Why did people start cremating bodies? When did black become the colour of mourning? And who are the 'invisible dead'? Speaking to Charlotte Hodgman, historian Douglas Davies answers your top questions about traditions surrounding death and mourning in Britain through the centuries.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazin ... Show More
Sep 14
What is ‘Europe’, anyway?
What defines Europe – is it geography, politics, a shared culture, or perhaps a mix of all three? In this episode, historian Roderick Beaton tells Emily Briffett about the ways in which it has been defined, and redefined, as an idea by its people over the centuries. ----- GO BEYO ... Show More
36m 59s
Sep 13
Christianity, conflict and catastrophe: the life of CS Lewis
He's well-known for creating children's classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but what else can history teach us about CS Lewis? Michael Ward explores the life of the author with Isabel King – from a tragic childhood to his turbulent relationship with faith. ----- GO BEYO ... Show More
40m 38s
Jun 2024
Ep. 2 - The Victorian Cult of Death
In this week's episode, Genevieve talks about elaborate Victorian funeral traditions, what was, and was not, acceptable mourning fashion of the day, Queen Victoria’s obsession with her dead husband that sparked the trends, the hardship and power of 19th-century widowhood, as well ... Show More
30m 56s
Sep 2023
A History of Royal Funerals
1,000 of burying the Kings, Queen and other English royals. From Medieval monarchs who were rushed to their graves, and occasionally exploded, to The Tudors and Stuarts whose people lined up to see life-like wax effigies of their recently deceased monarchs. And I'll unpack the fu ... Show More
35m 5s