HistoryExtra podcast

Robert Hutchinson gives a lecture on the Tudor monarch's final years, plagued by illness, bankruptcy, and thwarted ambitions In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Chester History Weekend event, historian Robert Hutchinson discusses the final years of the Tudor monarch, revealing a lonely, vulnerable man plagued by illness, bankruptcy, and thwarted ambitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kavita Puri discusses the experiences of British South Asians during the 1990s and early 2000s. BBC journalist Kavita Puri discusses the new series of her Radio 4 documentary Three Pounds in My Pocket, which explores the experiences of British South Asians during the 1990s and early 2000s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode from our archive, Ian Kershaw offers his take on how the continent has developed since the Second World War In this archive episode from 2018, recorded to mark HistoryExtra’s 500th episode, historian Sir Ian Kershaw offers his take on how the continent has developed over the past seven decades since the Second World War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Tombs discusses the historical background to Brexit, exploring Britain’s long and fluctuating relationship with Europe Professor Robert Tombs discusses his new book This Sovereign Isle, which examines the history of Britain’s relationship with Europe. He talks about how ideas about the past have shaped Brexit, and how future historians might view Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this archive episode, Catherine Merridale recounts how the future Soviet leader travelled to Petrograd in 1917 – a key moment in the Russian Revolution In this episode from our archive, Catherine Merridale discusses her book Lenin on the Train, which recounts the future Soviet leader’s famous 1917 train journey across Europe to Petrograd – a key moment in the Russian Revolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Holland tells the story of the dramatic Allied assault on the island of Sicily in the Second World War Military historian James Holland tells the story of the dramatic assault on the island of Sicily in 1943 – a key moment in the Second World War that saw Allied forces battle to return to ‘Fortress Europe’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emma Griffin tackles internet search queries and questions submitted by listeners about Britain’s Industrial Revolution Emma Griffin tackles internet search queries and questions submitted by listeners about Britain’s Industrial Revolution, from the key inventions and cultural impact to workers’ rights and child labour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Grady gives a lecture exploring the varied experiences of German Jews in the First World War In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 History Weekend in Chester based on his book, A Deadly Legacy: German Jews and the Great War, Tim Grady reveals how German Jews played a central role in the First World War, and considers how they were impacted by the legacies of the conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Edward Brooke-Hitching discusses some of history’s strangest literary curiosities, from hoax manuscripts to tomes bound in human skin Edward Brooke-Hitching discusses his book The Madman’s Library, which tells the stories of some of history’s strangest literary curiosities, from hoax manuscripts and books of demonology to volumes written in blood or bound in human skin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacqueline Riding considers whether the Jacobite prince was a valiant freedom fighter, or a haughty coward Ever since he led a failed Jacobite rebellion against the British crown in 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie has divided opinion. To his supporters, he was a courageous freedom fighter; to his detractors, a gutless popinjay. On the 300th anniversary of his birth, Jacqueline Riding considers the controversial prince’s life and legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode from our archive, Jessie Childs tells the story of Tudor gentleman Thomas Tresham, whose faith set him at odds with the Virgin Queen In this archive episode from 2018, historian Jessie Childs tells the story of Thomas Tresham, a Tudor gentleman who built a remarkable secret monument to his Catholic faith and risked the anger of the Virgin Queen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eight hundred and fifty years ago today, the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was brutally murdered in his cathedral. Dr Emily Guerry explains what happened next Eight hundred and fifty years ago today, on 29 December 1170, the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was brutally murdered in his cathedral, by four knights acting on what they took to be a command from King Henry II. Dr Emily Guerry explains what happened, and why a cult sprang up around Becket almost immediately. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hannah Greig, historian and etiquette advisor to new Netflix show Bridgerton, joins us to talk about the historical detail that can be found in the drama – and the inspirations behind it Historian and etiquette advisor Hannah Greig joins us to discuss the historical details that can be found in new Netflix drama Bridgerton. She talks about the inspirations behind the show, how it plays with the idea of what period drama should look like, and the challenges of bringing the opulence of upper-class Regency courtship to the screen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lauren Johnson responds to listener questions about the Wars of the Roses, the 15th-century clashes for the English throne between the houses of Lancaster and York In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Lauren Johnson responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about Wars of the Roses, the 15th-century clashes for the English throne between the houses of Lancaster and York. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode from our archive, Colin Grant tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the Caribbean In this archive episode, historian, author and broadcaster Colin Grant discusses his book, Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation, which tells the stories of postwar immigrants who moved to Britain from the Caribbean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Test your historical knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin Pollard Join the HistoryExtra team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz. Test your knowledge on turkey bowling, snowball fights and strange festive traditions with fiendish questions set by QI writer Justin Pollard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode from our archive, biographer Ron Chernow discusses the extraordinary life of the American Founding Father who inspired a hit musical In this archive episode from 2018, we spoke to historian Ron Chernow about the amazing life of the American Founding Father. Chernow discusses his biography of Hamilton, which inspired the hip-hop musical sensation, and his role as a historical consultant to the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Francis Young explains the origins of this custom and what it tells us Telling spooky tales at Christmastime is a very old tradition. Folklorist and historian Francis Young explains where the idea of the ghost story originates and what it tells us about approaches to the festive period, from the early medieval period through to Charles Dickens and MR James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did Cromwell ban mince pies? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin responds to listener questions and internet search queries on festive history Did Cromwell ban mince pies? When did people first give Christmas presents? And why does Santa wear red? George Goodwin, historian and author of Christmas Traditions: A Celebration of Festive Lore, responds to listener questions and internet search queries about the history of the festive period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cut Out Girl author Bart van Es gives a lecture on the Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the Netherlands In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, based on his Costa Prize-winning book The Cut Out Girl, Bart van Es explores the stories of the thousands of Jewish children who survived the Holocaust by living in hiding in the Netherlands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this archive episode, historian Fern Riddell discusses her biography of suffrage campaigner Kitty Marion, which explores some of the darker aspects of the campaign for votes for women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kathryn Smithies discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages Kathryn Smithies, author of Introducing the Medieval Ass, discusses the economic and cultural significance of donkeys in the Middle Ages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer and espionage historian Trevor Barnes discusses his book Dead Doubles, which details the thrilling 1960s MI5 investigation into the infamous Portland Spy Ring, one of the most dangerous KGB espionage networks ever to operate in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MP and author Chris Bryant discusses his new book The Glamour Boys, which tells the story of group of young, queer British MPs who were some of the first to oppose appeasement in the 1930s and warn Britain’s government about the dangers of Hitler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor David Carpenter responds to listener questions on the great medieval charter and its 800-year-long legacy Professor David Carpenter responds to listener queries and popular internet search queries about the great medieval charter sealed in 1215. He discusses King John, Magna Carta’s impact on England in the Middle Ages, and the document’s 800-year-long legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Harding gives a lecture on Japan’s attempts to carve out a place for itself in a world dominated by western power and culture In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, inspired by his book Japan Story: In Search of a Nation, Chris Harding explores Japan’s attempts to carve out a place for itself in a world dominated by western power and culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Historian Camilla Townsend recently won the Cundill History Prize for Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs. Here, she talks about the book’s success, and the challenges of writing global history for a popular audience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In September 1960, Fidel Castro visited New York City to give the opening address at the United Nations General Assembly. Historian Simon Hall, author of Ten Days in Harlem, explores the impact of this trip, and how it was to shape an entire decade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Sujit Sivasundaram discusses his book Waves across the South: A New History Revolution and Empire, which rewrites the story of the British empire’s expansion across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, putting indigenous experiences front and centre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Giles Tremlett discusses how more than 35,000 volunteers from across the globe fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War Historian, author and journalist Giles Tremlett discusses his major new book on the International Brigades, which charts how more than 35,000 volunteers from across the globe fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did James II’s replacement by William of Orange as king of England, Scotland and Ireland change the course of British history? Ted Vallance responds to listener questions about the 1688 Glorious Revolution In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Ted Vallance responds to listener queries and popular search enquiries about the so-called Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw William of Orange ousting James II as king of England, Scotland and Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Helen Berry gives a lecture on the extraordinary story of an 18th-century foundling, George King In a lecture she delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, Helen Berry shares an extraordinary story from her book Orphans of Empire: The Fate of London’s Foundlings – of the 18th-century orphan George King, who was abandoned at London’s Foundling Hospital and went on to a remarkable life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Colls, author of This Sporting Life: Sport and Liberty in England, 1760-1960, discusses the critical role that our love of sport has played in English civil society over the past two centuries – from 19th-century prize fighters to the magic of Bobby Charlton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kenneth Austin explores what impact the Reformation had on Europe’s Jewish communities. Historian Kenneth Austin explores what impact the Reformation of the 16th century had on Europe’s Jewish communities and their relations with their Christian neighbours. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author Maaza Mengiste discusses her Booker prize-nominated historical novel The Shadow King, set during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. She talks about the research involved, her own family connections to the story and how she uncovered the hidden history of Ethiopia’s female fighters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Edith Hall explores Plato’s legend of Atlantis and considers why the tale continues to endure 2,500 years on Classicist Edith Hall, an expert on ancient Greek literature, explores Plato’s lost city of Atlantis. She considers our enduring fascination with the tale 2,500 years on and asks whether there ever was, in fact, a real Atlantis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Zainab Bahrani tackles popular internet search queries, and questions submitted by listeners, about the Mesopotamian city, which was one of the jewels of the ancient world. Topics range from religion, food and kings to the Hanging Gardens and the myth of the Tower of Babel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are there any treasures left to be excavated in Egypt? Chris Naunton gives a lecture on some of the most fascinating ancient figures whose tombs are yet to be discovered In a lecture he delivered at our 2019 Chester History Weekend, Chris Naunton discusses his book Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt. He talks about some of the most fascinating ancient figures whose tombs are yet to be discovered, including Alexander the Great, Nefertiti and Cleopatra, and asks – will their burial places ever be found? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Harris discusses V2, his new Second World War thriller inspired by the German missile campaign in 1944 Best-selling historical novelist Robert Harris discusses his latest thriller, V2, inspired by the German missile campaign in 1944. He explains why he is obsessed by the Second World War, and shares some of the secrets of writing great historical fiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From debates about colonialism to lessons from previous pandemics, a panel of historians discuss how the past has shaped 2020 – and how the events of this momentous year should change our understanding of the past From debates about colonialism to lessons from previous pandemics, history has repeatedly made the headlines this year. We invited historians Kerri Greenidge, Tom Holland, Suzannah Lipscomb and Michael Wood to discuss how the past has shaped 2020 – and how the events of this momentous year should change our understanding of the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natalie Haynes discusses the varied portrayals of women in Greek mythology, uncovering the multi-layered figures who emerge from different retellings Writer and classicist Natalie Haynes discusses her latest book Pandora’s Jar, which revisits the varied portrayals of women in Greek mythology, finding that the figures who emerge from different retellings and translations are less familiar than we might think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author and filmmaker Catrine Clay discusses her new book, The Good Germans, which explores German opposition to Nazism through the lives of six people who stood up to the Third Reich. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Edmondson, head of research and knowledge at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, responds to listener questions and popular search queries on the life and work of England’s most famous playwright, covering everything from the Bard’s literary inspirations and family relationships, to conspiracies that his plays were penned by someone else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Winchester History Weekend, Simon Parkin discusses the extraordinary story that inspired his book A Game of Birds and Wolves. He describes how a team of unlikely heroes developed a Battleship-like wargame in order to crack German U-boat tactics at the height of the battle of the Atlantic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bestselling historical novelist Bernard Cornwell discusses his new book War Lord, the final instalment in The Last Kingdom series. He speaks about why Aethelstan gets short shrift in history and reveals his next project – a new Sharpe adventure novel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr Johanna Dale explores how the seventh-century Northumbrian king Oswald become an important and popular saint across medieval Europe, and explains what his story can tell us about religion in the Middle Ages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kiran Klaus Patel, author of Project Europe: A History, tracks the development of the EU over the postwar decades, considering whether it really did bring peace to the continent and what impact it’s had on economic growth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1930s, eccentric aviator Maurice Wilson hatched a wild plan to fly from England to Everest in a Gypsy Moth plane, and then climb to the top of the mountain solo. Ed Caesar talks about the remarkable story that inspired his new book, The Moth and the Mountain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Historian and author Karen Jones responds to listener questions and popular search queries about the mass movement of settlers into the American west, from the hardships of homesteading and the violence of frontier life to Hollywood’s obsession with the grizzled gunslinger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a lecture he delivered at BBC History Magazine’s 2019 Chester History Weekend, archaeologist Howard Williams discusses some of the most intriguing and contentious debates in archaeology today. How should we treat ancient human remains? And has evidence of a Viking warrior woman really been discovered in Sweden? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices