History Extra podcast

Harold Wilson is as central to the story of sixties Britain as the Beatles, Profumo and miniskirts. Admirers applauded the social reforms he introduced while in office; his critics accused the prime minister of being Machiavellian. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, former home secretary Alan Johnson – who has just written a biography of Wilson – reveals how he rode the wave of the cult of youth sweeping the nation.

(Ad) Alan Johnson is the author of Wilson: Twentieth Century Man/ (Swift Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harold-Wilson-Ministers-Alan-Johnson/dp/1800753322/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Check out our series in which historians nominate who they think was Britain's greatest prime minister here: https://www.historyextra.com/membership/britains-greatest-prime-minister-historyextra-podcast-series/

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Sutton Hoo ship burial is one of the most famous discoveries in British archaeological history. But who is actually buried there? Or perhaps a better question is: why was the man buried with such a wealth of exotic goods? Dr Helen Gittos has a fascinating new theory that may alter our understanding of this major archaeological discovery. David Musgrove spoke to her to find out more.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What were Jesus's views on sex? Why did so many Christians choose a life of celibacy? Has the church ever been tolerant of homosexuality? These are some of the questions explored by Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch in his new book Lower than the Angels, a sweeping 2,000-year history of sex and Christianity, which he expects will annoy a great many people. In today's episode, Rob Attar catches up with Diarmaid to find out why.

(Ad) Diarmaid MacCulloch is the author of Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity (Penguin, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Flower-than-the-angels%2Fdiarmaid-macculloch%2F9780241400937.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Catherine the Great stands out from the rulers of Imperial Russia – a 'philosopher empress' whose wit, political savvy, and unyielding ambition transformed her empire into a European powerhouse. Seizing the throne through an audacious coup against her own husband, Catherine wielded her authority with an iron grip, balancing the volatile ambitions of her court while nurturing her vision of enlightened rule. Historian Janet Hartley speaks to Danny Bird about how Catherine corresponded with the era's leading philosophers, navigated scandalous love affairs and earned her glittering but contentious reputation — not just as an innovator but as the architect of Russia’s might.

Here, Simon Sebag Montefiore answers listener questions about the history of imperial Russia’s formidable rulers: https://link.chtbl.com/QWPY1LAC.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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William of Normandy famously invaded England in 1066 – but, he didn't quite conquer it all. In fact, the duty of leading a second assault was left to his son William Rufus almost 30 years later. Speaking to David Musgrove, Sophie Ambler and Fiona Edmonds reveal how the second Norman Conquest came about in the 1090s, and explain how this story played out in little-studied kingdom of Cumbria.

Listen to our podcast with Marc Morris, The Normans: Everything you wanted to know, here: https://link.chtbl.com/PFBA-VhF

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The early medieval Carolingian empire played a crucial role in the development of Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Though the dynasty itself was not that long-lived, it was star-studded with famous rulers such as Charles Martel and Charlemagne, and its legacy stretched far and wide. In this 'everything you want to know' episode, Professor Matthew Gabriele speaks to David Musgrove to answer listener questions about this influential Frankish empire.

(Ad) Matthew Gabriele is the co-author with David M Perry of Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe (HarperCollins, 2025). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oathbreakers-Brothers-Shattered-Empire-Medieval/dp/0063336677/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The Carolingian king Lothar II was embroiled in a scandal that destroyed his reign and ended his kingdom – Professor Charles West shares the story: https://link.chtbl.com/v2GgAvSP.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Series two of SAS Rogue Heroes hits our screens later this week, so we're bringing you an episode to get you up to scratch on the WW2 escapades of Britain’s elite special forces. Why was the SAS – or Special Air Service – first founded? Who was responsible for its creation? And what impact did a parachuting padre have on the morale of its men in the aftermath of D-Day? In this episode, which first aired in 2023, author and broadcaster Joshua Levine answers listener questions on the SAS during the Second World War, in conversation with Jon Bauckham.

The second series of SAS Rogue Heroes begins on BBC One on Wednesday 1 January at 9pm.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The morning of Tuesday 19 September 1944 was ripe with possibility for Allied forces at Arnhem, says Al Murray. Just 24 hours later, the die of defeat had well and truly been cast. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, the comedian and history buff discusses the failure of this bold attempt to deliver a crushing blow to Nazi Germany – and considers how poor planning, over-confidence and strong German resistance came home to roost in 24 fateful hours.

(Ad) Al Murray is the author of Arnhem: Black Tuesday (Bantam, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arnhem-Tuesday-Classic-Battle-Before/dp/0857506560/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Hear more from Al Murray here: https://link.chtbl.com/x2R-SHj_.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The 16th century is often seen as a 'golden age' of exploration, which witnessed England's emergence as a major player on the European stage. But it was also a period in which the English became embroiled in international wars and slave trading. In this fifth and final episode of our series Tudor England: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Tracy Borman venture out in search of unknown lands and riches – and come face to face with Tudor England’s major allies and rivals.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at the history behind some of the year's biggest news stories in this special episode of our monthly series

From the rise of AI to a plethora of elections and life-saving vaccines, it's been a busy 12 months. Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at the history behind some of the biggest stories of the year – and pick their favourite books of 2024, in this special episode of our monthly series.

Interested in the podcasts Hannah and Rana mentioned? Listen to our conversations with the authors here:

Gary Bass discusses his book //Judgement at Tokyo// – https://link.chtbl.com/gv8g8Rg8

Kathleen DuVal on her book //Native Nations// – https://link.chtbl.com/s8f1ON-e

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From a sunken Tudor flagship brought back to life by the wonders of osteoarchaeology, to the tales of bravery and endurance surrounding the tragic fate of WW2's SS Gairsoppa, shipwrecks can reveal far more about human history than you might initially expect. Drawing on his experience as a diver and maritime archaeologist, David Gibbins speaks to Emily Briffett about the riches that lie beneath the waves, which can act as a porthole to the past.

(Ad) David Gibbins is the author of A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fa-history-of-the-world-in-twelve-shipwrecks%2Fdavid-gibbins%2F9781399603485.

Delve into the story of one of Britain's most famous shipwrecks, the Mary Rose: https://link.chtbl.com/W-qwGtLG.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Radical rabble-rousers, trusted bankers and conscientious objectors; the Quakers have been viewed in many different ways down the centuries. Their non-conformist origins and unique religious principles have long set them apart from the rest of society, but their story touches on some of central themes of British and American history. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Quaker scholar and historian Ben Pink Dandelion answers the key questions on the history of the religious movement.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Did Oliver Cromwell ban mince pies? When did people first give Christmas presents? And why does Santa wear red? Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne in this episode first aired in 2020, George Goodwin, historian and author of Christmas Traditions: A Celebration of Festive Lore, answers listener questions about the history of the festive period.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Think of the transportation of convicts, and your mind probably goes to the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia in 1788. But, as historian Clare Anderson reveals in this episode, convict transportation is actually a much wider historical phenomenon. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Clare dives into the lesser-known aspects of this story, revealing how Britain’s penal system extended far beyond Australia to colonies across south-east Asia and beyond, revealing a complex network of forced labour, colonisation, and racial hierarchies that reshaped entire regions.

(Ad) Clare Anderson is the author of Convicts: A Global History (Cambridge University Press, 2022). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Convicts-Global-History-Clare-Anderson/dp/1108814948/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

From criminal sentencing to colonial settlement, Nancy Cushing answers listener questions on the transportation of British convicts to Australia here: https://link.chtbl.com/pvs5BrKN.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The English Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries were major milestones in 16th-century England, shaking the very foundations of Tudor religious belief. But while the nation moved back and forth between Catholicism and Protestantism, how much did ordinary people continue to rely on age-old customs and folklore? In this fourth episode of our series Tudor England: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Tracy Borman unpick the complex web of Tudor beliefs – from the devout to the superstitious – and explore how religious upheaval rocked the nation.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Churches were central to life in the Middle Ages. But with the Reformation wreaking havoc on religious buildings, nowadays it's hard to get a sense of what a medieval church would actually have looked like. As a stonemason and conservator, Andrew Ziminski has spent his working life restoring medieval churches, and he is the author of a new book, Church Going, all about the ins and outs of these historic religious buildings. Andrew speaks to David Musgrove about how churches originally looked and worked – and explains some of their oddities.

(Ad) Andrew Ziminski is the author of Church Going: A Stonemason's Guide to the Churches of the British Isles (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fchurch-going%2Fandrew-ziminski%2F9781800818682.

Hear more from Andrew Ziminski, as he talks about some of Britain’s most impressive stone buildings and monuments: https://link.chtbl.com/vxYSMNqA.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From the fall of Granada to the issuing of the Alhambra decree, Isabella of Castile's reign was one that saw an extraordinary amount of history-altering events and, as such, has earned her a complex legacy. Speaking to Emily Briffett, Giles Tremlett introduces the woman who helped launch the Spanish Inquisition and financed Columbus' journey to the 'New World'.

Giles Tremlett answers your questions about the Spanish Inquisition here: https://link.chtbl.com/lwH4DDc7.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In 1860, the diverse Ottoman city of Damascus witnessed the massacre of thousands of Christians. The killings, combined with Constantinople’s hardline response, shattered the city’s tolerant society and it took 25 years for Damascus to recover its stability and prosperity. In this episode, historian Eugene Rogan speaks to Danny Bird to explain why these shocking events proved to be a watershed in the modern history of the Middle East. Please note this episode was recorded prior to the recent overthrowing of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

(Ad) Eugene Rogan is the author of The Damascus Events: The 1860 Massacre and the Destruction of the Old Ottoman World (Allen Lane, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damascus-Events-Massacre-Destruction-Ottoman/dp/0241646901/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IapvBEKCIqhQm-BbjKftljRk1TA_VBpZ7bXCg7threSN0bj6MPRltJGlS73YwU1CTss6Nc7uBxaLRCwrWnt2zcCrwloA-t6mMO1ojfST9HSOm-Ec9Hen0zY5TptmqLz0Z7G2ctxcDl6MxeUG3lWwXG_amqwTEMG0VZE9wR0ibxQobkXOhI6BklFEzoQJRGEI.SvyjmxOllS3heTUkDz-TdWlTflyf7JTwIsSmiD8DWMY&qid=1721830311&sr=1-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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When did people first start wearing underwear? What's the difference between drawers and bloomers? Did medieval women wear bras? Were Victorian corsets really as uncomfortable to wear as you might imagine? And why did men wear codpieces? In this 'everything you wanted to know' episode, Dr Serena Dyer answers listener questions on the history of underwear, in conversation with David Musgrove.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The crown of thorns was one of the greatest medieval relics, supposedly pressed into the head of Jesus Christ by mocking Roman soldiers. Hunted down by an intrepid pair of Dominican friars, it was brought to Paris by French king Louis IX in the 13th century, and paraded through the streets. As the relic returns to its home in the rebuilt Notre Dame cathedral this week, Emily Guerry speaks to David Musgrove about the fabulous ceremony that marked its first arrival in the city, and reveals how it was almost destroyed by fire in 2019.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why were festivals and feasts such major events in the Tudor age? What toxic beauty products did Elizabeth I plaster her face with? And were the works of the celebrated playwright William Shakespeare smash hits in their time? In this third episode of our series Tudor England: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Tracy Borman sample the cultural delights of the Tudors - touching on art and theatre, fashion and festivals, science and innovation.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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As we get closer to Christmas, many people will be heading out to the shops to look for the perfect presents. And this mad dash in search of festive gifts is nothing new. In this episode, Annie Gray, author of The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street, takes Emily Briffett on a tour of our historical festive spending habits, from the horrors of visiting a Victorian butcher's shop to enormous seasonal turkey parades and outrageous stunts involving elephants.

(Ad) Annie Gray is the author of The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookshop-Draper-Candlestick-Maker-History/dp/1800812248/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Annie Gray takes listeners on a shopping trip through the history of Britain's high streets: https://link.chtbl.com/kTqN1EaD.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Robert the Bruce may be lauded as a Scottish national hero, a noble warrior who fended off the English and claimed a spectacular victory at the battle of Bannockburn. But how to true to life is this glowing image? This year marks the 750th anniversary of Robert's birth, and Emily Briffett spoke to Fiona Watson to reveal how Robert's path to the throne was more ruthless and murky that it may initially seem.

Helen Carr tells the story of the battle of Bannockburn here: https://link.chtbl.com/-qmj0G5R.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In 1945, Germany lay in ruins – both physically and morally. Nearly 80 years after the Second World War, it has since been transformed into an economic powerhouse and a leader on the world stage. Historian Frank Trentmann discusses this remarkable journey with Danny Bird, exploring Germany's Cold War division, guilt over its Nazi past, the nation's deep-rooted approach to environmental matters, and the evolving political landscape since Reunification.

(Ad) Frank Trentmann is the author of Out of the Darkness: The Germans, 1942-2022 (Allen Lane, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Darkness-1942-2022-Frank-Trentmann/dp/0241303494/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to Daniel Cowling on Germany in the immediate aftermath of WW2 here: https://link.chtbl.com/Zn-AW5OQ.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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When did automatons first emerge? Which science-fiction depiction of robots is the most accurate? And why did so many people fall for a hoax machine called the "Mechanical Turk"? In conversation with Spencer Mizen, author and academic Kerry McInerney answers some of the most pressing questions on the history of robots.

Michael Wooldridge explores our fascination with – and fear of – AI: https://link.chtbl.com/vUZSSfjm.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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For some, it's hard to imagine Britain without a king or queen. Yet, nearly 400 years ago, that prospect became a reality. In January 1649, after a bloody civil war, King Charles I was put on trial, found guilty and beheaded. The 11 years that followed witnessed a bold republican experiment that dominated the lives of those across Britain and Ireland. In this episode, Danny Bird speaks to Alice Hunt about her new book on this revolutionary chapter in history. She discusses a transformative decade which saw some of the 17th century's greatest literary and scientific minds cut their teeth, busts some myths about Cromwell's puritan cronies, and reveals how Britain’s republican decade has left an indelible mark on its modern monarchy and constitution.

