anyone actually experience...
2024-09-07 23:00:00
Just how far does our understanding of the medieval past rely upon written sources? And what happens when these precious fragments of knowledge are destroyed? Taking in shocking cases of destruction a...
2024-09-05 23:00:00
What would an average ancient Egyptian citizen's relationship have been with the pyramids? Why did they wear gooey wax cones on their heads? And what was it like to attend an Egyptian religious ritual...
2024-09-04 23:00:00
Our 10,000-year quest for equality
Were hunter-gatherer societies among the most equal in history? What impact did the French and American Revolutions have on the concept of equality? And has equality been on the retreat over the past...
2024-09-03 23:00:00
Michelangelo: life of the week
From his famed statue of David to the extraordinary paintings that adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s work still inspires awe. In this episode, Professor Catherine Fletcher speaks...
2024-09-02 23:00:00
The Battle of Megiddo: ancient Egypt's greatest victory?
The battle of Megiddo is one of the most important battles you've (probably) never heard of. When an army led by Pharaoh Thutmosis III clashed with a coalition of enemy forces 35 centuries ago, Egypt'...
2024-09-01 23:00:00
Prehistoric stone circles: everything you want to know
If you've ever visited one of the many prehistoric stone circles that dot the landscape of Britain and Ireland, you've probably come away with lots of questions. How were they built? When were they bu...
2024-08-31 23:00:00
The plague that brought the Roman empire to its knees
In AD 165, the Roman empire was enjoying a period of seemingly unprecedented prosperity and stability. Then, the Antonine Plague arrived, bringing with it death, chaos, and fear. Speaking with James O...
2024-08-29 23:00:00
Ancient Egypt | 2. everyday life
Ever wondered where an ancient Egyptian did their food shop? Or how crocodile dung could cure your ailments? In this second episode of our series Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett and E...
2024-08-28 23:00:00
False rumps & rotten teeth: 400 years of bizarre beauty practices
From false rumps and fake teeth to toxic skincare and insect-laden wigs, over the past 400 years, British women have resorted to extraordinary lengths in the pursuit of beauty. Speaking to Ellie Cawth...
2024-08-27 23:00:00
Emperor Vespasian: life of the week
The year AD 69 found the Roman empire in a state of chaos. Three emperors had come and gone. Civil war reigned supreme. Rome's enemies smelled blood. Enter Vespasian. In the latest instalment of our '...
2024-08-26 23:00:00
An audacious escape from slavery
On 20 December 1848, Ellen Craft placed a top hat on her head, slipped her arm into a sling, and perched dark green glasses on her nose. Once her disguise was complete, Ellen and her husband William e...
2024-08-25 23:00:00
The Abbasid caliphate: everything you wanted to know
The Abbasid caliphs sat at the head of a vast Islamic empire that stretched from Tunisia to the frontiers of India, which they ruled over for several centuries. But how did they first come to power? W...
2024-08-24 23:00:00
Crusader criminals: how the Holy Land became a hotbed of lawlessness
The medieval crusades are remembered for their sweeping military campaigns. But they also engendered a brutality that went beyond the battlefield – in the form of a violent criminal underbelly, fuelle...
2024-08-22 23:00:00
Ancient Egypt | 1. civilisation
You’re probably familiar with the idea of godly pharaohs, menacing mummies and their deadly curses. But how much do you actually know about the fundamental facts of ancient Egyptian civilisation? In t...
2024-08-21 23:00:00
Ancient Egypt: the big questions | Trailer
From the secrets of the pyramids to the mysteries of mummification, ancient Egypt has captivated the popular imagination for centuries. In HistoryExtra’s new five-part podcast series, we look back at...
2024-08-21 22:50:00
Gulag doctors: saving lives in Stalin's prison camps
The Soviet gulag was a place of brutality, exploitation and death. But it was also home to tens of thousands of medical personnel who had to overcome limited facilities, appalling conditions and polit...
2024-08-20 23:00:00
The far right in Britain: history behind the headlines
In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by historian Nigel Copsey to discuss the long history of the far right in the...
2024-08-19 23:00:00
Practical magic: curses, spells & cunning folk
From love spells to enthral the object of your desires, to charms to influence the outcome of a trial, people turned to cunning folk for all kinds of practical magic in medieval and Tudor England. Spe...
2024-08-18 23:00:00
The history of migration: everything you wanted to know
Since the dawn of humanity, people have been on the move. Our ancestors' ability to travel across vast distances and adapt to different environments has been the key to our species' survival. But why...
2024-08-17 23:00:00
Eighteen-year-olds who changed history
In 21st-century Britain, the age of 18 marks the legal transition from childhood to adulthood. But how has this boundary shifted over time? Alice Loxton speaks to Danny Bird about her new book, Eighte...
2024-08-15 23:00:00
Toilets through time | 4. Victorian lavatories
In the final episode of Toilets Through Time, we’ve finally reached the age of avant-garde sewerage systems and shining porcelain cisterns: the Victorian era. David Musgrove is joined by historian and...
2024-08-14 23:00:00
From Chess and Go, to Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly and the ancient Egyptian game of Senet, people have long had a fascination with games. But according to author and academic Kelly Clancy, these games...
2024-08-13 23:00:00
George Orwell: life of the week
From doublethink and thoughtcrime to coming face-to-face with our worst nightmares inside Room 101, few writers have had as much impact on the popular imagination as George Orwell. But what compelled...
2024-08-12 23:00:00
Lines on a map: borders that shaped world history
People have been drawing lines on maps as long as there have been maps to draw on – whether for political, geographical or sometimes completely arbitrary purposes. But, when it comes to borders, these...
2024-08-11 23:00:00
Tartan: everything you wanted to know
We're all familiar with the checks and stripes of tartan. But, how much do you know about the colourful history of the textile famously sported by the Scottish clans? According to historian and tartan...
2024-08-10 23:00:00
Olympic History: everything you wanted to know
Over the past two weeks, we've witnessed spectacular sporting achievements in Paris. And for anyone who doesn't feel quite ready for the Olympics to be over just yet, we've got the pod for you. In thi...
2024-08-09 23:00:00
Hidden labs, sex gardens & torture attics: secrets of British royal palaces
If walls could talk, what secrets would those of a British royal palace whisper? Murder, debauchery, treason and more, says Professor Kate Williams. Speaking to Kev Lochun, she reveals how palaces mak...
2024-08-08 23:00:00
Toilets through time | 3. Tudor garderobes
Did constipation turn Henry VIII into a tyrant? For the third episode of our mini-series Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove revisits the luxurious surroundings of the royal Tudor water closet. To te...
2024-08-07 23:00:00
Gulbadan Begum: princess, explorer, author
Gulbadan Begum was meant to live a quiet life in a Mughal harem. Instead she set off on a daring pilgrimage to Islam's holy cities and, on her return, wrote an extraordinary account of her dynasty. In...
2024-08-06 23:00:00
Anne Frank was one of six million Jews to be murdered by the Nazis. A number of these victims' lives were lost to history. But Anne had left behind a diary – a diary that would become a global sensati...
2024-08-05 23:00:00
In August 1911, an Italian handyman walked out of Paris' Louvre museum with the Mona Lisa tucked under his arm. It was an audacious theft that shocked the art world, aroused the attention of the world...
2024-08-04 23:00:00
The Great Exhibition: everything you wanted to know
In 1851, a spectacular showcase of the world's best art, design and innovation opened in London. Housed in a magnificent 'Crystal Palace' constructed by Joseph Paxton in just five months, the Great Ex...
2024-08-03 23:00:00
Dismemberment & disgrace: the grisly fate of Simon de Montfort
Simon de Montfort's body was horribly mutilated and dismembered after his defeat at 1265's fateful Battle of Evesham, during the Second Barons' War. The medieval rebel leader's head and testicles were...
2024-08-01 23:00:00
Toilets through time | 2. Medieval privies
Why were medieval monks so afraid of going to the loo? In the second episode of our mini-series Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove heads into the dark and dangerous world of medieval latrines on a q...
2024-07-31 23:00:00
Has imperial history become too politicised?
Controversies surrounding the history of the British empire have become particularly intense in recent years, with academics, politicians and commentators all offering differing views about how we sho...
2024-07-30 23:00:00
Francis Drake: life of the week
As Elizabethan England's most famous sea captain, Francis Drake saw his fair share of sea-faring adventures – from scuffles with the Spanish Armada, to circumnavigating the globe. But his story also c...
2024-07-29 23:00:00
Our long obsession with the end of the world
From asteroids, bacteria and comets to growing fears about artificial intelligence and climate change, human history has long been stalked by a terror of the end of days. But what do these fears tell...
2024-07-28 23:00:00
The Grand Tour: everything you wanted to know
In the 18th century, countless British travellers set off to continental Europe in search of art, architecture... and a good time. But what were the must-see locations on the Grand Tour? How did peopl...
2024-07-27 23:00:00
Black Death: everything you wanted to know
Earlier this week, new comedy drama The Decameron dropped on Netflix. Based on a set of 14th-century tales by Giovanni Boccaccio, it follows the raucous exploits of a group of medieval Italian nobles,...
2024-07-26 23:00:00
The Decameron: sex, plague, and a medieval Love Island
What would you do if your home town was ravaged by plague? Would you lock your doors and hide? Run for the hills? Or accept that the end was nigh and party? Boccaccio's The Decameron - a medieval best...
2024-07-25 23:00:00
Toilets through time | 1. Roman latrines
What was it like to do your business in a Roman communal toilet? In the first episode of our new mini-series, Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove begins his journey through the bathrooms of British h...
2024-07-24 23:00:00
Assassinations that shaped US history
Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump earlier in July, historian Adam Smith speak to Matt Elton about previous attempts to kill political leaders in the United States – and how these e...
2024-07-23 23:00:00
Is democracy doomed? History behind the headlines
In the latest episode of our monthly series exploring the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by Professor Paul Cartledge to explore the long roots of recent tensions in d...
2024-07-22 23:00:00
Catherine of Braganza: the Merrie Monarch's forgotten queen
Picture Charles II's court and you'll probably imagine a riot of excess, filled with drinking, games, and of course, mistresses. The queen by Charles' side, Catherine of Braganza, is often obscured by...
2024-07-21 23:00:00
The Spanish Inquisition: everything you wanted to know
The era of the Spanish Inquisition is most commonly remembered as a period of widespread fear and paranoia, where communities turned on each other and torture was rife. But how true is this popular pe...
2024-07-20 23:00:00
1217: the year that (almost) changed English history
1217 is not one of the most famous years in English history. But with a major French invasion looming and a brutal war that wracked both towns and the countryside, this was a year that could have alte...
2024-07-18 23:00:00
Deeds not words | 6. Mission accomplished?
After an escalating campaign of bombing and arson attacks, the suffragette movement was brought to a sudden halt on the outbreak of war in 1914. In the final episode of our new series Deeds not words:...
2024-07-17 23:00:00
Kindness & hostility: refugees in wartime Britain
Before and during the Second World War, Britain provided a safe haven for thousands of people fleeing Nazi persecution. But, as the author Paul Dowswell argues, this is not an entirely heroic story. I...
2024-07-16 23:00:00
Catherine de' Medici: life of the week
Catherine de' Medici has gone down in history as the sinister 'serpent queen', who had a troop of female spies in her court and may have instigated the deadly St Bartholomew's Day massacre. But is thi...
2024-07-15 23:00:00
The suffragettes who fell in love
Evelina Haverfield and Vera Holme, known as Jack, were in love. Not only were they in love, but they also worked together – as suffragette protestors, during prison sentences, and on the wards of mili...
2024-07-14 23:00:00
Servants: everything you wanted to know
What was it like to be a servant in one of Britain's grand stately homes? How much were domestic staff paid? And what made maids revolt against wearing mopcaps? From daily drudgery to stories of scand...
2024-07-13 23:00:00
Anxieties of the Edwardian age
The Edwardian era is sometimes regarded as an uneventful stopgap between the cultural and technological innovations of the Victorian period and the seismic shifts brought about by the First World War....
2024-07-11 23:00:00
Deeds not words | 5. Burning down the house
Smashing windows, burning down politicians’ homes and planting bombs in public places. As the suffragette movement progressed, it turned to increasingly extreme methods to further its cause. In episod...
2024-07-10 23:00:00
How the Plantagenets forged the English state
Between 1199 and 1399, English politics was packed full of high drama, as the Plantagenet monarchs reacted - and adapted - to plague, warfare, uprisings and economic crises. But, according to medieval...
2024-07-09 23:00:00
Justinian stands tall among the Byzantine rulers, as the 'sleepless emperor' whose religious fervour and legislative zeal saw him rebuild the eastern Roman empire from the ground up... until the 'four...
2024-07-08 23:00:00
The woman who saved the children
Eglantyne Jebb was a woman who had no real love of children – but nevertheless worked tirelessly to campaign for their rights. Clare Mulley joins us to discuss the life and work of a pioneering fundra...
2024-07-07 23:00:00
Victorian crime and punishment: everything you wanted to know
Could children be hanged in Victorian Britain? Were the streets of Dickensian London haunted by organised gangs, or opportunistic pickpockets? What tricks and tools did Victorian police have at their...
2024-07-06 23:00:00
How the Dreyfus Affair tore France apart
In 1894, French artillery officer Alfred Dreyfus was falsely accused of passing military secrets to Germany. These swirling accusations and the subsequent degradation and humiliation suffered by Dreyf...
2024-07-04 23:00:00
Deeds not words | 4. Cat and mouse
The suffragettes’ relationship with the British establishment was fractious to say the least. As well as experiencing police brutality on the streets, the activists were subjected to violent force-fee...
2024-07-03 23:00:00
The surprising lives of ancient women
Did you know that while Mark Antony was having an affair with Cleopatra, his wife, Fulvia, was fighting a battle on his behalf in Rome? Or that the first named author was a woman? What about the fact...
2024-07-02 23:00:00
How much do we really know about the Iceni warrior leader who rose up against Rome? How close did she come to success? And can we know what she looked like? Speaking to Elinor Evans, archaeologist and...
2024-07-01 23:00:00
How Stalin ran rings round the west
The wartime alliance between Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt was arguably the most important of the 20th century – and among the most fraught. Here, in conversation with Spenc...
2024-06-30 23:00:00
British general elections: everything you wanted to know
While it might seem unimaginable today, there was a time when who you voted for in a general election was a matter of public record - and if you were working class, or a women, you wouldn’t have been...
2024-06-29 23:00:00
You might think that people in the Middle Ages did not exercise for fun. But that's not so, according to Professor Carole Rawcliffe of the University of East Anglia. She has studied medieval fitness g...
2024-06-27 23:00:00
Deeds not words | 3. Making a statement
From eye-catching merchandise and punchy logos to memorable colour-schemes and trouble-making stunts, the suffragettes mastered the art of making a statement. In the third episode of our new series De...
2024-06-26 23:00:00
A 21st-century Holocaust trial
In October 2019 Bruno Dey went on trial in Hamburg for his involvement in a horrific crime – 75 years after that crime had been committed. Dey was now an old man but in his youth he had served as a gu...
2024-06-25 23:00:00
Catherine Parr: life of the week
She was the most-married wife of England's most-married king, but there was so much more to Catherine Parr. Speaking to Kev Lochun, Tudor historian Elizabeth Norton explores the circumstances that bro...
2024-06-24 23:00:00
Invisible ink & toad poison: tools of Elizabethan spycraft
How did spies plot and plant information in Elizabethan England? How easy was it to break open a confidential sealed letter and, if necessary, forge its contents? And how high were the stakes? Speakin...
2024-06-23 23:00:00
Chocolate history: everything you wanted to know
It's one of the world's most popular treats and a significant part of the global economy, but how much do you really know about the history of chocolate? Well, for today's 'everything you wanted to kn...
2024-06-22 23:00:00
Work-life balance: how our ancestors fought for free time
Work-life balance might seem like a thoroughly modern concern, as many people today struggle to maintain boundaries between our jobs and out home life. But in fact, this issue has a long history. So,...
2024-06-20 23:00:00
Deeds not words | 2. Pankhurst family portrait
One family – the Pankhursts – stood at the centre of the suffragette movement. They set the agenda and inspired their followers into action, but their ideas about political campaigning were not always...
2024-06-19 23:00:00
Anne Boleyn is one the most famous queens in history, but what do we get wrong about Henry VIII's tragic second wife? Speaking to Lauren Good, historian Estelle Paranque sheds new light on this iconic...
2024-06-18 23:00:00
Historical apologies & female leaders: History behind the headlines
In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at historical examples of leaders making public apologies, trailblazing female...
2024-06-17 23:00:00
Has WW2 become a national religion?
The way in which we commemorate D-Day, and other pivotal moments of the Second World War, has been making headlines in recent weeks. Alec Ryrie, professor of history at Durham University, explores why...
2024-06-16 23:00:00
Beowulf: everything you wanted to know
Beowulf is the most famous Old English epic poem, relating the adventures of the eponymous hero as he battles beasts and dragons in a pre-Viking Scandinavian world. However, it's so much more than jus...
2024-06-15 23:00:00
With the second half of Bridgerton series three landing on Netflix yesterday, fans have been drawn back into the romantic world of Regency ballrooms. But how accurate are the dance scenes in the show?...
2024-06-13 23:00:00
Deeds not words | 1. Battlelines are drawn
In the opening episode of our new series on the suffragettes, Ellie Cawthorne charts how calls of “votes for women” reached boiling point in Edwardian Britain. Speaking to expert historians, she uncov...
2024-06-12 23:10:00
Introducing our series on the suffragettes where Ellie Cawthorne and expert historians chart how calls of “votes for women” reached boiling point in Edwardian Britain. They look into how the suffraget...
2024-06-12 23:00:00
War, peace & cherry trees: finding hope after WW2
A Polish priest who was murdered in Auschwitz. A survivor of the Nagasaki atom bomb who campaigned against nuclear war. And a Japanese school teacher who sent cherry trees as peace offerings around th...
2024-06-11 23:00:00
Dwight D Eisenhower: life of the week
Few men did more to shape the course of the 20th century than Dwight D Eisenhower. Not only did 'Ike' mastermind the Allied invasion of western Europe on D-Day, but he also went on to become president...
2024-06-10 23:00:00
Forging first editions: a 1930s crime caper
Thomas James Wise was well-respected among the rare book fanatics of 1930s London as a consummate collector. But when he began to uncover a surprising amount of valuable first editions in mint conditi...
2024-06-09 23:00:00
The pilgrim fathers: everything you wanted to know
How bad were conditions aboard the Mayflower? How did the colonists survive that first harsh winter? And why have they attained such an iconic status in the American consciousness? In conversation wit...
2024-06-08 23:00:00
Beastly Victorians: preventing animal cruelty in the 19th century
The first piece of legislation preventing animal cruelty was passed in Britain during the 1820s – but that's not to say the British have always lived up to the cherished idea of being a nation of anim...
2024-06-06 23:00:00
D-Day: was Churchill really against the operation?
Today, 6 June, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, one of the key episodes in the Second World War. But what did Winston Churchill make of the plans for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France? W...
2024-06-05 23:10:00
The Allied invasion of Normandy saw troops coming ashore across five landing beaches and dropping behind enemy lines by parachute and glider. But what happened to the men after they had arrived in Fra...
2024-06-05 23:00:00
A 17th-century scandal & a writer's secret life
To poet, playwright and writer Aphra Behn, the tale of a runaway aristocrat's daughter Lady Henrietta Berkeley, her scandalous affair and equally dramatic subsequent trial was rich material for some o...
2024-06-04 23:00:00
Ancient Greece produced some of the most celebrated philosophers in history. Yet in terms of fame and enduring influence, none rival Plato. This Athenian's theories on everything from the nature of th...
2024-06-03 23:00:00
Breastfeeding in the Middle Ages
Breastfeeding has been part of raising children since the dawn of time. However, studying its history also highlights stories of grief, community support and enforced labour. Speaking to Emily Briffet...
2024-06-02 23:00:00
Death and mourning in Britain: everything you wanted to know
Why did people start cremating bodies? When did black become the colour of mourning? And who are the 'invisible dead'? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman, historian Douglas Davies answers your top question...
2024-06-01 23:00:00
Julian: the Roman emperor who (almost) changed the world
It's one of the great what-ifs of ancient history. After Constantine the Great had converted Rome to Christianity it seemed that the faith's progress was inevitable, but just a few decades later a new...
2024-05-30 23:00:00
During the early hours of 6 June 1944, a huge armada of Allied ships crossed the Channel, poised to deliver the largest seaborne invasion the world had ever seen. But sailors didn’t just ferry troops...
2024-05-29 23:00:00
A Soviet road trip through 1930s America
After years of suspicion and hostility, relations between the Soviet Union and the United States had improved by the 1930s. In this episode, Lisa Kirschenbaum tells Danny Bird about how two Soviet sat...
2024-05-28 23:00:00
Galileo Galilei stands as one of the most significant figures in the history of science and thought. But how did he gain this illustrious reputation? In today's 'Life of the Week' episode, historian o...
2024-05-27 23:00:00
What was life like as a peasant?
Europe's peasants have all but disappeared since the end of the Second World War. Patrick Joyce has studied the past 200 years of the peasant experience, and in conversation with David Musgrove, he ex...
2024-05-26 23:00:00
The history of museums: everything you wanted to know
Millions of people flock to museums each year, eager to learn about the past and be inspired by the artefacts on display. But how old is the concept of the museum? How exactly has it shifted over time...
2024-05-25 23:00:00
Forgotten women writers of the Renaissance
You've heard of Shakespeare, but have you heard of his contemporary Mary Sidney, the first person to translate the Book of Psalms into English poetry? Or what about Elizabeth Cary, who published the f...
2024-05-23 23:00:00
On 6 June 1944, the Allies began their long-awaited invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. By the end of the day, more than 150,000 men had landed in northern France, ready to start pushing further inland....
2024-05-22 23:00:00
Cat crazy: the Victorian mania for moggies
At the end of the 19th century, Britain and America entered the grip of a cat craze that saw the humble moggy catapulted from urban nuisance to beloved household pet. Historian Kathryn Hughes speaks t...
2024-05-21 23:00:00
Maria Theresa: life of the week
Maria Theresa defied expectations of what a female ruler could achieve in the 18th century. When she ascended the throne of the Habsburg empire in 1740, there were riots on the streets of Vienna, and...
2024-05-20 23:00:00
Agent Zo: spying against the Nazis
Operating under the codename Agent Zo, Polish resistance fighter Elżbieta Zawacka was one of the most courageous intelligence agents of the Second World War. From running secret missives under the nos...
2024-05-19 23:00:00
The Terror: everything you wanted to know
Why did the French Revolution descend into a spiral of paranoia, finger-pointing and state violence? Were fears of treachery and counter-revolution justified? And how did the guillotine become a symbo...
2024-05-18 23:00:00
The real Lady Whistledown & the golden age of gossip
Smash-hit historical romance Bridgerton returns this week. One of the series' key characters is the elusive Lady Whistledown – a savvy wordsmith with a penchant for causing mayhem among the Regency el...
2024-05-16 23:00:00
WW2's greatest battles | 5. Guadalcanal
Why did a remote Pacific island become one of the most fiercely fought-over locations in the Second World War? In the fifth and final episode of our series on WW2's Greatest Battles, military historia...
2024-05-15 23:00:00
A surprising history of sex between men
Until recently, the history of sex between men was a taboo topic. But by delving into the historical archive, historian Sir Noel Malcolm has uncovered a more complex story of same-sex relationships an...
2024-05-14 23:00:00
History Behind the Headlines: student protests down the centuries
In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter chronicle the history of student protests, explore the story of a remarkable medieval ast...
2024-05-13 23:00:00
Tudor ladies-in-waiting: the women who served Henry VIII's queens
Every queen had ladies in waiting, but few of those royal companions witnessed such tumult as the women who served the six queens of Henry VIII. Speaking to Kev Lochun, Dr Nicola Clark discusses how t...
2024-05-12 23:00:00
Ancient Greek theatre: everything you wanted to know
Was tragedy or comedy the crowd favourite of the ancient Greek stage? Were audiences raucous and rowdy, or quiet and civilised? And how much do modern theatrical productions draw on their ancient ante...
2024-05-11 23:00:00
The Tattooist of Auschwitz: is it ok to fictionalise the Holocaust?
Is it ever appropriate to fictionalise the Holocaust? That's a question highlighted by the controversies surrounding The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a 2018 novel by Heather Morris, which sold millions acr...
2024-05-09 23:00:00
WW2's greatest battles | 4. El Alamein
In October 1942, Axis and Allied forces went head-to-head in the North African desert. Fighting over access to the Suez Canal and crucial oil fields, tanks and infantrymen slogged it out across sand d...
2024-05-08 23:00:00
Shardlake: bringing the Tudor murder mystery to the screen
Based on the bestselling novels of CJ Sansom, Disney+'s new Tudor drama Shardlake is a 16th-century whodunnit that takes place during the tumult of the dissolution of the monasteries. The show's histo...
2024-05-07 23:00:00
Kublai Khan will go down in history as the man who cemented the Mongol empire's status as the one of the mightiest powers in the world – and changed the course of Chinese history in the process. In ou...
2024-05-06 23:00:00
In March 1911, twelve Black men were brought to a forest in Maryland. Under supervision, they cleared land and laid foundations for what would become the Crownsville Hospital, a segregated mental asyl...
2024-05-05 23:00:00
The Spartans: Everything You Wanted to Know
How remarkable was the Spartans' yesstalwart resistance against the Persians at Thermopylae? Was their military training as tough as historians would have us believe? And just how austere were they? T...
2024-05-04 23:00:00
Death by nostalgia: the curious history of a dangerous emotion
At the end of the 17th century, a Swiss physician diagnosed a deadly new disease - nostalgia. Agnes Arnold-Forster explores the surprising cultural history of the emotion, from the longing "Ostalgie"...
2024-05-02 23:00:00
WW2's greatest battles | 3. Battle of the Atlantic
As the Second World War raged on, Atlantic sea-routes became a crucial lifeline for Britain as merchant ships kept them supplied with critical equipment and food. But this made them an irresistible ta...
2024-05-01 23:00:00
Smash hits: 17th-century style
The music of the past can tell us a great deal about the time in which it was created - from societal trends to political affiliations. As part of the '100 Ballads' project, Professor Christopher Mars...
2024-04-30 23:00:00
Benjamin Franklin: life of the week
One of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin is a towering figure in 18th-century history. Although he is widely remembered for his role in the American War of Indepe...
2024-04-29 23:00:00
OJ Simpson: the trial that gripped the world
When former American football player and actor OJ Simpson was arrested in 1994 for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, he was one of the most famous men in America. The...
2024-04-28 23:00:00
What was the 'black goo' that coated ancient Egyptian mummies? Could ancient Egyptians take a sick day to bury their loved ones? And were ancient cat mummies really used to fertilise the fields of Vic...
2024-04-27 23:00:00
The Magus: enlightened magician or Renaissance charlatan?
An unlikely mix of scientist, scholar, engineer and magician, the 'Magus' sat at the heart of the transformative Renaissance period. These mysterious figures ushered in the dawn of modern chemistry an...
2024-04-25 23:00:00
WW2's greatest battles | 2. Stalingrad
In 1942, the forces of Nazi Germany and its allies came head-to-head with those of the Soviet Union at a city on the Volga. The battle of Stalingrad was to become one of the war's grimmest, as infantr...
2024-04-24 23:00:00
Were the Aztecs really obsessed with death and sacrifice? Did they have a pantheon of deities similar to the ancient Greeks or Romans? And how did a magical gem change the fortune of the Aztec people?...
2024-04-23 23:00:00
David Lloyd George: life of the week
David Lloyd George regularly features in lists of Britain’s greatest prime ministers. Born in Manchester and raised in rural Wales, the Liberal luminary helped lay the foundations of the modern welfar...
2024-04-22 23:00:00
Graffiti's golden age: radicalism & romance in the 18th century
From etchings scratched into the earliest monuments, to the spray can designs that appear on structures today, the urge to leave our mark is universal. But in 18th-century Britain, the nature of graff...
2024-04-21 23:00:00
Highwaymen: everything you wanted to know
Were highwaymen really as dashing and gentlemanly as the stories would have us believe? How did these bandits pick the best locations to rob from the rich? And how much of the legend surrounding Dick...
2024-04-20 23:00:00
An African perspective on the history of Africa
Africa's story has long been presented in western narratives as one that only 'began' with the arrival of non-Africans – yet modern science has revealed that the African continent was, in fact, the cr...
2024-04-18 23:00:00
WW2's greatest battles | 1. Battle of Britain
In the summer of 1940, the skies over Britain filled with the sounds as of engines and gunfire, as the battle of Britain saw the RAF and Luftwaffe go head-to-head in a fight for air dominance. For the...
2024-04-17 23:10:00
WW2's greatest battles | Trailer
Did Allied victory in the Second World War really hinge on the battle of the Atlantic? What made Stalingrad such a pivotal victory for the Soviet Union? And how did forces adapt to desert warfare at E...
2024-04-17 23:00:00
How Kissinger transformed the Cold War
Henry Kissinger, who died in November 2023 at the age of 100, was one of the most significant, and controversial, figures of the 20th century. Matt Elton spoke to historian Rana Mitter about the Ameri...
2024-04-16 23:00:00
Famously branded "mad, bad and dangerous to know", Lord Byron captured the imagination – and attention – of early 19th-century Britain with his soul-bearing poetry, decadent lifestyle and torrid love...
2024-04-15 23:00:00
Horrible Histories: 15 years of death, poo and talking rats
Since it first hit TV screens back in 2009, Horrible Histories has brought Terry Deary and Martin Brown’s hugely successful series of books to an entire generation of children. As it marks its 15th an...
2024-04-14 23:00:00
Medieval medicine: everything you wanted to know
What would a medieval first aid kit have contained? What were the era's strangest cures? And is it true that it was better to steer clear of the doctor altogether in the Middle Ages? Speaking to Emily...
2024-04-13 23:00:00
Death & hubris in west Africa: how two British expeditions met with disaster
In the early 19th century, two different British expeditions headed into the interior of West Africa – and both ended in disaster. But what was driving the expeditions, and why were they so ill-prepar...
2024-04-11 23:00:00
Conspiracy Revisited: The JFK assassination – Oswald’s second murder
In part 2 of a special bonus episode of our Conspiracy series, Rob Attar and Gerald Posner delve deeper into the questions surrounding the assassination of JFK. Who did Lyndon Johnson think was behind...
2024-04-10 23:00:00
Clotilda: the last slave ship to America
The transatlantic slave trade was formally abolished in both Britain and the US in 1807 and 1808 – yet slave ships were still forcibly bringing enslaved African people to the Americas right up to the...
2024-04-09 23:00:00
History behind the headlines: the Bengal famine
In the latest episode of History Behind the Headlines, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by award-winning journalist and producer Kavita Puri to discuss the history of famine, and the challenges...
2024-04-08 23:00:00
Spying in the Troubles: the murky world of double agents in Northern Ireland
The Troubles in Northern Ireland was a difficult, bloody period, which lasted for almost 30 years. During that time, the British secret services ran an extensive intelligence operation to infiltrate t...
2024-04-07 23:00:00
Welsh mythology: everything you wanted to know
What do white horses symbolise in Welsh mythology? What is the Mabinogion? Was King Arthur from Wales? And why do fairy folk hold a particularly sinister place in Welsh folklore? Speaking to Elinor Ev...
2024-04-06 23:00:00
Tying the knot: 500 years of wedded bliss and marital misery
Over the last 500 years, countless people in England and Wales have decided to tie the knot. But what motivated people in the past to get married? What inspired the traditional wedding vows? And when...
2024-04-04 23:00:00
Conspiracy Revisited: The JFK assassination – 95 per cent certain?
The killing of President John F Kennedy in Dallas in November 1963 is one of the defining events of the 20th century and the subject of multiple conspiracy theories. In part one of a special bonus epi...
2024-04-03 23:00:00
The British empire's divisive legacy
Sathnam Sanghera’s bestselling 2021 book Empireland catapulted the author into the eye of a media storm. Following the release of its follow-up, Empireworld, he spoke to Matt Elton about how it felt t...
2024-04-02 23:00:00
The name of medieval leader and military commander Saladin has gone down in history for unifying the Muslim Near East, capturing the holy city of Jerusalem and an iconic rivalry with Richard the Lionh...
2024-04-01 23:00:00
Back in the USSR: the Soviet Sixties
Within just a few years of Stalin's death in 1953, the Soviet Union had sent the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. An era of renewal and excitement beckoned. Speaking to Danny Bird, Rob...
2024-03-31 23:00:00
Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: everything you wanted to know
Were the Anglo-Saxons always called the Anglo-Saxons? What did it take to make or break an early medieval king? And how did Christianity revolutionise the governance of their kingdoms? Speaking to Emi...
2024-03-31 00:00:00
Dinosaurs: a Victorian obsession
Through the 19th century, people began to find strange and spectacular bones of "impossible monsters" in the earth. But what creatures could these bones belong to – and what did that mean both for rel...
2024-03-29 00:00:00
Tiger Tamer | 6. battling against Bovril
At the turn of the 20th century, bicycles and motor cars became fixtures on Britain’s roads. Bob Carlisle, the original ‘wheelbarrow pedestrian’, found himself overtaken in this transport revolution....
2024-03-28 00:00:00
How was Elizabeth I shaped by her childhood?
Elizabeth I is probably best remembered as an aging monarch, with a powdered white face and elaborate red wig. But she was just 25 when she became queen, and had by then had already lived a dramatic a...
2024-03-27 00:00:00
Joan of Arc has gone down in history as the virgin saviour of France – a patriotic martyr who was unjustly burnt at the stake at the hands of her Anglo-Burgundian opponents. But there's more to the st...
2024-03-26 00:00:00
Leftovers: how our ancestors battled food waste
From Tudor slop buckets to WW2 potato peel recipes, Eleanor Barnett tells Ellie Cawthorne about how our ancestors used up food leftovers. She reveals some ingenious and appetising tactics for tackling...
2024-03-25 00:00:00
WW1's eastern front: everything you wanted to know
How did the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand lead events in Europe to spiral out of control so rapidly? Why was Germany and Austria-Hungary's bloody clash with the Russian empire during the First Wo...
2024-03-24 00:00:00
Eric 'Winkle' Brown: Britain's most extraordinary pilot
It would be fair to say that Second World War pilot Eric 'Winkle' Brown led an extraordinary life. He narrowly escaped death when his ship was torpedoed, smashed the world record for flying the most t...
2024-03-22 00:00:00
Tiger Tamer | 5. crazy about wheelbarrows
The great wheelbarrow craze of 1886-7 was a short-lived media sensation, witnessing a flood of people charging from Scotland to London with barrows. One man had kicked off this bizarre trend – Bob Car...
2024-03-21 00:00:00
Will the real Jesus please stand up?
In the modern world we have a relatively narrow idea of who Jesus was, but things were quite different in the early years of Christianity. Many alternative versions of his life and personality prolife...
2024-03-20 00:00:00
Mary Wollstonecraft: life of the week
Mary Wollstonecraft was a firebrand thinker of the Enlightenment – proposing radical ideas about the fundamental rights of women. And her life was just as groundbreaking as her work, from having a fro...
2024-03-19 00:00:00
An obscenity trial that shocked Victorian Britain
In 1877, Annie Besant took the stand. She was on trial for selling an "obscene publication" – a pamphlet designed to educate the masses on birth control. Author Michael Meyer tells Ellie Cawthorne abo...
2024-03-18 00:00:00
The Capetians: everything you wanted to know
How did the Capetian dynasty hold on to the French throne for such a long time during the Middle Ages? How did deep-seated religious beliefs shape their rule? And what was the ‘Capetian miracle’? Spea...
2024-03-17 00:00:00
Lothar II vs Theutberga: a marriage scandal that shook the ninth century
King Henry VIII famously ran into a world of problems trying to get out of his numerous marriages. And interestingly, we can find a similar story of royal marital strife all the way back in the ninth-...
2024-03-15 00:00:00
Tiger Tamer | 4. celebrity pedestrian
Tickling tigers one day, and cracking jokes to expectant crowds the next, Bob Carlisle was a circus showman, agent, clown and big cat tamer. In the third episode of our new series on this larger-than-...
2024-03-14 00:00:00
A political earthquake: Britain's first Labour government
In January 1924 Ramsay MacDonald, the son of a farm labourer, strode into 10 Downing Street as prime minister - and changed the nation's political landscape for good. David Torrance tells Spencer Mize...
2024-03-13 00:00:00
James VI and I: life of the week
James Stuart became king of Scotland at just 13 months old, and has since been known as 'the cradle king'. So, what was his childhood like? How did he come to the throne of England? And how much is kn...
2024-03-12 00:00:00
From Russia to Texas: the search for a Jewish homeland
At the turn of the 20th century, millions of European Jews were seeking an escape from antisemitic persecution. While many dreamed of Palestine, a few thousand made their way, instead, to Galveston in...
2024-03-11 00:00:00
British Redcoats: everything you wanted to know
Was the Duke of Marlborough Britain's greatest ever military commander? How did Britain face down the challenge of an expansionist France? And did soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars feel that they we...
2024-03-10 00:00:00
The West's attempt to crush Bolshevik Russia
Following the October Revolution of 1917, Russia's nascent Bolshevik regime acted on its word to take the country out of the First World War by brokering peace with Germany. Speaking to Danny Bird, An...
2024-03-08 00:00:00
Tiger Tamer | 3. would you let a tiger lick your face?
Tickling tigers one day, and cracking jokes to expectant crowds the next, Bob Carlisle was a circus showman, agent, clown and big cat tamer. In the third episode of our new series on this larger-than-...
2024-03-07 00:00:00
Mary & George: the real history behind the new drama
New drama Mary and George has just arrived on Sky Atlantic and HBO, transporting us back to the intrigues and scandals of the court of King James VI and I. Author and historical advisor Benjamin Wooll...
2024-03-06 00:00:00
History Behind the Headlines: ageing politicians & new names for the London Overground
The latest instalment of our monthly series sees Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter talk to Matt Elton about the extent to which age has historically been a factor in who gets elected. Plus: telling working...
2024-03-05 00:00:00
The man who ran Auschwitz: the real story of The Zone of Interest
The Oscar-nominated film The Zone of Interest is one of the most acclaimed and talked about films of 2024. Directed by Jonathan Glazer and loosely based on a novel of the same name by Martin Amis, The...
2024-03-04 00:00:00
Alcatraz: everything you wanted to know
Alcatraz is remembered as one of history's most hardline prisons, known for its ingenious escape attempts, gruelling regime, barren location and dangerous inmates. Speaking to Rebecca Franks, historia...
2024-03-03 00:00:00
Plague, leprosy & murder: unlocking the secrets of medieval bones
What secrets can medieval human remains unlock? With exciting new developments in the science of palaeopathology, researchers are able to glean much more from human bones than ever before. Speaking to...
2024-03-01 00:00:00
Tiger Tamer | 2. sail, steam & stormy seas
What was it like to sail the high seas in the Victorian age? In the second episode in our new series on Bob Carlisle, a widely forgotten but larger-than-life character of the 19th century, David Musgr...
2024-02-29 00:00:00
The EU: from Maastricht to Brexit
From Maastricht to Brexit, the European Union's first three decades have entailed plenty of political and economic drama. Danny Bird speaks to Dermot Hodson about his new book, Circle of Stars, which...
2024-02-28 00:00:00
Rudyard Kipling: life of the week
Rudyard Kipling is beloved by many for his children's books and inspirational poems. But he was also called the "Bard of Empire", known for writing The White Man's Burden. For today's Life of the Week...
2024-02-27 00:00:00
Winthrop Bell: a Canadian spy who predicted Nazi horrors
In his public life, Dr Winthrop Bell was a Harvard professor and wealthy businessman. But as a secret agent, reporting from Germany in the aftermath of the First World War, he was one of the first to...
2024-02-26 00:00:00
Arts & Crafts movement: everything you wanted to know
What was the Arts and Crafts movement? How far was it associated with radical politics? And is it alive and well today? The Victorian cultural movement was transformative in our understanding of the i...
2024-02-25 00:00:00
Stonewall: the 1969 fight for gay rights
To mark LGBT+ history month, we're revisiting a classic episode on a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. Speaking to Matt Elton in 2019, historian Chris Parkes explored the background to the 1969 Stonew...
2024-02-24 00:00:00
The Chinese migrants chasing an American dream
What led two teenagers from Canton province in China to emigrate to California in the late 19th-century? And what lives awaited them on America's west coast? Speaking to Elinor Evans, Hugo Wong discus...
2024-02-23 00:00:00
The Tiger Tamer who went to sea | Trailer
The Tiger Tamer who went to sea, from HistoryExtra, is the story of one remarkable Victorian man who lived the life of a dozen men. His adventures as a global seafarer and as a circus clown, showman a...
2024-02-22 00:00:00
Tiger Tamer | 1. “the life of a dozen men”
Bob Carlisle was a Victorian influencer and minor celebrity; a global seafarer, circus clown and lion tamer, and Britain’s original long-distance ‘wheelbarrow pedestrian’. This new six-part series see...
2024-02-22 00:00:00
The Britons who rebuilt postwar Germany
Daniel Cowling talks to Spencer Mizen about the British occupation of Germany from 1945-49, and describes how the young officials tasked with rebuilding a broken nation navigated acute privation, a tr...
2024-02-21 00:00:00
Christopher Columbus: life of the week
In the list of famous explorers, the name of Christopher Columbus stands out. Seen for many years as the man who supposedly 'discovered' the Americas, his heroic legacy is now being challenged and cri...
2024-02-20 00:00:00
Slavic Myths: vampires werewolves – and cabbages
The Slavic diaspora is one of the biggest in the world – so why aren't their myths better known? Speaking to Kev Lochun, Noah Charney and Svetlana Slapšak introduce the Slavic gods, explaining how the...
2024-02-19 00:00:00
The Roman army: everything you wanted to know
What did the average Roman soldier eat and drink while on campaign? Were the legions seen as a oppressive force in the regions they conquered? And why was one Roman centurion nicknamed 'bring me anoth...
2024-02-18 00:00:00
Chanel: glamour and controversy on the Riviera
As AppleTV+ new drama The New Look hits our screens, we revisit this classic episode surrounding one of the series' central characters – fashion icon Coco Chanel. Speaking to Elinor Evans in 2020, wri...
2024-02-17 00:00:00
Death was an everyday part of life in 19th-century Britain – and the Victorians were fascinated by it, developing a wealth of customs and rules about how people should bury their dead and how they sho...
2024-02-16 00:00:00
Conspiracy | 5. Legends of the Knights Templar
In the early 14th century, the Knights Templar were suppressed and the 200-year history of this military religious order came to an abrupt end. Or did it? What if some of the Templars escaped persecut...
2024-02-15 00:00:00
Happily ever after? Love and marriage in Austen's era
From unwanted proposals and lingering looks across ballrooms to a wet-shirted Mr Darcy emerging from a lake, the romantic stories of Jane Austen – and their countless adaptations – have captured the h...
2024-02-14 00:00:00
History Behind the Headlines: the Post Office, US elections and Alexander the Great
The latest instalment of our monthly series sees Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore the long history behind the Post Office Scandal, the historical precedents behind recent developments in US politi...
2024-02-13 00:00:00
Drag is an art form that's seen a great deal of success – and a little controversy – in recent years. Yet, as Jacob Bloomfield argues in his recent book, Drag: A British History, it's also entertained...
2024-02-12 00:00:00
Medieval Ireland: everything you wanted to know
How did medieval Ireland come to have 150 kings at the same time? Who were the gallowglass? What is Brehon law, and why is it so influential in our understanding of the country in the Middle Ages? Spe...
2024-02-11 00:00:00
Peking to Paris: the world’s first great motor race
In June 1907, five plucky teams departed the Chinese capital and embarked on a 9,317-mile automobile race to Paris. Traversing scorching deserts and perilous mountain passes in ill-equipped vehicles,...
2024-02-09 00:00:00
Conspiracy | 4. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
First published in Russia in 1903, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion purported to demonstrate evidence of a global Jewish conspiracy. Though it has repeatedly been proven to be a forgery, the text h...
2024-02-08 00:00:00
Love: a weird & wonderful history
From prehistoric carvings and medieval spell books to grand romantic gestures and tokens of affection, throughout history there has been no shortage of ways to say those three little words. Speaking t...
2024-02-07 00:00:00
Life of the week: the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington has gone down in history as one of Britain's most formidable military commanders. But how did he earn such an impressive reputation? In today's Life of the Wee...
2024-02-06 00:00:00
Ploughman's for the people: a culinary history of Britain
Did you know that the seemingly bucolic Ploughman's lunch actually came about because of a marketing ploy? Or that turnips were once thought to be an aphrodisiac? Pen Vogler takes Lauren Good on a cul...
2024-02-05 00:00:00
Chivalry: everything you wanted to know
Where does the word "chivalry" come from? How should an honourable knight treat his vanquished foes? And do chivalric ideals underlie modern-day misogyny? In our latest Everything you wanted to know e...
2024-02-04 00:00:00
Alexandria: the first modern city
According to legend, when Alexander the Great rocked up on the island of Pharos in northern Egypt, he had a vision of a spectacular city – a vision that later became reality in the form of Alexandria....
2024-02-02 00:00:00
Conspiracy | 3. Who killed JFK?
On the 22 November 1963, President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and charged with the murder, but over the past 60 years millions of people have come to bel...
2024-02-01 00:00:00
Masters of the Air: the real history behind the new show.
Donald L Miller shares how US 'bomber boys' made D-Day possible, a story now dramatised in the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air Masters of the Air is the big-budget Apple TV+ follow-up to Band of...
2024-01-31 00:00:00
"I am Spartacus" is one of the most iconic lines in cinema history: from the 1960 film starring Kirk Douglas in the titular role, it has come to define how we see the Roman rebel. However, according t...
2024-01-30 00:00:00
The West's enduring fascination with Asia
Asia has long enthralled people in the west, with voyages of discovery and military expeditions setting out in search of wealth, wisdom and the chance to explore a "strange new world". Historian and a...
2024-01-29 00:00:00
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: everything you wanted to know
Did the hanging gardens of Babylon really exist? How was Egypt's Great Pyramid built? And could any one person have seen all seven ancient wonders? In our latest Everything you wanted to know episode...
2024-01-28 00:00:00
Nicholas Winton: the 'British Schindler'
Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, a British stockbroker worked tirelessly to rescue hundreds of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia by transporting them to new lives i...
2024-01-26 00:00:00
Conspiracy | 2. Was Pearl Harbor an inside job?
On 7 December 1941, Japan attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. It's one of the most notorious surprise attacks in history, but how much of a surprise was it? Did US President Franklin Roosevelt...
2024-01-25 00:00:00
Ireland's tangled relationship with empire
Often described as England's first colony, Ireland has a long – and deeply complicated – relationship with empire. Rhiannon Davies speaks to historian Jane Ohlmeyer to learn more about this complex pi...
2024-01-24 00:00:00
Life of the Week: Harold Godwinson (Harold II)
King Harold II is famous for getting an arrow to the eye at the battle of Hastings. But is that story even true? And what else should we know about this man whose main claim to fame is being defeated...
2024-01-23 00:00:00
Britain's long love affair with sport
Britons may not always be the best at playing sports. But, as David Horspool tells Spencer Mizen, when it comes to inventing, codifying and becoming utterly obsessed by them, they are bona fide world...
2024-01-22 00:00:00
The Silk Road: everything you wanted to know
The Silk Road is one of the most famous trade routes in history, a vast interconnected network along which not only goods but ideas, knowledge and culture flowed. Sam Willis joins Rebecca Franks to di...
2024-01-21 00:00:00
The Renaissance: an explosion of creativity
From the nightmarish creations of Hieronymus Bosch to the intricate flying machines of Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance was a time of experimentation and cultural exploration. Speaking to Charlotte...
2024-01-19 00:00:00
Conspiracy | 1. Was Elizabeth I a man?
In her most famous speech, delivered on 9 August 1588, Queen Elizabeth I declared that she had the "heart and stomach of a king". Was that just rhetoric? Or could England’s iconic Tudor queen actually...
2024-01-18 00:10:00
Who shot JFK? Have the Knights Templar been hiding the Holy Grail? And what really landed at Roswell in 1947? In the second series of Conspiracy from HistoryExtra, Rob Attar investigates some of histo...
2024-01-18 00:00:00
From the Mongols to the Huns: the nomads who dominated Eurasia
From the Huns, Mongols and Magyars to the Turks, Xiongnu, Scythians and Goths, these nomadic people of the Eurasian steppes built long-lasting empires, facilitated global trade via the Silk Road and w...
2024-01-17 00:00:00
Life of the Week: Frederick Douglass
Having run away from a life of slavery as a young man, Frederick Douglass went on to forge his own path as an abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman. In this 'Life of the Week' episode, Clare Elli...
2024-01-16 00:00:00
The hidden history of women in intelligence
From women who worked in vital wartime intelligence centres like Bletchley Park to those who parachuted behind enemy lines as part of SOE operations, Helen Fry introduces the women who dealt in intell...
2024-01-15 00:00:00
The Bloomsbury Group: everything you wanted to know
From the groundbreaking novels of Virginia Woolf to the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes, the Bloomsbury Group shook up British culture in the early 20th century. In conversation with Rebecca...
2024-01-14 00:00:00
'Madness' and the supernatural
The birth of psychiatry in the early-19th century changed the way that 'madness' was understood, with beliefs in the supernatural becoming evidence of insanity. Charlotte Hodgman spoke to Professor Ow...
2024-01-12 00:00:00
Boston Tea Party | 5. A complex legacy
Why does the Boston Tea Party still loom so large in the popular story of American independence today? Is it right that it holds so much significance? And what has been the impact of the protest in gl...
2024-01-11 00:00:00
Why were the Romantics obsessed with Mount Vesuvius?
The Romantics were obsessed with Mount Vesuvius, climbing up to peer into its bubbling depths, and even using it as a metaphor to describe some of the tumultuous changes revolution was wreaking in Eur...
2024-01-10 00:00:00
Josef Stalin is a titan of modern history – and one of its most infamous leaders, responsible for the deaths of millions. Danny Bird spoke to Robert Service to chart the Soviet tyrant's life, from his...
2024-01-09 00:00:00
James Longstreet: Confederate Judas
James Longstreet spent the American Civil War as one of the leading generals in the Confederate Army. But after 1865 he became a supporter of reconstruction and black voting, even leading an interraci...
2024-01-08 00:00:00
Medieval popes: everything you wanted to know
Who were some of the most influential popes of the Middle Ages? What did you have to do to earn the title of 'anti-pope'? And which pope was believed to keep a pet demon? Kev Lochun spoke to historian...
2024-01-07 00:00:00
A history of song: from Schumann to Sting
Songs can trigger a range of emotions in their listeners: intense joy, sadness or even disgust. But how did this type of musical composition develop and become what it is today? The acclaimed singer a...
2024-01-05 00:00:00
Boston Tea Party | 4. The crackdown
The consequences of the protest are vital in understanding the role of the Boston Tea Party in the revolution that was to come. In episode four, we hear more about the immediate fallout from the destr...
2024-01-04 00:00:00
Why did warfare play such a pivotal role in Aztec society? How could claiming captives benefit a warrior in life and death? And what was 'Flower War'? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Caroline Dodds Pennoc...
2024-01-03 00:00:00
History Behind the Headlines: Elections, ‘panda diplomacy’ and the word of the year
The latest instalment of our monthly sees Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at the history behind the big stories of 2023 – and what they might tell us about the year to come Our monthly series...
2024-01-02 00:00:00
How spies shaped the modern world
How did British agents bug German PoWs during the Second World War? What qualities do you need to be a successful spy? And how are deepfakes changing the face of modern warfare? Amanda Mason introduce...
2024-01-01 00:00:00
The Habsburgs: everything you wanted to know
The Habsburgs were one of Europe's most formidable – and durable – dynasties, ruling over swathes of the continent for centuries. Speaking to Spencer Mizen, Pieter Judson tells the story of this power...
2023-12-31 00:00:00
The medieval Welsh Marches: identity on the frontier
The medieval Welsh Marches are often seen as a hotly contested border territory between Wales and England that frequently boiled over into violence. But, as Helen Fulton - who is leading a new researc...
2023-12-29 00:00:00
Boston Tea Party | 3. The destruction of the tea
The destruction of more than 46 tonnes of tea on the evening of 16 December 1773 is an event that holds huge importance in the popular story of the USA’s independence. But how much is actually known a...
2023-12-28 00:00:00
Sherlock Holmes: the real history that inspired the detective stories
Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most famous fictional detective of all time. The resident of 221B Baker Street has been the subject of countless film and television portrayals, remaining a figure of f...
2023-12-27 00:00:00
Life of the week: Queen Victoria
What picture comes to mind when you think of Queen Victoria? For many, it will be a grieving woman in her mourning gown, or perhaps a monarch cooly stating "we are not amused". From her marriage to Pr...
2023-12-26 00:00:00
Merry Christmas from the HistoryExtra podcast
As a Christmas present from us, we're sharing an exclusive sneak peek into what 2024 has in store on the HistoryExtra podcast, from upcoming series delving into the Suffragettes and historical conspir...
2023-12-25 00:00:00
Druids: everything you wanted to know
Were druids the wise, kindly and benevolent figures of ancient societies, or bloodthirsty, barbaric priests with a penchant for brutal human sacrifice? Were they purely religious guides, or practition...
2023-12-24 00:00:00
Bannockburn: Robert the Bruce’s greatest victory
Robert the Bruce’s landmark victory over the English at the battle of Bannockburn has secured his place as a hero in the annals of Scottish history. Speaking to Rachel Dinning, historian Helen Carr ch...
2023-12-22 00:00:00
Boston Tea Party | 2. The Sons of Liberty
The Boston Tea Party is often invoked as a symbol of non-violent protest, but how true is that picture? In episode two, we meet the Sons of Liberty – an organisation which, in combatting the rising ta...
2023-12-21 00:00:00
Amazing Grace: a story of salvation and slavery
John Newton was a slave-ship captain in the 18th century. However, he was also a devout Christian who went on to become a famous preacher and wrote the globally recognised hymn Amazing Grace. James Wa...
2023-12-20 00:00:00
Life of the week: Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart broke record after record in 20th-century aviation, being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean – and famously attempting to circumnavigate the world in 1937, on a doome...
2023-12-19 00:00:00
Nazi Germany: the myth of the innocent bystander
In 1945, after defeat in the Second World War, many Germans claimed to have known nothing about what had happened to their fellow Jewish citizens – and with that, the idea of the ‘innocent bystander’...
