HistoryExtra podcast

Memories of Churchill and the history of the individual

30 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

John Julius Norwich recalls his remarkable childhood, while Larry Siedentop discusses liberalism and the West's 'crisis of confidence' Hosted on Acast...

Paxman on World War One

23 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 lux...

Britain and the Union

17 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Linda Colley discusses the history of the United Kingdom and considers its future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m...

Britain in 1914 and Jesus in history

09 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Bostridge describes some of the challenges facing Britain before the First World War, while Reza Aslan comments on the historical Jesus Hosted on...

The aftermath of the Second World War

02 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

The Black Death and Tudor adventurers

27 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 cent...

Christmas quiz

19 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Test your history knowledge with our annual Christmas podcast quiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ...

Nelson Mandela special

12 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Following the death of Mandela, Saul Dubow and Aron Mazel consider his remarkable political career and his role in ending Apartheid Hosted on Acast. S...

The legacy of the First World War and Gandhi's early years

05 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

David Reynolds explains how the First World War shaped the 20th century, while Ramachandra Guha considers Mahatma Gandhi's formative years Hosted on A...

Victorian vigour and a remarkable family

28 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Heffer discusses the triumphs of Victorian Britain, while Adrian Tinniswood talks about the 17th-century Rainborowes who were involved in the Ci...

JFK and a neglected Tudor

21 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Mark White reappraises JFK on the 50th anniversary of his assassination, while Alison Weir describes the life of Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VI...

Global history and the rise of the factories

14 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 Revolu...

Cold War culture and the path to the First World War

07 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Sandbrook explores how the Cold War impacted on many aspects of British life, while Margaret MacMillan tells us why she believes the First Wor...

A new look at Nelson and a haunted castle

31 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Tudor portraits and Victorian footballers

24 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Tarnya Cooper introduces the National Portrait Gallery's new Elizabethan exhibition, while Richard Sanders delves into the early years of football. Pl...

Ancient Greek theatre and Victorian prisons

17 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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/priv...

The First World War and Richard III

10 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Max Hastings explores the origins and bloody outbreak of the First World War, while Philippa Langley and Michael Jones describe the discovery of R...

The mysteries of the Princes in the Tower

03 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 Geor...

Ancient burials and modern murders

26 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Bradley guides us around a Neolithic burial site, while Lucy Worsley explores the 19th and 20th-century British fascination with violent crime...

Witch-hunting and medieval letter writing

19 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Tracy Borman investigates the case of three women accused of witchcraft, while Deborah Thorpe charts the perilous path of a medieval letter Hosted on ...

A fresh look at an Ancient Greek classic

12 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Holland tells us about his new translation of Herodotus, the father of history. Plus Ben Wilson and Margaret MacMillan reveal their favourite hist...

On the Civil War trail

05 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 mor...

A fresh look at Edward III

29 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 present...

England and Scotland go to war

22 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

George Goodwin describes the Anglo-Scottish battle of Flodden as the 500th anniversary approaches. Plus Gary Sheffield considers how First World War c...

The history behind the White Queen

15 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 de...

The downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots and a British civil rights struggle

08 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Linda Porter explores the Scottish queen's turbulent life, while Paul Stephenson recounts his experiences as a leader of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott....

Early Christianity in England and Douglas Hurd on Disraeli

01 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Historian Sarah Foot explores the rise of Christianity in England, while former home secretary Douglas Hurd discusses his new book about Benjamin Disr...

English Heritage's History Live festival at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire

25 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Anna Whitelock, Chris Skidmore MP, English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley and other leading historians discuss the value of heritage in a spec...

The Spanish Armada and an Iron Age mansion

18 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Hutchinson explores the reality of the Spanish Armada campaign of 1588, while Professor Michael Fulford discusses the discovery of a huge Iron ...

Georgian marriage and food in history

11 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Lesley Adkins discusses the realities of marriage in Georgian Britain, while Sarah Pennell explores changing attitudes to food in the early modern per...

China's Second World War and royal births through the ages

04 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Rana Mitter explores China's little-known contribution to Allied effort in World War Two, while Kate Williams explains how royal babies have been trea...

