How Alfred the Great saved the Anglo-Saxons from the Vikings

At the end of the 13th century, England was gripped by grief as news of the queen's death shook the nation. Eleanor of Castile's funeral procession from Lincoln to London would become one of the most remarkable journeys in medieval English history – and would also be immortalised in stone through the famous Eleanor Crosses. More than seven centuries later, Alice Loxton has retraced that historic route on foot – and, in her latest book, Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England's Lost Queen, she explores the landscapes that connect us to this past. Emily Briffett caught up with Alice to find out more about how 12 stone crosses act as enduring testaments to royal love – and the history that we can uncover for ourselves by simply stepping outside. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Viking Great Heathen Army advanced to the borders of Wessex, the conquest of Anglo-Saxon England appeared all but complete. In the third episode of our Sunday Series on the Viking invasion of Anglo-Saxon England in the ninth century, James Osborne is joined by historian Dr Eleanor Barraclough to examine how Alfred the Great rose from the cusp of defeat to a stunning military victory at the battle of Edington. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To deepen your understanding of this pivotal moment in Viking and Anglo-Saxon history, James Osborne has selected some essential reading and listening from our archives: https://bit.ly/412VTIB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1708, the Spanish galleon San José was sunk by a British warship off the coast of Colombia, vanishing beneath the waves with a treasure trove of unimaginable riches. The wreck's exact location remained a mystery for centuries – until a maritime archaeologist named Roger Dooley made it his life’s mission to find it. In this episode, Julian Sancton tells Jon Bauckham about Dooley’s incredible search, set against a backdrop of secrecy, sacrifice and Cold War tensions. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Don't miss our alternate history feature on the War of the Spanish Succession, and what might have happened had Charles II produced an heir: https://bit.ly/4lUL7h1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When picturing a fairy, you might imagine a childlike creature with wings. But this is a far more modern image than we might think. In this episode, Matthias Egeler tells Lauren Good about the ways in which our perceptions of elves and fairies have changed throughout history – and how these changes reveal so much about the society around them.  ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Find out more about the Cottingley fairies in this HistoryExtra article: https://bit.ly/3PFLos3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was the Vikings of northern Europe who first settled the harsh landscapes of Iceland in the ninth century. Most of the figures leading this movement were men – powerful chieftains who claimed vast swathes of land and parcelled it out to their followers. But among these pioneers was Aud the Deep-Minded: a woman who subverted the expectations of the Viking world. In this episode, Emily Lethbridge speaks to James Osborne about Aud's incredible life and legacy. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find out more about the sagas of the Viking world, listen to our Life of the Week episode exploring the adventures of Erik the Red: https://bit.ly/41soDKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the bustling streets of Elizabethan London, a vibrant community of writers helped shape the future of the English language and literature. From poets seeking noble patronage to playwrights hustling for the hottest theatre stages, these wordsmiths navigated rivalry, collaboration, public critique, and bursts of creative genius. In this episode, Emily Briffett is joined by Dr Brett Greatley-Hirsch as they dive into the world that produced Shakespeare, Marlowe, and countless other literary voices. Who were the people behind the plays and pamphlets that captivated a growing urban audience? And what do their feuds and friendships reveal about the pressures and passions of literary life in the late 16th century? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Viking Great Heathen Army refused to leave Anglo-Saxon England, the pressure mounted on the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to respond, placing the future of the land in the hands of Alfred the Great. In this second episode of our four-part Sunday Series on the Viking invasion of ninth-century England, James Osborne and historian Dr Eleanor Barraclough explore the regions overrun by Viking forces and the rise of Alfred the Great amid the collapse of Anglo-Saxon resistance. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To deepen your understanding of this pivotal moment in Viking and Anglo-Saxon history, James Osborne has selected some essential reading and listening from our archives: https://bit.ly/412VTIB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mexico City, August 1940: a study door closes, an ice axe is raised and the Bolshevik Revolution’s greatest exile meets his grisly end. But what led to this dramatic moment? Danny Bird speaks to Josh Ireland about Josef Stalin’s mortal enemy and the story behind their deadly rivalry. From his affair with artist Frida Kahlo to the pitiless destruction of his family, Josh explains how this is a story of exile, obsession and the long reach of totalitarian power. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Trotsky’s assassination was one of the most brutal and shocking in history – but it's far from the only example of a leader meeting a grisly end. From Julius Caesar and Indira Gandhi to Empress Sisi of Austria and Martin Luther King, read our list of the 50 assassinations that changed the world: https://bit.ly/4t2JFLL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's long been assumed that King Harold's English army arrived tired and in disarray at the battle of Hastings, having had to march over 200 miles from fighting the battle of Stamford Bridge. Tom Licence's new analysis disputes this idea. In this conversation with David Musgrove, he explains why he thinks Harold is more likely to have sailed down the east coast of England. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Check out our four-part video podcast series, 1066: The Battle for England, with Marc Morris: https://bit.ly/47wg3yl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mrs Beeton is a name synonymous with 19th-century domesticity – most notably in connection with the iconic Book of Household Management. But who was the real woman behind the name? Emily Briffett is joined by author, historian and biographer Kathryn Hughes to uncover the life of Isabella Beeton, an industrious editorial innovator whose influence is still felt today. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST HistoryExtra's new podcast series History's Greatest Dishes serves up a feast of facts about some of the past's most remarkable delicacies. Expect culinary legends, half-baked myths and deliciously odd tales – all in the company of Emily Briffett and food historian Annie Gray. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, or by clicking here: https://play.megaphone.fm/j4kw8qtertcezl8owe6jza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices