HistoryExtra podcast
Immediate
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 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/
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 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
Dec 24, 2020 • 46min
Editor’s pick: the Windrush generation
In this episode from our archive, Colin Grant tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the CaribbeanIn this archive episode, historian, author and broadcaster Colin Grant discusses his book, Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation, which tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the Caribbean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 23, 2020 • 23min
Our 2020 Christmas quiz
Test your historical knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin PollardJoin the HistoryExtra team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz. Test your knowledge on turkey bowling, snowball fights and strange festive traditions with fiendish questions set by QI writer Justin Pollard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 22, 2020 • 50min
Editor’s pick: Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
In this episode from our archive, biographer Ron Chernow discusses the extraordinary life of the American Founding Father who inspired a hit musicalIn this archive episode from 2018, we spoke to historian Ron Chernow about the amazing life of the American Founding Father. Chernow discusses his biography of Hamilton, which inspired the hip-hop musical sensation, and his role as a historical consultant to the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 21, 2020 • 36min
Christmas ghost stories
Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Francis Young explains the origins of this custom and what it tells usTelling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Folklorist and historian Francis Young explains where the idea of the ghost story originates and what it tells us about approaches to the festive period, from the early medieval period through to Charles Dickens and MR James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 20, 2020 • 53min
The history of Christmas: everything you wanted to know
Did Cromwell ban mince pies? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin responds to listener questions and internet search queries on festive history Did Cromwell ban mince pies? When did people first give Christmas presents? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin, historian and author of Christmas Traditions: A Celebration of Festive Lore, responds to listener questions and internet search queries about the history of the festive period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 19, 2020 • 50min
A WW2 story of survival
The Cut Out Girl author Bart van Es gives a lecture on the Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the NetherlandsIn a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, based on his Costa Prize-winning book The Cut Out Girl, Bart van Es explores the stories of the thousands of Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the Netherlands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 18, 2020 • 31min
Editor’s pick: Were the suffragettes terrorists?
In this archive episode, historian Fern Riddell discusses her biography of suffrage campaigner Kitty Marion, which explores some of the darker aspects of the campaign for votes for women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 17, 2020 • 46min
Ten things to do with a medieval donkey
Kathryn Smithies discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages Kathryn Smithies, author of Introducing the Medieval Ass, discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 16, 2020 • 1h 3min
Hunting down the Portland Spy Ring
Writer and espionage historian Trevor Barnes discusses his book Dead Doubles, which details the thrilling 1960s MI5 investigation into the infamous Portland Spy Ring, one of the most dangerous KGB espionage networks ever to operate in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 14, 2020 • 40min
The gay MPs who opposed appeasement
MP and author Chris Bryant discusses his new book The Glamour Boys, which tells the story of group of young, queer British MPs who were some of the first to oppose appeasement in the 1930s and warn Britain’s government about the dangers of Hitler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