2023-12-18 00:00:00
1970s Britain: everything you wanted to know
1970s Britain has gained a reputation for being fairly bleak, filled with strikes and economic turbulence. But was it really so terrible? From the uniting power of television to his grandfather's safa...
2023-12-17 00:00:00
Caesar | 3. Master of his fate
The last decade of Julius Caesar’s life was dominated by civil war, his romance with Cleopatra and his quest for ultimate power. In episode three of our new series on Julius Caesar’s rise and fall, Ro...
2023-12-16 00:00:00
In episode four of our new series on Julius Caesar’s rise and fall, we come face-to-face with the men who orchestrated the assassination. Professor Barry Strauss and Professor Philip Freeman join Rob...
2023-12-16 00:00:00
The deed is done, but the battle is far from over. In episode five of our new series on Julius Caesar’s rise and fall, Rob Attar is joined by Professor Philip Freeman, Professor Barry Strauss and Dr V...
2023-12-16 00:00:00
Caesar | 2. Was this ambition?
When Julius Caesar was born, few would have expected him to climb to the summit of Roman political power, but by the time of his death that was exactly what he had done. In episode two of our new seri...
2023-12-16 00:00:00
Caesar | 6. The evil that men do
In the concluding part of our new series on Julius Caesar’s rise and fall, we take the story on to its dramatic coda as battles continue to rage over who will ultimately succeed the murdered dictator....
2023-12-16 00:00:00
Caesar | 1. Beware the Ides of March
On 15 March 44 BC, Rome’s dictator strode into the Senate House of Pompey for a meeting with the city’s political elite. Little did he know that this would be the final meeting of his life. In episode...
2023-12-16 00:00:00
Netflix's The Crown: history and storytelling
Netflix's hit drama The Crown has come to a close after six seasons and 60 episodes, having dramatised the Windsor dynasty from the mid-20th century to the early years of the new millennium. While it...
2023-12-15 00:00:00
Boston Tea Party | 1. Tea and taxes
How did tea become such an incendiary issue in late 18th-century Boston? To understand this, we need to travel back at least a decade. Joined by experts Benjamin Carp, Sarah Churchwell and Sarah Purce...
2023-12-14 00:00:00
Boston Tea Party: Igniting a revolution | Trailer
On the evening of 16 December 1773, around a hundred men boarded three ships in Boston harbour, hoisting more than 46 tonnes of tea over the vessels’ rails and into the sea. The destruction of the goo...
2023-12-14 00:00:00
Georgian grand houses: the forgotten women who built them
Many might assume that Britain's grand houses were paid for, designed and built solely by men. However, as Amy Boyington reveals, this was far from the truth. Women acted as patrons, liaised with cont...
2023-12-13 00:00:00
In the list of the world’s all-time wealthiest people, one name regularly tops the charts: Mansa Musa. Ruling a kingdom that stretched across West Africa, the 14th-century Mali emperor is best known f...
2023-12-12 00:00:00
We’re making our new 'Life of the Week' series freely available for everyone to enjoy. Every Tuesday from 12 December, join us as we step back into the past and learn about the lives of some of histor...
2023-12-12 00:00:00
Caesar: Death of a Dictator | Trailer
On the Ides of March, 44 BC, the most famous Roman in history was murdered. Julius Caesar’s killers hoped to save the Republic, but in the end they destroyed it. In the six episodes of Caesar: Death o...
2023-12-11 12:00:00
Victoria's armpit and 'giant' bones: body parts that changed history
How did a severed ear start a war between Britain and Spain in the 18th century? And what has Queen Victoria's armpit got to do with the development of antiseptic? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman, medic...
2023-12-11 00:00:00
The American Gilded Age: everything you wanted to know
How did the Gilded Ages get its name? What caused the explosion of industry at this time? Who were the great industrialists of the age, and what can their philanthropy tell us about the morals of the...
2023-12-10 00:00:00
Books and war: from James Bond to leaflet bombing
Throughout time, both authors and their readers have gone to war. In that process, the written word has become a deadly weapon and a glimmer of peace and hope – from the furious printing efforts behin...
2023-12-08 00:00:00
Shakespeare: Past Master | 4. Hamlet
Farah Karim-Cooper reveals what the playwright’s famous tragedy tells us about how death and mortality were viewed in the Tudor era Written at the turn of the 17th century, William Shakespeare’s //Ha...
2023-12-07 00:00:00
Medieval manners: social etiquette in the Middle Ages
Medieval people are often portrayed in popular culture as being grubby and smelly, with few manners to recommend them. However, in reality, such uncouth behaviour would certainly have been frowned upo...
2023-12-06 00:00:00
Marshal Pétain: Vichy France in the dock
Following its liberation in 1944, France began a reckoning with its years of defeat, occupation and collaboration with Nazi Germany. On trial was Marshal Philippe Pétain, the decorated World War I her...
2023-12-04 00:00:00
1950s Britain: everything you wanted to know
Was 1950s Britain a grim, grey nation, haunted by the spectre of the Second World War, or was it a vibrant, forward-thinking country that had – in the words of Harold Macmillan – “never had it so good...
2023-12-03 00:00:00
The dangerous road to the Bastille
The French Revolution of 1789 is one of the defining events of world history – but the decades preceding the revolution were also seismic, being marked by war, royal scandal, financial crisis and scie...
2023-12-01 00:00:00
Shakespeare: Past Master | 3. Julius Caesar
Islam Issa charts what the tragic history play tells us about the ancient world – and the insights it offers into the politics of the playwright’s own era It may be set in ancient Rome, with a cast o...
2023-11-30 00:00:00
Writing during the celebrated Tang dynasty, Du Fu is heralded as China's greatest poet, musing on subjects from how to cook noodles to war and rebellion. Speaking to Spencer Mizen, Michael Wood charts...
2023-11-29 00:00:00
Cities that turbocharged art history
From Renaissance Florence and ancient Babylon to the kingdom of Benin and Heian-era Kyoto, cities across history have served as launchpads for extraordinary outbursts of artistic flowering. Caroline C...
2023-11-27 00:00:00
Astronomy history: everything you wanted to know
When was it established that the Earth is round? Did the Catholic church help or hinder the practice of astronomy? And how transformative was the big bang theory? Speaking to Spencer Mizen, James Hann...
2023-11-26 00:00:00
Charles Dickens was a master of managing his personal brand. In fact, almost everything we know about him comes from one biography, written by his friend John Forster. But, if you dig a little deeper,...
2023-11-24 00:00:00
Shakespeare: Past Master | 2. Romeo and Juliet
Sophie Duncan delves into the playwright’s world-famous tragedy to reveal what it tells us about youth in the Tudor era The doomed romance of young lovers Romeo and Juliet has captured imaginations a...
2023-11-23 00:00:00
Thanksgiving: everything you wanted to know
Rachel Herrmann charts the long history of America’s famous holiday – from modern parades and celebrations to the first feast From the fabled first feast between the Pilgrims and Native Americans to...
2023-11-23 00:00:00
The dangers of medieval travel
Why did medieval people hit the road or the high seas? Was it expensive to travel in the Middle Ages, and what were the biggest risks that a medieval traveller faced? Speaking to David Musgrove, Profe...
2023-11-22 00:00:00
The Princes in the Tower: has the mystery been solved?
In the summer of 1483, two young princes disappeared from the Tower of London – and were never seen again. Had they been killed by their uncle, Richard III, in his bid for the English throne? Had some...
2023-11-20 00:00:00
The Pre-Raphaelites: everything you wanted to know
How did the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood become so famous? Did Elizabeth Siddal really almost die in a bathtub when she modelled for John Everett Millais' Ophelia? And which Rosetti painting shocked the...
2023-11-19 00:00:00
Resistance in the Second World War
Why, across Nazi-occupied Europe, did some people choose to resist the Third Reich? This is the question at the heart of Halik Kochanski's book Resistance, which has just won the 2023 Wolfson History...
2023-11-17 00:00:00
William Shakespeare’s plays are among the celebrated works in all of English literature – but they also offer key insights into the time in which the playwright lived, and how the past was viewed in t...
2023-11-16 00:00:00
Shakespeare: Past Master | 1. Henry V
Jerry Brotton offers expert insights into what the playwright’s much-quoted history play tells about nationalism and nationhood at the time it was first performed Telling the story of the build-up to...
2023-11-16 00:00:00
George Orwell’s forgotten wife
George Orwell – the author of classics like 1984 – is a household name. But have you heard of his first wife, Eileen O’Shaughnessy, who convinced her husband to write the political fable which evolved...
2023-11-15 00:00:00
What are the earliest forms of written magic? How do the stories of magic and religion intersect? And how will these stories’ continued presence in popular culture influence events yet to come? Profes...
2023-11-13 00:00:00
Norse myths: everything you wanted to know
What myths did the Norse believe, and what influence did they exert on daily life? Was the trickster god Loki really that bad, and was Odin really that wise? And why is Christianity a crucial part of...
2023-11-12 00:00:00
Medieval Stalingrad: The siege of Calais
Dan Jones chronicles the brutal siege of Calais, an overlooked campaign in the Hundred Years’ War, and the focus of his new novel During the Hundred Years’ War, after the English had stormed to victo...
2023-11-10 00:00:00
The First Crusade | 5. The end or the beginning?
In episode five of our new series on the First Crusade, we rejoin the crusaders for the last time as they reach their final goal, the holy city of Jerusalem Of all the holy places venerated by mediev...
2023-11-09 00:00:00
The Munich Putsch: Hitler’s bungled revolution
Frank McDonough explores the infamous failed coup that shaped the early history of the Nazi party On 8 November 1923, the Nazi Party launched a coup attempt in Munich that has come to be known as the...
2023-11-08 00:00:00
Women’s history: from 1066 to Margaret Thatcher
Novelist Philippa Gregory reflects on 900 years of women’s history, from the huge upheavals of the Norman invasion to successfully securing the right to vote in the 20th century How have women’s live...
2023-11-06 00:00:00
Ancient Egyptian pyramids: everything you wanted to know
For millennia, Egypt’s mighty pyramids have acted as emblems of the vibrant ancient civilisation that once straddled the Nile Valley. From mysteries surrounding their design and construction and the d...
2023-11-05 00:00:00
Nicknamed ‘Hellish Nell’ from childhood, spiritualist medium Helen Duncan made a living from claiming to communicate with the spirits of the dead at seances around Britain. But in 1944, her ‘psychic p...
2023-11-03 00:00:00
The First Crusade | 4. Besieged
In late AD 1097, a weary and wartorn band of crusaders arrived at the imposing walls of Antioch: a key strategic location on the long journey down the Levant. In the shadow of the city’s tall towers,...
2023-11-02 00:00:00
Fighting racism in postwar Britain
Sixties Britain didn’t swing for all its citizens – with racism, anti-immigration rhetoric and the spectre of unemployment affecting many black and Asian Britons. But those affected were determined to...
2023-11-01 00:00:00
Horror films: a chilling cultural history
Ever since the shadow of Count Orlok crept up the staircase in 1922’s Nosferatu, and Fay Wray emitted her iconic scream in 1933’s King Kong, horror films have captivated and scandalised audiences in e...
2023-10-30 00:00:00
The history of Jamaica: everything you wanted to know
The Caribbean island of Jamaica has a long and complex history, from its crucial role in the transatlantic slave trade to being the birthplace of Rastafari. Here, Rhiannon Davies puts listener queries...
2023-10-28 23:00:00
Killers of the Flower Moon: The real history
Killers of the Flower Moon, the new historical epic from Martin Scorsese, dramatises a series of murders that was described by press at the time as the “bloodiest chapter in American crime history”. T...
2023-10-26 23:00:00
The First Crusade | 3. Crossing into the unknown
In the call to crusade that ignited the idea of holy war in the minds of the western European populace, Pope Urban II painted a picture of evil “infidels” torturing and massacring the Christians of th...
2023-10-25 23:00:00
Disease killers: the black nurses who conquered TB
Tuberculosis – otherwise known as the ‘Great White Plague’ – was a scourge on society and killed countless sufferers. Rhiannon Davies spoke to Maria Smilios to find out about the little-known story of...
2023-10-24 23:00:00
Who moulded Winston Churchill?
Winston Churchill’s remarkable career saw him interact with many of the other great figures of the age, many of whom had a profound impact on Britain’s wartime leader. Speaking to Rob Attar, Professor...
2023-10-22 23:00:00
The Second Barons’ War: everything you wanted to know
Why was Henry III so unpopular with his barons? How did the future Edward I turn the tide of the war? Did leading rebel Simon de Montfort create the first English parliament? And is it true that, afte...
2023-10-21 23:00:00
Whether it was creating super-fast thoroughbreds, or fashioning dogs small enough to fit in your sleeve, animal breeding was an obsession of the Renaissance era. And, as Mackenzie Cooley reveals, anim...
2023-10-19 23:00:00
The First Crusade | 2. On the road
The Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos had asked the pope for a small crack team of western knights to aid him with his struggles in Asia Minor – a plea for help which had set crusading wheels into...
2023-10-18 23:00:00
1960s Britain: smashing the status quo?
The early 1960s saw the British establishment face a challenging new landscape. It was an era of rapid change, but also of enduring conservatism. David Kynaston tells Spencer Mizen about Britain from...
2023-10-17 23:00:00
Our new bonus series delves into the fascinating lives of some of history's most significant figures, from ancient pharaohs to 20th-century secret agents. To access this new series and listen to all e...
2023-10-16 23:00:00
October 2023 marks the centenary of the Walt Disney Company, which from its early days as one of the pioneers of animated films has grown to become a cultural behemoth. Speaking to Matt Elton, John Wi...
2023-10-15 23:00:00
Weimar Germany: everything you wanted to know
The decade and a half between the end of the First World War and the ascent of Nazism is one of the most debated and mythologised periods of German history. The democratic Weimar Republic was a period...
2023-10-14 23:00:00
Slave traders: the men who built a brutal empire
The trans-Atlantic slave trade expanded greatly in the 18th century, growing from a relatively small enterprise to a global business that saw millions of African people clapped in irons, forced to und...
2023-10-12 23:00:00
When we talk about the crusades today the mental images that spring to mind are as clear as they are striking – valiant crusader knights emblazoned with crosses and penniless pilgrims in search of sal...
2023-10-11 23:00:00
The First Crusade | 1. The call to arms
In episode one of our series on the First Crusade, we consider how a landmark papal bull lit a fire under the idea of crusading, triggering a military machine that saw tens of thousands make an unprec...
2023-10-11 23:00:00
Re-examining women in the Roman empire
St Augustine of Hippo is one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the past 2,000 years – and his work also offers fresh insights into the lives of women in the late Roman empire. That’s the c...
2023-10-10 23:00:00
History Behind the Headlines Trailer
Our new monthly series explores the historical stories hitting the headlines – and the way in which the past informs today’s world. To access this new series and listen to all episodes completely ad-f...
2023-10-09 23:00:00
Is black history still being overlooked?
As the UK marks Black History Month, a panel of expert historians – Hannah Cusworth, Pamela Roberts and Hakim Adi – tackle some of the biggest questions around bringing black histories to light. Speak...
2023-10-08 23:00:00
Cat history: everything you wanted to know
Cats have lived alongside us for centuries, and our relationship with them has transformed over time – from venerating them to vilifying them. What roles have humans cast cats in over the years? Why w...
2023-10-07 23:00:00
The Huxleys: how one family shaped our view of nature
Known as “Darwin’s bulldog”, Thomas Henry Huxley fought a tireless battle against the opponents of evolutionary theory. His grandson Julian lived among the animals of London Zoo and made nature docume...
2023-10-05 23:00:00
In the latest in our series charting the contested reputations of key historical figures, Vikram Visana and Jad Adams debate the complex, sometimes controversial life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, and...
2023-10-04 23:00:00
The Cultural Revolution: a Chinese catastrophe
For the decade between 1966 and 1976, Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution wreaked immense havoc on China – with up to 2 million killed, and another 36 million persecuted for perceived political or cult...
2023-10-03 23:00:00
The brutal WW2 battle for Italy
When Allied forces invaded Italy in September 1943, they hoped to be in Rome by Christmas. But by the end of the year, after four months of unrelenting warfare, the Italian capital was still 70 miles...
2023-10-02 23:00:00
David Mitchell on a new history of England’s monarchy
From his turn as Shakespeare in Upstart Crow to his historical sketches with Robert Webb, comedian and actor David Mitchell’s work has often touched on the past. Now he’s written his first history boo...
2023-10-01 23:00:00
Archaeology’s golden age: everything you wanted to know
The first half of the 20th century is often talked about as a golden age of archaeology – a time marked by thrilling finds such as those of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the ship burial at Sutton Hoo. But wa...
2023-09-30 23:00:00
On 29 September 1923, the British empire was at its territorial height. But even as British power stretched across the globe, were the seeds of the empire’s destruction already sown? Speaking to Ellie...
2023-09-28 23:00:00
Great Reputations: Emmeline Pankhurst
In the latest in our series charting the reputations of key historical figures, June Purvis and Lyndsey Jenkins discuss the life and contested legacy of Emmeline Pankhurst – from whether her story obs...
2023-09-27 23:00:00
Radio Times: a century of British broadcasting
In 1923, a new periodical was launched to guide listeners through the BBC’s nascent radio offerings. Its name? The Radio Times. Across the coming decades, it not only featured radio and TV listings, b...
2023-09-26 23:00:00
How to live like a Roman emperor
What did Roman emperors actually do all day? Were they really as bloodthirsty as legend would suggest? And why was food so important? Speaking to Matt Elton, popular historian, author and broadcaster...
2023-09-25 23:00:00
With the climate crisis, war in Ukraine, a recent pandemic and the rise of AI, it can feel like there is more to be fearful of today than ever before. But according to historian Robert Peckham, human...
2023-09-24 23:00:00
The Battle of Britain: everything you wanted to know
The Battle of Britain has gone down in history as an epic dogfight between the RAF and the Luftwaffe – one where Britain faced overwhelming odds and the threat of an almost inevitable invasion. Howeve...
2023-09-23 23:00:00
Rocket women: America’s first female astronauts
In the late 1970s, NASA admitted women onto their space programme for the first time. Six women were chosen as the first cohort, and would endure unprecedented media attention alongside the agency’s r...
2023-09-21 23:00:00
In the latest in our series charting the contested reputations of key historical figures, Laura O’Brien and David Andress discuss the life and afterlife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and explore why his stor...
2023-09-20 23:00:00
Chaos & violence in country houses
We think of English houses as idyllic locations for an afternoon out, but as Stephanie Barczewski reveals, many have a more turbulent and violent history than we might expect. From the wholesale destr...
2023-09-19 23:00:00
The shoemaker who helped slaves escape the South
Thomas Smallwood, a formerly enslaved shoemaker, helped hundreds of people to flee from slavery in the American South in the 1840s. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Scott Shane shares Smallwood’s remarkable...
2023-09-18 23:00:00
Scandals that shocked Georgian Britain
From torrid affairs and messy duels to corrupt law-enforcers and vengeful ghosts, Georgian Britain loved a good scandal. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, historian and author Emily Brand dishes the dirt o...
2023-09-17 23:00:00
British parliament: everything you wanted to know
From the gunpowder plot and Oliver Cromwell’s clash with Charles I to Winston Churchill’s speeches during the Second World War, parliament has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in British hi...
2023-09-16 23:00:00
When poison pen letters caused chaos
Long before the rise of the internet troll, malicious letters written by anonymous authors were causing untold grief to those who received them, and tugging at the seams of social cohesion in small co...
2023-09-14 23:00:00
In the latest in our series charting the contested reputations of key historical figures, Joyce Tyldesley and Catharine Edwards discuss the life and cultural afterlife of Egyptian queen Cleopatra – fr...
2023-09-13 23:00:00
Secrets of the Anglo-Saxon bone chests
Held in Winchester Cathedral are several ornate chests, said to contain the venerated bones of early kings of Wessex and England, dating from the seventh to the 12th centuries. But what can these boxe...
2023-09-12 23:00:00
Jane Austen’s passion for fashion
From ribbons, bonnets and ballgowns to Mr Darcy’s see-through shirt, the works of Jane Austen have long sparked the imaginations of fashion-minded readers and audiences. But what did the author hersel...
2023-09-11 23:00:00
The brain behind the Dambusters raid
The Dambusters raid of May 1943 is one of the most celebrated episodes of the Second World War. But in military terms, was it in fact a flop? And was Barnes Wallis, the man behind the audacious attack...
2023-09-10 23:00:00
Spanish flu: everything you wanted to know
Did the Spanish flu pandemic actually begin in Spain? What were the symptoms? Is it true it killed more people than the First World War, and how similar was it to the Covid pandemic? Speaking to Laure...
2023-09-09 23:00:00
Women who shaped the Roman empire
How do you surface the stories of women in the Roman empire, when the majority of ancient texts were written by men, telling of military victories and losses, or intrigues in the political arena? Spea...
2023-09-07 23:00:00
Great Reputations: Oliver Cromwell
In the latest in our series charting the contested reputations of key historical figures, Ronald Hutton and Mark Stoyle debate the life and legacy of statesman, politician and military leader Oliver C...
2023-09-06 23:00:00
The secret club for radical New York women
In downtown New York, in the early 20th century, a secret club of women met regularly, to discuss ideas, politics, art and their own lives. They forged friendships and alliances, and took up some of t...
2023-09-05 23:00:00
Margaret Cavendish: scandalous 17th-century writer
Margaret Cavendish has been largely forgotten and, when remembered, divides opinion. One of England’s first female philosophers, professional authors and scientists, the 17th-century writer challenged...
2023-09-04 23:00:00
In 1429 a young peasant woman burst onto the scene and transformed the fortunes of England and France in the Hundred Years’ War. In today’s episode, medieval historian and former supreme court judge J...
2023-09-03 23:00:00
Rome v Carthage: everything you wanted to know
Of all the enemies the Roman empire faced in its centuries-long history, one name stood out: Hannibal. In the late third century BC, the Carthaginian general came dangerously close to destroying Rome...
2023-09-02 23:00:00
Tokyo’s devastating 1923 earthquake
Exactly 100 years ago today, on 1 September 1923, the streets of Tokyo began to shudder. It was the first warning sign that something terrible was coming – a devastating earthquake that would level mu...
2023-08-31 23:00:00
When cries of “Black Lives Matter” rang out across the world in 2020, protestors were echoing the chants of civil rights activists advocating for change in the previous century. In the sixth and final...
2023-08-30 23:00:00
On the trail of a Nazi war criminal
In 1949 the notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, known as the “Angel of Death” fled to South America. Three decades later, US lawyer Gerald Posner set out to track him down. What followed was a remark...
2023-08-29 23:00:00
How did empire shape modern Britain?
Across the 20th century, Britain’s empire reached a peak and then began to disintegrate. Yet, according to historian Charlotte Lydia Riley, the country continued to be indelibly shaped by an imperial...
2023-08-28 23:00:00
Why did medieval Europe become Christian?
Why did Christianity become so deeply embedded across western Europe in the centuries after the end of the Roman empire? To what extent did the old gods of Rome survive? And how did the concept of bei...
2023-08-27 23:00:00
The Mongols: everything you wanted to know
How brilliant a military leader was Genghis Khan? Could the Mongols have conquered all of Europe? And were they as brutal as they’re often portrayed to be? Speaking to Spencer Mizen, Nicholas Morton a...
2023-08-26 23:00:00
The lost world of Dickens’ London
From grimy back alleys and ghastly churchyards to debtors’ prisons and old curiosity shops, Charles Dickens evoked a vision of Victorian London that’s still vivid today. And, ever since Dickens’ books...
2023-08-24 23:00:00
US Civil Rights: Malcolm X’s assassination
In 1965, Malcolm X walked out onto the stage of a Harlem ballroom, and was shot dead. In the fifth episode of our series delving into the US Civil Rights movement, Rhiannon Davies speaks to Dr Clarenc...
2023-08-23 23:00:00
The miners’ strike: a view from the ground
In March 1984, miners across Britain walked out of the pits and refused to go back. What followed was one of the longest, largest, and most divisive strikes in British history, as the miners stayed ou...
2023-08-22 23:00:00
California’s hidden history of slavery
Today California is renowned worldwide as a heartland of sun-drenched luxury. But, according to Jean Pfaelzer, the state’s prosperity is in large part built on the proceeds of human bondage. Jean spea...
2023-08-21 23:00:00
The Pastons were a prominent aristocratic family from around 1380 to 1750, with stakes in the dynamic politicking of the Tudor and Stuart courts. But, what really makes this family stand out is the hu...
2023-08-20 23:00:00
New Zealand: everything you wanted to know
New Zealand has a short history in terms of human settlement – but according to Professor James Belich, that makes it all the more interesting and worthy of study. In conversation with David Musgrove,...
2023-08-19 23:00:00
Around 2.5 million Indian soldiers fought in the Second World War. Behind this staggering number lies a complex web of emotional experiences – and Diya Gupta unpicks that tangled web in her new book,...
2023-08-17 23:00:00
US Civil Rights: the 1964 Civil Rights Act
When President Lyndon B Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act, he made history – but did sweeping laws actually result in tangible social change? In the fourth episode of our series exploring the U...
2023-08-16 23:00:00
Learning disabilities: an overlooked history
When we think about the experiences of people with learning and intellectual disabilities in the past, we often hear stories of discrimination, poor treatment and exclusion. While that is in many case...
2023-08-15 23:00:00
Secrets of ancient Chinese tombs
We’ve all heard of the astonishing Terracotta Warriors, but they are just one of a number of fascinating ancient burials to have been discovered across China. Speaking to Robert Attar, Professor Jessi...
2023-08-14 23:00:00
How forgers helped rescue Holocaust victims
Between 1940 and 1943, a group of Polish diplomats and Jewish activists created a secret programme to forge and smuggle Latin American identity documents. Their aim? To help thousands of Jews escape e...
2023-08-13 23:00:00
Ancient Egyptian religion: everything you wanted to know
For more than 3,000 years, the ancient Egyptians adhered to a rich and complex system of beliefs, worshipping a vast pantheon of mighty – and often animal-headed – gods and goddesses. But how did this...
2023-08-12 23:00:00
Introducing HistoryExtra Long Reads
Take a deep dive into the past as we bring you the very best of BBC History Magazine, Britain’s bestselling history magazine. With a new episode released every Monday, enjoy fascinating and enlighteni...
2023-08-11 23:00:00
Did our ancestors really think the world was flat?
When did people first figure out the world wasn’t flat? Well, according to author James Hannam, it was much earlier than you might imagine. In today’s episode, James tells Jon Bauckham more about huma...
2023-08-10 23:00:00
US Civil Rights: the March on Washington
As well as being one of the largest protest marches ever staged, the 1963 March on Washington also made history as the setting for Martin Luther King Jr’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. In the third...
2023-08-09 23:00:00
Roger Mortimer: medieval rebel
Seven hundred years ago this August, Roger Mortimer broke out of the Tower of London and went on to mastermind the deposition of his captor and arch-enemy, Edward II. In conversation with Spencer Mize...
2023-08-08 23:00:00
Emotional revolution in postwar Britain
After the psychological trauma and family separation of the Second World War, Britain underwent an emotional revolution. Psychologists and social reformers focused more than ever before on the vital i...
2023-08-07 23:00:00
Rome vs Persia: an unwinnable fight
The Roman empire was used to getting its own way – but there was one power it was never able to overcome. Despite frequent bouts of warfare, the Parthian and later Persian empire managed to hold its o...
2023-08-06 23:00:00
British seaside holidays: everything you wanted to know
What did Victorians get up to on the beach? When did fish and chips first become popular? And what’s the dark story behind Punch and Judy? It’s time to grab your bucket and spade, because for our late...
2023-08-05 23:00:00
Daniel Finkelstein’s parents were born into comfortable Jewish families in Germany and Poland, but the rise of Nazism and the onset of the Second World War turned their lives upside down. Targeted by...
2023-08-03 23:00:00
US Civil Rights: the Montgomery bus boycott
Rosa Parks’ momentous refusal to vacate her bus seat for a white passenger in 1955 sparked a boycott that lasted for 381 days, and successfully pressured city authorities to end bus segregation. In th...
2023-08-02 23:00:00
Appearance was everything in the Renaissance – a way to make a good marriage and gain power and influence. But what if you fell short of the era’s exacting beauty ideals? Speaking with Charlotte Hodgm...
2023-08-01 23:00:00
Artificial intelligence’s development seems to be moving at breakneck speed, and the ability of AI to automate even complex tasks – and, potentially, to outwit its human creators – has been making ple...
2023-07-31 23:00:00
A jujitsu-trained suffragette bodyguard
Known as “Mrs Pankhurst’s bodyguard”, Kitty Marshall was a cricket-ball-wielding, jujitsu-trained suffragette ready to go fist-to-fist with the police in her fight for votes for women. Historian and b...
2023-07-30 23:00:00
The NHS: everything you wanted to know
How did the British public respond when the NHS was first founded 75 years ago? How have the roles of doctors and nurses changed in the decades since? And was there ever a ‘golden age’ of the National...
2023-07-29 23:00:00
In military history, we often hear the stories of great battles and detailed strategic manoeuvres, but what was life like for the men responsible for executing these sweeping orders? Drawing on oral h...
2023-07-27 23:00:00
US Civil Rights: the lynching of Emmett Till
When Mamie Till decided to display the bruised and beaten body of her son, 14-year-old Emmett Till, in an open casket funeral, she poured gasoline on the emerging Civil Rights movement in America. In...
2023-07-26 23:00:00
US Civil Rights: Fighting for freedom
In this HistoryExtra podcast series, we chart some of the key moments in the transformative history of the US Civil Rights movement. Expert historians share some of the movement's most recognisable st...
2023-07-26 23:00:00
A ring of poisoners: Hungary’s most notorious murders
In 1929, a sensational murder trial took place in Hungary. A group of women, all hailing from the same tiny village, stood accused of murdering dozens of men – including sons, lovers and husbands – ov...
2023-07-25 23:00:00
RAF Coastal Command: unsung heroes of WW2
Throughout the Second World War, the men of RAF Coastal Command took to the skies and valiantly defended Allied ships from German U-boats in the Atlantic. But despite the heroism of its crews, Coastal...
2023-07-24 23:00:00
UFO sightings: an otherworldly history
A recent Nasa press conference detailing the American space agency’s research into UFO sightings sparked headlines across the globe about extraterrestrial visitors – but, as Dr David Clarke tells Matt...
2023-07-23 23:00:00
Dog history: everything you wanted to know
When were dogs first domesticated? Why was adopting from London’s “Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs” such a radical move? And how did a dognapping case change the life of 19th-century poet El...
2023-07-22 23:00:00
History's greatest cities | Season 2 Trailer
Why do some settlements become great centres of international influence, while others languish and ebb away? And how have Europe’s most important urban centres been shaped by geography, climate, resou...
2023-07-21 23:00:00
Oppenheimer: “destroyer of worlds”
When the atom bomb was dropped in 1945, how did its inventor, J Robert Oppenheimer, feel? To mark the release of Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster Oppenheimer, biographer Kai Bird joins Elinor Evans...
2023-07-20 23:00:00
Barbie has been catapulted back into the cultural spotlight this week, thanks to a new movie. But, why is the iconic doll historically significant? Since her creation in 1959, Barbie has been about mu...
2023-07-19 23:00:00
Britain’s love affair with Edward VII
The death of King Edward VII in 1910 pitched Britain into a frenzy of mourning, as the nation marked the passing of a symbol of continuity and stability in an ever more unpredictable world. Speaking t...
2023-07-18 23:00:00
The WAAF: the many behind the few
In his famous speech of summer 1940, Winston Churchill hailed the RAF as the “few” who protected the skies during the Battle of Britain. But the success of Britain’s air force was also dependent on th...
2023-07-17 23:00:00
Eastern Europe: a personal journey through the region’s past
Eastern Europe has been the setting for some of history’s most climactic events. Yet barely 30 years since the collapse of Communism heralded the so-called “end of history”, are we now witnessing the...
2023-07-16 23:00:00
Roman gods & goddesses: everything you wanted to know
How were Roman deities different to Greek deities? Why did the Romans sacrifice animals? What did religious cults get up to in ancient Rome? And just how many gods and goddesses did they worship? In o...
2023-07-15 23:00:00
As far back as the archaeological record takes us, we can find evidence of blind people. But the experiences of those people – and the ways they were seen by others – have always been hugely shaped by...
2023-07-13 23:00:00
Big questions of the Crimean War: aftermath and legacy
From advances in weaponry and warships to the use of telegraphs and photography, the Crimean War produced a whole host of innovations. In the final episode of our three-part series exploring the confl...
2023-07-12 23:00:00
Kate Mosse on pirate women & Huguenot refugees
Writer Kate Mosse shares the historical inspirations behind her latest novel, The Ghost Ship, which takes readers across the high seas from 17th-century France and Amsterdam to the Canary Islands. Spe...
2023-07-11 23:00:00
How did medieval people tell the time?
It would be easy to assume that before the invention of the modern clock, people didn’t have a very sophisticated sense of time – they rose with the sun, and went to bed when it got dark. But, accordi...
2023-07-10 23:00:00
Lost civilisations of the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean coastline is strewn with the remnants of lost civilisations. From Tyre and Carthage, to Ravenna, Syracuse and Antioch, Katherine Pangonis revisits the lengthy, and sometimes legendar...
2023-07-09 23:00:00
1980s Britain: everything you wanted to know
Lucy Robinson responds to your questions on Britain in the decade of Thatcherism, Live Aid, Bananarama and the rise of the yuppie It was the decade in which the Aids pandemic transformed our relatio...
2023-07-08 23:00:00
Tom Holland on Rome’s golden age
As history shows, ruling a vast empire is no mean feat. But in the second century AD the Romans seemed to be able to manage it with relative ease. This was the golden age of Ancient Rome, or “Pax Roma...
2023-07-06 23:00:00
Big questions of the Crimean War: into the Valley of Death
You may be familiar with Alfred Lord Tennyson poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade, which famously – though not entirely accurately – describes the events of the 1854 battle of Balaclava, a key clash...
2023-07-05 23:00:00
Why Britain fell in love with the NHS
July 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of Britain’s National Health Service: an institution which has come to occupy a unique place in British life since its founding in 1948. Speaking to Matt Elton, An...
2023-07-04 23:00:00
From mysterious knitting needles to strange silhouettes: recreating historical clothing
How do you begin to recreate clothing from the past? What are the most tricky historical fashions to get right? And how important is accuracy in all this? Jane Malcolm-Davies busts some popular myths...
2023-07-03 23:00:00
Life on Britain’s WW1 home front
What was it like to be a child on Britain’s First World War home front? Just how effective was Britain in producing the mammoth amount of materials required for the war effort? And how exactly did the...
2023-07-02 23:00:00
The Franco-Prussian war: everything you wanted to know
The Franco-Prussian War was a short, if bitter conflict. Prussia would emerge as a clear winner in a matter of months – but the consequences of the conflict would play out across the wider world over...
2023-07-01 23:00:00
How the Age of Revolutions rocked the Royal Navy
In the late 18th-century, Britain was catapulted into war with Republican France. At the same time, it was also grappling with the tumult of the Age of Revolutions. All this upheaval was keenly felt b...
2023-06-29 23:00:00
Big questions of the Crimean War: the build up
The Crimean War of 1853 to 1856 saw an alliance led by Britain and France challenge Russian expansion. But why did the fighting break out, and can it really be described as the first 'modern war'? In...
2023-06-28 23:00:00
The Georgian Bank of England: a day in the life
Just how rich were Georgian bankers? What did they eat for lunch? And could they be described as “virtuous”? Speaking with Rob Attar, Professor Anne Murphy answers these questions and more as she delv...
2023-06-27 23:00:00
How germs shaped human history
As recent history has shown us, human societies can prove surprisingly frail in the face of a tiny, yet powerful force: the microbes that cause infectious disease. Speaking with Matt Elton, Jonathan K...
2023-06-26 23:00:00
Salon Kitty: sex & spying in Nazi Germany
Salon Kitty was the most notorious brothel in 1930s Berlin. Yet little did its clientele – foreign diplomats and high-ranking army officers among them – know that, while they were cavorting with sex w...
2023-06-25 23:00:00
The Luddites: everything you wanted to know
The Luddites are best remembered for smashing up machinery during the Industrial Revolution. But what did these 19th-century activists actually want from their destructive actions? How did the governm...
2023-06-24 23:00:00
Women on the front line, from forgotten commanders to cross-dressing soldiers
Military history is generally assumed to be a male domain. But according to Sarah Percy, author of Forgotten Warriors, this popular perception ignores hundreds of years of women on the front line. Spe...
2023-06-22 23:00:00
Before Windrush: Britain’s long relationship with the Caribbean
Seventy-five years ago, on 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush landed at Tilbury docks. The arrival of the ship is rightly remembered as a landmark moment in the story of Caribbean people in Britain. Bu...
2023-06-21 23:00:00
What makes Cornwall different from the rest of England? Is it history or geography that sets the area apart? And how have the industries of fishing, mining and tourism all transformed the face of the...
2023-06-20 23:00:00
Franco’s Spain: paranoia, conspiracy & antisemitism
What are the consequences when conspiracy theories, lies, and paranoia are combined with military might? Speaking with Danny Bird, Paul Preston discusses how General Franco and six other men staged an...
2023-06-19 23:00:00
The myth and memory of Waterloo
Why is Waterloo still a fixture in the story Britain tells about its national history, more than two centuries on from the battle itself? Speaking to David Mugrove, Dr Luke Reynolds delves into the my...
2023-06-18 23:00:00
Coffee history: everything you wanted to know
From Sufi mystics in 16th-century Yemen to hipster baristas in cities across the world today, the history of this caffeinated beverage is a long and fascinating one. For our latest everything you want...
2023-06-17 23:00:00
Caesar: Death of a Dictator Trailer
On the Ides of March, 44 BC, the most famous Roman in history was murdered. Julius Caesar’s killers hoped to save the Republic, but in the end they destroyed it. In the six episodes of Caesar: Death o...
2023-06-16 23:00:00
Economies in meltdown: lessons from past financial crashes
From the Wall Street Crash of 1929 to the global turmoil of 2008, financial crises have wrecked countless lives, businesses and economies. But have lessons been learned from these catastrophes, or are...
2023-06-15 23:00:00
The Troubles is a chapter of history that many in Northern Ireland would rather forget, but 25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, its legacy can still be felt there today. A new Imperial War Mus...
2023-06-14 23:00:00
What can we learn from the fall of Rome?
What can the fall of Rome teach us about the decline of the west today? That’s the question at the centre of political economist John Rapley and historian Peter Heather’s new book Why Empires Fall. Pe...
2023-06-13 23:00:00
Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: the overlooked bonds between mother & daughter
Since Elizabeth I was less than three years old when her mother was executed, it is often thought that Anne Boleyn had little influence on her life. Speaking to Lauren Good, Dr Tracy Borman explains w...
2023-06-12 23:00:00
Fight like a man? Masculinity in WW2
How were sexuality, gender roles, and attitudes to the body influenced by men’s experiences in the Second World War? That’s something explored in Luke Turner’s new book Men at War. Luke speaks to Matt...
2023-06-11 23:00:00
Penal transportation to Australia: everything you wanted to know
Why did the British state decide to send criminals across the globe to Australia? Was it really as grim as you might expect to be one of those transported? And what was the impact of the convict trans...
2023-06-10 23:00:00
Pregnancy & childbirth in the 19th century
Despite motherhood being viewed as a fundamental part of a woman’s destiny during the 19th century, pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal experience are often left out of written histories of the period...
2023-06-08 23:00:00
Historical echoes of the Ukraine war
More than a year in, the war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with repercussions on an international scale. It also continues to evoke parallels with a whole ran...
2023-06-07 23:00:00
Plato: the world’s greatest philosopher?
He learned from Socrates, taught Aristotle and is often described as the key figure in the history of philosophy. But what do we actually know about the life of Plato of Athens? And why was his work s...
2023-06-06 23:00:00
How women helped sustain the slave trade
Slavery was a system that pervaded life in the American South, and as historian Stephanie E Jones-Rogers reveals in her book They Were Her Property, women played crucial roles in perpetuating that sys...
2023-06-05 23:00:00
The fall and rise of Henry III
King Henry III was one of England’s longest reigning monarchs, but his time on the throne saw a long period of peace punctured by an extraordinary revolution. Professor David Carpenter talks to David...
2023-06-04 23:00:00
The SAS in WW2: everything you wanted to know
The SAS – or Special Air Service – is Britain’s elite special forces unit. Founded in the deserts of North Africa during the Second World War, it has become famous across the globe for the physical an...
2023-06-03 23:00:00
Plot or paranoia? The Amboyna conspiracy trial
In 1623, at a Dutch fort on the remote island of Ambon, in modern-day Indonesia, a young Japanese mercenary was arrested for asking suspicious questions – and interrogated using torture. Within just 1...
2023-06-01 23:00:00
Messalina: sex, slander & scandal in imperial Rome
Even in the ancient Roman world of ruthless politicking, suspicious deaths and high-stakes schemes, the scandalous reputation of Empress Valeria Messalina stands out. The third wife of Emperor Claudiu...
2023-05-31 23:00:00
Amazing archaeological discoveries that trounce Indiana Jones
You may think that Indiana Jones created a swashbuckling vision of archaeology that only exists on the silver screen – but, in fact, real archaeological history is also packed full of exciting and awe...
2023-05-30 23:00:00
Living the life of luxury with the Persians & Greeks
When Greek soldiers captured the royal command tent of the Persian king during the Greco-Persian wars, they were stunned by what they saw. Their mighty adversary’s seat of power was absolutely drippin...
2023-05-29 23:00:00
Simon Schama on how inoculation changed the world
As the recent past will attest, the discovery of vaccines can not only save lives, but also change the course of human history. Speaking with Matt Elton, Simon Schama explores the story of inoculation...
2023-05-28 23:00:00
Mountaineering on Everest: everything you want to know
When were the first attempts to summit Mount Everest? Did Mallory really say he wanted to climb it just “because it’s there”? How did climbing expeditions spark diplomatic crises in the 20th century –...
2023-05-27 23:00:00
The History Extra podcast – tell us what you think
We’re always looking to improve, so it’s really important to us to give you a voice in what we do next. Are you listening during a commute, while you potter around in the garden, or in a nice comfy ch...
2023-05-26 23:00:00
The relationship between politics and history has long been a fraught one – particularly in recent years, when concerns that a political agenda may be shaping our view of the past have been rife. Spea...
2023-05-25 23:00:00
Katherine Parr was not just the “survivor”. She was also a ground-breaking intellectual, passionate religious reformer and canny political player. In episode six of our new series on the dramatic mari...
2023-05-24 23:00:00
The history of the British empire has often been told as the story of an all-conquering spread of British values and influence across the globe. But, according to historian David Veevers’ new book The...
2023-05-23 23:00:00
William the Conqueror’s invasion plans
William the Conqueror famously defeated King Harold at the battle of Hastings in 1066. But in order to achieve this victory, he first had to get his army (and some 2000 horses) across the sea from Nor...
2023-05-22 23:00:00
Did Black Death trigger the rise of Europe?
The Black Death unquestionably wrought a horrific death toll in the mid-14th century, but did it also sweep in social and cultural changes that eventually led to the rise of Europe? Professor James Be...
2023-05-21 23:00:00
Chartism: everything you wanted to know
The first half of the 19th century witnessed the rise of an extraordinary working-class campaign for political reform: Chartism. What made this movement so remarkable was its size and sophistication –...
2023-05-20 23:00:00
Three young queens: the unexpected bonds between Renaissance royals
Before being scattered across different kingdoms, Catherine de’ Medici, Elisabeth de Valois and Mary, Queen of Scots spent many years of their formative years at the French court. Speaking to Lauren G...
2023-05-18 23:00:00
Six wives | 5. Catherine Howard
Catherine Howard was a teenaged bride who captivated King Henry VIII, but was brought down by secrets from her past that refused to remain buried. In episode five of our new series on the dramatic mar...
2023-05-17 23:00:00
Ramesses II: Egypt’s greatest pharaoh?
Ramesses II is the only pharaoh in history to be known as ‘the great’, but does he deserve that title? Was he the pharaoh in the Exodus story? And was his mummy really given a passport when he travell...
2023-05-16 23:00:00
Tudor childhood: from dodging death to nursery rhymes
Look at a Tudor family portrait, and you’ll often find children depicted like miniature adults, standing confidently alongside their parents in their doublets and dresses. But how far is this an accur...
2023-05-15 23:00:00
What can Richard I tell us about medieval masculinity?
Was Richard I homosexual, and would it matter if he was? Although he was known to have shared a bed with the King of France, according to Dr Gabrielle Storey, that was part and parcel of being a king...
2023-05-14 23:00:00
Britain in the 1990s: everything you wanted to know
It was the decade that saw the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of Tony Blair and the landmark Good Friday Agreement. But what was behind the landslide victory of New Labour? How did the death of Pr...
2023-05-13 23:00:00
The story of East Germany has been largely told in the context of Cold War geopolitics. But while the country may have been an ideological battleground, ordinary life there still carried on regardless...
2023-05-11 23:00:00
Anne of Cleves is remembered as a comedy anecdote, a figure of mockery who repulsed King Henry VIII on first sight. But her reputation deserves to be rescued from this myth. In episode four of our new...
2023-05-10 23:00:00
Why revolution engulfed 19th-century Europe
In 1848, a tidal wave of revolution swept across Europe – from Sicily to Paris, Berlin to Vienna. But what sparked this cascade of unrest, and how can we explain its apparent synchronicity? Speaking t...
2023-05-09 23:00:00
Keeping time: a watchmaker’s history
Today we take it for granted that we can meet friends at an agreed time, work a set amount of paid hours, or catch a train before it leaves. But so much of the fabric of our modern lives is entirely d...
2023-05-08 23:00:00
Native Americans: a new history
For too long, argues Professor Ned Blackhawk, Indigenous people have been marginalised or viewed merely as passive participants in the history of the United States. Speaking to Matt Elton, Ned discuss...
2023-05-07 23:00:00
Goths: everything you wanted to know
What’s the difference between the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths? Why did the Goths have whole settlements devoted to the production of combs? And were these Germanic tribes really responsible for the f...
2023-05-06 23:00:00
How (and how not) to stage a coronation
The British monarchy is known for its pomp and pageantry, and a coronation is a big chance to show off. But with so much pressure to get time-honoured traditions right, down the centuries things haven...
2023-05-04 23:00:00
Jane Seymour has gone down in history as Henry VIII’s dream wife – the simpering spouse who couldn’t put a foot wrong. But the reality was much more interesting. In episode three of our new series on...
2023-05-03 23:00:00
Queen Charlotte: real history behind the new Bridgerton series
Tomorrow, period drama fans will be glued to their screens as Netflix releases their latest show set in the Bridgerton universe – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Created by showrunner Shonda Rhim...
2023-05-02 23:00:00
Pomp & power: royal ceremonies through the centuries
Later this week, royal ceremony and spectacle will be deployed in full force for the coronation of King Charles III. But this latest lavish display is nothing new – British monarchs have long used pom...
2023-05-01 23:00:00
WW2 the big questions: final stages of the conflict
How risky were the D-Day landings? What sealed the downfall of Nazi Germany? And why did the US decide to drop atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? In the final episode of our five-part series tackli...
2023-04-30 23:00:00
Westminster Abbey: everything you wanted to know
Westminster Abbey has hosted royal coronations since the medieval period, and the next monarch to be crowned there will be King Charles III. In our latest Everything You Want to Know episode, David Mu...
2023-04-29 23:00:00
How the Bristol bus boycott changed Britain
This April marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Bristol bus boycott in 1963, a campaign to overturn a bar on black and Asian conductors and drivers working on buses in the city. Hannah C...
2023-04-27 23:00:00
Harlot, feminist, witch, backstabber, icon, powerplayer, victim – in the centuries since her execution, Anne Boleyn has been branded all of these. But what do we know about the real Anne and her story...
2023-04-26 23:00:00
The Waco siege: an American tragedy
Thirty years ago, a deadly standoff in Texas between a religious cult and the FBI hit the headlines around the United States. The story of leader David Koresh and the power he held over the Branch Dav...
2023-04-25 23:00:00
Shipwreck, scurvy & mutiny: the gruelling tale of HMS Wager
In January 1742 a ramshackle boat washed up on the Brazilian coastline. Inside were 30 men, half starved and close to madness. Claiming to be survivors of the wrecked British vessel the Wager, they to...
2023-04-24 23:00:00
WW2 the big questions: the Holocaust
How did the Nazis’ poisonous antisemitic rhetoric eventually culminate in the systematic mass-murder of millions? In the fourth episode of our five-part series tackling the big questions of the Second...
2023-04-23 23:00:00
Crusader states: everything you wanted to know
After the fall of Jerusalem into Frankish hands in 1099 during the First Crusade, a string of new crusader states emerged, initiating Western rule in the region for almost 200 years. Drawing on listen...
2023-04-22 23:00:00
How women were excluded from sport – and fought back
Looking at sport history, it’s easy to get the impression that women’s involvement in sporting activities only began in the 1970s. However, as author Rachel Hewitt outlines, women were excluded from s...
2023-04-20 23:00:00
Six wives | 1. Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon’s 23-year-long marriage to King Henry VIII witnessed many twists and turns – triumph, tragedy, and, ultimately, betrayal. In episode one of our new series on the dramatic marital h...
2023-04-19 23:00:00
Æthelflæd: ‘Mother of the English’
Æthelflæd was a successful and celebrated ruler of the Mercian peoples in the early 10th century, who enjoyed a period of great political prosperity. Speaking to Emily Briffett, Rebecca Hardie explore...
2023-04-18 23:00:00
Mindbending experiments: how drugs shaped modern science
In the 19th century, cannabis, cocaine and heroin were widely available over the counter at the local chemist. Respected scientists and doctors tested out laughing gas and chloroform on their friends...
2023-04-17 23:00:00
WW2 the big questions: the ‘Big Three’
How instrumental was Churchill in Britain’s decision to stand against Hitler? What was it like to work with the consummate charmer President Roosevelt? And why did Stalin feel betrayed by his allies?...
2023-04-16 23:00:00
Russian tsars: everything you wanted to know
Who were the rulers of Russia prior to the 1917 Revolution? How accessible were they to the ordinary peoples of the Russian empire? How did a foreign-born princess manage to secure absolute power in S...
2023-04-15 23:00:00
‘Black Douglas’: a not so dastardly bushranger?
A dastardly bandit responsible for incredibly heinous crimes, or a runaway in search of his freedom? Meg Foster unravels the myth of “Black Douglas”, whose life of crime across 19th-century Australia...
2023-04-13 23:00:00
The KGB’s secret war on the west
The KGB would stop at virtually nothing in its attempts to spread chaos and confusion in the west throughout the Cold War. From honeytraps and smear campaigns to spreading fake news, Mark Hollingswort...
2023-04-12 23:00:00
Century of chaos: people & power in the 1600s
The 17th century was a turbulent time for England, overshadowed by a civil war, a coup and a regicide, not to mention the looming threats of terrorism, plague and witch panics. However, in the coffee...
2023-04-11 23:00:00
What Norse poetry reveals about the Viking age
What can Viking poetry reveal about the era in which it was written, and the people that wrote it? And why are ships, love and death some of its most common recurring motifs? Judith Jesch and Carolyne...
2023-04-10 23:00:00
WW2 the big questions: the early years of the conflict
Why did Hitler make the fateful decision to invade Poland in 1939? How did Churchill turn defeat at Dunkirk into a victory on the home front? And why did Japan’s imperial designs lead to war in east A...
2023-04-09 23:00:00
Life in the trenches: everything you wanted to know
What was it really like to live and fight in WW1 trench? Why was throwing your empty food tins into No Man’s Land a death sentence? And what was the worst care package a Tommy could receive from home?...
2023-04-08 23:00:00
If – or when – a nuclear bomb was dropped on Cold War Britain, the nation was primed to react fast. When the sirens sounded, children would run home from school using the quickest familiar route. Fami...
2023-04-06 23:00:00
In recent years, discussions about sustainability and how we can create greener, more environmentally conscious urban spaces have been at the forefront of city planning. But to what extent are these c...
2023-04-05 23:00:00
Boudica’s rebellion: a blood-soaked blow to the Roman empire
Rome’s conquest of Britain in the first century AD was a brutal affair, as was the revolt against it led by Boudica. Duncan Mackay guides David Musgrove through the course of the rebellion, sharing th...
2023-04-04 23:00:00
How many pieces of clothing did the average Tudor own? Did women in the 16th century have specialised maternity wear? And what was behind the fascination with codpieces? Jane Malcolm-Davies stitches t...
2023-04-03 23:00:00
WW2 the big questions: the build up
In the first episode of our podcast series The Big Questions of the Second World War, historian and broadcaster Laurence Rees explains some of the short and long term causes of the global conflict – f...
2023-04-03 10:35:00
British castles: everything you wanted to know
What was the interior design like in medieval castles? Why were so many of these fortresses built in Wales? And what was it like to live in one? In our latest ‘Everything you wanted to know’ episode,...
2023-04-01 23:00:00
The mindset behind the Holocaust
The Holocaust is an event so vast and terrible it can often be hard to wrap our heads around it. But what motivated those who perpetrated horrific crimes in the name of the Third Reich, and how did th...
2023-03-30 23:00:00
Grisly killings & mysterious motives: murder in early modern Britain
Today’s modern fascination with true crime is nothing new – our early modern ancestors also devoured sensational stories of brutal deaths and shocking, unexplained crimes. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne,...
2023-03-29 23:00:00
The man who almost discovered the double helix
Seventy years since James Watson and Francis Crick first revealed DNA’s double-helix structure, Dr Kersten Hall shares the story of the scientist who almost beat them to their major discovery: molecul...
2023-03-28 23:00:00
Marriage, Middlemarch & male pseudonyms: George Eliot’s unconventional life
George Eliot is hailed as one of the greatest novelists of the 19th century. And in many ways the writer’s life was just as fascinating as her work. She repeatedly challenged the restrictive norms of...
2023-03-27 23:00:00
As the Second World War raged, King George VI faced not only a battle for the nation’s survival, but also for the royal family’s reputation. And that reputation came under threat from close quarters,...
2023-03-26 23:00:00
The Seven Years’ War: everything you wanted to know
The Indian subcontinent, North America, south-east Asia and continental Europe all saw vicious fighting in the 1750 and 1760s as part of a major conflict now known as the Seven Years’ War. But did it...
2023-03-26 00:00:00
The story of Henry VIII’s six wives is a tale of political crisis and personal tragedy, sacrifice and survival, sex and death, scandal, love and betrayal. But, after centuries of myth have built up ar...
