HistoryExtra podcast

From her defeat of the Spanish Armada to her iconic portraiture and status as the ‘Virgin Queen’, Elizabeth I is one of the past’s most famous figures – but what made her such an effective leader? Today on the HistoryExtra podcast, we’re bringing you a taste of our new series, History’s Greatest Leaders, as author and historian Tracy Borman tells entrepreneur Mike Soutar about why Elizabeth I’s indecision should be celebrated just as much as her strength and dynamism.

To listen on, search for History’s Greatest Leaders or find the full episodes an...

The Bayeux Tapestry is coming home to England for an exhibition at the British Museum. In discussion with Dave Musgrove, Gale Owen-Crocker explains how the Tapestry was made, and why she thinks it contains a hidden story of injustice and tyranny – subverting the obvious celebratory narrative of victory for Duke William's Norman Conquest.

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Don't miss our six-episode HistoryExtra Academy course, The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry, in which Dave Musgrove considers what the Tapestry is all about, how it was made, the story it presents, and its fascinating af...

What threats might you have faced on a daily basis in England in the 1300s? In this episode, Ian Mortimer guides Charlotte Vosper through a day in the 14th century and argues that it would have been surprisingly difficult to stay alive... From struggling to put food on the table to breathing in the scent of your neighbour's cesspit, Ian discusses the perils that came with everyday medieval life.

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If you'd like to find out more about what medieval life was really like, then check out Ian's new...

Bess of Hardwick fell out spectacularly with Mary, Queen of Scots and was dumped in the Tower of London by Elizabeth I. Yet nothing could get in the way of this extraordinary social climber. In this episode, Tracy Borman tells Spencer Mizen about a woman who accrued vast wealth, repeatedly rattled the Tudor court and ultimately earned the grudging respect of the Virgin Queen.

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If you’d like to hear more about Elizabeth I on the HistoryExtra podcast, then why not check out our four-part series on the mo...

From Islam’s emergence in the early medieval period, Muslims have been deeply connected with the followers of another faith: Judaism. In conversation with James Osborne, historian Marc David Baer examines the long relationship between these two religions and their communities, tracing episodes of both conflict and coexistence.

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Check out this podcast episode with Barry Strauss, in which he discussed the conflict between Jews and the Roman empire – and its lasting legacy: https://bit.ly/4xFxc3V

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The Odyssey is one of the most celebrated stories ever told, recounting the tale of Greek hero Odysseus’s 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. It is one of just two ancient Greek epic poems said to be the work of ‘Homer’. But who was Homer? And why, today, do we ask ourselves: ‘Did Homer even exist?’ In this first episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the Odyssey, Kev Lochun sits down with classicist Daisy Dunn to unpack the origins of the epic poem – and the enduring mystery around the identity of the man who ‘wrote’ it.

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The England men’s football team has missed out on the opportunity to replicate the nation’s much-heralded victory back in the 1966 World Cup, still one of the most celebrated moments in its sporting history. But what did the football tournament reveal about the state of the country that staged it back in the 1960s? Jon Bauckham talks to Michael Calvin about the forgotten stories of that remarkable summer – from diplomatic tensions and class divisions, to Middlesbrough's unexpected love affair with North Korea.

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To learn more about the histor...

What if the Roman invasion and occupation of Britain was more complicated than we might think? Ferdinand Addis reveals how it really happened. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Ferdinand guides us through the complex process of conquest – from Caesar's arrival in 55 BC and the construction of Hadrian's Wall in 122 AD, to the decline of Roman occupation by 410 AD.

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Edward Colston was a philanthropist and slave trader in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is infamous today for the fact that a statue of him was pulled down by a crowd of protestors in central Bristol in 2020 and dumped in the river. Richard Stone explores his life, in conversation with David Musgrove, and considers how we should understand his complex legacy today.

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If you'd like to know more about the impact of the Barbary pirates on British society, check out this fascinating article by Adam Nichols detailing...

Elizabeth Báthory is history's most prolific female serial killer and took pleasure in bathing in the blood of virgins... or so the story goes. In this episode, Shelley Puhak challenges that idea. Speaking to Isabel King, Shelley describes the complex campaign of disinformation that Elizabeth faced, and reveals the truth behind the legend.

