History Extra podcast
Immediate Media
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/
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 50min
Secrets of medieval manuscripts
In this engaging discussion, Michelle P Brown, a Professor Emerita of Medieval Manuscript Studies and former curator at the British Library, reveals the hidden stories within medieval manuscripts. She dives into the significance of the Lindisfarne Gospels and their cultural impact, alongside the strategic influence of Queen Emma in 11th-century Anglo-Saxon politics. Brown also shares insights into the life of Christina of Marquette, a spiritual pioneer, and explores Gerald of Wales’s contributions to unifying communities through his writings. These artefacts, she argues, are vital keys to understanding the complexities of the Middle Ages.
Jun 30, 2025 • 55min
Owain Glyndŵr: life of the week
Famed for his dramatic and determined revolt against English rule in the early 15th century, as well as his bold vision for an independent Wales, Owain Glyndŵr has gone down in history as a symbol of Welsh resistance and a national hero. Speaking to Emily Briffett, historian Gideon Brough charts the medieval nobleman's emergence as a warrior and a statesman, to uncover the man behind the enduring myth.
(Ad) Gideon Brough is the author of The Rise and Fall of Owain Glyn Dŵr: England, France and the Welsh Rebellion in the Late Middle Ages (I.B. Taurus, 2017). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Fall-Owain-Glyn-D%C5%B5r/dp/1784535931/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 29, 2025 • 38min
Magic beakers & Roman helmets: artefacts that shaped history
Metal detectorists and members of the general public have contributed hugely to our understanding of Britain's past, through the artefacts they have found hidden in the ground. Speaking to David Musgrove, Michael Lewis and Ian Richardson revisit some of the everyday discoveries that have reshaped history – from a Bronze Age cup with magical properties and a Roman cavalry helmet that would have been very hard to see out of, to a hoard of gold coins that tells us a lot about resistance to the Normans after 1066.
(Ad) Michael Lewis and Ian Richardson are authors of Beneath our Feet: Everyday Discoveries Reshaping History (Thames & Hudson, 2025). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beneath-our-Feet-Discoveries-Reshaping/dp/0500027528/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 28, 2025 • 50min
SOE: everything you wanted to know
Dr. Kate Vigurs, a historian and author specializing in wartime espionage, dives into the thrilling exploits of the Special Operations Executive, known as 'Churchill's Secret Army.' She shares fascinating insights on the daring missions of SOE agents, including parachuting into enemy territory and using unconventional gadgets like exploding rats. Dr. Vigurs discusses the vital roles of women in SOE, the rivalry with SIS, and the complexities of researching this clandestine organization, all while shedding light on the sacrifices of these remarkable individuals.
14 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 44min
Sisi & Eugénie: the empresses who redefined royalty
In a captivating discussion, author Nancy Goldstone reveals the lives of two stunning empresses, Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France. She explores how they challenged societal norms, with Sisi promoting women's rights and Eugénie redefining royal roles through sports and politics. Goldstone dives into their tumultuous experiences, including Eugénie's struggles with Napoleon III's infidelities and their shared grief over lost sons. This conversation brings to light their resilience and the lasting legacies these remarkable women left on royalty.
25 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 27min
Ghosts, vampires & Abba holograms: an uncanny history of London
Clive Bloom, Emeritus Professor of English and American Studies and author of *London Uncanny*, delves into the eerie and gothic side of London. He discusses the uncanny narratives hidden in everyday places, exploring iconic sites like Highgate Cemetery and the Temple of Mithras. Bloom reveals how Victorian fears shaped the psyche of Londoners, touching on supernatural tales from suburbia and the unsettling essence of urban exploration. He even connects modern attractions like Abba's holograms to the city’s haunted history.
8 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 39min
International security & rough sleeping: history behind the headlines
Hannah Skoda, a fellow and tutor in medieval history at St. John's College, Oxford, joins to unravel the past's impact on modern issues. They delve into the evolution of international security, tackling the balance between morality and the necessity of war in the Middle Ages. The discussion highlights the historical foundations of social issues like rough sleeping and the Vagrancy Act of 1824, revealing how economic factors intertwine with security and societal attitudes toward poverty. Expect intriguing connections between history and today's headlines!
Jun 22, 2025 • 42min
Make Mercia Great Again
Max Adams, author of The Mercian Chronicles, dives into the overlooked kingdom of Mercia and its critical role in forming early England. He highlights King Offa's leadership and the importance of Offa's Dyke as a significant boundary. The discussion covers the political dynamics of rulers like Æthelbald and examines Mercia’s unique blend of Christian influences. Adams argues for a reevaluation of Mercia’s contributions to English history, challenging narratives that often glorify Wessex and King Alfred.
69 snips
Jun 21, 2025 • 38min
The Merovingians: everything you wanted to know
Professor James Palmer, an expert from the University of St Andrews and author of 'Merovingian Worlds', takes us deep into the fascinating reign of the Merovingians. He reveals how this Frankish dynasty cleverly wielded violence, myth, and even hair to assert power. Discover the intriguing role of King Clovis in shaping modern France and the symbolic importance of uncut hair in Merovingian kingship. Palmer also dives into scandalous tales of King Chilperic and Fredegund, showcasing a world rife with betrayal and political intrigue.
27 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 34min
How the Allies won WW2
In this engaging discussion, military historian James Holland, known for his expertise and works on WWII, shares fascinating insights into the final moments of the war. He dives into the dramatic Axis surrenders, particularly Germany's chaotic capitulation and its leaders' delusions. The conversation also explores the complexities of the negotiations surrounding unconditional surrender and the implications for post-war Europe and Japan. Holland brings to light lesser-known stories, including Hitler's remains, revealing the intricate narratives that defined this historic conflict.
