The Rest Is History
Take a deep dive into History’s biggest moments with Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook. Explore the stories of History’s most brutal rulers, deadly battles, and world-changing events. From the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Nazi conquest of Europe, and Hitler’s evil master plan for world domination, to the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, or the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Tom and Dominic bring the past to life with gripping storytelling and expert analysis, as they unpack the high-drama moments that shaped our world. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experie...
The Troubles: Bloody Sunday (Part 4)
How did Bloody Sunday erupt on the 30th of January 1972? Why did it follow on the heels of terrible violence? And, what were the consequences of that violent day?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the tragic events of Bloody Sunday, and the final attempt at peace in Northern Ireland.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been heard before on the show: join Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook LIVE at the Southbank as they tell the...
The Troubles: Return of the IRA (Part 3)
What was the Provisional IRA, and why did they return to the fray at the high point of The Troubles in Northern Ireland? How did a series of bloody battles, including the Short Strand Battle, brutally intensify tensions between the British Army and Catholic communities? And, how did the conflict spiral into attacks on civilians…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the violent escalation of The Troubles.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEV...
The Troubles: The Brink of Civil War (Part 2)
Why did the violence of the Troubles escalate as it did in Ulster? How did a series of marches from Belfast to Derry in 1969 result in terrible violence, and heighten the conflict? And, which terrible events saw the British army cross the border to intervene?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the next tumultuous stage of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been heard before on the show: join Tom...
The Troubles: Murder in Belfast (Part 1)
How did the Troubles break out in Northern Ireland in the 1960s, and how far back does the dispute really go? Why did the conflict intensify as it did? And, what did it really mean to be a Catholic in Northern Ireland?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss one of the darkest and most contentious periods of British history: The Troubles.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been heard before on the show: join Tom...
Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)
How did the Babington Plot, another Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth I and replace her with the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots, unfold? Did the Spanish help her? How did Sir Francis Walsingham and his web of spies foil the plot? And, what would become of Mary once put on trial?
Join Tom and Dominic for the dramatic conclusion to their mighty series on the most climatic period of the reign of Elizabeth I, as she faces another assassination attempt, and decides whether to execute her cousin, and a fellow queen…
Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)
Who was the charismatic Sir Philip Sidney, a beloved but also suspect courtier to Elizabeth I? Why, in 1585, was England in such danger from a Spanish invasion? And, would Sydney, with his friend Sir Francis Drake, help to save their beloved queen?
Join Tom and Dominic as they plunge into the high point of the Tudor Cold War: with Philip II brooding on war in Spain, Holland ablaze, and religious tension gripping Europe, what would Elizabeth I do?
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian A...
Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Treacherous Conspiracy (Part 4)
After ransacking Spanish treasure ships, would Elizabeth I betray Sir Francis Drake to her enemies? Who did she back in the French civil wars? And, with the help of English conspirators, would Mary Queen of Scots, incur a Spanish invasion, and see her rival Elizabeth assassinated?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Sir Francis Drake’s return to England, revolts in Europe, Catholic unrest, and the Throckmorton Plot to see the Queen of England murdered, and replaced with her royal cousin…
This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team b...
Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)
Why is Sir Francis Drake enshrined as one of England’s greatest heroes? Where did he come from, and how did he rise to prominence and earn the adoration of Elizabeth I, from obscure poverty? And, why is he also such a controversial figure…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they sail into the remarkable life and adventures of Sir Francis Drake. From his controversial piracy, and his explorations around the world, to his burgeoning feud with the Spanish, ultimately culminating in his clash with Armada in 1588…
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*The Rest Is...
Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
What inspired the deadliest bloodbath of the Tudor age: the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572, in which protestants were slaughtered en masse? How did it drive Elizabeth I’s spy master, Francis Walsingham, to repress all treasonous activity in her realm? And, what terrible treason was brewing in Rome…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, Sir Francis Walsingham, and one of the most devilish religious conspiracies of all time…
Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)
How did Elizabeth I rule England? Why was she constantly in mortal peril in 1569? Who was Sir William Cecil, and why was he so crucial to her reign? And, how did his network of spies keep her alive, and England uninvaded…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the secret war raging in the heart of Elizabeth I’s Tudor England, the religious unrest flaming throughout Europe, and Elizabeth’s master of Spies: Sir William Cecil.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
*The Res...
A Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)
What really happened at the Habsburgian hunting lodge, Mayerling? Did Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, really commit a romantic murder suicide, or did the heir cold-heartedly murder the 17 year old girl? And, why did the Austrian royal family try to erase all traces of this tragic incident?