2023-03-25 00:00:00
Throughout history, have societies always been dominated by men? And how have patriarchal values shaped lives across centuries and continents? Historian June Purvis and writer and broadcaster Angela S...
2023-03-24 00:00:00
Disciplining the “scum of the Earth”
How did the British army keep order among troops and officers during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century? And were the rank and file really as rough and ready as you might imagine? Speaking...
2023-03-23 00:00:00
Women & the crusades: patronage, propaganda & prayer
You might think that the crusades were a largely male enterprise. But while that may have been the case on the battlefield, it certainly wasn’t elsewhere. Speaking with Emily Briffett, medieval histor...
2023-03-22 00:00:00
Science & religion: a story of war or harmony?
Although 19th-century thinkers promoted the narrative that Christianity and science have always been at each other’s throats, in reality, argues Nicholas Spencer, the two have existed for centuries in...
2023-03-21 00:00:00
From the glories of early medieval Northumbria to the urban powerhouses of the industrial revolution, northern England has long had an identity of its own. In his book Northerners, Brian Groom traces...
2023-03-20 00:00:00
Paganism: everything you wanted to know
What did ancient pagans actually believe? Why were they fascinated by the divinity of nature? And why did paganism capture the imagination of the Romantics? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Professor Ronal...
2023-03-19 00:00:00
Eat for victory: WW2’s “British Restaurants”
Canteen dining conjures up visions of plastic trays, hard benches and bowls of beige slop. But as the hardships of the Second World War began to bite, punters flocked to an idealistic establishment ca...
2023-03-17 00:00:00
Madame Restell: the abortionist who shocked and fascinated 19th-century New York
In the 19th century, one businesswoman shocked, horrified and fascinated New York society more than any other. Madame Restell was a celebrity and self-made millionaire known for her diamonds and love...
2023-03-16 00:00:00
Medieval manuscripts: an enduring obsession
For centuries, people have been dazzled by the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages. But how much do we know about the countless makers, collectors and connoisseurs who took care of them behind...
2023-03-15 00:00:00
Njinga: queen, warrior, diplomat
Queen Njinga, the 17th-century ruler of Ndongo and Matamba, in modern-day Angola, established an impressive reputation for her skills as a warrior and diplomat. At a time when Portuguese colonists wer...
2023-03-14 00:00:00
Sirens, succubi & sex symbols: a history of female monsters
From the dangers of childbirth to female sexuality, myths and legends about female monsters like mermaids and sirens can tell us a lot about different societies’ attitudes towards women over time. Spe...
2023-03-13 00:00:00
Britain’s WW2 home front: everything you wanted to know
As the Second World War raged across the world, what was life like for those back home in Britain? How did families make it through the terror of bombing raids? How many people took part in black mark...
2023-03-12 00:00:00
Treasure, heritage & returning artefacts
Headlines have been made recently by proposed changes to the Treasure Act in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes would see more historical and archaeological artefacts defined as “treasur...
2023-03-11 00:00:00
Satire & scandal: the printmakers who mocked Georgian society
Women blown up like balloons about to burst; leaders carving up the globe like a plum pudding; a drunken, bloated prince sprawled surrounded by unpaid invoices – the art of satirists like James Gillra...
2023-03-10 00:00:00
Elizabethan witchcraft: a trial that divided a community
In the 1580s, the remote Essex village of St Osyth was beset by poverty and social tensions – and when a servant accused her neighbour of witchcraft, it sparked a crisis that engulfed the entire commu...
2023-03-09 00:00:00
In March 2003, a coalition of troops from nations including the United States and the United Kingdom mounted an invasion of the Republic of Iraq, with the stated aim of removing weapons of mass destru...
2023-03-08 00:00:00
Volcanoes & nuclear armageddon: humanity’s long relationship with nature
For thousands of years, humans have been in thrall to climate – it has dictated the crops we grow, the water we drink and even the diseases to which we might succumb. Rhiannon Davies speaks to Peter F...
2023-03-07 00:00:00
Meeting the Mughals: England’s disastrous first embassy to India
In 1616, when the first English embassy was installed in Mughal India, England was a minor player on the global stage rather than a leading actor. Nandini Das explores what the challenges of this emba...
2023-03-06 00:00:00
Medieval women: everything you wanted to know
What chores did medieval women have to get through each day? How could plucking your eyebrows in the Middle Ages land you in hell? And why did people believe that older women’s looks could kill? In ou...
2023-03-05 00:00:00
History’s greatest cities: Prague Trailer
We’ve just launched a brand-new podcast series, History’s greatest cities, offering the chance to roam the streets and sights of some of Europe’s most fascinating metropolises. Join travel writer Paul...
2023-03-04 00:00:00
Adventure, betrayal & beetles: the quest for the source of the Nile
In the mid 19th century, a team of explorers set off in search of an elusive goal – the source of the River Nile. Set against a backdrop of imperial expansion into Africa, the expedition was led by Ri...
2023-03-03 00:00:00
The Tudor who hiked North America
The name David Ingram isn’t well known, but his story is extraordinary. This Tudor explorer embarked on a remarkable 3,600-mile trek across North America in the 1560s, encountering sights and sounds t...
2023-03-02 00:00:00
Dick Whittington: from medieval merchant to panto hero
If you grew up watching pantomimes, then you’ll likely be familiar with the story of Richard “Dick” Whittington – the poor country boy who ends up becoming three-times Lord Mayor of London. But did yo...
2023-03-01 00:00:00
Pirate flags & wedding gowns: a patchwork of a Victorian life
In 2016, fashion historian Kate Strasdin was given an extraordinary object – an album of richly coloured and brightly patterned fabric scraps, all collected by one woman across the Victorian age. Spea...
2023-02-28 00:00:00
At a time when male homosexuality was illegal in Britain, celebrated playwright Oscar Wilde became embroiled in a scandal that ultimately saw him put on trial for “gross indecency”. As Professor Josep...
2023-02-27 00:00:00
Medieval peasants: everything you wanted to know
What was it like to be a peasant in the Middle Ages? Did they live well, with access to sufficient food, water and shelter, or were their lives characterised by poverty, pain and hard labour? Did they...
2023-02-26 00:00:00
History's greatest cities | Berlin
This week we are featuring episode one from our brand new series, History's greatest cities. If you enjoy this episode and want to listen to the rest of the series make sure you follow the feed where...
2023-02-25 00:00:00
The book that transformed medieval England
It was an enterprise that helped transform a marginalised language into a global powerhouse. Lydia Zeldenrust tells Spencer Mizen how, some 550 years ago, a middle-aged merchant called William Caxton...
2023-02-24 00:00:00
The Middle Ages have often been shrouded in myth and mystery, but was it actually as unchanging, uncivilised and muddy as we might think? Historian and author Ian Mortimer challenges these popular per...
2023-02-23 00:00:00
The cult of Freud: science, sex & psychoanalysis
From the Oedipus complex to the Freudian slip, the theories of Sigmund Freud are still familiar to us today. But how much do we know about his life? Seamus O’Mahony tells the story of the founder of p...
2023-02-22 00:00:00
Breastfeeding: a cultural history
Breastfeeding may seem like an innate human experience that transcends history. But, according to art and cultural historian Joanna Wolfarth, experiences of feeding babies have always been embedded in...
2023-02-21 00:00:00
Heliogabalus: Rome’s scandalous emperor
The story of the Roman emperor Heliogabalus is filled with sex, death, decadence and religious extremism, but it also touches on some key questions about imperial Rome. What were the limits of politic...
2023-02-20 00:00:00
Interwar Britain: everything you wanted to know
How ‘roaring’ were the roaring twenties for ordinary britons? Did views of the British empire change after the first world war?And what caused the economic woes of the 1930s? Speaking to Elinor Evans,...
2023-02-19 00:00:00
Which LGBTQ+ histories get told – and which get overlooked?
Uncovering and telling the stories of LGBTQ+ people in history can be rewarding, important work, but it’s also often challenging and complex. How far is it possible to understand the sexualities of pe...
2023-02-17 00:00:00
From the Middle Ages to #MeToo: Chaucer’s Wife of Bath
The Wife of Bath is a stand-out figure in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The only ordinary woman in the procession of pilgrims heading to Thomas Becket’s shrine, Alison is a sexually active, out...
2023-02-16 00:00:00
Astonishing Æthelstan: Michael Wood on the 10th-century king
Anglo-Saxon king Æthelstan was the first West Saxon leader to effectively rule over all of England. And with Alfred the Great as a grandfather, he had quite the family legacy to live up to. Speaking w...
2023-02-15 00:00:00
Cleopatra’s triumphant daughter
When Cleopatra took her own life in 30 BC it marked the conclusion of Egypt’s ruling dynasty, but not the end of her family line. Classicist Jane Draycott tells the little-known story of Cleopatra Sel...
2023-02-14 00:00:00
Marie Antoinette in her own words
Marie Antoinette is a historical figure who has been much mythologised – as callous, superficial, extravagant and out of touch with reality. But if we go back to the original sources and examine her o...
2023-02-13 00:00:34
The Romantics: everything you wanted to know
Who were the Romantics? And how did they shake up society and culture at the turn of the 19th century? Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Daisy Hay answers your top questions on the rebellious literary move...
2023-02-12 00:00:43
Fearless female voices of the Spanish Civil War
In the summer of 1936, Spain descended into a brutal civil war between its democratically elected government and a nationalist insurgency led by General Francisco Franco. Sarah Watling tells Jon Bauck...
2023-02-10 00:00:27
Why did the Ottoman empire implode?
Defeat in the First World War dealt the Ottoman empire a terrible blow, but it wasn’t terminal. Ryan Gingeras tells Spencer Mizen that it was what happened next – between 1918 and 1922 – that condemne...
2023-02-09 00:00:28
Shakespeare’s plays are peppered with characters from across the social spectrum, from kings and nobility down to servants, soldiers and shepherds. Speaking to Rhiannon Davies, theatre director and au...
2023-02-08 00:00:21
Tudors in revolt: the Western Rising of 1549
The Western Rising of 1549 was the most catastrophic event to occur in Devon and Cornwall between the Black Death and the Civil War. What started as an argument between two men and their local vicar g...
2023-02-07 00:00:03
Female spies who forged the CIA
Many of the agents who played a crucial role in establishing the organisation now known as the Central Intelligence Agency – or CIA – were women. And yet, in the early days of the agency in post-WW2 A...
2023-02-06 00:00:46
Prehistoric cave art: everything you want to know
The palaeolithic period stretches across a vast period of space and time, but if there’s one thing that really brings the prehistoric era to life for us today, it’s cave art. Professor Paul Pettitt an...
2023-02-05 00:00:36
A secret Nazi plot to kill the ‘Big Three’
What would have happened if Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt had all been assassinated at the height of World War Two? Speaking with Elinor Evans, Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch...
2023-02-03 00:00:34
Wild places & wild people: a short history of common land
Common land – land which wasn’t settled or farmed – used to exist right across Britain, and provided a vital shared resource for local communities. However, it was also seen by some as a wild place fo...
2023-02-02 00:00:00
The forgotten years that forged Wales
In Welsh history, the period that lies between the medieval era of resistance to English occupation, and the rapid industrialisation of the 18th and 19th centuries, is often forgotten. Yet, there was...
2023-02-01 00:00:28
How six women programmed the world’s first modern computer
During the Second World War, six talented mathematicians were brought together to make history. These women had one mission: to program the world’s first and only supercomputer. Speaking with Rachel D...
2023-01-31 00:00:46
Throughout history, people have got tattooed for a huge range of reasons, whether religious devotion, artistic expression, or to demonstrate cultural belonging – or cultural difference. Dr Matt Lodder...
2023-01-30 00:00:45
Railway history: everything you wanted to know
What was it like to travel on the earliest trains, before open carriages, and even toilets? When was the first rail accident? And how did railways transform nations and continents? Christian Wolmar an...
2023-01-29 00:00:21
Forgotten histories of the Holocaust
According to historian Dan Stone, popular understanding of the Holocaust, in all of its horror and complexity, is often incomplete or fractured. Speaking with Matt Elton, Dan explores some of the over...
2023-01-27 00:00:54
An audacious kidnapping in 1970s Paris
On 23 January 1978, Baron Édouard-Jean Empain was snatched from the streets of Paris, in an audacious kidnapping attempt. Before long, a ransom of 80 million francs was demanded. And to show they mean...
2023-01-26 00:00:07
Blood, sweat & marble: examining ancient bodies
Imagine an ancient Greek or Roman body, and the first picture that pops into your head is probably made of marble or stone – perhaps an austere bust, or a gleaming, musclebound sculpture, polished, co...
2023-01-25 00:00:50
A journey along the Iron Curtain
In 1946, Churchill declared that “from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the Continent”. But what exactly did this rhetorical border look like duri...
2023-01-24 00:00:36
Fleeing revolution: Russians exiles in Paris
In 1917, the Russian Revolution saw scores of Russian aristocrats and artists flee to Paris to escape Bolshevik brutality. Speaking to Matt Elton, Helen Rappaport highlights some of their stories, exp...
2023-01-23 00:00:52
The history of atheism: everything you wanted to know
When was the word “atheist” first used? How dangerous was it to question the existence of God in the Middle Ages? And how successful were communist regimes of the 20th century at stamping out religion...
2023-01-22 00:00:55
How FDR transformed the US presidency
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the presidency of the United States in 1933, he became the head of a nation facing immense hardship and disenchantment amid the Great Depression. No president, e...
2023-01-20 00:00:36
Indigenous American travellers in Europe
When we think about the first encounters between Europe and the Americas, we’ve traditionally imagined a one-sided story of “Old world” Europeans voyaging to the “New World” of the Americas. But what...
2023-01-19 00:00:34
The PoWs who survived Nagasaki
The Japanese city of Nagasaki is probably best known for being the target of the world’s second-ever nuclear attack in August 1945. Yet the city was also home to hundreds of Allied prisoners of war, f...
2023-01-18 00:00:59
Parachuting monkeys & volcanic eruptions: an extraordinary Victorian zoo
With parachuting monkeys, volcanic eruptions and performances of Beethoven’s symphonies, Surrey Zoo was no ordinary Victorian attraction. Dr Joanne Cormac joins Rob Attar to discuss the story of this...
2023-01-17 00:00:17
Curious cures for medieval maladies
If you feel unwell today you can pick up a prescription or head to a medical centre, but how did ill people treat their ailments in the Middle Ages? A major new project at Cambridge University Library...
2023-01-16 00:00:54
Jane Austen’s England: everything you wanted to know
What was society’s attitude towards female writers in Regency England? How far did class affect the hopes of young couples looking to be wed? And did people really spend all day gossiping about grand...
2023-01-15 00:00:18
In the 19th century, Britain imagined itself as a bastion of beef-eating carnivores. But at a time when meat consumption was taken as a signifier of personal heartiness and national prosperity, a rebe...
2023-01-13 00:00:23
An environmental history of big business
As part of our series of conversations with winners of the 2022 Dan David Prize, Dr Bart Elmore discusses his research into the environmental impacts of global capitalism through history with Helen Ca...
2023-01-12 00:00:03
Tools, temples & tower blocks: how wood has shaped human history
For millennia, humans have cut down trees to create buildings, ships, tools, weapons and everyday objects we still use around the home. Author and archaeologist Max Adams tells Jon Bauckham what study...
2023-01-11 00:00:12
Weaponising food in the Third Reich
In Hitler’s Germany, what you ate was not a personal matter – sacrificing luxury was a way for German citizens to demonstrate their patriotism, while hunger was weaponised as a tool of war and oppress...
2023-01-10 00:00:48
“A serial killer of civilisations”: a history of climate change
From the Justinian plague to the fall of the Maya, climate change has been connected to many of history’s great catastrophes. Environmental journalist Eugene Linden speaks to Rhiannon Davies about the...
2023-01-09 00:00:39
Life under Cromwell: everything you wanted to know
The 11 years between the execution of King Charles I in 1649 and the restoration of his son, Charles II, in 1660 are among the most turbulent in all of British history – and it was a period dominated...
2023-01-08 00:00:41
Oddball art: cannibals, hellscapes & flying monks
From kaleidoscopic hellscapes to portraits of cannibals and flying monks, Edward Brooke-Hitching introduces some of the strangest creations in art history. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he takes us on...
2023-01-06 00:00:21
The floating hell of prison hulks
Decried by reformers as “wicked Noah’s arks” and “rotten leaky tubs”, prison hulks were a looming presence off the shores of 18th- and 19th-century Britain and its empire. Large former navy ships were...
2023-01-05 00:00:21
During the Second World War, around 60,000 people in Britain registered as conscientious objectors, seeking an exemption from military service on the grounds of their religious conviction, political s...
2023-01-04 00:00:30
Power dressing: the hidden value of clothes in 19th-century America
Legal historian Laura F Edwards discusses her new book on clothing and textiles in 19th-century America, Only the Clothes on Her Back. Speaking to Elinor Evans, she reveals the meaning and care that w...
2023-01-03 00:00:42
Sabotage, cyberwar & assassination: a history of covert action
Ever since the Greeks supposedly hid inside a wooden horse to sneak into Troy, states have meddled in other nations’ affairs, turning to the dark arts of sabotage, propaganda and state-sanctioned kill...
2023-01-02 00:00:37
Conspiracy: the lost civilisation of Atlantis
In the final episode of our series on history’s most well-known conspiracy theories, we investigate the idea that a highly advanced civilisation existed many thousands of years ago, before being wiped...
2023-01-01 00:00:14
Conspiracy: was the moon landing faked?
In the fifth episode of our new series on history’s most well-known conspiracy theories, we revisit a defining moment of the 20th century that many people believe never happened at all. Rob Attar is j...
2022-12-30 00:00:50
Conspiracy: Who wrote Shakespeare?
In episode four of our new series on history’s most well-known conspiracy theories, we ask why many people don’t believe that William Shakespeare was the real author of the plays attributed to him. In...
2022-12-29 00:00:20
Conspiracy: did Anastasia escape her family’s murder?
In the third episode of our new series on some of history’s most well-known conspiracy theories, we examine the suggestion that one of Tsar Nicholas II’s daughters – Anastasia – survived the family’s...
2022-12-28 00:00:41
Conspiracy: did aliens build the pyramids?
Continuing our series on some of history’s most well-known conspiracy theories, we delve into the idea that Ancient Egypt’s iconic monuments were built with extraterrestrial assistance. In conversatio...
2022-12-27 00:00:15
Conspiracy: Hitler’s escape to South America
Did Adolf Hitler really make it out of the bunker alive at the end of the Second World War? In the first episode of our new series on some of history’s most well-known conspiracy theories, we explore...
2022-12-26 00:00:20
Alexander the Great’s extraordinary childhood
Alexander the Great didn’t become a brilliant warrior and empire-builder overnight. His talents were the product of an upbringing that encompassed political assassinations, a dysfunctional relationshi...
2022-12-23 00:00:18
The Cuban Missile Crisis: the road to resolution
In the concluding episode of our series on the Cuban Missile Crisis, we trace how a tentative compromise coincided with the most dangerous moments of the stand-off, in an exchange of letters that thre...
2022-12-22 00:00:13
Dandies, fops & macaronis: fashionable men through history
Dominic Janes discusses his new history of British dandies, which explores how such ‘dressy men’ – from fops and macaronis, to aesthetes – provoked both fascination and horror in their societies. Spea...
2022-12-21 00:00:51
Lucy Lethbridge discusses her new book on the emergence and boom of mass British tourism. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she touches on early package holidays led by the fatherly Thomas Cook, the vomit-...
2022-12-20 00:00:24
The Mongols were an unstoppable force through the 12th and 13th centuries, with an empire that stretched across huge swathes of land, from China to Europe. But its territory also included much of the...
2022-12-19 00:00:43
The history of alcohol: everything you wanted to know
What’s the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage? Why was wine believed to be medicinal? And did medieval people actually get drunk from sipping beer all day? In our latest everything you wanted to know e...
2022-12-18 00:00:43
How ballroom dancing gripped Britain
From the Turkey trot to the scandalously intimate moves of the Parisian tango, the 20th century saw Britain gripped by dance craze after dance craze. Performed in public halls up and down the country,...
2022-12-16 00:00:13
The Cuban Missile Crisis: Dangerous days
In the third episode of our series on the Cuban Missile Crisis, we chart the first phase of the Cold War standoff. Elinor Evans speaks to expert historians Alex von Tunzelmann, Mark White and William...
2022-12-15 00:00:41
The Pacific campaign featured some of the most brutal battles of the Second World War – Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa among them. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Saul David explores the...
2022-12-14 00:00:18
Inside Germany’s postwar prisons
In the wake of the Second World War, Germany was a country on the brink of collapse. Despite the war’s end, the years to follow were turbulent, as Germans lived through the division of East and West,...
2022-12-13 00:00:50
Peter Stanford reflects on the meaning of pilgrimage across world history, considering whether we share anything in common with pilgrims of the past. Speaking with Emily Briffett, he traces different...
2022-12-12 00:00:47
British spies in WW2: everything you wanted to know
From ingenious gadgets to audacious plots, historian Helen Fry answers listener questions on British espionage in the Second World War. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she explores how agents were recrui...
2022-12-11 00:00:01
Black Victorians: radicals, muses, inmates & aristocrats
From political agitators and artist’s muses to composers, sailors, asylum inmates and the goddaughter of the queen herself, black people led a variety of fascinating lives in Victorian Britain. Dr Joh...
2022-12-09 00:00:23
The Cuban Missile Crisis: broken ties & a secret pact
The 1961 Bay of Pigs operation was a debacle for the United States that inflamed Cold War tensions to a new height. In the second episode of our series on the Cuban Missile Crisis, Elinor Evans speaks...
2022-12-08 00:00:36
Football in the First World War
Why wasn’t football banned on the home front when men were fighting and dying in France and Belgium? Did war halt the march of commercialisation in the sport? And why did the number of red cards surge...
2022-12-07 00:00:10
From the 19th century onwards, waves of Irish emigrants left their home nation to begin new lives across the globe. Sean Connolly, author of On Every Tide, tells Ellie Cawthorne about the experiences...
2022-12-06 00:00:01
Warrior queens & quiet revolutionaries: forgotten women from history
Author Kate Mosse shares inspirational stories of women from across global history – including the forgotten life of her great grandmother Lily Watson During lockdown, author Kate Mosse set out on her...
2022-12-05 00:00:13
Sixties counterculture: everything you wanted to know
Where did the term “hippie” originate? What music best reflected a generation’s disaffection with the establishment, and opposition to the Vietnam War? And how did the culture wars of the sixties shap...
2022-12-04 00:00:48
Did Adolf Hitler really die in 1945? Did Ancient Egyptians really build the pyramids? And did Shakespeare really write the plays that bear his name? In our new upcoming HistoryExtra podcast series, Co...
2022-12-03 12:00:48
From books delving into hidden histories to eye-opening global stories and epic World War Two blockbusters, 2022 has been an excellent year for history books. Rhiannon Davies is joined by historians M...
2022-12-02 00:00:32
The Cuban Missile Crisis: tensions mount
How did the world end up on the brink of nuclear disaster? In the first episode of our series on the Cuban Missile Crisis, Elinor Evans speaks to expert historians Alex von Tunzelmann, Mark White and...
2022-12-01 00:00:50
Debtors’ prisons: Dickensian horrors or economic successes?
Debtors’ prisons were a major feature of Georgian society in England and Wales. But how did the idea of locking up debtors to make them pay their creditors actually work in reality? Dr Alexander Wakel...
2022-11-30 00:00:44
Dark Age bullies & forgotten kingdoms: busting early medieval myths
The traditional story that’s told about Britain from the end of the Roman period through to the arrival of the Vikings is one of coalescing kingdoms, leading inexorably towards the rise of Wessex as t...
2022-11-29 00:00:44
Enslavement, separation & survival: the story of "Ashley's sack"
In 1850s South Carolina, an enslaved woman named Rose packed a sack containing a few precious items for her nine-year-old daughter Ashley. Ashley §was then separated from her mother and sold, and it’s...
2022-11-28 00:00:44
Surgical history: everything you wanted to know
Why was a transfusion of lamb’s blood believed to cure epilepsy? What surgical procedures could you get in ancient Egypt? And were medieval surgical practitioners really a help to patients – or a hind...
2022-11-27 00:00:06
On 16 October 1962, US President John F Kennedy was made aware of the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles away from the shores of the United States. The 13 October days that fol...
2022-11-26 00:00:20
American psychiatry: a tortured history
From the earliest asylums that sold themselves as restorative “retreats”, to the damaging vogue for lobotomies and electric shock therapy, psychiatry in America has gone through many iterations since...
2022-11-25 00:00:32
The Mary Rose | 6. protecting the wreck
When the Mary Rose was first pulled from the Solent, you could be forgiven for thinking that what had been salvaged was just a “pile of old wood”. But, over the years, incredible developments in conse...
2022-11-24 00:00:26
Spiritualism, fairies, and Arthur Conan-Doyle
Historians Fiona Snailham and Anna Maria Barry reveal why the creator of Sherlock Holmes was so obsessed with contacting the dead. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, they discuss the rise of spiritualism in...
2022-11-23 00:00:51
Desk killers: the psychology of committing crimes against humanity
Author Dan Gretton discusses his book I You We Them, which examines the psychology of individuals who organised and implemented some of the worst crimes against humanity, from the Holocaust to human r...
2022-11-22 00:00:08
Mary, Queen of Scots: The Scottish years
Mary, Queen of Scots became queen when she was only six days old, but her reign had collapsed by the time she was 24. Speaking to Rhiannon Davies, Rosemary Goring explores the queen’s tumultuous Scott...
2022-11-21 00:00:56
World Cup history: everything you wanted to know
Throughout its 92-year existence, the FIFA Men’s World Cup has delivered its fair share of iconic moments – and controversies. But how did the competition originally begin? Who were its first heavywei...
2022-11-20 00:00:59
Author Peter Stothard explores the eventful life of Marcus Licinius Crassus, an enormously wealthy politician and general, who rivalled Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great in late Republican Rome. In c...
2022-11-18 00:00:46
The Mary Rose | 5. the mysterious men on-board
Imagine yourself standing on-board the Mary Rose, surrounded by the crew – how do you picture the men around you? If you look at their faces, what do you see? In this episode, we’ll be introducing you...
2022-11-17 00:00:10
Global stories of museum artefacts
As part of our series of conversations with winners of the 2022 Dan David Prize, Dr Mirjam Brusius speaks with Helen Carr about her research into the global stories of museum artefacts, and how they c...
2022-11-16 00:00:56
Victorian visions of the future
When the Victorians imagined the 21st century, they pictured a world powered by the wonders of electricity, with smartly dressed men in impeccable suits whizzing around on flying machines, getting the...
2022-11-15 00:00:32
The 14th century was an era of high drama in England – from the toppling of two kings and the Hundred Years’ War to the Black Death and Peasants’ Revolt. Speaking with Emily Briffett, bestselling hist...
2022-11-14 00:00:32
The Crimean War: everything you wanted to know
The Crimean War of 1853-6 saw Russia clash with an alliance of forces including Britain, France and the Ottoman empire. But what were the causes of the conflict? Why does it still exert such a hold on...
2022-11-13 00:00:57
Writing the history of the modern monarchy
Recent years have seen a flurry of historical dramas and documentaries surrounding the modern monarchy, with historians and commentators debating whether or not they offer a fair depiction of the roya...
2022-11-12 00:00:52
The Mary Rose | 4. inside the Tudor treasure trove
When the Mary Rose was rescued from the seafloor, it wasn’t just a large timber hull that was salvaged – more than 19,000 historical objects were dredged from the depths alongside it. These artefacts...
2022-11-11 00:00:08
A whistle-stop tour around the world in AD 1500
To mark HistoryExtra’s 1500th episode, Jerry Brotton takes Ellie Cawthorne on a whistle-stop tour around the world in AD 1500, from the powerful dynasties of Eurasia and the rich culture of Ming dynas...
2022-11-10 00:00:08
Are period dramas damaging history?
How important is it for period dramas to accurately reflect the past? What ethical issues are raised by actors playing fictionalised versions of real people? And does the media depict historians and a...
2022-11-09 00:00:56
Pharaohs' pants & knightly toilet troubles: teaching history to kids
How exactly do you get children interested in history? Public historian Greg Jenner discusses his new children’s book You Are History, and explains to David Musgrove how you can build bridges to the p...
2022-11-08 00:00:07
Medieval excommunication: eternal damnation or no big deal?
In Christian-dominated medieval Europe, what did it mean to be excommunicated? How much of an earth-shattering punishment was it, and what can excommunications tell us about the attitudes of people in...
2022-11-07 00:00:28
The gunpowder plot: everything you wanted to know
What drove a group of plotters to attempt to blow up the king on 5 November 1605? To what extent did the conspiracy sour relations between Protestants and Catholics? And why do we continue to be so fa...
2022-11-06 00:00:01
How is Tutankhamun’s legacy shaped by colonialism?
Professor Christina Riggs talks to Kev Lochun about the legacy of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. She looks beyond the glittering treasures of his tomb to discover how the young pharaoh became a...
2022-11-04 00:00:34
The Mary Rose | 3. the fatal final moments
As Henry VIII stood along the walls of Southsea Castle on 19 July 1545, the air was hot and still. Yet, England was on the brink of disaster, as an enormous French fleet had arrived with revenge on th...
2022-11-03 00:00:24
History & science: the big questions
What can modern scientists learn from historians? Dr Lindsey Fitzharris, Professor Sasha Hadley, Professor Sanjoy Bhattacharya and Professor Alice Roberts explore the often surprising connections betw...
2022-11-02 00:00:31
How the Allies plucked victory from the jaws of defeat
The Second World War saw Allied forces evolve from serial losers to a war-winning machine. Comedian and history buff Al Murray talks to Spencer Mizen about 10 commanders – from Bernard Montgomery to G...
2022-11-01 00:00:49
Halloween monsters: everything you wanted to know
How did witches transition from terrifying old crones to symbols of female empowerment? Was Count Dracula inspired by a real person? And why do ghosts wear white sheets? To explore the long history of...
2022-10-31 00:00:09
Halloween traditions: everything you wanted to know
How did a Catholic religious celebration transform into a spooky, supernatural festivity? Why were turnips and swedes replaced by pumpkins? And what happened on ‘mischief night’? Speaking with Ellie C...
2022-10-29 23:00:49
Christianity: a success story from the start?
Christianity has been one of the dominant forces in European history, but according to historian Peter Heather, its rise to prominence wasn’t inevitable. In conversation with Emily Briffett, Peter con...
2022-10-27 23:00:47
The Mary Rose | 2. the Tudor heyday of Henry VIII’s warship
The Mary Rose had a long life before its fighting days were brought to an abrupt end as it sank to the bottom of the Solent. Rewinding back almost 500 years, Emily Briffett speaks to Dr Tracy Borman a...
2022-10-26 23:00:00
Bestselling historian Simon Sebag Montefiore discusses his major new book, which tells the entire history of the world through the prism of families. In conversation with Rob Attar, he delves into the...
2022-10-25 23:00:05
Cuba & the USA: an intertwined history
Ada Ferrer discusses her Cundill History Prize-nominated book, Cuba: An American History. In her account spanning five centuries, Ferrer takes Elinor Evans from the island’s colonisation by Europeans...
2022-10-24 23:00:49
Chaos, ruin & renewal: Germany in 1945
At the bitter, drawn-out conclusion of the Second World War in 1945, Germany stood in ruins – both literally and psychologically. Cities had been reduced to rubble, millions were dead or displaced and...
2022-10-23 23:00:13
Sci-fi history: everything you wanted to know
Why has the idea of a “utopia” been so compelling over the centuries? What major cultural shifts have been reflected by the sci-fi genre? And why have generations of sci-fi authors been so obsessed wi...
2022-10-22 23:00:08
The Cuban Missile Crisis Series Trailer
On 16 October 1962, US President John F Kennedy was made aware of the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles away from the shores of the United States. The 13 October days that fol...
2022-10-22 11:00:11
Chaucer’s disputed legacy: new discoveries
Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the most famous figures in English literature, and remains widely lauded for his major works such as The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde. However, a dark shadow lo...
2022-10-21 23:00:34
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan: war without end
When Soviet forces mounted an invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979, they entered a nation already in the grips of a complex civil war. Speaking to Matt Elton, Elisabeth Leake reveals how the invas...
2022-10-20 23:00:38
The Mary Rose | 1. raising the wreck
Forty years ago, when the Mary Rose was raised from the seabed on 11 October 1982, it was a momentous occasion, met with global broadcasts and cheers from excited bystanders. This daring feat of under...
2022-10-19 23:00:37
Spectacles of death: public executions in London
From grisly medieval punishments to the justice doled out to celebrity criminals in the Victorian era, public executions were a spectacle that shaped the landscape of London for centuries. Curator Bev...
2022-10-18 23:00:05
Berlin’s turbulent 20th century
Sinclair McKay traces the history of the German city through the lives of its inhabitants, and how they weathered the tumult of the 20th century – from the wild hedonism of the Weimar years cut short...
2022-10-17 23:00:51
In 1789, a group of mutinous sailors seized control of HMS Bounty from its captain William Bligh in dramatic fashion. A new book by Harrison Christian explores the life of the author’s direct ancestor...
2022-10-16 23:00:27
The Bank of England: everything you wanted to know
Why was the Bank of England created? Did it power the Industrial Revolution? And when did it become known as the “Old Lady”? As the Bank continues to hit the headlines in the UK, Professor Anne Murphy...
2022-10-15 23:00:42
Empire: the big historical questions
There has been an absolute sea change in the study of empire in recent years. But what are the challenges of grappling with often difficult imperial history, and how does it shape our view of the worl...
2022-10-14 23:00:41
1066: the pope and the conqueror
On the anniversary of the battle of Hastings, Daniel Armstrong speaks to David Musgrove about the truth behind the story that Pope Alexander II granted a papal banner to William of Normandy in advance...
2022-10-13 23:00:09
Why Bond and the Beatles ruled the sixties
The 5th October 1962 was a big bang moment for modern British culture. John Higgs takes Spencer Mizen back to the momentous day when the Beatles’ first single, Love Me Do, was released and the first J...
2022-10-12 23:00:07
Ian McEwan on writing historical novels
How responsible are novelists for shaping public understanding of the past? And how can books recreate the sentiments of a bygone era? In conversation with Emily Briffett, award-winning author Ian McE...
2022-10-11 23:00:13
The Congo-Océan railroad’s deadly history
One of the deadliest construction projects in history, the Congo-Océan railroad likely caused as many as 23,000 African deaths. Unofficial estimates are much higher, and the exact number will never be...
2022-10-10 23:00:12
15 minutes of fame: rediscovering forgotten figures
To wrap up our ‘15 minutes of fame’ series, public historian and broadcaster Helen Carr hosts a panel discussion with historians Fern Riddell, Caroline Dodds Pennock and Rana Mitter to tackle some big...
2022-10-09 23:00:40
Black British history: everything you wanted to know
How far back does the story of black people in Britain stretch? Who was Cheddar Man? And what evidence do we have of black people in the medieval and Tudor eras? Historian Hannah Cusworth answers your...
2022-10-08 23:00:22
Ten years after the remains of Richard III were unearthed, and as The Lost King arrives in UK cinemas, archaeologist and author Mike Pitts reflects on the astonishing discovery of the “king in the car...
2022-10-06 23:00:02
Robert Harris on the manhunt for Charles I’s killers
Charles II was determined to seek revenge on the men who killed his father. During the Restoration period the regicides fled across the globe and were hunted down by the king’s allies, to be gruesomel...
2022-10-05 23:00:49
Anti-Chinese prejudice: from gold rushes to exclusion laws
In the 19th century, the promise of gold brought Chinese immigrants to the west in unprecedented numbers. But before long, friction emerged on the gold fields. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Mae Ngai ex...
2022-10-04 23:00:23
Journalist and author Giles Whittell tells the story of the 1942 St Nazaire Raid, which saw hundreds of British commandos launch an audacious attack on German-occupied France. In conversation with Rob...
2022-10-03 23:00:26
15 minutes of fame: Babur, dynasty founder and diarist
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor...
2022-10-02 23:00:21
The Knights Templar: everything you wanted to know
Who joined the Knights Templar? When not waging war, what did they get up to on a day-to-day basis? And how did they become associated with the Holy Grail? In this “Everything you wanted to know” epis...
2022-10-01 23:00:22
Clash of cultures: how interpreters bridged the gap between Britain and China
Henrietta Harrison discusses her Cundill Prize-shortlisted book on the interpreters who took on the dangerous task of communicating between the British empire and Qing China. Speaking to Ellie Cawthor...
2022-09-29 23:00:06
What can one woman reveal about Jewish life in medieval England?
What can the life of one woman reveal about the experience of Jews in medieval England? Following the unveiling of a statue of Licoricia of Winchester earlier this year, Professor Miri Rubin, Dr Dean...
2022-09-28 23:00:07
Historian Andrew Roberts discusses his new biography of Lord Northcliffe, the early 20th-century press baron who dominated the British media and had the power to bring down prime ministers. In convers...
2022-09-27 23:00:25
Is it strange that we go to museums to look at dead bodies? Angela Stienne’s book Mummified explores some of the ethical issues around displaying ancient Egyptian human remains. Speaking to Ellie Cawt...
2022-09-26 23:00:38
15 minutes of fame: Hannah Humphrey, entrepreneurial Georgian printseller
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Hannah...
2022-09-25 23:00:04
The CIA: everything you wanted to know
Why was the CIA formed? Who were the key players in the agency’s history? And what was its most significant scandal? Seventy five years on since the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency was form...
2022-09-24 23:00:14
The end of Roman Britain: families, ancestors and DNA
The use of ancient DNA analysis looks set to revolutionise our understanding of the end of Roman Britain. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Duncan Sayer to discuss a major new ancient DNA pr...
2022-09-23 23:00:19
Love, marriage & wallpaper: the artistic lives of Jane and William Morris
Victorian designer William Morris is remembered for his distinctive nature-inspired designs, many of which still grace wallpapers and furniture fabrics today. Less well-known is his wife, Jane – thoug...
2022-09-22 23:00:01
Tutankhamun | 7. the contested legacy of an icon
In the 100 years since his tomb was discovered, Tutankhamun has become the icon of ancient Egypt – a muse for fashionistas and movie-makers, a pop culture staple and a political rallying cry. But what...
2022-09-21 23:00:42
African and Caribbean people in Britain: a 2,000-year history
The story of African and Caribbean people in Britain goes back to before the Roman empire. Rhiannon Davies spoke to Professor Hakim Adi to discover how their lives and stories have shaped Britain’s hi...
2022-09-20 23:00:12
Dangerous ideas & scandalous lives: Germany’s first Romantics
At the turn of the 19th century, a small university town in Germany became the beating heart of an intellectual revolution. From philosophers and poets to scientists and playwrights, Jena attracted so...
2022-09-19 23:00:18
15 minutes of fame: Kleisthenes, father of Athenian democracy
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor...
2022-09-18 23:00:10
Royal funerals: everything you wanted to know
Where did traditional royal funerary practices come from? When did lying in state begin? And will the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II set any new precedents? In this special edition of our ‘Everything y...
2022-09-17 23:00:37
Dan Jones on writing historical fiction
After making his name as a medieval historian, Dan Jones has turned his hand to historical fiction. His debut novel, Essex Dogs, follows ten hardened mercenaries through the 1346 Crecy campaign. In th...
2022-09-15 23:00:58
Tutankhamun | 6. secrets of the pharaoh's mummy
There’s no more instantly recognisable symbol of ancient Egypt than a mummy. And, of course, the mummy of Tutankhamun is the most famous of all. But what can we learn from looking at the mummified bod...
2022-09-14 23:00:57
Bestselling author and historian Ben Macintyre joins us to discuss one of the most infamous German prisoner of war camps of the Second World War. In conversation with Rob Attar he describes some of th...
2022-09-13 23:00:38
Winter is coming: the Anglo-Saxon year
How did the Anglo-Saxons think about changing seasons? Did they have the same months and use the same calendar as we do? What were the main festivals they celebrated, and why was winter such an import...
2022-09-12 23:00:31
15 minutes of fame: Aina Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s Yoruba goddaughter
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Hannah Cu...
2022-09-11 23:00:43
Roman women: everything you wanted to know
Could a Roman woman lead an army? What was it like to give birth in the ancient world? And how could women gain financial independence in the Roman empire? In our latest ‘Everything you wanted to know...
2022-09-10 23:00:29
What can a long-lost shipwreck reveal about Tudor England? In our new HistoryExtra podcast series, we’ll be marking the fortieth anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose by delving back into its fa...
2022-09-09 23:00:31
Author, adventurer, archaeologist: Agatha Christie’s action-packed life
Agatha Christie is known as the queen of crime fiction. But, as Lucy Worsley reveals, her life contained almost as much drama and mystery as her novels. Speaking to Rhiannon Davies, she reveals how Ch...
2022-09-08 23:00:59
Tutankhamun | 5. Treasures of the tomb
When Howard Carter cracked open Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, he marvelled at the “wonderful things” he had discovered. But what exactly were these “wonderful things” and what can they tell us about the...
2022-09-07 23:00:28
The Holocaust: a 21st-century view
How has our understanding of the Holocaust changed over the decades? Professors Mary Fulbrook, Richard J Evans and Rebecca Clifford explore this question in a panel discussion recorded in association...
2022-09-06 23:00:07
Russia’s national past: unpicking history from propaganda
In order to understand modern Russia, historian Orlando Figes argues, you need to understand the country’s view of its own past. From Putin’s historical justifications for invading Ukraine to debates...
2022-09-06 10:00:53
15 minutes of fame: Malintzin, Aztec interpreter
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Caroli...
2022-09-04 23:00:16
Ellis Island: everything you wanted to know
Between the 1890s and 1920s, an estimated 12-13 million immigrants arrived in the United States via a vast processing centre on an island just off New York. But who were those immigrants? What did the...
2022-09-03 23:00:08
HistoryExtra Plus - Summer Listening Trailer
Would you like to make the most of the summer holidays with more fascinating historical conversations? Then subscribe to our premium podcast channel HistoryExtra Plus to get exclusive early access to...
2022-09-03 05:00:28
Nomads have altered the shape of human history in many ways, but as societies that didn’t tend to leave a written record, their stories are often overlooked. Anthony Sattin seeks to rectify that, sha...
2022-09-01 23:00:24
Tutankhamun | 4. The mystery of Nefertiti
The striking bust of Nefertiti has captivated people since its discovery in 1912. But who was this queen? How powerful was she? And how was she related to Tutankhamun? In episode 4 of our series on th...
2022-08-31 23:00:59
Across the eighth and ninth centuries, Britain and Ireland were targeted by a series of brutal Vikings raids. But that wasn’t the end of the story. In the 11th century, they were in the firing line on...
2022-08-30 23:00:51
The big questions of religious history
Why is being a historian of religion such a dangerous endeavour today? Is it easier to study the history of a religion if you are an adherent or an outsider? And how can learning about religious histo...
2022-08-29 23:00:51
15 minutes of fame: Franz Nopcsa, Hungarian adventurer and palaeontologist
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Tom Holland n...
2022-08-28 23:00:12
Troy: everything you wanted to know
The story of the Trojan War – featuring the daring Achilles, beautiful Helen and one very deceptive horse – is a classic of western literature. But did this famous war ever really happen? And was Troy...
2022-08-28 05:00:22
Castles: from mighty fortresses to fantastical palaces
John Goodall examines how the castle’s role has evolved through time – from medieval fortresses and prisons to regal residences and tourist hotspots. Speaking with Emily Briffett, he explains how thes...
2022-08-26 05:00:51
Tutankhamun | 3. Life & death of a boy king
Tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh of all, but what do we actually know about his short life and reign? In episode three of our series on the boy king, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Aidan Do...
2022-08-25 05:00:42
Glass men & killer doubles: a history of delusions
From ancient people who believed they were made of butter, to French Terror survivors who were convinced they’d been guillotined and given the wrong head back, people have suffered from delusions for...
2022-08-24 05:00:04
The BBC at 100: what can history tell us about its future?
In the final instalment of our series marking the BBC’s centenary, David Hendy explores what the corporation’s history can tell us about its future. He spoke to Matt Elton about the challenges that th...
2022-08-23 05:00:19
15 minutes of fame: St Hadrian of Canterbury, medieval African theologian
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor...
2022-08-21 23:01:33
Robin Hood: everything you wanted to know
There are few better-known folktales than the story of a gentlemanly outlaw roaming the forest with his band of merry men, robbing the rich to give to the poor. But where did the legend of Robin Hood...
2022-08-21 05:00:37
How one woman liberated a notorious US slave jail
Kristen Green uncovers the life and legacy of Mary Lumpkin, an enslaved women trapped within the US domestic slave trade. Speaking to Emily Briffett, Kristen explains how Mary fought for her children’...
2022-08-19 05:00:48
Tutankhamun | 2. Egypt in the era of the boy king
Tutankhamun’s reign took place during one of ancient Egypt’s most fascinating and turbulent periods – the 18th Dynasty. In episode two of our new series on the boy king, we travel back more than 3,000...
2022-08-18 05:00:16
Lost languages & travelling communities: unexpected medieval histories
As part of our series of conversations with winners of the 2022 Dan David Prize, Dr Kristina Richardson tells Helen Carr about her research into little-studied travelling communities of the medieval M...
2022-08-17 05:00:24
Countryside campaigners: four women who fought for our green spaces
Professor Matthew Kelly tells David Musgrove the story of four women who helped to protect and preserve the English countryside from the 1870s through to the 1970s, battling for public access to natur...
2022-08-16 05:00:25
15 minutes of fame: Charley Wilson, working-class trans man
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Fern Ri...
2022-08-15 05:00:57
Hollywood history: everything you wanted to know
What are the most impactful films in Hollywood history? What made the golden age of film so golden? And how important were Hollywood movies in projecting American values to the wider world? In convers...
2022-08-14 05:00:49
The Sahara: a green and pleasant land
The Sahara is known as one of the world’s hottest and driest environments, but during his explorations of the desert over the past 60 years, Martin Williams has discovered evidence of a green and plea...
2022-08-12 05:00:14
Tutankhamun | 1. Unearthing the boy king’s lost tomb
One hundred years ago, in 1922, Egyptologist Howard Carter made one of the most spectacular discoveries in the history of archaeology, when he unearthed the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of th...
2022-08-11 05:00:23
Is Queen Henrietta Maria’s rotten reputation deserved?
As the wife of Charles I, Henrietta Maria was in the firing line of the parliamentary propaganda machine. The Stuart queen was known as the “popish brat of France”, a “whore” and “the wife who wore th...
2022-08-10 05:00:10
Measurement: an unexpected history
From weight and distance, to calorie-counting and calculating the depths of space, throughout history, humans have loved to measure things. Speaking to Elinor Evans, James Vincent – author of Beyond M...
2022-08-09 05:00:30
15 minutes of fame: Alice Kinloch, Pan-African activist
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor Hak...
2022-08-08 05:00:48
First World War poets: everything you wanted to know
How much has our view of the First World War – one of mud, trenches and futility – been shaped by the work of a handful of poets? How did the British public respond to poems criticising the war effort...
2022-08-07 05:00:07
Stalingrad: a soldier’s testimony
Author Iain MacGregor reveals how the unpublished memoirs of a German officer shed fascinating new light on the battle of Stalingrad. Speaking with Rob Attar, Iain explains how Fritz Roske’s accounts...
2022-08-05 05:00:11
Medieval monks: a day in the life
Danièle Cybulskie charts a day in the life of a medieval monk, from morning rituals and mealtime misbehaviour to daily chores and worldly reflection. Speaking with Emily Briffett, she explores what su...
2022-08-04 05:00:06
Gone with the Wind: how a 1936 novel explains modern America
Professor Sarah Churchwell discusses her new book The Wrath to Come, which re-examines the controversial legacy of Margaret Mitchell’s immensely popular 1936 novel Gone With The Wind. Speaking with Ra...
2022-08-03 05:00:42
Treason: from Anne Boleyn to Lord Haw Haw
Professor Mark Cornwell charts the history of treason in Britain. He tells Kev Lochun how a handful of high profile cases – from Anne Boleyn and the gunpowder plotters to Lord Haw Haw – can shed light...
2022-08-02 05:00:27
15 minutes of fame: St Wilfrid, quarrelsome church reformer
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Marc Morri...
2022-08-01 05:00:01
Gold rushes: everything you wanted to know
Stephen Tuffnell answers listener questions on the series of gold rushes that captivated the imaginations of hordes of prospectors in the 19th century. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he explores what dr...
2022-07-31 05:00:59
Reconstructing black lives in the Antebellum South
As part of our series of conversations with winners of the 2022 Dan David Prize, Dr Kimberly Welch talks to Helen Carr about her research using legal records to reconstruct the lives of free and ensla...
2022-07-29 05:00:45
The end of Roman Britain | 8. ends and beginnings
In the final episode of the series, David Musgrove wraps up what we’ve learnt from our experts about how Britain moved out of the orbit of the Roman empire in the 5th century. He also considers how so...
2022-07-28 05:00:12
Hannibal: Rome’s greatest nightmare
Philip Freeman shares the story of how the brilliant Carthaginian general Hannibal led his elephants over the Alps and into Rome’s nightmares, making his name a byword for terror for centuries. Speaki...
2022-07-27 05:00:28
Stalin’s library: inside the mind of a dictator
Historian Geoffrey Roberts explores the life and career of Josef Stalin through his vast book collection. In conversation with Rob Attar, Professor Roberts highlights some of the unexpected items on t...
2022-07-26 05:00:19
15 minutes of fame: Queen Tiye, overshadowed ancient Egyptian royal
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor Joy...
2022-07-25 05:00:50
The partition of India: everything you wanted to know
For the latest in our everything you want to know series, historian Dr Anwesha Roy revisits the 1947 partition of India, which divided British-ruled India into two independent countries. In conversati...
2022-07-24 05:00:10
The BBC at 100: scandals break
In the penultimate episode of our series marking the centenary of the BBC, David Hendy looks back at some of the scandals surrounding the corporation across the past two decades – both new and histori...
2022-07-22 05:00:08
The end of Roman Britain | 7. bones, diet and migrants
In this episode, we talk to Dr Sam Leggett, an expert in archaeological bone analysis, about the latest fascinating research with stable isotopes, to find out what the bones of burials from the 5th ce...
2022-07-21 05:00:58
Historian Christopher Goscha explores the decade-long conflict between the French empire and Ho Chi Minh’s communist Vietnamese forces that followed the Second World War. Speaking to Rob Attar, he arg...
2022-07-20 05:00:37
Powerful pages: the beguiling history of books
For centuries, humanity has had a love affair with books. But these volumes are far more than just receptacles for stories. They have been tools to spread religion and empire, and have contained dange...
2022-07-19 05:00:45
15 minutes of fame: Marie Tharp, ground-breaking cartographer
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor Jer...
2022-07-18 05:00:28
The Inca empire: everything you wanted to know
What did an ordinary day in the Inca empire look like? How did the Inca count using knots? And why were stones so sacred to the civilization? In conversation with Emily Briffett, Bill Sillar answers l...
2022-07-17 05:00:55
On 16 September 1890, inventor Louis Le Prince boarded a train to Paris and vanished without a trace. In his book The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures, Paul Fischer explores his life and disappearance...
2022-07-15 05:00:41
The end of Roman Britain | 6. cultures lost and found
In episode six of our podcast series on the end of Roman Britain, Professor Robin Fleming speaks to David Musgrove about how far the archaeological evidence and the documentary sources agree – or disa...
2022-07-14 05:00:58
Britain’s century of political nightmares
From the First World War to the financial crash of 2008, Phil Tinline tells Spencer Mizen how politicians have reacted to the many crises that have beset Britain in the era since the rise of mass demo...
2022-07-13 05:00:12
Royal rivals? Medieval England and France’s tempestuous relationship
Catherine Hanley chronicles the greatest conflicts and alliances between England and France from 1100-1300, through the stories of the men, women and children involved. She explains to Emily Briffett...
2022-07-12 05:00:34
15 minutes of fame: Tsiang Ting-fu, Chinese historian and diplomat
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor Rana...
2022-07-11 05:00:20
The Peasants’ Revolt: everything you wanted to know
In 1381, thousands of men and women surged into London, attacking jails, burning down palaces, murdering the Archbishop of Canterbury and confronting the king. But what caused the Peasants’ Revolt? Is...
2022-07-10 05:00:15
Sixteenth-century Europe was dominated by two female powerhouses: Elizabeth I of England and Catherine de Medici, the French Queen Mother. The two women had a tumultuous relationship, being sometimes...
2022-07-08 05:00:23
The end of Roman Britain | 5. an identity crisis?
In the fifth episode of our podcast series on the end of Roman Britain, David Musgrove talks to Dr James Gerrard about how society changed as Britain slipped out of Roman control in the fifth century....
2022-07-07 05:00:35
David Stirling: SAS hero or fraud?
Special forces historian Gavin Mortimer casts a critical eye over David Stirling, who is renowned as the founder of the SAS in the Second World War. Speaking to Rob Attar, Mortimer argues that Stirlin...
2022-07-06 05:00:11
The Normans famously conquered England, but did you know they also had a short-lived kingdom in North Africa in the 12th century? Professor Levi Roach explains to David Musgrove how the Normans establ...
2022-07-05 05:00:07
15 minutes of fame: Hildegard of Bingen, medieval polymath
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Janina Rami...
2022-07-04 05:00:37
British schools and education: everything you wanted to know
When did schooling become compulsory? How far did education differ between girls and boys? And why does the British school year start in September? Speaking to Emma Slattery Williams, Susannah Wright...
2022-07-03 05:00:51
On the streets of 19th-century London
Oskar Jensen introduces the characters roaming the streets of Georgian and Victorian London, from beggars to ballad singers. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he explores what it would have been like to li...
2022-07-01 05:00:59
The end of Roman Britain | 4. religion and belief
In the fourth episode of our podcast series on the end of Roman Britain, David Musgrove considers the role of religion in late Roman Britain with Dr David Petts. They look at how far Christianity was...
2022-06-30 05:00:24
Casanova: more than a serial seducer
Giacomo Casanova is remembered for his reputation as a serial seducer. But according to author Leo Damrosch, he was far more than that. Speaking with Emily Briffett, Leo explains how Casanova was also...
2022-06-29 05:00:44
From bohemian Brighton to military Plymouth: the LGBTQ history of four British cities
Matt Cook and Alison Oram discuss their new book Queer Beyond London, which uncovers the LGBTQ experience in four English cities – Brighton, Manchester, Plymouth and Leeds – from the sixties to the no...
2022-06-28 05:00:19
15 minutes of fame: Marguerite de Navarre, royal influencer
It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their 15 minutes of fame. In today’s episode, Suzannah Lips...