(Ad) Alice Hunt is the author of Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649-1660 (Faber & Faber, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Republic-Britains-Revolutionary-Decade-1649-1660/dp/0571303196/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Ronald Hutton answers listener questions on Cromwell’s Protectorate: https://link.chtbl.com/9rP72VAb.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What was the most popular pastime of the Tudor age? Why was bathing even once a month considered dangerous? And how could living alongside your pets help save on your heating bill in the 16th century? In this second episode of our series Tudor England: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Tracy Borman roam the towns and villages of Tudor England, painting a vivid picture of daily life – from fun and games to your chances of surviving the sweating sickness.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Genghis Khan may have built a formidable land empire, but his grandson Kublai Khan mastered the seas. So how did a nomadic leader come to have such a formidable navy – and conquer China in the process? Emily Briffett spoke to Jack Weatherford about his new book on the subject, Emperor of the Seas, to find out more.

(Ad) Jack Weatherford is the author of Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan and the Making of China (Bloomsbury Continuum, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emperor-Seas-Kublai-Making-China/dp/1399417738/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The disappearance of the princes in the Tower in 1483 is one of British history's most enduring mysteries. But a brand new discovery made by Professor Tim Thornton may offer some more clues about what happened to the young royals – and who was responsible. Tim's findings are the subject of a new documentary Princes in the Tower: A Damning Discovery, airing on Channel 5 this evening. Joined by the show's presenter Tracy Borman, Tim shares more details of his discovery, and what it means for this centuries-old cold case, with Ellie Cawthorne.

Find out more about the findings in Princes in the Tower: A Damning Discovery, which airs Tuesday 3 December, 9pm on Channel 5 & My5. Or you can find the full academic overview of Professor Thornton’s research and discovery here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1468-229X.13430

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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On 24 March 1953, a tenant of 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill made a gruesome discovery. Inside the walls of the downstairs flat, he uncovered the bodies of three women. More were to follow. A nationwide manhunt was launched for the prime suspect, Reg Christie, and the murders quickly became a cause célèbre. In her new book The Peepshow, Kate Summerscale revisits this infamous case, and she speaks to Ellie Cawthorne to explore what it can tell us about life on the margins in postwar London.

(Ad) Kate Summerscale is the author of The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place (Bloomsbury, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-peepshow%2Fkate-summerscale%2F9781526684721.

Here, Laura Thompson examines the mysterious disappearance of Lord Lucan in 1974: https://link.chtbl.com/W9qSj_zv.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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By the time the Tudors took to the waves, much of the world had already been mapped by Europeans. So what was left for Tudor explorers to uncover – and should we call them 'explorers' at all? Historian Jerry Brotton doesn't think so. In this episode, he tells Kev Lochun how the Reformation drove the Tudors to sea, how Ireland became their Vietnam, and why some of the era's most famous names were little more than pirates.

Jerry Brotton takes listeners on a whistle-stop tour around the world in AD 1500: https://link.chtbl.com/bddeD3xn.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Nelson and Winnie Mandela were one of the most famous couples of the 20th century. Their relationship became a powerful symbol of the freedom struggle in apartheid South Africa, but it was also dogged by infidelity, violence, Nelson's long imprisonment and the oppressive weight of the regime they fought against. In Jonny Steinberg's recent book, Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage, the South African writer chronicles a tragic love story that was both personal and deeply political. The book has recently been shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize and Rob Attar caught up with Jonny to find out more.

(Ad) Jonny Steinberg is the author of Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage. Buy it now from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winnie-Nelson-Portrait-Jonny-Steinberg/dp/0008353816/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KmlN3sG4q3MKXm4phhQXI0qL8CcrgGDdiVixMr6o5ljMCll4lG4iGfx_X9u-NA-eNhkb3jIHmQg8SuMBFHAHHA.7Lsc1sl0JyqIFd_6XD8Gopg5x2pRKfrW9Cv9wh5w-CY&qid=1732185976&sr=8-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

Hear our interviews with other Wolfson Prize-nominated authors here:

Andrew Seaton discusses the history of the NHS: https://link.chtbl.com/X8o4qJLu

Nicholas Radburn discusses trans-Atlantic slave traders: https://link.chtbl.com/QpkyndNR

Nandini Das discusses England's first embassy to India: https://link.chtbl.com/jW3oyUkb

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Tudor world was a turbulent one, with momentous decisions reliant on the whims of those in power. But how was authority felt by the average person? And what were the consequences of losing favour with those in charge? In this first episode of our series Tudor England: the big questions, Tracy Borman introduces Emily Briffett to the movers and shakers of the Tudor royal court, exploring what it took to run the country - and escape the monarch’s wrath.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From vicious court politicking and cultural innovation, to global voyages of discovery and total religious upheaval, Tudor England was a turbulent – and exciting – place to be. In this HistoryExtra podcast series, we’re heading right into the beating heart of the era to uncover what life was really like for those who lived through it – all in the company of author, historian and broadcaster, Tracy Borman.

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In the 1840s, a strange, secretive community known as the Agapemonites set up camp in Spaxton, Somerset. Presided over by a rogue Anglican priest who believed he had a hotline to god, this religious cult attracted wealthy members in search of a deeper connection to the Lord. But once they had handed over their worldy possessions in order to join, the Agapemonites found it was rather harder to leave. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Stuart Flinders explores their story, from triple marriages and spiritual wives, to financial exploitation and suicide.

(Ad) Stuart Flinders is the author of A Very British Cult: Rogue Priests and the Abode of Love (Icon Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-British-Cult-Rogue-Priests/dp/1837731470/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Hear Stephen Talty tell the story of the 1993 Waco siege, a standoff between a religious cult and the FBI:https://link.chtbl.com/cIi5wFEw.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, historians Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda explore the historical episodes that have most to tell us about Donald Trump's win in the US presidential election, and consider the political role of archbishops through the centuries.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Humans have been infatuated with sport for thousands of years. But what drove this obsession in the first place? And how did ancient pursuits evolve into the games we know and love today? Jon Bauckham speaks to QI researchers and hosts of the podcast No Such Thing as a Fish James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski about their new book on sporting history, discussing everything from doping to David Attenborough’s impact on snooker.

(Ad) James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski are the authors of A Load of Old Balls: The QI History of Sport (Faber & Faber, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Load-Old-Balls-History-Sport/dp/0571372546/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to David Horspool discuss how sport has embedded itself in the fabric of British life: https://link.chtbl.com/RQsMQw5V.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Ancient Egypt conjures up images of pharaohs, pyramids and hieroglyphics – but what about soldiers, generals and military campaigns? In today's episode, Jon Bauckham talks to Egyptologist Nicky Nielsen about the evolution of ancient Egyptian warfare – from the conquests of Thutmosis III to the pros and cons of the chariot.

Listen to Nicky Nielsen discuss the battle the Megiddo, and how it supercharged the rise of one of Egypt's most formidable pharaohs: https://link.chtbl.com/4hV5FfY_.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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When the Allies invaded Italy in the summer of 1943 they hoped to be in Rome by Christmas. Instead, it wasn't until June 1944 that the Italian capital was liberated, following a gruelling march up the peninsula that ended with what James Holland describes as "five months of hell". In his new book, the historian, author and podcaster zones in on these months and in particular the brutal battle of Monte Cassino. Rob Attar caught up with James to find out more.

(Ad) James Holland is the author of Cassino '44: Five Months of Hell in Italy (Transworld Publishers, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fcassino-44%2Fjames-holland%2F9780857505538.

Hear more from James Holland on the bloody Italian campaign of WW2: https://link.chtbl.com/UQm9agKC.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Each ocean voyage through history has laid down a track that tells a story. These invisible pathways across the seas can reveal how the world has been shaped by power, conquest and exploration. Dr Sara Caputo tells Elinor Evans more about how lines on a map can have real-world consequences.

(Ad) Sara Caputo is the author of Tracks on the Ocean: A History of Trailblazing, Maps and Maritime Travel (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paths-Ocean-Journeys-Became-Lines/dp/1788168828/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Here, Jonn Elledge considers how the lines we draw on maps have determined the course of history: https://link.chtbl.com/5bDP91Ns.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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When you think about 'the crusades', you probably think of a series of military campaigns in the Holy Land, representing a great battle between the forces of Islam and Christianity. But is this actually a helpful way to view the subject? Speaking to Emily Briffett, historian William Purkis opens the lid on historical scholarship to reveal the wide and complex reality of crusading fervour in the Middle Ages – and considers how, if we look at it from a different perspective, we might gain a truer insight into the medieval mindset.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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King Æthelred II ruled England from 978 to 1016 – with a little gap in 1014. Known to history as 'the Unready', he faced many challenges in his reign, not least the attentions of several Viking invasion forces. It was Æthelred's failure to deal with such threats that landed him with his rather unfortunate nickname. However, as Levi Roach explains to David Musgrove, the story of his reign is a far more complicated one, with long-term consequences.

(Ad) Levi Roach is the author of Æthelred: The Unready (Yale University Press, 2016). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AEthelred-Unready-Monarchs-Levi-Roach/dp/0300196296/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

If your enjoyed this medieval episode, be sure to listen to this episode where Joanna Story answers listener questions about the Anglo-Saxon kings and kingdoms: https://link.chtbl.com/dwG7ZNcl.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Britain’s country houses enjoyed something of a renaissance. No longer were stately homes only seen as the preserve of stuffy landed gentry. Instead, the aristocracy was joined by an entirely new class of industrialists and foreign elites, each keen to showcase their wealth and be the kings of their own castles. Jon Bauckham chats to Adrian Tinniswood about the rise of the country house lifestyle during this period, covering everything from gaudy interior design and Victorian burglar alarms to resident ghosts.

(Ad) Adrian Tinniswood is the author of The Power and the Glory: The Country House Before the Great War (Vintage, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-power-and-the-glory%2Fadrian-tinniswood%2F9781787334168.

Stephanie Barczewski reveals how many English country houses have a more turbulent and violent history than we might expect: https://link.chtbl.com/dJovycgn.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The 19th century witnessed a revolution in Britain's schools, as compulsory mass education was rolled out, and thousands more children learnt how to read and write. But what was it like to study in a Victorian school? How tough was the discipline? How widespread was truancy? And did teachers get any formal training? These are among the questions that Spencer Mizen put to historian Rosalind Crone for our latest 'everything you wanted to know' episode on Victorian schools.

Rosalind Crone answers your questions on the history of British prisons, here: https://link.chtbl.com/wP5obFg1.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Who became a gladiator? Were they really the superstars of their day? And was giving a thumbs down for a death sentence a real thing? As Gladiator II hits cinemas, Emily Briffett speaks with historian Alison Futrell to answer your top questions about ancient Rome’s arena fighters, in this everything you wanted to know episode from 2022.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Nelson is one of the most well-known historical figures from British history. His leadership of the British fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and his death in the same battle, rendered him a national hero for generations. However, Nelson was also embroiled in a huge scandal during his lifetime, due his passionate affair with Lady Emma Hamilton, and recently questions have been raised about his attitude towards slavery and the slave trade. Historian and co-host of The Rest is History podcast, Dominic Sandbrook has written a book for children about the life of Nelson as part of his Adventures in Time/ series. Here, he discusses the complexities of the man, and the challenges of writing history for young people, with David Musgrove.

(Ad) Dominic Sandbrook is the author of Nelson: Hero of the Seas (Particular Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Time-Nelson-Hero-Seas/dp/0241552214/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The medieval approach to sustainability was entirely different to ours today. In a world where the modern definition of 'waste' didn't even exist, the repair market boomed and building materials were rarely brand new. Speaking to Annette Kehnel, Lauren Good discovers what we might be able to learn from our medieval ancestors – from second-hand shopping to the history of paper manufacturing.

(Ad) Annette Kehnel is the author of The Green Ages: Medieval Innovations in Sustainability (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Ages-Medieval-Innovations-Sustainability/dp/1800816251/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Hear from Eleanor Barnett about how people in the past tackled food waste: https://link.chtbl.com/PxFKyfQ7.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the spring of 1540 Thomas Cromwell was at the height of his power, but just a few months later he found himself at the scaffold on Tower Hill preparing to be executed for treason and heresy. What had gone so badly wrong for Henry VIII's right-hand man? As the BBC drama Wolf Hall returns for a second series, Rob Attar speaks to Cromwell biographer Diarmaid MacCulloch about the precipitous downfall of a man who seemed to have it all.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Joseph McCarthy's infamous crusade in the 1950s whipped up a frenzy of anti-communist sentiment across America – and wrecked the reputations of scores of people accused of harbouring sympathies for the Soviet Union. So what motived the Wisconsin senator, and why did McCarthyism prove so alluring? Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Nick Bunker discusses one of the most controversial figures in US political history.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How did gladiators supercharge the rise of Julius Caesar? What can we learn about arena fighters from the petrified remains at Pompeii? And why did gladiatorial bouts get banned there for a whole decade? As Gladiator II arrives in cinemas later this week, Guy de la Bédoyère shares some lesser-known aspects of the history of gladiators with Kev Lochun.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From their remote Yorkshire parsonage, sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë penned stories that would capture the imaginations of generations of readers. But how popular were books such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights at the time? How did childhood games influence their Brontës' later writing? And how close can we get to their individual personalities? Speaking to Lauren Good, Claire O'Callaghan explores the lives of the literary sisters – from their Yorkshire upbringings to their tragic ends.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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On 7 November, 1974, nanny Sandra Rivett was found murdered in the affluent London neighbourhood of Belgravia. The prime suspect? The father of her young charges, Lord Lucan. But before the aristocrat could be questioned, he vanished, sparking one of the greatest cause célèbres of the 20th century. Author Laura Thompson tells Ellie Cawthorne more about the case, and what it can reveal about simmering class tensions in Britain at the time.