Join Dominic and Tom as they solve the mysterious tale of the Mayerling Incident.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
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A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Greatest Scandal (Part 1)
What was Vienna like in the 1880s? Why was Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria seen as the outcast of the prestigious Habsburg dynasty? And, how would meeting 17 year-old Baroness Mary Vetsera on his 30th birthday change both of their lives, and the trajectory of Europe, forever?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unravel the mysterious tale that is the Mayerling Incident.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been heard before on the show: join Tom Ho...
The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
How did the second half of Odysseus’ long journey home to Ithaca play out? What does the epic’s account of the Olympian gods indicate about Ancient Greek religion? And, how did Odysseus finally make it home to Penelope and her suitors?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the dramatic conclusion of Homer’s Odyssey, and the story of Odysseus’ dreadful return…
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been heard before on the show: jo...
The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
How does The Odyssey, one of the greatest stories of all time, unfold? What historical events may it be based on? And, where might Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic, have faced his various trials in real life?
Join Tom and Dominic as they unravel the legendary story of Homer’s Odyssey, and its historical precedents.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been hea...
Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
What part did Thomas Jefferson play in writing the American Declaration of Independence? Where did he come from, and how did it shape his attitude to the future of the U.S.A? And, why was he such a contentious figure?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the epic conclusion of their series delving into the lives of the men who made America, and end with the most controversial figure of them all: Thomas Jefferson.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
How did Alexander Hamilton go from impoverished orphan to one of the most important figures in the creation of the American constitution? Why was his relationship with Thomas Jefferson so strained? And, what happened in the famous duel that would ultimately claim his life…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss one of America’s most fiery founding fathers: Alexander Hamilton, and his duel with Aaron Burr.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every s...
Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
Was Benjamin Franklin really an American? What was his childhood like? How was he finally converted to the American Revolutionary cause? And, what role did he play in setting the struggle in motion?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the life of the most unique of the American founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and...
Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1)
Where did George Washington come from, and what was he like? How did he come to take on such a pivotal role in the American Revolution? And, was he really central to America’s triumphant struggle for independence?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the extraordinary life and origins of George Washington.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, a...
South Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
How did the rugby World Cup final of 1995 inspire South Africa’s totemic national anthem? Why does the story shed a light on the history of Apartheid in South Africa? And, after becoming president, following years of imprisonment, how did Mandela use rugby and the national anthem to forge a new South Africa?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the inspiring story behind South Africa’s national anthem, the collapse of Apartheid, and Nelson Mandela’s presidency.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nat...
Brazil: The Emperor’s Anthem (Part 5)
What does the Brazilian national anthem reveal about its history of slavery and revolt? Why did the king of Portugal rule his country all the way from Rio in the 19th century? Who was the first emperor of Brazil? And, why was the second anthem a symbol of liberty?
Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the chaotic episode of Brazilian history that resulted in its first and second national anthems.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
<...
The Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
How is the Dutch national anthem, that has its origins during a 1568 siege of a French city, connected to the Dutch Revolt? What is the revolt’s role in the birth of modernity? And, why does it say ‘to the King of Spain I’ve granted a lifelong loyalty’?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the national anthem with the deepest history, the Wilhelmus.
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The Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship | History of the World Cup
How did Benito Mussolini’s regime in the 1930s use sport to spread his ideology and prepare Italy for war? What infrastructure and propaganda strategies did he use to make the 1934 World Cup a showcase for fascism? And, did this form of propaganda actually work?
In this brand new The Rest Is History Club mini series, Dominic is joined by Paul Rouse to talk about dictatorships’ connections to football World Cups.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listeni...
Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)
Why is the German national anthem the most controversial of all? Is it true that it is Austrian in origin? And, what happened when Germany split after the Second World War? Did it perhaps lead to an absolute banger in the form of East Germany’s new anthem..?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the history of Germany and its various different anthems.
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Britain: God Save the King (Part 2)
How did the Napoleonic Wars contribute to the enshrinement of the British national anthem? What are the Jacobite origins of this legendary melody? And, which British monarch was it written for?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the creation of Britain’s legendary national anthem, God Save the King, and its mysterious composer.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
How did the War of 1812 result in America’s national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner? Who came up with it? And, why does this origin story make the anthem so controversial?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the first episode of their Football World Cup special, with the story behind America’s national anthem, and its secret story.
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The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)
After Gallipoli has descended into a bloodbath, why do the British pour in more troops? Does Churchill finally understand his fateful error? How do the allies escape the total mess they find themselves in? And, why has this failed campaign become the foundational moment of Anzac identity?