2022-06-27 05:00:39
The Mali empire: everything you wanted to know
Who founded the Mali empire? What impact did Islam have on its trajectory? What were its interactions with medieval Europe like? And what made its greatest leader, Mansa Musa, so fabulously wealthy? S...
2022-06-26 05:00:39
The BBC at 100: political tensions in the 1970s and 80s
In the latest instalment of our monthly series marking the centenary of the BBC, media historian David Hendy talks to Matt Elton about the political pressures and fissures that defined the 1970s and 8...
2022-06-24 05:00:29
The end of Roman Britain | 3. a militarised state?
In the third episode of our podcast series on the end of Roman Britain, David Musgrove looks at how far Britain was a militarised state between the third and fifth centuries. Historian Dr Rob Collins...
2022-06-23 05:00:09
Simon Jenkins considers the enigmatic story of the Celts, and asks whether any such people ever actually existed. Speaking with David Musgrove, he also questions what the term ‘Celtic’ should mean to...
2022-06-22 05:00:00
Pioneering women pilots: from ballooning spectacles to flying escapades
Sally Smith considers the contributions made and significant firsts achieved by British women in the field of aviation, from ballooning and parachuting, to piloting airships and fixed-wing aircraft. S...
2022-06-21 05:00:16
Discovering a lost royal battleship
Claire Jowitt discusses the discovery of a 17th-century shipwreck off the coast of Norfolk Claire Jowitt speaks to Matt Elton about the news of the discovery of a 17th-century shipwreck off the coa...
2022-06-20 05:00:34
The Edwardians: everything you wanted to know
In our latest everything you wanted to know episode, Dr John Jacob Woolf answers listener questions on Edwardian Britain. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he touches on subjects ranging from suffrage, lab...
2022-06-19 05:00:57
Watergate at 50: the making of an American scandal
Half a century on from the Watergate scandal, Clifford Williamson explores its twists and turns, its key players, and its lasting impact on American politics. Speaking with Matt Elton, he explains how...
2022-06-17 05:00:06
The end of Roman Britain | 2. life in the late imperial age
In the second episode of our podcast series on the end of Roman Britain, David Musgrove investigates what life was like for people living in the later Roman era, in the third and fourth centuries. He...
2022-06-16 05:00:28
In the first episode in our series of conversations with winners of the 2022 Dan David Prize, Dr Tyrone Freeman speaks to Helen Carr about his award-winning research into charitable traditions in Afri...
2022-06-15 05:00:59
Reconstructing the body of God
Francesca Stavrakopoulou, author of the Wolfson History Prize shortlisted book God: An Anatomy, discusses what ancient biblical texts tell us about the body of God. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she tr...
2022-06-14 05:00:00
Midway: why America won the WW2 naval battle
In June 1942, the US and Japanese navies went head to head over a small atoll in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Brendan Simms and Steven McGregor, authors of The Silver Waterfall, speak to Ellie Caw...
2022-06-13 05:00:45
Crime & punishment in Britain: everything you wanted to know
Who maintained law and order before the police? When did Britain ban capital punishment – and why? And what are some of the weirdest punishments doled out through history? Historian of crime Nell Darb...
2022-06-12 05:00:24
Has Britain always looked backwards?
From the “Blitz spirit” invoked in the Covid-19 pandemic, to the 16th-century sense that a lost greatness needed to be recovered, historian Hannah Rose Woods reveals how nostalgia for a bygone era is...
2022-06-10 11:00:57
The end of Roman Britain | 1. introduction, and a mystery mosaic
What really happened in Britain as Roman influence waned? Recent research is shaking up our view of the end of imperial rule during the fifth century, and one new find in particular – a mosaic at Ched...
2022-06-09 11:00:32
How the Persians were written out of history
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones tells Spencer Mizen why Eurocentric depictions of the “barbarous” Persians have obscured the achievements of one of the ancient world’s great civilisations. (Ad) Lloyd Llewelly...
2022-06-08 11:00:46
Shady deals & rigged elections: the changing face of corruption
Professor Mark Knights discusses how ideas about corruption were transformed in Britain and its empire between 1600 and 1850. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he delves into the shady realms of bribery an...
2022-06-07 11:00:22
Plastic surgery: transformed by WW1
The First World War unleashed an unprecedented wave of violence, and medicine struggled to keep up. British surgeon Harold Gillies was at the forefront of those dragging plastic surgery into the moder...
2022-06-06 11:00:10
Britain’s transformation during the Queen’s lifetime
This week sees Queen Elizabeth II make history as the first ever British monarch to celebrate their platinum jubilee. To mark her 70 years on the throne, Rhiannon Davies speaks to Dominic Sandbrook ab...
2022-06-05 11:00:40
Professor Caroline Elkins explains how the British empire was sustained by violence for more than 200 years. Speaking with Rob Attar, she reveals how liberal imperialism was able to coexist with regul...
2022-06-03 11:00:06
The Black Death | 6. how the pandemic transformed societies
In the final episode of our series on the Black Death, Professor Mark Bailey and Dr Claire Kennan discuss the medieval pandemic’s dramatic social, political and economic impact. Speaking to Ellie Cawt...
2022-06-02 11:00:33
Fairy queens & giantesses: pagan goddesses in Christian Europe
Although medieval Europe was firmly Christian, pagan deities still loomed large in the popular imagination. Rhiannon Davies spoke to Ronald Hutton about four of these divine figures: the powerful and...
2022-06-01 11:00:34
The birth of insulin: a scientific drama
One hundred years on from Fred Banting and Charles Best’s discovery, Dr Kersten Hall tells the tale of insulin and its vital role in helping people with diabetes. Speaking with Emily Briffett, he expl...
2022-05-31 11:00:13
Dracula at 125: what can a vampire tell us about Victorian Britain?
Marking the 125th anniversary of the publication of Dracula, Roger Luckhurst tells Ellie Cawthorne why Bram Stoker’s vampire thriller has had such an enduring appeal. They discuss how the book exposed...
2022-05-30 11:00:52
Witchcraft: everything you wanted to know
Were all suspected witches burned at the stake? Was torture a legal way of gaining a confession of practising magic? And which professions were most commonly accused of dabbling in the dark arts? Spea...
2022-05-29 11:00:02
Alice Roberts on unearthing the Romans, Vikings & Anglo-Saxons
Professor Alice Roberts explores how cutting-edge developments in archaeology and genetic science can broaden our understanding of what happened in Britain between the first and tenth centuries AD. Th...
2022-05-27 11:00:00
The Black Death | 5. death, sin & spirituality
The arrival of a terrifying pandemic made medieval people increasingly preoccupied with death, sin and the afterlife. In this episode, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Helen Carr about spiritual responses to...
2022-05-26 11:00:50
Antony Beevor on the Russian revolution
Bestselling military historian Antony Beevor discusses his new book Russia: Revolution and Civil War 1917-1921. In conversation with Rob Attar, he delves into the two revolutions that overthrew Tsar N...
2022-05-25 11:00:21
Eliza Acton: Britain’s first modern cookery writer
Writer Annabel Abbs discusses poet and food writer Eliza Acton, the protagonist of her new historical novel The Language of Food. She tells Emma Slattery Williams about Acton’s story and how her legac...
2022-05-24 11:00:46
The BBC at 100: change & innovation in 60s Britain
In the latest episode of our monthly series marking the centenary of the BBC, media historian David Hendy speaks to Matt Elton about the ways in which the corporation kept up with a changing Britain t...
2022-05-23 11:00:08
WW2’s desert war: everything you wanted to know
Historian Jonathan Fennell answers listener questions on the North African campaign in the Second World War. Speaking with Rob Attar, he discusses some of the key moments and personalities, reflects o...
2022-05-22 11:00:28
Christine de Pizan: from medieval writer to feminist icon
Charlotte Cooper-Davis delves into the life and legacy of Christine de Pizan, a late medieval writer who was actively involved in the production of her own works. Speaking with Emily Briffett, Charlot...
2022-05-20 11:00:48
The Black Death | 4. medieval medical thinking
How do you fight a disease, when you don’t know what causes it? In this episode, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Elma Brenner about medieval medical thinking and how it informed responses to the Black Death...
2022-05-19 11:00:00
A legacy of inequality: the economic impact of empire
Imperialism led to eye-watering profits for the British, and after decolonisation those who had grown rich from the colonial project rewrote the rules to keep the coffers open. Rhiannon Davies speaks...
2022-05-18 11:00:04
Stasi poets: creative writing & the Cold War
Journalist Philip Oltermann explores the unusual story of the poetry group run by the East German Ministry for State Security. Speaking to Rob Attar, he explains why the Stasi decided to employ rhyme...
2022-05-17 11:00:37
Cathedrals: from bishops' seats to tourist hotspots
Nicholas Orme speaks to Emily Briffett about the long story of English cathedrals, tracing their role in society from their beginnings in the early Middle Ages to the modern day. Nicholas reveals how...
2022-05-16 11:00:52
The Restoration: everything you wanted to know
How did the Restoration of the monarchy come about, after a period of civil war and 11 years of Republican rule? How smooth was the transfer of power? And what did it mean for the everyday person? Spe...
2022-05-15 11:00:42
HistoryExtra Plus: get early access to our podcast series
Enjoying our new Black Death series? Listen to the next three episodes right now on our new subscription podcast channel HistoryExtra Plus, along with early access to our new series on the end of Roma...
2022-05-14 11:00:05
Eurovision: a political history
From voting scandals and political messaging to drag queens and ABBA, Dr Dean Vuletic speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. He discusses some of the controversies...
2022-05-13 11:00:00
The Black Death | 3. living through the plague
What would it have been like to live through a Black Death outbreak? In this episode, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Samuel Cohn about the experiences of medieval people in communities ravaged by...
2022-05-12 11:00:46
Free speech: a brief, contentious history
Jacob Mchangama explores the global history of free speech, discussing its ancient origins, staunchest defenders and biggest critics. Speaking to Matt Elton, he also reveals the ways the right to spea...
2022-05-11 11:00:54
Disabled people in Tudor times
Phillipa Vincent-Connolly explores the lives of disabled people in the Tudor era. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she uncovers complex attitudes to disability in the period, and reveals how some disabled...
2022-05-10 11:00:38
Magellan: daring explorer or doomed failure?
In September 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set off on a fateful voyage to find a route to the Spice Islands. In the centuries since, Magellan has gone down in history as a chivalric adv...
2022-05-09 11:00:43
War in the air: everything you wanted to know
What are the origins of aircraft being used in war? How common were dogfights? And were early fighter pilots really the ‘knights of the air’? Speaking with Emily Briffett, Paul Beaver answers your top...
2022-05-08 11:00:41
The Dudleys: power behind the Tudor throne
The might of the Tudor dynasty was built on the blood and sweat of three generations of another family – the Dudleys. And sometimes, they paid the ultimate price. Rhiannon Davies speaks to Joanne Paul...
2022-05-06 11:00:15
The Black Death | 2. origins & spread
Over recent years, our understanding of the Black Death has been radically transformed by new scientific developments. In this episode, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Monica Green about what the...
2022-05-05 11:00:16
Giles Tremlett explores the turbulent history of Spain. Speaking to Elinor Evans, he explores how its position on Europe's south-western corner has exposed it to influences from all over the world, gi...
2022-05-04 11:00:17
Despatches on dictators: US reporters in 1930s Europe
Deborah Cohen discusses a close-knit group of American foreign correspondents who reported on the tumult of interwar Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. She talks to Elinor Evans about how they dispatched...
2022-05-03 11:00:24
Britain’s lost towns and villages
Britain is a land full of lost settlements – villages, towns and even cities. Matthew Green explores these deserted places with David Musgrove, looking at their scarred and romantic remains in the lan...
2022-05-02 11:00:33
Medieval childhood: everything you wanted to know
What was it like to grow up in the Middle Ages? In our latest Everything you wanted to know episode, Dr Emily Joan Ward answers your questions about medieval childhood. Speaking to Dave Musgrove, she...
2022-05-01 11:00:25
Professor Kris Manjapra speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book Black Ghost of Empire, which reveals how the end of slavery helped perpetuate systems of oppression and racial injustice, rather than d...
2022-04-29 11:00:42
The Black Death | 1. Introduction
In the late 1340s, people in cities, towns and villages across the medieval world began to fall ill from a mysterious pestilence. This six part series looks at the how the Black Death shook the Middle...
2022-04-28 11:00:57
Video games at 50: a cultural history
Fifty years on from the launch of the world’s first commercial home video game console – the Magnavox Odyssey – John Wills talks to Matt Elton about how videogames have reflected the world around them...
2022-04-27 11:00:22
Libraries: a book lover’s history
Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen delve into the history of libraries, from the humble book lover’s private selection to the most lavish literary collections. In conversation with Emily Briffett...
2022-04-26 11:00:27
The BBC at 100: TV takes off in the 1950s
In the latest episode of our monthly series marking the centenary of the BBC, media historian David Hendy speaks to Matt Elton about the rise of television during the 1950s – and how the decade saw th...
2022-04-25 11:00:15
The Falklands War: everything you wanted to know
How much of a gamble did sending a task force to the South Atlantic represent for Margaret Thatcher? How close did Britain come to losing the conflict? And did victory change the nation’s relationship...
2022-04-24 11:00:25
Introducing: HistoryExtra Plus
Would you like ad-free versions of our podcasts, early access to series and exclusive bonus content? Then check out our subscription podcast feed HistoryExtra Plus. Follow the link below to sign up no...
2022-04-23 11:00:52
Rebel ramblers of the Kinder Trespass
Ninety years on from the Kinder Mass Trespass, Ben Anderson speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about what this act of popular protest achieved in 1932, how it became mythologised as a key moment in the right-t...
2022-04-22 11:00:58
Catherine the Great: inoculation pioneer
Lucy Ward speaks to Elinor Evans about the story of English Quaker doctor Thomas Dimsdale, who took up the risky challenge of inoculating Empress Catherine II against smallpox, as a powerful statement...
2022-04-21 11:00:00
Trailblazers of black British theatre
Stephen Bourne introduces Spencer Mizen to some of the pioneers of black British theatre, from Ira Aldridge, who in 1825 became the first black actor to play Othello, to the emergence of Britain’s bla...
2022-04-20 11:00:57
The Jagiellonians: the dynasty that shaped central Europe
Natalia Nowakowska reveals the story of the Jagiellonians – one of the most successful dynasties that many people have never even heard of. Speaking with Emily Briffett, she discusses how they rose fr...
2022-04-19 11:00:34
Operation Mincemeat: WW2 espionage on film
In 1943, British agents concocted a daring plot to trick Hitler, involving a dead body, fake love letters and a false identity. Speaking with Emily Briffett, author and historian Ben Macintyre discuss...
2022-04-18 11:00:01
Royal residences: everything you wanted to know
Historian Tracy Borman answers listener questions about the history of British royal residences, from imposing castles to decadent palaces. She speaks to Rachel Dinning about secret rooms, spooky haun...
2022-04-17 11:00:37
The Northman: bringing the Viking world to life on screen
A blood-splattered slice of Viking action arrives in UK cinemas today with the release of Robert Eggers’ new saga-inspired epic, The Northman. Professor Neil Price, archaeologist and historical consul...
2022-04-15 11:00:10
Pets, pests & portents: birds through time
Over time, we’ve viewed birds as pets, pests, natural delights and bad omens. Roy and Lesley Adkins tell Emily Briffett about our complex and lengthy relationship with birds – a story of changing land...
2022-04-14 11:00:08
What could you expect to hear in the atrium of a Roman home? What was everyday life like for the slaves who worked in the kitchens? And which emperor hosted the worst dinner party? In conversation wit...
2022-04-13 11:00:50
Medieval emotions: were they like our own?
Speaking to Dave Musgrove, medieval historian Elizabeth Boyle reflects on life throughout the Covid lockdowns, using early Irish literature to explore how similar the emotions of people in the middle...
2022-04-12 11:00:49
Corruption in the ancient world
What was corruption like in the ancient world – and how can studying it help us make sense of shady dealings in the 21st century? Matt Elton speaks to Shushma Malik, Marta Garcia and Yehudah Gershon –...
2022-04-11 11:00:45
Trade unions: everything you wanted to know
Mark Crail tackles popular internet search queries and listener questions about the history of Britain’s trade union movement and its attempts to secure better conditions for the country’s workers. He...
2022-04-10 11:00:22
Wiretapping has a chequered past in the United States, from civil war soldiers who were seen as heroes for tapping enemy wires to the political scandals that rocked the 20th-century establishment. Bri...
2022-04-08 11:00:40
Burning down Ireland’s stately homes
Professor Terence Dooley, author of Burning the Big House, tells Ellie Cawthorne why so many of Ireland’s grand homes were subjected to arson during the early 20th century, revealing a complex web of...
2022-04-07 11:00:00
Benjamin Franklin: portrait of a revolutionary
Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns tells Elinor Evans about the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin – a man who both loved Britain but became a key figure in American independence, and who was a...
2022-04-06 11:00:41
Oxford: from wild student parties to the shadow of war
Daisy Dunn tells Spencer Mizen how students at Oxford University – including Evelyn Waugh, Vera Brittain and John Betjeman – were buffeted by world events in the 1920s and 30s. (Ad) Daisy Dunn is th...
2022-04-05 11:00:00
Why the Ukraine conflict isn’t a new Cold War
International history expert Professor Kristina Spohr talks to Matt Elton about the historical parallels of the current conflict in Ukraine – and why we shouldn’t see it as a new Cold War. Hosted on A...
2022-04-04 11:00:48
Scottish clans: everything you wanted to know
What do we mean by the word ‘clan’? Were these Scottish kinship groups more often allies or enemies? And did they really wear tartan? Speaking with Emily Briffett, Professor Murray Pittock tackles pop...
2022-04-03 11:00:16
What one duel can tell us about Jacobean England
Lloyd Bowen shares the story of one remarkable 1601 duel with Elinor Evans. He reveals what the wealth of evidence around a single dispute can tell us about the codes of honour that governed elite vio...
2022-04-01 11:00:51
Archaeologist Dominic Perring discusses what we know about London’s Roman past with Emily Briffett, examining the city’s key turning points and exploring how life there was affected by fire, plague an...
2022-03-31 11:00:22
Anna Keay introduces Spencer Mizen to the dramatic decade between the execution of Charles I in 1649 and the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. She reveals what life was like under Oliver Cromwell,...
2022-03-30 11:00:46
1942: Churchill’s darkest hour
Historian Taylor Downing chronicles the events of the year 1942, which he contends was Britain’s lowest moment in the Second World War. Speaking to Rob Attar, he revisits some of the disasters that be...
2022-03-29 11:00:09
Archaeologist Cat Jarman delves into the mysteries and debates surrounding the history of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. In conversation with Rob Attar, she explores the creation of the astoni...
2022-03-28 11:00:58
The history of beauty: everything you wanted to know
Health and beauty historian Lucy Jane Santos answers listener questions and popular online search queries about beauty throughout the ages. From early cosmetics apparently made for gladiators to wheth...
2022-03-27 11:00:24
Bridgerton: behind the scenes of season 2
Hannah Greig, a historical consultant to the hit series Bridgerton, takes us behind the scenes of season two. She speaks to Elinor Evans about the real history on screen, from Regency etiquette to the...
2022-03-25 12:00:54
Suleyman the Magnificent: the 16th-century’s most powerful ruler?
When Suleyman the Magnificent became Sultan of the Ottoman empire in 1520, he was proclaimed the world’s most powerful man, who could use his armies to smite Christendom. But behind the facade, schemi...
2022-03-24 12:00:33
Our Winston Churchill obsession
Winston Churchill looms large in the modern imagination. Everyone from Fidel Castro to George W Bush have cited him as an exemplar in times of crisis. Historian Geoffrey Wheatcroft talks to Spencer Mi...
2022-03-23 12:00:45
Naked statues, naughty gods & bad wine
Classicist and author Garrett Ryan talks to Kev Lochun about some of the biggest and most commonly asked questions surrounding ancient Greece and Rome. Why are all the statues naked? Who was the bigge...
2022-03-22 12:00:00
The BBC at 100: the corporation at war
In the third episode of our monthly series marking the centenary of the BBC, media historian David Hendy tells Matt Elton how the BBC became an important part of the national fabric during the Second...
2022-03-21 12:00:16
The Napoleonic Wars: everything you wanted to know
Dr Mike Rapport tackles popular search queries and listener questions about the 19th-century conflicts that tore Europe apart and triggered seismic political changes around the globe. He speaks to Jon...
2022-03-20 12:00:06
Prohibition: busting myths about the ban on booze
Mark Lawrence Schrad speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book Smashing the Liquor Machine, which busts commonly held myths about prohibition, revealing how campaigns to ban alcohol weren’t just led by...
2022-03-18 12:00:51
Stitching together the history of fabric
The history of fabric is interwoven with the story of humanity, from the sackcloth shirts that tore open the skin of pious medieval saints to cotton’s connections to colonisation and the Industrial Re...
2022-03-17 12:00:17
Carrot conspiracies & digging for victory: feeding Britain in WW2
Professor John Martin speaks to Emily Briffett about Britain’s battle against starvation during the Second World War. From the invention of familiar myths about bread crusts and carrots, to the Dig fo...
2022-03-16 12:00:55
Children of the Norman Conquest
Dr Eleanor Parker, author of Conquered: The Last Children of Anglo-Saxon England, talks to David Musgrove about the young people whose lives were upended by the momentous change of circumstances broug...
2022-03-15 12:00:49
Britain’s WW2 island internment camp
During the Second World War, the British government imprisoned thousands of German and Austrian-born residents – many of them refugees from Nazi oppression – in makeshift internment camps on the Isle...
2022-03-14 12:00:50
Gladiators: everything you wanted to know
Who became a gladiator? Were they really the superstars of their day? And was giving a thumbs down for a death sentence a real thing? In this Everything you wanted to know episode, Emily Briffett spea...
2022-03-13 12:00:20
Fredegund and Brunhild: a tale of two queens
Shelley Puhak delves into the lives of queens Fredegund and Brunhild, famed for their bitter and bloody rivalry which wracked the Frankish empire in the latter sixth century. Speaking with Emily Briff...
2022-03-11 12:00:46
Adam Rutherford discusses the dark – and often surprising – history of the eugenics movement Geneticist Adam Rutherford speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the dark, and often surprising, history of th...
2022-03-10 12:00:15
Gardens and the scientific revolution
Clare Hickman explores how gardens were used as places of scientific experimentation in the 18th and 19th centuries During the scientific revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries, gardens were not...
2022-03-09 12:00:56
Periods, fertility & childbirth: a pre-modern history
Mary Fissell talks to Ellie Cawthorne about women’s reproductive health in early modern Europe and America. She discusses how women dealt with their periods, theories about fertility, ideas about the...
2022-03-08 12:00:28
Nan Sloane speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about her new book Uncontrollable Women, which charts the stories of now largely forgotten female activists who were involved in radical and reform movements betwe...
2022-03-07 12:00:42
The Franks: everything you wanted to know
Dr Christian Cooijmans answers listener questions on the medieval world of the Franks. Speaking to David Musgrove, he discusses long-lasting Frankish dynasties, renowned rulers and the Franks’ connec...
2022-03-06 12:00:17
How museums are shaping the future
Neil MacGregor talks to Matt Elton about his new BBC Radio 4 series, The Museums that Make Us, and the ways in which museums around the UK are adapting to a changing society – and shaping the future....
2022-03-04 12:00:28
Ukraine: the WW2 roots of today's conflict
Keith Lowe talks to Matt Elton about the ways in which today’s conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be traced back to the Second World War and decisions made in the years that followed. Keith wi...
2022-03-03 12:00:37
Hana Videen explores the Old English language and reveals what it can tell us about daily life at the time it was spoken The medieval language of Old English is full of linguistic gems. Speaking to...
2022-03-02 12:00:57
Witch hunters: cynical persecutors or misguided zealots?
Marion Gibson discusses the motivations and methods of “witch finders” who sought out supernatural wrongdoing in Stuart Britain. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she discusses why people became witch hunt...
2022-03-01 12:00:54
Nigel Copsey discusses the British Union of Fascists and its leader, Oswald Mosley Nigel Copsey speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the British Union of Fascists, which gained support in the 1930s, and...
2022-02-28 15:30:00
The American Revolutionary War: everything you wanted to know
Benjamin Carp tackles listener questions and popular search queries on the conflict that saw colonists in North America rise up and declare independence from the British. He speaks to Elinor Evans abo...
2022-02-27 12:00:22
The BBC at 100: establishment values in the 1930s
In the second instalment of our new monthly series marking the centenary of the BBC, media historian David Hendy speaks to Matt Elton about the ways in which the corporation expanded and evolved throu...
2022-02-26 12:00:50
Vikings: Valhalla’s real inspirations
Screenwriter Jeb Stuart discusses the real history that inspired his new Netflix show Vikings: Valhalla Screenwriter Jeb Stuart speaks to Kev Lochun about his new Netflix show Vikings: Valhalla, the...
2022-02-25 12:00:47
Nixon in China: the trip that changed the Cold War
Fifty years ago this month, US president Richard Nixon embarked on a trip to China – a visit that marked a key moment in the thawing of relations between the two nations. Rana Mitter talks to Matt Elt...
2022-02-23 12:00:54
In defence of Neville Chamberlain
Walter Reid tells Spencer Mizen that, far from going down in history as the bloodless author of appeasement, Neville Chamberlain should be remembered as a radical politician who saw through Hitler’s l...
2022-02-22 12:00:04
Professor Christopher Andrew talks to Elinor Evans about his book Stars and Spies, co-written with Julius Green. He reveals the many historical links between spying and the entertainment industry that...
2022-02-21 12:00:23
Stonehenge: everything you wanted to know (part two)
In the second episode of this two-part special on Stonehenge, archaeologist and author Mike Pitts answers more listener questions on the most famous prehistoric monument in Britain. Speaking to David...
2022-02-20 12:00:46
The secret WW2 mission to save Britain’s art collections
Caroline Shenton tells the story of the colourful cast of curators, museum directors and civil servants who embarked on a top-secret mission to protect Britain’s national art collections during the Se...
2022-02-19 12:00:33
Judith Green reveals how there is much more to the Norman story than the events of the 1066 Conquest We all know the story of the Norman Conquest, when Duke William of Normandy led his troops acros...
2022-02-18 12:00:56
British identity in 50 documents
Dominic Selwood chronicles Britain’s past through a diverse – and sometimes unexpected – selection of historical documents, from birthday invites and Valentine’s Day letters, to musical scores and shi...
2022-02-16 12:00:00
Medieval masterclass 4: Revolution 1348-1527
In this fourth and final episode, Dan Jones reveals how the Middle Ages came to a close, starting off with a global pandemic that ripped across the world, devastating populations, reshaping economies...
2022-02-15 12:00:42
Shakespearean deaths: swordfights, snakebites & poison
From poison and fatal snakebites to dying from a broken heart, more than 250 named characters die in Shakespeare’s plays. Speaking with Ellie Cawthorne, Kathryn Harkup guides us through a grisly range...
2022-02-14 12:00:41
Stonehenge: everything you wanted to know (part one)
In the first episode of a two-part special, archaeologist Mike Pitts answers listener questions on the most famous prehistoric site in Britain. Speaking to David Musgrove, he discusses how Stonehenge...
2022-02-13 12:00:50
Britain’s only war crimes trial
Mike Anderson and Neil Hanson discuss the 1999 prosecution of a former Nazi collaborator – Britain’s only war crimes trial Mike Anderson and Neil Hanson discuss Britain’s only war crimes trial, wher...
2022-02-12 12:00:46
Extinct animals of medieval Britain
From beavers to whales, Lee Raye discusses wildlife found across medieval Britain that has since gone extinct from the region In conversation with David Musgrove, Lee Raye discusses the animals that...
2022-02-11 12:00:30
Mexico’s ill-fated Austrian emperor
Edward Shawcross speaks to Elinor Evans about a little-known and disastrous attempt to install a Habsburg archduke, Ferdinand Maximilian, as emperor of Mexico in the mid-19th century, at a time when t...
2022-02-09 12:00:42
Medieval masterclass 3: Rebirth 1216-1347
Dan Jones charts the rise of the Mongols in the twelfth century – a sharp and hideously brutal episode, in which an eastern empire achieved fleeting domination over half the world, at the cost of mill...
2022-02-08 12:00:25
Georgian Britain: the highs and lows of a transformative age
Penelope J Corfield discusses the highs and lows of the Georgian era, from the abolition movement to the gin craze The long 18th century saw Britain undergo colossal changes, from growing overseas...
2022-02-07 12:00:14
Vichy France: everything you wanted to know
Shannon Fogg answers listener questions on the collaborationist regime created following France’s defeat by Nazi Germany In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, Professor Sh...
2022-02-06 12:00:11
Barney White-Spunner discusses the extraordinary, absorbing and often tragic history of Germany’s capital Barney White-Spunner tells Spencer Mizen why Berlin – a metropolis that was at the centre of...
2022-02-05 12:00:39
Three female civil rights pioneers
Pamela Roberts discusses her research on Mary Church Terrell, Rosetta Lawson and Josephine Wilson Bruce – three women activists of Washington’s ‘black elite’ who visited Britain in the early 20th cent...
2022-02-04 12:00:41
America’s Cold War culture boom
From artistic experimentation to an explosion in pop music, Louis Menand speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about American art, culture and ideas between 1945-65. They touch on the Beatles making waves in the...
2022-02-02 12:00:38
Medieval masterclass 2: Domination 750-1215
Dan Jones and David Musgrove delve into the age of the Franks, who revived a Christian, pseudo-Roman empire in the west. They trace the rise of the dynasties who carved Europe into Christian royal rea...
2022-02-01 12:00:43
Margery Kempe: medieval mystic
Anthony Bale discusses the sensational life of medieval mystic Margery Kempe, charting a story of unusual visions, spiritual revelations, turbulent emotions and religious controversies. Speaking with...
2022-01-31 12:00:40
Greek myths: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, classicist Natalie Haynes tackles listener questions on Greek myths. Speaking to Rachel Dinning, she examines the tales of popular figu...
2022-01-30 12:00:03
To mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Diarmaid Ferriter speaks about the event and its tangled legacy today To mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, historian Diarmaid Ferriter speaks t...
2022-01-29 12:00:55
The BBC at 100: audio adventures in the 1920s
In the first episode of our new monthly series marking the centenary of the BBC, media historian David Hendy speaks to Matt Elton about the institution’s founding in the 1920s – a decade of innovation...
2022-01-28 12:00:23
Duncan Stone argues that classism and racism have held back England’s summer sport for decades Duncan Stone talks to Spencer Mizen about cricket’s history of elitism – a story that, he contends, has...
2022-01-26 12:00:18
Medieval masterclass 1: Imperium 410-750
Dan Jones takes listeners on a journey through early medieval Europe, beginning with the Roman empire in a state of collapse, rocked by a changing climate and mass migration. He speaks to David Musgro...
2022-01-25 12:00:26
Martin Sixsmith speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book The War of Nerves, which explores the role of psychology in the Cold War, from propaganda and paranoia to a divided mindset and unpredictable d...
2022-01-24 12:00:40
America’s “Roaring Twenties”: everything you wanted to know
Were the twenties really “roaring”? If so, who actually experienced the best of the era? And were the parties really as debauched as popular culture suggests? Speaking with Emily Briffett, historian S...
2022-01-23 12:00:34
Escaping slavery in the American South
How can we reconstruct the experiences of enslaved people? Historian Shaun Wallace speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his work on the Fugitive Slave Database, which uses newspaper adverts for fugitive en...
2022-01-22 12:00:32
Munich: the real history behind the new film
Author Robert Harris speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about Munich: The Edge of War, the new Netflix film adapted from his 2017 historical novel Munich. They discuss the real history behind the 1938 Munich c...
2022-01-21 12:00:33
The Gothic: from Dracula to The Shining
Roger Luckhurst speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about how the idea of the Gothic has evolved and mutated over time, from medieval-inspired architecture and 19th-century vampire fiction to politicised horror...
2022-01-19 12:00:40
Women of the Rothschild dynasty
Historian Natalie Livingstone chronicles the unexplored lives of the women who shaped the famous Rothschild banking dynasty. She speaks to Elinor Evans about how – though often excluded in a patriarch...
2022-01-18 12:00:03
Richard J Aldrich and Rory Cormac discuss Queen Victoria’s love of espionage and her network of royal intelligence agents Historians Richard J Aldrich and Rory Cormac speak to Emma Slattery Williams...
2022-01-17 12:00:19
Mao’s Cultural Revolution: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, Professor Rana Mitter answers your questions about one of the defining events of modern Chinese history. Speaking to Rob Attar, he expl...
2022-01-16 12:00:39
How the Beatles were in tune with 60s Britain
Dominic Sandbrook explains how the Beatles reflected 1960s Britain, from the globalisation of pop culture to a fascination with mysticism The 1960s was a time of transformation, as the grey of post...
2022-01-15 12:00:37
Shining new light on medieval Europe
Matthew Gabriele and David M Perry speak to David Musgrove about their book The Bright Ages, which tackles the big themes of the Middle Ages and challenges some widely held views about the history of...
2022-01-14 12:00:30
A murder mystery in 19th-century Dublin
Thomas Morris speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book The Dublin Railway Murder, which reconstructs a strange historical cold case from 1856, revolving around a body discovered in a railway station o...
2022-01-12 11:00:34
Trading and crusading in the Middle Ages
Mike Carr speaks to David Musgrove about Muslim-Christian relations in the medieval era, revealing how Papal-sanctioned trade was going on despite the background of the Crusades. Hosted on Acast. See...
2022-01-11 12:00:19
Thomas Harding discusses a little-known uprising by enslaved people in the British colony of Demerara in 1823 Thomas Harding speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his new book, White Debt, which recounts...
2022-01-10 12:00:48
The Age of Sail: everything you wanted to know
Naval historian Kate Jamieson tackles listener questions on the Age of Sail, when sailing ships dominated global trade and warfare In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, na...
2022-01-09 12:00:07
Ancient Greek scientific thinking
Curator Jane Desborough talks to Ellie Cawthorne about a new Science Museum exhibition, Ancient Greeks: Science and Wisdom, which explores the ways in which Greek thinkers sought to understand the wor...
2022-01-08 12:00:28
Hells, heavens and afterworlds: a traveller’s guide
Edward Brooke-Hitching explores the many heavens, hells and lands of the dead from civilisations across global history Edward Brooke-Hitching speaks to Charlotte Hodgman about his latest book, The D...
2022-01-07 12:00:42
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of conscription for women, historian Tessa Dunlop has written a new book capturing the remarkable lives of the last surviving women who served in Britain’s arm...
2022-01-05 12:00:19
A forgotten witch hunt in New England
Malcolm Gaskill speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book The Ruin of All Witches, which chronicles a little-known 1651 witchcraft case from Springfield, Massachusetts, revealing how an irascible brick...
2022-01-04 12:00:00
Goods & globalisation: merchants in Tudor & Stuart England
Between 1550 and 1650, English trade flourished as thousands of merchants sought out trading ventures across the globe. In conversation with Emily Briffett, Edmond Smith tracks the experiences of Engl...
2022-01-03 12:00:00
The Jacobites: everything you wanted to know
Murray Pittock answers listener questions about the Jacobites, and their attempts to restore the Stuart dynasty to the throne. Speaking to Emma Slattery Williams, he discusses who the Jacobites were,...
2022-01-02 12:00:05
History’s greatest mysteries: what caused the medieval ‘dancing plague’?
On several occasions from the 14th to 16th centuries, hundreds of people in central Europe began moving their bodies in a strange uncontrollable fashion – often for days on end. What was behind this u...
2022-01-01 12:00:00
History’s greatest mysteries: why did Mao’s chosen successor flee China?
Fifty years ago, in September 1971, Lin Biao boarded a flight out of the country, only to crash in the Mongolian desert shortly afterwards. Was this the result of an aborted coup on Lin’s part? And wh...
2021-12-31 12:00:00
History’s greatest mysteries: was the Trojan War fact or fiction?
Thanks largely to Homer’s Iliad, the Trojan War is one of the most famous events in Greek mythology. But how much – if any – of the legend is actually true? In the latest in our series on history’s bi...
2021-12-29 12:00:00
History’s greatest mysteries: what happened to the Roman Ninth Legion?
The Ninth Legion of the Roman army was last recorded in York in around AD 107. After that it simply vanished from history. To this day no-one knows what caused the destruction of this elite army unit,...
2021-12-28 12:00:00
History’s greatest mysteries: Agatha Christie disappears
In December 1926, crime writer Agatha Christie left her home and vanished without a trace. When she was discovered 11 days later, Christie claimed to have no memory of what had happened. As part of ou...
2021-12-27 12:00:00
Anna Whitelock looks back on some key moments and trends that made the historical headlines in 2021. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she covers topics including the “history wars”, cuts to university his...
2021-12-26 12:00:46
Christmas feasts: WW2 rationing & postwar absurdity
Annie Gray looks back on festive food in the 20th century – from suspect dishes made under WW2 rationing to joyful postwar creations pickled in aspic and coated in piped green mayonnaise. Speaking to...
2021-12-24 12:00:00
Thomas Kendrick: MI6 spymaster who helped win WW2
Helen Fry speaks to Jon Bauckham about the remarkable life and career of Thomas Kendrick, an elusive MI6 intelligence officer who helped thousands of Jews escape Nazi-controlled Austria, before going...
2021-12-22 12:00:40
Pearl Harbor episode 5: Chaos unleashed
In the final episode in our new series on the raid on Pearl Harbor, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Robert Lyman about the attack’s immediate aftermath and long term legacy, charting the chaos the Japanese...
2021-12-21 12:00:00
The Stuart princess who could have deposed Charles I
Elizabeth Stuart was beloved by Protestants and Catholics, English and Scots alike. Many clamoured for her to replace her brother, Charles I, on the throne, and one admirer even commissioned a treason...
2021-12-20 12:00:54
Fascism: everything you wanted to know
Richard Bosworth answers listener questions on the authoritarian ideology that emerged in Italy a century ago How was Mussolini able to seize control in Italy a century ago? What differentiated Ital...
2021-12-19 12:00:06
Yugoslavia: the beginning of the end
Dejan Djokic reflects on the brief 1991 war that saw Slovenia secure independence and helped set in motion the bloody collapse of Yugoslavia. In conversation with Rob Attar, he explores the events bot...
2021-12-18 12:00:39
Christmas feasts: Victorian merrymaking
From Twelfth cakes to creepy greetings cards and booze-soaked desserts, Annie Gray guides us through festive feasting in the Victorian era. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, for the third episode in our mi...
2021-12-17 12:00:00
Triumph against the odds: the 1821 Greek Revolution
Historian Mark Mazower explains how the Greeks secured an unlikely victory against the Ottoman empire in their 1820s fight for freedom. Speaking to Rob Attar, he also reveals how the dramatic events o...
2021-12-15 12:00:00
Pearl Harbor episode 4: The day of the attack
In the latest episode in our new series on the raid on Pearl Harbor, Ellie Cawthorne and Gavin Mortimer chart how the attack unfolded on 7 December 1941, sharing the stories and eyewitness accounts of...
2021-12-14 12:00:00
John Callow discusses the tragic case of the Bideford witches, the last women in England to be executed for the crime of witchcraft In 1682, three women – Temperance Lloyd, Susannah Edwards and Mary T...
2021-12-13 12:00:00
Hadrian’s Wall: everything you wanted to know
As we approach the 1900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall, Rob Collins answers listener questions on Britain’s most famous Roman fortification. Speaking to David Musgrove, he tackles the...
2021-12-12 12:00:00
Animals in space: from Laika to jellyfish & tortoises
Stephen Walker tells Rhiannon Davies about the history of animals in space, from fruit flies and monkeys to Laika the Soviet space dog Thousands of animals paved the way for human space travel. But f...
2021-12-11 12:00:00
Christmas feasts: Georgian elegance
Taking in glamorous dinner parties and decadent “wine-chocolate”, Annie Graytransports us back to a festive feast from the Georgian era. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, for the second episode in our mini...
2021-12-10 12:00:00
How US-Russian relations fractured in the 1990s
Mary Sarotte tells Spencer Mizen about her new book Not One Inch, which reveals how diplomatic missteps after the fall of the Berlin Wall soured US-Russian relations and fuelled the rise of Vladimir P...
2021-12-08 12:00:00
Pearl Harbor episode 3: Countdown to the raid
In the latest episode in our new series on the raid on Pearl Harbor, Steve Twomey speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the immediate run-up to the attack, revealing how inch-perfect Japanese planning and c...
2021-12-07 12:00:00
Pearl Harbor episode 2: America on the eve of war
In the latest episode in our new series on the raid on Pearl Harbor, Dayna Barnes speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the United States in the years and months leading up to the attack. They discuss the A...
2021-12-07 12:00:00
Were medieval attitudes to sex really that different from our own? Historian Katherine Harvey speaks to Elinor Evans about the sex lives of ordinary people in the Middle Ages – from how sexuality was...
2021-12-06 12:00:00
The Great Depression: everything you wanted to know
c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2021-12-05 12:00:00
Searching for WW1’s fallen soldiers
Robert Sackville-West describes attempts to identify the bodies of the dead after the devastating battles of the First World War Historian Robert Sackville-West describes the searches to identify – a...
2021-12-04 12:00:00
Christmas feasts: Medieval & Tudor revelry
From brawn to plum pottage, Annie Gray takes us back to the raucous world of festive feasting in the medieval and Tudor eras. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, for the first episode in our new mini-series...
2021-12-03 12:00:34
Pearl Harbor episode 1: A gathering storm in Japan
In the first episode in our new series on the raid on Pearl Harbor, Chris Harding speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about Japan in the years running up to December 1941. They discuss the long-running historic...
2021-12-01 12:00:00
Colour has been hugely important to humans through history, with different cultures attaching their own meanings to all the hues of the rainbow. From the ancient societies who venerated purple to the...
2021-11-30 12:00:00
Stranger danger? Xenophobia’s unexpected history
Psychiatrist and historian George Makari speaks to Jon Bauckham about the origins of the term “xenophobia”, and the ways in which western thinkers have interpreted people’s fear of strangers, from the...
2021-11-29 12:00:00
The Irish famine: everything you wanted to know
Christine Kinealy answers listener questions on the devastating famine that struck Ireland in the mid-19th century Christine Kinealy answers listener questions on the causes and consequences of the de...
2021-11-28 12:00:00
How Shakespeare inspired terrorists
Shakespeare has been an obsession of extremist groups across the globe over the centuries. The Nazi Party held him up as a hero, while Osama Bin Laden condemned him as the ultimate symbol of the depra...
2021-11-27 12:00:00
How the Greeks changed the world
Historian Roderick Beaton ranges over 4,000 years of Greek history, from the glories of Mycenae to the life of a modern European nation. In discussion with Rob Attar, he picks out some of the key mome...
2021-11-26 12:00:00
Peter Stanford speaks to Emily Briffett about his new book, If These Stones Could Talk, which chronicles his journeys around Britain and Ireland’s churches, abbeys, chapels and cathedrals in a quest t...
2021-11-24 12:00:00
From the courtesans of Edo Japan and ancient Greece to the mollyhouses of Regency London, Kate Lister speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about her new book Harlots, Whores and Hackabouts, which charts the long...
2021-11-23 12:00:00
The Ottoman “Age of Discovery”
The “Age of Discovery” is traditionally known as a period between the 15th and 16th centuries, when European Christian powers sailed west and encountered lands and peoples previously unknown to them....
2021-11-22 12:00:00
Anglo-Scottish border wars: everything you wanted to know
How much blood was spilled in the border regions of England and Scotland from the 14th to the 16th centuries? Who were the Reivers? And why did the French get involved? Michael Brown talks to Spencer...
2021-11-21 12:00:00
A secret trial that transformed transgender rights
In 1965, Scottish aristocrat Ewan Forbes stood to inherit his family’s baronetcy but, as a transgender man, he soon became embroiled in a top-secret legal case which had consequences that still affect...
2021-11-20 12:00:00
How to tell the story of WW2 in museums
What makes a good Second World War exhibit? How can we best share the story of the Holocaust? Two new galleries dedicated to these seismic events at London’s Imperial War Museum grapple with these que...
2021-11-19 12:00:00
How slavery & empire shaped epidemiology
Jim Downs speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book Maladies of Empire, which reveals how the conditions created by colonialism, war and slavery affected the study of disease and its spread in the 18th...
2021-11-17 12:00:00
George V: not so dull after all
Jane Ridley speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the life and reign of George V. She reveals how the king, often unfairly dismissed as something of a dullard, in fact successfully steered the monarchy thro...
2021-11-16 12:00:00
The man who made King Alfred great
As the author of the Life of King Alfred, the Welsh churchman Asser is in large part responsible for how the early medieval king was viewed, and the fact that he eventually got the moniker ‘the Great’...
2021-11-15 12:00:00
Espionage history: everything you wanted to know
When did espionage become professionalised? What ingenious gadgets did intelligence agents use in the past? And how have animals been used for spying? Speaking with Elinor Evans, Michael Goodman tackl...
2021-11-14 12:00:00
The St Brice’s Day Massacre of 1002
On 13 November 1002, the St Brice’s Day Massacre took place, when Danes living in England were killed, apparently on the orders of King Aethelred. But the extent of the violence and motivation behind...
2021-11-13 12:00:00
Medieval manuscripts tell a story far greater than just what’s written inside them. In conversation with Emily Briffett, Mary Wellesley shares the hidden histories of the artisans, authors and owners...
2021-11-12 12:00:00
Surviving hell on earth: Polar explorer Ranulph Fiennes on Shackleton
Ernest Shackleton looms large in the heroic age of exploration, making two bids to reach the South Pole and famously attempting to traverse the Antarctic continent, before his ship was crushed by pack...
2021-11-10 12:00:00
The CIA’s secret African missions
Historian Susan Williams discusses the United States’ covert programme to undermine the leaders of newly independent African nations in the 1950s and 1960s. Speaking to Rob Attar, she highlights the s...
2021-11-09 12:00:00
The rebel who defied William the Conqueror
Matt Lewis tells Spencer Mizen about the extraordinary escapades of Hereward the Wake, who led a rebellion in the 1070s that drove William the Conqueror and the Normans to distraction. Hosted on Acast...
2021-11-08 12:00:00
After the witch trials were over, Salemites had to resume life as normal and come to terms with what had happened. Suspected witches had to go back to living alongside those who had accused them. In o...
2021-11-07 12:04:00
SALEM EPISODE 8: Willful, weak-minded women?
Fourteen of the 19 people hanged for witchcraft at Salem were women. So could their gender – or perhaps their transgression of gender norms – be part of the reason they were targeted? And what about t...
2021-11-07 12:03:00
SALEM EPISODE 7: Quarrelsome neighbours & family tensions
Salem was made up of a dense web of social connections – not all of which were harmonious. In fact, it was a community riven with fault lines that threatened to open up into great chasms of conflict....
2021-11-07 12:02:00
SALEM EPISODE 6: Chaos in the courtroom
The list of failings that could be levelled against the Salem justice system is substantial – from the acceptance of so-called ‘spectral evidence’ to the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the courtroom....
2021-11-07 12:01:13
SALEM EPISODE 5: Satanic sabbaths and supernatural sins
From flying witches to demonic familiars and translucent cats, the Salem villagers believed themselves plagued by a spectrum of supernatural terrors. In this episode we’ll be investigating the long hi...
2021-11-07 12:00:00
From chariots to e-scooters: transformations in transport
Tom Standage traces technological advances in transport, from the invention of the wheel to the rise of the car Tom Standage, author of A Brief History of Motion, speaks to Jon Bauckham about technolo...
2021-11-06 12:00:00
Giving birth in the 17th century
Dr Sara Read explores women’s experience of pregnancy and childbirth in early modern England. Speaking to Emma Slattery Williams, she discusses the research behind her recent novel, which tells the st...
2021-11-05 12:00:00
Dr Souvik Naha reveals how the Victorians used cricket to export “British virtues” across the empire For 19th-century imperialists, cricket wasn’t just a game, it was a means of exporting “British vir...
2021-11-03 12:00:00
Living through the fall of communism
Professor Lea Ypi reflects on her childhood years, which witnessed the final years of communism in Albania and the fraught transition to capitalist democracy. In conversation with Rob Attar, she also...
2021-11-02 12:00:00
Historian Tony Warner talks to Elinor Evans about some of the real historical figures depicted in the new Netflix western The Harder They Fall, starring Idris Elba and Regina King, and tells us more a...
2021-11-01 12:00:00
SALEM EPISODE 4: The pervasive power of Puritanism
Religion was a powerful force at play in the Salem settlement. It not only determined the villagers’ daily routine but their whole outlook on life, influencing how they saw their neighbours and giving...
2021-10-31 12:03:00
SALEM EPISODE 3: A ‘new Jerusalem’ on the edge of a wilderness
In 1692, Salem was a colonial outpost teetering on the edge of a precipice. In this episode we’ll explore what life was like in the New England settlement, and consider whether environmental pressures...
2021-10-31 12:02:00
SALEM EPISODE 2: How events spiralled out of control
In order to understand why the Salem witch trials happened, we need to get to grips with how exactly things unfolded over the course of 1692. In this episode, we piece together a timeline of the event...
2021-10-31 12:01:00
In 1692, 19 members of a small New England community were hanged for witchcraft. Over the course of the year, young girls convulsed and barked like dogs, women confessed to flying on poles to satanic...
2021-10-31 12:00:00
Ghosts, necromancy & the underworld in ancient Mesopotamia
Irving Finkel speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his book The First Ghosts, which looks at what we can learn from the first written evidence of ghost beliefs. He reveals what ancient Mesopotamian cuneifo...
2021-10-30 11:00:00
What would you ask a historian?
Greg Jenner talks about his latest book, Ask A Historian, which tackles 50 burning questions that people have about the past Public historian Greg Jenner talks to Elinor Evans about his latest book,...
2021-10-29 11:00:00
COMING SOON Salem: investigating the witch trials
Listen to our new podcast series delving into one of the most fascinating and mysterious events in American history. Find the first four episodes in your podcast feed from 31 October. Hosted on Acast...
2021-10-28 11:00:00
Windows: an illuminating history
We often focus on the views we can see through windows, but what about the windows themselves? Matt Elton speaks to cultural sociologist Rachel Hurdley to explore what windows can reveal about our pas...
2021-10-27 11:00:00
How a ballerina survived the Gulag
Christina Ezrahi speaks to Elinor Evans about the story of Nina Anisimova, one of the most famous ballerinas in Stalin’s Soviet Union. After being arrested for supposed counter-revolutionary activity,...
2021-10-26 11:00:00
Afghanistan: a history of instability
A panel of expert historians discuss how history can help make sense of current events in Afghanistan The Taliban recently regained control of Afghanistan as US forces withdrew after two decades in...
2021-10-25 11:00:00
Egyptian pharaohs: everything you wanted to know
What did the word ‘pharaoh’ mean? How did you become an ancient Egyptian king? And what was that beard all about? Speaking with Emily Briffett, Joyce Tyldesley answers listener questions and top inter...
2021-10-24 11:00:00
Historian Dan Jones’s new book, The Tale of the Tailor and the Three Dead Kings, reimagines a medieval ghost story for modern audiences. He explains to Dave Musgrove what it tells us about attitudes t...
2021-10-23 11:00:00
Chris Pearson talks to Elinor Evans about his latest book, Dogopolis, which explores how human-canine relationships shaped urban living in three cities – New York, Paris and London – in the late 19th...
2021-10-22 11:00:00
African-American women’s battle for the vote
Martha S Jones discusses her Cundill History Prize-shortlisted book Vanguard, which charts African-American women’s long and determined fight for the vote. She speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about how the...
2021-10-20 11:00:00
Asia’s anti-imperial revolutionaries
Tim Harper speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his Cundill History Prize-shortlisted book Underground Asia, which reveals how clandestine networks of anti-colonialist rebels operated across Asia in the ea...
2021-10-19 11:00:00
Following the fortunes of one extended family in a south-western French town in the 18th and 19th centuries, Emma Rothschild’s Cundill Prize-shortlisted book An Infinite History builds up a picture of...
2021-10-18 11:00:00
Apartheid: everything you wanted to know
Wayne Dooling answers listener questions on South Africa’s Apartheid regime. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he covers subjects including the policy’s origins, the everyday experience of racial segregati...
2021-10-17 11:00:00
Berbice: a slave rebellion that nearly succeeded
Historian Marjoleine Kars tells Elinor Evans about a little-known 1763 rebellion by enslaved people in Berbice, in present-day Guyana. Chronicled in her Cundill prize-shortlisted book Blood on the Riv...
2021-10-16 11:00:00
Trial by combat: the real history behind The Last Duel
Hannah Skoda delves into the bloody and brutal spectacle of trial by combat in the Middle Ages To coincide with the release of new film The Last Duel, Hannah Skoda explores the bloody and brutal spec...
2021-10-15 11:00:00
Liberty and racism: an interconnected history
Tyler Stovall speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about his Cundill prize-shortlisted book White Freedom, which explores how European and American ideas about ‘liberty’ and ‘freedom’ have been underpinned by ra...
2021-10-13 11:00:00
George III: the tyrant who lost America?
Andrew Roberts discusses his landmark new biography of King George III and takes on some of the myths that have surrounded the monarch Historian Andrew Roberts discusses his landmark new biography of...
2021-10-12 10:00:00
“The Horde” was an empire like no other, ruled by Nomadic Mongol Khans for three centuries. But how was the Mongol empire governed, and what was everyday life like within it? Marie Favereau speaks to...
2021-10-11 11:00:00
Pompeii: everything you wanted to know
Archaeologist Sophie Hay responds to listener questions and popular search queries about the city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in AD 79 and has gone on to become one of our best sources o...
2021-10-09 23:00:00
Nick Baker and John Woolf, writers of Stephen Fry’s Edwardian Secrets, discuss some lesser-known aspects of the Edwardian age The Edwardians were not just about the afternoon tea and croquet on the la...
2021-10-09 11:00:00
From when our ancestors first mastered fire to the rise of modern cities, humanity’s progress has been accompanied by a revolving door of parasites, bacteria and viruses, wreaking havoc on our health....
2021-10-08 11:00:00
Courage under fire: the story of a WW2 tank regiment
Military historian, author and broadcaster James Holland tells the story of the Sherwood Rangers, a British tank regiment which was in the thick of the action from the Allied assault on Normandy on D-...
2021-10-06 11:00:00
Manan Ahmed Asif discusses his book The Loss of Hindustan, the Invention of India, which has just been shortlisted for the Cundill History Prize Historian Manan Ahmed Asif discusses his recent book Th...
