The Rest Is History

346: The Mystery of the Holy Grail

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Who drinks the water I shall give him, will have a spring inside him welling up for eternal life.” A deeply mysterious object which doesn’t app...

345: Raiders of the Lost Ark

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The most important object in the universe, but also a somewhat invisible presence in the Bible, the Ark of the Covenant has fuelled stories for millen...

344: Oppenheimer: The Witch Hunt (Part 2)

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following the use of the atomic bomb in Japan and the end of the Second World War, Oppenheimer pushes for an international approach to nuclear power. ...

343: Oppenheimer: The Father of the Atom Bomb (Part 1)

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” This was J. Robert Oppenheimer’s reaction to the first atomic bomb test in July 1945, marking ...

342: The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Downfall and Prison (Part 2)

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s 1895, and with the libel case brought against the Marquess of Queensbury having collapsed, Oscar Wilde is now arrested and charged with committ...

341: The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Sex and Scandal (Part 1)

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” As his most popular work, "The Importance of Being Earnest", hints at, Oscar Wilde’s life was a com...

340: Hadrian and Antinous

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A mysterious death on the Nile, an unconventional love affair, a Roman-Greek hero turned God - the story of Hadrian and Antinous is full of intrigue. ...

339: Ireland: The Easter Rising, 1916 (Part 4)

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Easter Rising began in Dublin's General Post Office on Easter Monday, 24th April 1916, with Patrick Pearse’s dramatic proclamation of the Irish ...

338: Ireland: Home Rule, Mutiny - and Civil War? (Part 3)

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The year is 1912. The bitter arguments about Home Rule for Ireland are reaching boiling point. But with Ulster in uproar, the Tories encouraging mutin...

337: Ireland: Union, Famine and Parnell (Part 2)

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the start of the 19th century, the kingdoms of Britain and Ireland were officially 'united' with the Acts of Union. Historian Paul Rouse continues ...

336: Ireland: Celts, Conquest and Cromwell (Part 1)

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“In every generation the Irish people have asserted their right to national freedom and sovereignty; six times during the past three hundred years t...

335: The Freemasons: History's Greatest Conspiracy Theory

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A grubby, secretive cabal of devil worshippers that run the world, or a fraternity of like-minded individuals who enjoy eccentric rituals? Freemasonr...

334: Athens and the Birth of Democracy

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What did "demos" really mean to the Athenians? Why were women such a crucial part of Athenian democracy? And who was the Tom Wamsgams of Athens? Join ...

333: The Republic of Britain: Life under Cromwell

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's 1649 and a new republic has been declared, the Commonwealth of England. It's an age of 17th century republicanism, difficult policies in Ireland,...

332: King Solomon's Mines

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1885, H. Rider Haggard’s brother offered him a wager: five shillings if he could write a book half as good as Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treas...

331: American Witches

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s 1647, and in New England, where puritan settlers live in fear of God’s wrath and a hostile indigenous population, there are rumours coming fr...

330: Herodotus: The Birth of History

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Born on the Western edge of an empire that stretched all the way to India, Herodotus was a Greek historian of the 5th century BC. His major work The H...

329: Coronations: Chaos, Ceremony and Empire (Part 3)

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What was the most calamitous coronation of all time? Which ceremony does Tom think is the most boring topic he's ever discussed on the podcast? How wi...

328: Coronations: Sex, Holy Oil and Civil War (Part 2)

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether it’s London descending into a riot, a bad hangover with Samuel Pepys, or a royal lacking discretion… Charles III will certainly be hoping ...

327: Coronations: The Deep History (Part 1)

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The roots of the coronation ritual are fabulously ancient: certain elements of the ceremony are vestiges from the later Roman Empire, others have thei...

326: The Year of Revolutions: 1848

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Few years in European History saw as much change and turmoil as 1848: across the continent, from Vienna to Paris to Palermo, mass protests took place,...

325: Fall of Saigon: Apocalypse Now (Part 2)

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“It is 105 degrees in Saigon, and rising.” This announcement, made through U.S. Armed Forces radio on a spring morning in 1975, is the cue for all...

324: Fall of Saigon: The Nightmare Begins (Part 1)

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's 1975, and in the final act of the Vietnam War, the U.S. have ordered all remaining civilian and military personnel to be withdrawn from South Vie...

323: History's Greatest Dogs

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rin Tin Tin, born on the Western Front in 1918, became one of the biggest movie stars of the silent film era. Greyfriars Bobby gained his fame for gua...

