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
8 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 32min
Live Aid: pop's Big Bang moment
David Hepworth, a renowned music journalist and author who co-presented the BBC's Live Aid coverage, shares his vivid memories of the historic concert. He recalls Queen's electrifying performance and a memorable encounter with Bob Geldof. The discussion delves into how Live Aid changed the music industry, uniting artists for humanitarian causes and reshaping audience relationships. Hepworth emphasizes the emotional weight of the event, particularly the poignant imagery of suffering, set against the backdrop of unforgettable live performances.
45 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 43min
Exploring the medieval world with Marco Polo
Sharon Kinoshita, a distinguished professor and author of "Marco Polo and His World," dives deep into the legendary travels of Marco Polo, the 13th-century Venetian merchant. The conversation highlights Polo's time at Kublai Khan's court and his transformative journeys along the Silk Road. Kinoshita uncovers the vibrant cultures and wealth of cities Polo encountered, contrasts his firsthand experiences with misconceptions during his time, and examines the lasting legacy of his adventures in promoting cross-cultural exchanges in the medieval world.
Jul 7, 2025 • 47min
The Mitford Sisters | 1 : life of the week
Mary S. Lovell, a renowned biographer and author of 'The Mitford Girls', dives into the fascinating lives of the Mitford sisters—Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica, and Deborah. She explores their hedonistic escapades in the roaring 1920s and the ideological divides of the 1930s. Hear about Diana’s scandalous romance that rocked her family, Unity’s troubling connection to fascism, and Jessica’s fight for political activism in America. Lovell’s personal anecdotes reveal how these sisters found themselves at the center of history's most shocking moments.
35 snips
Jul 6, 2025 • 42min
Beyond the trenches: a new take on WW1
Historian Alex Churchill, co-author of 'Ring of Fire', discusses fresh insights into World War I. He emphasizes the importance of ordinary people's experiences, moving beyond typical narratives like trench warfare and the famous assassination. The conversation unveils unique perspectives from African and Indian soldiers, explores the resilience of the elderly, and highlights youthful voices affected by the war. Alex's work challenges prevailing misconceptions and advocates for a more inclusive understanding of the conflict's global impact.
23 snips
Jul 5, 2025 • 53min
Roman warfare: everything you wanted to know
Adrian Goldsworthy, a historian and author specializing in ancient Roman military history, dives into fascinating insights about Roman warfare. He answers intriguing questions like the truth behind the iconic red uniforms, the usage of the tortoise formation, and the logistics of maintaining command over vast armies. Goldsworthy explores the interplay between military and society, the role of naval forces, and innovations in tactics and weaponry. Listeners will also discover modern military lessons drawn from the remarkable strategies of the ancient Romans.
7 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 11min
Preview: Was Pearl Harbor an inside job?
Delve into the controversial theories surrounding Pearl Harbor, exploring whether the attack was orchestrated from within. Discover the political tensions between the U.S. and Japan leading to 1941. Unpack claims of foreknowledge and the complexities of intelligence failures. The conversation raises questions about betrayal and the implications of such a monumental event in history.
11 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 43min
The People's Princess: why Diana captivated the world
Edward White, author of Dianaworld: An Obsession, delves deep into the life of Princess Diana, exploring her as a cultural icon and media phenomenon. He discusses how Diana's struggles and compassion resonated with the public and shaped perceptions of the monarchy during the late 20th century. White highlights her unique fashion choices as both a reflection of Englishness and a rebellion against royal norms. He also examines the contrasting perceptions of Diana and Marilyn Monroe, illustrating her complex legacy as 'the people's princess' and a symbol of modern femininity.
8 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
