HistoryExtra podcast

In order to understand modern Russia, historian Orlando Figes argues, you need to understand the country’s view of its own past. From Putin’s historical justifications for invading Ukraine to debates about Russia’s foundation story, Figes tells Ellie Cawthorne how Russia has reflected on – and weaponised – its own history. (Ad) Orlando Figes is the author of The Story of Russia (Bloomsbury, 2022)....

It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock nominates Malintzin. Speaking with Jon Bauckham, she discusses the life and legacy of this indigenous American woman who acted as Hernando Cortés’ translator during his conquest of the...

Between the 1890s and 1920s, an estimated 12-13 million immigrants arrived in the United States via a vast processing centre on an island just off New York. But who were those immigrants? What did they have to do to be admitted to the country? Did many people get turned away? And did officials really change immigrants’ surnames to make them sound more “American”? Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Profe...

Would you like to make the most of the summer holidays with more fascinating historical conversations? Then subscribe to our premium podcast channel HistoryExtra Plus to get exclusive early access to our Summer Listening List – a specially curated selection of episodes on topics on everything ranging from medieval kings and political sabotage to Alexander the Great and Victorian seances. For just...

 Nomads have altered the shape of human history in many ways, but as societies that didn’t tend to leave a written record, their stories are often overlooked. Anthony Sattin seeks to rectify that, sharing stories of significant travelling communities with David Musgrove.    (Ad) Anthony Sattin is the author of Nomads: The Wanderers who Shaped our World (John Murray, 2022). Buy it now from Amazon: ...

The striking bust of Nefertiti has captivated people since its discovery in 1912. But who was this queen? How powerful was she? And how was she related to Tutankhamun? In episode 4 of our series on the boy king, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Aidan Dodson and Professor Joyce Tyldesley to try and unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the woman who may have been Tutankhamun’s mother. Or ste...

Across the eighth and ninth centuries, Britain and Ireland were targeted by a series of brutal Vikings raids. But that wasn’t the end of the story. In the 11th century, they were in the firing line once again – as further Viking naval expeditions were launched from Scandinavia. Medieval historian Dr Caitlin Ellis speaks to David Musgrove about this second wave of attacks. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Why is being a historian of religion such a dangerous endeavour today? Is it easier to study the history of a religion if you are an adherent or an outsider? And how can learning about religious history help shape the world today? Professors Carole Hillenbrand, Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad and Peter Marshall grapple with some of the most pressing issues in religious history, in a panel discussion hoste...

It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday! To celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Tom Holland nominates Franz Nopsca. Speaking with Rob Attar, he recounts the story of the early 20th-century Hungarian palaeontologist, adventurer and specialist in Albanian studies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

The story of the Trojan War – featuring the daring Achilles, beautiful Helen and one very deceptive horse – is a classic of western literature. But did this famous war ever really happen? And was Troy even a real place? On today’s ‘Everything you wanted to know’ episode, Professor Paul Cartledge answers listener questions on these ancient mysteries. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he discusses the di...

John Goodall examines how the castle’s role has evolved through time – from medieval fortresses and prisons to regal residences and tourist hotspots. Speaking with Emily Briffett, he explains how these iconic landmarks have reflected society throughout their long history and shaped the way we think about the past. (Ad) John Goodall is the author of The Castle: A History (Yale University Press, 202...

Tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh of all, but what do we actually know about his short life and reign? In episode three of our series on the boy king, Ellie Cawthorne speaks to Professor Aidan Dodson and Dr Chris Naunton about the defining events of Tutankhamun’s reign, before taking a look at his family, health and lavish lifestyle. They also investigate the young pharaoh’s premature death,...

From ancient people who believed they were made of butter, to French Terror survivors who were convinced they’d been guillotined and given the wrong head back, people have suffered from delusions for centuries. Rhiannon Davies spoke to Victoria Shepherd about why delusions have plagued us for so long, and what they can tell us about times of historical trauma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

In the final instalment of our series marking the BBC’s centenary, David Hendy explores what the corporation’s history can tell us about its future. He spoke to Matt Elton about the challenges that the corporation has faced in the 21st century – and what looking back at its past can tell us about its future. (Ad) David Hendy is the author of The BBC: A People’s History (Profile Books, 2022). Buy i...

It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Professor Michael Wood nominates St Hadrian of Canterbury. Speaking with Spencer Mizen, he hails the achievements of this seventh-century scholar who helped turn early medieval England into a cultural powerhous...

There are few better-known folktales than the story of a gentlemanly outlaw roaming the forest with his band of merry men, robbing the rich to give to the poor. But where did the legend of Robin Hood come from? How come early versions of the story were much more grisly? And would the outlaw archer really have worn green tights? Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Dr Sean McGlynn answers listener question...

Kristen Green uncovers the life and legacy of Mary Lumpkin, an enslaved women trapped within the US domestic slave trade. Speaking to Emily Briffett, Kristen explains how Mary fought for her children’s freedom, liberated the infamous “Devil’s Half Acre” and ultimately founded one of the first historically black colleges and universities in the US. (Ad) Kristen Green is the author of The Devil's Ha...

Tutankhamun’s reign took place during one of ancient Egypt’s most fascinating and turbulent periods – the 18th Dynasty. In episode two of our new series on the boy king, we travel back more than 3,000 years to uncover what was happening in Egypt when Tutankhamun came to the throne. Ellie Cawthorne speaks to expert historians Guy de la Bédoyère and Professor Joyce Tyldesley to uncover stories of im...

As part of our series of conversations with winners of the 2022 Dan David Prize, Dr Kristina Richardson tells Helen Carr about her research into little-studied travelling communities of the medieval Middle East – and what this can tell us about the lives of marginalised groups at the time. She discusses uncovering lost languages, and reveals how one itinerant medieval Middle Eastern community was...

Professor Matthew Kelly tells David Musgrove the story of four women who helped to protect and preserve the English countryside from the 1870s through to the 1970s, battling for public access to natural spaces. (Ad) Matthew Kelly is the author of The Women Who Saved the English Countryside (Yale University Press, 2022). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcu...

It’s the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th birthday, and to celebrate, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a figure from history they think deserves their ‘15 minutes of fame’. In this episode, Dr Fern Riddell nominates Victorian-era transgender man Charley Wilson. Speaking with Elinor Evans, she reveals why his story is important today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Lea...

What are the most impactful films in Hollywood history? What made the golden age of film so golden? And how important were Hollywood movies in projecting American values to the wider world? In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Mark Glancy answers listener questions on a cultural powerhouse, from silent movies and glamorous stars to the blockbusters of the late 20th century. (Ad) Mark Glancy is the...

The Sahara is known as one of the world’s hottest and driest environments, but during his explorations of the desert over the past 60 years, Martin Williams has discovered evidence of a green and pleasant history. He explains to Spencer Mizen how the area was once home to lakes, rivers, humans and hippos. (Ad) Martin Williams is the author of When the Sahara Was Green: How Our Greatest Desert Came...

One hundred years ago, in 1922, Egyptologist Howard Carter made one of the most spectacular discoveries in the history of archaeology, when he unearthed the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. In the first episode in our new series on the life, death and legacy of the iconic pharaoh, Toby Wilkinson and Okasha El Daly tell Ellie Cawthorne about the hunt for the boy king’s tomb – whi...

As the wife of Charles I, Henrietta Maria was in the firing line of the parliamentary propaganda machine. The Stuart queen was known as the “popish brat of France”, a “whore” and “the wife who wore the britches”. But does she deserve this rotten reputation? Emily Briffett spoke to Leanda de Lisle to bust some myths surrounding the reviled queen. (Ad) Leanda de Lisle is the author of Henrietta Mari...