Podcast Episodes

Medieval towns: everything you wanted to know

Episode 2182

What was it like to live in a British town or city in the Middle Ages? Were they filthy hotbeds of crime and violence? How often did fires break out? And where could you get a good slap-up meal if yo…

Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago

Harold Wilson: the rock 'n' roll prime minister

Episode 2181

Harold Wilson is as central to the story of sixties Britain as the Beatles, Profumo and miniskirts. Admirers applauded the social reforms he introduced while in office; his critics accused the prime …

Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Who is buried at Sutton Hoo?

Episode 2180

The Sutton Hoo ship burial is one of the most famous discoveries in British archaeological history. But who is actually buried there? Or perhaps a better question is: why was the man buried with such…

Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Sex and Christianity: 2,000 years of love and fury

Episode 2179

What were Jesus's views on sex? Why did so many Christians choose a life of celibacy? Has the church ever been tolerant of homosexuality? These are some of the questions explored by Professor Diarmai…

Published on 11 months, 4 weeks ago

Catherine the Great: life of the week

Episode 2178

Catherine the Great stands out from the rulers of Imperial Russia – a 'philosopher empress' whose wit, political savvy, and unyielding ambition transformed her empire into a European powerhouse. Seiz…

Published on 1 year ago

The Second Norman Conquest

Episode 2177

William of Normandy famously invaded England in 1066 – but, he didn't quite conquer it all. In fact, the duty of leading a second assault was left to his son William Rufus almost 30 years later. Spea…

Published on 1 year ago

The Carolingians: everything you wanted to know

Episode 2176

The early medieval Carolingian empire played a crucial role in the development of Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Though the dynasty itself was not that long-lived, it was star-studded with famous…

Published on 1 year ago

The SAS in WW2: everything you wanted to know

Series two of SAS Rogue Heroes hits our screens later this week, so we're bringing you an episode to get you up to scratch on the WW2 escapades of Britain’s elite special forces. Why was the SAS – or…

Published on 1 year ago

Arnhem: 24 hours that shattered Allied dreams

Episode 2175

The morning of Tuesday 19 September 1944 was ripe with possibility for Allied forces at Arnhem, says Al Murray. Just 24 hours later, the die of defeat had well and truly been cast. Here, in conversat…

Published on 1 year ago

Tudor England | 5. The wider world

Episode 2174

The 16th century is often seen as a 'golden age' of exploration, which witnessed England's emergence as a major player on the European stage. But it was also a period in which the English became embr…

Published on 1 year ago