2021-10-05 11:00:00
Dr Clare Jackson discusses her new book Devil-Land, which examines the insecurities and anxieties that plagued England between 1588 and 1688, from fears of a foreign invasion to paranoia over Catholic...
2021-10-04 11:00:00
The Boer War: everything you wanted to know
Saul Dubow responds to listener questions on Victorian Britain’s bitter conflict with two southern African republics What triggered the Boer War? Why did it take Britain so long to bring its enormo...
2021-10-03 11:00:00
As governor-general of Nazi-occupied Poland, Hans Frank bore heavy responsibility for the abuse and murder of hundreds of thousands of Poles and millions of Polish Jews. His son, Niklas Frank, recount...
2021-10-02 11:00:00
Adventures of a Victorian actor
Helen Batten shares stories from her new biography of Victorian singer, stage performer and entrepreneur Emily Soldene, from a career in London’s rowdy music halls to adventures abroad and the bright...
2021-10-01 11:00:00
John of Gaunt: prince without a throne
John of Gaunt rose to become one of the most powerful figures of his age, yet was ultimately unable to secure a crown for himself. Historian, author and podcaster Helen Carr charts the eventful life o...
2021-09-29 11:00:00
How did prehistoric people in Britain view and understand the world around them? What did they smell, hear and see? Francis Pryor, one of Britain’s leading archaeologists and the author of Scenes from...
2021-09-28 11:00:00
How did the British royals survive WW1?
While many European royals faced abdications and revolutions during the First World War, the British monarchy not only survived the conflict, but was strengthened by it. Historian Heather Jones discus...
2021-09-27 11:00:00
Medieval Wales: everything you wanted to know
Matthew Stevens tackles listener questions on the history of the Welsh regions during the Middle Ages Matthew Stevens tackles listener questions and popular search queries on the history of Wales an...
2021-09-26 11:00:00
A surprising history of the index
The index, the bit at the back of a book you mostly only turn to for reference, has a bit of a dowdy reputation – and it’s an unfair one. Dennis Duncan discusses the index’s surprising history – one t...
2021-09-25 11:00:00
Why did medieval monks write histories?
Why did medieval monks and abbots write histories, and what does it tell us about the role of monasticism in the Middle Ages? Medievalist Dr Benjamin Pohl of the University of Bristol tells us more. H...
2021-09-24 11:00:00
Between 1917 and 1947, a group of Indian women fought for their right to vote. Sumita Mukherjee discusses their campaign, and reveals how Suffragettes were connected both to India’s wider struggle for...
2021-09-22 11:00:00
Neil Faulkner reveals how the Anglo-Arab Wars of 1870-1920 helped give rise to the first modern jihad Neil Faulkner, author of Empire and Jihad, describes how Britain’s entanglements in the Middle E...
2021-09-21 11:00:00
Transplant surgery: an eye-opening history
From transfusions of lambs’ blood to tooth replacements, Paul Craddock chronicles the strange history of transplant surgery From lambs’ blood transfused into human veins, to tooth replacements and n...
2021-09-20 11:00:44
The Paris Peace Conference: everything you wanted to know
Professor David Stevenson answers listener questions on the 1919-20 conference that sought to resolve the aftermath of the First World War In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest to...
2021-09-19 11:00:00
Archaeologist and television presenter Neil Oliver discusses his new book, The Story of the World in 100 Moments, which explores the whole of human history through just 100 milestone events. (Ad) Ne...
2021-09-18 11:00:00
Extraordinary hoaxes of the 18th century
Ian Keable describes some of the most audacious, bizarre and inventive pranks that fooled Georgian Britain From a woman who seemingly gave birth to rabbits to a man who claimed he could climb insid...
2021-09-17 11:00:00
Maria Theresa: empress, warrior, matriarch
Nancy Goldstone discusses the 18th-century family saga of Habsburg empress Maria Theresa, and her equally formidable daughters Nancy Goldstone discusses the 18th-century family saga of Habsburg Emp...
2021-09-15 11:00:00
From Roman villas to Downton Abbey: Britain’s country houses
Clive Aslet, author of The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People, reveals how Britain’s attitude to its stately piles has reflected the nation’s evolving political and economic la...
2021-09-14 11:00:00
Hitler’s war on “degenerate art”
Journalist and author Charlie English shares the story of a remarkable collection of artworks by psychiatric patients in Weimar Germany and also explores the devastating impact of Nazism on modernist...
2021-09-13 11:00:00
The Borgias: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, Professor Jill Burke tackles listener questions and internet search queries on the Borgias, from rumours of incest and the Banquet of t...
2021-09-12 11:00:00
Why the Tudors fell for courtly love
Sarah Gristwood considers how the Tudor monarchs used medieval ideas about courtly love for their own ends In medieval Europe, the nobility were entranced with courtly love, a genre of literature t...
2021-09-11 11:00:00
Tristram Hunt, author of The Radical Potter, discusses the life and work of Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795), from his groundbreaking ceramic creations and enterprising business ventures to his political r...
2021-09-10 11:00:00
Aboriginal Australians: a modern history
Historian Richard Broome, author of Aboriginal Australians, discusses the experiences of Australia’s indigenous peoples after the arrival of white settlers, uncovering stories of exploitation and oppr...
2021-09-08 11:00:00
Decolonisation to Covid-19: history education today
How does a history degree help you suss out fake news? How have history students been affected by covid-19? And are history degrees still valued as much as they once were? On today’s podcast, a panel...
2021-09-07 11:00:00
Seances, skis and secrets: an extraordinary WWI escape
Interned in a remote, forbidding prisoner of war camp at the height of the First World War, two British officers turned to an unlikely tool in their bid to escape – a ouija board. Margalit Fox, author...
2021-09-06 11:00:00
The Spanish Armada: everything you wanted to know
Why did the Spanish Armada set sail? What ships were used by the fleets? And did Queen Elizabeth I really give a famous speech at Tilbury? In our latest ‘Everything you wanted to know’ episode, Robert...
2021-09-05 11:00:00
The Special Boat Service: WW2’s silent heroes
Historian Saul David discusses SBS – Silent Warriors, his new authorised history of the Special Boat Service in the Second World War. He explains how this daring maritime unit played a crucial role in...
2021-09-04 11:00:00
The surprisingly modern Middle Ages
Dan Jones explores the similarities and differences between the medieval experience and our lives today In what ways was the medieval era surprisingly modern? Dan Jones, whose latest book is Powers...
2021-09-03 11:00:00
David Potter, author of Disruption: Why Things Change, analyses the causes of huge events that altered human history and guides us on a tour of radical transformation in western history, taking in the...
2021-09-01 11:00:00
History in 2021, with Helen Carr and Suzannah Lipscomb
Sixty years ago EH Carr’s groundbreaking book, What is History?, explored how we should study the past. Now his great-granddaughter, Helen Carr, has teamed up with Suzannah Lipscomb to edit a new volu...
2021-08-31 11:00:00
How Walter Scott’s stories shaped Scotland
An outpouring of bestselling novels and poems flowed from Walter Scott’s pen – from Waverley to Rob Roy. In fact, his writing was so influential that it helped overhaul the world’s view of Scotland, m...
2021-08-30 11:00:00
Food history: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, Annie Gray tackles listener questions on culinary history, from Tudor breakfast and the oldest recipe books to long-forgotten foods and...
2021-08-29 11:00:00
From the Stoke Mandeville Games, which took place just after the Second World War, to this summer’s Paralympics, Ian Brittain describes how sport for disabled people has been on an incredible journey...
2021-08-28 11:00:00
Behind the scenes of The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family
Through canny political manoeuvrings and passionate affairs, the Boleyns catapulted themselves from the sidelines of the Tudor court to the very apex of power. Dr Owen Emmerson, who recently appeared...
2021-08-27 11:00:00
Which stories and historical periods should we be seeing dramatised on screen? What influence can historians have on how these stories are told? And how much does historical accuracy really matter to...
2021-08-25 11:00:00
The Vikings famously raided Britain and Ireland, but they also turned their attentions to Francia and Europe’s western seaboard. Christian Cooijmans explains what we know about interactions between th...
2021-08-23 23:00:00
The forgotten matriarch of the Wars of the Roses
Cecily Neville, mother of Richard III, is typically glossed over in the story of the Wars of Roses. But behind the scenes, she fought her own war, using intrigue, manipulation and the power of words t...
2021-08-23 11:00:00
British police history: everything you wanted to know
When did the first professional police force come into being? Why do the British police largely not carry guns? And what was the point of police boxes? In our latest ‘Everything you wanted to know’ ep...
2021-08-22 11:00:00
Andrew Lownie discusses his new book Traitor King, which delves into the lives of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson after the abdication crisis of 1936. The discussion ranges from their sympathies for th...
2021-08-21 11:00:00
Working-class girlhood in 1930s Bolton
Hester Barron and Claire Langhamer discuss their new book, Class of ’37, which looks at what we can learn from essays written in 1937 by 12- and 13-year-old girls from Bolton. (Ad) Hester Barron and...
2021-08-20 11:00:00
Censorship: waging war on free speech
Eric Berkowitz describes the lengths to which rulers – from the first Chinese emperor to Henry VIII – have gone to suppress freedom of speech Humans have been attempting to stamp out free speech for...
2021-08-18 11:00:00
The history hidden in British heritage sites
Fatima Manji talks about her new book Hidden Heritage: Rediscovering Britain’s Lost Love of the Orient, which explores the objects and landmarks that are often obscured by the traditional stories told...
2021-08-17 11:00:00
Monarchs, fascists & communists: Romania’s modern history
Paul Kenyon discusses his book Children of the Night, which charts the story of modern Romania, and its colourful, chaotic and often corrupt leaders – from unstable playboy King Carol II, to communist...
2021-08-16 11:00:00
Early Medieval Britain: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series tackling history’s biggest topics, Dr Rory Naismith, author of Early Medieval Britain, c500–1000, responds to listener questions and popular internet search queries...
2021-08-15 11:00:00
Bewitched cars & mail-order charms: witchcraft in modern France
From bewitched cars and mail-order charms to murder investigations, Will Pooley delves into the surprising history of witchcraft in France from the Revolution to the Second World War, revealing how su...
2021-08-14 11:00:00
As we approach the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s construction, Major General Sir Robert Corbett and journalists Mark Wood and Alastair Stewart discuss their memories of the divided city and th...
2021-08-13 11:00:00
Colin Jones tells the story of Maximilien Robespierre’s fall from power – a dramatic 24 hours that ended with the revolutionary titan facing the guillotine Maximilien Robespierre awoke on the mornin...
2021-08-11 11:00:00
How should we teach the slave trade?
Teachers Richard Kennett and Tom Allen discuss how they have worked with six other teachers to create a new textbook on this previously overlooked element of the city’s history, and its impact on Bris...
2021-08-10 11:00:00
Left traumatised by the horrors of the First World War, between the 1920s and 1940s people around the world set out to create “perfect” societies – with mixed results. Anna Neima, author of The Utopia...
2021-08-09 11:00:00
The Ottoman empire: everything you wanted to know
Eugene Rogan answers listener questions on one of history’s most powerful – and long-lasting – empires How did the Ottomans dominate swathes of Europe, Asia and Africa for up to seven centuries? How...
2021-08-08 11:00:00
Portraits, power and royal wigs
Sue Pritchard, curator of a new exhibition of royal portraits at the National Maritime Museum, discusses how wigs were used to convey royal power Sue Pritchard, curator of Tudors to Windsors, a new...
2021-08-07 11:00:00
Wartime Britain’s mixed-race babies
During the Second World War, an estimated 2,000 babies were fathered by African-American GIs stationed in Britain. Lucy Bland reveals how these mixed-race children faced discrimination in the streets...
2021-08-06 11:00:00
The transformation of India’s glamorous golden couple
John Zubryzcki shares the story of the party-loving royals of the House of Jaipur, who turned to politics following Indian independence In the 1950s and 60s, the House of Jaipur’s Jai and Ayesha wer...
2021-08-04 11:00:00
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, on historical fiction
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and Marguerite Kaye join us to discuss their new historical romance novel, Her Heart for a Compass, which follows Victorian aristocrat Lady Margaret Montagu Scott, as...
2021-08-03 11:00:00
Oliver Cromwell’s remarkable rise to power
Historian Ronald Hutton discusses Oliver Cromwell’s early life and career, exploring the brilliance and cruelty of the future Lord Protector and explaining how he rose from obscurity to become one of...
2021-08-02 11:00:00
Modern Welsh history: everything you wanted to know
Martin Johnes tackles listener questions about the history of modern Wales, from the Industrial Revolution to devolution In the latest episode in our series tackling major historical topics, Profess...
2021-08-01 11:00:00
George II: reassessing a much-forgotten monarch
Norman Davies introduces a long-maligned and overlooked monarch, George II, King of Great Britain and Ireland and Elector of Hanover, considering the legacy of his rule, the familial rifts that charac...
2021-07-31 11:00:00
A hard-fought history of trespass
Nick Hayes discusses the contested history of land ownership in England, from William the Conqueror to the Kinder trespass Nick Hayes, author of The Book of Trespass, discusses the contested history...
2021-07-30 11:00:00
Antwerp: city of innovation & intrigue
In the 16th century, Antwerp was a global centre of trade, talked about around the world. Michael Pye considers its rise and bloody fall In the 16th century, Antwerp was a global city that was talke...
2021-07-28 11:00:00
How the 1964 Tokyo Olympics redefined Japan
With the Olympics underway in Tokyo, Chris Harding looks back at 1964 – the last time Japan hosted the competition With the Summer Olympics underway in Tokyo, Chris Harding looks back to the 1964 ga...
2021-07-27 11:00:00
Australian bushrangers: folk heroes or common criminals?
Meg Foster discusses the bandits that lived outside the law in Australia’s bush – from Ned Kelly to surprising lesser-known figures Meg Foster discusses the bandits that lived outside the law in Au...
2021-07-26 11:00:02
Olympic history: everything you wanted to know
As the world’s best athletes congregate in Tokyo for the 29th Summer Games, David Goldblatt answers your questions on the history of the Olympics How violent were the ancient Greek Olympics? How did...
2021-07-25 11:00:00
Why were the Georgians fixated with fatness?
Dr Freya Gowrley reveals how Georgian satirists used images of fatness to comment on the anxieties of the age From Britain's heaviest man who became a much-loved celebrity, to rotund imperialists m...
2021-07-24 11:00:00
How assassinations have changed history
Michael Burleigh discusses his book Day of the Assassins: A History of Political Murder, which considers what we can learn from looking at assassinations as a category of political violence. He also t...
2021-07-23 11:00:00
The slave trade: a family history
Alex Renton discusses his new book, Blood Legacy, which offers an unflinching account of his ancestors’ involvement in the slave trade. He also considers how best to deal with this unwanted inheritanc...
2021-07-21 11:00:00
For more than 300 years, the piano has captivated audiences, while composers have pushed the instrument’s boundaries. Susan Tomes, author of The Piano: A History in 100 Pieces, discusses some of the m...
2021-07-20 11:00:00
Should they stand or fall? The great statue debate
As statues of controversial historical figures continue to hit the headlines, Alex von Tunzelmann – author of Fallen Idols: Twelve Statues that Made History – looks at some of the most illuminating ex...
2021-07-19 11:00:00
The church in medieval England: everything you wanted to know
Did medieval people have sex in churches? What was a boy bishop? And why did women have to sit in the ‘safe side’ of a church in the Middle Ages? In the latest episode of our everything you want to kn...
2021-07-18 11:00:00
Madness & misery in Antarctica
In 1897 the Belgian Antarctic Expedition set sail in search of the south magnetic pole, but their journey was scuppered by a long, arduous winter trapped in the pack ice. Malnourishment, madness, and...
2021-07-17 11:00:00
The battle over the Benin Bronzes
Looted from Benin City in 1897, the Benin Bronzes are one of the most impressive collections of artworks ever created – and their future is under debate. While many of these artefacts are currently he...
2021-07-16 11:00:00
Britain & France: enemies or economic partners?
From the Falklands to North America, British and French soldiers spent much of the 18th century locked in battle. Yet many influential thinkers believed that the two nations’ prospects were best serve...
2021-07-14 11:00:00
Watergate in 100 days: how President Nixon fell
Author and former Washington Post journalist Michael Dobbs talks about his new book King Richard, which charts 100 pivotal days as the Watergate scandal gained a grip on Richard Nixon’s presidency, ev...
2021-07-13 11:00:00
Contraception, consent & erotic connection: sex through history
Fern Riddell, author of Sex: Lessons from History, discusses what we can learn from looking at sexual culture in the past, and gives her thoughts on what we get wrong about the sex lives of our forebe...
2021-07-12 11:00:00
The Highland Clearances: everything you wanted to know
Who was to blame for the Highland Clearances? Why did they happen? And what became of those who were forcibly evicted? In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, historian Sir To...
2021-07-11 11:00:00
Running to escape the horrors of war
Jonathan Westaway explores why there was a boom in the popularity of endurance running following the First World War Following the First World War, endurance athletes in the English Lake District an...
2021-07-10 11:00:00
The glamour & danger of Cairo’s 1920s nightlife scene
During its heyday in the roaring 20s, Cairo’s nightlife district was the place to go for a world-class night out – from glitzy variety shows in smoky clubs to Arabic operas performed to adoring audien...
2021-07-09 11:00:00
The Viking Great Army: the latest discoveries
Julian Richards discusses the Viking Great Army, which wreaked havoc on the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England from 865-878 From 865-878, the Viking Great Army wreaked havoc on the kingdoms of Anglo-Sa...
2021-07-07 11:00:00
Glee-man, high-deedy & bendsome: a language to save England
Poverty and riots racked 19th-century rural England, but one eccentric Victorian cleric was convinced he had the solution – inventing a new language. Siân Rees introduces us to Reverend William Barnes...
2021-07-06 11:00:00
Professor Barry Doyle explains what kind of treatment you could expect If you were ill before the National Health Service was founded in 1948 If you were ill before the National Health Service was...
2021-07-05 11:00:08
The Medici: everything you wanted to know
How did the Medici influence the Renaissance? Just how rich were they? And what dark family secrets were lurking in their past? In the latest episode in our series on history’s biggest topics, histori...
2021-07-04 11:00:00
From hysteria to wandering wombs: women and medicine through history
Elinor Cleghorn discusses her new book Unwell Women, which traces the long history of the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of women’s health issues, and highlights some of the women who fought back again...
2021-07-03 11:00:00
Hogarth: the chronicler of the 18th century
Jacqueline Riding discusses her new biography of William Hogarth, which charts the life and work of the famed artist and satirist. Hogarth was a larger-than-life figure whose many engravings and portr...
2021-07-02 11:00:00
Digging into the Klondike gold rush
From grizzled gold miners to fresh-faced boys in search of adventure, 100,000 prospectors set out for the remote Yukon in search of gold. Stephen Tuffnell delves into the Klondike gold rush, which saw...
2021-06-30 11:00:00
The Cold War battle for Berlin
Any illusions that the wartime entente between the western Allies and the Soviet Union would flourish in the new postwar world were shattered when the two sides came face to face on the streets of Ber...
2021-06-29 11:00:00
The history and mystery of UFOs
Following the release of the Pentagon’s much anticipated report on UFOs, Dr David Clarke explains how the idea of extra-terrestrials in mysterious flying saucers developed from its origins in the Cold...
2021-06-28 11:00:00
Canadian history: everything you wanted to know
In the latest episode in our series tackling big historical topics, historian Donald Wright answers listener questions on the history of Canada, from the country’s indigenous population and its contri...
2021-06-27 11:00:00
Forgotten heroes: Japanese Americans in World War Two
Bestselling author Daniel James Brown reveals how a group of young Japanese Americans overcame suspicion and prejudice to become some of the most decorated US soldiers in World War Two. (Ad) Daniel Ja...
2021-06-26 11:00:00
Historian and author Anne Sebba explores the life of Ethel Rosenberg, an American woman and mother of two who was executed for espionage in 1953 in one of the most sensational and controversial episod...
2021-06-25 11:00:00
Socialite, countess, WW2 spy: Aline Griffith
Larry Loftis details the life and work of Aline Griffith, a model-turned-spy who rose to the upper echelons of society in WW2 Spain, mingling with everyone from famous bullfighters to the Spanish aris...
2021-06-23 11:00:00
Kate Morgan chronicles the legal history of murder, discussing the cases that shaped UK murder laws Lawyer and writer Kate Morgan chronicles the legal history of murder, and explores the roles kille...
2021-06-22 11:00:00
Adrian Wooldridge discusses his new book Aristocracy of Talent, which explores meritocracy’s role in forging the modern world, and weighs up the challenges and advantages of a system in which people a...
2021-06-21 11:00:00
The Enlightenment: everything you wanted to know
Ritchie Robertson responds to listener questions on the intellectual and philosophical movement that swept Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries How did the Enlightenment change the course of histor...
2021-06-20 11:00:00
In a conversation recorded as part of our virtual lecture series, Olivette Otele discusses her book African Europeans: An Untold History, which charts the long history of Africans in Europe and explor...
2021-06-19 11:00:00
Women secret agents in Nazi-occupied France
Kate Vigurs discusses the 39 female agents of the Special Operation Executive’s F-section, a diverse cohort of women recruited to carry out resistance work in occupied France during the Second World W...
2021-06-18 11:00:00
Introducing: HistoryExtra Plus
We’re launching a brand-new premium podcast feed, HistoryExtra Plus – a subscription channel where we take you on a deep dive into the past, with even more on history’s most gripping events. Brought t...
2021-06-17 05:00:00
Censorship, contradiction & controversy: a decade in the life of DH Lawrence
DH Lawrence’s work – such as The Rainbow, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley’s Lover – broke new ground and appalled censorious literary critics. Biographer Frances Wilson chronicles a pivotal decade i...
2021-06-16 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Secrets of being a successful leader
For the concluding episode of our series on the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, Anthony Seldon joins us to discuss the secrets of being a...
2021-06-15 11:00:00
Unearthing Britain’s prehistoric secrets
Broadcaster and academic Alice Roberts joins us to discuss her new book Ancestors: A Prehistory of Britain in Seven Burials, which reveals what archaeological discoveries and cutting-edge science can...
2021-06-14 11:00:00
The Titanic: everything you wanted to know
Tim Maltin answers listener questions about the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912 Did the band really play on as the Titanic sank into the icy depths of the Atlantic? And is it true that the liner coul...
2021-06-13 11:00:00
What can we learn from past catastrophes?
From the eruption of Vesuvius to Chernobyl and Covid-19, Niall Ferguson charts how disasters have changed the course of history From the eruption of Vesuvius to Chernobyl and Covid-19, disasters hav...
2021-06-12 11:00:00
Judith Mackrell explores the experiences of six women war correspondents who broke some of the key stories of the Second World War From the German invasion of Poland to the liberation of Paris and t...
2021-06-11 11:00:00
Knights, dragons and beasts: the strange world of medieval romances
With their tales of supernatural beasts, death-defying quests and dashing knights that always got the girl, romances were the must-reads of the Middle Ages. Lydia Zeldenrust reveals how – despite conc...
2021-06-09 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Margaret Thatcher
In the latest episode of our new series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, historian and author Andrew Roberts nominates Marga...
2021-06-08 11:00:00
Wolfson History Prize 2021 special
The Wolfson History Prize celebrates the very best history books that combine academic rigour with popular appeal. Ahead of the announcement of the winner on 9 June, we speak to some of the shortliste...
2021-06-07 11:00:00
Everything you wanted to know: British prisons
Dr Rosalind Crone answers all the key questions on the history of British prisons Just how bad was life in Victorian prisons? How hard was hard labour, and how revolting was the food? In the latest...
2021-06-06 11:00:00
Ravenna: from Roman powerhouse to artistic hub
Once the capital of the western Roman Empire, the Italian city of Ravenna was claimed in turn by Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Lombards and Franks, turning into both a hub of early Christian art and a proto...
2021-06-05 11:00:00
Britain’s secret Jewish commandos
Leah Garrett tells the story of X-troop, a group of Jewish commandos who became one of Britain’s most potent weapons against the Nazis X-troop was a World War Two commando unit with a difference –...
2021-06-04 11:00:00
William Blake: “artist or genius, or mystic, or madman”
John Higgs discusses the unconventional life and extraordinary art of poet and painter William Blake. He explains how an eccentric outsider once mocked and dismissed as a madman is now hailed in the p...
2021-06-02 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Lord Salisbury
In the latest episode of our series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, historian and author Andrew Roberts nominates Robert Ga...
2021-06-01 11:00:40
The curious tale of an Anglo-Saxon giant
Tom Morcom and Helen Gittos discuss the Cerne Abbas Giant, a huge hill-carving in Dorset which has recently been re-dated to the Anglo-Saxon period The Cerne Abbas Giant, a huge hill-carving in Dors...
2021-05-31 11:00:00
The golden age of piracy: everything you wanted to know
Rebecca Simon responds to your questions on the ‘golden age’ of piracy, when bands of buccaneers menaced the high seas, preying on merchant vessels In the latest in our series tackling the big quest...
2021-05-30 11:00:00
Why are we living longer than our ancestors?
Steven Johnson discusses the Extra Life project, which includes a book and new BBC Four series co-presented with David Olusoga. He chronicles a revolution in medicine, and explores the innovations in...
2021-05-29 11:00:00
Painting the Tudors: Hans Holbein the Younger
Having painted the cream of Tudor society, including King Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves and Thomas Cromwell, Hans Holbein the Younger’s work offers an unparalleled view into England’s court at the time....
2021-05-28 11:00:00
Bretons, Britons, Celts & King Arthur
Barry Cunliffe considers the story of Brittany from prehistory to today, and explores the region’s connections with Britain Why is Brittany called Brittany? What exactly is, or was, a Celt? And did...
2021-05-26 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Winston Churchill
In the latest episode of our series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, Jeremy Black nominates Winston Churchill – the leader w...
2021-05-25 11:00:00
For decades the Stasi were a pervasive and terrifying force in the lives of millions of East Germans. Former FBI agent Ralph Hope reveals how officers of the notorious security service sought to reinv...
2021-05-24 11:00:00
The Anarchy: everything you wanted to know
The Anarchy – a 12th-century civil war for the English crown that pitted Empress Matilda against Stephen of Blois – is remembered as one of the most turbulent episodes of the Middle Ages. It was said...
2021-05-23 11:00:00
Busting myths about the Anglo-Saxons
Historian Marc Morris tackles some of the most common misconceptions about the Anglo-Saxon era What do we get wrong about the Anglo-Saxon era? Marc Morris, author of The Anglo-Saxons: A History of t...
2021-05-22 11:00:00
Napoleon didn’t just humiliate his European rivals on the battlefield, he also looted their finest works of art. Author Cynthia Saltzman tells us about her latest book, Napoleon’s Plunder and the Thef...
2021-05-20 23:00:00
Marcus Aurelius: thinker or fighter?
Shushma Malik explores the life and career of Rome’s renowned philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius Classicist Shushma Malik explores the life and career of Rome’s renowned philosopher-emperor Marcus...
2021-05-19 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Pitt the Younger
In the latest episode of our new series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, historian and broadcaster Dominic Sandbrook nominat...
2021-05-18 11:00:00
The rise and fall of Britain’s motor city
Mark Evans charts the history of Coventry’s pioneering car industry, from the turn of the 20th century until the present day Mark Evans, presenter of the BBC Four documentary Classic British Cars: M...
2021-05-17 11:00:51
Samurai: everything you wanted to know
In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, Professor Michael Wert responds to listener questions and internet search queries about Japan’s famous warriors, the...
2021-05-16 11:00:00
The quest to find Alexander’s lost city
Classicist Edmund Richardson tells the astonishing story of a British deserter from the East India Company who embarked on a quest to find a lost city of Alexander the Great. (Ad) Edmund Richardson...
2021-05-15 11:00:00
Katharine Parr: secrets of a Tudor survivor
Historian and novelist Alison Weir discusses the life of Katharine Parr – from her relationship with the king to her secret faith and other marriages. Plus, Alison reflects on her recently completed S...
2021-05-14 11:00:00
Ayanna Thompson discusses the history of blackface – a story spanning William Shakespeare, US race relations and Dartmoor Prison Professor Ayanna Thompson, author of Blackface, discusses the long hi...
2021-05-12 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Harold Wilson
In the latest episode of our new series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, Charlotte Lydia Riley chooses Harold Wilson, whose...
2021-05-11 11:00:00
Madness, property and power: the strange case of Mary Davies
Leo Hollis untangles the bizarre 18th-century court case surrounding Mary Davies: a wealthy heiress married in mysterious circumstances In 1701, Mary Davies – a hugely wealthy widow struggling with...
2021-05-10 11:00:09
The Vietnam War: everything you wanted to know
Historian Mark Atwood Lawrence responds to listener questions and popular internet search queries on one of the most seismic events of the Cold War, American history and the history of Southeast Asia....
2021-05-09 11:00:00
Medieval Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions
Ethiopia was a Christian kingdom during the medieval period, and in the 15th and 16th centuries its kings sent diplomatic missions to their counterparts in western Europe. Verena Krebs reveals what th...
2021-05-08 11:00:00
Uncovering the truth about WW2’s Katyn massacre
Jane Rogoyska explains how more than 20,000 Polish prisoners-of-war were murdered on Stalin’s orders in 1940, and explores the decades-long coverup that followed Historian and biographer Jane Rogoys...
2021-05-06 23:00:00
The changing shape of slimming clubs
From Weight Watchers to Rosemary Conley’s fitness empire, slimming clubs have been a staple of British culture for decades. But, as Dr Katrina Moseley reveals, their history goes far beyond the best d...
2021-05-05 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s Greatest Prime Minister? Clement Attlee
In the latest episode in our new series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, historian Charlotte Lydia Riley explores the postwa...
2021-05-04 11:00:00
How close to nuclear war did the Cuban Missile Crisis get?
The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 saw a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union escalate to the edge of nuclear war. Historian Serhii Plokhy, author of a new account of the crisis,...
2021-05-03 11:00:00
Prohibition: everything you wanted to know
Was Al Capone’s brother really a Prohibition agent? What was the atmosphere in a speakeasy like? And why did Americans think that banning booze would ever work? In the latest episode in our series on...
2021-05-02 11:00:00
The Danelaw: a Viking kingdom in England?
Dr Ben Raffield explains how in the ninth and tenth centuries, Scandinavian laws and customs prevailed across a swathe of what’s now northern and eastern England In the ninth and tenth centuries, Sc...
2021-05-01 11:00:00
Harriet Atkinson takes us back to 1951’s Festival of Britain, a celebration of a nation rising from the ashes of war The Festival of Britain of 1951 was a nation’s attempt to show off its best side...
2021-04-30 11:00:00
The Peasants’ Revolt: who were the rebels of 1381?
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was a key moment in the reign of King Richard II. New research is revealing just how well-organised an operation it was The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was a key moment in...
2021-04-28 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s greatest prime minister? Stanley Baldwin
In the second episode of our new series on the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most, Dominic Sandbrook champions Stanley Baldwin In the second episode of our new series profiling t...
2021-04-27 11:00:43
Women fighters of the Jewish resistance
Judy Batalion describes how a group of young Jewish women fought back against their Nazi oppressors in occupied Poland. Author and historian Judy Batalion discusses her new book The Light of Days, w...
2021-04-26 11:00:41
Life in the workhouse: everything you wanted to know
From daily routines to whether inmates really ate gruel, Peter Higginbotham responds to listener questions about the workhouse What was the daily routine in a British workhouse? Who would end up the...
2021-04-25 11:00:00
How constitutions changed the world
Linda Colley discusses her new book The Gun, the Ship and the Pen, which explores how written constitutions, together with warfare, forged the modern world. She talks about constitutions across the gl...
2021-04-24 11:00:00
The pretenders who threatened Henry VII’s crown
Nathen Amin discusses his latest book, Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders, which explores the conspiracies and plots that challenged Henry VII’s crown. He talks about the prominent ‘pretenders’ who de...
2021-04-23 11:00:00
Why are we fascinated by ‘evil women’?
Joanna Bourke, who has been delivering a series of Gresham lectures on six different ‘evil women’ through history, explores what ideas about evil and femininity can tell us about changing societal val...
2021-04-21 11:00:00
Who was Britain’s Greatest Prime Minister? Robert Walpole
In the first episode of our new series profiling the prime ministers that experts believe accomplished most during their time in 10 Downing Street, historian and author Jeremy Black celebrates Britain...
2021-04-20 11:00:00
Barbarossa: Hitler’s greatest gamble
As we approach the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s fateful invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, the historian, author and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby revisits the dramatic, murderous struggle be...
2021-04-19 11:00:00
The Suez Crisis: everything you wanted to know
The Suez Crisis – sparked by an ill-fated Anglo-French-Israeli invasion of Egypt in 1956 – is often viewed as a turning point in modern British history, when the nation finally lost its superpower sta...
2021-04-18 11:00:00
Traitor or triple agent? The WW2 spy Mathilde Carré
Author Roland Philipps talks about his latest book, Victoire: A Wartime Story of Resistance, Collaboration and Betrayal, which recounts the extraordinary exploits of Mathilde Carré, a double – possibl...
2021-04-17 11:00:00
Leonardo da Vinci’s private life
Historian Catherine Fletcher discusses what is known about the private life and relationships of the Renaissance polymath. She considers the gaps in the historical record, and the inspirations for the...
2021-04-16 11:00:00
The bigamy trial that scandalised Georgian England
Historian and author Catherine Ostler relates the tale of Elizabeth Chudleigh, a glamorous Duchess-Countess whose high-profile bigamy trial fascinated Georgian society. She also charts how Chudleigh m...
2021-04-14 11:00:00
Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry ep5: What now?
In the final episode of the series, our panel considers the afterlife of the Tapestry, debating its differing legacies in France and Britain, whether it might be exhibited in Britain, and why it conti...
2021-04-13 11:00:00
Dan Jones on 1,000 years of British history
To mark HistoryExtra’s 1,000th episode, Dan Jones takes us on a whistlestop tour through the last millennium of British history, touching on some of the most memorable moments and reinterrogating the...
2021-04-12 11:00:00
The Maya: everything you wanted to know
Professor Matthew Restall tackles listener questions and popular search queries about the central American civilisation Professor Matthew Restall tackles popular search queries and listener question...
2021-04-11 11:00:00
Women prisoners in 19th-century Ireland
Elaine Farrell shares the stories of incarcerated Irish women, from daily routines inside a convict prison to relationships with staff and contact with the outside world. She also asks what their expe...
2021-04-10 11:00:00
Stalin: the real victor of WW2
Sean McMeekin discusses his revisionist new history of the Second World War, which places Josef Stalin at the centre of the conflict Historian Sean McMeekin discusses his revisionist new history of...
2021-04-09 11:00:00
Sending the first man into space
In 1961 cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to journey into space. Stephen Walker delves into the supercharged battle between the Soviets and Americans to reach this milestone On 12 April 19...
2021-04-07 11:00:00
Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry ep4: What’s missing?
Although the story it depicts may have gone down in history, the Tapestry’s coverage of the events of 1066 is far from the whole story. In fact, there’s plenty that is missing, from rival claimants to...
2021-04-06 11:00:32
The feminist who waged war on smallpox
Jo Willett tells the story of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who pioneered smallpox inoculation almost a century before Edward Jenner Mary Wortley Montagu is one of the most important figures in the bat...
2021-04-05 05:00:00
The Great Fire of London: everything you wanted to know
How much damage did the Great Fire of London cause? How long did it take to put out? And did it really start in Pudding Lane? Rebecca Rideal responds to listener questions and popular internet search...
2021-04-04 11:00:00
Cleopatra: unpicking myth from reality
The ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII is one of the most famous women in history, but how many of the legends surrounding her are actually true? Egyptologist Professor Joyce Tyldesley explores the...
2021-04-03 11:00:00
Traffickers on trial: the sensational case of Lydia Harvey
In 1910, a sixteen-year-old girl named Lydia Harvey walked onto a steamship, sailed away from New Zealand and disappeared. She had been ensnared by two traffickers, who transported her Buenos Aires. J...
2021-04-02 11:00:00
Bog bodies: what can they teach us?
Dr Melanie Giles unravels some of the mysteries around amazingly preserved human remains found in bogs – and reveals what we can learn from them Dr Melanie Giles unravels some of the mysteries aroun...
2021-03-31 11:00:00
Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry ep3: What story does the Tapestry tell?
In recounting the Norman invasion of 1066, the Bayeux Tapestry tells a story that we’re all familiar with. But, look a bit closer and it’s not so simple. In this episode, we investigate whose version...
2021-03-30 11:00:00
500 years of women’s self-portraits
Jennifer Higgie charts the story of women’s self-portraits over the last 500 years of western art – uncovering tales of transgressive self-expression and overcoming oppression Jennifer Higgie chart...
2021-03-29 11:00:35
The Byzantine empire: everything you wanted to know
What did it mean to be ‘born in the purple’? What lasting legacy did the empire have on how we eat dinner? And what does ‘Byzantine’ actually mean? Professor Judith Herrin responds to listener questio...
2021-03-28 11:00:00
Ammonite & the real fossil hunter Mary Anning
Rebecca Wragg Sykes introduces us to 19th-century fossil hunter Mary Anning, whose life has inspired the new film Ammonite. She reveals the real woman behind the film, discussing Anning’s personal rel...
2021-03-27 12:00:00
Historian Turtle Bunbury, author of new book The Irish Diaspora: Tales of Emigration, Exile and Imperialism, shares stories of Irish emigrants and their descendants. He charts their influence on globa...
2021-03-26 12:00:00
The mystery of the vanishing lighthouse keepers
Emma Stonex, author of a new novel The Lamplighters, talks about the strange true story of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse keepers, who vanished without a trace in December 1900, and delves into the unus...
2021-03-24 12:00:00
Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry ep2: How was the Tapestry created?
At around 70 metres long and handstitched with intricate detail, making the Bayeux Tapestry was no mean feat. In this episode, we delve into the details of how this mammoth embroidery was constructed,...
2021-03-23 12:00:00
Hate mail & mutilated horses: Conan Doyle investigates
Shrabani Basu, author of The Mystery of the Parsee Lawyer, shares the surprising story of George Edalji, who was wrongly accused of fatally maiming cattle in 1903. She reveals how this miscarriage of...
2021-03-22 12:00:57
The Elizabethans: everything you wanted to know
Nicola Tallis answers listener questions and online search queries about the Elizabethans. She covers everything from the dangers of using golden toothpicks and the religious rifts of the era to the r...
2021-03-21 12:00:00
What happened to the Franklin Expedition? The real mystery behind The Terror
In 1845, two British navy ships sailed into the Canadian arctic and never returned. The fate of the Franklin Expedition has proven one of history’s most compelling mysteries, and most recently inspire...
2021-03-20 12:00:00
Cellini: the “supreme scoundrel of the Renaissance”
Jerry Brotton describes the astonishing life and career of the Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini – a story of murder, plague, imprisonment and even necromancy Professor Jerry Brotton describes th...
2021-03-19 12:00:00
How our hunger for land shaped history
Simon Winchester explores how humans’ quest to own land – from enclosure and division to violent seizure – has wreaked irreparable changes through history Simon Winchester, author of Land: How the H...
2021-03-17 12:00:00
Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry Ep1: When, where and why was the Tapestry made?
In the opening episode of this podcast series examining one of the most fascinating objects of the medieval age, we explore all the need-to-know information about the Bayeux Tapestry, examining when a...
2021-03-16 12:00:00
The Clifford’s Tower massacre & medieval anti-Semitism
Dean Irwin explains the story of the 1190 anti-Semitic massacre at Clifford’s Tower in York, and how it fits into the wider story of England’s medieval Jewish population In March 1190, all the Jewis...
2021-03-15 12:00:21
The Thirty Years’ War: everything you wanted to know
Does the Thirty Years’ War merit its gruesome reputation? Who were the winners and losers of the conflict? And why did a Protestant mob throw Catholics out of a top-floor window of Prague Castle in 16...
2021-03-14 12:00:00
Rebels, hostages and diplomats: royal women of the crusader states
Katherine Pangonis chronicles the formidable line of female rulers that shaped the crusader states of the Holy Land in the 12th century Katherine Pangonis, author of Queens of Jerusalem, chronicles...
2021-03-13 12:00:00
To beard or not to beard? Facial hair through history
Dr Alun Withey, expert on the history of facial hair, takes us on a journey through shaving and grooming trends from 1650-1900 Why were big bushy beards once the height of fashion? When was it bette...
2021-03-12 12:00:00
The western front: a cauldron of innovation
In the popular imagination, the western front of the First World War has long been synonymous with futility and deadlock. But Nick Lloyd, author of new book The Western Front, argues that this was far...
2021-03-10 12:00:00
Assassinations: from the ancient world to JFK
Historian John Withington, author of Assassins’ Deeds: A History of Assassination from Ancient Egypt to the Present Day, explores some of history’s most notorious political killings. From the first kn...
2021-03-09 12:00:00
The big questions of women’s history
We mark International Women’s Day with a panel discussion tackling the central issues of women’s history We mark International Women’s Day with a panel discussion tackling the central issues of wome...
2021-03-08 12:00:05
The Cold War: everything you wanted to know
From espionage across the Iron Curtain, to the global struggles between communists and capitalists, Michael Goodman responds to your questions on the decades of geopolitical tension that shaped relati...
2021-03-07 12:00:00
Michael Wood, author of The Story of China, gives a lecture on the ancient civilisation’s rich and varied history. He introduces us to five individuals from across the centuries whose lives and voices...
2021-03-06 12:00:00
BONUS EPISODE: Game of Thrones’ medieval roots
Carolyne Larrington explores the medieval world that inspired the fantasy epic in a special HistoryExtra bonus episode, available now for free at https://www.historyextra.com/game-of-thrones-podcast H...
2021-03-05 12:00:00
Why treason was so unforgivable in the Middle Ages
Dr Amanda McVitty explains what treason meant in the medieval era, and why its consequences were particularly brutal Dr Amanda McVitty, author of Treason and Masculinity in Medieval England, explain...
2021-03-04 12:00:00
Formidable dynasties of the Italian Renaissance
Mary Hollingsworth discusses her new book, Princes of the Renaissance, which charts the wars and alliances between the powerful Italian families of the 15th and 16th centuries Mary Hollingsworth dis...
2021-03-03 11:00:00
Gordon Campbell reveals how the Vikings made epic voyages of discovery across the Atlantic a millennium ago The argument over whether Norse explorers settled in North America a millennium ago has r...
2021-03-02 12:00:36
Shipwrecked in the Arctic: a 16th-century survival story
Journalist Andrea Pitzer discusses her latest book Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World, which recounts the Arctic ordeal of Dutch explorer William Barents and his crew. In 1597, they set sa...
2021-03-01 12:00:00
The Roman emperors: everything you wanted to know
Shushma Malik discusses some of the most admired and reviled Roman emperors, and considers whether the legends surrounding them stand up to scrutiny In the latest in our series tackling the big ques...
2021-02-28 12:00:00
Adventure and archaeology in the golden age of Egyptology
Toby Wilkinson, author of A World Beneath the Sands, gives a lecture on the men and women whose obsession with Egypt’s ancient civilisation drove them to uncover its secrets in the 19th and early 20th...
2021-02-27 00:00:00
Crafting historical weapons for Wolf Hall and The Witcher
From Roman catapults to medieval daggers, Tod of Tod’s Workshop has made it all. The historical weapon-maker gives a behind-the-scenes peek into making replica weapons and armour for period dramas and...
2021-02-26 12:00:00
Nefertiti: wife, mother, pharaoh
Following the discovery of her striking bust in 1912, Nefertiti has become one of the best-known women of ancient Egypt. Professor Aidan Dodson – author of Nefertiti: Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt: Her L...
2021-02-25 12:00:00
The women who fought back against Hollywood
Film critic Helen O’Hara talks about her new book Women vs Hollywood, which highlights female pioneers of film, and reveals some of the challenges faced by women working in Hollywood over the past cen...
2021-02-24 12:00:00
Rivalries and romances: couples that shook up history
When it comes to making a mark in the history books, sometimes two heads are better than one. Broadcaster and author Cathy Newman talks about her latest book It Takes Two: A History of the Couples Who...
2021-02-23 12:00:36
The Vikings’ global connections
Dr Cat Jarman explores the far-reaching trading networks of the Vikings, from the Baltic sea to Asia Dr Cat Jarman discusses her new book River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia t...
2021-02-22 12:00:22
The space race: everything you wanted to know
Tom Ellis responds to listener questions on the great Cold War rivalry that saw the US and the Soviet Union battle for dominance in space In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on ma...
2021-02-21 12:00:00
Sathnam Sanghera on how modern Britain is shaped by empire
Sathnam Sanghera discusses where we can see the legacy of imperialism in Britain today – from politics and education to museums and multiculturalism Journalist and author Sathnam Sanghera discusses...
2021-02-20 12:00:00
The big questions of LGBTQ history
We mark LGBT+ History Month with a panel discussion tackling some of the biggest themes in LGBTQ history February is LGBT+ History Month. We mark it with a panel discussion in which Matt Cook, Chann...
2021-02-19 12:00:00
Chaos & communism: China’s 1949 revolution
Historian and journalist Graham Hutchings discusses his new book China 1949, which explores the events of a tumultuous year that saw communist victory in the Chinese civil war and the birth of the Peo...
2021-02-18 12:00:00
Elizabeth Barrett Browning: poet, activist, trailblazer, runaway
Fiona Sampson, author of a new biography, Two-Way Mirror: The Life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, discusses the life and work of the Victorian poet. Although perhaps best known for her runaway romance...
2021-02-17 12:00:00
Ahead of their new BBC One documentary, Blitz Spirit with Lucy Worsley, historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley, historical consultant Joshua Levine and producer Yasmine Permaul interrogate the idea of...
2021-02-16 12:00:00
Fatal accidents and violent injuries in the Middle Ages
Dr Jenna Dittmar, who has been studying medieval skeletons, reveals what her findings can tell us about injuries and violence in the era Dr Jenna Dittmar, who has been part of a research project stu...
2021-02-15 12:00:09
The Dissolution: everything you wanted to know
Dr Hugh Willmott responds to listener questions on Henry VIII’s suppression of the monasteries in the 16th century In this special live edition of our ‘everything you wanted to know’ series, Dr Hugh...
2021-02-14 12:00:00
The forgotten mothers of civil rights leaders
Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and James Baldwin are often remembered as change-makers who came into the world with their political ideas fully-formed – but this was far from the case. As Anna Malai...
2021-02-13 12:00:00
Sex, romance and rights: women's lives since 1950
Historian Carol Dyhouse talks about her new book, Love Lives: From Cinderella to Frozen, which explores how women's lives, dreams and loves have been transformed since 1950 –when Walt Disney's Cindere...
2021-02-12 12:00:00
Victorian pet cemeteries: animals in the afterlife
In the 19th century, devoted pet-owners established Britain’s first pet cemeteries. Dr Eric Tourigny explains what they tell us about Victorian attitudes to animals In the 19th century, devoted pet-...
2021-02-11 11:00:00
How slavery fuelled the British empire
Padraic X Scanlan discusses his book Slave Empire: How Slavery Built modern Britain, which examines how slavery fuelled the British empire and explores the complicated, often contradictory, motivation...
2021-02-10 12:00:00
17th-century London: a city shaped by catastrophe
Author Margarette Lincoln talks about her latest book, London and the 17th Century, which describes how a period blighted by plague, fire, revolution and civil war helped transform London into one of...
2021-02-09 12:00:16
Forgery was the dirty little secret of the Middle Ages. Levi Roach explains who counterfeited medieval manuscripts and why Forgery was the dirty little secret of the Middle Ages. As historian Levi R...
2021-02-08 12:00:00
Daily life in ancient Egypt: everything you wanted to know
In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley responds to listener questions about daily life in ancient Egypt, from governance, phara...
2021-02-07 12:00:00
Novelist Kate Mosse on The City of Tears
Author Kate Mosse talks about her historical novel The City of Tears, which transports readers back to the Wars of Religion in 16th-century France Author Kate Mosse talks about her historical novel...
2021-02-06 12:00:00
The Dark Ages: a ‘black hole’ in Britain’s history
Max Adams discusses his book The First Kingdom, Britain in the Age of Arthur, which pieces together the evidence to uncover what happened after the fall of Roman Britain. He speaks about some of the c...
2021-02-05 12:00:00
Author Juliet Nicolson talks about her latest book, Frostquake, which tells the story of the frozen winter of 1962. As Britain shivered under a blanket of ice and snow, new political and cultural forc...
2021-02-04 12:00:00
Dr Kathleen Neal explains what we can learn about Edward I, the famously militaristic “Hammer of the Scots”, from his letters Dr Kathleen Neal explains what we can learn about medieval king Edward I...
2021-02-03 12:00:00
Cary Grant: from humble beginnings to Hollywood icon
Author Mark Glancy tells us about his latest book, Cary Grant: The Making of a Hollywood Legend, which chronicles the remarkable story of how Archibald Leach, a working-class lad from Bristol, became...
2021-02-02 12:00:53
Blitz spirit or broken morale?
Jeremy Crang investigates reports on British morale made during the Second World War and considers what they can tell us about the ‘Blitz spirit’ Historian Jeremy Crang discusses his book The Spirit...
2021-02-01 12:00:00
The Black Death: everything you wanted to know
Professor John Hatcher answers listener questions about the medieval pandemic, and reflects on how the Covid-19 crisis might shape our understanding of the plague Professor John Hatcher, author of T...
2021-01-31 12:00:00
Margaret MacMillan gives a lecture on her book War: How Conflict Shaped Us, which explores the recurring reasons for conflict throughout history and examines how warfare has impacted on the human stor...
2021-01-30 12:00:25
From Thor to Odin, Carolyne Larrington discusses the legendary figures of Viking mythology Professor Carolyne Larrington discusses her book The Norse Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Heroes, which exp...
2021-01-29 12:00:00
Author and journalist Sir Peter Stothard discusses his latest book, The Last Assassin, which chronicles the hunt for Julius Caesar’s murderers, a momentous episode in ancient Rome’s story that trigger...
2021-01-28 12:00:00
Werewolves of the ancient world
Historian Daniel Ogden, author of new book The Werewolf in the Ancient World, explores the origins of the werewolf legend in stories from classical Greece and Rome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2021-01-27 12:00:00
Rich vs poor in Regency Britain
Historian Ian Mortimer discusses how a vast chasm between rich and poor marked society in the early 19th century Historian Ian Mortimer discusses the chasm between rich and poor that marked society in...
2021-01-26 12:00:00
Spectacular discoveries at Sutton Hoo
Ahead of the release of the new film The Dig, Professor Martin Carver discusses the real story of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo Ahead of the release of Netflix’s new film The Dig, about the famous...
2021-01-25 12:00:47
The Persian empire: everything you wanted to know
In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, an expert in ancient history, responds to listener questions and popular internet se...
2021-01-24 12:00:00
The shipwreck that sank a royal dynasty
In a talk from our virtual lecture series, author Charles Spencer discusses his book The White Ship, which explores the story of England’s early Norman monarchs and recounts a maritime tragedy that th...
2021-01-23 12:00:00
Historian Susan Cohen discusses how Britain’s National Health Service has changed over the decades since its landmark creation in 1948. She explores the challenges of providing ‘cradle-to-grave care’...
2021-01-22 12:00:00
Historian Paul Betts discusses his book Ruin and Renewal, which explores how postwar regeneration after 1945 was inspired by the contested concept of civilisation, and examines some of the competing v...
2021-01-21 12:00:49
How oceans shaped human civilisation
Physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski discusses the impact of oceans on human civilisations through history, from providing food to connecting trade routes. Plus, she explores how our relationship...
2021-01-20 12:00:00
Searching for freedom after the Holocaust
Rosie Whitehouse tells the story of a group of Holocaust survivors who sailed to Palestine in 1946, in defiance of the Royal Navy Author and journalist Rosie Whitehouse discusses her book The People...
2021-01-19 12:00:00
The race for vaccines: lessons from history
As the campaign to vaccinate the population against Covid-19 picks up pace, Gareth Williams explores previous efforts to combat lethal diseases, from smallpox to polio Gareth Williams, emeritus prof...
2021-01-18 12:00:30
Britain’s Swinging Sixties: everything you wanted to know
Dominic Sandbrook answers popular search queries and listener questions about Britain in the 1960s Did the Sixties really swing? Why did the decade see such an explosion of popular culture? And what...
2021-01-17 12:00:00
Historian Helen Fry, author of MI9, gives a lecture on the secret service for escape and evasion, who led missions to help allied prisoners of war make it out of Nazi-occupied Europe during the Second...
2021-01-16 12:00:00
Hitler and Stalin: tyrants at war
Laurence Rees compares the actions of the two dictators over the course of the Second World War Historian, author and broadcaster Laurence Rees discusses his new book, Hitler and Stalin, which compa...
2021-01-15 12:00:00
How historians helped build the British empire
Priya Satia explores how historians helped advance the British empire, only to later become critics of imperialism Professor Priya Satia discusses her recent book, Time’s Monster, which explores how...
2021-01-14 12:00:00
When British pop invaded America
David Hepworth tells the story of the British rock bands – from the Beatles and Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin – who took the United States by storm in the 1960s Author and broadcaster David Hepwort...
2021-01-13 12:00:00
The collapse of the Third Reich
Frank McDonough discusses the second volume in his history of the Third Reich, The Hitler Years, which details how Nazi Germany fell from the peak of its power in 1940 to disastrous defeat five years...
2021-01-12 12:00:00
Domesday Book: medieval big data
Stephen Baxter discusses the latest insights revealed by a new study of the 11th-century survey of England Professor Stephen Baxter discusses the latest insights revealed by a new study of Domesday...
2021-01-11 12:00:50
The Renaissance: everything you wanted to know
Jerry Brotton, professor of Renaissance studies at Queen Mary University of London, responds to listener questions and popular internet search queries about the Renaissance. He tackles everyday life i...
2021-01-10 12:00:00
The decline and death of Henry VIII
Robert Hutchinson gives a lecture on the Tudor monarch's final years, plagued by illness, bankruptcy, and thwarted ambitions In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Chester History We...
2021-01-09 12:00:00
Was the 1990s a golden age for British South Asians?
Kavita Puri discusses the experiences of British South Asians during the 1990s and early 2000s. BBC journalist Kavita Puri discusses the new series of her Radio 4 documentary Three Pounds in My Pocket...
2021-01-08 06:00:41
Editor’s pick: Ian Kershaw on postwar Europe
In this episode from our archive, Ian Kershaw offers his take on how the continent has developed since the Second World War In this archive episode from 2018, recorded to mark HistoryExtra’s 500th epi...