Join Dominic and Tom as they bring an end to this disastrous Gallipoli campaign and the bloody year of 1915.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
Why was the Battle of Gallipoli, starting in February 1915, in Turkey, so disastrous for the Allies, and in particular, Winston Churchill? How has it become such a foundational moment in the national identity of New Zealand and Australia? And, how did it transform the destiny of Turkey?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the worst military catastrophes of the First World War.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)
Why did the British nurse, Edith Cavell, become a key player in the Belgian Resistance to German occupation? How did she carry out her mission? And, why was she ultimately executed, so controversially?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unfold the life of the remarkable Edith Cavell, her time as a nurse, her espionage, and ultimately her tragic fate, amidst the death and destruction of the First World War.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations.
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The First World War: The Submarine Strikes (Part 3)
Was the Lusitania merely an ocean liner like Titanic, or a formidable battle ship? How and why did a German U-boat fleet manage to bring down this titan of the sea? And, how did the tragedy ignite the United States’ decision to finally join the War in 1917?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most cataclysmic events of the First World War, and a major turning point for America’s intervention….
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The First World War: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2)
How did Italy enter the First World War alongside the Allies in 1915? What were they hoping to gain? And, why was their attempt to invade the Austro-Hungarian Empire one of the bloodiest campaigns of the entire war?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss Italy’s entrance into the War, their disastrous efforts to carve out a corner of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the terrible aftermath of this brutal conflict.
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Empress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne
How did Matilda, princess of England, become Empress of the Holy Roman Empire in 1110? What disbarred her from becoming queen of England after her father's death? And, why did she go to battle for the throne of England, in the brutal civil war known as The Anarchy?
In this new member’s-only mini series, Tom is joined by historian and author Helen Castor, to talk about some of the most impressive queens of medieval Europe.
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The First World War: Blood in the Trenches (Part 1)
During the First World War, what was it like to live in the trenches on the Western Front in 1915? How did the Germans attempt to knock the Allies out of the war right from the outset? And, what secret weapon did the Germans unleash?
Join Dominic and Tom as they plunge back into the First World War, and carry us through life in the trenches, the horrors of shelling, and the escalation of this totemic conflict.
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Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's...
Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney
How was Paul McCartney influenced by life in postwar Liverpool? How did he and the Beatles first learn to make music? And were they influenced by literature as well as other musicians?
Join Tom Holland as he asks Paul McCartney these questions and more in a very special interview for The Rest Is History which features a WORLD EXCLUSIVE reveal of one of the songs from Paul’s new album, Salesman Saint. The full album, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, is out May 29th.
Salesman Saint'
From the...
Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)
Why did the Battle of Marathon change the world so considerably? How did the battle itself unfold? And, could the Athenians really triumph over the indomitable Persian Empire…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the terrible Battle of Marathon, and its aftermath.
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Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)
Why did the Persian Empire cross the Aegean to destroy Athens in 490BC? Who was Darius, the King of Kings, and the most powerful man in the world? And, how did this totemic invasion unfold?
Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into one of the most cataclysmic clashes in all ancient history: Persia’s invasion of Greece.
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The Mystery of the Mona Lisa
Is there a secret meaning behind the Mona Lisa’s famously ambiguous smile? What light does the painting shed upon Renaissance Italy, and Leonardo da Vinci himself? And, who is the mysterious man or woman in the painting…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unfold the secret history behind the world’s most famous painting, and delve into the story behind its creator and creation.
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Wine and the Birth of Civilisation
What does The Odyssey teach us about the history of wine in the ancient world? How did Julius Caesar use wine to conquer the world? And, why was The Judgement of Paris - when America took on France - the most controversial incident in the history of wine?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the long history of wine; from ancient Jordan, to Bronze Age Greece, to the Vikings, and beyond…
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Britain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4)
How did the new British Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, intend to keep Britain from bankruptcy in 1976? What extreme new step might have seen riots in the streets? And, would labour survive the greatest financial scandal in British history?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the epic conclusion of their dramatic series on the most uproarious years of the 1970s in Britain, including the high point of the crisis, and the rise of punk.
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Britain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3)
With Britain heading towards financial meltdown and paranoia in the air, could its exhausted Prime Minister, Harold Wilson survive? Why were bombs going off in London every few days in the winter of 1975? And, with inflation reaching unprecedented heights, would the government finally act?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of the greatest crisis points in modern British history.
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Britain in the 70s: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2)
In the Spring of 1975, why was the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, so embattled? Why was the left so divided during this period? And, was Britain’s relationship with Europe already fracturing…?
Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the trials of Harold Wilson, as the melee of 1970s Britain rolled on.
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