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.

Listen on:

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

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Episodes

Monday Dec 25, 2023

Jacques Cartier. Journey 2 Part 1. The Journey to Quebec City and Montreal: Stadacona and Hochelaga

Monday Dec 25, 2023

(5 of 15) How were early explorations of the St Lawrence River described?

Friday Dec 22, 2023

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1955-1957: Anthony Eden

Friday Dec 22, 2023

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.

Wednesday Dec 20, 2023

Jacques Cartier. Journey 1 Part 4. Quebec to St Malo: The People, the Food and the Return Home

Wednesday Dec 20, 2023

(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?

Monday Dec 18, 2023

Jacques Cartier. Journey 1 Part 3. The People of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and the Gulf of St Lawrence

Monday Dec 18, 2023

(3 of 15) What were first meetings like between the French and the people of Canada?

Friday Dec 15, 2023

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1770-1782: Frederick North

Friday Dec 15, 2023

The 11th prime minister was in office when the United States declared their independence. How and why did Frederick North - Lord North - lose America?

Wednesday Dec 13, 2023

Jacques Cartier. Journey 1 Part 2. Newfoundland Capes towards Prince Edward Island

Wednesday Dec 13, 2023

(2 of 15) How does Cartier describe the northern coast of Newfoundland and the waters on the way to Prince Edward Island?

Monday Dec 11, 2023

Jacques Cartier. Journey 1 Part 1: Birds and White Bears in Newfoundland and the Gulf of St Lawrence

Monday Dec 11, 2023

(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?

Friday Dec 08, 2023

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1742-1743: Spencer Compton

Friday Dec 08, 2023

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)

Wednesday Dec 06, 2023

A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama: Top Ten Surprises

Wednesday Dec 06, 2023

Vasco da Gama's journey to India changed the world. What are some of the surprises contained in the document describing that journey?

Monday Dec 04, 2023

A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da Gama: Top Ten Events

Monday Dec 04, 2023

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

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