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James Osborne
I’m James, a senior content producer at HistoryExtra. Working with leading historians, I research, write and edit features that answer the questions readers are genuinely curious about, and I’m always looking for engaging ways to help readers keep pace with the latest expert insights and discoveries from the history they’re interested in. As well as writing, I’m a host on the HistoryExtra podcast, where you’ll find me speaking with historians about some of my favourite historical topics; namely ancient history and the Viking Age! I also work behind the scenes on our videos, curate our medieval-focused newsletter for 15,000 subscribers, and write a monthly historical game review for our print magazine. I’m a qualified archaeologist with a BSc in Bioarchaeology from the University of York, specialising in archaeological science. I’ve worked in digital journalism for more than five years, covering culture and entertainment for a wide range of publications — and at one point I even ran my own website dedicated to prehistoric animals and extinction. Before joining HistoryExtra, I was a staff writer at Network N Media, reporting on film, TV and gaming, writing reviews and interviewing industry figures. As a freelance culture journalist, I’ve also contributed to outlets including Vulture, The AV Club, Radio Times, Digital Spy and GamesRadar.
How Tibbles the cat single-handedly caused a Victorian-era extinction
You've been getting Roman togas wrong your whole life - here's why
A threesome with his wife and mother-in-law: the scandalous story of why one Anglo-Saxon king skipped his coronation
Making a historically accurate videogame: how Warhorse took on the task in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
10 things you need to know about medieval Bohemia before you play Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The real history behind Kuttenberg in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: how Kutná Hora became the silver crown of medieval Bohemia
Is this toilet the ultimate Anglo-Saxon status symbol? Inside Harold II’s ‘ensuite’
The best sniper videogames for history enthusiasts in 2025
The real Viking Age: when did the era of Norse expansion start and end?
Who owns Greenland? Why the island's history is more complicated than you think
13 famous cowboys and gunslingers from the history of the American Wild West
The child-eating Christmas Yule Cat: what are the origins of this Icelandic folklore?
Gladiator III: what could happen in a new sequel, according to Roman history
Seven of history's most disturbing ghost ship stories that will haunt your dreams
Best medieval videogames for history enthusiasts in 2025
How ancient history influenced Tolkien: did a forgotten legend inspire Rings of Power's Celebrimbor?
The Soviet soldier who saved the world: how did Stanislav Petrov prevent nuclear Armageddon?
How ancient mythology inspired God of War's Kratos: is he based on a real deity?
The Antonine Plague: the killer disease that devastated the Roman empire
Fierce and furious: who are the most powerful gods of war throughout world history?
Is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare based on a true story? The audacious real history of Operation Postmaster
Best Viking videogames for history enthusiasts in 2025
Emperor Titus: the underrated Roman emperor that history forgot
Fire gods and goddesses: 14 fire deities from world history
The shocking Alcatraz escape of 11 June 1962
Alcatraz history: from pelican paradise to prolific prison
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