History Extra

BBC History Magazine aims to shed new light on the past to help you make more sense of the world today. Fascinating stories from contributors are the leading experts in their fields, so whether they're exploring Ancient Egypt, Tudor England or the Second World War, you'll be reading the latest, most thought-provoking historical research. BBC History Magazine brings history to life with informative, lively and entertaining features written by the world's leading historians and journalists and is a captivating read for anyone who's interested in the past.

WELCOME SEPTEMBER 2026

THREE THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

ANNIVERSARIES • DANNY BIRD highlights events that took place in September in history

Why has Britain had so many PMs? • Prime ministers rarely enjoy an easy ride – but occupants of number 10 seem to have been particularly vulnerable over the past decade. TIM BALE compares modern pressures with previous periods of instability at the top of the political pyramid

“Why Kane v Haaland was a clash of Viking cousins”

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED THIS MONTH • JAMES OSBORNE highlights insights shared by experts on our HistoryExtra podcasts

“The Punjabis who died in action with the British are finally being honoured” • KAVITA PURI on the century-long effort to right a First World War injustice

LETTERS

History Extra

Love at first flight • It’s been hailed as the plane that won the Battle of Britain but does the Spitfire deserve its all-conquering reputation? Ninety years after this nimble fighter took its maiden flight, Hattie Hearn explores how it became a national icon

LOVE BOOKS, MONEY AND GOING TO THE PUB? …you should thank the Mesopotamians • Ideas developed by ancient peoples in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers still shape our lives today. Selena Wisnom explains why we should celebrate the pivotal roles they played in the development of beer, writing, AI, horoscopes - and even credit cards

What was the greatest speech in history? • Our team of historians, broadcasters and authors champion the most powerful orations from the past

Famine, fines and smoky bacon • Christopher Dyer offers six tips for those seeking success when running a smallholding in the 13th and 14th centuries

Claudia Jones Britain’s black media pioneer • YVONNE SINGH introduces the fearless woman who strove to restore pride to London’s battered Caribbean community through a groundbreaking new newspaper and Britain’s first Carnival event

The Georgian tour of Britain • Forget Paris and Rome. Across the 18th century, Bath, Stonehenge and the Peak District became must-visit destinations for British tourists. James Watt and Alison O’Byrne reveal why, for the Georgians, there was no place like home

Sun, sea and trusty knick-knacks • A beginner’s guide to holidaying in Georgian Britain

Q&A • A selection of historical conundrums answered by experts

Missions impossible • From the 17th century, Protestants traversed the globe to introduce Indigenous people “to the knowledge of the gospel”. These missionaries were fired up with proselytising zeal. So why, asks Alec Ryrie, did their efforts produce such meagre fruit?

Protestant outposts • A global map of missions in the 17th and 18th centuries

“In the 1640s, as society came under tremendous strain, people searched for the devil’s followers – witches” • MARION GIBSON speaks to Charlotte Vosper about her new book exploring the epidemic of witch trials that ravaged Britain during the 17th century

Rome’s forgotten African king • JANE DRAYCOTT explores a fresh account of Juba II, whose life as a Roman protégé, scholar and monarch deserves far wider recognition

Shrabani Basu...