HistoryExtra Long Reads

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Battle stations: fortifications that have defined an era

2026-11-0922:58

Over turbulent millennia of human warfare, defensive sites – such as castles, fortresses and walls – have evolved to embrace and repel new tactics and techniques. This Long Read written by Dan Jones takes aim at seven landmark structures that each defined a new era – or the end of an age. Today's feature originally appeared in the November 2026 issue of HistoryExtra Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST What was the best way to build a medieval castle? John Goodall provides the ultimate top tips: https://bit.ly/4sj5ZBR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rome’s war of words

2026-11-0221:44

When an ambitious Seleucid king marched his vast army into Europe to challenge the Roman Republic for control of the Mediterranean world, it looked set to spark a violent clash of the ancient titans. Instead, as this Long Read written by Michael Economou reveals, the cunning Romans deployed another potent weapon: diplomacy. Today's feature originally appeared in the November 2026 issue of HistoryExtra Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Want to know more about the vicious civil wars, gruelling sieges and bloody battles fought by the Roman empire? Tune in to our first series of History's Greatest Battles, as Emily Briffett and historian Adrian Goldsworthy to look back at five of the most fascinating clashes of this ancient civilisation: https://bit.ly/3VK4twv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did King Harold cause the 1066 Norman invasion?

2026-10-2615:46

In 1066 the last Anglo-Saxon king was ousted. But how, asks this Long Read written by historian Tom Licence, had Harold, an earl without royal blood, managed to take the English crown in the first place? Today's feature originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of HistoryExtra Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bloody queens and hairdresser kings: Lucy Worsley rethinks Britain's monarchs

2026-10-1819:33

If Lucy Worsley has learned one thing in her 30 years as a historian, it’s that what we think we know about Britain’s kings and queens is often wrong. In today's Long Read, the historian, writer and broadcaster looks again at five royals whose reputations have been transformed – or are long overdue a makeover. Today's feature originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of HistoryExtra Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Storm warnings: five weather moments that altered history

2026-10-1117:59

Recent film Pressure dramatises the attempts of meteorologists to predict the weather on D-Day – and in this Long Read written by Catherine Ross, we chart five moments when weather forecasts (or the lack of them) changed the course of history. Today's feature originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of HistoryExtra Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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