Podcast Artwork

History Extra podcast

The History Extra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts. Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra 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/

2282 episodes Visit Website

Select an episode to begin listening to History Extra podcast.

Episode image

Tariffs and trade wars: a history of economic warfare

Apr 1, 2025
Episode image

Funding cuts and culture wars: history behind the headlines

Mar 31, 2025
Episode image

Why we shouldn't see museum artefacts as 'stolen'

Mar 30, 2025
Episode image

The Belle Époque: everything you wanted to know

Mar 30, 2025
Episode image

Body in the basement: Dr Crippen and the 'crime of the century'

Mar 28, 2025
Episode image

The Philadelphia gun-runners who supplied the IRA

Mar 26, 2025
Episode image

Thomas Becket: life of week

Mar 25, 2025
Episode image

Why Africa's history is more than just the slave trade

Mar 24, 2025
Episode image

The Great Stink: everything you wanted to know

Mar 23, 2025
Episode image

Handel's Messiah: the scandalous birth of a classical masterpiece

Mar 21, 2025