History’s Greatest Battles returns with a new run, focusing on that blood-soaked 15th-century struggle for the English throne: the Wars of the Roses. In the company of historian Lauren Johnson, Emily Briffett revisits five of the most gripping clashes of this dynastic showdown. Along the way, they spotlight the decisive moments and power players who flipped fate on its head, and explore what these brutal encounters reveal about power, propaganda and survival in late medieval England. How might history have twisted differently if a single charge, arrow or act of treachery had gone another way?
In 1485, England stood at a crossroads, scarred by decades of civil war. Against this grim backdrop, two armies headed for a fateful confrontation: one led by a battle-hardened king determined to ensure the success of a dynasty he had fought to protect for years; the other by a new challenger in an old conflict.In this final episode of our History’s Greatest Battles series charting the Wars of the Roses, Emily Briffett is joined by historian and author Lauren Johnson to explore how, in one fateful meeting on one remarkable day, a new king would be crowned – and history would never look the same again.-----GO BEYOND THE PODCASTCurious to find out more about the Wars of the Roses? Check out HistoryExtra’s archive of essential reading, listening and watching here: https://bit.ly/4qCI8KQ
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17 Mar 2026
The battle of Tewkesbury: blood and brutality
Survivors desperately fleeing to the apparent safety of a nearby abbey. A young prince on the brink of death. A dynasty on the precipice. The battle of Tewkesbury, which played out during May 1471, certainly had its fair share of high drama, and high stakes, as armies clashed and the Lancastrian cause was shattered.
In this fourth episode of our History’s Greatest Battles series charting the Wars of the Roses, Emily Briffett joins historian and author Lauren Johnson to consider those remarkable events – and their legacy.
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Curious to find out more about the Wars of the Roses? Check out HistoryExtra’s archive of essential reading, listening and watching here: https://bit.ly/4qCI8KQ
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HISTORY'S GREATEST DISHES
Don't miss HistoryExtra's new podcast series, History's Greatest Dishes, which will offer a feast of facts about some of the past's most remarkable delicacies. The first episode is served on 13 April – click here to find out more and follow the series: https://play.megaphone.fm/pcu-1bwer3mzabgf50tomg
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10 Mar 2026
The battle of Barnet: the fog of war
April 1471: a thick, blinding fog smothered the fields near Barnet, swallowing banners, muffling orders and turning friend into foe. Opposing armies became disoriented – and then one mistake proved fatal.In this third episode of our History’s Greatest Battles series charting the Wars of the Roses, Emily Briffett joins historian and author Lauren Johnson to chronicle the clash at Barnet, in which lines buckled and trust collapsed.–––––GO BEYOND THE PODCASTCurious to find out more about the Wars of the Roses? Check out HistoryExtra’s archive of essential reading, listening and watching here: https://bit.ly/4qCI8KQ
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3 Mar 2026
The battle of Towton: frost and fury
In the bitter spring of 1461, the freezing fields of Yorkshire became a blood-soaked battlefield in which two rivals fought for the throne of a divided nation. But who would emerge victorious? In this second episode of our History’s Greatest Battles series charting the Wars of the Roses, Emily Briffett joins historian and author Lauren Johnson at the 1461 battle of Towton.
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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST
Want to find out more about the Wars of the Roses? Check out HistoryExtra’s archive of essential reading, listening and watching here: https://bit.ly/4qCI8KQ
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24 Feb 2026
The First Battle of St Albans: the Wars of the Roses ignites
History’s Greatest Battles is back! This time around, Emily Briffett and historian and author Lauren Johnson will be chronicling the most momentous clashes of the Wars of the Roses. In this first episode, they explore 1455’s First Battle of St Albans, a bitter brawl that sparked a dynastic struggle and set in motion a chain of events that would redefine power in England for centuries to come.
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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST
Curious to find out more about the Wars of the Roses? Check out HistoryExtra’s archive of essential reading, listening and watching here: https://bit.ly/4qCI8KQ
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17 Feb 2026
History's Greatest Battles is back!