(Ad) Laura Thompson is the author of A Different Class of Murder: The Story of Lord Lucan (Head of Zeus, 2014). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Different-Class-Murder-Laura-Thompson/dp/1781855366/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Kate Morgan chronicles the legal history of murder, discussing the cases that shaped UK murder laws: https://link.chtbl.com/kNn9jPWH.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Henry V only had a short reign, but his legacy looms large over the medieval landscape. Remembered as a heroic warrior king, who bested the French at Harfleur then marched his forces to victory at Agincourt, few monarchs have such a distinguished reputation. But 'Prince Hal' wasn't always destined for greatness. Was he really the gadabout youth Shakespeare would have us believe? In the third episode of our three-part HistoryExtra podcast series 'Tyrant, Usurper, Hero', Helen Castor sits down with Dan Jones to learn more about Henry's life beyond the battlefield – and highlight what lessons he learned from the chaos caused by Richard II and Henry IV.

(Ad) Helen Castor is the author of The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV (Penguin, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-eagle-and-the-hart%2Fhelen-castor%2F9780241419328.

(Ad) Dan Jones is the author of Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King (Bloomsbury, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fhenry-v%2Fdan-jones%2F9781804541937.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In June 1944 Allied armies landed in force in northern France, and the liberation of western Europe began. But, the battle that really sealed Hitler's fate was taking place in the east, as the Red Army prepared an almighty assault against the war-weary Wehrmacht. Speaking to Rob Attar, broadcaster and military historian Jonathan Dimbleby tells the story of this crucial year in the outcome of the Second World War and reveals how it was pivotal in outlining the future shape of Europe.

(Ad) Jonathan Dimbleby is the author of Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won The War (Viking, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endgame-1944-How-Stalin-Won/dp/0241536715/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Venerable Bede was a monk who lived in Northumbria 1300 years ago, but his influence reached far beyond the confines of his monastic home. In fact, he is remembered today as the 'Father of English History'. In this 'life of the week' episode, David Musgrove explores the life and long-lasting legacy of this early medieval scholar and saint, in the expert company of Professor Michelle P Brown.

(Ad) Michelle P Brown is the author of Bede and the Theory of Everything (Reaktion Books, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bede-Theory-Everything-Medieval-Lives/dp/1789147883/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Dr Benjamin Pohl explores the role of medieval monks and abbots in writing histories: https://link.chtbl.com/-Ukj6sAg.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How might cryptic messages written from within a political prison bring us closer to understanding a captive queen? Historian Jade Scott has studied the letters Mary, Queen of Scots wrote in captivity, and describes them as "her weapons, her armour, her battle strategy". Speaking to Lauren Good, she reveals what we can learn from these coded missives – from the huge varieties of cipher they contained to how the Queen of Scots smuggled them past her captors.

(Ad) Jade Scott is the author of Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots (Michael O'Mara Books, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fcaptive-queen%2Fjade-scott%2F9781789296464.

Rosemary Goring reveals more about the Scottish years of Mary, Queen of Scots: https://link.chtbl.com/6WgzyzA0.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How did British civilians respond when they found themselves under aerial bombardment during the Second World War? Was normal life put on hold during air raids? And was 'Blitz Spirit' a real thing? Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne for our latest 'everything you wanted to know' episode, historian Dan Todman answers your questions on the Blitz.

Caroline Shenton reveals the secret mission to save Britain’s national artworks and artefacts from the Nazis during the Second World War: https://link.chtbl.com/u_9bMmXR.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What drove a group of plotters to attempt to blow up the king on 5 November 1605? To what extent did the conspiracy sour relations between Protestants and Catholics? And why do we continue to be so fascinated by this extraordinary episode today? Speaking with Spencer Mizen in this episode from 2022, John Cooper answers listener questions about the gunpowder plot.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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First published in 2011, Simon Sebag Montefiore's book Jerusalem: The Biography charts life in the city across the course of centuries. Now he's returned with an updated version, which extends the story beyond 1967 right up to the present day. Simon speaks to Matt Elton about the importance and challenges of telling such a history, and explains how placing the city's recent history back into the longer context helps reveal continuities and parallels.

(Ad) Simon Sebag Montefiore is the author of the newly updated version of Jerusalem: The Biography (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jerusalem-Biography-Simon-Sebag-Montefiore/dp/1474614396#:~:text=A%20classic%20of%20modern%20literature,to%20the%20Israel%2DPalestine%20conflict/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Hear more from Simon in this episode, where he explores the entire history of the world through the prism of families: https://link.chtbl.com/Q4F0u--O.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Henry Bolingbroke has gone down in history as the usurper that stole the English crown from the tyrant Richard II – and was later plagued by rebellion and ill health. But what else do we know about the man who later became Henry IV? In the second episode of our three-part HistoryExtra podcast series 'Tyrant, Usurper, Hero', Dan Jones speaks to Helen Castor to reveal more about this chivalric hero who could have made the ideal king – if only he had been born into the royal role.

(Ad) Helen Castor is the author of The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV (Penguin, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-eagle-and-the-hart%2Fhelen-castor%2F9780241419328.

(Ad) Dan Jones is the author of Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King (Bloomsbury, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fhenry-v%2Fdan-jones%2F9781804541937.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Satanic sabbaths, magic potions and demonic toads – in the early 17th century, the Basque Country was convulsed by strange accusations of supernatural activities. A new book by Jan Machielsen explores why fears of witchcraft gained such traction in this isolated region on the French-Spanish border. He tells Ellie Cawthorne more about how overexcited judges, frightened children and geographical factors all played a role in fuelling the panic.

(Ad) Jan Machielsen is the author of The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Basque-Witch-Hunt-Secret-History/dp/1350441503/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Malcolm Gaskill discusses a little-known 17th-century witchcraft case: https://link.chtbl.com/5etfOMPo.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From her groundbreaking work in nursing and public health reform to her battles against societal expectations and love of animals, Melissa Pritchard explores the life and legacy of English nurse and statistician Florence Nightingale.

(Ad) Melissa Pritchard is the author of Flight of the Wild Swan (Bellevue, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flight-Wild-Swan-Melissa-Pritchard/dp/1954276214/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Was the moon landing faked? Did Shakespeare actually pen the works he’s credited with? And were the pyramids really built by aliens? In History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories, the new podcast from HistoryExtra, Rob Attar takes a deep dive into the some of history’s most compelling conspiracy theories in the company of expert historians to uncover if there's any truth behind these murky myths.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ap2seB

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZN5NPAHC9oG0JlHl6V1aK

Listen everywhere else by searching: History's Greatest Conspiracy Theories

You can listen ad-free, access episodes early and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://apple.co/4fgRA1d.

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In a much-publicised race in the 1870s, the most celebrated athlete of his day, the long-distance pedestrian Edward P Weston, admitted that he had chewed coca leaves, sparking a frenzy of interest in the substance and its derivative, cocaine. For the next few decades, cocaine became a household ingredient in many products, and was perfectly legal. It wasn't until the early years of the 20th century that concerns began to be voiced about its dangerous addictiveness. Dr Douglas Small explains how cocaine won over the Victorians in this conversation with David Musgrove.

(Ad) Douglas Small is the author of Cocaine, Literature, and Culture, 1876-1930 (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Literature-1876-1930-Critical-Interventions-Humanities/dp/1350400092/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Here, Mike Jay reveals how scientists and thinkers experimented with drugs in the 19th century:https://link.chtbl.com/5-2SlN03.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Was the medieval Church really anti-science? Why did one monk hurl himself from an the roof of his abbey tower in the name of experimentation? And what were the high-tech gadgets of the Middle Ages? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Seb Falk answers your questions on the often misunderstood realm of medieval science, highlighting the significant contributions made through scientific collaboration – from alchemy and astronomy, to optics and horology.

Elma Brenner answers all your questions on medieval medicine: https://link.chtbl.com/SDRmhrgt.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How did a Catholic religious celebration transform into a spooky, supernatural festivity? Why were turnips and swedes replaced by pumpkins? And what happened on ‘mischief night’? Speaking with Ellie Cawthorne for this episode originally aired in 2022, Professor Owen Davies uncovers the historical origins of popular traditions surrounding 31 October – from the malicious and downright dangerous beginnings of trick or treating to the ethereal inspirations for Jack-o’-lanterns.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan and Margery Kempe: what can these four extraordinary female writers reveal about the everyday lives of ordinary women in the Middle Ages? Well, rather a lot, according to historian Hetta Howes. Looking closely at these authors' works, she captures glimpses into medieval lives that have otherwise been overshadowed – covering everything from the extent to which women had control over their bodies and freedoms, to female friendships and religious belief. Emily Briffett spoke to her to find out more.

(Ad) Hetta Howes is the author of Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women (Bloomsbury Continuum, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poet-Mystic-Widow-Wife-Extraordinary/dp/1399408739/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to Eleanor Janega answer your top questions on the lives of medieval women here: https://link.chtbl.com/-lRVMFOT.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Richard II lacked all the qualities a medieval monarch needed, bar one: birthright. Born believing he was God's representative on Earth, the narcissistic tyrant seems to have done everything wrong. But did Richard just not understand what it meant to be king? In the first episode of this three-part HistoryExtra podcast series 'Tyrant, Usurper, Hero', Dan Jones and Helen Castor chart Richard’s eccentricities and the trials of his reign – from the monarch’s obsessive addiction to good hygiene to his involvement in the Peasant’s Revolt and eventual downfall.

(Ad) Helen Castor is the author of The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV (Penguin, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-eagle-and-the-hart%2Fhelen-castor%2F9780241419328.

(Ad) Dan Jones is the author of Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King (Bloomsbury, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fhenry-v%2Fdan-jones%2F9781804541937.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Climate change is an issue that animates politicians, scientists and activists around the world – but could looking to history help shape our approach to the climate crisis today? And what role do historians have to play in facing the issue? In this conversation with Matt Elton, best-selling author and historian Peter Frankopan and broadcaster and conservationist Chris Packham share their thoughts on these topics and more – and consider whether the past offers any optimism for the future.

Listen to Eugene Linden speak about the history of our relationship with the environment here: https://link.chtbl.com/At5POjeV

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore the history of political memoirs, Britain's changing energy supplies across the centuries, and conflicts over access to the countryside.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Late Tudor England was a dangerous place, with plots both at home and abroad, and no certainty about who was going to succeed the ageing queen, Elizabeth I. Into this perilous world stepped Robert Cecil, a brilliant but unglamorous statesman and spymaster who played a pivotal role in keeping the country together and ensuring a smooth transition to the Stuart monarchy. Professor Stephen Alford speaks to Rob Attar about this unheralded titan of the Tudor and Stuart courts.

(Ad) Stephen Alford is the author of //All His Spies: The Secret World of Robert Cecil// (Penguin, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fall-his-spies%2Fstephen-alford%2F9780241423479.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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On today's Everything You Wanted to Know episode, we're covering the Korean War, exploring how the nation came to be divided in two, what the impact of fighting was on the peninsular's civilian population, and how close the clash came to going nuclear. In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Owen Miller of the Centre of Korean Studies at SOAS answers your questions on the Cold War conflict.

Check out our Everything you wanted to know episode on the Vietnam War here: https://link.chtbl.com/swCXZNQa

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How many slaves were there in the Roman empire? Were they cruelly treated, or could they sometimes go on to win fame, fortune and freedom? And how often did they – like Spartacus –rebel? Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Guy de la Bédoyère explores the remarkable, and often brutal, history of slavery in the ancient world's most powerful empire.

(Ad) Guy de la Bédoyère is the author of Populus: Living and Dying in the Wealth, Smoke and Din of Ancient Rome (Abacus, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Populus-Living-Dying-Wealth-Ancient/dp/1408715155/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Hannah Platts takes listeners on a multi-sensory tour of the ancient Roman home, here: https://link.chtbl.com/c63G6iV4.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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William of Normandy’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066 was far from the end of the Norman Conquest of England. It took many years, and putting down no small amount of rebellion, for William to fully establish control. In the final episode of our new series on 1066, Marc Morris discusses the long story of the Norman Conquest with David Musgrove.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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A century ago, in 1924, the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley opened its doors, receiving as many as 27 million visits over two years. It was a grand declaration of an empire at its territorial height. But behind the spectacle was a superpower grappling with its position on the world stage, seeking to recalibrate its own sense of influence and importance. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Matthew Parker takes listeners inside the exhibition, which featured huge sporting events and battle reenactments, glamorous pavilions showcasing new technology and science – and even a replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

To listen to Matthew Parker discussing events that occurred across the British empire on one specific day in 1923, click here: https://link.chtbl.com/lsjrz1z8

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Across the 65 years of his life, writer John Milton packed a lot in: poet, polemicist, political operator – engaging with ideas that often challenged the status quo. In today's Life of the Week episode, Professor Islam Issa speaks to Matt Elton about the life and legacy of this 17th-century polymath.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why were so many Germans prepared to participate in the crimes of the Third Reich? It's a question that has exercised historians and the wider public for decades, and now, in his new book, Hitler's People, Professor Richard J Evans seeks to provide an answer. In this episode, he speaks to Rob Attar about what drove people – from lowly functionaries to Hitler himself – to engage in acts of mass murder.

(Ad) Richard J Evans is the author of Hitler's People: The Faces of the Third Reich (Allen Lane, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fhitlers-people%2Frichard-j-evans%2F9780241471500.

Listen to Mary Fulbrook explore why so many people went along with the Nazi regime here: https://link.chtbl.com/T3TDEbo8.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Denounced as heretics by the Catholic church, the Cathars were a offshoot Christian movement which emerged in southern Europe during the 12th century. But what was it about their beliefs that was so outrageous to the orthodox medieval church? And why was their existence quickly snuffed out? Speaking to Emily Briffett, historian Claire Taylor reveals more about the Cathars' way of life and the efforts made to suppress them.

Hear Giles Tremlett answer listener questions on the Spanish Inquisition here: https://link.chtbl.com/lwH4DDc7

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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October is Black History Month here in the UK. But how far back does the story of black people in Britain stretch - and what evidence do we have about their experiences? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman in this episode from 2022, historian Hannah Cusworth answers your top questions about black British history.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Daring department store stunts. Warming cups of cocoa. Argumentative bartering with butchers. What can revisiting high streets gone by reveal about British social history? Historian Annie Gray takes listeners on a shopping trip through the centuries, telling Ellie Cawthorne more about the goods, refreshments and entertainment on offer.

(Ad) Annie Gray is the author of The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookshop-Draper-Candlestick-Maker-History/dp/1800812248/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Annie Gray revisits the life of Churchill's cook during the Second World War here: https://link.chtbl.com/kzJZF5Gk.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The year 1066 is the most famous in English history. It was marked by not just one, but three major battles, and saw three different men ruling as king of England. Marc Morris, in conversation with David Musgrove, outlines how the tumultuous year played out and charts the fates of the key contenders in the fight for England's throne.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the 18th century, two men – Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon – both independently took on a mammoth task. They set out to identify, describe and categorise all life on Earth. Speaking to Matt Elton, Jason Roberts charts the two naturalists' hugely different views and approaches – and how they shaped our view of the natural world for centuries.

(Ad) Jason Roberts is the author of Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life (Quercus, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fevery-living-thing%2Fjason-roberts%2F9781529400465.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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King John has a terrible reputation. He's best known as the monarch who broke the terms of Magna Carta, lost Normandy to the French and committed numerous acts of unspeakable cruelty. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Nicholas Vincent considers if John really was as bad as all that - or if, indeed, he was even worse.

Hear Nicholas Vincent discuss the Second Barons' War here: https://link.chtbl.com/77CrHf0Q.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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We know the Vikings best as brutal, seafaring, pagan raiders – and that’s an important part of their lives and histories. But it’s only one aspect: what about their love lives, experiences of travels, and attitudes to religion? Speaking with James Osborne, Eleanor Barraclough unpicks the day-to-day lives and culture of the Vikings across their vast – and complicated – geographic domain and timeline.

(Ad) Eleanor Barraclough is the author of Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age (Profile Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Embers-Hands-Intimate-History-Viking/dp/1788166744/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Chances are, like most of us, you probably enjoy a good cup of tea. But how did the world come to be so obsessed with this now-ubiquitous hot beverage? Where did it originate? How did trading it trigger wars? And when did people first experience the delights of an elegant afternoon tea? Elinor Evans puts your top questions on tea to historian, writer, and tea specialist Jane Pettigrew.

Listen to Jonathan Morris chart the history of another of the world's favourite hot drinks, coffee: https://link.chtbl.com/rwuCVcs9.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Apprehending thieves in the street. Disguising as housemaids to spy on adulterous husbands. Investigating and exposing child abuse. The exploits of women detectives in the Victorian era were dramatic, secretive, and often dangerous. Author and historian Sara Lodge tells Ellie Cawthorne more about these sleuths and the roles they played in 19th-century crime fighting.

(Ad) Sara Lodge is the author of The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-mysterious-case-of-the-victorian-female-detective%2Fsara-lodge%2F9780300277883.

Listen to Drew Gray tackle listener question on crime, courts, policing and prisons in 19th-century Britain: https://link.chtbl.com/SGjwBedr.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Harold II – best known as the defeated king who reportedly got an arrow through the eye at the Battle of Hastings – was part of the Godwin family. In this episode, Marc Morris reveals how the Godwins were the power behind the throne through much of the reign of Harold’s predecessor, King Edward the Confessor. He explains to David Musgrove why the family came to prominence and how Harold managed to take the crown for himself after King Edward’s death at the start of 1066.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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When we think of American civil rights, we tend to focus on the mid 20th-century and the likes of Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks, who fought for the rights of black people in an era of segregation. But, in his revelatory new book, Before the Movement, which has recently been shortlisted for the Cundill History Prize, Dylan Penningroth tells a much longer and broader story, beginning in the era of slavery and focusing on everyday legal matters that historians have often overlooked. Rob Attar speaks to Dylan to find out more about this little-known aspect of black American history.

(Ad) Dylan Penningroth is the author of Before the Movement: The Hidden History of Black Civil Rights (Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2023). Preorder it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Before-Movement-Hidden-History-Rights/dp/1324093102/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to the first episode of our podcast series on the US civil rights movement of the mid 20th century here: https://link.chtbl.com/QhlMnTrM.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Historian and biographer Susan Ware joins Elinor Evans to discuss the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, from her transformative role as First Lady of the United States during her husband Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency, to her advocacy for human rights amid personal tumult.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Today there are an estimated 450 million guns in civilian hands in the United States – ten times the number than at the end of the Second World War. But how did that conflict spark a weaponry boom? And what are the social and economic currents that have led the US to have more guns than people? Matt Elton speaks to Andrew C McKevitt, whose Cundill History Prize-shortlisted book Gun Country explores these questions.

(Ad) Andrew C McKevitt is the author of Gun Country: Gun Capitalism, Culture, and Control in Cold War America (The University of North Carolina Press, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gun-Country-Capitalism-Culture-Control/dp/1469677245/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Find out more about the Cundill History Prize here: https://www.cundillprize.com

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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First published in 1848, the The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels presents communism as a 'spectre' haunting Europe. During the century that followed, this revolutionary ideology swept the world and left an indelible mark on the geopolitical dynamics of the modern age. Historian Maurice J Casey talks to Danny Bird about the history of communism – from Bolshevik emigrés and the fall of the Berlin Wall; to the rise of the Comintern and the legacy of anticommunism.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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When Allied forces arrived in Naples in October 1943, they found a city on its knees. Already ravaged by three years of war, Naples had been further decimated by German occupiers and now faced a desperate battle to get back on its feet as the Second World War continued to unfold around it. In this episode, the historian Keith Lowe joins Rob Attar to explore the story of the first major European city to be liberated by the Allies – a tale of ingenuity and heroism, immorality and despair.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The roots of the Norman Conquest of 1066 can be traced all the way back to 1016 – when England was hit by an earlier foreign invasion. This time, the assault came from Denmark and the forces of Cnut. In the first episode of our new series on 1066, Marc Morris talks to David Musgrove about how the events of the early 11th century set the scene for the Norman invasion half a century later.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the run-up to the Second World War, Winston Churchill's Kent home, Chartwell, was transformed from a cosy country pile to an informal Home Office, as the politician invited influential guests to come for dinner, drinks.... and off-the-record discussions. From 'Lawrence of Arabia' to Albert Einstein, Katherine Carter tells Ellie Cawthorne how these visitors shaped Churchill's views about the looming prospect of war.

(Ad) Katherine Carter is the author Churchill's Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Churchills-Citadel-Chartwell-Gatherings-Before/dp/0300270194/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Henry VII has gone down in history as the miserable miser who, rightly or wrongly, seized the English Crown from the hands of Richard III at the battle of Bosworth. But, according to historian and author Nathen Amin, Henry's rise to power was unprecedented – and his rotten reputation blown out of proportion. In this 'Life of the week' episode, Nathen speaks to Emily Briffett about the life and legacy of the first Tudor monarch – from his major political successes to his close family bonds.

(Ad) Nathen Amin is the author of Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor (Amberly, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Prophecy-Rise-Henry-Tudor/dp/1398110477/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In 1946, as Japan stood in ruins at the end of the Second World War, an international trial was launched in Tokyo. It was a mammoth legal and political undertaking that lasted more than two years, as top Japanese leaders were tried by a panel of 11 international judges for war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace. Historian Gary Bass is the author of the Cundill History Prize-shortlisted book on the trials, Judgement at Tokyo. As he tells Ellie Cawthorne, it wasn't just the fates of the defendants that were on line – but also Japan's reputation on the global stage.

(Ad) Gary Bass is the author of Judgment at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia (Knopf Publishing Group, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Circles-Field-Guide/dp/0300235984/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Hear our podcast with Tobias Buck on a 21st-century Holocaust trial here: https://link.chtbl.com/k2HY09Zq

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

To find out more about the Cundill History Prize and the books shortlisted in 2024, head to www.cundillprize.com

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What do we know about James I's sexuality? How did Charles I squander his throne? How successful was the 'Glorious Revolution'? And why is the turbulence of the 17th century still overshadowed by the Tudors? In today's Everything you wanted to know episode, Anna Keay answers your queries on the Stuart dynasty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From the Mongol expansion to the world wars, and from colonialism to the slave trade, the biggest historical events of the past 500 years have reshaped not only human history, but also the natural world around us. Sunil Amrith tells Ellie Cawthorne more about how colonialism, war and exploitation have gone hand in hand with the destruction of natural environments, and asks whether reconsidering history from an environmental perspective can offer any lessons for tackling the climate crisis today.

(Ad) Sunil Amrith is the author of The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years (Allen Lane, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burning-Earth-Material-History-Years/dp/0241461987/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to another fascinating conversation on environmental history with Peter Frankopan here: https://link.chtbl.com/c_bkCrzj.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why are we still so obsessed with ancient Egypt? In this fifth episode of Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett is joined by curator and Egyptologist Campbell Price for a final time to explore the enduring legacy and influence of ancient Egypt – from the 'Egyptomania' that gripped Victorian Britain to key discoveries that have shaped our understanding of Egypt’s past.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Soon after gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the new Republic of the Congo was rocked by the assassination of its young firebrand leader, Patrice Lumumba. Stuart A Reid unpicks this story in his Cundill History Prize-shortlisted book The Lumumba Plot. He speaks to Elinor Evans to unravel the tumult that followed independence and the devastating implications of Lumumba's death. Plus, Stuart reveals more about the CIA's murky role in the leader's brutal execution.

(Ad) Stuart A Reid is the author of The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination (Knopf, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lumumba-Plot-Secret-History-Assassination-ebook/dp/B0BRMMVWBY/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Find out more about the Cundill History Prize here: https://www.cundillprize.com

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss the historical news stories that have made headlines this month

In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter explore the history behind a row about the Olympic rings staying on the Eiffel Tower, Viking-era treasure that offers new insights about global trade, and what we can learn from new underwater footage of the Titanic.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From the Roman economy and Angkor Wat to the spread of Buddhism and the numerical system we use today, ancient India was one of the great seedbeds of human civilisation. Indian art, religion, technology and ideas were exported across a vast territory, influencing several Eurasian cultures. Speaking to Danny Bird, bestselling historian William Dalrymple discusses his latest book, The Golden Road, which highlights India's profound impact on global history and uncovers its forgotten role at the heart of the ancient world.

(Ad) William Dalrymple is the author of The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World (Bloomsbury, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Golden-Road-Ancient-India-Transformed/dp/140886441X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Hittites were one of the most powerful civilisations in the Near East, building a vast empire that encompassed much of modern-day Turkey. But aside from a few vague references in ancient texts, proof of their existence was not established until the 20th century, when the discovery of more than 10,000 clay tablets laid bare the story of the Hittite kingdom and its rulers. Historian Mark Weeden talks to Jon Bauckham about the rise and fall of this elusive people, and reveals what we can glean from the surviving physical evidence.

Listen to our episode with Zainab Bahrani, where she tackles listener questions about the ancient Mesopotamian city of Babylon: https://link.chtbl.com/9xMgWiPX

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In May 1980, TV coverage of the world snooker final was interrupted by live footage of men in black balaclavas abseiling down the walls of the Iranian Embassy in London. This was Operation Nimrod, a daring SAS plan to free dozens of hostages who'd been held captive in the building for almost a week by a group of gunmen. In his new book, bestselling author Ben Macintyre tells the story of the Iranian Embassy siege, from its roots in the Middle East to its incredibly dramatic conclusion. He spoke to Rob Attar about this defining event of Margaret Thatcher's premiership.

(Ad) Ben Macintyre is the author of The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama (Viking, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Siege-Remarkable-Story-Greatest-Hostage/dp/0241675677/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Nothing is more synonymous with ancient Egypt than mummification. But why was this postmortem practice actually performed? And what other rituals and beliefs surrounded death in the ancient civilisation? In the fourth episode of Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Campbell Price meet the pantheon of Egypt’s gods and goddesses and take a deep dive into the ancient underworld.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The story of Native American societies decimated by European arrival is a familiar one. But, while undoubtedly important, that’s only one part of the story. In her new book Native Nations, Kathleen DuVal looks back at 1,000 years of the history of North America's Indigenous people to uncover a richer, more complex picture. The book is shortlisted for the Cundill History Prize, of which HistoryExtra is a media partner – Ellie Cawthorne spoke to Kathleen to find out more.

(Ad) Kathleen DuVal is the author of Native Nations: A Millennium in North America (Random House, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Native-Nations-Millennium-North-America/dp/0525511032/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to another fascinating conversation on Native American history with Ned Blackhawk here: https://link.chtbl.com/J6bICRQg.

To find out more about the Cundill History Prize and the books shortlisted in 2024, head to www.cundillprize.com

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From pioneering railways and awe-inspiring bridges to ocean-spanning passenger ships and flatpack hospitals, there was no engineering challenge too ambitious for Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The impressive creations of this cigar-chomping polymath changed the face of Victorian Britain, but, as Tim Bryan tells Ellie Cawthorne in today's 'Life of the week' episode, not all of his innovative ideas were a success.

