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
Apr 14, 2024 • 32min
Horrible Histories: 15 years of death, poo and talking rats
Celebrating 15 years of 'Horrible Histories', the podcast discusses the show's success with comedy songs, gruesome deaths, and a talking rat. Key team members share insights on the show's origins, collaborative writing process, historical research, and balancing humor with historical accuracy.
Apr 13, 2024 • 53min
Medieval medicine: everything you wanted to know
Elma Brenner, expert in medieval medical theory, discusses gruesome surgeries, strange cures, and the role of leeches in medieval medicine. Topics include humoral theory, religious influences on health practices, birthing girdles, and comparing medieval and modern epidemic responses.
Apr 11, 2024 • 43min
Death & hubris in west Africa: how two British expeditions met with disaster
Dane Kennedy, author of Mungo Park's Ghost, shares the tale of ill-fated British expeditions in West Africa. The podcast delves into the hubris of the explorers, tragic outcomes, violence towards Africans, and the strategic recruitment decisions for the Niger expedition. It also explores the theories surrounding the Niger River, post-Napoleonic War expeditions in central Africa, interactions with African communities, and the impact on perceptions in Britain.
5 snips
Apr 10, 2024 • 32min
Conspiracy Revisited: The JFK assassination – Oswald’s second murder
Delve deeper into JFK assassination conspiracies, including Lyndon Johnson's suspicions, belief in conspiracy theories, and Lee Harvey Oswald's other killing. Explore Oswald's post-assassination actions, his role in JFK's murder, and the enduring controversies surrounding the assassination.
Apr 9, 2024 • 37min
Clotilda: the last slave ship to America
Historian Hannah Durkin discusses the last illegal voyage of the Clotilda slave ship in 1860, post-abolition slave trade statistics, challenges in enforcing anti-slavery laws, the brutal conditions of the transatlantic voyage, survivors' struggles in America, and the legacy of the Clotilda on the civil rights movement.
Apr 8, 2024 • 41min
History behind the headlines: the Bengal famine
Award-winning journalist and producer Kavita Puri joins to discuss the history and challenges of addressing the 1943 Bengal Famine. They explore the complexities of famine, the methodological hurdles in reconstructing narratives, the absence of survivor accounts, and the lasting impact on individuals and families. The discussion delves into the depiction of the famine in art, compares it to other historical famines, and highlights the nuances of historical events beyond statistics.
Apr 7, 2024 • 47min
Spying in the Troubles: the murky world of double agents in Northern Ireland
Author Henry Hemming delves into the murky world of double agents during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Topics include the intense intelligence operation by British secret services, the infiltration of the IRA, the complexities of espionage, the shift towards political compromise within the IRA leadership, and the moral dilemmas faced by agents in espionage.
Apr 6, 2024 • 53min
Welsh mythology: everything you wanted to know
Expert Elinor Evans explores Welsh mythology, discussing white horses, the Mabinogion, King Arthur's origins, dragons, and sinister fairy folk. Unraveling the symbolism of red and white in Welsh folklore, the podcast also delves into mythical creatures like fairies, dragons, and King Arthur, showcasing the rich tapestry of Welsh folklore.
Apr 4, 2024 • 45min
Tying the knot: 500 years of wedded bliss and marital misery
Legal historian Rebecca Probert delves into the history of marriage laws in England and Wales over 500 years. Topics include the origins of wedding vows, the evolution of divorce laws, changing dynamics of marriage commitment, and the advocacy for gender equality in property rights.
5 snips
Apr 3, 2024 • 43min
Conspiracy Revisited: The JFK assassination – 95 per cent certain?
Investigative journalist Gerald Posner explores theories surrounding the JFK assassination, debunking wild conspiracy theories. Topics include lack of security protocols, Zapruder film analysis, JFK's missing brain, Oswald's ties to intelligence agencies, and motives behind the assassination.