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To find out more about accusations of 'witchcraft' throughout history, don't miss our HistoryExtra Academy course: https://bit.ly/4sH8VaM

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How revolutionary was the American Revolution, and how far do 18th-century arguments about liberty and property still shape US politics today? In the final episode of HistoryExtra’s four-part series, Elinor Evans is joined by Adam IP Smith to explore the end of the American Revolutionary War and the complicated legacy that followed. Beginning with Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown, they discuss Britain’s decision to cut its losses, the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the global consequences of the conflict, and the winners and losers of independence.

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In the middle of the 19th century, the world's fastest ships raced across oceans carrying cargo, and the fortunes of ambitious young sea captains. In this episode, author Tilar J Mazzeo explores one voyage that produced an unlikely maritime legend. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Mazzeo shares the remarkable life of Mary Ann Patten, who found herself commanding a clipper ship after her husband fell gravely ill during a perilous passage around Cape Horn.

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Much of what was eaten by inhabitants of Georgian London is, perhaps surprisingly, familiar to us today. In this episode, Peter Ross takes Lauren Good on a culinary journey through the city – from people pocketing baked potatoes on their way home in the small hours to explaining why jelly was considered an aphrodisiac.

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To find out more about what was eaten in the Georgian period, listen to another of Lauren's interviews on the podcast, with Amy Boyington, where they explore the weird and wonderful dishes in the dining ro...

From his birth in 1881 to his death in 1973, Pablo Picasso lived a life as revolutionary as his art. A child prodigy who transformed modern art, his story is one of genius, reinvention, scandal and relentless creativity. In this episode, Danny Bird speaks to Sue Roe about the passions and upheavals that shaped the pioneer behind Cubism and masterpieces such as Guernica. They explore Picasso’s rise from the bohemian streets of Paris to global fame, his turbulent relationships with the women who inspired his work, and the restless imagination that defined him until the very end.

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The Cold War cast a shadow over all aspects of life – including the world's favourite sport. All sides of the ideological divide used football to score political goals. Tony Shaw and Alan McDougall talk Spencer Mizen through some of the most explosive Cold War footballing clashes in a story that takes in Pele, Eusebio, North Korean upsets and a galloping major.

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To listen to our podcast with journalist David Horspool about Britain’s long love affair with sport – from medieval jousts to the mega-bucks premier league – go to: https...

After declaring independence, the United States still had to survive a brutal conflict. In the third episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the American Revolutionary War, Elinor Evans and Adam IP Smith explore the military realities of the American Revolution: George Washington’s leadership, the importance of France, and the turning points that changed the conflict.

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To find all the further reading mentioned in this series, head to our curated list, which includes archive podcast episodes and video clips on battles, key...

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are taking a fresh look at their nation's past. But what if the story of the US isn't best told through presidents, wars and famous speeches? In this episode, Roman Mars – host of new series The History of the United States in 100 Objects – tells Emily Briffett about what some of those items tell us about the nation's extraordinary past.

The History of the United States in 100 Objects is a BBC Studios and 99% Invisible co-production for SiriusXM and is available to listen to weekly on B...

Which letter of the English alphabet did Benjamin Franklin think we'd be better off without? Why must the letter U (almost) always follow the letter Q? And what is the point of silent letters? From the first scratches carved into stone to the maddening mysteries of modern English spelling, the alphabet has had a long and extraordinary journey. In this episode, Emily Briffett is joined by linguist, writer and broadcaster Danny Bate to explore the history of the English alphabet, and the strange story behind the letters we use every day.

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As the wife of a founding figure in early American history, Abigail Adams was able to push beyond the restrictions of many of her sex in the 18th century, influencing policy and advocating for those in society who often didn't have a voice. These actions have sometimes seen her remembered as a proto-feminist in the story of the US. But how true is this reputation? And what other strides was she able to make?

Historian and writer Laura Kamoie speaks to Elinor Evans about Adams's life – the subject of Laura's new historical novel co-authored with Stephanie Dray, A...

From divorce settlements and cattle disputes to surprisingly modern ideas about gender and compensation, the laws of Hywel Dda shed unique light on how society functioned, in a turbulent age of rival princes and conquest. Speaking to Elinor Evans, legal historian Sara Elin Roberts explains the laws often attributed to a tenth-century king, and what they tell us about Wales in the Middle Ages.