Nazi spies and Viking ships

27 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones tells the story of an unlikely German spy, while Giles Kristian recalls his adventures on a recreated Viking ship. Rob Attar pre...

Margaret Thatcher's path to power, and the story of the Devonshires

21 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Elton speaks to Charles Moore about the first volume of his authorised Margaret Thatcher biography, while Roy Hattersley explores the history of ...

Elizabeth I's two bodies

13 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 acas...

Richard III vs Henry VII

06 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Skidmore describes how the first Tudor king seized the crown from Richard III at Bosworth, while Brendan Simms examines Europe's past, present a...

Horrible Histories special

30 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

A history of the world and a second Norman Conquest

23 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Arne Westad discusses the challenges of writing global history, while Sean McGlynn describes how a French invasion nearly overthrew King John Hosted o...

Wolfson History Prize special

16 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 impo...

Ancient Greek warriors and Neolithic huts

09 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Crowley discusses some of Athens' fiercest fighters, while Charlotte Hodgman heads to Wiltshire to meet the reconstructors of some Neolithic bui...

Sick royals and the last year of peace

02 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Lucy Worsley explores the health problems of past British monarchs, while Charles Emmerson explores the world of 1913. Rob Attar presents Hosted on Ac...

Britain's last Dambuster

25 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Britain's last surviving member of the Dambusters raid, 'Johnny' Johnson, recalls his adventures. Plus Sam Willis reveals how Antigua became Nelson's ...

The ideas of the First World War

18 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Hew Strachan considers the ideologies that propelled combatants in the 1914–18 war, in a lecture delivered at BBC History Magazine's First...

Dwarves in the Holocaust and the Vikings' cultural legacy

11 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Pompeii comes to London

04 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

With Anne Boleyn at the Tower

28 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Suzannah Lipscomb and Charlotte Hodgman explore the downfall of Anne Boleyn, at the Tower of London where she met her end. Plus Kate Donington describ...

Henry V and Thomas Cromwell – hero and villain

21 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

We challenge the reputations of two titans of English history. Anne Curry explores Henry V's disreputable youth, while Diarmaid Macculloch offers a ro...

German prisoners and Nelson's navy

14 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Panikos Panayi explores the experiences of German internees in Britain during the First World War, while Sam Willis introduces some first-hand account...

Papal election special

07 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

To mark the upcoming papal election, historian Stella Fletcher explores the long tradition of conclaves. Rob Attar presents Hosted on Acast. See acast...

The Industrial Revolution and post-war eugenics

28 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Emma Griffin discusses the beneficiaries of the growth of British industry, while Clare Hanson explores the controversial eugenics movement of the pos...

Georgian banking and medieval royalty

21 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Hitler's philosophers, and a Bronze Age boat

14 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Yvonne Sherratt explains why German thinkers were enraptured by the Nazis, while Robert Van De Noort introduces a project to recreate a Bronze Age boa...

Richard III special

07 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Following the momentous announcement that the body found in a Leicestershire carpark is indeed Richard III, Matt Elton speaks to Leicester archaeologi...

Britain's European rejection and an intimate view of archaeology

31 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Spielberg's Lincoln and a new look at Jane Austen

24 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 Pr...

The history of music and the Knights Templar

17 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Blanning discusses how music has shaped history, while Michael Haag explores the history of the Knights Templar in the context of the Crusades Hos...

Tudor accidents and the real Anglo-Saxons

10 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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/...

Royal personality in Tudor and Medieval times

03 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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. Lea...

The First World War and Roman shopping

27 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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. Hoste...

History Extra Christmas quiz

25 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Test your history knowledge with our festive trivia challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad c...

Napoleon and Mussolini

13 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Forrest considers how Napoleon used art as propaganda, while Christopher Duggan argues that Mussolini was a popular ruler. Hosted on Acast. See a...

The Victorian cadaver trade, and lessons from the past masters

06 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth T Hurren explores how the bodies of paupers helped advance medical science, while Robert Greene explains how you can become the next Napoleo...

Black soldiers in the World War Two, and medical history research

29 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Bourne reflects on the black contribution to Britain's fight against the Axis, while Alun Withey introduces a new medical history project. Hos...