2021-01-07 12:00:00
Brexit’s long historical roots
Robert Tombs discusses the historical background to Brexit, exploring Britain’s long and fluctuating relationship with Europe Professor Robert Tombs discusses his new book This Sovereign Isle, which e...
2021-01-06 12:00:00
Editor’s pick: Lenin’s revolutionary train journey
In this archive episode, Catherine Merridale recounts how the future Soviet leader travelled to Petrograd in 1917 – a key moment in the Russian Revolution In this episode from our archive, Catherine M...
2021-01-05 12:00:00
James Holland tells the story of the dramatic Allied assault on the island of Sicily in the Second World War Military historian James Holland tells the story of the dramatic assault on the island of S...
2021-01-04 12:00:00
The Industrial Revolution: everything you wanted to know
Emma Griffin tackles internet search queries and questions submitted by listeners about Britain’s Industrial Revolution Emma Griffin tackles internet search queries and questions submitted by listener...
2021-01-03 12:00:00
Tim Grady gives a lecture exploring the varied experiences of German Jews in the First World War In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 History Weekend in Chester based on his book, A Deadly Legacy: Ge...
2021-01-02 12:00:00
Bizarre books and macabre manuscripts
Edward Brooke-Hitching discusses some of history’s strangest literary curiosities, from hoax manuscripts to tomes bound in human skin Edward Brooke-Hitching discusses his book The Madman’s Library, wh...
2021-01-01 12:00:00
Bonnie Prince Charlie: hero or coward?
Jacqueline Riding considers whether the Jacobite prince was a valiant freedom fighter, or a haughty coward Ever since he led a failed Jacobite rebellion against the British crown in 1745, Bonnie Princ...
2020-12-31 12:00:00
Editor’s pick: covert Catholicism in Elizabethan England
In this episode from our archive, Jessie Childs tells the story of Tudor gentleman Thomas Tresham, whose faith set him at odds with the Virgin Queen In this archive episode from 2018, historian Jessie...
2020-12-30 12:00:00
Thomas Becket: from murder to martyrdom
Eight hundred and fifty years ago today, the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was brutally murdered in his cathedral. Dr Emily Guerry explains what happened next Eight hundred and fifty years...
2020-12-29 12:00:00
Bridgerton: ripping up the rulebook on Regency romance
Hannah Greig, historian and etiquette advisor to new Netflix show Bridgerton, joins us to talk about the historical detail that can be found in the drama – and the inspirations behind it Historian and...
2020-12-28 12:00:00
The Wars of the Roses: everything you wanted to know about
Lauren Johnson responds to listener questions about the Wars of the Roses, the 15th-century clashes for the English throne between the houses of Lancaster and York In the latest in our series tackling...
2020-12-27 12:00:00
Editor’s pick: the Windrush generation
In this episode from our archive, Colin Grant tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the Caribbean In this archive episode, historian, author and broadcaster Colin Grant dis...
2020-12-24 12:00:00
Test your historical knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin Pollard Join the HistoryExtra team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz. Test your knowledge on...
2020-12-23 12:00:00
Editor’s pick: Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
In this episode from our archive, biographer Ron Chernow discusses the extraordinary life of the American Founding Father who inspired a hit musical In this archive episode from 2018, we spoke to hist...
2020-12-22 12:00:00
Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Francis Young explains the origins of this custom and what it tells us Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Fol...
2020-12-21 12:00:00
The history of Christmas: everything you wanted to know
Did Cromwell ban mince pies? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin responds to listener questions and internet search queries on festive history Did Cromwell ban mince pies? When did people fi...
2020-12-20 12:00:00
The Cut Out Girl author Bart van Es gives a lecture on the Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the Netherlands In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weeke...
2020-12-19 12:00:00
Editor’s pick: Were the suffragettes terrorists?
In this archive episode, historian Fern Riddell discusses her biography of suffrage campaigner Kitty Marion, which explores some of the darker aspects of the campaign for votes for women. Hosted on Ac...
2020-12-18 12:00:00
Ten things to do with a medieval donkey
Kathryn Smithies discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages Kathryn Smithies, author of Introducing the Medieval Ass, discusses the economic and cultural signifi...
2020-12-17 12:00:00
Hunting down the Portland Spy Ring
Writer and espionage historian Trevor Barnes discusses his book Dead Doubles, which details the thrilling 1960s MI5 investigation into the infamous Portland Spy Ring, one of the most dangerous KGB esp...
2020-12-16 12:00:00
The gay MPs who opposed appeasement
MP and author Chris Bryant discusses his new book The Glamour Boys, which tells the story of group of young, queer British MPs who were some of the first to oppose appeasement in the 1930s and warn Br...
2020-12-14 12:00:00
Magna Carta: everything you wanted to know
Professor David Carpenter responds to listener questions on the great medieval charter and its 800-year-long legacy Professor David Carpenter responds to listener queries and popular internet search...
2020-12-13 12:00:00
Chris Harding gives a lecture on Japan’s attempts to carve out a place for itself in a world dominated by western power and culture In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, inspi...
2020-12-12 12:00:00
Cundill Prize-winner Camilla Townsend on global history
Historian Camilla Townsend recently won the Cundill History Prize for Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs. Here, she talks about the book’s success, and the challenges of writing global history for...
2020-12-11 12:00:00
Castro and the trip that shaped the 1960s
In September 1960, Fidel Castro visited New York City to give the opening address at the United Nations General Assembly. Historian Simon Hall, author of Ten Days in Harlem, explores the impact of thi...
2020-12-10 12:00:00
Professor Sujit Sivasundaram discusses his book Waves across the South: A New History Revolution and Empire, which rewrites the story of the British empire’s expansion across the Indian and Pacific Oc...
2020-12-09 12:00:00
The International Brigades: fighting fascism in Spain
Giles Tremlett discusses how more than 35,000 volunteers from across the globe fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War Historian, author and journalist Giles Tremlett discusses his major new b...
2020-12-07 12:00:08
The Glorious Revolution: everything you wanted to know
How did James II’s replacement by William of Orange as king of England, Scotland and Ireland change the course of British history? Ted Vallance responds to listener questions about the 1688 Glorious R...
2020-12-06 12:00:00
The orphan hero who fought at Trafalgar
Helen Berry gives a lecture on the extraordinary story of an 18th-century foundling, George King In a lecture she delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, Helen Berry shares an extraordinary sto...
2020-12-05 12:00:00
Robert Colls, author of This Sporting Life: Sport and Liberty in England, 1760-1960, discusses the critical role that our love of sport has played in English civil society over the past two centuries...
2020-12-04 06:00:00
How did the Reformation impact Jews?
Kenneth Austin explores what impact the Reformation had on Europe’s Jewish communities. Historian Kenneth Austin explores what impact the Reformation of the 16th century had on Europe’s Jewish communi...
2020-12-03 12:00:00
Ethiopia 1935: The real history behind The Shadow King
Author Maaza Mengiste discusses her Booker prize-nominated historical novel The Shadow King, set during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. She talks about the research involved, her own family...
2020-12-02 12:00:00
Edith Hall explores Plato’s legend of Atlantis and considers why the tale continues to endure 2,500 years on Classicist Edith Hall, an expert on ancient Greek literature, explores Plato’s lost city o...
2020-11-30 12:00:17
Ancient Babylon: everything you wanted to know
Professor Zainab Bahrani tackles popular internet search queries, and questions submitted by listeners, about the Mesopotamian city, which was one of the jewels of the ancient world. Topics range from...
2020-11-29 12:00:00
Looking for Egypt’s lost tombs
Are there any treasures left to be excavated in Egypt? Chris Naunton gives a lecture on some of the most fascinating ancient figures whose tombs are yet to be discovered In a lecture he delivered at o...
2020-11-28 12:00:00
Robert Harris on V2, historical fiction and WW2
Robert Harris discusses V2, his new Second World War thriller inspired by the German missile campaign in 1944 Best-selling historical novelist Robert Harris discusses his latest thriller, V2, inspired...
2020-11-27 12:00:00
From debates about colonialism to lessons from previous pandemics, a panel of historians discuss how the past has shaped 2020 – and how the events of this momentous year should change our understandin...
2020-11-26 12:00:00
Natalie Haynes discusses the varied portrayals of women in Greek mythology, uncovering the multi-layered figures who emerge from different retellings Writer and classicist Natalie Haynes discusses he...
2020-11-25 12:00:59
Germans who resisted the Nazis
Author and filmmaker Catrine Clay discusses her new book, The Good Germans, which explores German opposition to Nazism through the lives of six people who stood up to the Third Reich. Hosted on Acast....
2020-11-23 12:00:00
Shakespeare: everything you wanted to know
Paul Edmondson, head of research and knowledge at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, responds to listener questions and popular search queries on the life and work of England’s most famous playwright,...
2020-11-22 12:00:00
In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Winchester History Weekend, Simon Parkin discusses the extraordinary story that inspired his book A Game of Birds and Wolves. He describes how...
2020-11-21 12:00:00
Bernard Cornwell on The Last Kingdom’s finale and the next Sharpe
Bestselling historical novelist Bernard Cornwell discusses his new book War Lord, the final instalment in The Last Kingdom series. He speaks about why Aethelstan gets short shrift in history and revea...
2020-11-20 12:00:00
Oswald, the many-headed medieval saint
Dr Johanna Dale explores how the seventh-century Northumbrian king Oswald become an important and popular saint across medieval Europe, and explains what his story can tell us about religion in the Mi...
2020-11-19 12:00:00
Kiran Klaus Patel, author of Project Europe: A History, tracks the development of the EU over the postwar decades, considering whether it really did bring peace to the continent and what impact it’s h...
2020-11-18 12:00:00
An extraordinary Everest adventure
In the 1930s, eccentric aviator Maurice Wilson hatched a wild plan to fly from England to Everest in a Gypsy Moth plane, and then climb to the top of the mountain solo. Ed Caesar talks about the remar...
2020-11-16 12:00:00
The Wild West: everything you wanted to know
Historian and author Karen Jones responds to listener questions and popular search queries about the mass movement of settlers into the American west, from the hardships of homesteading and the violen...
2020-11-15 12:00:00
Viking warrior women & the ethics of excavating the dead
In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Chester History Weekend, archaeologist Howard Williams discusses some of the most intriguing and contentious debates in archaeology today. How...
2020-11-14 12:00:00
War and society: a tangled relationship
Professor Margaret Macmillan discusses her new book War: How Conflict Shaped Us, which explores conflict’s changing yet intrinsic role in human history, and reveals how warfare has often led to societ...
2020-11-13 12:00:00
Historian Seb Falk discusses his new book, The Light Ages, which highlights the surprising sophistication of scientific research in the Middle Ages – from astronomy to medicine. Hosted on Acast. See a...
2020-11-12 12:00:00
Women in black: the surprising history of widows
Historian Maggie Andrews discusses her new book co-written with Janis Lomas, which looks at the complex and fascinating history of widows. Often historically viewed as figures of pity and poverty, man...
2020-11-11 12:00:00
Personal stories of the Second World War
Victoria Panton Bacon shares remarkable first-hand testimonies from veterans of the Second World War Victoria Panton Bacon, author of the new book Remarkable Journeys of the Second World War: A Collec...
2020-11-09 12:00:00
The Russian revolution: everything you wanted to know
Robert Service responds to listener questions and popular search enquiries about the Russian revolutions of 1917, which saw the beginnings of the Communist era. In the latest of our series tackling t...
2020-11-08 12:00:00
In a lecture from our 2019 History Weekend in Winchester, Max Hastings tells the dramatic story of the 1943 Dambusters raid. In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weeken...
2020-11-07 12:00:00
Neil Price takes us inside the Viking mind to explain how the Norse raiders viewed the world and what drove them to expand across the seas Professor Neil Price, author of The Children of Ash and Elm,...
2020-11-06 12:00:00
Helen Fry discusses the top-secret work of MI9, which helped Allied prisoners of war escape during WW2 Historian Helen Fry discusses her new book MI9, which reveals how the secret agency helped Allied...
2020-11-05 12:00:00
The White Ship: a medieval royal tragedy
Charles Spencer speaks to Dan Jones about the White Ship disaster, which plunged the English monarchy into chaos 900 years ago Bestselling author Charles Spencer speaks to fellow historian Dan Jones a...
2020-11-04 12:00:00
Daniel Lee discusses the life of an ‘ordinary’ member of the SS Historian Daniel Lee describes how the chance discovery of a cache of documents within a piece of furniture led him to uncover the life...
2020-11-02 12:00:39
Medical history: everything you wanted to know
Professor Mary Fissell responds to listener questions and popular search enquiries about the history of medicine, from pandemics of the past to grisly early surgeries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2020-11-01 12:00:00
Poland 1939: The invasion that sparked WW2
Roger Moorhouse delivers a lecture on the German invasion of Poland in 1939 In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Winchester History Weekend event, historian Roger Moorhouse tells...
2020-10-31 12:00:00
Aviation historian Rowland White explores the events of the 1982 Falklands War through the story of Britain’s Sea Harrier jump jet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m...
2020-10-30 12:00:00
Author Turtle Bunbury shares stories from his book Ireland’s Forgotten Past – a collection of overlooked and ‘disremembered’ moments in the history of Ireland, from raging storms and the Knights Templ...
2020-10-29 12:00:00
Stephen Bourne discusses the experiences of Britain’s black community during the Second World War Historian Stephen Bourne, author of Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime, discusses the experiences of...
2020-10-28 12:00:51
Jan Bill gives us the lowdown on Viking ships, and offers updates on the Gjellestad Ship excavation, currently underway in Norway Jan Bill gives us the lowdown on Viking ships, and updates us on the l...
2020-10-27 12:00:26
Adventure & opportunity: female transatlantic travellers
Historian Siân Evans explores the lives and voyages of women in the golden age of transatlantic travel, which saw some enjoying luxurious journeys aboard opulent ocean liners and presented others with...
2020-10-26 12:00:57
The Regency era: everything you wanted to know
Emily Brand responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the Regency era Historian and author Emily Brand responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about Britain in...
2020-10-25 12:00:00
Elena Woodacre delivers a lecture on the portrayal of historical queens in cinema and television, from Mary Queen of Scots to The Spanish Princess In a lecture she delivered at BBC History Magazine’s...
2020-10-24 11:00:00
Jim Leary explains how people in prehistory and the Middle Ages moved around the world Can we follow in the footsteps of our prehistoric and medieval forebears? Archaeologist Dr Jim Leary, who resear...
2020-10-23 11:00:00
Stella Dadzie uncovers the experiences and resistance activities of enslaved women in the West Indies Historian and activist Stella Dadzie talks about her new book, A Kick in the Belly: Women, Slave...
2020-10-21 11:00:18
Professor Camilla Townsend discusses her new book Fifth Sun: A New History of Aztecs, which overturns existing narratives about the ancient civilisation by charting its rise and fall through the stori...
2020-10-20 11:00:52
Professor Richard M Eaton discusses his book, India in the Persianate Age, 1000–1765, which explores the nation’s rich history across eight centuries and argues that we should see it through a cultura...
2020-10-19 11:00:11
The French Revolution: Everything you need to know
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Marisa Linton responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the dramatic events that engu...
2020-10-18 11:00:00
A Triple Bond Broken: The Destruction of the House of York
In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian and author Thomas Penn explores the turbulent relationship between three brothers: Edward IV, George...
2020-10-17 11:00:00
Historian Vincent Brown discusses his recent book, Tacky’s Revolt, which describes an uprising in Jamaica that was the largest slave revolt in the 18th-century British Atlantic world. The book has rec...
2020-10-16 11:00:27
Archaeologist Gabor Thomas, who directed the excavation, discusses the discovery of the ‘Marlow Warlord’ – a 6th-century burial near the Thames. You can listen to the Portable Antiquities Scheme podc...
2020-10-15 11:00:14
Ancient wisdom with Neil Oliver
Archaeologist and broadcaster Neil Oliver discusses some of the most striking finds in the history of archaeology and talks about his new book Wisdom of the Ancients, which searches the ancient past f...
2020-10-14 11:00:44
Black radical: William Monroe Trotter
Historian Kerri K Greenidge discusses her book Black Radical, which explores the life and career of the pioneering black newspaperman William Monroe Trotter, and which has recently been shortlisted fo...
2020-10-13 11:00:21
The dispossession of Native Americans
Historian Claudio Saunt discusses his recent book Unworthy Republic, which tells the story of the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their lands by the US government in the...
2020-10-12 11:00:29
Everything you ever wanted to know about medieval daily life, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Chris Dyer responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about life in the Middle Ages, includ...
2020-10-11 11:00:00
Should I stay or I should go? The problem with historical monuments in 2020
In a BBC History Magazine virtual lecture, Keith Lowe discusses why statues relating to empire and the Second World War have become contested ground. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2020-10-10 11:00:00
Ancient historian Andrew Bayliss discusses the Greek city-state of Sparta. The conversation ranges from the Spartans’ military prowess and the legendary battle of Thermopylae, to the structure of thei...
2020-10-09 11:00:37
What are the key turning points in the history of early medieval Europe? Historian Dr Charles West offers his thoughts on some important moments. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
2020-10-07 11:00:11
The rise and fall of the Sikh empire
Historian Priya Atwal, whose written a new history of the Sikh empire that flourished in the early 19th century, discusses how It rose to prominence but was ultimately brought down by British imperial...
2020-10-05 11:00:24
Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of Japan, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Christopher Harding responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the history of Japan, r...
2020-10-04 11:00:00
Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944
In a talk that he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, bestselling military historian Antony Beevor tells the story of Operation Market Garden – the 1944 Allied pl...
2020-10-03 11:00:00
Kate Summerscale, bestselling author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, discusses her new book, The Haunting of Alma Fielding, which delves into a tale of the supernatural in London just before the outb...
2020-10-02 11:00:00
Eels were a mainstay of the economy in the Middle Ages, and also a part of the developing English identity. Dr John Wyatt Greenlee explains why the fish mattered so much. Visit https://historiacartaru...
2020-09-30 11:00:00
Ken Follett’s Anglo-Saxon adventure
Bestselling historical novelist Ken Follett chats about how he recreated late Anglo-Saxon England for his new book, The Evening and the Morning, which is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth. History...
2020-09-28 11:00:44
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Neanderthals, but were afraid to ask
In an episode produced in collaboration with our colleagues at BBC Science Focus Magazine, archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes tackles some of the big questions about Neanderthals and their relations wi...
2020-09-27 11:00:00
Simon de Montfort and England’s First Revolution
In a talk that she delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian Sophie Ambler tells the story of Simon de Montfort’s doomed rebellion against King Henry III in t...
2020-09-26 11:00:01
Toussaint Louverture’s revolutionary life
Historian Sudhir Hazareesingh talks to us about Black Spartacus, his acclaimed new biography of the Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture who battled against slavery and European colonial rule at...
2020-09-25 11:00:43
On the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s momentous voyage to North America, historian and author James Evans reflects on the Pilgrim Fathers and the colony they established, and considers how impor...
2020-09-24 11:00:00
Historian Fredrik Logevall discusses the first volume of his major new biography of John F Kennedy, exploring the US president’s upbringing and rise to political prominence. Historyextra.com/podcast E...
2020-09-23 11:00:47
A new study of Viking DNA provides many new insights about the lives of Vikings. Dr Cat Jarman explains what it tells us, and what questions remain unanswered. Historyextra.com/podcast Enter the podc...
2020-09-22 11:00:59
Author Catherine Bailey discusses her recent book Fey’s War, which tells the story of a family caught up in the aftermath of the failed plot to kill Hitler in the summer of 1944. Historyextra.com/podc...
2020-09-21 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about the East India Company, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Jon Wilson responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the English trading company that...
2020-09-20 11:00:00
In a talk he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian, archaeologist and author Thomas Williams discusses the many impacts the Norse raiders had on the city...
2020-09-19 11:00:00
Ben Macintyre on Agent Sonya – the greatest female spy in history
Journalist and bestselling author Ben Macintyre talks to us about his latest book, Agent Sonya: Lover, Mother, Soldier, Spy, which tells the incredible story of a German-born woman who spied for the S...
2020-09-18 11:00:11
Historian Sarah Kovner talks to us about her new book, Prisoners of the Empire, which challenges longstanding beliefs about why Allied prisoners were mistreated in Japanese camps during the Second Wor...
2020-09-16 11:00:00
Historian Ryan Lavelle explores revolts against authority in the 11th century, including against the rule of William the Conqueror in England. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2020-09-14 11:00:35
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Suffragettes, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian and author Diane Atkinson responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the militant camp...
2020-09-13 11:00:00
Scythians: Warrior Nomads of the Steppe
In a talk from our 2019 History Weekend in Winchester, Barry Cunliffe shares his knowledge of the skilled horsemen who rampaged across the steppe in the first millennium BC Historyextra.com/podcast...
2020-09-12 11:00:00
Journalist and author Ravi Somaiya discusses his new book, Operation Morthor, which investigates the mysterious 1961 death of UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld in a plane crash during the Congo Cr...
2020-09-11 11:00:00
Ahead of his new BBC Two series The Romantics and Us, the renowned art historian and broadcaster Simon Schama explores the legacy of the 18th and 19th-century artistic movement on the modern world. Hi...
2020-09-09 11:00:00
Isabel Wilkerson on caste in America
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson discusses her new book, Caste: The Lies That Divide Us, which argues that the divisions in American society are best understood if it is v...
2020-09-07 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about the legends of King Arthur, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, experts Ron Hutton and Ad Putter respond to listener queries and popular search enquiries about King Arthur and the l...
2020-09-06 11:00:00
The Patient Assassin: A True Tale of Massacre, Revenge and the Raj
In a talk she delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, author and BBC broadcaster Anita Anand tells the dramatic story of one man’s decades-long quest for revenge foll...
2020-09-05 11:00:00
Historian Alan Allport discusses his new book, Britain at Bay, which explores the years 1938–41 as the country transitioned from an uneasy peace to the most perilous moments of World War Two. The seco...
2020-09-04 11:00:11
Historian Alan Allport discusses his new book, Britain at Bay, which explores the years 1938–41 as the country transitioned from an uneasy peace to the most perilous moments of World War Two. The seco...
2020-09-03 11:35:50
Ernest Bevin: working-class warrior
Author and former cabinet minister Andrew Adonis discusses his new biography of Ernest Bevin, exploring how the Labour politician played a crucial role in both World War Two and the early years of the...
2020-09-02 11:00:06
The uncommon lives of common sailors
Author and journalist Stephen Taylor describes the experiences of ordinary British seamen who took to the waves during the age of sail in the 18th and 19th centuries. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted o...
2020-08-31 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Hundred Years’ War, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Anne Curry responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the medieval clashes between Eng...
2020-08-30 11:00:19
Crusaders: An Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands
In a talk he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian, author and broadcaster Dan Jones introduces a vivid cast of characters from the medieval conflicts for...
2020-08-29 11:00:00
The extraordinary life of Sultan Selim I
Historian Alan Mikhail, author of a new biography of the Ottoman Sultan Selim I, explains how he transformed the empire in the early 16thcentury – with important consequences for the rest of the world...
2020-08-28 11:00:04
Medieval historian Professor Tom Licence, author of a new biography of King Edward the Confessor, discusses the life and times of the pre-conquest ruler of England, King Edward the Confessor. Historye...
2020-08-26 11:00:09
Revisiting the Kindertransport
Playwright Jonathan Lichtenstein talks to us about his new book, The Berlin Shadow, which describes how he accompanied his father on a journey back to Berlin, retracing the steps he took in 1939 on th...
2020-08-24 11:00:58
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Aztecs, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Caroline Dodds Pennock responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the Mesoamerican civ...
2020-08-23 11:00:00
Who Dares Wins: Britain in the Age of the Falklands
In a talk he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian, author and broadcaster Dominic Sandbrook explores the history of Britain in the early 1980s. Historyex...
2020-08-22 11:00:00
Historian John Dickie, author of the new book The Craft: How the Freemasons Made the Modern World, sifts fact from fiction in the history of a much misunderstood organisation. Historyextra.com/podcast...
2020-08-21 11:00:00
Author and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, who is presenting the new BBC Four series African Renaissance: When Art Meets Power, discusses the histories of Ethiopia, Kenya and Senegal, and how contemporary ar...
2020-08-19 11:00:09
Clement Knox, author of the recent book Strange Antics: A History of Seduction, explores ideas of sex, courtship and power from the 18th century until the present day. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted...
2020-08-17 11:00:02
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Spanish Civil War, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Paul Preston responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the conflict that tore Spain a...
2020-08-16 11:00:00
In a talk he delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, military historian and author Peter Caddick-Adams reflects on the 1944 invasion of Normandy and considers the ris...
2020-08-15 11:00:00
As we approach the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, historian Jonathan Fennell describes how the British and Commonwealth forces turned the tide against Japan in the Burman campaign. Historyextra.com/podca...
2020-08-14 11:00:54
Medieval historian James Chetwood explores the origins of people’s names in the Middle Ages and how trends in naming changed dramatically over the centuries. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast....
2020-08-12 11:00:48
Author and biographer Sarah LeFanu discusses her recent book, Something of Themselves, which examines the involvement of three British writers – Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle and Mary Kingsley –...
2020-08-10 11:00:29
Everything you ever wanted to know about the American Civil War, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Adam IP Smith responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the conflict between the Unio...
2020-08-09 11:00:00
In a talk she delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian, author and broadcaster Janina Ramirez brings to life lesser-known heroines from across the medieval p...
2020-08-08 11:00:00
Documents that changed the world
The distinguished journalists and broadcasters Peter Snow and Ann MacMillan talk about their new book, The Treasures of World History, which compiles some of the most important documents to have shape...
2020-08-07 11:00:03
Peter Frankopan on global history in 2020
Five years after the publication of his landmark book The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, historian Peter Frankopan explores some of the major themes in global history and how they relate to l...
2020-08-05 11:00:00
Medieval dynasties: how to stay on the throne
Historian Robert Bartlett explores how medieval royal families sought to retain their grip on the throne and explains why some dynasties thrived, while others collapsed. Historyextra.com/podcast Hoste...
2020-08-03 11:00:33
Everything you ever wanted to know about Ancient Greece, but were afraid to ask (part 2)
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, ancient historian Paul Cartledge responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about one of the most reno...
2020-08-02 05:00:34
Shadow King: The Life and Death of Henry VI
In a talk she delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian and author Lauren Johnson discusses the tragic life of Henry VI whose catastrophic reign led to the bl...
2020-08-01 05:00:00
The Princes in the Tower: History’s Greatest Mysteries
In today’s episode we reveal the winner in our History’s Greatest Mystery poll: the fate of the princes in the Tower. Historian Nathen Amin considers some of the possible explanations for their disapp...
2020-07-31 11:00:21
Stonehenge: History’s Greatest Mysteries
All this week we are counting down the top five of our History’s Greatest Mysteries poll. In second place is Stonehenge, and in today’s episode archaeologist Mike Pitts considers how and why the monum...
2020-07-30 11:00:33
The fate of Jesus’s body: History’s Greatest Mysteries
All this week we are counting down the top five of our History’s Greatest Mysteries poll. In today’s episode, historian and author Tom Holland explores historical and religious explanations as to what...
2020-07-29 11:00:00
The lost colony of Roanoke: History’s Greatest Mysteries
All this week we are counting down the top five of our History’s Greatest Mysteries poll. In today’s episode, historian Misha Ewen delves into the mysterious disappearance of a group of English settle...
2020-07-28 11:00:00
The Voynich Manuscript: History’s Greatest Mysteries
All this week we are counting down the top five of our History’s Greatest Mysteries poll. In today’s episode, historian Elma Brenner discusses the 500-year-old Voynich Manuscript, whose mysterious tex...
2020-07-27 11:00:12
Everything you ever wanted to know about Ancient Greece, but were afraid to ask (part 1)
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, ancient historian Paul Cartledge responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about one of the most reno...
2020-07-26 11:00:05
Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Survivor
In a talk she delivered at our 2019 BBC History Magazine History Weekend in Winchester, historian and author Nicola Tallis describes the remarkable life of a pivotal figure in the Wars of the Roses an...
2020-07-25 11:00:00
As the Portable Antiquities Scheme records it’s 1.5 millionth find, we speak to Michael Lewis, who is head of the scheme, about some of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in its history, a...
2020-07-24 11:00:04
African American abolitionists in Britain
Historian Hannah-Rose Murray describes how Frederick Douglass and other African American abolitionists toured Britain in the 19th century to campaign against slavery in the United States. Historyextra...
2020-07-22 11:00:13
Archaeologist and author Chris Gosden explores delves into the history of magical beliefs and practices from ancient times until the present day. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
2020-07-20 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about medieval queens, but were afraid to ask
Dr Elena Woodacre is an expert on medieval and early modern queens and queenship at the University of Winchester. In this podcast, she answers the most popular listener and internet search questions a...
2020-07-19 11:00:00
At home with the medieval aristocracy
Professor Louise Wilkinson, a medievalist at the University of Lincoln talks about her research into the household accounts of Eleanor de Montfort, a key figure in the mid-13th century civil war. The...
2020-07-18 11:00:00
Lionheart of stone: the medieval statue debate
The past few months have seen vigorous debates about the future of statues to contested historical figures, typically related to the colonial era and the Confederacy. In this episode, historian Simon...
2020-07-17 11:00:31
Historian and author Alexander Larman is joined by popular historian Dan Jones to discuss his new book, The Crown in Crisis, which explores Edward VIII’s relationship with Wallis Simpson and how it le...
2020-07-15 11:35:53
Roman historian Shushma Malik discusses the infamous crimes of the emperor Nero and considers whether he is deserving of his monstrous reputation. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
2020-07-13 11:00:24
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Cuban Missile Crisis, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Mark White responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the Cold War nuclear confrontati...
2020-07-12 11:00:00
Historian Pauline Stafford shares the latest research and thinking on some of the most important historical sources from Early Medieval England. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2020-07-11 11:00:00
Historian Alice Procter discusses her recent book The Whole Picture, which explains how modern museums often have problematic colonial histories and offers some ideas about how we should be rethinking...
2020-07-10 11:00:28
David Abulafia on The Boundless Sea
Historian David Abulafia discusses his latest book, The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans, which was recently declared the winner of the prestigious Wolfson History Prize. Our conversation...
2020-07-08 11:00:05
California’s century of change
Laurence Grissell, producer of the recent BBC Radio 4 series The Californian Century, explores some of the key moments in the Golden State’s modern history, from the age of Hollywood to the rise of Si...
2020-07-06 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Scottish Wars of Independence, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Iain MacInnes responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the Anglo-Scottish military c...
2020-07-05 11:00:00
Gordon Noble and Nicholas Evans, co-authors of The King in the North, discuss the latest thinking about the culture that flourished in what’s now Scotland in the first millennium AD. Historyextra.com/...
2020-07-04 11:00:00
Historian Natasha Hodgson explores the many different aspects of women’s involvement in the medieval campaigns fought in the Holy Land. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2020-07-03 11:00:28
World War Two: the challenge of commemoration
Historian and author Keith Lowe speaks to us about his new book Prisoners of History, which tells the stories of 25 monuments to the Second World War from across the globe and explains why many have b...
2020-07-01 11:00:59
A history of pandemics: from Spanish Flu to Covid-19
Medical historian and journalist Mark Honigsbaum, author of The Pandemic Century, compares the current Covid-19 pandemic, and our responses to it, to previous diseases outbreaks over the past 100 year...
2020-06-29 11:00:18
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Georgians, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Kate Smith responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about British society during the 18th ...
2020-06-28 11:00:09
William and Cnut: a tale of two conquerors
Historian Emily Ward, co-editor of a new book on the conquests of 1016 and 1066, explains how the earlier Danish invasion of England is crucial to our understanding of what happened 50 years later. Hi...
2020-06-27 11:00:00
Historian and novelist Nicola Cornick discusses the life and mysterious death of Tudor gentlewoman Amy Robsart, wife of Elizabeth I’s chief favourite, Robert Dudley. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on...
2020-06-26 11:00:44
On the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula, historian Grace Huxford describes the key events of the conflict and explains how it played out in Britain. Historyextra.com/pod...
2020-06-24 11:00:03
Historian Helen McCarthy, author of the new book Double Lives, considers how women in Britain have sought to balance the demands of work and childcare over the past century. Historyextra.com/podcast H...
2020-06-22 11:00:31
Everything you ever wanted to know about British battlefields, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian and battlefield guide Julian Humphrys responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the l...
2020-06-21 11:00:00
Saturday lecture: Medieval love and marriage
In the final talk from our virtual Medieval Life and Death Day event, historian Sally Dixon-Smith explores the history of romantic love and marriage practices in the Middle Ages. Historyextra.com/podc...
2020-06-20 11:00:25
Historian, author and former RAF navigator John Nichol describes the history of the iconic WWII bomber aircraft and tells the stories of the men who flew, fought and died in them. Hisoryextra.com/podc...
2020-06-19 11:00:06
Henry III: inside the mind of a medieval king
Historian David Carpenter, author of a major new biography of the 13th-century monarch Henry III, explains how we know more about his inner mind than any other English king of the period. He describes...
2020-06-17 11:00:00
Sir Francis Drake was an English naval hero, famed for circumnavigating the globe and his role in defeating the Spanish Armada. But, he was also a slave trader. Following calls for statues of Drake to...
2020-06-16 11:00:50
As Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade comes under scrutiny following recent protests, historian Christer Petley charts the history of slavery within the British empire and consider...
2020-06-15 11:00:26
Everything you ever wanted to know about the civil rights movement, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Kevin Gaines responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the American civil rights move...
2020-06-14 11:00:32
The Field of the Cloth of Gold
On the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII and Francis I’s magnificent peace summit in northern France, historian Glenn Richardson explores the events of the Field of the Cloth of Gold and considers its i...
2020-06-12 11:00:44
The secret plot to kill Lincoln
Bestselling authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch speak to us about their new book The Lincoln Conspiracy, which explores a little-known attempt to kill Abraham Lincoln in 1861, just prior to his inaug...
2020-06-10 11:00:56
Historians Sam Willis and James Daybell, creators of the Histories of the Unexpected books and podcast, take a sideways look at the Tudors era, exploring everything from gloves to priest holes. Histor...
2020-06-08 11:00:43
Everything you ever wanted to know about Nazi Germany, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Richard J Evans responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the Third Reich. Historyext...
2020-06-07 11:00:00
Saturday lecture: Medieval disease and medicine
In the third of five talks from our virtual Medieval Life and Death Day event, historian Elma Brenner explores some of the diseases that afflicted people in the Middle Ages, and the steps they took to...
2020-06-06 11:00:08
Biblical scholar John Barton considers the historical background to the most influential book in western culture, exploring its creation and how it fits into the histories of Judaism and Christianity....
2020-06-05 11:00:00
Bestselling author Steven Johnson talks to us about his new book, Enemy of All Mankind, which tells the story of the infamous 17th-century English pirate Henry Avery, whose audacious raid on an Indian...
2020-06-03 11:00:00
Marion Turner explores the life of the 14th-century poet, arguing that we need to look beyond his status as the ‘father of English literature’. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2020-06-01 11:00:46
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Civil War, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Mark Stoyle responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the conflict between Royalists...
2020-05-31 11:00:00
Saturday lecture: Medieval food
In the second of five talks from our virtual Medieval Life and Death Day event, historian Chris Woolgar presents a broad survey of what, when and how people ate during the middle ages. Historyextra.co...
2020-05-30 11:00:23
Historian Ghee Bowman, author of The Indian Contingent, tells the stories of a group of Muslims in the British Expeditionary Force who were part of the famous evacuation from the beaches of France in...
2020-05-29 11:00:00
Rémy Ambühl discusses his new research into the fate of captives in the Hundred Years’ War. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your...
2020-05-27 11:00:37
David Olusoga on A House Through Time
Ahead of the third instalment of his acclaimed BBC TV series A House Through Time, historian and broadcaster David Olusoga delves into the story of Bristol’s past and explains the value of studying hi...
2020-05-25 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Crusades, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Rebecca Rist responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the medieval Christian campaig...
2020-05-24 11:00:00
Saturday lecture: Medieval crime and violence
In the first of five talks from our virtual Medieval Life and Death Day event, historian Hannah Skoda explores the nature and consequences of crime and violence in the middle ages. Historyextra.com/po...
2020-05-23 11:00:39
Food historian Annie Gray tells the story of Georgina Landemare, who became Winston Churchill’s cook during the Second World War. Her career offers fascinating insights into the dining habits of the w...
2020-05-22 11:00:31
Rutger Bregman’s optimistic history of the world
Bestselling Dutch historian Rutger Bregman discusses his new book, Humankind: A Hopeful History, which ranges through the past to argue that humanity is inherently good. Historyextra.com/podcast Hoste...
2020-05-20 11:00:59
Living on the edge in Victorian Britain
Historian Emma Griffin, author of the new book Bread Winner, explores how economic changes in 19th-century Britain affected family life for working class Victorians. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on...
2020-05-18 11:00:08
Everything you ever wanted to know about the English Reformation, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Diarmaid MacCulloch responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about Henry VIII’s break from...
2020-05-17 11:00:00
As we grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, historian Vanessa Harding describes the events of the Great Plague that afflicted London in 1665, and explains how people at the time sought to cope with the...
2020-05-15 11:00:22
Historian Catherine Fletcher, author of the new book The Beauty and the Terror: An Alternative History of the Italian Renaissance, offers a fresh view on this transformative period in Italy – and Euro...
2020-05-13 11:00:53
The life and legend of Florence Nightingale
On the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, biographer Mark Bostridge reflects on the pioneering Victorian nurse’s work at the Crimean War and beyond. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on...
2020-05-11 11:00:02
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Vikings, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, Judith Jesch, professor of Viking studies, responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the mediev...
2020-05-10 11:00:00
On the 75th anniversary of VE Day we speak to historian Dan Todman, author of Britain's War: A New World, 1942–1947, about Britain’s role in defeating the Nazis and the challenges of adjusting to the...
2020-05-08 11:00:02
The Northumbrians: from Bede to Geordie Shore
Historian Dan Jackson, author of The Northumbrians, traces the distinctive history and culture of North East England, from ancient times to the present day. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. S...
2020-05-06 11:00:46
Historian Valerie Hansen, author of a new history of the year 1000 AD, surveys the state of the world a millennium ago and argues that this was a crucial moment in the story of globalization, comparab...
2020-05-04 11:00:04
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Victorians, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our new series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Sarah Richardson responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about Queen Victoria and the...
2020-05-03 11:00:00
Author and journalist Stephen Bates describes the battle over bread prices that divided Parliament in mid-19th-century Britain. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2020-05-01 11:00:39
Scientist and author Lewis Dartnell discusses his recent book Origins, which explores how Earth’s physical features have had a profound effect on human civilisations throughout history. Historyextra.c...
2020-04-29 11:00:32
Historians Sam Willis and James Daybell, creators of the Histories of the Unexpected books and podcast, take a sideways look at the Viking era, exploring how things like keys, butter and haircuts fit...
2020-04-27 11:00:08
Everything you ever wanted to know about British prehistory, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our new series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, archaeologist David Miles responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about Britain’s distant past....
2020-04-26 11:00:00
Philippe Sands, author of the multi-award-winning memoir East West Street, talks to us about his new book, The Ratline, which charts his investigation into the dramatic life and mysterious death of th...
2020-04-24 11:00:19
Historian Toby Green, author of the award-winning book A Fistful of Shells, explores the history of West Africa and its relations with the wider world, from the era of the slave trade to more recent t...
2020-04-22 11:00:28
Anne de Courcy discusses Coco Chanel, and some other famous faces who graced the French Riviera, during the interwar years and the era of Nazi occupation. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See...
2020-04-20 11:00:43
Everything you ever wanted to know about D-Day, but were afraid to ask
In the latest of our new series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, military historian Peter Caddick-Adams responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about one of the...
2020-04-19 11:00:00
Historian and author Emily Brand speaks about her new book, The Fall of the House of Byron, which explores the dramatic lives of the Georgian aristocratic family whose lives were blighted by scandal l...
2020-04-17 11:00:48
Historian and author Linda Porter talks about her new book Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the court of Charles II, exploring the lives of the many women who shared the 17th-century monarch’s bed. Hist...
2020-04-15 11:00:57
Author and spy expert Henry Hemming discusses the real historical personalities who Ian Fleming drew on to create 007 and other major characters in the Bond novels. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted...
2020-04-13 11:00:00
Everything you ever wanted to know about Roman Britain, but were afraid to ask
In the third of our new series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, archaeologist Miles Russell responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the four centuries of...
2020-04-12 11:00:00
Fifty years on from the NASA mission that almost ended in disaster, historian Tom Ellis revisits the dramatic story of the astronauts’ incredible battle to survive. Plus, he considers the state of the...
2020-04-10 11:00:52
The Black Death and social change
As we seek to understand the broader impacts of Covid-19, historian Jane Whittle looks at how the devastating plague of the 1340s significantly reshaped the economy and society of England. Historyextr...
2020-04-08 11:00:20
Renaissance historian Catherine Fletcher explores the remarkable life and art of the acclaimed 17th-century Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi, whose work was due to be celebrated with a major Nati...
2020-04-06 11:00:03
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Tudors, but were afraid to ask
Tracy Borman responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the 16th-century English royal dynasty. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
2020-04-05 11:00:00
Johanna Katrin Fridriksdottir explores what everyday life was like for women in Norse society, the opportunities available to them and the challenges they faced. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on A...
2020-04-03 11:00:04
Okinawa: the battle and the bomb
On the 75th anniversary of the battle of Okinawa, historian Saul David revisits one of the bloodiest clashes of the Pacific War and explains how it played a crucial part in the United States’ decision...
2020-04-01 11:00:44
Dr Julie Wheelwright, author of the new book Sisters in Arms, explains the roles of female warriors from ancient times until the present day. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2020-03-30 11:00:44
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Normans, but were afraid to ask
In a bonus Sunday episode, Marc Morris, author of an acclaimed history of the Norman Conquest, tackles some of the big questions about William the Conqueror and his followers, several of which were s...
2020-03-29 11:00:00
Greg Jenner chats explores the changing nature of fame over the centuries and describes how celebrities have fared in the public glare. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2020-03-27 12:00:00
Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia, explains how the instrument can illuminate the history of Russia, from the tsarist era to the decades of Soviet rule. Historyextra.com/podcast Host...
2020-03-25 12:00:00
At a time when Britons are being asked to revisit the ‘Blitz spirit’, historian Jonathan Boff explains how ordinary people coped with the privations of World War II and considers what parallels can be...
2020-03-23 12:00:57
Acclaimed author James Shapiro considers why England’s foremost playwright has had such a profound impact on the United States, and how his words speak to contemporary concerns. Historyextra.con/podca...
2020-03-20 12:00:34
Historian Helen Birkett explores communication networks and the spread of information and news in the medieval era. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
2020-03-18 12:00:00
Coronavirus: a historical perspective
As COVID-19 dominates the news, Laura Spinney draws historical parallels with other pandemics in history and asks what we might learn from disease outbreaks in the past. Historyextra.com/podcast Hoste...
2020-03-16 12:00:00
Wales’s turbulent 20th century
Simon Jenkins talks about his new BBC radio programme, Wales: A 20th-century Tragedy?, which explores the difficulties faced by the country in recent history, and offers some opinions on its future. H...
2020-03-13 12:00:58
Resistance in the British empire
Priyamvada Gopal speaks about her book Insurgent Empire, which explores opposition to British colonial rule both within the empire and in Britain itself. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See...
2020-03-11 12:00:13
Hadley Freeman on a 20th-century family history
Hadley Freeman speaks to us about her quest to uncover her family’s history through some of the most tumultuous events of the 20th century. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2020-03-09 12:00:19
Stonemason Andrew Ziminski talks about some of Britain’s most impressive buildings and monuments. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about...
2020-03-06 12:00:00
Frank Dikötter discusses his new book How to Be a Dictator, which explores the malevolent careers of eight 20th-century rulers. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
2020-03-04 12:00:00
Historian Rachel B Hermann talks about her recent book No Useless Mouth, which explores how food and hunger played a critical role in the story of the American Revolutionary era. Historyextra.com/podc...
2020-03-02 12:00:10
The author Francesca Wade talks to us about her new book Square Haunting, which tells the stories of five remarkable women – among them Virginia Woolf and Dorothy L Sayers – who all lived on the same...
2020-02-28 12:00:32
Archaeologist David Petts and Lisa Wilkins of DigVentures discuss an extraordinary Viking-era discovery that’s been made on the monastic site of Lindisfarne in Northumbria. The conversation also cover...
2020-02-26 12:00:59
Elma Brenner of the Wellcome Library examines the state of healthcare in the Middle Ages and reveals some unusual remedies that were offered for people with injuries or diseases. Historyextra.com/podc...
2020-02-24 12:00:48
Georgian terrorists: the Cato Street Conspiracy
On the 200th anniversary of the Cato Street Conspiracy, Stephen Bates examines a failed attempt to murder the entire British cabinet in February 1820. He also explores the background and aftermath of...
2020-02-21 12:00:16
Historian Eloise Moss, author of Night Raiders, explores a century of home intrusion in Britain, from the cat burglar phenomenon to Cold War espionage. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See...
2020-02-19 12:00:00
Frank McDonough discusses the first volume in his new two-part history of Nazi Germany. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad c...
2020-02-17 12:00:01
Michael Wood on the Peterloo photograph
The acclaimed popular historian and broadcaster Michael Wood talks to us about a photograph he discovered that links his family to the infamous Peterloo massacre of 1819. Historyextra.com/podcast Host...
2020-02-14 12:00:03
On the 75th anniversary of the Dresden raid, historical author Sinclair McKay explores one of the most controversial Allied actions of the Second World War. He describes the devastation caused by the...
2020-02-12 12:00:00
Historian Andrew Roberts reflects on some of the greatest and most nefarious war leaders of the past – including Napoleon, Hitler, Churchill and Eisenhower – and considers what traits they shared. His...
2020-02-10 12:00:00
Susan Neiman considers how Germany and the United States have sought to come to terms with histories of racism and violence. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2020-02-07 12:00:46
Historian John Hardman discusses his new biography of the 18th-century French queen, exploring her role in the politics of the revolutionary era and explaining why she met a tragic end. Historyextra.c...
2020-02-05 12:00:35
Mary Beard on the nude in western art
Ahead of her new BBC Two series The Shock of the Nude, classicist Mary Beard discusses some of the thorny issues surrounding the naked body in western art over the centuries. Later on in the episode s...
2020-02-03 12:00:00
The woman who gave birth to rabbits
Historian Karen Harvey explores the unusual case of Mary Toft who caused a sensation in 1726 by apparently giving birth to rabbits. Karen considers what the story and the reactions to it can tell us a...
2020-01-31 12:00:51
George Morton-Jack, historian and author of The Indian Empire at War, reflects on the contributions made by the vast number of Indian soldiers who fought for Britain in the First World War. Historyext...
2020-01-29 12:00:26
Historian and author Clare Wright reveals how Australian women battled for political equality in the early 20th century and helped inspire suffrage movements in other parts of the world. Historyextra....
2020-01-27 12:00:06
As we approach the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, historian Rebecca Clifford tells the stories of child survivors of the Holocaust who made their way to Britain after the war. Histor...
2020-01-24 12:00:49
Simon de Montfort’s medieval revolution
Historian Sophie Ambler chronicles the dramatic life of Simon de Montfort, the 13th-century rebel who battled Henry III for mastery in England and established a revolutionary form of government. Histo...
2020-01-22 12:00:27
Historian, author and broadcaster Colin Grant discusses his recent book, Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation, which tells the stories of postwar immigrants to Britain from the Caribbean. His...
2020-01-20 12:00:12
Stephen Tomkins discusses the rise of Puritanism in England and the origins of the Mayflower voyage to North America in 1620. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2020-01-17 12:00:33
Jack Fairweather, author of the Costa Biography Award-winning book The Volunteer, tells the story of the Polish resistance leader Witold Pilecki who allowed himself to be arrested by the Nazis in orde...
2020-01-15 12:00:17
Historian Hannah Skoda tackles some common misconceptions about the middle ages, from irrational peasants and filthy towns, to powerless women and mindless violence. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on...
2020-01-13 12:00:21
As we approach the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, historical broadcaster Chris Bowlby explains how Germany has sought to come to terms with the legacy of Nazism. Historyextra.com/podcas...
2020-01-09 12:00:00
Award-winning historian Serhii Plokhy talks to us about his new book Forgotten Bastards of the Eastern Front, which describes a little-known World War Two joint operation between the US and USSR. As P...
2020-01-06 12:00:58
For our first episode of 2020, Professor David Reynolds explores how several centuries of British history have fed into the recent Brexit debate. He shows how empire, national identities and ideas of...
2020-01-02 12:00:00
Does the Medieval era deserve its reputation for poor hygiene and bad odours? Dr Katherine Harvey examines the evidence and reveals some of the unusual techniques that people used to keep clean. Histo...
2019-12-30 12:00:00
A curious history of Christmas
Sam Willis and James Daybell offer a distinctive take on festive traditions, which takes in violent Christmas cards and obscene snowmen. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2019-12-26 12:00:00
Test your history knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin Pollard. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about yo...
2019-12-23 12:00:00
The writer and historian Charles Emmerson reflects on the crucial years 1917-24, which witnessed the conclusion of the First World War, the collapse of empires, and new ideologies and conflicts emerg...
2019-12-19 12:00:42
Classicist and political journalist Asa Bennett discusses his new book Romanifesto, which explores the lessons that 21st-century politicians could learn from their Roman forebears. Historyextra.com/po...
2019-12-16 15:00:45
Eleanor of Aquitaine: myth and reality
Sara Cockerill, author of a new biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine, explores the story of the remarkable medieval queen and challenge some common misconceptions about her life. She is joined in convers...
2019-12-12 15:00:45
Author and journalist Simon Parkin tells the incredible, but little-known, story of a real life game of battleships that transformed British fortunes in the battle of the Atlantic. Historyextra.com/po...
2019-12-09 15:00:28
Broadcaster Kavita Puri, who presents the BBC Radio 4 series Three Pounds in My Pocket, discusses how Asian communities were adjusting to life in Britain during the volatile 1980s. Historyextra.com/po...
2019-12-05 15:00:59
Lara Maiklem, author of the bestselling book Mudlarking, describes some of the fascinating historical objects she has discovered while scouring the banks of the Thames over the past 15 years. Historye...
2019-12-02 15:00:39
The Mountbattens: success and scandal
The author and literary agent Andrew Lownie discusses his bestselling recent book The Mountbattens: Their Lives & Loves, which explores the colourful and controversial lives of Louis and Edwina Mo...
2019-11-28 15:00:52
Author and journalist Thomas Harding describes how a family of Jewish immigrants to Britain in the 19th century went on to create Lyons – one of the country’s best-known food and restaurant companies....
2019-11-25 15:00:47
Margaret Beaufort: Mother of the Tudors
Historian and author Nicola Tallis discusses her new biography of Margaret Beaufort who played a key role in the Wars of the Roses and whose son, Henry VII, began the Tudor dynasty. Historyextra.com/p...
2019-11-21 15:00:59
Professor Julia Lovell discusses her recent book Maoism: A Global History, which has just won the prestigious Cundill History Prize. In the conversation Julia explores the nature of Mao’s ideology an...
2019-11-18 12:00:33
A history of the United States
Jill Lepore, professor of history at Harvard, discusses her acclaimed recent book These Truths, which charts the highs and lows of American history since 1492 and considers how far the United States h...
2019-11-14 15:00:03
Lauren Johnson discusses the history behind the new Netflix film The King, considering how closely it follows the real events of Henry V’s life and reign. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See...
2019-11-12 12:00:00
Roland Emmerich, director of the new blockbuster Midway film, tells us about the process of bringing a major World War Two battle to the big screen. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2019-11-11 11:00:32
The rise and fall of the Berlin Wall
On the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, author and editor Iain MacGregor revisits some of the most dramatic events associated with the history of the Cold War barrier, from its constru...
2019-11-07 15:00:35
As a major new exhibition of the pharaoh’s tomb arrives in London, we speak to curator Tarek El Awady about the remarkable artefacts buried with Egypt’s iconic boy king. Historyextra.com/podcast Hoste...
2019-11-04 15:00:32
The Fortress: An epic battle of World War I
Professor Alexander Watson describes the dramatic battle for the fortress city of Przemysl, which pitted a multi-ethnic Habsburg force against the might of the Russian army in the early months of Worl...
2019-10-31 15:00:30
The death of Kitchener: a World War One mystery
The author and former Cabinet minister David Laws examines the life and dramatic death, in 1916, of Britain’s Secretary of State for War: Lord Kitchener. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See...
2019-10-28 15:00:02
Historian and author Dominic Sandbrook joins us to discuss his new book, Who Dares Wins, which explores the pivotal early years of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership in Britain: 1979-1982. Historyextra.c...
2019-10-24 14:00:35
Historian and author Thomas Penn discusses the Wars of the Roses, the princes in the Tower and the start of the Tudor era as he reflects on the Yorkist dynasty and the reigns of Edward IV and Richard...
2019-10-21 10:00:49
Bonus Episode: Sequences with consequences
In this special edition, produced by our friends from the Science Focus podcast, Dr Robert Elliott Smith examines the dark history of algorithms and considers how they affect all of our lives today. H...
2019-10-19 14:00:47
Historian James Walvin describes how enslaved people fought for their freedom and ultimately helped to bring down the Atlantic slave empires. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
2019-10-17 14:00:16
Peter Hennessy on Britain in transition
Historian Peter Hennessy talks about his new book Winds of Change, which tells the story of Britain in the early 1960s and explores subjects such as the Cold War, decolonisation, the Profumo affair an...
2019-10-14 14:00:32
Author and historian Helen Fry talks about her new book, The Walls Have Ears, which describes an ingenious British intelligence operation to bug German prisoners during the Second World War. Historyex...
2019-10-10 14:00:26
William Dalrymple on the East India Company
William Dalrymple explains how a single London corporation took over the Mughal empire and became a major imperial power. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
2019-10-07 14:00:33
Catherine the Great: fact and fiction
Ahead of a major new TV drama about the Russian empress, historian Janet Hartley explores Catherine’s life and considers whether there is any truth behind the scandals that continue to damage her repu...
2019-10-03 12:00:31
Orlando Figes on the transformation of Europe
Orlando Figes describes the cultural transformations of 19th-century Europe through the lives of a remarkable menage a trois. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2019-09-30 14:00:49
Author and journalist Henry Hemming discusses his new book, Our Man in New York, which describes the adventures of British spymaster William Stephenson who plotted to bring the United States into Worl...
