James looks at one of the most iconic moments in Britain’s history. He examines the background to the German attack on the West in May 1940, challenging many of our deeply held perceptions, and explains why the British evacuation of Dunkirk was, and remains, such a significant event. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2017. www.cvhf.org.uk

Günter Halm was an anti-tank gunner who served in North Africa under Rommel and later in Normandy, and received his Knight’s Cross for destroying nine British tanks at Alamein in July 1942. He was awarded his medal by Field Marshal Rommel in person. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

The fifteenth century saw the crown change hands seven times as the great Plantagenet families fought to the death for power, majesty and the right to rule. Dan Jones breathes life into some of the greatest heroes and villains in English history, who tore themselves apart and enabled the Tudors to snatch the throne. www.cvhf.org.uk

James Heneage is a founder of the Chalke Valley History Festival and was founder of the Ottakar’s chain of bookshops which was sold to Waterstones in 2006. He is a former Chairman of the Cheltenham Literary Festival and a Booker Prize judge. www.cvhf.org.uk

Michael Wood tells the incredible story of King Alfred’s Battle for Wessex. After defeat at Chippenham, Alfred’s kingdom was reduced to a postage stamp of marshland in Somerset, yet he survived and built his army again, leading them to victory at Ethandun. It is unquestionably one of the great moments in English history. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

20 Tsars and Tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition are the subject of Simon Sebag Montefiore's gripping talk in this episode. He dips into the secret world of imperial power, murder and revolution to tell the story of the triumph and tragedy of an Empire that still defines Russia today. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

Melvyn Bragg paints a colourful portrait of the 1381 violent uprising, the biggest armed rebellion against Church and State in English history. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

In this talk, best-selling author Robert Harris turns to one of the key scandals in French history, the Dreyfus Affair. Discussing this infamous miscarriage of justice that rocked France in the years before the first world war, he brings new insights to this world of secret service dealings, cover-ups and betrayal… Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

In this talk, best-selling author of Wild Swans, Jung Chang gave a panoramic depiction of the birth of modern china and an intimate portrait of the most important woman in Chinese history. One of the emperor’s concubines, she launched a palace coup to become the Empress Dowager Cixi, the absolute ruler of a third of the world’s population who overcame huge obstacles to bring a medieval empire into the modern age. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

We had the privilege of having a complete 7-man crew who made up the different roles on a Lancaster bomber during the Second World War at Chalke Valley History Festival in 2015. George ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, Jo Lancaster, Frank Tilley, Hal Gardner, John de Hoop, Dave Fellowes, Steve Bethell were in discussion with Paul Beaver. It was the chance to hear what it was like to fly over Nazi-occupied Europe, whether pilot, bomb- aimer, navigator, flight engineer, tail-gunner, radio operator or...

Martin Brown is a published author, illustrator, and a translator of children’s books. His illustrations for the wildly successful series of Horrible Histories has made him a household name. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

Dr. Anna Keay is the Director of the Landmark Trust. The Last Royal Rebel: The Life and Death of James, Duke of Monmouth is out now. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

Sam Willis is a maritime historian, archaeologist, and broadcaster. He is the author of a number of books on maritime and naval history, including the Hearts of Oak trilogy and the Fighting Ships series. He has appeared in and presented numerous TV series, including Shipwrecks and Castles for BBC4 and Operation Grand Canyon for BBC2. He is a Visiting Fellow in Maritime and Naval History at the University of Plymouth, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and a Fellow of the Society of...

Ian Hislop returned to the Festival to talk about ‘The Satirical Magazine and the History of Private Eye’. He discusses the importance of satire, both in the past and present, and the story behind Private Eye, from its beginnings to its ongoing role in ensuring the absurdities and pomposity in life continue to be exposed. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk 

The great scientist Alexander von Humboldt was one of the most famous men in Europe. He inspired princes and presidents, scientists and explorers with his spectacular adventures and discoveries. Rivers, mountain ranges, towns, a penguin and more are named after him and his ideas remain important today. Andrea Wulf not only won the 2015 Costa Prize, she is also an absolutely superb speaker. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

Damian Lewis is an English actor and producer. He is known for portraying U.S. Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in the Showtime series Homeland (which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award), and U.S. Army Major Richard Winters in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, which also earned him a Golden Globe nomination. His performance as Henry VIII in Wolf Hall earned him his third Primetime Emmy nomination and fourth Golden Globe nomination. Lewis currently stars as hedge fund...

In the great tradition of story-telling, Tom Holland continues his annual recounting of the Greek Myths. This year, he turns to the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, an epic story of honour, adventure, dangerous women and a golden fleece. Told with wit, verve and passion, this magical tale of the first group of super-heroes will be a treat for all, whether young or old. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk

Having attended the commemorations in France for the 100th Anniversary of the start of the Somme as part of the BBC’s coverage, Dan Snow hurried back to the Chalke Valley to give his own thoughts and perspectives – not only on the battle itself, but also its enduring legacy and his own reflections on what he has witnessed in France two days earlier. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk.

Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC is a British Battle of Britain fighter pilot and author. Aged eighteen, he signed up on a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force in August 1939. He saw extensive action during the Battle of Britain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1941 in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. On 11 August 1942, Wellum led eight Spitfires launched from the carrier HMS Furious to reinforce the fighter...

No American statesman has been as revered and as reviled as Henry Kissinger. Hailed as the ‘indispensable man,’ he also attracted immense hostility. In this talk, renowned historian, Professor Niall Ferguson revealed an extraordinary panorama of Kissinger the man: from his Jewish upbringing in Germany to his rise as one of America’s most influential politicians and grand strategists. Recorded at Chalke Valley History Festival 2016. www.cvhf.org.uk. Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes.

Dr Peter Frankopan @PeterFrankopan is a historian at Oxford University, where he is Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College, Oxford and Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research. The Silk Roads was named The Daily Telegraph’s History Book of the Year 2015. it has topped the Sunday Times Non-Fiction charts, remaining in the Top 10 for seven months, as well as being #1 in China, India, Ireland and many other countries around the world. Peter has been described in The New...

Welcome to Chalke Valley History Hit.  We plan to raid the archives of the renowned Chalke Valley History Festival to bring you talks and discussions from some of the best historians working in the english language. Featuring talks ranging from pre-history right through to modern culture. Presented by James Holland @James1940. Series Producer: Dan Morelle @DanMorelle www.cvhf.org.uk. Subscribe, rate and review on iTunes.