(Ad) Tim Bryan is the author of Iron, Stone and Steam: Brunel's Railway Empire (Amberley, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Iron-Stone-Steam-Brunels-Railway/dp/1398112690/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6ZGR6WI6DAVX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9TpLNZDaoSmGAiUuw0Z9Wg.kwSt3aLudrlvenUjG2s6OxnOA9-x0sffJJYdBG6EzaQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Iron%2C+Stone+and+Steam+tim+bryan&qid=1722596505&s=books&sprefix=iron+stone+and+steam+tim+bryan%2Cstripbooks%2C76&sr=1-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

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Recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war have seen Kursk make headlines – provoking parallels with the Second World War battle that took place in the region. But are such links helpful? And how important was the 1943 clash to the wider war? Matt Elton caught up with historian and author Peter Caddick-Adams to find out more.

Listen to a 2022 conversation with Keith Lowe, as he discusses how today’s conflict between Russia and Ukraine can be traced back to the Second World War: https://link.chtbl.com/3MLn9TgZ.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why were people tortured in the Middle Ages? Was it ever legal? Did the infliction of physical pain play as large a role in medieval prosecutions as we might think? And did anyone actually experience the deadly embrace of the Iron Maiden? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman, historian Professor Hannah Skoda answers a range of listener questions on torture in the medieval era.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Just how far does our understanding of the medieval past rely upon written sources? And what happens when these precious fragments of knowledge are destroyed? Taking in shocking cases of destruction and disaster, Robert Bartlett tells Emily Briffett about the material that has been lost down the centuries, and the heroic efforts made by scholars and archivists to preserve fragile slivers of information about a past that would be forgotten without them.

(Ad) Robert Bartlett is the author of History in Flames: The Destruction and Survival of Medieval Manuscripts (Cambridge University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fhistory-in-flames%2Frobert-bartlett%2F9781009457156.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What would an average ancient Egyptian citizen's relationship have been with the pyramids? Why did they wear gooey wax cones on their heads? And what was it like to attend an Egyptian religious ritual? In this third episode of our series Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Egyptologist Campbell Price delve into the vibrant world of ancient Egyptian culture – taking in the art, architecture, fashion and festivals.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Were hunter-gatherer societies among the most equal in history? What impact did the French and American Revolutions have on the concept of equality? And has equality been on the retreat over the past three decades? Darrin M McMahon, author of Equality: The History of an Elusive Idea, talks to Spencer Mizen about humanity's enduring obsession with egalitarianism.

(Ad) Darrin M McMahon is the author of Equality: The History of an Elusive Idea (Bonnier, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-HistoryiPad&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fequality%2Fdarrin-mcmahon%2F9781804186831)

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From his famed statue of David to the extraordinary paintings that adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s work still inspires awe. In this episode, Professor Catherine Fletcher speaks to Rachel Dinning about the life, legacy and extraordinary artistic output of the Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet.

Hear Catherine Fletcher discuss the history of Florence, and offer her tips on Renaissance sites to visit in the city here: https://link.chtbl.com/I4AXl_kl.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The battle of Megiddo is one of the most important battles you've (probably) never heard of. When an army led by Pharaoh Thutmosis III clashed with a coalition of enemy forces 35 centuries ago, Egypt's status as a regional superpower was on the line. Luckily for the Egyptians – as Nicky Nielsen tells Spencer Mizen - Thutmosis had a few surprises up his sleeve…

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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If you've ever visited one of the many prehistoric stone circles that dot the landscape of Britain and Ireland, you've probably come away with lots of questions. How were they built? When were they built? Why were they built? And what on earth were they for? In this 'everything you want to know' episode, we've got the answers – or at least some of them – for you, as Professor Vicki Cummings delves into the history of prehistoric stone circles with David Musgrove.

(Ad) Vicki Cummings is co-author of Stone Circles: A Field Guide (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Circles-Field-Guide/dp/0300235984/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

Listen to our episode with Mike Pitts on Britain’s most famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge, here:https://link.chtbl.com/iAT9Pelw.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In AD 165, the Roman empire was enjoying a period of seemingly unprecedented prosperity and stability. Then, the Antonine Plague arrived, bringing with it death, chaos, and fear. Speaking with James Osborne, Colin Elliott, author of Pox Romana, dissects the impact of this devastating plague on Roman society, and questions whether it was the cause of the empire's eventual demise.

(Ad) Colin Elliott is the author of Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World (Princeton University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pox-Romana-Turning-Ancient-History/dp/069121915X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Ever wondered where an ancient Egyptian did their food shop? Or how crocodile dung could cure your ailments? In this second episode of our series Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett and Egyptologist Campbell Price turn their attention to the day-to-day experiences of ordinary Egyptians, painting a vivid picture of life along the Nile – from family relationships to food and medicine.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From false rumps and fake teeth to toxic skincare and insect-laden wigs, over the past 400 years, British women have resorted to extraordinary lengths in the pursuit of beauty. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Margarette Lincoln delves into some of these past beauty practices, and considers their impact on the women who engaged in them.

(Ad) Margarette Lincoln is the author of Perfection: 400 Years of Women's Quest for Beauty (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfection-Years-Womens-Quest-Beauty/dp/0300264585/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The year AD 69 found the Roman empire in a state of chaos. Three emperors had come and gone. Civil war reigned supreme. Rome's enemies smelled blood. Enter Vespasian. In the latest instalment of our 'life of the week' series, Guy de la Bédoyère tells Spencer Mizen about an outsider emperor, who helped conquer Britain, crushed the Jewish Revolt and returned peace and prosperity to an empire on the brink.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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On 20 December 1848, Ellen Craft placed a top hat on her head, slipped her arm into a sling, and perched dark green glasses on her nose. Once her disguise was complete, Ellen and her husband William embarked on almighty journey. The couple were enslaved, and had assumed fake identities in order to make a bold bid for freedom. But the journey they faced was more than 1,000 miles long, and fraught with danger. Ilyon Woo, author of a Pulitzer-prize winning biography of the Crafts, tells Ellie Cawthorne more about how they managed to make it undetected.

(Ad) Ilyon Woo is the author of Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom (Bonnier books, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fmaster-slave-husband-wife%2Filyon-woo%2F9781804184851.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Abbasid caliphs sat at the head of a vast Islamic empire that stretched from Tunisia to the frontiers of India, which they ruled over for several centuries. But how did they first come to power? What tools did they utilise to control such a significant swathe of land? And to what extent were they responsible for a 'Golden Age of Islam'? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Hugh Kennedy charts the rise and fall of a multicultural medieval empire and answers your top questions – on everything from the harem of the strictly structured court to the enormous amount of scholarship that flowed through the caliphate.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The medieval crusades are remembered for their sweeping military campaigns. But they also engendered a brutality that went beyond the battlefield – in the form of a violent criminal underbelly, fuelled by hordes a dislocated, disinhibited young men. Speaking to Emily Briffett, historian Steve Tibble uncovers why the Holy Land became a hotbed of lawlessness, and shares some of the most surprising stories of the time – from saintly pirates and gangs led by prisoners-of-war, to devious and deceitful murderers.

(Ad) Steve Tibble is the author of Crusader Criminals: The Knights Who Went Rogue in the Holy Land (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fcrusader-criminals%2Fsteve-tibble%2F9780300276077%23%3A~%3Atext%3DCrusader%20Criminals%20charts%20the%20downward%2Csurprising%20stories%20of%20the%20time.%26text%3DThe%20religious%20wars%20of%20the%20crusades%20are%20renowned%20for%20their%20military%20engagements.%2C-But%20the%20period.

Listen to our conversation with Steve Tibble on conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar here: https://link.chtbl.com/ConspiracyKnightsTemplar. And you can hear our series on the First Crusade here: https://link.chtbl.com/FirstCrusades1

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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You’re probably familiar with the idea of godly pharaohs, menacing mummies and their deadly curses. But how much do you actually know about the fundamental facts of ancient Egyptian civilisation? In this first episode of our new series Ancient Egypt: the big questions, Emily Briffett is joined by curator and Egyptologist Campbell Price to chart ancient Egypt’s rise and fall – getting to grips with the where, when and why of one of history’s most fascinating cultures.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From the secrets of the pyramids to the mysteries of mummification, ancient Egypt has captivated the popular imagination for centuries. In HistoryExtra’s new five-part podcast series, we look back at the culture, beliefs and legacy of a civilisation which left such a significant mark in history – all in the company of curator and Egyptologist Dr Campbell Price.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Soviet gulag was a place of brutality, exploitation and death. But it was also home to tens of thousands of medical personnel who had to overcome limited facilities, appalling conditions and political menace in a battle to save the inmates' lives. Professor Dan Healey, author of a new book on these Gulag doctors, talks to Rob Attar about their complex roles in the heart of Stalin's labour camps.

(Ad) Dan Healey is the author of The Gulag Doctors: Life, Death, and Medicine in Stalin's Labour Camps (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gulag-Doctors-Medicine-Stalins-Labour/dp/0300187130#:~:text=Dan%20Healey%20explores%20the%20lives,a%20proportion%20of%20their%20patients./?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by historian Nigel Copsey to discuss the long history of the far right in the UK.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From love spells to enthral the object of your desires, to charms to influence the outcome of a trial, people turned to cunning folk for all kinds of practical magic in medieval and Tudor England. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, historian Tabitha Stanmore reveals the amount of power these magical people could have within their communities, and explores some of their methods for altering the world around them by supernatural means.

(Ad) Tabitha Stanmore is the author of Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic (Bodley Head, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cunning-Folk-Life-Practical-Magic/dp/1847927319/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Since the dawn of humanity, people have been on the move. Our ancestors' ability to travel across vast distances and adapt to different environments has been the key to our species' survival. But why do we migrate? When did passports first come into existence? And what impact have slavery, colonialism and war had on migration? In this 'everything you wanted to know' episode, Ian Goldin speaks to Danny Bird to answer listener questions about this age-old phenomenon.

(Ad) Ian Goldin is the author of The Shortest History of Migration (Old Street Publishing, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shortest-History-Migration-Ian-Goldin/dp/1913083446/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In 21st-century Britain, the age of 18 marks the legal transition from childhood to adulthood. But how has this boundary shifted over time? Alice Loxton speaks to Danny Bird about her new book, Eighteen, which explores the young lives of 18 well-known figures from British history. From the Venerable Bede to Vivienne Westwood, she explores how young people have made their mark on historical events.

(Ad) Alice Loxton is the author of Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives (Macmilla, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eighteen-History-Britain-Young-Lives/dp/1035031280/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the final episode of Toilets Through Time, we’ve finally reached the age of avant-garde sewerage systems and shining porcelain cisterns: the Victorian era. David Musgrove is joined by historian and author Jerry White, who explains why the period nevertheless saw appalling sanitary conditions that sparked debates about the public health of Britain’s cities – and shares some surprising toilet-based euphemisms.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From Chess and Go, to Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly and the ancient Egyptian game of Senet, people have long had a fascination with games. But according to author and academic Kelly Clancy, these games have not only provided people with entertainment (and sparked family arguments), they've also shaped warfare, philosophy and social interactions for several millennia. In today's episode, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Kelly to find out more.

(Ad) Kelly Clancy is the author of Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World (Riverhead Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPlaying-Reality-Games-Shaped-World%2Fdp%2F0593538188.

Listen to our conversation with Professor Irving Finkel on ancient Mesopotamian ghosts here: https://link.chtbl.com/4Zb4_V7h

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From doublethink and thoughtcrime to coming face-to-face with our worst nightmares inside Room 101, few writers have had as much impact on the popular imagination as George Orwell. But what compelled the author of 'Animal Farm' and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' to conjure up such dark, dystopian worlds? In this 'Life of the week' episode, Danny Bird speaks to historian Laura Beers about the man who introduced the world to Big Brother – and whose surname has become one of the most resonant adjectives of our age.

(Ad) Laura Beers is the author of Orwell’s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the 21st Century (C Hurst & Co, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orwells-Ghosts-Wisdom-Warnings-Century/dp/1911723022/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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People have been drawing lines on maps as long as there have been maps to draw on – whether for political, geographical or sometimes completely arbitrary purposes. But, when it comes to borders, these simple marks have had an irrevocable impact on lives and identities through the centuries. In today's episode, journalist and author Jonn Elledge speaks to Paul Bloomfield about his new book A History of the World in 47 Borders.

(Ad) Jonn Elledge is the author of A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps (Wildfire, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-World-47-Borders-Stories/dp/1472298500/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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We're all familiar with the checks and stripes of tartan. But, how much do you know about the colourful history of the textile famously sported by the Scottish clans? According to historian and tartan expert Peter MacDonald, some of our favourite 'facts' surrounding the chequered material might not be as accurate as we think. Speaking to Emily Briffett, and answering listener questions, Peter charts tartan's long story - from its early origins, to its growing status as a national symbol and commercial icon.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Over the past two weeks, we've witnessed spectacular sporting achievements in Paris. And for anyone who doesn't feel quite ready for the Olympics to be over just yet, we've got the pod for you. In this Everything you wanted to know episode recorded in 2021, David Goldblatt answers listener questions on Olympic history. Speaking to Spencer Mizen, David explores the contest's ancient Greek origins, revisits its madcap modern resurgence, and reveals why the 1900 Paris Games were somewhat more chaotic than their 2024 counterpart.

(Ad) David Goldblatt is the author of The Games: A Global History of the Olympics (W.W Norton, 2020). Buy it now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Games-Global-History-Olympics/dp/0393355519/ref=sr_1_4?crid=[%E2%80%A6]ks&sprefix=david+goldblatt+olympic%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-4&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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If walls could talk, what secrets would those of a British royal palace whisper? Murder, debauchery, treason and more, says Professor Kate Williams. Speaking to Kev Lochun, she reveals how palaces make royal robots of their incumbents, why monarchs always know where they are going to die, and what the future holds for these beloved buildings as the royal family continues to evolve.