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You can find more about the laws of medieval Wales at https://www.cyfraith-hywel.org.uk

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It’s 250 years since the Declaration of Independence brought a new nation into formal existence. But what did it actually say – and who did it leave out? In the second episode of HistoryExtra’s series on the American Revolutionary War, Elinor Evans and Professor Adam IP Smith explore the drafting of the Declaration, the grievances against George III, and the document’s immediate and long-term impact – and examine the contradictions at the heart of America’s founding ideals.

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To find all the further readin...

He sailed to Antarctica with Captain Cook, rubbed shoulders with Benjamin Franklin and helped found a revolutionary republic. It’s little wonder, then, that Andrea Wulf describes George Forster – the 18th-century traveller, botanist and champion of human rights – as “one of the most fascinating figures you've never heard of”. In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Andrea explores a life that reads like an adventure story.

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If you'd like to hear Andrea Wulf discuss the life of another German polymath, then check out our podcast interview with her about Alexander von Humbol...

We might picture Charlotte Brontë's life as an isolated one, separated from much of the world and its fashions as she whiled away the hours in her father's Haworth parsonage. But the truth, as Eleanor Houghton tells Lauren Good, is very different. By exploring the clothes Charlotte wore, we discover new sides to a woman who, despite battling insecurity throughout her life, owned clothes much more worldly and colourful than we’ve previously thought.

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For more on what a writer’s wardrobe can reveal about their life, don’t...

Anarchist, feminist, revolutionary: 19th-century activist and writer Emma Goldman emigrated from the Russian empire to the United States as a teenager, and spent decades challenging power and convention. In this episode, Ruth Kinna tells Danny Bird about Goldman's extraordinary story – which intersects with American labour disputes, the Russian Revolution, and the Spanish Civil War – and her contributions to the causes of freedom and social change that still resonate today.

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In 1944, as Allied troops pushed across Europe after D-Day, the Allies faced a terrifying new threat: Hitler’s V2 weapons, striking without warning at supersonic speed. In this episode, Emily Briffett speaks to author, historian and journalist Guy Walters about his new book, Stealing Hitler's Rocket, which uncovers the extraordinary secret mission to smuggle parts of the Nazi 'vengeance weapon' out of occupied Europe and into British hands.

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How do you go about uncovering a secret Nazi cache of stolen treasure? Read the HistoryExtra article Guy mentions in th...

The United States often presents its birth as a straightforward struggle for liberty – but reality was far more messy. In this first episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the American Revolutionary War, Elinor Evans is joined by Adam IP Smith to explore the colonies before independence, the fallout of the Seven Years’ War, the Stamp Act crisis, and the road to the ‘shot heard around the world’ at Lexington and Concord in 1775. Together, they unpack the constitutional disagreements, competing ideas of liberty, and the growing mistrust that transformed protest into conflict.

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Why did Protestant missionaries travel the globe across the course of centuries, only to convert remarkably few people? Alec Ryrie – author of new book The World’s Reformation – tells Elinor Evans about the neglected global history of early Protestant missions, how preachers travelled across Asia, Africa and the Americas centuries earlier than many assume, and why so many of their ambitious efforts ended in confusion, contradiction and failure.

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Many histories of the 16th century tell stories of monarchs and courtiers – but there is, of course, much more to the century than that. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Nandini Das charts the ways in which migration and movement shaped the Tudor and Stuart periods, and traces the lives of the early modern individuals who embarked on new lives in other lands.

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Stretching from Greece to India, Alexander the Great’s empire was one of the largest in human history, and he’d conquered it all by the time he was 30 years old. So how did this young king of a small Greek kingdom defeat the mighty Persian empire and become a godlike figure in the process? Alexander’s astonishing story is explored by Edmund Richardson in a new biography and, in this HistoryExtra podcast episode, Edmund is joined by Rob Attar to explore Alexander's remarkable life and mysterious death.

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Have royal women's stories been misconstrued? Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Kate Williams argues that many of them have been, tracing the lives of a whole host of queens – from Hatshepsut to Queen Victoria – to explore how and why these women have so often been viewed through a particular lens.

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If you’d like to hear more from Kate Williams about the real lives of royal women, check out her HistoryExtra Academy series, in which she takes us on a tour of queens through time across six videos: https://bit.ly...

