The Spitfire: love at first flight?

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

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

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

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

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

David Musgrove and Michael Lewis offer the essential spotter's guide to the iconic medieval embroidery Heading to the British Museum to see the Bayeux Tapestry for yourself? This Long Read, written by David Musgrove and Michael Lewis, reveals the 10 things you simply must do when experiencing the world’s most famous embroidery in all its glory. 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

It’s been hailed as the plane that won the Battle of Britain – but does the Spitfire deserve its all-conquering reputation? Ninety years after this nimble fighter took its maiden flight, this Long Read written by Hattie Hearn explores how it became a national icon. Today’s feature originally appeared in the September 2026 issue of HistoryExtra magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From famine to fines, the life of the medieval farmer was often far from straightforward. In this Long Read, Christopher Dyer offers six tips for those seeking success in running a smallholding in the 13th and 14th centuries. Today’s feature originally appeared in the September 2026 issue of HistoryExtra magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s human nature to believe that history repeats itself – but might our instinct to look for echoes of the past in the present be misguided, and even dangerous? This Long Read, written by Robert Blackmore, explores why such comparisons can be deceptive. Today’s feature originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of HistoryExtra magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Ireland, many thousands condemned as ‘fallen women’ were detained indefinitely in Magdalene laundries, forced to toil in harsh conditions. This Long Read written by Louise Brangan – author of The Fallen – reveals how church and state colluded to cast a shroud of silence over traumas inflicted behind closed doors in the 20th century. Today's feature originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of HistoryExtra Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices