HistoryExtra podcast

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History

The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts. HistoryExtra 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...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Did Churchill save the monarchy?

Winston Churchill was a passionate defender of Britain’s monarchy – but that didn’t mean he always saw eye to eye with the royals themselves. Jon Bauckham talks to Ted Powell about Churchill’s complex relationship with the Crown – from his clashes with George V and controversial support for Edward VIII, to his role in guiding the young Elizabeth II through the early years of her reign. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Learn more about the highs and lows of Churchill’s leadership in the latest episode of our new series, History’s Greatest Leade...

Published: Jul 26, 2026Duration: 37m 57s

Gods and monsters: the hidden stories of the Odyssey

Twenty years away from home: 10 of them spent fighting a war, and 10 more spent battling monsters, gods and his own worst instincts. In the second episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the Odyssey, Kev Lochun and classicist Daisy Dunn explore Odysseus's greatest adventures – from encounters with the one-eyed Cyclops to brushes with the so-called witch Circe – and consider what they say about Greek views of civilisation, gender and divine power. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Want to know more about ancient Greece? HistoryExtra's Kev Lochun has curated a selection of e...

Published: Jul 25, 2026Duration: 46m 33s

Preview: Was Elizabeth I one of history’s greatest leaders?

From her defeat of the Spanish Armada to her iconic portraiture and status as the ‘Virgin Queen’, Elizabeth I is one of the past’s most famous figures – but what made her such an effective leader? Today on the HistoryExtra podcast, we’re bringing you a taste of our new series, History’s Greatest Leaders, as author and historian Tracy Borman tells entrepreneur Mike Soutar about why Elizabeth I’s indecision should be celebrated just as much as her strength and dynamism. To listen on, search for History’s Greatest Leaders or find the full episodes an...

Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 12m 55s

The Bayeux Tapestry's secret code of tyranny and injustice

The Bayeux Tapestry is coming home to England for an exhibition at the British Museum. In discussion with Dave Musgrove, Gale Owen-Crocker explains how the Tapestry was made, and why she thinks it contains a hidden story of injustice and tyranny – subverting the obvious celebratory narrative of victory for Duke William's Norman Conquest. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Don't miss our six-episode HistoryExtra Academy course, The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry, in which Dave Musgrove considers what the Tapestry is all about, how it was made, the story it presents, and its fascinating af...

Published: Jul 23, 2026Duration: 36m 8s

How to survive a day in the 14th century

What threats might you have faced on a daily basis in England in the 1300s? In this episode, Ian Mortimer guides Charlotte Vosper through a day in the 14th century and argues that it would have been surprisingly difficult to stay alive... From struggling to put food on the table to breathing in the scent of your neighbour's cesspit, Ian discusses the perils that came with everyday medieval life. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you'd like to find out more about what medieval life was really like, then check out Ian's new...

Published: Jul 21, 2026Duration: 37m 5s

Bess of Hardwick: life of the week

Bess of Hardwick fell out spectacularly with Mary, Queen of Scots and was dumped in the Tower of London by Elizabeth I. Yet nothing could get in the way of this extraordinary social climber. In this episode, Tracy Borman tells Spencer Mizen about a woman who accrued vast wealth, repeatedly rattled the Tudor court and ultimately earned the grudging respect of the Virgin Queen. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you’d like to hear more about Elizabeth I on the HistoryExtra podcast, then why not check out our four-part series on the mo...

Published: Jul 20, 2026Duration: 34m 45s

Alliance and acrimony: a history of Jewish-Muslim relations

From Islam’s emergence in the early medieval period, Muslims have been deeply connected with the followers of another faith: Judaism. In conversation with James Osborne, historian Marc David Baer examines the long relationship between these two religions and their communities, tracing episodes of both conflict and coexistence. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Check out this podcast episode with Barry Strauss, in which he discussed the conflict between Jews and the Roman empire – and its lasting legacy: https://bit.ly/4xFxc3V Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

Published: Jul 19, 2026Duration: 43m 15s

Who wrote the Odyssey?

The Odyssey is one of the most celebrated stories ever told, recounting the tale of Greek hero Odysseus’s 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. It is one of just two ancient Greek epic poems said to be the work of ‘Homer’. But who was Homer? And why, today, do we ask ourselves: ‘Did Homer even exist?’ In this first episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the Odyssey, Kev Lochun sits down with classicist Daisy Dunn to unpack the origins of the epic poem – and the enduring mystery around the identity of the man who ‘wrote’ it. ––...

Published: Jul 18, 2026Duration: 41m 24s

1966: The World Cup that changed a nation

The England men’s football team has missed out on the opportunity to replicate the nation’s much-heralded victory back in the 1966 World Cup, still one of the most celebrated moments in its sporting history. But what did the football tournament reveal about the state of the country that staged it back in the 1960s? Jon Bauckham talks to Michael Calvin about the forgotten stories of that remarkable summer – from diplomatic tensions and class divisions, to Middlesbrough's unexpected love affair with North Korea. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To learn more about the histor...