2019-09-26 14:00:39
Daisy Dunn revisits the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and considers the history that was preserved at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
2019-09-23 14:00:37
Max Hastings on the Dambusters
Sir Max Hastings discusses his new book on the iconic World War Two raid, describing the ingenuity and courage of the operation, as well as the terrible cost. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast....
2019-09-19 14:00:54
Suzannah Lipscomb on women’s lives in Reformation France
Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Dan Jones about the lives of women in 16th-century France. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad cho...
2019-09-16 14:00:22
Tom Holland on Christianity’s enduring legacy
Historian and author Tom Holland discusses his new book Dominion, which explores the history of Christianity and argues that it has had a transformative and enduring impact on the western mindset. His...
2019-09-12 14:00:10
Bestselling medieval historian Dan Jones discusses his new book Crusaders, which tells the stories of these religious conflicts through the people who were involved in them. He is joined in conversati...
2019-09-09 14:00:08
Poland, 1939: World War Two begins
As we reach the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two, historian Roger Moorhouse tells the story of the 1939 battle for Poland that saw the country dismembered by Nazi Germany and the Sovi...
2019-09-05 14:00:59
Hitler’s war with Anglo-America
Professor Brendan Simms talks to us about his new biography of Adolf Hitler, which argues that the Nazi dictator’s main preoccupation was rivalry with Britain and America, rather than the Soviet Union...
2019-09-02 14:00:29
Dr Emma Butcher and Dr Hannah Partis-Jennings explore the history of war trauma, discussing how it has affected soldiers and civilians in conflicts such as the Napoleonic Wars, the two world wars, and...
2019-08-29 14:00:31
Chernobyl: the story of a tragedy
Historian Serhii Plokhy, author of an award-winning book on the 1986 Soviet nuclear disaster, explores the causes and consequences of the Chernobyl accident and offers his thoughts on the accuracy of...
2019-08-26 14:00:00
As the fifth series of the BBC historical drama is about to air, we talk to historian Andrew Davies about the real Birmingham gangsters who inspired the programme, and discover how late-Victorian soci...
2019-08-22 14:00:58
Babita Sharma explores the history of the British corner shop, explaining how Asian immigrants transformed these local businesses. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
2019-08-19 14:00:52
Peterloo: the story of a massacre
Ahead of the 200th anniversary of Peterloo, we speak to Robert Poole, author of a major new history of the massacre. He explores the history of 19th-century radicalism that fed into the Manchester dem...
2019-08-15 14:00:49
Britain's key archaeological discoveries
Archaeologist and writer Mike Pitts discusses some of the major archaeological finds that have shaped the way we understand the early history of the British Isles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
2019-08-12 14:00:08
Gordon Brown on Andrew Carnegie
Former prime minister Gordon Brown discusses the American businessman Andrew Carnegie, who gave away most of his fortune at the turn of the 20th century. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See...
2019-08-10 11:00:57
Harry Potter explores the twists and turns in the history of the British penal system. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad ch...
2019-08-08 14:00:11
Historian and broadcaster Emma Dabiri explains how the history of black hair reflects broad themes of capitalism, slavery, colonialism and more. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2019-08-05 14:00:45
The Zinoviev Letter conspiracy
Former Foreign Office historian Gill Bennett explores how a forged letter by a Soviet leader in 1924 shocked Britain and helped undermine the Labour Party. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. Se...
2019-08-01 14:00:53
Greg Jenner, historical consultant for the BBC series Horrible Histories, talks about the series’ big screen outing, Rotten Romans. He also explores wider questions about history and comedy and the cu...
2019-07-29 14:00:27
Charlemagne: medieval empire builder
Professor Dame Janet L Nelson discusses Charlemagne, the 8th-century king of the Franks who became one of medieval Europe’s most important rulers. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2019-07-25 14:00:07
Stonewall and the fight for gay rights
Fifty years after the Stonewall riots in New York City, historian Chris Parkes explores the background to the events and shows how the episode became a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. Historyextra.c...
2019-07-22 14:00:41
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, historian Kendrick Oliver explores the space race that led to it and considers the legacy of the momentous events of July 1969. Historyextra.co...
2019-07-18 14:00:17
An Indian cricket team in imperial Britain
Historian Prashant Kidambi revisits the first Indian cricket tour of Britain, which took place in the summer of 1911 when the British empire was still at its height. Historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted o...
2019-07-15 14:00:21
Historian Sam Willis describes the dramatic 1805 British victory against French and Spanish fleets, while challenging misconceptions about the role of Nelson and the importance of the battle in the wa...
2019-07-11 14:00:02
Historian Matthew Jenkinson tells the stories of Edward Whalley and William Goffe who fled to New England in the 17th century following their involvement in the execution of King Charles I. Historyext...
2019-07-08 14:00:27
AC Grayling on the history of philosophy
AC Grayling ranges through 2,500 years of history to explore the impact of great thinkers like Aristotle, Immanuel Kant and Bertrand Russell. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2019-07-04 14:00:23
The problem with the Anglo-Saxons
Susan Oosthuizen explains why we should be reassessing what we think about the Anglo-Saxons. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about you...
2019-07-01 14:00:46
Historian and author Dr John Woolf explores the extraordinary and complex stories of 19th-century performers such as General Tom Thumb, who became stars in the age of PT Barnum and other circus pionee...
2019-06-27 14:00:31
Appeasement and the road to World War Two
Historian and journalist Tim Bouverie discusses his new book Appeasing Hitler, which explores the failed diplomacy that led to World War Two and the Nazi domination of Europe. Historyextra.com/podcast...
2019-06-24 14:00:12
Historian and broadcaster Tessa Dunlop shares the stories of women she interviewed who worked at Britain’s codebreaking centre during World War Two. Historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2019-06-20 14:00:04
Adrian Tinniswood explores the fascinating history of Britain’s royal households, from the Tudor period until today. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
2019-06-17 14:00:28
Edward Carey discusses the life of Madame Tussaud, who created waxworks in the era of the French Revolution. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lear...
2019-06-13 14:00:01
Professor Jonathan Phillips is joined by medieval historian Dan Jones to discuss the life and legacy of the Muslim ruler Saladin, who famously captured Jerusalem and battled the crusaders during the 1...
2019-06-10 14:00:46
James Holland revisits the events of 6 June 1944 and challenges myths that have grown up around the Allied landings and the battle for Normandy. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
2019-06-06 10:00:22
Monarchy and faith in Tudor England
Estelle Paranque and Emma J Wells reflect on the religious changes that took place during the reigns of Henry VIII and his children. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
2019-06-03 14:00:37
Rachel Reeves on women who changed politics
Rachel Reeves talks about her new book, Women of Westminster, which explores the achievements of some of Britain’s foremost women politicians. Historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2019-05-30 14:00:59
Jacob Rees-Mogg on the Victorians
Jacob Rees-Mogg discusses his new book, which explores the lives of 19th-century figures who he believes were crucial in creating modern Britain. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast....
2019-05-27 14:00:00
Virginia Nicholson talks about her new book How Was It For You?, which explores how some of the radical changes of the decade shaped the lives of women from different backgrounds. historyextra.com/pod...
2019-05-23 14:00:50
Biographer Angela Steidele explores the life of 19th-century gay pioneer Anne Lister, whose story is the inspiration behind the major BBC/HBO drama Gentleman Jack. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on...
2019-05-20 14:00:55
Jared Diamond on countries in crisis
Historian, author and geographer Jared Diamond discusses how ideas from psychology can help us understand how countries have coped with traumas through history. historyextra.com/podcasts Hosted on Aca...
2019-05-16 14:00:00
Medieval historian Marc Morris reveals the fascinating history of Britain’s castles, exploring why they were built, what they were used for, and the challenges of defending and attacking them. Hosted...
2019-05-13 14:00:51
The Rise and Fall of the Boleyns
Lauren Mackay, author of Among the Wolves of Court: The Untold Story of Thomas and George Boleyn, charts the tumultuous lives of the father and brother of one of the Tudor era’s most famous figures –...
2019-05-09 14:00:41
Journalist and news presenter Cathy Newman discusses her new book Bloody Brilliant Women, which tells the stories of trailblazing women who changed the course of modern British history. Hosted on Acas...
2019-05-06 14:00:55
How population has shaped world history
Demography expert Dr Paul Morland discusses his new book The Human Tide, which explores how population has been a crucial factor in global events over the past two hundred years, and has shaped the wo...
2019-05-02 14:00:53
Professor Stephen Rippon of the University of Exeter explores the changing nature of England’s landscape, from the Iron Age until the Anglo-Saxon period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
2019-04-29 14:00:54
Anita Anand tells the story of one man’s quest for revenge following the 1919 Amritsar massacre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
2019-04-25 14:00:02
Letters from World War Two leaders
Professor David Reynolds discusses the relationship between World War Two leaders Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt, as revealed by the messages exchanged between them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
2019-04-22 14:00:00
Following Monday’s blaze that devastated Paris’s Notre-Dame cathedral, we speak to historian Emma J Wells about the medieval building’s remarkable history and what its future might hold Hosted on Acas...
2019-04-18 14:00:00
Melvyn Bragg on Heloise and Abelard
Renowned author and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg discusses the 12th-century French thinkers Peter Abelard and Heloise, and the enduring love story at the centre of his new novel Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2019-04-15 14:00:08
Exploring Britain’s cathedrals
Travel writer Christopher Somerville discusses his experiences of visiting some of Britain’s historic cathedrals and explains what they can tell us about the country’s religious past Hosted on Acast....
2019-04-11 14:00:46
Professor Tom Devine explores one of the most traumatic moments in Scottish history and explains how a number of misconceptions still exist around the Clearances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2019-04-08 15:00:41
Professor Nicholas Vincent discusses the life and reign of the infamous 13th-century monarch, whose reign saw military disasters abroad and the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2019-04-04 15:00:48
World War Two's 'ordinary' soldiers
Military historian Jonathan Fennell discusses his new book, which explores the experiences of citizen soldiers from Britain, its empire and commonwealth in the global battle against the Axis. Hosted o...
2019-04-01 14:45:25
Historian Nicholas Paul explores some little known aspects of the crusades and also considers why this aspect of medieval history has inspired the far-right. Find out more about his research at: https...
2019-03-28 13:15:28
The women killed by Jack the Ripper
Hallie Rubenhold discusses her new book The Five, which uses the untold stories of Jack the Ripper’s victims to reveal what life was like for working-class women in Victorian London. Hosted on Acast....
2019-03-25 15:15:51
Medieval historian Levi Roach describes how the Norse people travelled, raided and settled far beyond their Scandinavian homeland, even journeying across the Atlantic to America. Hosted on Acast. See...
2019-03-21 14:00:30
Historian and author Lauren Johnson discusses the life and reign of Henry VI, whose decades on the throne coincided with defeat in the Hundred Years’ War and the disaster of the Wars of the Roses. Hos...
2019-03-18 10:15:04
Professor Matthew Seligmann describes the changes made by Winston Churchill to the Royal Navy in the years leading up to the First World War – ranging from pay and conditions to discipline and the tre...
2019-03-14 12:00:00
Author and biographer Claire Harman talks to us about a 19th-century killing that drew in the literary world, including Dickens and Thackeray. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
2019-03-11 16:00:52
Rutger Bregman: historian in the news
We speak to Dutch historian Rutger Bregman, who recently hit the headlines with his appearance at the World Economic Forum and an unaired interview on Fox News. He discusses some of the ideas that cau...
2019-03-07 16:08:46
Alexandra Churchill considers the impact of the British monarch on the First World War, and explores the question of whether he could have done more to save his cousin Tsar Nicholas II. Hosted on Acas...
2019-03-04 14:30:29
Former education secretary Alan Johnson discusses the history of schooling since the Victorian era, which is the subject of his new series on BBC Radio 4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
2019-02-28 17:26:05
Bart van Es on The Cut Out Girl
Professor Bart van Es talks to us about The Cut Out Girl, which was recently announced as the Costa Book of the Year. He explains how his family took in a young Jewish girl in the Netherlands during t...
2019-02-25 10:29:45
Historian Catherine Hanley tells the story of Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I whose battle with Stephen for the English throne in the 12th century became known as ‘the anarchy’. Hosted on Aca...
2019-02-21 15:03:15
A global history of philosophy
Philosopher and author Julian Baggini speaks about his new book, How the World Thinks, in conversation with the historian Justin Champion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2019-02-18 10:53:45
For our Valentine’s Day episode, historian Sally Holloway explores the nature of courtship, love and marriage in 18th-century Britain, highlighting the similarities and differences to the modern day H...
2019-02-14 17:50:26
Eric Hobsbawm: history and politics
Professor Richard J Evans discusses his new biography of Eric Hobsbawm, the influential 20th-century historian who was famously – and sometimes controversially – a committed Marxist throughout his car...
2019-02-11 15:49:03
Dr Christopher Harding explores Japan’s dramatic history over the past 150 years, considering its relationship with the west and the cultural impact of its rapid modernisation Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2019-02-07 15:35:53
BBC broadcaster John Simpson discusses the connections between classical music and some of the most notable events of the mid-20th century, from World War Two to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II....
2019-02-04 14:51:11
Bonus Episode: How technology is changing politics
In this special edition, produced by our friends from the Science Focus podcast, Jamie Susskind explains how the politics of the future will be shaped by the technology influencing our lives today. Ho...
2019-02-02 14:00:00
Historian Emma Southon explores the extraordinary life of Agrippina the Younger, who was the wife of Claudius, the mother of Nero and the sister of Caligula, as well as being a remarkable woman in her...
2019-01-31 12:16:35
Jenni Murray, longstanding presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, discusses her new book, which tells the stories of some of the most fascinating women in global history, from Joan of Arc to Marie C...
2019-01-28 16:02:05
Historians Mary Fulbrook and Richard J Evans explore the aftermath of the Nazi genocide, looking at how thousands of perpetrators escaped justice and considering how subsequent generations have sought...
2019-01-24 16:30:43
Olivette Otele, who recently became Britain’s first black female professor of history, joins Dr Sadiah Qureshi of the University of Birmingham to discuss race and equality in the British historical pr...
2019-01-21 15:41:03
Joel Hammer, producer of the new BBC World Service podcast The Hurricane Tapes, revisits the life of Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, the American boxer whose imprisonment for a 1966 triple murder inspired a...
2019-01-17 13:00:23
Mary, Queen of Scots’ tragic life
Historian, author and broadcaster Kate Williams tells the dramatic story of the 16th-century Scottish queen and reflects on her doomed relationship with Elizabeth I of England. As part of the conversa...
2019-01-14 17:30:41
The true history of The Favourite
Historians Amanda Vickery, Hallie Rubenhold and Hannah Greig discuss the acclaimed new historical drama The Favourite and consider how accurately it reflects the reality of Queen Anne’s court in the e...
2019-01-10 16:11:39
Remarkable women through history
Max Adams, author of Unquiet Women, explores the lives of some remarkable women from history whose stories have been largely forgotten. He also overturns the idea that women of this period were either...
2019-01-07 17:38:33
Egyptologist, author and broadcaster Chris Naunton talks about the search for the resting places of famous Egyptians such as Nefertiti and Cleopatra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
2019-01-03 15:59:52
Historian, author and broadcaster Nick Barratt explores the dynastic clashes between Henry II and his ambitious sons for control of the Plantagenet crown in the 12th century Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2018-12-31 09:00:00
Professor Santanu Das explores the experiences of Indians who fought in and were affected by the First World War and explains how he has utilised a wide range of sources to uncover their forgotten sto...
2018-12-27 09:00:00
Join the BBC History Magazine team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz with questions set by QI writer Justin Pollard. Read the text version at: www.historyextra.com/christmasquiz2018...
2018-12-24 10:56:25
Bess of Hardwick: a Tudor success story
Kate Hubbard, biographer of Bess of Hardwick, explores the fascinating life of a Tudor woman who rose from relative obscurity to become one of the richest and most influential people of her age Hosted...
2018-12-20 17:07:10
Kathleen Doyle and Tuija Ainonen discuss a major Anglo-French project that has made hundreds of medieval manuscripts available for the public to view online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2018-12-17 17:16:11
Letters that changed the world
Bestselling historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore describes some of history’s most fascinating and important letters, from Mark Antony’s thoughts on Cleopatra to a message Gandhi sent to Hitler...
2018-12-13 19:18:14
Black radicalism with Kehinde Andrews
Kehinde Andrews, professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, discusses his new book, Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century, and offers his opinions on a range of...
2018-12-10 15:59:51
Napoleon: the insecure emperor
Historian Adam Zamoyski, author of a new biography of Napoleon, offers his views on the iconic French leader, exploring how his stellar career was driven by insecurities Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2018-12-06 16:12:54
Popular historian Dan Jones and digital artist Marina Amaral discuss their groundbreaking book The Colour of Time, which uses colourised photographs to chart the history of the world from the mid-19th...
2018-12-03 17:37:52
Walter Ralegh: enemy of the state
Anna Beer, biographer of Walter Ralegh, explores the extraordinary life and incendiary legacy of the Tudor polymath. She reveals how he became a favourite of Elizabeth I, only to fall foul of her succ...
2018-11-29 16:53:14
Paddy Ashdown tells the stories of German opponents of Nazism who plotted to bring down Hitler’s regime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices....
2018-11-26 16:09:03
Journalist and author Robert Hutton talks about his new book Agent Jack, which describes the activities of Nazi sympathisers in Britain during World War Two and reveals the brilliant methods MI5 used...
2018-11-22 12:44:55
Author and historian Giles Milton describes some dramatic but lesser-known stories of soldiers and civilians who were involved in the Normandy landings of June 1944 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2018-11-19 17:15:28
Bernard Cornwell on the Last Kingdom
As the third series of the Anglo-Saxon drama is about to air, we speak to the renowned historical novelist Bernard Cornwell about his books that inspired the programmes, and about his writing career m...
2018-11-15 17:39:12
The award-winning biographer Sue Prideaux discusses the life and work of the influential 19th-century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and explains how his ideas came to be associated with Nazi Germany...
2018-11-12 15:01:29
The popular historian discusses war trauma over the past century, the subject of his upcoming BBC Two documentary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
2018-11-08 16:58:02
The end of the First World War
As we approach the centenary of the Armistice, Gary Sheffield explores the final moments of the conflict that devastated the world for four and a half years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2018-11-05 17:01:23
The acclaimed writer and director talks about the creation of his major new historical epic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
2018-11-01 16:08:52
Historian and author Jacqueline Riding discusses the tragic events of August 1819 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...
2018-10-29 15:44:39
Claire Breay, lead curator of a major new Anglo-Saxons exhibition at the British Library, explores the cultural highlights of 600 years of English history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
2018-10-25 16:52:25
Diarmaid MacCulloch discusses his new book on the Tudor statesman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-10-22 14:41:20
The historian and author Andrew Roberts discusses his new biography of Winston Churchill, revealing some of the insights arising from his research and tackling some of the biggest debates around Brita...
2018-10-18 16:44:46
Peter Jackson on the First World War
We speak to the Lord of the Rings director about They Shall Not Grow Old, his ambitious new film that recreates the First World War in colour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
2018-10-15 11:42:15
With the aid of his recently discovered diaries, Katherine Findlay tells the unusual story of Pike Ward – a Devon fish merchant who became an Icelandic knight in the early 20th century. Hosted on Acas...
2018-10-11 16:29:11
Brexit and American independence
Historian Tom Cutterham compares the ongoing negotiations to take Britain out of the EU with those of the 1780s when the United States departed from the British empire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2018-10-08 20:14:58
Bonus Episode: Identifying Jack the Ripper
In this special edition, produced by our friends from the Science Focus podcast, criminologist David Wilson applies the latest scientific techniques in the case of the notorious Whitechapel murderer o...
2018-10-07 07:14:00
The author and barrister Philippe Sands discusses the incredible story of Otto von Wächter, which forms the basis of his new BBC podcast and Radio 4 series, Intrigue: The Ratline Hosted on Acast. See...
2018-10-05 07:01:38
The spy who changed the cold war
Bestselling historical author Ben Macintyre talks to us about his new book, The Spy and the Traitor, which tells the remarkable story of a KGB double agent who risked his life to help the west during...
2018-10-01 15:42:55
Queen Victoria by Lucy Worsley
We head to Kensington Palace, once home to the young Victoria, to discuss the queen’s life with the author, historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
2018-09-27 20:17:53
Neil Oliver’s history of the British Isles
The archaeologist and broadcaster Neil Oliver talks about some of the highlights of his new book, which charts the history of the British Isles through 100 key locations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2018-09-24 16:04:24
Journalist and author Peter Hitchens discusses his new book, The Phoney Victory, which challenges a number of popular beliefs about the Second World War Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2018-09-20 15:37:05
The extraordinary history of ordinary things
Historians Sam Willis and James Daybell explore some of the fascinating stories that appear in their Histories of the Unexpected book and podcast, from signatures to lions Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
2018-09-17 15:56:55
Author and journalist Simon Jenkins is joined by Professor Kathleen Burk to discuss his forthcoming Short History of Europe, which explores some of the key themes and milestones in the continent’s pas...
2018-09-13 15:13:07
The Private Eye editor and broadcaster Ian Hislop is joined by curator Tom Hockhenhull to discuss some of the themes and objects that appear in their new British Museum exhibition, I Object Hosted on...
2018-09-10 14:38:21
Professor Lawrence Goldman explores the issues surrounding monuments to controversial historical figures in light of the Rhodes Must Fall campaign and other recent debates Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
2018-09-06 15:21:59
Historian Sir John Elliott explores the long histories of Scottish and Catalan nationalism and considers some of the key similarities and differences between the two. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
2018-09-03 15:43:22
100 women who changed the world
Historians Joanne Paul, Olivette Otele and June Purvis dissect the results of our recent poll into history’s most important women, which saw Marie Curie come top, followed by Rosa Parks and Emmeline P...
2018-08-30 15:51:02
Charles de Gaulle reconsidered
Historian Julian Jackson, author of a major new biography of Charles de Gaulle, offers a fresh take on the iconic French leader, exploring his role in World War Two and decolonisation, among other thi...
2018-08-28 15:50:22
Female spies of the Civil War era
Historian Nadine Akkerman introduces a number of remarkable women who acted as secret agents in the 17th century Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad c...
2018-08-23 16:41:52
Journalist and author Peter Moore talks about HMS Endeavour, the ship that carried Cook on his landmark voyage to the Pacific 250 years ago Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2018-08-20 16:08:03
Dan Jones on the secrets of popular history
Historian, author and broadcaster Dan Jones talks to us about his career, his latest projects and how he combines swimming with his love of the past Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
2018-08-17 13:50:41
We pay a visit to the renowned Cambridge classicist to discuss her career, her passion for the ancient world and her desire to share her expertise with the masses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
2018-08-16 16:33:34
Historian and author Tracy Borman describes the process of writing her first historical novel, set in the era of King James VI & I and the European witch craze Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
2018-08-15 14:18:37
For the 500th episode of the History Extra podcast we are joined by Professor Sir Ian Kershaw, who appeared in our very first programme. This time the topic for discussion is his new history of modern...
2018-08-14 15:41:52
Inside the mind of Elizabeth I
In the first of five special programmes to mark our upcoming 500th episode, historian, author and broadcaster Helen Castor explores the psychology of the Virgin Queen and discusses the challenges of w...
2018-08-13 17:54:58
Historical author Duncan Barrett tells the stories of Channel Islanders who spent several years living under German occupation during World War Two Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
2018-08-09 16:00:25
Islam’s struggle with modernity
Ed Husain, author of The House of Islam, meets with the historian Tom Holland to explore the roots of some of the challenges Muslims face in the 21st century Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2018-08-06 18:14:46
Britain’s foreign policy secrets
Historian Rory Cormac discusses his new book Disrupt and Deny, which investigates Britain’s use of spies and special forces for covert operations in the postwar period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2018-08-02 12:31:00
Jonathan Ruffle, creator of the BBC Radio 4 historical drama Tommies, explores the situation on the front line in August 1918 as the First World War approached its end Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2018-07-30 15:52:15
Catholics in Elizabethan England
Historian Jessie Childs tells the story of Thomas Tresham, a Tudor gentleman who built a remarkable monument to his Catholic faith and risked the anger of the Virgin Queen Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
2018-07-26 14:17:50
Rethinking 20th-century Britain
Professor David Edgerton explains why we need to revise our understanding of recent British history, from the world wars to the welfare state Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
2018-07-23 15:58:44
Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life
On the centenary of Mandela’s birth, we speak to the politician and author Peter Hain about the South African leader’s remarkable achievements in the face of tremendous adversity Hosted on Acast. See...
2018-07-19 15:30:00
Historical author Helen Rappaport explains why the last Russian tsar and his family met a violent end in 1918 and considers whether Britain could have saved the Romanovs from their fate Hosted on Acas...
2018-07-16 19:19:54
Historian Jordanna Bailkin discusses her new book, Unsettled, which explores the experiences of people of several different nationalities who fled to Britain in the 20th century Hosted on Acast. See a...
2018-07-12 15:35:25
Professor Christopher Andrew discusses his new book The Secret World, which explores the history of intelligence and espionage from ancient times until the present day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2018-07-09 22:23:14
We are joined by bestselling historical author Simon Winchester, who reveals how some of history’s greatest engineers helped create the industrial age Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2018-07-05 16:00:59
Professor Jane Ohlmeyer discusses a new multi-volume history of Ireland and explains how the past continues to affect Anglo-Irish relations today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
2018-07-02 16:37:22
Sherwood Forest through the ages
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough, presenter of a BBC Radio 3 series on forests, takes a trip to the home of Robin Hood to explore how forests have shaped our history and mythology Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2018-06-28 15:30:46
Economist Martin Slater charts 350 years of British government borrowing – from the Glorious Revolution to the 2008 financial crisis – and considers what lessons this history might have for policy mak...
2018-06-25 15:50:29
Sarah Jackson, joint founder of East End Women’s Museum, explores how historical women are currently commemorated and how this might be done better in future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2018-06-21 15:46:20
Distinguished historian Sir Keith Thomas reflects on how concepts of civility and civilisation shaped society in the early modern period Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Le...
2018-06-18 13:13:53
Professor Maggie Andrews, historical consultant on the BBC Radio 4 drama series Home Front, joins us to reveal how the First World War was affecting British civilian life as the conflict entered its c...
2018-06-14 16:40:08
Grenfell Tower: from hope to tragedy
Ahead of the BBC Two documentary Before Grenfell: A Hidden History, architect Peter Deakins discusses his involvement in the creation of the tower block and considers its place in the history of socia...
2018-06-11 15:11:28
Britain’s Catholic emancipation
Acclaimed historian and author Antonia Fraser joins us to discuss her new book The King and the Catholics: The Fight for Rights 1829 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn...
2018-06-07 20:19:17
Author and editor Roland Philipps discusses A Spy Named Orphan, his new biography of the enigmatic Cambridge spy Donald Maclean Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2018-06-04 15:00:52
Professor Sarah Churchwell and fellow historian Adam IP Smith explore some of the ideas in her new book Behold, America, which traces the history of America First and the American Dream Hosted on Acas...
2018-05-31 15:25:56
Ahead of her new Channel 4 series, the author and broadcaster Afua Hirsch argues that we need to seriously revise our understanding of the likes of Nelson and Churchill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2018-05-29 15:26:25
Jane Seymour: Henry VIII’s favourite queen
Bestselling author and historian Alison Weir discusses the life and tragic death of the Tudor king’s third wife, who bore him his long-awaited male heir. Alison also reveals the challenges of recreati...
2018-05-24 15:48:02
The remarkable history of the Netherlands
In advance of his new BBC Radio 4 series, the journalist and broadcaster Misha Glenny reflects on some of the key moments in the Netherlands’ story: from the Dutch Golden Age to World War Two Hosted o...
2018-05-21 14:03:10
Bestselling military historian Antony Beevor discusses his new book, which outlines why 1944’s Operation Market Garden was one of the biggest disasters of the Allied war effort Hosted on Acast. See ac...
2018-05-17 12:24:47
Miranda Seymour discusses the extraordinary lives of Annabella Milbanke and Ada Lovelace, the wife and daughter of Lord Byron Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more ab...
2018-05-14 15:43:05
As the film Entebbe is about to arrive in UK cinemas, historian and author Saul David reveals the extraordinary story of the Israeli operation to rescue dozens of hostages from an airport in Uganda in...
2018-05-10 09:08:54
The failings of the French Revolution
Stephen Clarke, author of a new history of the French Revolution, argues that we need to look afresh at the events of 1789 and beyond Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn...
2018-05-07 09:49:10
We speak to Simon Bowman of the Royal College of Physicians, which is celebrating its 500th anniversary, about how the work of doctors has changed since the time of Henry VIII Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2018-05-03 15:44:19
Were the suffragettes terrorists?
Historian Fern Riddell talks about her new biography of suffrage campaigner Kitty Marion, which explores some of the darker aspects of the campaign for votes for women Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2018-04-30 17:19:29
1983: the Cold War almost goes nuclear
Historian and author Taylor Downing describes the events of the Able Archer scare, which nearly witnessed global Armageddon when the Soviets misread the intentions behind a NATO war exercise Hosted on...
2018-04-26 11:44:43
Economists who changed the world
Author and economist Linda Yueh discusses the work and legacy of some of history’s greatest economic thinkers, revealing some of the lessons they might offer for us today Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
2018-04-23 16:21:39
Art historian Jack Hartnell talks about his new book Medieval Bodies, which offers some fascinating perspectives on the ways people in the middle ages viewed their physical selves Hosted on Acast. See...
2018-04-19 15:00:25
Historians Tom Young and Emma Dabiri explore how Africa’s past has affected its present in a discussion prompted by the themes of Tom’s new book, Neither Devil Nor Child: How Western Attitudes Are Har...
2018-04-16 16:32:45
Ahead of his BBC Radio 3 documentary Exit Burbage, the journalist and author Andrew Dickson explores the remarkable career of Richard Burbage, a Jacobean actor who played many of Shakespeare’s best-kn...
2018-04-12 15:13:23
Acclaimed filmmaker Lynn Novick describes the making of an epic documentary series on the conflict in Vietnam, which she has co-directed with Ken Burns. She also reveals the secrets to making high qua...
2018-04-09 16:37:07
Medieval historian Hetta Howes reveals the extreme lengths to which women in the Middle Ages went to get closer to God and discusses how mystics were perceived by their contemporaries Hosted on Acast....
2018-04-05 15:43:00
Historian and author John Julius Norwich reflects on some of the key moments in France’s history and relates a few of the more unusual and scandalous stories he uncovered while researching his latest...
2018-04-03 15:49:07
We are joined by John Lewes, nephew and biographer of Jock Lewes, to talk about how his uncle helped found one of the world’s most famous special forces during World War Two Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2018-03-29 16:25:43
Robert Scott Kellner talks about the extraordinary diary of his German grandfather, Friedrich, who recorded his observations of many of the Third Reich’s crimes. He also tells us about his role in get...
2018-03-26 16:22:18
Historical novelist and broadcaster Sarah Dunant expands on her new BBC Radio 4 series When Greeks Flew Kites, which uses the past to illuminate modern concerns around medicine, old age, debt and sexu...
2018-03-22 09:52:50
Historian and author Keith Lowe joins us to talk about his book The Fear and the Freedom, which explores the legacy of the Second World War on the decades that followed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2018-03-19 15:31:39
The Marshall Plan and the Cold War
Economist and author Benn Steil explains the background to the 1947 US aid initiative to Europe and describes how it helped shape relations between the USA and USSR. He also considers what impact it h...
2018-03-15 16:53:48
Ruth Ellis: the last woman to be hanged in Britain
Ahead of her new BBC Four series The Ruth Ellis Files, Gillian Pachter explores the controversial case of a British woman who was hanged for murder in 1955 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
2018-03-12 16:33:18
We speak to the acclaimed screenwriter and producer Michael Hirst about his work on the smash hit series Vikings and the secrets of creating blockbuster history dramas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2018-03-08 18:57:06
Music expert Graham Griffiths discusses the 20th-century pianist and composer Leokadiya Kashperova, whose career was blighted by the events of the Russian revolution and whose work is now being celebr...
2018-03-05 21:19:37
As the major new BBC arts history series Civilisations is due to air, we speak to Simon Schama, one of its three presenters, to discuss the making of the series and how he was inspired by Kenneth Clar...
2018-03-01 11:57:27
Historian of science Patricia Fara discusses her new book A Lab of One’s Own, which explores the challenges facing women scientists in the First World War era Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
2018-02-26 16:33:26
With a new exhibition open in Liverpool featuring a group of Terracotta Warriors, Edward Burman explores the fascinating history of these ancient Chinese sculptures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2018-02-22 15:26:36
In the year that BBC Arabic celebrates its 80th anniversary, we speak to the network’s Communication Advisor, Wissam El Sayegh, about the BBC’s history of broadcasting to the Arab world Hosted on Acas...
2018-02-19 18:21:48
With this year’s tournament in Russia only a few months away, we speak to veteran football writer Brian Glanville about the 88-year history of this global sporting extravaganza Hosted on Acast. See ac...
2018-02-15 17:03:21
Catharine Arnold joins us to discuss her new book Pandemic: 1918, which explores the story of the influenza outbreak that caused devastation across the globe a century ago Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
2018-02-12 17:04:43
In the second of our two episodes marking the centenary of (some) women being granted the vote in Britain, historian June Purvis considers the role of the Pankhurst family in the long battle for femal...
2018-02-08 14:59:42
As we approach the centenary of (some) British women being granted the vote, historian and author Diane Atkinson explores the stories of the suffrage campaigners who believed in ‘deeds not words’ Host...
2018-02-05 17:06:15
Historian and author Nicola Tallis explores the life of Lettice Knollys, who was a leading figure at the Tudor court until she enraged the Virgin Queen by marrying her favourite, Robert Dudley Hosted...
2018-02-01 17:18:51
Britain’s secret wartime prison
Historian Helen Fry shares her discoveries about the Cage, a clandestine British interrogation centre, where extreme methods were used to extract information from enemy prisoners during the Second Wor...
2018-01-29 16:28:06
Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe meets with historian David Abulafia to discuss humanity’s relationship with the Mediterranean and the Atlantic since ancient times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
2018-01-25 21:30:00
The story of the Bayeux Tapestry
Following the announcement that the Noman embroidery may soon be heading to Britain, historian Kathryn Hurlock tackles some of the big questions relating to the iconic medieval artefact Hosted on Acas...
2018-01-22 16:29:48
John Bennett delves into the dark history of disorder and lawlessness in London’s East End From Jack the Ripper to the Kray twins, historian and tour guide John Bennett explores four centuries of crim...
2018-01-18 18:06:42
Historian Clare Makepeace joins us to discuss her new book Captives of War, which draws on first-hand testimonies to examine the experiences of British soldiers who were confined in POW camps in World...
2018-01-15 17:09:02
Fiona Sampson, author of a new biography of Mary Shelley, discusses the remarkable life of the Frankenstein author and considers what her story can tell us about Georgian society Hosted on Acast. See...
2018-01-11 16:31:43
Historian, author and broadcaster Helen Castor describes the short, but dramatic, life and reign of England’s ‘Nine Days Queen’, who is the subject of her new BBC Four series. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2018-01-08 21:20:10
Hamilton: the man behind the musical
We explore the amazing life story of Alexander Hamilton, with Ron Chernow, whose biography of the American Founding Father inspired the hip-hop musical sensation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
2018-01-04 16:35:05
Antony McCarten, writer of the new historical blockbuster Darkest Hour, considers whether the British leader came close to seeking peace with Hitler in 1940 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2018-01-02 16:21:18
Renowned First World War historian Professor David Stevenson explores the Russian Revolution, the Balfour Declaration, Passchendaele, and American entry into the First World War, as part of his survey...
2017-12-28 12:00:00
The History Extra team present our annual festive quiz, testing your history knowledge with a Christmas twist. The questions have been set, as always, by QI writer Justin Pollard Hosted on Acast. See...
2017-12-25 09:00:00
Alfred the Great and science at Christmas
Historian and author Max Adams discusses the famed Anglo-Saxon king and considers whether he deserves his stellar reputation. Meanwhile, we team up with our friends from the Science Focus podcast to e...
2017-12-21 15:00:52
Yale political scientist James C Scott talks to us about his new book, Against the Grain, which explores some of the key questions around early agriculture and state-building. Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2017-12-18 19:59:01
We are joined by the world-renowned historical novelist Bernard Cornwell who shares the story behind his latest book Fools and Mortals, which explores the world of Elizabethan theatre and the man at t...
2017-12-14 16:59:12
Food historian and author Pen Vogler explores the Victorian diet and recipes through the life and works of 19th-century Britain’s best-known writer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
2017-12-11 20:56:46
The academic, author and broadcaster Alice Roberts talks to us about her new book Tamed, which explores some of the most important relationships people have forged with different species over our hist...
2017-12-07 15:34:06
The historian and journalist Simon Heffer ranges over class, empire, politics. scandals and suffrage in an exploration of Britain in the years leading up to the First World War Hosted on Acast. See ac...
2017-12-04 15:06:36
Historian Miranda Kaufmann, author of Black Tudors: The Unknown Story, explores the lives of several Africans who resided in 16th-century England Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
2017-11-30 17:06:16
Dr Lindsey Fitzharris, author of The Butchering Art, delves into the terrifying world of 19th-century hospitals and shows how scientific advances eventually led to dramatic improvements Hosted on Acas...
2017-11-27 16:22:16
Historian Sasha Handley explores the bedtime routines of the early modern period and considers what lessons today’s sleepers can draw from past centuries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
2017-11-23 17:07:11
We join historian and author Charles Spencer on location at Boscobel House to discuss Charles II’s desperate flight from parliamentarian forces at the end of the Civil War. Boscobel was famously a hid...
2017-11-20 16:19:26
To accompany their upcoming events in the UK-wide Being Human festival, Kasia Szpakowska discusses her research into Ancient Egyptian demonology, while Dan Pascoe reveals some of the insights that hav...
2017-11-16 18:11:08
Mark Forsyth, author of A Short History of Drunkenness, draws on fascinating examples from across the globe to explore humanity’s longstanding relationship with alcohol Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2017-11-13 22:04:36
Historians Frances Wood and Spencer Jones, who are both contributors to the upcoming Channel 4 documentary Britain’s Forgotten Army, reflect on the little-known contribution of more than 100,000 Chine...
2017-11-09 14:35:56
BBC journalist Mariko Oi discusses her experiences of interviewing some of the last survivors of the notorious Japanese raids in World War Two, in advance of her new documentary on BBC World Service H...
2017-11-06 16:11:56
The renowned historian, author and broadcaster Niall Ferguson reveals the ways networks have transformed our world, from the medieval era to the social media age Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2017-11-02 16:27:24
Archaeologist Dr Miles Russell talks to us about his bold new theory on the legendary British ruler, which is based on a reinterpretation of Geoffrey of Monmounth’s History of the Kings of Britain Hos...
2017-10-30 20:43:03
Historian and author Mary Hollingsworth reflects on the powerful dynasty who dominated the Italian Renaissance but whose tale also includes tyranny, crime and murder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
2017-10-26 16:55:28
Historian Joshua Rubenstein discusses the dramatic events surrounding the death of Soviet leader Josef Stalin in 1953, now the subject of a major new historical comedy film. Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2017-10-23 16:18:01
Historians Hannah Greig and John Cooper, who are consultants on the new BBC drama Gunpowder, explore the story of the 1605 attempt to blow up the king and parliament. Plus they reveal the challenges i...
2017-10-19 15:15:34
Former British Museum director Neil MacGregor talks about his new BBC Radio 4 series Living with the Gods, and the accompanying exhibition, which together explore humanity’s longstanding relationship...
2017-10-16 18:09:51
Historian and politician Chris Skidmore discusses his major new biography of the Yorkist king, offering his take on pivotal moments such as Richard’s seizing of the throne, his death at Bosworth and t...
2017-10-12 19:03:07
The acclaimed historical novelist Robert Harris talks to us about his new book Munich, which explores the events of September 1938 where Neville Chamberlain, Hitler and other European leaders met in G...
2017-10-09 14:18:23
We explore some of the most fascinating objects in the British Museum’s new exhibition about this nomadic warrior people who flourished 2,500 years ago. Curators St John Simpson and Chloë Leighton joi...
2017-10-05 15:04:59
Ahead of his BBC Two documentary to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the historian and broadcaster David Starkey offers his views on Martin Luther, Henry VIII and the religious upheavals...
2017-10-02 14:22:43
The distinguished authors and broadcasters Peter Snow and Ann MacMillan discuss their new book War Stories, which explores some remarkable incidents of ordinary people caught up in conflicts through h...
2017-09-28 21:21:32
Author and TV producer Deborah Cadbury discusses her new book Queen Victoria’s Matchmaking, which reveals how the 19th-century British monarch sought to influence the future of Europe through the marr...
2017-09-25 13:29:21
Christianity and the classical world
Classicist and journalist Catherine Nixey talks about her new book The Darkening Age with Professor Edith Hall. Their discussion explores the momentous changes that occurred when Christianity became t...
2017-09-21 16:46:50
Historian and author Anne Applebaum discusses her new book Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, which charts the events of the devastating 1932–33 famine in Soviet Ukraine. Almost 4 million people los...
2017-09-18 15:27:16
In a special extended-length episode popular historian Dan Jones is joined by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb to discuss his new book The Templars, which explores the rise and fall of the medieval military order...
2017-09-14 16:39:25
William Marshal: the greatest knight
In a talk from our 2015 History Weekend event, medieval historian Thomas Asbridge reflects on the remarkable career of William Marshal who served five English kings in the 12th and 13th centuries Host...
2017-09-11 18:26:48
Historians Greg Jenner and Joanne Paul join us to talk about the results of our 2017 History Hot 100 survey. We asked you to tell us which historical figures are interesting you most and the final lis...
2017-09-07 18:55:56
We speak to Thomas Williams of the British Museum about his new book Viking Britain: An Exploration, which offers a fresh take on several centuries of Viking invasions and rule in Britain Hosted on Ac...
2017-09-04 15:08:47
Author and broadcaster Benjamin Woolley explores the very close relationship between James VI and I and his favourite the Duke of Buckingham. He also considers what role Buckingham may have played in...
2017-08-31 16:15:11
Queen Victoria behind closed doors
Historian and author Professor Jane Ridley reveals some lesser-known aspects of the 19th-century monarch’s life in a talk that she delivered at our Victorians Day earlier this year Hosted on Acast. Se...
2017-08-29 16:45:11
Friends or Enemies? Anglo-French relations
Historians Fabrice Bensimon and Renaud Morieux explore the complex relationship between France and Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was an era dominated by war and revolution but one which a...
2017-08-24 15:09:40
Clair Wills of Princeton University discusses her new book Lovers and Strangers, which explores the lives of people from across the globe who moved to Britain after the Second World War Hosted on Acas...
2017-08-21 16:34:09
Author and BBC broadcaster Stuart Maconie reflects on the iconic 1936 protest against poverty and unemployment. He also describes his experiences of retracing the route of the march 80 years later Hos...
2017-08-17 13:13:51
We speak to Professor Ronald Hutton about his new book The Witch, which reveals how societies throughout the globe have lived in fear of witchcraft for more than 2,000 years Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2017-08-14 14:36:20
We speak to filmmaker Dylan Howitt, director of a new BBC Four documentary entitled Out of Thin Air, which explores the story of a double disappearance and controversial criminal investigation from 19...
2017-08-10 16:48:35
Expert historians Hans van de Ven and Rana Mitter discuss China’s lengthy war against Japan and consider its impact on the country’s civil war and Chinese participation in the later conflict in Korea...
2017-08-07 14:33:25
Historian and author William Dalrymple and BBC journalist Anita Anand join us to discuss their new history of the Koh-i-Noor, the famed Indian diamond, which was controversially brought to Britain in...
2017-08-03 13:24:27
We speak to Kavita Puri, presenter of the new BBC Radio 4 series Partition Voices, which tells the story of the turbulent birth of India and Pakistan through interviews with those who lived through it...
2017-07-31 20:10:58
The lost objects of South Asia
Kanishk Tharoor talks about the latest series of BBC Radio 4’s Museum of Lost Objects, which explores the heritage of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
2017-07-27 14:58:17
In advance of a major new Henry James season on BBC Radio 4, Professor Sarah Churchwell explores the life and work of the great Anglo-American author, whose books offer insights to changes in the USA...
2017-07-24 13:44:23
Historian and author James Evans talks to us about his new book Emigrants, which explains why hundreds of thousands of English people decided to make a new life in the Americas during the 17th century...
2017-07-20 14:34:16
In a talk that he delivered at our recent World War Two event in Bristol, Professor Nicholas Stargardt reflects on how the Second World War was experienced by ordinary Germans, both on the front line...
2017-07-18 09:40:00
We are joined by the BBC journalist Bridget Kendall who picks out some of the most fascinating stories that feature in her new book and Radio 4 series on life in the Cold War Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2017-07-13 17:52:28
Historical author Henry Hemming discusses the life and career of Maxwell Knight, an eccentric spymaster and nature enthusiast who may have inspired the Bond character M Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2017-07-10 17:17:37
Hans Sloane and the British Museum
Author and historian James Delbourgo discusses his new book Collecting the World, which explores the life of the 18th-century natural historian Hans Sloane whose collections went on to form the basis...
2017-07-06 16:19:15
Author and biographer Clare Mulley discusses her new book The Women Who Flew for Hitler, which explores the lives of two remarkable women who became leading aviators in the Third Reich Hosted on Acast...
2017-07-03 12:24:30
Historian Emma Butcher reflects on the experiences of child soldiers throughout history, ranging from Ancient Sparta to the Hitler Youth and recent conflicts in Africa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2017-06-29 16:40:32
James Holland discusses the second book in his The War in the West trilogy with John Buckley, focusing on the years 1941-43. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abo...
2017-06-22 14:02:08
Historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley shares her thoughts on the Georgian novelist who is the subject of her new biography. Meanwhile, Professor Stephen Alford reflects on how the English capital was...
2017-06-15 09:46:40
Medieval manuscripts and the First World War
Christopher de Hamel discusses his recent book Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts, which has just won the Wolfson History Prize. Meanwhile, we speak to Jonathan Ruffle, creator of the BBC Radio 4 dr...
2017-06-08 15:10:37
The Six-Day War and the Great Fire of London
Professor Matthew Hughes reflects on a brief, but hugely-important, Arab-Israeli conflict that began 50 years ago this month and continues to have an impact on the region. Meanwhile, historian and br...
2017-06-01 14:49:06
Civil wars and Restoration England
Harvard professor David Armitage explores how internal conflicts have changed through history and considers what lessons can be learned for the wars of today. Meanwhile, bestselling popular historian...
2017-05-25 12:47:32
As we near the 500th anniversary of the European Reformation, Professor Peter Marshall explores how the events impacted on England. He explains how Henry VIII’s break with Rome led to many decades of...
2017-05-18 13:57:39
Queen Victoria’s dinners and Henry VIII’s niece
Food historian and broadcaster Annie Gray explores the eating habits of Britain’s second-longest reigning monarch and compares them to the typical Victorian diet. Meanwhile, historian and author Morga...
2017-05-11 15:25:35
Martin Luther and the making of the USA
Professor Lyndal Roper explores the life of the father of the Reformation and considers his impact on Protestant history. Meanwhile, we speak to Misha Glenny about his new BBC Radio 4 series, which ch...
2017-05-04 14:29:13
Journalist and author Yasmin Alibhai-Brown interviews Christopher de Bellaigue about his new book The Islamic Enlightenment, which considers how the Muslim world has adapted to some of the wider chang...
2017-04-27 14:18:00
Historical fiction and a US murder scandal
Philippa Gregory talks to us about her 30-year career as a historical novelist and the history behind bestsellers such as The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen. Meanwhile, David Grann, author of T...
2017-04-20 12:58:02
The ‘Father of History’ and India in the British empire
Professor Paul Cartledge reflects on the work of the Greek author Herodotus, who was born 2,500 years ago and is regarded as the first historian. Meanwhile, we catch-up with Dr Jon Wilson to discuss s...
2017-04-13 13:54:44
America in World War One and a naval tragedy
On the centenary of America’s entry into the First World War, historian Adam IP Smith explores the impact of this momentous decision on both the conflict and the history of the United States. Meanwhil...
2017-04-06 11:16:58
We gathered a panel of historians – Janina Ramirez, Anna Whitelock, Joann Fletcher and Fern Riddell – to consider the the challenges and opportunities for women in TV, book publishing and other forms...
2017-03-30 17:17:44
Military historian Lloyd Clark challenges a number of myths about the 1940 German invasion of France, in a lecture he delivered at our World War Two day in Bristol’s M Shed last month Hosted on Acast....
2017-03-23 14:06:12
Utopias in history and an environmental disaster
Writer and thinker Rutger Bregman discusses his new book Utopia for Realists, exploring examples of how to create a better society. Meanwhile, we speak to BBC radio producer Julian May about the after...
2017-03-16 13:53:36
Postwar occupations and Raleigh bicycles
Professor Susan L Carruthers tells the story of American forces who occupied Germany, Japan and other defeated powers after World War Two. Meanwhile, we are joined by TV producer Steve Humphries to ch...
2017-03-09 14:11:26
As we approach the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Professor Eamon Duffy joins us to discuss some of the big questions about the religious upheavals that altered the course of English and Europe...
2017-03-02 14:30:33
A revolutionary engineer and Victoria’s Indian confidant
Journalist and author Julian Glover describes the life and remarkable career of Georgian engineer Thomas Telford, the subject of his new biography. Meanwhile, we meet up with the writer Shrabani Basu...
2017-02-23 11:29:27
Author and journalist Pankaj Mishra and historian Tom Holland discuss Mishra’s new book, Age of Anger, which explores the origins of the resentments that are fuelling radical politics around the world...
2017-02-16 13:16:52
The impact of war and a zoological institution
Professor Peter Clarke shares some insights from his new book The Locomotive of War, which considers how conflicts have shaped modern history. Meanwhile, Isobel Charman reveals some fascinating storie...
2017-02-09 20:08:37
The Russian revolution and myths of ancient Egypt
Robert Service explores the downfall of tsar Nicholas II while John Romer discusses popular misconceptions about life in ancient Egypt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lear...
2017-02-02 18:20:08
The history of puzzles and the extraordinary life of Lady Anne Barnard
Alex Bellos explores 2,000 years of puzzles, while Stephen Taylor introduces an unconventional Georgian aristocrat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
2017-01-26 15:20:52
In a talk from our 2015 History Weekend at Malmesbury, historian James Holland describes how the Luftwaffe and RAF fought to control the skies over Britain in 1940. He explains how Britain came out on...
2017-01-19 14:13:07
Historian Bettany Hughes talks to Peter Frankopan about her new book exploring Istanbul's diverse history, from its earliest days through to the upheavals of the 21st century Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2017-01-12 10:08:26
The big questions of the Holocaust
Historian, author and broadcaster Laurence Rees joins us to discuss his upcoming book The Holocaust: A New History and consider some of the key debates in the history of the Nazi genocide of the Jews...
2017-01-05 11:43:58
In a talk from our 2016 History Weekend event in Winchester, the renowned archaeologist Barry Cunliffe discusses the subject of his recent book By Steppe, Desert, and Ocean Hosted on Acast. See acast....
2016-12-29 12:00:00
Join the BBC History Magazine team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz. The quizmaster is QI writer Justin Pollard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn mo...
2016-12-22 17:03:31
Corner shops and Russian ballet
Babita Sharma talks about her new BBC Four documentary 'Booze, Beans and Bhajis: The Story of the Corner Shop', while Simon Morrison explores the colourful history of the Bolshoi Ballet. Hosted on Aca...
2016-12-15 10:25:53
Historian-politicians Tristram Hunt, Chris Skidmore, Kwasi Kwarteng and Peter Hennessy explain how their two professions relate to each other. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
2016-12-08 09:38:19
The attack on Pearl Harbor and physics through the ages
Nicholas Best reflects on the events and aftermath of the 1941 Japanese raid, while Carlo Rovelli discusses his new book 'Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity'. Hosted on Acast...
2016-12-01 15:12:09
Arts and Crafts and unusual inventors
Rosalind Ormiston discusses an important 19th-century artistic movement, while David Bramwell introduces some of history’s most talented eccentrics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
2016-11-24 15:51:55
Soviet science and feeding Britain at war
Simon Ings, author of Stalin and the Scientists, describes how the Bolshevik leaders intervened in scientific research in the USSR. Meanwhile, food writer William Sitwell tells the story of a man who...
2016-11-17 21:24:01
The wartime SAS and Hitler’s drug addiction
Author and broadcaster Ben Macintyre details the extraordinary activities of the Special Air Service in the fight against the Axis, based on research for his new authorised history. Meanwhile, we spea...
2016-11-10 14:06:05
Black British history and Charles I’s children
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga explores Britain’s often forgotten links with the people of Africa. Meanwhile, historical author Linda Porter, describes the fates of a group of royal children...
2016-11-03 18:11:32
John Simpson, the BBC’s World Affairs Editor, reflects on his 50 years of reporting from conflicts all over the globe. Plus, he considers how life for the foreign correspondent has changed throughout...
2016-10-27 16:59:18
The Aberfan disaster and women who made history
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, historian and producer Steve Humphries talks about how the Welsh village has coped with the tragedy. Meanwhile, we are joined by Woman’s Ho...
2016-10-24 09:10:48
As we approach the 950th anniversary of the battle of Hastings, medieval historian Marc Morris tells the story of William the Conqueror’s dramatic victory of 1066 and explores its profound legacy for...
2016-10-13 16:53:16
Lenin and the Russian revolutions
Catherine Merridale recounts the future Soviet leader’s famous 1917 train journey across Europe to Petrograd, where the took command of the Bolsheviks. Meanwhile, we speak to Helen Rappaport about som...
2016-10-06 16:18:27
Historical television and the battle of Flodden
Tony Robinson discusses his new autobiography, No Cunning Plan, and the impact of shows such as Time Team and Blackadder. Meanwhile, Dr Katie Stevenson explores the 1513 battle of Flodden and its cons...
2016-09-29 14:45:47
Women in politics and Robinson Crusoe
Julie V Gottlieb charts the progression from the Suffragettes to Theresa May and Hillary Clinton, while Andrew Lambert tells the story of a Pacific island connected to the famous Daniel Defoe novel Ho...
2016-09-22 16:12:08
Historians David Reynolds and Kristina Spohr discuss their new book about the postwar meetings between international leaders that aimed to control the nuclear arms race Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2016-09-15 15:54:07
Poldark and historical TV drama
As the smash-hit series Poldark returns to our screens, its historical advisor, Hannah Greig and Horrible Histories historian Greg Jenner join us to discuss the growing popularity of historical fictio...
