History Extra podcast podcast

History Extra podcast

The History Extra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts. Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past.    We delve into global history stories spanning the ancient world right up to the modern day. You’ll hear deep dives into the lives of famous historical figures like Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn and Winston Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day.    Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens.    Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history.    Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War.     Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK.     Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past.  Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/

The History Extra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts. Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past.    We delve into global history stories spanning the ancient world right up to the modern day. You’ll hear deep dives into the lives of famous historical figures like Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn and Winston Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day.    Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens.    Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history.    Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War.     Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK.     Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past.  Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/

 

#2471

The many faces of James VI & I

Historian Clare Jackson delves into the life and reputation of James VI & I – a king who, ... more

Yesterday

41 MINS

41:00

Yesterday


#2470

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: life of the week

Mozart is celebrated for his musical genius – but how did he rise to such enduring fame? W... more

16 Dec 2025

38 MINS

38:33

16 Dec 2025


#2469

A short history of ghost hunting

A spooky story during the Christmas season has become traditional – and the modern ghost s... more

15 Dec 2025

40 MINS

40:51

15 Dec 2025


#2468

Becoming Jane Austen

What inspired the daughter of a rural reverend to write about eligible bachelors and drunk... more

14 Dec 2025

28 MINS

28:51

14 Dec 2025


#2467

Ghosts, gods & sea monsters: a supernatural history of the Atlantic

For centuries, sailors crossing the Atlantic believed they were not alone – haunted by gho... more

12 Dec 2025

34 MINS

34:14

12 Dec 2025


#2466

The summer that changed everything for the Kennedys

Historian Leigh Straw describes one pivotal summer in the life of the Kennedy family. With... more

10 Dec 2025

38 MINS

38:33

10 Dec 2025


#2465

Margaret Beaufort: life of the week

Born in the tumultuous 15th century, Margaret Beaufort – mother of Henry VII – endured per... more

09 Dec 2025

47 MINS

47:40

09 Dec 2025


#2464

Idi Amin's willing helpers

Idi Amin is 20th-century Africa’s most notorious ruler – a cartoonish tyrant who has been ... more

08 Dec 2025

41 MINS

41:06

08 Dec 2025


#2463

“You can’t kill and maim with impunity”: the powerful legacy of Nuremberg

In the 80 years since Nazi leaders stood in the dock, how has the international community ... more

07 Dec 2025

36 MINS

36:58

07 Dec 2025


#2462

Assassins vs Templars

The Assassins and the Knights Templar are two of history’s most intriguing, enigmatic and ... more

05 Dec 2025

50 MINS

50:17

05 Dec 2025


#2461

WW2's Tunisian campaign: the Stalingrad of Africa

For the Allies it was an enormous triumph and for Nazi Germany it was another Stalingrad. ... more

03 Dec 2025

46 MINS

46:37

03 Dec 2025