Published: Jul 16, 2026Duration: 33m 46s

How Rome really conquered Britain

What if the Roman invasion and occupation of Britain was more complicated than we might think? Ferdinand Addis reveals how it really happened. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Ferdinand guides us through the complex process of conquest – from Caesar's arrival in 55 BC and the construction of Hadrian's Wall in 122 AD, to the decline of Roman occupation by 410 AD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Published: Jul 14, 2026Duration: 45m 23s

Edward Colston: life of the week

Edward Colston was a philanthropist and slave trader in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is infamous today for the fact that a statue of him was pulled down by a crowd of protestors in central Bristol in 2020 and dumped in the river. Richard Stone explores his life, in conversation with David Musgrove, and considers how we should understand his complex legacy today. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you'd like to know more about the impact of the Barbary pirates on British society, check out this fascinating article by Adam Nichols detailing...

Published: Jul 13, 2026Duration: 39m 47s

Was Elizabeth Báthory really a serial killer?

Elizabeth Báthory is history's most prolific female serial killer and took pleasure in bathing in the blood of virgins... or so the story goes. In this episode, Shelley Puhak challenges that idea. Speaking to Isabel King, Shelley describes the complex campaign of disinformation that Elizabeth faced, and reveals the truth behind the legend. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find out more about accusations of 'witchcraft' throughout history, don't miss our HistoryExtra Academy course: https://bit.ly/4sH8VaM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

Published: Jul 12, 2026Duration: 40m 13s

What did the American Revolution really achieve?

How revolutionary was the American Revolution, and how far do 18th-century arguments about liberty and property still shape US politics today? In the final episode of HistoryExtra’s four-part series, Elinor Evans is joined by Adam IP Smith to explore the end of the American Revolutionary War and the complicated legacy that followed. Beginning with Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown, they discuss Britain’s decision to cut its losses, the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the global consequences of the conflict, and the winners and losers of independence. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST <...

Published: Jul 11, 2026Duration: 35m 14s

The captain's wife who took command

In the middle of the 19th century, the world's fastest ships raced across oceans carrying cargo, and the fortunes of ambitious young sea captains. In this episode, author Tilar J Mazzeo explores one voyage that produced an unlikely maritime legend. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Mazzeo shares the remarkable life of Mary Ann Patten, who found herself commanding a clipper ship after her husband fell gravely ill during a perilous passage around Cape Horn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Published: Jul 9, 2026Duration: 46m 9s

What could you eat in Georgian London?

Much of what was eaten by inhabitants of Georgian London is, perhaps surprisingly, familiar to us today. In this episode, Peter Ross takes Lauren Good on a culinary journey through the city – from people pocketing baked potatoes on their way home in the small hours to explaining why jelly was considered an aphrodisiac. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find out more about what was eaten in the Georgian period, listen to another of Lauren's interviews on the podcast, with Amy Boyington, where they explore the weird and wonderful dishes in the dining ro...

Published: Jul 7, 2026Duration: 45m 29s

Pablo Picasso: life of the week

From his birth in 1881 to his death in 1973, Pablo Picasso lived a life as revolutionary as his art. A child prodigy who transformed modern art, his story is one of genius, reinvention, scandal and relentless creativity. In this episode, Danny Bird speaks to Sue Roe about the passions and upheavals that shaped the pioneer behind Cubism and masterpieces such as Guernica. They explore Picasso’s rise from the bohemian streets of Paris to global fame, his turbulent relationships with the women who inspired his work, and the restless imagination that defined him until the very end. -----...

Published: Jul 6, 2026Duration: 43m 33s

When football became a weapon of the Cold War

The Cold War cast a shadow over all aspects of life – including the world's favourite sport. All sides of the ideological divide used football to score political goals. Tony Shaw and Alan McDougall talk Spencer Mizen through some of the most explosive Cold War footballing clashes in a story that takes in Pele, Eusebio, North Korean upsets and a galloping major. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To listen to our podcast with journalist David Horspool about Britain’s long love affair with sport – from medieval jousts to the mega-bucks premier league – go to: https...

Published: Jul 5, 2026Duration: 39m 16s

How Britain lost America

After declaring independence, the United States still had to survive a brutal conflict. In the third episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the American Revolutionary War, Elinor Evans and Adam IP Smith explore the military realities of the American Revolution: George Washington’s leadership, the importance of France, and the turning points that changed the conflict. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find all the further reading mentioned in this series, head to our curated list, which includes archive podcast episodes and video clips on battles, key...

Published: Jul 4, 2026Duration: 35m 41s

A history of the US in 100 unexpected objects

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are taking a fresh look at their nation's past. But what if the story of the US isn't best told through presidents, wars and famous speeches? In this episode, Roman Mars – host of new series The History of the United States in 100 Objects – tells Emily Briffett about what some of those items tell us about the nation's extraordinary past. The History of the United States in 100 Objects is a BBC Studios and 99% Invisible co-production for SiriusXM and is available to listen to weekly on B...

Published: Jul 2, 2026Duration: 38m 21s

An A-Z history of the English alphabet

Which letter of the English alphabet did Benjamin Franklin think we'd be better off without? Why must the letter U (almost) always follow the letter Q? And what is the point of silent letters? From the first scratches carved into stone to the maddening mysteries of modern English spelling, the alphabet has had a long and extraordinary journey. In this episode, Emily Briffett is joined by linguist, writer and broadcaster Danny Bate to explore the history of the English alphabet, and the strange story behind the letters we use every day. ----- GO BEYOND THE...

Published: Jun 30, 2026Duration: 47m 59s