Edward I and maps through history

22 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Burt explores the reputation of Edward I and Simon Garfield explains his fascination with historical maps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Jujitsu suffragettes and the Battle of El Alamein

15 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Dimbleby considers a momentous Second World War clash, while Emelyne Godfrey reveals the story of suffragette martial artists. Hosted on Acas...

The importance of the Tudors

08 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

Why the Plantagenets matter

01 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Jones argues the importance of the Plantagenet dynasty to British history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...

The early years of the Iron Curtain and violence on the wane

25 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Anne Applebaum discusses her new book on Communist Eastern Europe, while Steven Pinker argues that we've never lived in more peaceful times. Hoste...

World War Two farming and a new time saver for historians

18 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Clare Griffiths considers how the Second World War affected agriculture, while John Morrill introduces an invaluable new resource for historians. Host...

The Battle of Poitiers and WWII strategy

11 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

David Reynolds discusses Britain's World War Two strategy, while Bernard Cornwell considers the Battle of Poitiers, 1356. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

History for future generations

04 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine Butler discusses history for children, while David Horspool examines rebellious texts of the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

Letters from the USSR

27 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Orlando Figes describes some remarkable letters from the Soviet Union, while Charlotte Hodgman investigates the history of gas in Britain. Hosted on A...

Victorian cohabitation and the Libor scandal

20 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Rebecca Probert explores cohabitation in Victorian times, while Tony Moore seeks out historical parallels to the Libor scandal. Hosted on Acast. See a...

Disability through the ages

13 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Jarrett discusses disability through history, while David Priestland talks about how occupational groups have fought for power over the centurie...

The battle for Madagascar and The Wars of the Roses

06 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Spanish Civil War

30 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 mor...

Historical geography and cookery

23 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Jerry Brotton introduces the father of geography, while David Musgrove investigates some historical recipe books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

American religions

16 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Royal Navy

09 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 mo...

The British Army

02 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 in...

The Cold War Olympic boycott

26 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Roberts talks about the Luddite uprisings and Kevin Jefferys recalls a Cold War Olympic boycott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Medieval travel and anti-suffrage postcards

19 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Oldfield details the medieval travelling experience, while June Purvis analyses anti-Suffragette postcards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

Smuggling and sport

12 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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. Se...

Historic healthcare

05 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Caddick Adams revisits the battle of Monte Cassino and George Goslings talks us through the history of healthcare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

British queens

28 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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. Se...

Ancient Egypt and Trafalgar

21 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Scottish military

14 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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.c...

The subcontinent

07 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Napoleon in Russia

31 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Lieven reviews Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, while Llewelyn Morgan considers the story of the Bamiyan Buddhas. Hosted on Acast. See a...

Thomas Beckett and WWII relived

24 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Viking sagas and royal pageants

17 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Lethbridge considers Viking sagas, while Robert Blyth reviews royal pageants of the past. Find out more about Viking sagas and Emily's travels a...

The War of Independence

09 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Shakespeare's Richard III

03 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Paulina Kewes considers Shakespeare's treatment of Richard III, and Michael Wood tells us why he's championing ordinary Britons. Hosted on Acast. See ...

The Norman Conquest

26 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Marc Morris explores the Norman Conquest, and Anna Whitelock discusses public history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Le...

History in our schools

19 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Beard describes life for ordinary people in ancient Rome, while Richard Evans considers the state of school history teaching. Hosted on Acast. Se...

Shakespeare's Richard II

12 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Gillian Hovell explores the Roman invasion of Britain and Dan Jones considers Shakespeare’s treatment of Richard II. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

The Falklands War

05 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The FBI

29 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Weiner explores the murky history of the FBI, while James Robinson explains why some countries became rich as others remained poor. Hosted on Acas...

Letters from the front line

22 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Diarmaid MacCulloch considers religion and Englishness, while Sian Price explores soldiers' letters from the front. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Tudor courtiers and the Great Bed of Ware

15 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Suzannah Lipscomb talks about Tudor courtiers, while Kate Hay introduces the Great Bed of Ware. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Fleeing nuns and sinking ships

08 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 informa...