Long History
History is food for the brain. On Long History we split historic source documents into chunks of around ten minutes so you hear about historic events from the people who took part. Our previous series have included first-hand accounts of journeys by Magellan, Drake, Columbus and more. Treat yourself to something nourishing, and listen to real history while you’re doing it.
Latest series: Virginia 1606-1609
Our latest set of documents here on Long History looks at the early years of North America's first permanent British settlement.
Over 20 episodes, we will listen to the voices of the very people who took part in the earliest colonisation of the US.
Our weekly second series:
Random UK Prime Minister of the Week
Episodes released every Friday.
Past series
Magellan, Columbus and Vasco da Gama: The Three Main Explorers
Magellan's First Voyage Around the World: 30 episodes
Journal of the First Voyage of Columbus: 30 episodes
The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 6 episodes
The Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 10 episodes
A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama: 25 episodes
Other Famous Names
Francis Drake's Voyage About the World: 20 episodes
Sir Walter Raleigh’s The Discovery of Guiana: 18 episodes
Sir Walter Raleigh and Virginia: 18 episodes
Exploring the Pacific
Forgotten Voyages 1: After Magellan: 10 episodes
Forgotten Voyages 2: The Hunt for the Missing Captain: 5 episodes
Exploring North America
The Southern Unites States in the 1500s: 25 episodes
Florida, Texas and Northern Mexico in the 1500s: 20 episodes
Jacques Cartier's Three Voyages to Canada: 18 episodes
Henry Hudson's Diverse Voyages and Northern Discoveries: 25 episodes
Creating the Philippines' Spanish Colony:
Journey to Colonise The Philippines: 8 episodes
The Philippines’ First Spanish Colony: 20 episodes
How Manila became Spanish: 5 episodes
Conquering Manila: 5 episodes
Don't forget to like, subscribe and share
Episodes
Dec 25, 2023
Dec 25, 2023
14 min
(5 of 15) How were early explorations of the St Lawrence River described?
Dec 22, 2023
Dec 22, 2023
21 min
How did Churchill's heir, Eden, become prime minister? How did the end of the British empire cut Eden's time short as prime minister? Find out about the Suez crisis and its consequences, both for the UK and for the 41st prime minister.
Dec 20, 2023
Dec 20, 2023
19 min
(4 of 15) During his 1534 journeys to explore the Atlantic coast of Canada, why did famous French explorer Jacquer Cartier cut his first journey short and return home?
Dec 18, 2023
Dec 18, 2023
18 min
(3 of 15) What were first meetings like between the French and the people of Canada?
Dec 15, 2023
Dec 15, 2023
18 min
The 11th prime minister was in office when the United States declared their independence. How and why did Frederick North - Lord North - lose America?
Dec 13, 2023
Dec 13, 2023
18 min
(2 of 15) How does Cartier describe the northern coast of Newfoundland and the waters on the way to Prince Edward Island?
Dec 11, 2023
Dec 11, 2023
18 min
(1 of 15) Jacques Cartier explored and named the St Lawrence river during three journeys beginning in 1534. Theories also suggest he was the first European to use the name Canada. Here listen to the account of the three journeys by the man himself. What did the famous French explorer find as he sailed from the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland into Canada's interior?
Dec 8, 2023
Dec 8, 2023
15 min
Robert Walpole, the first prime minister, was a huge act to follow. Did the second prime minister live up to his famous predecessor? (quick answer: no)
Dec 6, 2023
Dec 6, 2023
15 min
Vasco da Gama's journey to India changed the world. What are some of the surprises contained in the document describing that journey?
Dec 4, 2023
Dec 4, 2023
16 min
Discover the main events in this Portuguese explorer's historic journey. Follow da Gama as he opens a sea route from Europe to India via the tip of South Africa.
History from the source:
Magellan, Columbus and Vasco da Gama: The Three Main Explorers
Magellan's First Voyage Around the World: 30 episodes
Journal of the First Voyage of Columbus: 30 episodes
The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 6 episodes
The Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus: 10 episodes
A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama: 25 episodes
Other Famous Names
Francis Drake's Voyage About the World: 20 episodes
Sir Walter Raleigh’s The Discovery of Guiana: 18 episodes
Sir Walter Raleigh and Virginia: 18 episodes
Exploring the Pacific
Forgotten Voyages 1: After Magellan: 10 episodes
Forgotten Voyages 2: The Hunt for the Missing Captain: 5 episodes
Exploring North America
The Southern Unites States in the 1500s: 25 episodes
Florida, Texas and Northern Mexico in the 1500s: 20 episodes
Jacques Cartier's Three Voyages to Canada: 18 episodes
Henry Hudson's Diverse Voyages and Northern Discoveries: 25 episodes
Creating the Philippines' Spanish Colony:
Journey to Colonise The Philippines: 8 episodes
The Philippines’ First Spanish Colony: 20 episodes
How Manila became Spanish: 5 episodes
Conquering Manila: 5 episodes
Thanks for visiting!