History Behind the Headlines

The British Museum’s major Bayeux Tapestry exhibition finally opens its doors in London this week, following months of build-up and excitement. But why are blockbuster historical events such as this so important in bringing history to a wider audience? And why is the Tapestry such a big deal in the first place?

In this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter delve into the production, politics and pertinence of the Bayeux Tapestry, and look back at some other moments in which history has captured the imagination of a nation.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

You can explore HistoryExtra’s full coverage of the Bayeux Tapestry and the new exhibition, including podcasts, videos and articles, here: https://bit.ly/3V0x2oQ
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US president Donald Trump issued his latest tranche of tariffs this week, as talks between the United States and Canada broke down. But what would economists of the past have made of his ongoing trade war? Regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda look back at the historical parallels.

Plus, with summer holiday season coming to an end, they explore the innovations that have made international travel easier – and, on occasion, more exasperating throughout the centuries.

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If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christopher Nolan’s big-budget adaptation of The Odyssey has become the film-maker’s highest grossing film, surpassing $1.1 billion at the box office. Why has the story proven such a draw for audiences – not just now, in the 21st century, but across the centuries since it was first composed? In this episode of History Behind the Headlines, regular panellists Rana Mitter and Hannah Skoda discuss the epic’s enduring appeal.

But first: what’s the longer history behind the current fears about so-called ‘smart glasses’? And were newspaper columnists really responsible for the first clickbait?

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If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The British Museum's upcoming blockbuster exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry marks the likely homecoming of this venerable artefact, to immense excitement. But why has it taken so long for it to return? And how has it become such a political football in our own time?

In this special episode of History Behind the Headlines, HistoryExtra's Dr David Musgrove tells James Osborne about the long story of the Bayeux Tapestry's travels from England to France – and back again – and explains why its journeys have always been fraught with politics, drama, and mystery.

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If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface. Yet the costumed candidate is far from the first novelty character to seek election and, in this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at some of the other contenders.

Plus, as Britain bakes in its third heatwave of the summer, we explore the ways in which extreme weather impacted on the lives of people in previous generations.

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If you have any questions that you'd like Rana and Hannah to tackle, get in touch: podcast@historyextra.com

For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyextra.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch.

You can listen ad-free to this episode and more by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices