Podcast Episodes

Roman warfare: everything you wanted to know

Episode 2316

Did the Roman legions actually wear red? How often was their famous 'tortoise' formation actually used? How did military leaders maintain control of an army spread across such a massive empire? And w…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Preview: Was Pearl Harbor an inside job?

In the first episode of season 2 of History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Twomey joins Rob Attar to tackle the "back door to war" conspiracy theory, expl…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

The People's Princess: why Diana captivated the world

Episode 2315

From her introduction into the royal family to the tragic circumstances of her death, Diana, Princess of Wales was never far away from a newspaper front page or TV headline. She was a media sensation…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Secrets of medieval manuscripts

Episode 2314

On first glance, what might you notice about a medieval manuscript? Maybe the material it's made from, the elaborate script, or ornamental illustrations. But, look a little closer, and there's a lot …

Published on 5 months, 4 weeks ago

Owain Glyndŵr: life of the week

Episode 2313

Famed for his dramatic and determined revolt against English rule in the early 15th century, as well as his bold vision for an independent Wales, Owain Glyndŵr has gone down in history as a symbol of…

Published on 5 months, 4 weeks ago

Magic beakers & Roman helmets: artefacts that shaped history

Episode 2312

Metal detectorists and members of the general public have contributed hugely to our understanding of Britain's past, through the artefacts they have found hidden in the ground. Speaking to David Musg…

Published on 6 months ago

SOE: everything you wanted to know

Episode 2311

From parachuting into Nazi-occupied France to silent assassinations and exploding rats, many of the missions undertaken by the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War sound like the …

Published on 6 months ago

Sisi & Eugénie: the empresses who redefined royalty

Episode 2310

In the latter half of the 19th century, Europe was dazzled by the beauty, charm and sensibility of two empresses: Eugénie, Empress of the French via her marriage to Napoleon III; and Elisabeth (or 'S…

Published on 6 months ago

Ghosts, vampires & Abba holograms: an uncanny history of London

Episode 2309

Millions of tourists flock to London each year, eager to snap a selfie in front of Buckingham Palace or Big Ben. But beyond the crowds lies a darker – and distinctly stranger – side to the city: a go…

Published on 6 months ago

International security & rough sleeping: history behind the headlines

Episode 2308

In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the historical background of current news events, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at centuries of challenges to internat…

Published on 6 months ago