The Rest Is History
Podcast

The Rest Is History

Goalhanger

751 episodes

Society & Culture

Take a deep dive into History’s biggest moments with Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook. Explore the stories of History’s most brutal rulers, deadly battles, and world-changing events. From the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Nazi conquest of Europe, and Hitler’s evil master plan for world domination, to the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, or the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Tom and Dominic bring the past to life with gripping storytelling and expert analysis, as they unpack the high-drama moments that shaped our world. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.

What this show covers

French RevolutionElizabeth IReign of TerrorRobespierreRoman RepublicThe TroublesNorthern IrelandPolitical violenceMariusSullaNational anthemBritish historyEmperor Tewodros IIAbyssiniaBritish Empire

What listeners will find here

King Arthur under the microscope: myth, origins, and a possible historical battle
King Arthur is the focus as Tom and Dominic begin a series on Britain’s greatest myth. They ask when the stories started, who first told them, and whether Arthur’s final apocalyptic battle might echo a real event from 15th-century England.
Robespierre’s bloody end closes the Terror at its most extreme
This episode examines why the Terror reached unprecedented bloodshed in 1794, who was really running France, and how Robespierre was overthrown by former allies. It serves as the climactic finale to the series on the Terror and the French Revolution.
Robespierre’s strangest spectacle at the height of the Terror
This episode examines the Festival of the Supreme Being in 1794 and why Robespierre staged it during the most fevered phase of the Reign of Terror. Tom and Dominic explore what the event suggests about his psychology, his religious vision, and the Revolution’s attempt to replace Christianity.
Danton’s fall reveals how the Terror began devouring its own leaders
Georges Danton’s downfall takes center stage as the episode examines his clash with Maximilien Robespierre over the future of the French Revolution. It also digs into the conspiracy that sent Danton to the guillotine and what his destruction meant for the Terror’s next phase.
Marie Antoinette’s last year: prison, politics, and the road to the guillotine
Marie Antoinette’s imprisonment, the political arguments over her fate, and her execution on October 16, 1793 are at the center of this episode. Tom and Dominic frame her death as one of the French Revolution’s most shocking moments and a decisive blow to the monarchy.

Episodes

713. King Arthur: The Once & Future King (Part 1)
713. King Arthur: The Once & Future King (Part 1)
11 Oct 2026 · 1h 11m
712. The Terror: The Fall of Robespierre (Part 6)
712. The Terror: The Fall of Robespierre (Part 6)
7 Oct 2026 · 1h 36m
711. The Terror: Killing God (Part 5)
711. The Terror: Killing God (Part 5)
4 Oct 2026 · 1h 16m
710. The Terror: Death at the Guillotine (Part 4)
710. The Terror: Death at the Guillotine (Part 4)
30 Sept 2026 · 1h 31m
709. The Terror: The Execution of Marie Antoinette (Part 3)
709. The Terror: The Execution of Marie Antoinette (Part 3)
27 Sept 2026 · 1h 11m
708. The Terror: The Reign of Robespierre (Part 2)
708. The Terror: The Reign of Robespierre (Part 2)
23 Sept 2026 · 1h 30m
707. The Terror: An Assassination in Paris (Part 1)
707. The Terror: An Assassination in Paris (Part 1)
20 Sept 2026 · 1h 25m
706. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: Storming the Citadel (Part 2)
706. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: Storming the Citadel (Part 2)
16 Sept 2026 · 1h 13m
705. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: The Mad Emperor of Abyssinia (Part 1)
705. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: The Mad Emperor of Abyssinia (Part 1)
13 Sept 2026 · 1h 10m
704. Roman Civil War: Master of the Republic (Part 4)
704. Roman Civil War: Master of the Republic (Part 4)
9 Sept 2026 · 1h 10m
703. Roman Civil War: Marching on the Senate (Part 3)
703. Roman Civil War: Marching on the Senate (Part 3)
6 Sept 2026 · 1h 13m
702. Roman Civil War: The Barbarian Invasion (Part 2)
702. Roman Civil War: The Barbarian Invasion (Part 2)
2 Sept 2026 · 1h 18m
701. Roman Civil War: Rise of the General (Part 1)
701. Roman Civil War: Rise of the General (Part 1)
30 Aug 2026 · 1h 13m
700. The Troubles: Bloody Sunday (Part 4)
700. The Troubles: Bloody Sunday (Part 4)
26 Aug 2026 · 1h 24m
699. The Troubles: Return of the IRA (Part 3)
699. The Troubles: Return of the IRA (Part 3)
23 Aug 2026 · 1h 23m
698. The Troubles: The Brink of Civil War (Part 2)
698. The Troubles: The Brink of Civil War (Part 2)
19 Aug 2026 · 1h 22m
697. The Troubles: Murder in Belfast (Part 1)
697. The Troubles: Murder in Belfast (Part 1)
16 Aug 2026 · 1h 25m
696. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)
696. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)
12 Aug 2026 · 1h 9m
695. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)
695. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)
9 Aug 2026 · 1h 1m
694. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Treacherous Conspiracy (Part 4)
694. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Treacherous Conspiracy (Part 4)
5 Aug 2026 · 1h 12m
693. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)
693. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)
2 Aug 2026 · 1h 16m
692. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
692. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
29 Jul 2026 · 1h 11m
691. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)
691. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)
26 Jul 2026 · 1h 12m
690. A Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)
690. A Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)
22 Jul 2026 · 1h 19m
689. A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Greatest Scandal (Part 1)
689. A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Greatest Scandal (Part 1)
19 Jul 2026 · 1h 12m
688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
15 Jul 2026 · 1h 5m
687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
12 Jul 2026 · 1h 11m
686. Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
686. Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
8 Jul 2026 · 1h 21m
685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
5 Jul 2026 · 1h 15m
684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
1 Jul 2026 · 1h 13m
683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1)
683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1)
28 Jun 2026 · 1h 15m
682. South Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
682. South Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
24 Jun 2026 · 1h 10m
681. Brazil: The Emperor’s Anthem (Part 5)
681. Brazil: The Emperor’s Anthem (Part 5)
21 Jun 2026 · 1h 9m
680. The Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
680. The Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
17 Jun 2026 · 1h 12m
The Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship | History of the World Cup
The Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship | History of the World Cup
16 Jun 2026 · 1h 1m
679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)
679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)
14 Jun 2026 · 1h 13m
678. Britain: God Save the King (Part 2)
678. Britain: God Save the King (Part 2)
10 Jun 2026 · 1h 11m
677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
7 Jun 2026 · 1h 10m
676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)
676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)
3 Jun 2026 · 1h 17m
675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
31 May 2026 · 1h 16m
674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)
674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)
27 May 2026 · 1h 7m
673. The First World War: The Submarine Strikes (Part 3)
673. The First World War: The Submarine Strikes (Part 3)
24 May 2026 · 1h 16m
672. The First World War: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2)
672. The First World War: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2)
20 May 2026 · 1h 11m
Empress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne
Empress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne
19 May 2026 · 43 min
671. The First World War: Blood in the Trenches (Part 1)
671. The First World War: Blood in the Trenches (Part 1)
17 May 2026 · 1h 24m
670. Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney
670. Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney
14 May 2026 · 39 min
669. Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)
669. Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)
13 May 2026 · 1h 9m
668. Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)
668. Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)
10 May 2026 · 1h 12m
667. The Mystery of the Mona Lisa
667. The Mystery of the Mona Lisa
6 May 2026 · 1h 9m
666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation
666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation
3 May 2026 · 1h 15m

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