2016-09-08 15:04:32
The end of the First World War and the Duke of Wellington
Professor Robert Gerwarth discusses his new book The Vanquished, which shows how Europe continued to be beset by violence long after 1918. Meanwhile, Dr Huw Davies pays a visit to Apsley House, the ma...
2016-09-01 10:00:00
As we approach the 350th anniversary of the 1666 blaze, historical author Alexander Larman describes how the inferno devastated London. Meanwhile, we speak to Nicholas Kenyon, director of the Barbican...
2016-08-25 20:16:38
The Suez crisis and the north of England
Historian and author Alex von Tunzelmann reflects on the dramatic events that took place in the middle east and Hungary 60 years ago. Meanwhile, we speak to broadcaster Melvyn Bragg about his new BBC...
2016-08-18 18:02:49
Historian, author and broadcaster Kate Williams explores the key developments of the early interwar period, in this talk that was delivered at our 2015 History Weekend event in Malmesbury Hosted on Ac...
2016-08-11 16:32:19
The Cold War and the history of philosophy
Dr Rory Cormac guides us around York Cold War Bunker, which was designed to monitor the fallout of a nuclear attack. Meanwhile, we speak to historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes about some of the e...
2016-08-04 15:13:15
Jacobites and the Ancient World
Jacqueline Riding describes the events of the 1745 rebellion, while Michael Scott explains how ancient cultures across the globe managed to interact with each other Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2016-07-29 08:32:56
Richard Davenport-Hines and Piers Brendon, authors of new biographies of Edward VII and Edward VIII, discuss the two kings’ contrasting lives and reigns and their impact on the British monarchy Hosted...
2016-07-21 15:22:57
Paris’s women at war and the Housewives’ League
Anne Sebba talks to us about her new book, Les Parisiennes, which explores how women of Paris fared under Nazi occupation. Meanwhile, we catch up with Jo Fidgen, presenter of a BBC Radio 4 documentary...
2016-07-14 20:33:03
Britain’s Second World War and the Country House
Dr Daniel Todman talks to us about his new book: Britain's War: Into Battle, 1937-1941. Meanwhile, we are joined by historian Adrian Tinniswood to discuss the changing nature of English country houses...
2016-07-07 13:01:17
As we approach the centenary of the 1916 clash, we speak to Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, author of Somme: Into the Breach. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ruffle of gbfilms.com joins us to talk about his ongoing BBC Ra...
2016-06-30 15:26:08
The Radium Girls and the cotton revolution
Kate Moore describes the tragic story of a group of women who were exposed to radium in 20th-century America, while Terry Wyke visits a key site from Britain’s textile heritage Hosted on Acast. See ac...
2016-06-23 16:27:03
Wolfson History Prizes: Nazi camps and St Augustine
Robin Lane Fox and Nikolaus Wachsmann talk about their award-winning books: Augustine: Conversions and Confessions and KL: A History of the Nazi Concentration Camps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2016-06-16 15:26:43
As we near the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s assault on the Soviet Union, Antony Beevor explores this pivotal moment in the Second World War Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
2016-06-09 11:00:00
Tudor monarchs and a Medieval civil war
Tracy Borman reveals the secret lives of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Mary Tudor et al, while Nicholas Vincent describes the events of Simon de Montfort’s rebellion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2016-06-02 15:36:49
Writing history in the 21st century
Four leading historians discuss the big developments in book publishing since the launch of BBC History Magazine back in May 2000 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn mor...
2016-05-26 15:48:39
The battle of Jutland and 1950s domestic dangers
Admiral Lord West describes a crucial First World War naval clash, while Suzannah Lipscomb tells us about her new BBC documentary: Hidden Killers of the Post-war Home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
2016-05-19 15:52:07
A Victorian murder and a ship that made history
Kate Summerscale, author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, tells us about her new book, which investigates another shocking 19th-century crime. Meanwhile, Andrew Lambert guides us around the famous cli...
2016-05-12 12:50:44
Sykes-Picot and a 17th-century polymath
On the centenary of the Sykes-Picot agreement, historian Catriona Pennell reflects on this secret 1916 Anglo-French agreement to divide up the Middle East. Meanwhile, we talk to Joe Moshenska, author...
2016-05-05 14:34:44
The history of consumerism and Chinese philosophy
Frank Trentmann explores how our patterns of consumption have changed over the centuries, while Christine Gross-Loh discusses the legacy of ancient Chinese thinkers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2016-04-28 16:15:29
Shakespeare’s world and cricket in South Africa
Edward Wilson-Lee looks at how the playwright’s work became celebrated on a global scale, while Dean Allen recounts the story of a pioneering British cricket enthusiast who popularised the sport in 19...
2016-04-21 16:06:55
Student life and working class culture
Our own Ellie Cawthorne talks about her new BBC Radio 4 series that focuses on 900 years of higher education. Meanwhile, author and broadcaster Stuart Maconie discusses his documentary about the decli...
2016-04-14 18:25:51
Charles II and an Atlantic experiment
Historian Clare Jackson talks about her new biography of the 17th-century king, which is part of the Penguin Monarchs series. Meanwhile, BBC radio presenter Peter Gibbs tells us the story of how Ascen...
2016-04-07 13:47:42
The Dissolution and a forgotten colony
Dr Adam Morton visits Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire to explore the events of Henry VIII’s assault on the monasteries. Meanwhile, historian and author Matthew Parker tells the story of Willoughbyland, a...
2016-03-31 16:27:41
Democracy and an age of genius
Classicist Paul Cartledge heads back to Ancient Greece to explore the roots of mass participation in politics. Meanwhile, we speak to philosopher AC Grayling about his new book The Age of Genius: The...
2016-03-24 10:02:39
The Easter Rising and a Victorian heyday
Heather Jones explores the dramatic rebellion of 1916, while Ben Wilson explains why the 1850s was such a transformative decade Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2016-03-17 10:11:47
Muslims and Jews in the 16th century
Historian Jerry Brotton describes how Elizabethan England formed an important relationship with the Islamic world. He then goes on to tell the story of Venice’s Jewish ghetto, which was created 500 ye...
2016-03-10 12:00:00
The Holy Roman Empire and Capability Brown
Professor Peter Wilson discusses his new book The Holy Roman Empire: A Thousand Years of Europe's History. Meanwhile, garden historian Sarah Rutherford pays a visit to the grounds of Blenheim Palace i...
2016-03-03 12:00:00
Kanishk Tharoor and Maryam Maruf, the presenter and producer of the new radio series Museum of Lost Objects, highlight some of the antiquities that have been destroyed during recent conflicts in Iraq...
2016-02-25 09:36:14
Professor David Reynolds describes the Battle of Verdun, which pitched French and German forces against each other in one of the bloodiest episodes of the First World War. Meanwhile, art critic and br...
2016-02-18 16:45:20
George Goodwin discusses the American Founding Father’s years in the British capital, on location at Benjamin Franklin House Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abo...
2016-02-11 11:27:53
The battle over Henry VIII’s will
Tudor expert Dr Suzannah Lipscomb talks to fellow historian Dan Jones about a remarkable 16th-century document. The king's will had great ramifications for 16th-century England and is still hotly deba...
2016-02-04 16:25:20
Historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore talks to us about his new book that chronicles the remarkable Russian ruling dynasty. Meanwhile, archaeologist Miles Russell pays a visit to Tintagel Castle...
2016-01-28 17:12:10
In a talk from our 2015 History Weekend event at Malmesbury, historian Michael Scott argues that we need to bring the histories of China, Greece, India and Rome together to adopt a less segmented app...
2016-01-21 12:00:00
Postwar Germany and medieval CSI
Dr Lara Feigel talks to us about her new book, The Bitter Taste of Victory: In the Ruins of the Reich, which shows how the Allies used culture to try to rebuild Germany after 1945. Meanwhile, we are j...
2016-01-14 15:18:13
In a lecture from our 2015 History Weekend event, Professor Joann Fletcher, presenter of the BBC series Immortal Egypt, explores the story of this remarkable civilisation, from the pyramids to Cleopat...
2016-01-07 16:18:55
Victorian bakers and the Leningrad symphony
Historian and TV presenter Alex Langlands explains how bread making in the 19th century differed from today. Meanwhile, music expert Tom Service tells the remarkable story of Dimitri Shostakovich’s 7t...
2015-12-31 12:00:00
Test your trivia knowledge with our podcast pub quiz. The questions have been devised by QI’s Justin Pollard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choic...
2015-12-24 12:00:00
Britain’s railways and the Titanic
Simon Bradley, author of The Railways: Nation, Network and People talks to us about a British transport revolution. Meanwhile, we pay a visit to Titanic Belfast in the company of Aidan McMichael, an e...
2015-12-17 11:18:48
A history of red hair and amazing animals
Jacky Colliss Harvey charts the fascinating history of red-headedness from ancient times until the present day. Meanwhile, Stephen Moss talks about his new book Natural Histories, which accompanies a...
2015-12-10 14:00:06
The Battle of the Atlantic and the history of Spain
Jonathan Dimbleby describes the pivotal World War Two naval clash, while Marion Milne talks about a new BBC Four series on Spain through the ages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
2015-12-03 14:06:26
Shakespeare in 1606 and Olympic swimmers
Professor James Shapiro talks to us about his new book 1606: William Shakespeare and the Year of Lear, a follow-up to his acclaimed 1599. Meanwhile the author Julie Checkoway tells the story of a rema...
2015-11-26 13:59:31
The Peasants’ Revolt and a Cold War spy
Author and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg introduces his latest historical novel, Now is the Time, which centres on the 14th-cenury uprising. Meanwhile, we talk to Andrew Lownie about his new biography of a...
2015-11-19 15:19:16
Classical historian and broadcaster Mary Beard talks to us about her new one-volume history of Rome entitled SPQR. Meanwhile, we speak to the bestselling historical novelist Robert Harris about his la...
2015-11-12 13:37:52
The end of the Cold War and British culture
Professor Robert Service describes how the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union – Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev – brought about a dramatic change in east-west relations. Meanwhile, hist...
2015-11-05 17:37:30
World War Two spies and an extraordinary naturalist
Bestselling military historian Sir Max Hastings joins us to discuss his new book The Secret War. Meanwhile, we speak to historian and author Andrea Wulf about Alexander von Humboldt who made great str...
2015-10-29 12:45:28
The Last Kingdom and Agincourt
Bernard Cornwell talks about his books that inspired the new TV drama The Last Kingdom, while Anne Curry discusses Agincourt ahead of the 600th anniversary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
2015-10-28 17:59:51
Cambridge historian and BBC Making History presenter Helen Castor interviews medieval historian Dan Jones about his new book, Realm Divided, which explores what it was like to live during the tumultuo...
2015-10-15 14:22:32
The Brontës and a revolutionary artist
Charlotte Brontë’s latest biographer, Claire Harman, visits the home of three remarkable literary sisters. Meanwhile, broadcaster and historian Loyd Grossman introduces the Georgian painter Benjamin W...
2015-10-08 15:55:15
New views on the Holocaust and 1980s Britain
Yale historian Timothy Snyder discusses Black Earth, his bold new study of the Nazi genocide of the Jews. Meanwhile, we speak to Andy Beckett whose latest book charts the early years of the Thatcher r...
2015-10-01 14:00:25
As the British Museum's major new exhibition, Celts: Art and Identity, opens, curator Julia Farley guides us around some of the most important and intriguing objects on show. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2015-09-24 14:00:53
Historian Andrew Roberts talks to us about his new book on the opening day of one of World War One's bloodiest battles. Meanwhile, Professor Christopher Whatley discusses the events of the Jacobite re...
2015-09-18 11:33:20
Roman emperors and women through the ages
Tom Holland speaks to us about his new book on the first five Roman emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. Meanwhile, we're joined by historical author Amanda Foreman to discuss he...
2015-09-10 11:00:35
BBC Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie talks to us about his new series that charts the history of Britain's oil boom, which began 40 years ago. Meanwhile, historian and author Joshua Levine reveals how...
2015-09-03 16:09:34
In a lecture from our 2014 History Weekend, historian Roderick Bailey describes the attempts of Britain's SOE to assassinate the Italian Fascist leader during World War Two. To find out more about ou...
2015-08-27 07:30:54
Ancient cities and the Norman conquest
Classical historian Andrew Wallace-Hadrill explains how the great cities of Athens and Rome functioned in the ancient world. Meanwhile, medieval expert David Bates pays a visit to Norwich Castle, a ke...
2015-08-20 12:01:02
Crusade logistics and the battle over the slave trade
Oxford historian Christopher Tyerman talks to us about his new book How to Plan a Crusade. Meanwhile, we pay a visit to the University of Cambridge where Ryan Cronin introduces some remarkable documen...
2015-08-13 13:59:36
The Pacific War and First World War black soldiers
Historian Francis Pike challenges some commonly-held assumptions about World War Two in Asia, as we reach the 70th anniversary of the attack on Hiroshima. Meanwhile, Stephen Bourne, author of Black Po...
2015-08-06 13:58:41
Ancient thinkers and the history of madness
Historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes discusses three of history's greatest philosophers: Socrates, Confucius and the Buddha, who all feature in her new BBC Four TV series. Meanwhile, Professor And...
2015-07-30 11:03:44
Witch trials and feuding queens
Historian Robert Poole visits Lancaster Castle, scene of the dramatic 1612 trials of the Pendle witches. Meanwhile, we're joined by Nancy Goldstone whose latest book delves into the turbulent relation...
2015-07-23 11:02:33
Anglo-Saxon saints and British slave-owners
Oxford historian Janina Ramirez picks out some of the most remarkable saints from the early medieval period. Meanwhile, historian and broadcaster David Olusoga talks to us about his new BBC Two series...
2015-07-16 09:01:57
Regency scandal and the history of canals
Historical author Geraldine Roberts talks about a disastrous Georgian marriage that filled the newspapers of the day. Meanwhile, Professor Emma Griffin visits a historic canal to explain how these wat...
2015-07-09 11:01:15
India at war and mining accidents
Historian Yasmin Khan talks about her new book, The Raj at War, which explores the impact of World War Two on the people of India, many of whom fought in the conflict. Meanwhile, we speak to Daniel Bl...
2015-07-02 11:00:29
In a lecture from our 2014 History Weekend in Malmesbury, Tudor historian Jessie Childs describes how Catholics were suppressed during the reign of the Virgin Queen. This week's episode also includes...
2015-06-25 13:46:27
As we reach the bicentenary of the battle of Waterloo, expert historians Julian Humphrys and Tim Blanning reveal how Napoleon was finally defeated, and offer their thoughts on the legacy of the events...
2015-06-18 14:45:34
The real King John and the BBC in World War Two
As we reach the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, historians Stephen Church and Marc Morris offer their views on the controversial king who sealed the charter. Meanwhile, we are joined by the renowned...
2015-06-11 12:00:34
Queen Victoria at home and a new Civil War museum
Jane Ridley, biographer of Queen Victoria, guides us around Osborne on the Isle of Wight where the queen and Prince Albert used to reside. Meanwhile, Charlotte Hodgman gets an early preview of the new...
2015-06-04 12:43:41
The Battle of the Bulge and children of the Holocaust
Military historian Antony Beevor offers a fresh interpretation of the 1944 Ardennes offensive that represented Hitler's final attempt to turn the tide of the war. Meanwhile, journalist Wendy Holden te...
2015-05-28 14:00:14
The history of India and a terrible explosion
Professor Sunil Khilnani joins us to talk about his new BBC Radio 4 series Incarnations, which tells the story of India through the lives of its most remarkable figures. Meanwhile, we speak to Brian D...
2015-05-21 10:21:45
Wolfson History Prize 2015 special
The winners of this year's Wolfson History Prize, Richard Vinen and Alexander Watson, join Rob Attar for a discussion about their books on the First World War and national service. Hosted on Acast. S...
2015-05-14 09:18:57
Historian Richard Overy describes the situation in Britain and Europe as the Second World War came to an end. Meanwhile, we're joined by TV producer Steve Humphries to talk about his new series Britai...
2015-05-07 09:17:38
David Starkey, one of Britain's best-known historians, joins us to offer his views on the Great Charter as it approaches its 800th anniversary. Meanwhile, we speak to Professor Dan Stone about the lib...
2015-04-30 12:56:57
Medieval universities and an unlikely friendship
Historian Hannah Skoda pays a visit to Merton College in Oxford to explore the origins of one of the world's most famous educational institutions. Meanwhile, Anna Thomasson talks to us about her new b...
2015-04-23 11:56:00
On the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli, Australian writer Peter FitzSimons describes the disastrous Allied campaign of 1915. Meanwhile, historian Cormac Ó Gráda, author of Eating People Is Wrong,...
2015-04-16 12:55:25
John Man – author of a new biography of Saladin – explains how the medieval Muslim leader was able to triumph over the crusaders. Meanwhile, we talk to historian June Purvis about why the votes for wo...
2015-04-09 12:54:26
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Steven Weinberg discusses his new book that charts thousands of years of scientific discovery. Meanwhile, actor and TV presenter David Suchet speaks to us about his upcom...
2015-04-02 07:00:39
This week's episode is an immigration history special. Historians Robin Fleming and Mark Ormrod draw on the latest research to examine the lives of migrants into England during the anglo-Saxon and med...
2015-03-26 14:37:39
With just a few days to go until the reburial of the last Plantagenet king in Leicester Cathedral, we speak to two experts with close connections to the event. Phil Stone, chairman of the Richard III...
2015-03-19 12:36:54
Food from the past and the history of illegitimacy
As the new BBC TV series Back in Time for Dinner is due to air, we talk to food writer Mary Gwynn about how our mealtime tastes have changed over the past 70 years. Meanwhile, historian Jane Robinson...
2015-03-12 12:34:38
Shakespeare and war in the Middle East
Charlotte Hodgman visits Stratford-upon-Avon to explore the birthplace of William Shakespeare in the company of expert Paul Edmondson. Meanwhile, Oxford historian Eugene Rogan discusses the final year...
2015-03-05 12:33:05
The life of Keynes and a trip to Ancient Greece
Acclaimed biographer Richard Davenport-Hines talks to Matt Elton about his new book on the 20th-century economist John Maynard Keynes, which focuses on the man rather than his work. Meanwhile, classic...
2015-02-26 10:05:36
This week we are broadcasting a lecture that was delivered at our History Weekend festival in Malmesbury in October 2014. Historian Juliet Barker speaks about the great uprising of 1381, and challenge...
2015-02-19 10:04:50
Amazing inventions and London after dark
Science writer Steven Johnson discusses his new BBC TV series How We Got to Now, which explores some of the greatest innovations in history. Meanwhile, Dr Matthew Beaumont describes how famous Londone...
2015-02-12 13:03:58
Life in the workhouse and British biographies
Charlotte Hodgman visits a former Victorian workhouse in the company of historian Samantha Shave to see whether life inside really matched the Dickensian legend. Meanwhile, we speak to Sir David Canna...
2015-02-05 14:02:57
Elizabeth I and an unlikely suffragette
Historian Lisa Hilton explores the life and reign of the Virgin Queen, subject of her new biography Elizabeth I: Renaissance Prince. Meanwhile, BBC Radio 4 presenter Anita Anand discusses Sophia Dulee...
2015-01-29 14:01:06
The authors of new Penguin biographies of Henry VIII, Edward VI, George V and George VI discuss these kings' lives and reigns. They also consider wider themes relating to British monarchy in a debate...
2015-01-22 09:59:22
Henry VIII and Henry the Young King
Tudor historian John Guy, author of a new short biography of Henry VIII, discusses the Tudor king's life and relationships and what he's learned about Henry over his many years of research. Meanwhile,...
2015-01-15 14:12:46
Wolf Hall and medieval civil war
As the BBC TV dramatisation of Wolf Hall is shortly due to air, series director Peter Kosminsky reveals the challenges and joys of filming Hilary Mantel's acclaimed novels. Meanwhile, Professor David...
2015-01-08 14:12:06
Stalin’s early years and Mein Kampf
Princeton historian Stephen Kotkin, author of a major new biography of Josef Stalin, describes the Soviet leader's path to power. Meanwhile, BBC journalist Chris Bowlby gives us the lowdown on his for...
2015-01-01 05:00:00
For our Christmas Eve podcast, it's the return of our annual history quiz. Test your knowledge of all things historical with four themed rounds of questions written by QI elf Justin Pollard and delive...
2014-12-24 15:57:06
Kamikaze pilots and Captain John Smith
Christopher Harding analyses the motivations of the Japanese kamikaze pilots, while Peter Firstbrook describes the life of the man whose life was famously saved by Pocahontas Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2014-12-18 17:24:56
Student radicals and Crete in WWII
Esmée Hanna explores the wave of protests that took place in a number of British universities in the 1960s. Meanwhile, Rick Stroud tells the story of the audacious kidnap of a Nazi general in Crete du...
2014-12-11 13:21:22
The North Sea and Bronze Age remains
Historical author Michael Pye explores several centuries of the North Sea's history to reveal how its waters aided all manner of social, economic and cultural development. Meanwhile, Charlotte Hodgman...
2014-12-04 12:20:26
Revolutions in Europe and forensics in history
Historian Adam Zamoyski discusses his new book, Phantom Terror, which reveals how Europe's rulers lived in fear of conspiracies in the years between the revolutions of 1789 and 1848. Meanwhile, crime...
2014-11-27 16:39:44
Science fiction and dancing in history
Dominic Sandbrook gives us the lowdown behind his new TV series Tomorrow's Worlds: The Unearthly History of Science Fiction. Meanwhile, Lucy Worsley explains how the dances of the past can reveal a gr...
2014-11-13 10:26:49
The Berlin Wall and the return of Charles II
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, historian Hester Vaizey reveals the impact this momentous event had on the lives of ordinary East Germans. Meanwhile, freelance jour...
2014-11-06 12:16:22
The Gunpowder Plot and the First World War
As we approach Bonfire Night, historian Clare Jackson pays a visit to Coughton Court in Warwickshire to explore its connections to the Gunpowder Plot. Meanwhile, Yale University's Jay Winter joins us...
2014-10-30 14:11:06
Germany through the centuries and Hitler’s cocaine habit
British Museum director Neil MacGregor joins us to talk about his new BBC Radio 4 series Germany: Memories of a Nation, which illustrates the country's history through a wealth of fascinating objects....
2014-10-23 09:10:09
Georgian gardens and historical fiction
Charlotte Hodgman heads to Hampton Court Palace to check out their restored Georgian kitchen garden in the company of garden keeper Vicki Cooke. Meanwhile bestselling historical novelist Wilbur Smith...
2014-10-16 10:09:38
The battle of Agincourt and the Spanish communists
Ranulph Fiennes talks about his ancestors' involvement in the battle of Agincourt, and Paul Preston explores the life of Spanish communist politician Santiago Carrillo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2014-10-09 15:08:42
Historian Helen Castor discusses her new biography of the tragic French heroine Joan of Arc, describing her famous victories and the dramatic trial that condemned her to death. Putting the questions i...
2014-10-02 15:30:11
Dr Yuval Harari chats to us about his new book, Sapiens, which explores tens of thousands of years of history and offers fresh insights into subjects such as agriculture, war, empire, science and capi...
2014-09-25 14:20:47
Hunting the regicides and the Chartist movement
Charles Spencer talks to Matt Elton about his new book, Killers of the King, which describes Charles II's efforts to track down and take revenge on the men who executed his father during the Civil War...
2014-09-18 17:11:12
Fresh views on the Wars of the Roses
Dan Jones is interviewed by Tudor expert Suzannah Lipscomb about his new book on the Wars of the Roses. The two historians discuss the writing of popular history, the role of medieval kings and the co...
2014-09-11 14:39:39
Thomas Cromwell’s fall from grace
Tudor historian Tracy Borman discusses the career of Thomas Cromwell, the henchman of Henry VIII who brought down Anne Boleyn only to eventually share the same fate. Meanwhile, our First World War aud...
2014-09-04 15:07:18
George III and the art of anatomy
Former BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow talks about her new book The Strangest Family, which explores the private lives of King George III and his family. Meanwhile, we speak to Adam Rutherford about...
2014-08-28 16:05:30
The long history of the Crusades
In a lecture from our 2013 History Weekend festival, historian Tom Asbridge talks about how our understanding of the Crusades has changed over the past several centuries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2014-08-21 09:03:58
Historian and author Matthew Parker discusses how Ian Fleming's James Bond novels reveal his thoughts about the changes taking place in Jamaica in the 1950s and 1960s. Meanwhile, author and biographer...
2014-08-14 09:00:54
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga discusses the subject of his new TV series The World's War, revealing how millions of people across the globe arrived in Europe to fight the First World War. Ho...
2014-08-07 15:48:00
The German view on the First World War
As we approach the centenary of the First World War, historian Alexander Watson, author of Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary at War, 1914-1918, offers a German and Austro-Hungarian perspectiv...
2014-07-31 16:00:58
Chris Skidmore, who is writing a new biography of Richard III, talks to us about how his research is presenting a different picture of the controversial 15th-century king. Meanwhile, we speak to Pamel...
2014-07-24 15:22:15
The World War Two French resistance and British holidays
Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown talks to Matt Elton about his new book on French resistance fighters who took on the Nazis during the Second World War. Meanwhile, Kathryn Ferry takes a tr...
2014-07-17 15:00:33
Cold War smuggling and First World War veterans
Peter Finn and Petra Couvee reveal how the CIA tried to change the course of the Cold War by smuggling banned literature into the USSR, including Boris Pasternak's 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. Plus, in...
2014-07-10 15:33:22
Classical historian Michael Scott delves into the remarkable history of Delphi, the site of a renowned oracle in Ancient Greece and a place that was visited by many leading figures in the Greek and Ro...
2014-07-03 14:16:43
Historian and Conservative MP Kwasi Kwarteng explores the long and complex relationship between wealth and warfare, from the Spanish empire until the present financial crisis. Meanwhile, Richard Van E...
2014-06-26 09:42:02
English gardens and Latin American football
Timothy Mowl guides us around a historic English garden, while Andreas Campomar explains Latin America's fixation with football Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2014-06-19 10:41:23
The legacy of the First World War
We're joined in the studio by the acclaimed Yale historian Adam Tooze to talk about his new book The Deluge, which focuses on the climax of the First World War and the resultant rise of the United Sta...
2014-06-12 13:40:38
Historians Catherine Merridale and Cyprian Broodbank have just been announced as the winners of the latest Wolfson History Prizes for their books on the Kremlin and the Mediterranean world. We spoke t...
2014-06-03 15:00:57
D-Day and the Wars of the Roses
As we approach the 70th anniversary of D-Day, military historian James Holland challenges some popular assumptions about the 1944 Normandy campaign and recounts his experiences of meeting veterans. Me...
2014-05-29 13:48:42
Roman slavery and the man who started the First World War
Jerry Toner discusses the lives of slaves in Ancient Rome, while Tim Butcher explores the life of Gavrilo Princip, killer of Franz Ferdinand Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
2014-05-22 17:00:52
Monte Cassino and revolutionary Russia
On the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, Matthew Parker explores one of the Allies' toughest challenges in the Second World War. Meanwhile we speak to Professor Orlando Figes, author of...
2014-05-15 15:47:03
Thomas Malthus and Wilkie Collins
This week we explore the life and work of two intellectual giants of the 19th century. First up, Robert Mayhew discusses the Georgian economist Thomas Malthus whose theories on population growth have...
2014-05-08 12:46:09
Victorian burials and the history of psychology
Ruth Levitt describes how London's cemeteries couldn't cope with the rising number of dead in the 19th century and reveals the solutions the Victorians devised for this problem. Meanwhile, we speak to...
2014-05-01 12:00:47
The value of war and the rail revolution
We speak to Ian Morris, author of War: What is it Good For?, about why he believes conflict has sometimes been a force for good. Plus, railway historian Di Drummond pays a visit to Manchester Liverpoo...
2014-04-24 14:00:06
This week's podcast focuses on African history. First up, Miranda Kaufmann visits a replica of Francis Drake's Golden Hind and there explains how Africans played an important role in the Tudor explore...
2014-04-17 13:00:56
Lawrence of Arabia and the Romanov sisters
Scott Anderson, the latest biographer of TE Lawrence (better known as Lawrence of Arabia) describes his subject's eventful life and considers whether Lawrence's vision might have created a more stable...
2014-04-10 17:35:00
Dominic Sandbrook charts the highs and lows of 1970s Britain in a lecture delivered at our History Weekend festival Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your a...
2014-04-03 08:30:00
Anglo-Saxon treasures, and did Britain invent freedom?
Charlotte Hodgman explores the Staffordshire Hoard, while Daniel Hannan argues that English-speaking people created many of our modern liberties Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
2014-03-27 18:00:10
Cold War spies and friendship through the ages
Ben Macintyre delves into the life of double agent Kim Philby, while Thomas Dixon explains how the meaning of friendship has changed over the centuries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2014-03-20 17:22:33
Escaping the Blitz and recording the First World War
Juliet Gardiner pays a visit to an unusual Second World War shelter, while Julia Cave recalls her experiences interviewing veterans of the First World War Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
2014-03-13 16:30:52
Viking treasures and Hitler's 'perfect woman'
Gareth Williams guides us through the British Museum's major new Vikings exhibition, while Julie Gottlieb explains why a Nazi women's leader was visiting Britain in 1939 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2014-03-06 14:21:00
Tasmanian aborigines and the historic importance of the River Nile
Tom Lawson talks about the often-brutal experiences of the people of Tasmania, while Toby Wilkinson explores the historic importance of the River Nile Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2014-02-27 17:00:49
Napoleon's formative years and great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment
Michael Broers discusses Napoleon's formative years, while Alexander Broadie looks at some of the great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
2014-02-20 14:45:05
The Babylonian Noah and Norse mythology
Irving Finkel describes a remarkable Babylonian tablet that changes our understanding of the flood legend. Meanwhile, Joanne Harris gives us her take on the Norse gods Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2014-02-13 16:48:47
Royal cousins at war and Brunel's brilliance
Richard Sanders considers how Europe's monarchs ended up on opposing sides in the First World War, while Eugene Byrne explores the talents of Isambard Kingdom Brunel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
2014-02-06 17:00:50
Memories of Churchill and the history of the individual
John Julius Norwich recalls his remarkable childhood, while Larry Siedentop discusses liberalism and the West's 'crisis of confidence' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lear...
2014-01-30 15:07:19
Jeremy Paxman discusses Britain in the First World War, as his new BBC TV series is about to air. Meanwhile, Miles Russell takes us on a trip to a luxurious Roman home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2014-01-23 16:06:28
Linda Colley discusses the history of the United Kingdom and considers its future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...
2014-01-17 11:05:16
Britain in 1914 and Jesus in history
Mark Bostridge describes some of the challenges facing Britain before the First World War, while Reza Aslan comments on the historical Jesus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
2014-01-09 17:40:29
The aftermath of the Second World War
Keith Lowe examines the struggles that faced postwar Europe, in a lecture from our recent History Weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices....
2014-01-02 12:03:05
The Black Death and Tudor adventurers
John Hatcher visits a village devastated by the Black Death, while James Evans describes the doomed search for the north-east passage in the 16th century Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
2013-12-27 16:30:52
Test your history knowledge with our annual Christmas podcast quiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2013-12-19 18:00:57
Following the death of Mandela, Saul Dubow and Aron Mazel consider his remarkable political career and his role in ending Apartheid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m...
2013-12-12 17:33:00
The legacy of the First World War and Gandhi's early years
David Reynolds explains how the First World War shaped the 20th century, while Ramachandra Guha considers Mahatma Gandhi's formative years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2013-12-05 17:30:00
Victorian vigour and a remarkable family
Simon Heffer discusses the triumphs of Victorian Britain, while Adrian Tinniswood talks about the 17th-century Rainborowes who were involved in the Civil War Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2013-11-28 17:00:23
Mark White reappraises JFK on the 50th anniversary of his assassination, while Alison Weir describes the life of Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2013-11-21 17:10:59
Global history and the rise of the factories
Michael Scott chats about his new Radio 4 series Spin the Globe, while Simon Thurley guides us around an important site in Britain's Industrial Revolution Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
2013-11-14 18:00:48
Cold War culture and the path to the First World War
Dominic Sandbrook explores how the Cold War impacted on many aspects of British life, while Margaret MacMillan tells us why she believes the First World War broke out when it did Hosted on Acast. See...
2013-11-07 17:00:00
A new look at Nelson and a haunted castle
Quintin Colville guides us around a major new Nelson gallery, while Charlotte Hodgman pays a Halloween visit to a spooky castle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2013-10-31 12:00:00
Tudor portraits and Victorian footballers
Tarnya Cooper introduces the National Portrait Gallery's new Elizabethan exhibition, while Richard Sanders delves into the early years of football. Plus, we talk to the BBC's Martin Davidson about the...
2013-10-24 11:00:00
Ancient Greek theatre and Victorian prisons
Michael Scott delves into the origins of drama, while Alyson Brown takes a trip around the historic Beaumaris Gaol Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
2013-10-17 11:00:00
The First World War and Richard III
Sir Max Hastings explores the origins and bloody outbreak of the First World War, while Philippa Langley and Michael Jones describe the discovery of Richard III's remains Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
2013-10-10 11:00:00
The mysteries of the Princes in the Tower
Leanda de Lisle visits the Tower of London to explore the fate of the princes believed to have been killed there. Hannah Greig tells us about the Georgian fashionable elite, and we speak to Hollywood...
2013-10-03 11:00:00
Ancient burials and modern murders
Richard Bradley guides us around a Neolithic burial site, while Lucy Worsley explores the 19th and 20th-century British fascination with violent crime Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2013-09-26 11:00:00
Witch-hunting and medieval letter writing
Tracy Borman investigates the case of three women accused of witchcraft, while Deborah Thorpe charts the perilous path of a medieval letter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2013-09-19 11:00:00
A fresh look at an Ancient Greek classic
Tom Holland tells us about his new translation of Herodotus, the father of history. Plus Ben Wilson and Margaret MacMillan reveal their favourite history books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
2013-09-12 11:00:00
Mark Stoyle and Charlotte Hodgman visit a key location in the clash between King Charles and Parliament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
2013-09-05 11:00:00
Richard Barber describes the life and career of one of England's most successful medieval kings, based on new research for his book. Rob Attar presents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2013-08-29 11:00:00
England and Scotland go to war
George Goodwin describes the Anglo-Scottish battle of Flodden as the 500th anniversary approaches. Plus Gary Sheffield considers how First World War commanders coped with the peculiar challenges of th...
2013-08-22 11:00:00
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 Hosted on...
2013-08-15 11:00:00
The downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots and a British civil rights struggle
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...
2013-08-08 11:00:00
Early Christianity in England and Douglas Hurd on Disraeli
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 Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2013-08-01 11:00:00
English Heritage's History Live festival at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire
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 Kelm...
2013-07-25 11:00:00
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 Hos...
2013-07-18 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2013-07-11 11:00:00
China's Second World War and royal births through the ages
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 Hosted on...
2013-07-04 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
2013-06-27 11:00:00
Margaret Thatcher's path to power, and the story of the Devonshires
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 A...
2013-06-21 11:00:00
Anna Whitelock explores the contradictions of the Virgin Queen's private live in a lecture recorded on our recent Tudors Day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abo...
2013-06-13 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. Se...
2013-06-06 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2013-05-30 11:00:00
A history of the world and a second Norman Conquest
Arne Westad discusses the challenges of writing global history, while Sean McGlynn describes how a French invasion nearly overthrew King John Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
2013-05-23 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2013-05-16 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. See ac...
2013-05-09 11:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. L...
2013-05-02 11:00:00
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 Hosted on A...
2013-04-25 11:00:00
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 Hosted on A...
2013-04-18 11:00:00
Dwarves in the Holocaust and the Vikings' cultural legacy
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...
2013-04-11 11:00:00
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' Podca...
2013-04-04 11:00:00
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 Atta...
2013-03-28 12:00:00
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. Ro...
2013-03-21 12:00:00
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 Hosted on...
2013-03-14 12:00:00
To mark the upcoming papal election, historian Stella Fletcher explores the long tradition of conclaves. Rob Attar presents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abou...
2013-03-07 12:00:00
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 Hosted on Acast....
2013-02-28 12:00:00
Georgian banking and medieval royalty
Anne Murphy discusses an 18th-century investigation into the Bank of England, while Judith Green reveals what Henry I spent his money on. Presented by Rob Attar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2013-02-21 12:00:00
Hitler's philosophers, and a Bronze Age boat
Yvonne Sherratt explains why German thinkers were enraptured by the Nazis, while Robert Van De Noort introduces a project to recreate a Bronze Age boat. Presented by Rob Attar Hosted on Acast. See aca...
2013-02-14 12:00:00
Following the momentous announcement that the body found in a Leicestershire carpark is indeed Richard III, Matt Elton speaks to Leicester archaeologist Lin Foxhall and Phil Stone, chairman of the Ric...
2013-02-07 12:00:00
Britain's European rejection and an intimate view of archaeology
With Britain's membership of the EU in the news again, we examine the moment 50 years ago, when Charles de Gaulle vetoed Harold Macmillan's request to join the EEC. Plus, we chat with Richard Morris a...
2013-01-31 12:00:00
Spielberg's Lincoln and a new look at Jane Austen
Adam Smith offers a historian's perspective on the new Lincoln film, while Paula Byrne explores the life of Jane Austen on the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2013-01-24 12:00:00
The history of music and the Knights Templar
Tim Blanning discusses how music has shaped history, while Michael Haag explores the history of the Knights Templar in the context of the Crusades Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
2013-01-17 12:00:00
Tudor accidents and the real Anglo-Saxons
Steven Gunn analyses accidental death in Tudor times, while Ryan Lavelle explores the darker side of the Anglo-Saxons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about you...
2013-01-10 12:00:00
Royal personality in Tudor and Medieval times
Mark Ormrod and John Cooper give a joint lecture on Edward III and Francis Walsingham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...
2013-01-03 12:00:00
The First World War and Roman shopping
Chris Clark challenges the traditional view of the First World War's origins, while Claire Holleran takes us on a shopping trip in ancient Rome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
2012-12-27 12:00:00
Test your history knowledge with our festive trivia challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2012-12-25 12:00:00
Alan Forrest considers how Napoleon used art as propaganda, while Christopher Duggan argues that Mussolini was a popular ruler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2012-12-13 12:00:00
The Victorian cadaver trade, and lessons from the past masters
Elizabeth T Hurren explores how the bodies of paupers helped advance medical science, while Robert Greene explains how you can become the next Napoleon or Leonardo da Vinci. Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2012-12-06 12:00:00
Black soldiers in the World War Two, and medical history research
Stephen Bourne reflects on the black contribution to Britain's fight against the Axis, while Alun Withey introduces a new medical history project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...
2012-11-29 12:00:00
Edward I and maps through history
Caroline Burt explores the reputation of Edward I and Simon Garfield explains his fascination with historical maps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your a...
2012-11-22 12:00:00
Jujitsu suffragettes and the Battle of El Alamein
Jonathan Dimbleby considers a momentous Second World War clash, while Emelyne Godfrey reveals the story of suffragette martial artists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lea...
2012-11-15 12:00:00
Suzannah Lipscomb explains the impact that Henry VIII, Elizabeth I et al had on English and British history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choic...
2012-11-08 12:00:00
Dan Jones argues the importance of the Plantagenet dynasty to British history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
2012-11-01 12:00:53
The early years of the Iron Curtain and violence on the wane
Anne Applebaum discusses her new book on Communist Eastern Europe, while Steven Pinker argues that we've never lived in more peaceful times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
2012-10-25 11:00:00
World War Two farming and a new time saver for historians
Clare Griffiths considers how the Second World War affected agriculture, while John Morrill introduces an invaluable new resource for historians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
2012-10-18 11:00:00
The Battle of Poitiers and WWII strategy
David Reynolds discusses Britain's World War Two strategy, while Bernard Cornwell considers the Battle of Poitiers, 1356. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about...
2012-10-11 11:00:00
History for future generations
Catherine Butler discusses history for children, while David Horspool examines rebellious texts of the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choic...
2012-10-04 11:00:00
Orlando Figes describes some remarkable letters from the Soviet Union, while Charlotte Hodgman investigates the history of gas in Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2012-09-27 11:00:00
Victorian cohabitation and the Libor scandal
Rebecca Probert explores cohabitation in Victorian times, while Tony Moore seeks out historical parallels to the Libor scandal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2012-09-20 11:00:00
Simon Jarrett discusses disability through history, while David Priestland talks about how occupational groups have fought for power over the centuries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2012-09-13 11:00:00
The battle for Madagascar and The Wars of the Roses
Tim Benbow describes the Second World War battle for Madagascar, while Sarah Gristwood reflects on the role of women in the Wars of the Roses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
2012-09-06 11:00:00
Helen Graham reflects on the Spanish Civil War and Sam Willis comments on a remarkable naval discovery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
2012-08-30 11:00:00
Historical geography and cookery
Jerry Brotton introduces the father of geography, while David Musgrove investigates some historical recipe books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
2012-08-23 11:00:00
Richard Carwardine explores religion in the USA and David Lees considers Vichy France's role in the Holocaust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad cho...
2012-08-16 11:00:00
Sam Willis explores the history of the Royal Navy in the concluding half of our Tower of London lecture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices....
2012-08-09 11:00:00
Saul David describes the role of the British army in propelling the country to global-power status. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
2012-08-02 11:00:00
Matthew Roberts talks about the Luddite uprisings and Kevin Jefferys recalls a Cold War Olympic boycott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices....
2012-07-26 11:00:00
Medieval travel and anti-suffrage postcards
Paul Oldfield details the medieval travelling experience, while June Purvis analyses anti-Suffragette postcards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad c...
2012-07-19 11:00:00
Evan Jones explores smuggling in the Tudor era, and Alistair Dougall tells us why sport became a battleground in the 17th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn mo...
2012-07-12 11:00:00
Peter Caddick Adams revisits the battle of Monte Cassino and George Goslings talks us through the history of healthcare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about y...
2012-07-05 11:00:00
Anna Whitelock and Kate Williams discuss Queens Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II in a special episode recorded at the Tower of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn mo...
2012-06-28 11:00:00
John Romer considers ancient Egypt, while Sean McGlynn delves into the story of England's medieval battle of Trafalgar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about yo...
2012-06-21 11:00:00
Edward Spiers explores Scotland's military history, while Malcolm Chase tells us why 1820 was a year of great importance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about...
2012-06-14 11:00:00
Antony Beevor talks to us about his new history of the Second World War and Sarah Ansari discusses the subcontinent since partition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn...
2012-06-07 11:00:00
Dominic Lieven reviews Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, while Llewelyn Morgan considers the story of the Bamiyan Buddhas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2012-05-31 11:00:00
Thomas Beckett and WWII relived
John Guy tackles the story of Thomas Becket, and a Second World War veteran recalls his experiences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...
2012-05-24 11:00:00
Viking sagas and royal pageants
Emily Lethbridge considers Viking sagas, while Robert Blyth reviews royal pageants of the past. Find out more about Viking sagas and Emily's travels at http://sagasteads.blogspot.co.uk/ Hosted on Acas...
2012-05-17 11:00:00
Andrew Lambert discusses the War of 1812 between Britain and the USA, and we talk to Kishore Rao, director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
2012-05-09 23:00:00
Paulina Kewes considers Shakespeare's treatment of Richard III, and Michael Wood tells us why he's championing ordinary Britons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2012-05-03 11:00:00
Marc Morris explores the Norman Conquest, and Anna Whitelock discusses public history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...
2012-04-26 11:00:00
Mary Beard describes life for ordinary people in ancient Rome, while Richard Evans considers the state of school history teaching. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn mo...
2012-04-19 11:00:00
Gillian Hovell explores the Roman invasion of Britain and Dan Jones considers Shakespeare’s treatment of Richard II. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your...
2012-04-12 11:00:00
Max Hastings looks back on the Falklands War, and Helen Parr considers the impact of that conflict on veterans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad ch...
2012-04-05 11:00:00
Tim Weiner explores the murky history of the FBI, while James Robinson explains why some countries became rich as others remained poor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lea...
2012-03-29 11:00:00
Diarmaid MacCulloch considers religion and Englishness, while Sian Price explores soldiers' letters from the front. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your a...
2012-03-22 12:00:00
Tudor courtiers and the Great Bed of Ware
Suzannah Lipscomb talks about Tudor courtiers, while Kate Hay introduces the Great Bed of Ware. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
2012-03-15 12:00:00
Fleeing nuns and sinking ships
James Kelly on early modern nuns on the run, and Patrick Bishop on the sinking of the Tirpitz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
2012-03-08 12:00:00
Ian Mortimer explores the sensations of Elizabethan England, and Julian Farrance introduces some of Britain’s toughest military opponents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2012-03-01 12:00:00
Jeremy Paxman considers the British empire, and Peter Thompson looks at the American Revolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
2012-02-23 12:00:00
Mark Greengrass examines Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Chris Woolgar discusses the highlights of the Broadlands Archives, and Oliver Creighton introduces ‘polite’ landscapes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2012-02-16 12:00:00
For our 100th podcast episode we put your questions on the Crusades to historian Tom Asbridge. [This was episode 100 at time of release] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. L...
2012-02-09 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2012-02-02 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast....
2012-01-26 12:00:00
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 ex...
2012-01-19 12:00:00
Ancient Egypt through Victorian eyes
Sheilagh Ogilvie discusses unusual consumption regulations in early modern Germany and David Gange examines Victorian notions of Ancient Egypt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
2012-01-12 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2012-01-05 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
2011-12-29 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2011-12-22 12:00:00
Michael Snape considers the role of religion in war, and Julie Gottlieb reviews how female voters were seen in the interwar period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m...
2011-12-15 12:00:00
Peter Englund speaks about his new book on the First World War and we interview Michael Hunter about the scientist Robert Boyle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2011-12-08 12:00:00
David Cannadine examines the history of teaching history and Nigel Jones reveals the best methods for escaping from the Tower of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Le...
2011-12-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2011-11-24 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
2011-11-17 12:00:00
Second World War arctic convoys
Quintin Colville explores the World War Two Arctic convoys, and Steven Rippon considers medieval wetlands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices...
2011-11-10 12:00:00
James Holland explores the iconic Dambusters raid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2011-11-03 12:00:00
Mark Ormrod examines the reign of Edward III and Sam Willis takes us back to a major naval battle in the French Revolutionary Wars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m...
2011-10-28 11:00:00
Max Hastings explores Second World War misconceptions and Justin Meggitt discusses pirates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
2011-10-21 11:00:00
A new history of England and the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Peter Ackroyd talks to us about his new history of England and Philip Carter explains how a group of architects have made it into the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2011-10-14 11:00:00
Tracy Borman considers the life and times of Queen Matilda, while Jon Henderson takes us underwater to the lost prehistoric city of Pavlopetri. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
2011-10-07 11:00:00
Bernard Cornwell on his novels
Gary Sheffield describes Douglas Haig’s post-war career and Bernard Cornwell chats about his work as a historical novelist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abou...
2011-09-30 11:00:00
The East India Company and Nelson
Professor Andrew Lambert considers the career of Horatio Nelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2011-09-23 11:00:00
The spies of Queen Elizabeth I
Dr John Cooper of York University explores the murky world of secret agents in the reign of Elizabeth I. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices....
2011-09-16 11:00:00
Being a British Missionary and troubles in Ireland
Emily Manktelow considers how British missionaries interacted with native peoples and Claire Fitzpatrick explores a site of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2011-09-09 11:00:00
The end of slavery and headaches in history
James Walvin explores the abolition of the slave trade, Katherine Foxhall examines the history of migraines and Dan Snow heads to Erddig. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. L...
2011-09-02 11:00:00
Greek slavery, Victorian heroism and Dan Snow on cars
Paul Cartledge comments on slavery in Ancient Greece, John Price describes Victorian heroism and Dan Snow is enthused by classic cars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lear...
2011-08-26 11:00:00
Ian Kershaw explains why Nazi Germany fought to the end and Dan Snow previews the next episode of National Treasures Live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about...
2011-08-19 11:00:00
The Victorian telegraph and Dan Snow on his new series
Susan Doran describes the reign of Elizabeth I, Dan Snow talks about his new TV series and Richard Noakes highlights the Victorian telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
2011-08-12 11:00:00
The conquest of Wales and Mary I
Marc Morris describes England’s conquest of Wales, Dan Snow previews his new TV series and Anna Whitelock continues our Tudor series with a discussion of Mary I. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2011-08-05 11:00:00
John K Walton explores the British seaside holiday while Ralph Houlbrooke delves into the reign of Edward VI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choi...
2011-07-29 11:00:00
The career of one of England's most well-known kings
George Bernard describes the reign of Henry VIII and Justin Champion talks Thomas Hobbes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...
2011-07-22 11:00:00
Steven Gunn explains the importance of the first Tudor king and David Carpenter delves into some fascinating medieval documents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...
2011-07-15 11:00:00
Back to school and Hitler's schemes for war
Jane Hamlett talks about Victorian boarding schools and Joe Maiolo explains how Hitler hoped to win the Second World War with rockets and flying bombs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2011-07-08 11:00:00
Britain under Roman rule and the truth about the crusades
Tom Asbridge considers the real nature of the Crusades and Manda Scott opines on the Roman occupation of Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
2011-07-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast....
2011-06-24 11:00:00
News for the BBC's Doomsday Project and the future of the National Archive
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...
2011-06-01 11:00:00
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....
2011-05-01 11:00:00
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 A...
2011-04-01 11:00:00
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 th...
2011-03-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Aca...
2011-02-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
2011-01-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - Christmas 2010
The BBC History Magazine team dish up a festive history quiz, with questions set by QI’s Justin Pollard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices....
2010-12-25 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See...
2010-12-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2010-11-01 12:00:00
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 ce...
2010-10-01 11:00:00
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 Cha...
2010-09-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about...
2010-08-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
2010-07-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2010-06-01 11:00:00
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 sto...
2010-05-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
2010-04-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast...
2010-03-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See...
2010-02-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
2010-01-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
2009-12-15 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
2009-12-01 12:00:00
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...
2009-11-15 12:00:00
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...
2009-11-01 12:00:00
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...
2009-10-15 11:00:00
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...
2009-10-01 11:00:00
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...
2009-09-15 11:00:00
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 Audiob...
2009-09-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on...
2009-08-15 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
2009-08-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. S...
2009-07-15 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2009-07-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on...
2009-06-15 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. Se...
2009-06-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2009-05-15 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. S...
2009-05-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your...
2009-04-15 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - April 2009 - Part 1
Louise Raw discusses the 1888 Matchgirls strike, David Stevenson returns to 1918 in our Time Machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
2009-04-01 11:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
2009-03-15 12:00:00
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 Bo...
2009-03-01 12:00:00
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 Darw...
2009-02-15 12:00:00
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 Oba...
2009-02-01 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
2009-01-15 12:00:00
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 W...
2009-01-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - December 2008 - Part 2
BBC History Magazine's Christmas Quiz with QI quizmaster Justin Pollard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...
2008-12-25 12:00:00
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. Hosted on Acas...
2008-12-01 12:00:00
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...
2008-11-15 12:00:00
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. Hosted...
2008-11-01 12:00:00
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?". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
2008-10-15 11:00:00
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...
2008-10-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - September 2008
Professor Mary Beard gives us an insight into the preserved Roman city of Pompeii, The controversial legacy of Oliver Cromwell is discussed by Professor John Morrill, Professor David Loades has a date...
2008-09-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - August 2008
Professor Anne Curry tells us which year she would like to visit in our time machine, TV presenter Ruth Goodman updates us on her progress on the Victorian farm, Professor Glyn Williams offers his opi...
2008-08-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - July 2008
Code-breaker Jerry Roberts recalls his work at Bletchley Park in the Second World War, David Musgrove interviews a panel of historians about the latest research on the Bayeux Tapestry, Professor Tim B...
2008-07-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - June 2008
David Musgrove takes a look around the new visitors' centre at Culloden, Historical biographer Alison Weir describes her discovery of an unknown portrait of Elizabeth I, Professor Robert Service seeks...
2008-06-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - May 2008
Alex Werner of the Museum in Docklands discusses a new exhibition on Jack the Ripper, TV presenter Ruth Goodman chats about her experiences living on a Victorian farm, Professor Paul Cartledge meets A...
2008-05-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - April 2008
Professor Lisa Jardine looks at the relationship between England and the Netherlands in 1688, Historian and broadcaster Michael Wood offers his thoughts on Alfred the Great, Professor Richard Holmes t...
2008-04-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - March 2008
Historian and broadcaster Marc Morris on how Edward I made England and Scotland into enemies, Dr Dominic Sandbrook discusses the impact of Enoch Powell's infamous 1968 speech, Professor Liam Kennedy m...
2008-03-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - February 2008
Historical writer Derek Wilson explains his choices for the most awful years in British history, Dr Michael Goodman delves into the mysterious death of frogman Buster Crabb, Professor Mary Beard visit...
2008-02-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - January 2008
Ben Barkow talks about the study of the holocaust, Professor Ronald Hutton meets the founder of an obscure religion, David Musgrove takes a guided walk around the new Atlantic Worlds gallery at the Na...
2008-01-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - Christmas Quiz
Popular historian Justin Pollard and David Musgrove take charge of our history pub quiz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho...
2007-12-25 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - December 2007
Historical writer Julian Humphrys provides his tips for capturing a castle, Military historian and broadcaster Max Hastings discusses the Pacific War, Sue Wingrove rounds-up the history books of the y...
2007-12-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - November 2007
Top Gear presenter James May explains his admiration for the Wright Brothers, Dr Anthony Cumming challenges traditional assumptions about the Battle of Britain, Author and journalist Leo McKinstry rev...
2007-11-01 12:00:00
History Extra podcast - October 2007
History programme-maker Laurence Rees recalls some of his most interesting encounters with Second World War veterans, David Musgrove takes a tour of the Mary Rose Museum and finds out about the ship's...
2007-10-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - September 2007
Professor Harry Gelber looks back over China's long history, Historical biographer Alison Weir and author and historian Tracy Borman tell the stories of two royal mistresses. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
2007-09-01 11:00:00
History Extra podcast - August 2007
Professor Jonathan Phillips talks about the Second Crusade, A live report from a recreated Viking voyage, TV presenter Nicholas Crane discusses historic travellers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2007-08-01 11:00:15
History Extra podcast - July 2007
Professor Gary Sheffield describes the political talents of the Duke of Wellington. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....
2007-07-01 11:00:14
History Extra podcast - June 2007
Professor Ian Kershaw discusses the major decisions and turning points of the Second World War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
2007-06-01 11:00:00