(Ad) Kate Williams is the author of The Royal Palaces: Secrets and Scandals (Frances Lincoln, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Royal-Palaces-Kate-Williams/dp/0711269394#:~:text=Revel%20in%20the%20glory%20and,history%20of%20the%20United%20Kingdom./?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Did constipation turn Henry VIII into a tyrant? For the third episode of our mini-series Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove revisits the luxurious surroundings of the royal Tudor water closet. To tell him more about unappealing 16th-century alternatives to loo roll, 'grooms of the stool' and Henry VIII’s gut health, David is joined by author and public historian Tracy Borman.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Gulbadan Begum was meant to live a quiet life in a Mughal harem. Instead she set off on a daring pilgrimage to Islam's holy cities and, on her return, wrote an extraordinary account of her dynasty. In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Ruby Lal explores the life of a princess who transformed perceptions of what women could achieve in the 16th century.

(Ad) Ruby Lal is the author of Vagabond Princess: The Great Adventures of Gulbadan (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vagabond-Princess-Great-Adventures-Gulbadan/dp/0300251270/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Anne Frank was one of six million Jews to be murdered by the Nazis. A number of these victims' lives were lost to history. But Anne had left behind a diary – a diary that would become a global sensation. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Clare Mulley shares the teenager's remarkable and tragic story, from her impressions of wartime Amsterdam and the hardships of life in hiding, to her family's betrayal.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In August 1911, an Italian handyman walked out of Paris' Louvre museum with the Mona Lisa tucked under his arm. It was an audacious theft that shocked the art world, aroused the attention of the world's greatest detectives and even saw Picasso eyed with suspicion. Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman, Dr Noah Charney separates fact from fiction in the story of what is perhaps the most famous art heist in history, and explores why Leonardo's painting continues to intrigue and fascinate 500 years on.

(Ad) Noah Charney is the author of The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: The Complete Story of the World's Most Famous Artwork (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thefts-Mona-Lisa-Complete-Artwork/dp/1538181363/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In 1851, a spectacular showcase of the world's best art, design and innovation opened in London. Housed in a magnificent 'Crystal Palace' constructed by Joseph Paxton in just five months, the Great Exhibition wowed its six million visitors - and its legacy still lives on in London's museum district today. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Caroline McCaffrey-Howarth answers listener questions on its conception, construction, and contents.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Simon de Montfort's body was horribly mutilated and dismembered after his defeat at 1265's fateful Battle of Evesham, during the Second Barons' War. The medieval rebel leader's head and testicles were sent to the wife of one of his killers, while his butchered hands and feet were spread far and wide across Britain. Historian Sophie Thérèse Ambler explains to David Musgrove why he met such a grisly end.

Listen to our podcast on St Oswald here: https://link.chtbl.com/keeC74dG

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why were medieval monks so afraid of going to the loo? In the second episode of our mini-series Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove heads into the dark and dangerous world of medieval latrines on a quest to find out. Helping him navigate the risks of fire, filth and eternal damnation that came with paying a visit in the Middle Ages is author, architectural archaeologist and medieval myth-buster James Wright.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Controversies surrounding the history of the British empire have become particularly intense in recent years, with academics, politicians and commentators all offering differing views about how we should understand the nation's imperial past. A new book, The Truth about Empire, delves into the debate, with the stated aim of foregrounding the view of historians. Matt Elton spoke to three people involved in the project – Alan Lester, Bronwen Everill, and Sathnam Sanghera – to find out more.

(Ad) Alan Lester, Bronwen Everill and Sathnam Sanghera are contributors to the book The Truth About Empire: Real Histories of British Colonialism (C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Truth-About-Empire-Histories-Colonialism/dp/191172309X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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As Elizabethan England's most famous sea captain, Francis Drake saw his fair share of sea-faring adventures – from scuffles with the Spanish Armada, to circumnavigating the globe. But his story also contains darker elements – including slave-trading, looting and the execution of his right-hand man. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne in our latest 'life of the week' episode, historian Robert Hutchison revisits Drake's dramatic life, and re-examines his contentious legacy.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From asteroids, bacteria and comets to growing fears about artificial intelligence and climate change, human history has long been stalked by a terror of the end of days. But what do these fears tell us about the past? And can that past help us prepare for an uncertain future? Dorian Lynskey spoke to Matt Elton about the long history of apocalyptic thought.

(Ad) Dorian Lynskey is the author of Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About The End of the World (Picador, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Feverything-must-go%2Fdorian-lynskey%2F9781529095937.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the 18th century, countless British travellers set off to continental Europe in search of art, architecture... and a good time. But what were the must-see locations on the Grand Tour? How did people overcome the challenges of language, currency and uncomfortable mules? And what were the biggest scandals that shook fashionable Europe? In this 'everything you wanted to know' episode, Lizzie Rogers takes Ellie Cawthorne on a whistle-stop journey through the history of the Grand Tour.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Earlier this week, new comedy drama The Decameron dropped on Netflix. Based on a set of 14th-century tales by Giovanni Boccaccio, it follows the raucous exploits of a group of medieval Italian nobles, after they flee to the hills to escape the Black Death. Boccaccio's text is one of the key sources we have on the plague pandemic that ravaged Europe in the 1340s, so with the release of the new series, we're bringing you an archive episode all about the Black Death. Speaking to David Musgrove back in 2021, historian John Hatcher answers your questions on the pandemic.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What would you do if your home town was ravaged by plague? Would you lock your doors and hide? Run for the hills? Or accept that the end was nigh and party? Boccaccio's The Decameron - a medieval bestseller written during the Black Death - considers all these options. With the launch of a new Netflix series based on the pivotal work, David Musgrove chats to historian Rebecca Bowen to find out more – and uncover why its author thought that risqué stories could help people come to terms with the horror of the plague.

You can hear our podcast on medieval keep fit here: https://link.chtbl.com/-YbeDr31

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What was it like to do your business in a Roman communal toilet? In the first episode of our new mini-series, Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove begins his journey through the bathrooms of British history in the Roman era, with historian Dr Hannah Platts. They discuss dubious ancient ablutions, the confronting experience of sitting alongside your neighbours on the toilet, and why one gladiator reportedly stuck a toilet sponge down his own throat.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump earlier in July, historian Adam Smith speak to Matt Elton about previous attempts to kill political leaders in the United States – and how these events changed the nation.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the latest episode of our monthly series exploring the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by Professor Paul Cartledge to explore the long roots of recent tensions in democracies around the world.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Picture Charles II's court and you'll probably imagine a riot of excess, filled with drinking, games, and of course, mistresses. The queen by Charles' side, Catherine of Braganza, is often obscured by this scandalous picture. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Sophie Shorland discusses her new biography detailing the life of the often overlooked consort – from her vital political role in the 17th-century Portuguese struggle for independence to the scandalous power games in the court of the 'Merrie Monarch'.

(Ad) Sophie Shorland is the author of The Lost Queen: The Surprising Life of Catherine of Braganza, Britain's Forgotten Monarch (Atlantic Books, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Queen-Surprising-Catherine-Forgotten-ebook/dp/B0CPRBBH3P/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The era of the Spanish Inquisition is most commonly remembered as a period of widespread fear and paranoia, where communities turned on each other and torture was rife. But how true is this popular perception? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Giles Tremlett answers listener questions on the Spanish Inquisition, from the real history behind the sinister and bloodthirsty 'Black Legend' of Spain, to whether there was there any hope of survival for people singled out by the inquisitors...

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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1217 is not one of the most famous years in English history. But with a major French invasion looming and a brutal war that wracked both towns and the countryside, this was a year that could have altered the nation's history beyond recognition. So, why aren't we more familiar with the events of 1217? Emily Briffett speaks to medievalist Catherine Hanley, author of a new book on the year, to find out.

(Ad) Catherine Hanley is the author of 1217: The Battles that Saved England (Osprey, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/1217-Battles-that-Saved-England/dp/147286087X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1186ABQSY87IU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2k5Of41HS45niMd5aKIurQ0r_Z7VrEwwy_yn5kVQoBHyLNBCK2fvUpxfINQZTs7hvyEK2oSE3hfee227ietJUVPmnLkBZDW92hKkxZdKgdLGjGmbJM9cPy1M-fVr4qdZuMiK05Id--Me1aPX56OCOyE9Td0GXWVsjh1rBXFbF7hu0i3CAmXYBu59kQI514lrgkD8tDZvOVSQxGeQlbpi57fkWeLpIt0bcokaiksq4LM.yJINJKOdZoDoSLG_hRxVKodndVppC5U_Q5IdM1b3Y-A&dib_tag=se&keywords=1217&qid=1716893993&s=books&sprefix=1217%2Cstripbooks%2C62&sr=1-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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After an escalating campaign of bombing and arson attacks, the suffragette movement was brought to a sudden halt on the outbreak of war in 1914. In the final episode of our new series Deeds not words: the story of the suffragettes, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to expert historians about why and how the campaign came to its conclusion, and whether it achieved its aims.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Before and during the Second World War, Britain provided a safe haven for thousands of people fleeing Nazi persecution. But, as the author Paul Dowswell argues, this is not an entirely heroic story. In conversation with Rob Attar, Paul explains how huge numbers of Jews were denied entry to Britain and reveals how many of the refugees who were accepted received a hostile welcome.

(Ad) Paul Dowswell is the author of Aliens: The Chequered History of Britain's Wartime Refugees (Biteback Publishing, 2023). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Faliens%2Fpaul-dowswell%2F9781785907937

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Catherine de' Medici has gone down in history as the sinister 'serpent queen', who had a troop of female spies in her court and may have instigated the deadly St Bartholomew's Day massacre. But is this a fair judgement of the 16th-century queen and regent? In this 'Life of the week' episode, Emily Briffett speaks to historian Leah Redmond Chang to reassess Catherine's twisted reputation – and shine a light on her struggles and achievements as one of the era's most powerful people.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Evelina Haverfield and Vera Holme, known as Jack, were in love. Not only were they in love, but they also worked together – as suffragette protestors, during prison sentences, and on the wards of military hospitals abroad. Speaking to Lauren Good, Wendy Moore explores the fascinating adventures of these two women before and during the First World War.

(Ad) Wendy Moore is the author of Jack and Eve: Two Women In Love and At War (Atlantic Books, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fjack-and-eve%2Fwendy-moore%2F9781838958091.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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What was it like to be a servant in one of Britain's grand stately homes? How much were domestic staff paid? And what made maids revolt against wearing mopcaps? From daily drudgery to stories of scandal, in our latest Everything you wanted to know episode, historian Lucy Lethbridge speaks to Lauren Good about the reality of domestic service in the era of Downton Abbey and beyond.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The Edwardian era is sometimes regarded as an uneventful stopgap between the cultural and technological innovations of the Victorian period and the seismic shifts brought about by the First World War. But is this a fair assessment? Alwyn Turner talks to Jon Bauckham about what life was really like during the reign of Edward VII, and how anxieties about Britain's place in the world were beginning to take centre stage.

(Ad) Alwyn Turner is the author of Little Englanders: Britain in the Edwardian Era (Profile, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Englanders-Britain-Edwardian-Era/dp/1800815301/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-HistoryiPad

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Smashing windows, burning down politicians’ homes and planting bombs in public places. As the suffragette movement progressed, it turned to increasingly extreme methods to further its cause. In episode five of our new series on the suffragettes, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to expert historians to reveal how the campaign became ever more militant and asks: is it fair to call the suffragettes terrorists?

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Between 1199 and 1399, English politics was packed full of high drama, as the Plantagenet monarchs reacted - and adapted - to plague, warfare, uprisings and economic crises. But, according to medieval historians Caroline Burt and Richard Partington in their new book //Arise, England//, the Plantagenet age is also one that shines a light on England's emerging statehood. Speaking to Emily Briffett, and drawing on some listener questions, Caroline and Richard consider how the reigns of six Plantagenet kings altered the face of English governance.

(Ad) Caroline Burt and Richard Partington is the author of Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State (Faber & Faber, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arise-England-Kings-Making-English/dp/0571311989/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Justinian stands tall among the Byzantine rulers, as the 'sleepless emperor' whose religious fervour and legislative zeal saw him rebuild the eastern Roman empire from the ground up... until the 'four horsemen of the apocalypse' arrived and threatened it all. Peter Sarris talks to Kev Lochun about how the conniving and ruthless Justinian claimed power, how an angry sports fans nearly brought him down, and why he's best-known for having a plague named after him.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Eglantyne Jebb was a woman who had no real love of children – but nevertheless worked tirelessly to campaign for their rights. Clare Mulley joins us to discuss the life and work of a pioneering fundraiser and the founder of the international Save the Children fund, whose unconventional personal life defied the strictures of her class.

(Ad) Clare Mulley is the author of The Woman Who Saved the Children: A Biography of Eglantyne Jebb: Founder of Save the Children. Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-HistoryiPad&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-woman-who-saved-the-children%2Fclare-mulley%2F9781786076472

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Could children be hanged in Victorian Britain? Were the streets of Dickensian London haunted by organised gangs, or opportunistic pickpockets? What tricks and tools did Victorian police have at their disposal? And was it possible to get a fair trial in the 19th century? In our latest Everything You Wanted to Know episode, historian Dr Drew Gray answers listener questions on crime and punishment in Victorian Britain.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In 1894, French artillery officer Alfred Dreyfus was falsely accused of passing military secrets to Germany. These swirling accusations and the subsequent degradation and humiliation suffered by Dreyfus constitutes one of history's most notorious incidents of antisemitism. Maurice Samuels speaks to Danny Bird about why the military top brass were so determined to persecute the Jewish officer, and how the Dreyfus affair polarised France.