The final chapter of Cleopatra’s life is shrouded in mystery. Did she really take her own life? Was an asp involved? And why don’t we know where her tomb is? In this final episode of our four-part Sunday Series on the ancient queen’s life and times, Islam Issa – professor of public humanities at Birmingham City University – tackles these questions, and explores just why Cleopatra continues to fascinate us, thousands of years later.

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Captivated by Cleopatra? Matt Elton has curated a collection of essential reading, listening and viewin...

They 'haunted' an Indonesian general with a talking ghost and planted fake hippies in a Bulgarian youth festival. But did they change the course of the Cold War? Rory Cormac introduces Spencer Mizen to the comically absurd – and dangerously controversial – tactics deployed by a group of misfits and mavericks charged with raining down confusion on Britain's adversaries in the 1950s and 60s.

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To hear more from Rory Cormac on the HistoryExtra podcast, listen to him discussing Queen Victoria's spy network here: https://bit.ly/4sHYQKJ

Le...

In the summer of 1940, the Royal Navy attacked a French fleet moored off the coast of north Africa, killing almost 1,300 sailors. Winston Churchill described his decision to greenlight the operation as the toughest he ever had to take. But was it the right decision? Edward Abel Smith talks to Spencer Mizen about an incident that would shake Britain's wartime relations with France.

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To hear more from Edward Abel Smith, don't miss our podcast episode on the remarkable life of Nicholas Winton, th...

Henry Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey, lived a life of extravagance, luxury and theatre – and for this, he was the subject of much intrigue in the late 19th century. In this episode, Michael Hall speaks to Charlotte Vosper about the man dubbed the 'Dancing Marquess' – and whose story has now been dramatised for the big screen in new film Madfabulous.

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If you'd like to hear more from Michael about queer lives connected to the National Trust and its properties, check out our discussion of his latest book A Queer Inherita...

How did women in the past experience sex and pleasure? Kate Lister reveals that this is a rather complicated question. Instead of simply lying back and thinking of England, women have long fought for their right to pleasure. But at the same time, women's sexual experiences have also been bound up in cultures of shame and control since antiquity. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Kate introduces us to these histories.

Please note that this episode contains a very frank and open discussion of sex and sexuality, and strong language throughout.

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We often think of Cleopatra as using her feminine wiles to secure, and maintain, power. But was that really the case? And what other skills and qualities did she have? In this third episode of our four-part Sunday Series charting the ancient queen and her world, Matt Elton is joined by Islam Issa – professor of public humanities at Birmingham City University – to discover more about Cleopatra the leader.

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Captivated by Cleopatra? Matt Elton has curated a collection of essential reading, listening and viewing from the HistoryExtra vaults to help...

Is there a real historical phenomenon behind Bridgerton’s masked ball? And what would it really have been like? In this episode, Meghan Kobza takes us behind the doors of the glittering Georgian masquerades. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, she discusses the history of the masquerade – from outrageous outfits to serious scandals.

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If you'd like to find out more about the real history behind Netflix's 'Bridgerton', check out Felicity Day's article about the historical likelihood of Benedict and Sophie's cross-class rela...

Weimar is a small German city. Yet it looms large in European history. In the 1920s, it was synonymous with liberalism, internationalism and the fine arts. Yet, within a decade, many of its residents had embraced Nazism and Hitler was professing his love for the city. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, historian and author Katja Hoyer reveals how the city that gave its name to Germany's great social democratic experiment succumbed to tyranny.

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 If you'd like to hear more from Katja Hoyer talking about German history on th...

Alan Turing is one of the most celebrated of all British scientists. His work in cracking Nazi codes at Bletchley Park, and his role in the evolution of the computer, has earned him worldwide acclaim. Yet he died at the age of just 41, two years after being prosecuted for homosexual acts. In conversation with Spencer Mizen, David Kenyon, research historian at Bletchley Park, explores a brilliant life marred by tragedy.

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 If you'd like to delve further into this subject, then why not check out the HistoryExtra article about th...

Marilyn Monroe is synonymous with glamour, beauty and stardom – but scratching the surface of her public image reveals another story. Author and professor of film philosophy Lucy Bolton reveals the career-driven and consistently ambitious side to Monroe that fuelled the creation of her star image. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Lucy guides us through Monroe's personal and professional life, unveiling the hard-working woman behind the glamorous facade.

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If you'd like to find out more about women such as Marilyn who fought back against the exploitative studio system, check out th...