This new run delves into the Wars of the Roses, exploring the blood-soaked 15th-century struggle for the English throne. Across five dramatic episodes, Emily Briffett and historian Lauren Johnson offer expert insights into the decisive moments, power players and most gripping clashes, revealing what these brutal encounters tell us about survival and supremacy in medieval England.
Listen to new episodes on this feed weekly from 24 February, or get them early and ad-free by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus.
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5 Jul 2025
How to wage war like a Roman
Host Emily Briffett and Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy revisit five epic Roman clashes, reflecting on Rome's military prowess and overlooked battles, in this interview episode.
25 Mar 2025
Battle of Adrianople
Across the 370s AD, displaced Gothic tribes had flooded into the eastern Roman empire seeking refuge and settlement – but what they found instead was hardship and desperation. Such appalling ill treatment soon ignited a furious revolt that the Romans were determined to crush swiftly. However, these attempts to dampen resistance would instead culminate in one of Rome’s most disastrous defeats, the death of an emperor and a legacy that would ultimately bring western empire to its end. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancient Roman empire in the company of historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy. And in this episode, they chart the pivotal battle of Adrianople in 378 AD.
History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.
For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.
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://apple.co/4fgRA1d.
This episode was hosted by Emily Briffett and produced by Jack Bateman.
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18 Mar 2025
Siege of Amida
In 359 AD, the Roman fortress of Amida held fast against the might of the Sassanian Persian army, in a gruelling 73-day siege that saw the city’s defenders face desperation, disease… and betrayal. This was a standoff that left the honour of two formidable military opponents hanging in the balance. The question was, who would come out on top? In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancient Roman empire in the company of historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy – and in this episode, they revisit the brutal siege of Amida.
History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.
For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.
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://apple.co/4fgRA1d.
This episode was hosted by Emily Briffett and produced by Jack Bateman.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
11 Mar 2025
Battle of Watling Street
In 61 AD, the fate of Britannia hung in the balance. Thousands had risen up in open rebellion against Roman rule – at their head was Iceni queen Boudica, seeking vengeance for her people’s suffering. Overwhelmingly outnumbered but unyielding, the Roman legions made their desperate last stand at Watling Street, in one of the most famous clashes of the imperial age. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancient Roman empire in the company of historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy – and in this episode, they explore the famed rout of Boudica’s rebellion.
History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.
For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.
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://apple.co/4fgRA1d.
This episode was hosted by Emily Briffett and produced by Jack Bateman.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 Mar 2025
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
In the year 9 AD, three Roman legions marched headlong into the shadowy depths of the Teutoburg Forest in the troublesome province of Germania. But little did they know, they were walking into a trap. Things soon took a turn for the worse with an ambush that landed a catastrophic blow, forever halting Roman expansion into Germania. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancient Roman empire in the company of historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy. And in this episode, they explore a story of fear, betrayal and desperation: the battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.
For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.
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://apple.co/4fgRA1d.
This episode was hosted by Emily Briffett and produced by Jack Bateman.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25 Feb 2025
Battle of Actium
In the year 31 BC, the waters off the coast of Greece became the stage for a naval showdown that would alter the future of the ancient world. Two mighty, opposing juggernauts vied for the position of Roman top dog, and the clash of fleets would seal the fate of the republic – birthing an empire and bringing a love story for the ages to a crushing end. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancient Roman empire in the company of historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy – and in this episode, they map out the battle of Actium.
History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.
For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.
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://apple.co/4fgRA1d.
This episode was hosted by Emily Briffett and produced by Jack Bateman.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 Feb 2025
Introducing History's Greatest Battles
Vicious civil wars. Gruelling sieges. Rebellious provinces, galling betrayals and tribes seeking revenge… Join us for the first series of History’s Greatest Battles, where we’re heading back to the Roman empire. Emily Briffett is joined by historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy to look back at five of the most fascinating clashes of this ancient civilisation, taking in the action blow by blow and identifying the major moments and key commanders that shaped events. They’ll also be uncovering what the military engagements of this mighty superpower can reveal about the age of the emperors, and asking: how history might have turned out differently had things gone the other way?
Episodes drop on this feed from the 25 February, or listen early and ad-free by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus.
History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast.
For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com.
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
19,372,287
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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