(Ad) Maurice Daniels is the author of Alfred Dreyfus: The Man at the Center of the Affair (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alfred-Dreyfus-Center-Affair-Jewish/dp/0300254008/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_2_3/260-2577546-0435944?pd_rd_w=yGQ8L&content-id=amzn1.sym.ad51136c-8d04-4e54-9ec5-18cad2a65d61&pf_rd_p=ad51136c-8d04-4e54-9ec5-18cad2a65d61&pf_rd_r=1ZZWBQDD11XZX9SZ1JBT&pd_rd_wg=wGtLQ&pd_rd_r=520dbfe5-21cd-434e-913a-5b6d8fdb17b0&pd_rd_i=0300254008&psc=1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

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The suffragettes’ relationship with the British establishment was fractious to say the least. As well as experiencing police brutality on the streets, the activists were subjected to violent force-feeding in response to hunger strikes in prison. But, as we reveal in the fourth episode of our new series Deeds not words, when faced with this opposition, the suffragettes found ingenious ways of fighting back.

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Did you know that while Mark Antony was having an affair with Cleopatra, his wife, Fulvia, was fighting a battle on his behalf in Rome? Or that the first named author was a woman? What about the fact that the first female victor of the Olympic Games competed in her fifties? Speaking to Lauren Good, Daisy Dunn shines a light on these women in antiquity, whose lives stretch far beyond what we might expect.

(Ad) Daisy Dunn is the author of The Missing Thread: A New History of the Ancient World Through the Women Who Shaped It (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Missing-Thread-Shaped-Ancient-History/dp/1474615619/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How much do we really know about the Iceni warrior leader who rose up against Rome? How close did she come to success? And can we know what she looked like? Speaking to Elinor Evans, archaeologist and writer Duncan Mackay traces the story of the freedom fighter Boudica, scourge of the Roman empire.

(Ad) Duncan Mackay is the author of Echolands: A Journey in Search of Boudica (Hodder & Stoughton, 2023). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fecholands%2Fduncan-mackay%2F9781399714112.

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The wartime alliance between Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt was arguably the most important of the 20th century – and among the most fraught. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Giles Milton explores a three-way relationship that was plagued by spats, backstabbing and duplicity – yet was absolutely critical to victory over the Nazis.

(Ad) Giles Milton is the author of The Stalin Affair: The Impossible Alliance that Won the War (John Murray Press, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-stalin-affair%2Fgiles-milton%2F9781529398519.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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While it might seem unimaginable today, there was a time when who you voted for in a general election was a matter of public record - and if you were working class, or a women, you wouldn’t have been able to vote at all. Speaking to James Osborne, Professor Richard Toye outlines the history of the United Kingdom’s general elections. He reveals how the system of general elections has evolved over the centuries, revisits past blunders and scandals, and considers how the campaigns of the 19th and early-20th century compare to today.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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You might think that people in the Middle Ages did not exercise for fun. But that's not so, according to Professor Carole Rawcliffe of the University of East Anglia. She has studied medieval fitness guides and concluded that lots of people, certainly in religious institutions and the higher echelons of society, were in fact very interested in exercising. Carole explains why to David Musgrove.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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From eye-catching merchandise and punchy logos to memorable colour-schemes and trouble-making stunts, the suffragettes mastered the art of making a statement. In the third episode of our new series Deeds not words, Ellie Cawthorne uncovers how the activists developed innovative new methods to get their message heard. Speaking to expert historians, she reveals how they continue to inspire political campaigners today.

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In October 2019 Bruno Dey went on trial in Hamburg for his involvement in a horrific crime – 75 years after that crime had been committed. Dey was now an old man but in his youth he had served as a guard in Stutthof concentration camp, where thousands of people had been murdered by the Nazis. Dey's trial was one of the last times that the Holocaust would be the subject of legal proceedings, and raised many questions around justice, moral culpability and, ultimately, how a society could descend into genocide. Journalist Tobias Buck tells the story of the trial in his new book Final Verdict – he spoke to Rob Attar about this profound moment in the histories of Germany and the Holocaust.

(Ad) Tobias Buck is the author of Final Verdict: A Holocaust Trial in the Twenty-first Century (Orion, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Ffinal-verdict%2Ftobias-buck%2F9781399604253.

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She was the most-married wife of England's most-married king, but there was so much more to Catherine Parr. Speaking to Kev Lochun, Tudor historian Elizabeth Norton explores the circumstances that brought the twice-widowed Catherine to the attention of Henry VIII, how she almost lost her head, and why her greatest legacy is not as a wife, but as an author and stepmother.

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How did spies plot and plant information in Elizabethan England? How easy was it to break open a confidential sealed letter and, if necessary, forge its contents? And how high were the stakes? Speaking to Elinor Evans, Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman discuss the tricks and tools of Tudor spies.

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It's one of the world's most popular treats and a significant part of the global economy, but how much do you really know about the history of chocolate? Well, for today's 'everything you wanted to know' episode, Rob Attar was joined by the food historian and author Emma Kay to explore the long journey from the first cultivation of cacao to the chocolate bars we enjoy today.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Work-life balance might seem like a thoroughly modern concern, as many people today struggle to maintain boundaries between our jobs and out home life. But in fact, this issue has a long history. So, how did changing work patterns alter people's ideas about leisure time? And how did people choose to use that leisure time once they had it? Speaking to Elinor Evans, Gary S Cross explores how ideas about "free time" and its uses have evolved.

(Ad) Gary S Cross is the author of Free Time: The History of an Elusive Ideal (New York University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: .https://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Time-History-Elusive-Ideal/dp/1479813079/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

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One family – the Pankhursts – stood at the centre of the suffragette movement. They set the agenda and inspired their followers into action, but their ideas about political campaigning were not always aligned. From matriarchal figurehead Emmeline to chief strategist Christabel and firebrand socialist Sylvia, in the second episode of our new series on the suffragettes, Ellie Cawthorne explores the crucial roles the family played in the movement. Speaking to historians, she uncovers a story of inspiration, self-sacrifice and sibling rivalry.

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Anne Boleyn is one the most famous queens in history, but what do we get wrong about Henry VIII's tragic second wife? Speaking to Lauren Good, historian Estelle Paranque sheds new light on this iconic Tudor queen by taking a look at the influences that shaped her.

(Ad) Estelle Paranque is the author of Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn (Hachette, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FThorns-Lust-Glory-Betrayal-Boleyn%2Fdp%2F0306835932.

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In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at historical examples of leaders making public apologies, trailblazing female politicians, and stories of politicians who have fallen foul of the law.

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The way in which we commemorate D-Day, and other pivotal moments of the Second World War, has been making headlines in recent weeks. Alec Ryrie, professor of history at Durham University, explores why the conflict continues to hold such weight in the national psyche.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Beowulf is the most famous Old English epic poem, relating the adventures of the eponymous hero as he battles beasts and dragons in a pre-Viking Scandinavian world. However, it's so much more than just a story of men and monsters, as Heather O'Donoghue reveals in this conversation with David Musgrove. Answering listener questions, she explains the key things we should know about Beowulf and the story it tells.

(Ad) Heather O'Donoghue is the author of Beowulf: Poem, Poet and Hero (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beowulf-Warrior-Monsters-Vikings-Heroes/dp/1788312880/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A9mg06h4g1CheJlYp0bvlkHVPCw08WA57tOnoiFBhx9gueJUGEukPE_f0IuWLGJD9CSyw7sgdp8bvF-MwK8eae6pcLtI77O1xeuflnmaSwV07YCILEguvqcM3k7SN19RDhsYjOcPi4C6IApnS1wYtGWrf_kzLWpFLQdZlG_fxqjDRp3Z1hesM2dgMkQT5_03PyM_n2ZdMffym72Bfkag5YwwnUzOmZ8E4mcsEu7VDz4.EC8H0lwjf5l6YN9O7KXi_2nIfj5Gp3critHXl8Q8BBo&dib_tag=se&qid=1716555016&refinements=p_27%3AHeather+O%27Donoghue&s=books&sr=1-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

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With the second half of Bridgerton series three landing on Netflix yesterday, fans have been drawn back into the romantic world of Regency ballrooms. But how accurate are the dance scenes in the show? What was it really like to dance the night away at a Regency ball? And how do you make historical dance moves exciting for modern viewers? Emily Briffett spoke to Bridgerton's choreographer and movement director, Jack Murphy, to find out.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the opening episode of our new series on the suffragettes, Ellie Cawthorne charts how calls of “votes for women” reached boiling point in Edwardian Britain. Speaking to expert historians, she uncovers how a dynamic new movement was formed to campaign for women’s suffrage using “deeds not words”, and how it would go on to become locked in a bitter war of attrition with the British establishment.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Introducing our series on the suffragettes where Ellie Cawthorne and expert historians chart how calls of “votes for women” reached boiling point in Edwardian Britain. They look into how the suffragettes mastered the art of making a statement, their fractious relationship with the British establishment and whether the militant campaign achieved its aims.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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A Polish priest who was murdered in Auschwitz. A survivor of the Nagasaki atom bomb who campaigned against nuclear war. And a Japanese school teacher who sent cherry trees as peace offerings around the world. The stories of these three remarkable men form the basis of a new book by the journalist and author Naoko Abe. She spoke to Rob Attar about how hope can emerge from the most terrible suffering.

(Ad) Naoko Abe is the author of The Martyr and the Red Kimono: A Fearless Priest’s Sacrifice and A New Generation of Hope in Japan (Vintage Publishing, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-martyr-and-the-red-kimono%2Fnaoko-abe%2F9781784744533.

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Few men did more to shape the course of the 20th century than Dwight D Eisenhower. Not only did 'Ike' mastermind the Allied invasion of western Europe on D-Day, but he also went on to become president of the United States as it cemented its status as the world's most powerful nation. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, historian Iwan Roberts dissects the life and legacy of a celebrated – and sometimes controversial - leader.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Thomas James Wise was well-respected among the rare book fanatics of 1930s London as a consummate collector. But when he began to uncover a surprising amount of valuable first editions in mint condition, things began to look a bit fishy. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, academic and author Joseph Hone transports listeners back to the eccentric world of 1930s book collecting, to explore the audacious crimes of an ingenious forger.

(Ad) Joseph Hone is the author of The Book Forger: The true story of a literary crime that fooled the world (Chatto & Windus, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Forger-story-literary-fooled/dp/1784744670/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

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How bad were conditions aboard the Mayflower? How did the colonists survive that first harsh winter? And why have they attained such an iconic status in the American consciousness? In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Nick Bunker addresses the most pressing questions about the pilgrim fathers.

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The first piece of legislation preventing animal cruelty was passed in Britain during the 1820s – but that's not to say the British have always lived up to the cherished idea of being a nation of animal lovers. To mark 200 years since the foundation of the RSPCA, David Musgrove spoke to Helen Cowie about Victorian legislation and campaigning that sought to prevent cruelty to animals back during the organisation's early days, and how attitudes to animals have changed since then.

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Today, 6 June, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, one of the key episodes in the Second World War. But what did Winston Churchill make of the plans for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France? Was, as some have suggested, the British prime minister really reluctant to get involved? And how fraught were relationships between the Allied leaders? Speaking to Matt Elton, Richard Dannatt and Allen Packwood, authors of new book Churchill's D-Day: The Inside Story, discuss the decisions and tensions behind the operation.

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The Allied invasion of Normandy saw troops coming ashore across five landing beaches and dropping behind enemy lines by parachute and glider. But what happened to the men after they had arrived in France? And what sort of opposition did they face? In the concluding episode of the series, Jon Bauckham talks to Giles Milton about the ground campaign on D-Day, delving into the experiences of British commandos, German tank commanders and more.

(Ad) Giles Milton is a bestselling author and historian. His latest books is D-Day: The Soldiers' Story (John Murray, 2018). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fd-day%2Fgiles-milton%2F9781473649040.

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To poet, playwright and writer Aphra Behn, the tale of a runaway aristocrat's daughter Lady Henrietta Berkeley, her scandalous affair and equally dramatic subsequent trial was rich material for some of the most outrageous and bestselling political fiction of the 17th century. However, Behn's own life may have been equally as exciting. Speaking to Emily Briffett, author Lisa Hilton untangles the stories of these two women at the heart of her new book, The Scandal of the Century, to highlight what they can reveal about the lives of women at this time.

(Ad) Lisa Hilton is the author of The Scandal of the Century (Penguin, 2024). buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-scandal-of-the-century%2Flisa-hilton%2F9781405953320.

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Ancient Greece produced some of the most celebrated philosophers in history. Yet in terms of fame and enduring influence, none rival Plato. This Athenian's theories on everything from the nature of the soul to the most desirable form of government have had an immense impact on how humankind has perceived the universe for 24 centuries. Paul Cartledge tells Spencer Mizen about the incredible life and legacy of Plato.

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Breastfeeding has been part of raising children since the dawn of time. However, studying its history also highlights stories of grief, community support and enforced labour. Speaking to Emily Briffett, historian Hannah Skoda shares her research on breastfeeding during the Middle Ages, from what medieval medics believed breast milk was made from, to ethical issues surrounding wet-nursing – and how medieval people felt about big debates that still surround breastfeeding today.

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Why did people start cremating bodies? When did black become the colour of mourning? And who are the 'invisible dead'? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman, historian Douglas Davies answers your top questions about traditions surrounding death and mourning in Britain through the centuries.

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It's one of the great what-ifs of ancient history. After Constantine the Great had converted Rome to Christianity it seemed that the faith's progress was inevitable, but just a few decades later a new pagan emperor sought to turn back the clock and reinstate the old gods – only to die before his plan was completed. That emperor was Julian – and his story is the subject of a new book by Professor Philip Freeman. Philip spoke to Rob Attar about a remarkable man who almost turned world history on its head.

(Ad) Phillip Freeman is the author of Julian: Rome’s Last Pagan Emperor (Yale Univesity Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Julian-Romes-Pagan-Emperor-Ancient/dp/0300256647/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

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During the early hours of 6 June 1944, a huge armada of Allied ships crossed the Channel, poised to deliver the largest seaborne invasion the world had ever seen. But sailors didn’t just ferry troops to the shore on D-Day – their continued defence of the perilous coastal waters ensured the Allies could maintain a foothold in France for months to come. In the second episode of D-Day: Land, Air and Sea, Jon Bauckham talks to Nick Hewitt about the Normandy naval campaign, and the forgotten heroes who saved the landings from disaster.

(Ad) Nick Hewitt is an author and naval historian. His most recent book is Normandy: The Sailors’ Story – A Naval History of D-Day and the Battle for France (Yale University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Normandy-Sailors-History-Battle-France/dp/0300256736#:~:text=Book%20overview&text=The%20Allied%20liberation%20of%20Nazi,ships%20and%20nearly%20200%2C000%20men./?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

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After years of suspicion and hostility, relations between the Soviet Union and the United States had improved by the 1930s. In this episode, Lisa Kirschenbaum tells Danny Bird about how two Soviet satirists, Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov, launched a remarkable road trip across America in the middle of that fraught decade. From inedible T-bone steaks and coming face-to-face with President Roosevelt, to the grim reality of Jim Crow, it was a journey that continues to fascinate to this day.

(Ad) Lisa Kirschenbaum is the author of Soviet Adventures in the Land of the Capitalists: Ilf and Petrov's American Road Trip (Cambridge University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soviet-Adventures-Land-Capitalists-American/dp/1316518469/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Galileo Galilei stands as one of the most significant figures in the history of science and thought. But how did he gain this illustrious reputation? In today's 'Life of the Week' episode, historian of science James Hannam delves into Galileo's pioneering observations and experiments. Speaking to Danny Bird, he reveals how the dissemination of Galileo's discoveries provoked the orthodoxies of his day and even threatened his own liberty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Europe's peasants have all but disappeared since the end of the Second World War. Patrick Joyce has studied the past 200 years of the peasant experience, and in conversation with David Musgrove, he explores what we might learn about this vanished world. He considers what European peasant society was like, and how far peasants' world view differed from the way most of us see the world today.

(Ad) Patrick Joyce is the author of Remembering Peasants: A Personal History of a Vanished World (Penguin, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fremembering-peasants%2Fpatrick-joyce%2F9780241543023%23%3A~%3Atext%3DEnlightening%2C%20timely%20and%20vital%2C%20this%2Cour%20future%20remains%20profoundly%20relevant.%26text%3Dbook'%20Annie%20Proulx-%2CA%20way%20of%20life%20that%20once%20encompassed%20most%20of%20humanity%2Crural%20world%20by%20the%20urban.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Millions of people flock to museums each year, eager to learn about the past and be inspired by the artefacts on display. But how old is the concept of the museum? How exactly has it shifted over time? And what controversies have plagued museums in recent years? Dr Caroline McCaffrey-Howarth talks to Jon Bauckham about the history of these remarkable institutions, covering everything from Renaissance ‘cabinets of curiosities’ to the triumphant Great Exhibition of 1851.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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You've heard of Shakespeare, but have you heard of his contemporary Mary Sidney, the first person to translate the Book of Psalms into English poetry? Or what about Elizabeth Cary, who published the first original play known to be written by a woman in English? In her new book Shakespeare's Sisters: Four Women Who Wrote the Renaissance, Ramie Targoff delves into the lives of four fascinating women writers from the Renaissance period. Speaking to Lauren Good, she explores a poignant question: what would the literary canon look like if these women had been better remembered?

(Ad) Ramie Targoff is the author of Shakespeare's Sisters: Four Women Who Wrote the Renaissance (Riverrun, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shakespeares-Sisters-Women-Wrote-Renaissance/dp/1529404894/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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On 6 June 1944, the Allies began their long-awaited invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. By the end of the day, more than 150,000 men had landed in northern France, ready to start pushing further inland. But how had this immense undertaking been planned? And how long was it before they achieved their first objective? In the first episode of our new three-part series, Jon Bauckham talks to Saul David about the experiences of the Allied airborne forces on D-Day, revealing how paratroopers and glider infantry were pivotal to the invasion’s overall success.

(Ad) Saul David is an acclaimed author, historian and broadcaster. His latest book is Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War (William Collins, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Warriors-British-Airborne-Forces/dp/0008522162/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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At the end of the 19th century, Britain and America entered the grip of a cat craze that saw the humble moggy catapulted from urban nuisance to beloved household pet. Historian Kathryn Hughes speaks to Charlotte Hodgman about 19th-century attitudes to cats, and how Louis Wain's anthropomorphic drawings helped us fall in love with all things feline.

(Ad) Kathryn Hughes is the author of Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World (Fourth Estate, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=164&awinaffid=489797&p=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.frame.io%2Freviews%2F9164ab37-aa66-49f6-bc25-ac496e432528&clickref=historyextra-social-histboty

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Maria Theresa defied expectations of what a female ruler could achieve in the 18th century. When she ascended the throne of the Habsburg empire in 1740, there were riots on the streets of Vienna, and Europe's major powers prepared to pounce. Yet, as Pieter Judson tells Spencer Mizen, over the next four decades Maria Theresa introduced wide-ranging social reforms, and turned Austria into a military force to be reckoned with.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Operating under the codename Agent Zo, Polish resistance fighter Elżbieta Zawacka was one of the most courageous intelligence agents of the Second World War. From running secret missives under the noses of the Nazis, to parachuting behind enemy lines, Clare Mulley recounts her dramatic story to Ellie Cawthorne.

(Ad) Clare Mulley is the author of Agent Zo: The Untold Story of Fearless WW2 Resistance Fighter Elżbieta Zawacka (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Agent-Zo-Fearless-Resistance-Elzbieta/dp/1399601067/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why did the French Revolution descend into a spiral of paranoia, finger-pointing and state violence? Were fears of treachery and counter-revolution justified? And how did the guillotine become a symbol of revolutionary justice? Speaking to Danny Bird, historian David Andress answers listener questions about 'the Terror' – a bloodthirsty phase of the French Revolution in which the new Republic descended into mass hysteria.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Smash-hit historical romance Bridgerton returns this week. One of the series' key characters is the elusive Lady Whistledown – a savvy wordsmith with a penchant for causing mayhem among the Regency elite. But did an anonymous gossipmonger like Whistledown really exist in the Regency era? Emily Briffett speaks to public historian Professor Hannah Greig – historical consultant to the series – to delve into the outrageous world of Georgian scandal sheets and gossip rags, and learn more about those who dished the dirt.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Why did a remote Pacific island become one of the most fiercely fought-over locations in the Second World War? In the fifth and final episode of our series on WW2's Greatest Battles, military historian James Holland speaks to Ellie Cawthorne about the battle of Guadalcanal. He reveals why occupying the island was seen as key to victory in the Pacific arena, explores the challenges of conducting a coherent military campaign across land, air and sea, and explains how US forces were able to wrest control of Guadalcanal from the Japanese.

James Holland is the co-founder of the Chalke History Festival - which runs from 24-30 June 2024. As a media partner of the festival, we're offering an exclusive 15% off Chalke Festival day tickets for subscribers to either HistoryExtra or BBC History Magazine. Check out our spring offers and benefits at www.historyextra.com/pod

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Until recently, the history of sex between men was a taboo topic. But by delving into the historical archive, historian Sir Noel Malcolm has uncovered a more complex story of same-sex relationships and encounters in early modern Europe and the Ottoman world. He speaks to Rebecca Franks about his findings.

(Ad) Noel Malcolm is the author of Forbidden Desire in Early Modern Europe: Male-Male Sexual Relations, 1400-1750 (Oxford University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forbidden-Desire-Early-Modern-Europe/dp/0198886330/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the past behind the present, Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter chronicle the history of student protests, explore the story of a remarkable medieval astrolabe and discuss some new discoveries about Jane Austen.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Every queen had ladies in waiting, but few of those royal companions witnessed such tumult as the women who served the six queens of Henry VIII. Speaking to Kev Lochun, Dr Nicola Clark discusses how these women navigated the competing demands of queen, country and family as the world was reshaped around them.

(Ad) Nicola Clark is the author of The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens (Orion, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: .http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=4746&awinaffid=489797&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-waiting-game%2Fnicola-clark%2F9781474622202&clickref=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Was tragedy or comedy the crowd favourite of the ancient Greek stage? Were audiences raucous and rowdy, or quiet and civilised? And how much do modern theatrical productions draw on their ancient antecedents? Speaking to Emily Briffett, classicist Sarah Nooter answers your top questions about the theatrical antics of ancient Greece – from advice on stage management to scatological humour.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Is it ever appropriate to fictionalise the Holocaust? That's a question highlighted by the controversies surrounding The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a 2018 novel by Heather Morris, which sold millions across the globe but also received criticism from some in the historical community for the way it represents the reality of Auschwitz. As a new TV adaptation arrives on Sky, Professor Richard J Evans speaks to Rob Attar about the book and the challenges facing all writers and film-makers seeking to tell stories about one of the darkest episodes in history.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In October 1942, Axis and Allied forces went head-to-head in the North African desert. Fighting over access to the Suez Canal and crucial oil fields, tanks and infantrymen slogged it out across sand dunes and minefields, under the command of two of the most charismatic military leaders of the war. In the fourth episode of our series on WW2's Greatest Battles, military historian James Holland fills Ellie Cawthorne in on the story and significance of El Alamein, and the challenges of desert warfare.

James Holland is the co-founder of the Chalke History Festival - which runs from 24-30 June 2024. As a media partner of the festival, we're offering an exclusive 15% off Chalke Festival day tickets for subscribers to either HistoryExtra or BBC History Magazine. Check out our spring offers and benefits at www.historyextra.com/pod

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Based on the bestselling novels of CJ Sansom, Disney+'s new Tudor drama Shardlake is a 16th-century whodunnit that takes place during the tumult of the dissolution of the monasteries. The show's historical consultant, Peter Wagstaff, tells Kev Lochun about how Shardlake brings the story of a lawyer who solves crimes and mysteries for some of the most prominent members of Tudor society to the screen.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Kublai Khan will go down in history as the man who cemented the Mongol empire's status as the one of the mightiest powers in the world – and changed the course of Chinese history in the process. In our latest Life of the Week episode, Nicholas Morton tells Spencer Mizen how this hugely capable leader built on the achievements of his grandfather Genghis.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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In March 1911, twelve Black men were brought to a forest in Maryland. Under supervision, they cleared land and laid foundations for what would become the Crownsville Hospital, a segregated mental asylum for black patients. These twelve men would also become the hospital's first patients. Speaking to Elinor Evans, journalist and author Antonia Hylton shares the story of one of the last segregated asylums in the United States of America, and what it can tell us about the nation's history of racial integration and civil rights.

(Ad) Antonia Hylton is the author of Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum (Footnote Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Madness-Insanity-America-Times-Bestseller/dp/180444104X/ref=monarch_sidesheet/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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How remarkable was the Spartans' yesstalwart resistance against the Persians at Thermopylae? Was their military training as tough as historians would have us believe? And just how austere were they? The people of the ancient Greek city-state have left an indelible mark on history, and for today's Everything You Wanted to Know episode, Spencer Mizen sat down with the ancient historian Paul Cartledge to answer your questions on their culture, politics and military endeavours.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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At the end of the 17th century, a Swiss physician diagnosed a deadly new disease - nostalgia. Agnes Arnold-Forster explores the surprising cultural history of the emotion, from the longing "Ostalgie" felt for a lost East Germany to the Victorian love of all things medieval. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, she also outlines how nostalgia has been weaponised by both sides of the political spectrum, and considers whether it could be a force for good.

(AD) Agnes Arnold-Forster is the author of Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion (Picador). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nostalgia-History-Dangerous-Agnes-Arnold-Forster/dp/1529091365#:~:text=In%20Nostalgia%3A%20A%20History%20of,an%20illness%20that%20could%2C%20quite.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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As the Second World War raged on, Atlantic sea-routes became a crucial lifeline for Britain as merchant ships kept them supplied with critical equipment and food. But this made them an irresistible target for German attack. Speaking to Rachel Dinning for our WW2's Greatest Battles series, military historian James Holland explains why he believes the battle of the Atlantic was the most important engagement of the whole conflict, and reveals what life was really like inside a German U-boat.

James Holland is the co-founder of the Chalke History Festival - which runs from 24-30 June 2024. As a media partner of the festival, we're offering an exclusive 15% off Chalke Festival day tickets when you become a subscriber to either HistoryExtra or BBC History Magazine. Check out our spring offers and benefits at www.historyextra.com/pod

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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The music of the past can tell us a great deal about the time in which it was created - from societal trends to political affiliations. As part of the '100 Ballads' project, Professor Christopher Marsh and Dr Angela McShane have identified 100 of the biggest musical hits from 17th-century England. They speak to Charlotte Hodgman about the popularity of these broadside ballads and introduce some of the top singing stars of the day.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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One of the founding fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin is a towering figure in 18th-century history. Although he is widely remembered for his role in the American War of Independence, his influence stretches far beyond that. Elinor Evans spoke to historian and author George Goodwin about the life and legacy of the polymath, from his groundbreaking scientific experiments to his vital contributions to America's independence struggle.

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When former American football player and actor OJ Simpson was arrested in 1994 for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, he was one of the most famous men in America. The ensuing court case gripped audiences around the world, but raised troubling questions about domestic violence and racism in the United States. Following Simpson's death, Matt Elton spoke to historian Dr Joe Street about the case, and how we should look back on it today.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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