322: East Germany: Life Behind the Iron Curtain

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The German Democratic Republic was born in the ashes of the Second World War, and described itself as a socialist “workers’ and peasants’ state”...

321: Hundred Years' War: A Storm of Swords (Part 4)

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Black Prince has gained lands in Aquitaine and Gascony through his brutal and thorough attacks. But faced with financial difficulties, sickness, a...

320: Hundred Years' War: The Black Prince (Part 3)

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the spectre of the Black Death haunts Europe, a more tangible foe terrorises the French king and his subjects: the Black Prince, Edward of Woodstoc...

319: Hundred Years' War: Triumph of the Longbow (Part 2)

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

State of the art military technology. Blind battle commanders. Iconic kingly lines. Tom and Dominic continue to delve into the 100 Years' War, as they...

318: Hundred Years' War: A Game of Thrones (Part 1)

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dynastic turmoil, inconvenient treaties with Scotland, tales of knights, longbows and the golden age of chivalry. In a time of chaos across Europe, En...

317: African Amazons

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A story spanning modern-day Ghana, Angola, and Benin, historian Luke Pepera joins Tom and Dominic to discuss the tradition of African queens, female w...

316: The First Abolitionist

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's 1718, an English Quaker lands in Barbados. He is soon horrified to discover the treatment of people working the plantations there. Treatment the ...

315: Atlantis: Legacy of the Lost Empire (Part 2)

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From claims that the alphabet was originated by Atlantians, Francis Bacon using the story as a model of utopia, to the Nazis co-opting Atlantis as the...

314: Atlantis: The Legend (Part 1)

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Majestic palaces, untold riches, and indeterminable power... the story of Atlantis is a tale as old as time. But is there really any truth behind the ...

313: Climate Apocalypse

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have humans always been haunted by fears of a climate apocalypse? Or is that a modern phenomenon? Is there a continuity from the Curse of Akkad to the...

312: Reagan, Iran-Contra and the Cold War (Part 3)

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Warmonger or nuclear disarmer? Ronald Reagan’s presidency survived an assassination attempt, the AIDS epidemic and the Iranian hostage crisis. He po...

311: Reagan: The Road to the White House (Part 2)

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

His Hollywood career drying up, Ronald Reagan works both for the Screen Actors Guild and General Electric in the 1950s. Building connections with the ...

310: Ronald Reagan and the American Dream (Part 1)

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ronald "Dutch" Reagan was born in 1911 to a humble family of Illinois, his father an FDR-loving democrat, his mother a notable member of the local Chr...

309: Columbus: Villain or Hero? (Part 4)

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Columbus caused debate in his own time, and remains a controversial figure today: some argue he initiated both the Atlantic slave trade an...

308: Columbus: Death in the Caribbean (Part 3)

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Columbus returns to the remnants of his first voyage to the "Indies", having convinced Isabella and Ferdinand to fund a larger second trip. Desperate ...

307: Columbus: A New World? (Part 2)

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having convinced the Catholic Monarchs to fund his journey across the Atlantic, Columbus sets sail with three ships, a crew with dubious loyalties, an...

306: Columbus: The Adventure Begins (Part 1)

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A controversial figure both now and in his time, Tom and Dominic discuss Columbus and his drive for discovery, power and status. They look at Columbus...

305: The Fall of the Roman Republic

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode on perhaps the most notorious assasination in world history, Tom and Dominic look at the bloody and chaotic aftermath of the de...

304: The Murder of Julius Caesar

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“He was trapped - he couldn’t get up. There was blood everywhere. The faces were coming closer, the knives rose and fell. And then, to his relief,...

303: The Bloodiest Crusade

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thought by some as the first genocide in Europe, the Albigensian Crusade was the bloodiest crusade in history. Following the Mystery of the Cathars an...

302: The Mystery of the Cathars

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Was the Catholic Church Europe’s first revolutionary group? How are the Cathars linked to the genesis of genocide? Where does the term crusade come ...

301: The Real Da Vinci Code

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Secret societies, Jesus' ancient bloodline, Catholic conspirators; all backed up by documents in the Bibliothèque Nationale. It must be true, mustn’...

300: The Real Downton Abbey

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Edwardian Britain: Domestic service is at its peak. However, as Britain modernises, things were about to change. Tom and Dominic are joined by Lucy L...

299: The Greatest Female Pharaoh

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"One of the greatest rulers to have ever lived" - Tom Holland. But how much do you know about Hatshepsut? And how did she propel herself from regent t...

