The Peasants’ Revolt
This week we are broadcasting a lecture that was delivered at our History Weekend festival in Malmesbury in October 2014. Historian Juliet Barker speaks about the great uprising of 1381, and challenge...
19 Feb 201542min
Amazing inventions and London after dark
Science writer Steven Johnson discusses his new BBC TV series How We Got to Now, which explores some of the greatest innovations in history. Meanwhile, Dr Matthew Beaumont describes how famous Londone...
12 Feb 201557min
Life in the workhouse and British biographies
Charlotte Hodgman visits a former Victorian workhouse in the company of historian Samantha Shave to see whether life inside really matched the Dickensian legend. Meanwhile, we speak to Sir David Canna...
5 Feb 201547min
Elizabeth I and an unlikely suffragette
Historian Lisa Hilton explores the life and reign of the Virgin Queen, subject of her new biography Elizabeth I: Renaissance Prince. Meanwhile, BBC Radio 4 presenter Anita Anand discusses Sophia Dulee...
29 Jan 201559min
Debating British monarchy
The authors of new Penguin biographies of Henry VIII, Edward VI, George V and George VI discuss these kings' lives and reigns. They also consider wider themes relating to British monarchy in a debate ...
22 Jan 20151h 19min
Henry VIII and Henry the Young King
Tudor historian John Guy, author of a new short biography of Henry VIII, discusses the Tudor king's life and relationships and what he's learned about Henry over his many years of research. Meanwhile,...
15 Jan 20151h 11min
Wolf Hall and medieval civil war
As the BBC TV dramatisation of Wolf Hall is shortly due to air, series director Peter Kosminsky reveals the challenges and joys of filming Hilary Mantel's acclaimed novels. Meanwhile, Professor David ...
8 Jan 201553min
Stalin’s early years and Mein Kampf
Princeton historian Stephen Kotkin, author of a major new biography of Josef Stalin, describes the Soviet leader's path to power. Meanwhile, BBC journalist Chris Bowlby gives us the lowdown on his for...
1 Jan 20151h 6min
