History Extra podcast

As Tokyo hosts the summer Paralympics, Ian Brittain chronicles the history of competitive sport for disabled people.

Owen Emmerson, who recently appeared on BBC docu-drama The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family, traces the clan’s meteoric rise – and crushing fall.

A panel of experts tackle the big questions surrounding period drama in the 21st century and ask: what’s next?

Christian Cooijmans explains what we know about Viking raids on Francia and Europe’s western seaboard.

Annie Garthwaite discusses her new novel based on the life of Cecily Neville, who worked tirelessly to help her family seize the throne.

Chris Williams responds to your questions on law enforcement in Britain over the past 300 years.

Andrew Lownie discusses the opulent and eccentric lifestyle of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson after the abdication crisis of 1936

Hester Barron and Claire Langhamer reveal what we can learn from essays written by Bolton schoolgirls in 1937.

Eric Berkowitz describes the lengths to which rulers – from the first Chinese emperor to Henry VIII – have gone to suppress freedom of speech

Fatima Manji talks about objects and landmarks that are often obscured by the traditional stories told in many heritage sites.