298: The Nazis: Total Power (Part 4)

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hitler is chancellor, but he is not yet all-powerful. How does he go from becoming the leader of the Reichstag, to an unshackled dictator with nothing...

297: The Nazis: Hitler's Triumph (Part 3)

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wall Street crashes. The German economy capitulates and governments start to fall. Backroom deals and political scheming come to the fore. Join Tom an...

296: The Nazis: The Beer Hall Putsch (Part 2)

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

German hyperinflation. The Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler’s trial. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the Nazis in the early 1920s as the Weimar Republi...

295: The Rise of the Nazis (Part 1)

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where do the origins of Nazism lie? The Second Reich? Hitler’s time in Vienna? The First World War? Join Tom and Dominic in the first of their four-...

294: Lady Jane Grey: The Axe Falls (Part 2)

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

‘It had the alchemy of a bitter Tory leadership race’. Reigning for the shortest period of any British monarch, can Lady Jane even be considered...

293: Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Days' Queen (Part 1)

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Edward VI is dead - but who will succeed him on the throne?  In the first of two episodes, Tom and Dominic discuss the succession question that sur...

292: The Shadow of the Holocaust

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our second episode exploring the story of Rudolf Vrba, Jonathan Freedland joins Tom and Dominic again, to discuss the global reaction to the Vrba–...

291: The Man Who Escaped Auschwitz

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Dominic are joined by Jonathan Freedland to discuss the incredible story of Rudolf Vrba and Alfréd Wetzler, who escaped from Auschwitz in Apr...

290: 2022: A History

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic for the final episode of 2022 in which they discuss the historical importance of this year. What will historians of the future re...

289: Drink

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For a festive special, Tom and Dominic are joined by author and alcohol historian Henry Jeffreys to discuss some Christmassy tipples, from sherry to p...

288: Jesus Christ: The History (Part 2)

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic for the second of two episodes on 'Historical Jesus'. They discuss scepticism around his existence, the theories about resurrecti...

287: Jesus Christ: The Mystery (Part 1)

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

*The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023*: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your...

286: England: Beef and Liberty

18 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

England: Roast Beef and Liberty While it has now been dethroned by the mighty Tikka Masala and the moreish fish and chips, Britain's most iconic di...

285: Canada: Beaver Wars

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Canada: Beaver Wars Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the illustrious history of the beaver. This story intertwines these small bundles of fur with...

284: Denmark: The Great Escape

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Denmark: The Great Escape In today's episode, Tom and Dominic look at the story of how the vast majority of Denmark's Jewish population survived the ...

283: Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Charles Darwin's time in Ecuador, where his observation of Finches, ...

282: Morocco: The Rif War

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Morocco: The Rif War In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Rif War, predecessor to the Spanish Civil War, set in 1920s Morocco, featuring Fr...

281: Spain: The Caliphate of Córdoba

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Tom and Dominic are in Islamic Spain discussing Roman conquests, melancholy Emirs and vibrant harems... Don't miss the extraordinary story of t...

280: Serbia: The Birthplace of Civilisation

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A little known story. Serbia, the home to one of the first great civilisations. They had the first written scripts, they smelted copper before anyone ...

279: Cameroon: The Slave General of Peter the Great

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s World Cup special on Cameroon, Tom and Dominic tell the fascinating story of “probably the most famous Cameroonian to become a Russian ...

278: France: The Mystery of Le Prince

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic explore the origins of the motion-picture camera, a device invented by "gentle giant" Louis Le Prince, who's œuvr...

277: Japan: Samurai and Shoguns

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the history of Japan through six characters, with leading cultural historian of Japan, Chris Harding, as t...

276: Netherlands: The Maid of Holland

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic as, for the first time ever, they dip their toes into the Dutch republic. They discuss the Maid of Holland, who as both a warrior...

275: Argentina: The Welsh Colony

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why are there Welsh speakers born in Argentina? Join Tom and Dominic to understand the fascinating and unlikely story of a Welsh colony in the Souther...

274: Switzerland: Calvin's Cancel Culture

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Tom and Dominic are in 16th century Calvinist Geneva, where Michael Servetus is being condemned for heresy. Execution, imprisonment, treachery ...

273: Portugal: The Carnation Revolution

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic return to the history of Portugal to discuss military coups, defence of dictatorship, Castro in Cuba, ...

272: Senegal: The Door of No Return

04 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Senegalese island of Gorée, and its complex relationship with the transatlantic slave trade. They loo...

271: Belgium: History's Greatest Artist

03 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who is the greatest artist of all time? Join Tom and Dominic as Belgian historian Bart van Loo puts forward the case for the hyper-realistic and highl...

270: Poland: Copernicus, the Dragon and the Salt Mine

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic as they explore the seven wonders of Poland. Hear all about Krakus the dragon-slayer, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, "Kaiser soup", th...

269: Ghana: The Ashanti Empire

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Ashanti Empire. Tune in to hear about the Anglo-Ashanti wars, the Golden Stool, the role of...

268: Brazil: The Last Emperor

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As promised during the Portugal mini-series, Tom and Dominic are returning to Brazil to discuss its history post-independence. This episode will focus...

267: Wales: The Roar of the Red Dragon

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What are the origins of Wales? And how do the Welsh define themselves against Englishness? As England play Wales in the World Cup today, Tom and Domin...

266: South Korea: The Riddle of Hwang Jini

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic on their journey to the 16th century Korean peninsula, as they discuss Hwang Jini - a gisaeng, poet, and entertainer - and her e...

265: Saudi Arabia: The Mystery of the Kaaba

27 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Saudi Arabia, where they discuss 'the most famous structure in global Islam' - the Kaaba in Mecc...

264: Mexico: Day of the Dead

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the Day of the Dead you eat pan de muerto and exchange calaveras with your friends. This celebration is often claimed to have its roots in ancient ...

263: USA vs England: The 200-Year Rivalry

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's World Cup special, Anglo-American relations are at their most tense, as the USA and England take to the football/soccer pitch. Join Tom an...

262: Tunisia: Dido of Carthage

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic as they tell the story of the tragic heroine of Virgil’s Aeneid - Dido of Carthage. Listen as they discuss the origins of Carth...

261: Uruguay: The Tupamaros

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 1963, with the influence of the Cuban Revolution strong in South America, the left wing guerrilla group the Tupamaros emerged. Listen to tales of k...

260: Croatia: The Man Who Saved The Roman Empire

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"In conditions of chaos, people from outside the Roman social elite can rise to the top." Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Croati...

259. Iran: England - 'The Little Satan'

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the day of England vs. Iran, Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show, Ali Ansari, to discuss Anglo-Iranian relations.  Tune in to hear s...

258. Costa Rica: Civil War

20 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic as they continue the World Cup series by discussing the Costa Rican Civil War. This event is filled with tremendous characters, i...

257. Australia: The Mystery of the Somerton Man

19 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s Australian-themed World Cup episode, Tom leads us through the incredible true story of the Somerton Man, a murder mystery that involves ...

256. Germany: The White Rose

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“Since the conquest of Poland, 300,000 Jews have been murdered in this country in the most bestial way ... The German people slumber on in dull, stu...

255. Qatar: A History

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is finally here. Tom and Dominic are embarking upon their mighty World Cup themed extravaganza. Every day they will be releasing a new episode, eac...

254. The World Cup: The Falklands, despots, and corruption (Part 3)

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In their last episode on the World Cup, Tom and Dominic are joined by the face of football, Gary Lineker. They discuss England playing Argentina in th...

253. The World Cup: Post-war reconciliation, Brazilian dictatorship, and North Koreans in Middlesbrough (Part 2)

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the second episode of The Rest Is History's definitive guide to the history of the FIFA World Cup. In this episode, Tom and Dominic discuss...

252. The World Cup: British Imperialism, South American rivalries, and Mussolini (Part 1)

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Rest Is History's definitive guide to the history of the FIFA World Cup, which looks past the football and uncovers the personalities, ...

History's coming home... (preview)

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Forget the football, the next month's entertainment is coming from The Rest is History! Join Tom and Dominic over the coming weeks as they embark on ...

251. Alfred the Great: Return of the King (Part 2)

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Battling with the expanding power of the Vikings, listen to Tom and Dominic discover how King Alfred the Great earned his name in the second instalmen...

250. Alfred the Great: Fury of the Vikings (Part 1)

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alfred the Great is under invasion from the Vikings. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Alfred's anointment by the Pope in Rome, his duality as bot...

249. Treason in Modern Britain (Part 2)

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic for the second part of their exploration of the history of treason. How has the 1351 treason act impacted Britain and the world s...

248. Medieval Treason (Part 1)

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Tom and Dominic at the National Archives as they explore the history of treason in Britain, going right back to the 1351 treason act. How has tre...