How French Was Medieval England?
The Norman Conquest brought French kings, language and culture across the Channel. What did that mean for medieval England?
England
‘With Her Own Hair’: A Victorian Prisoner’s Art
Arrested over 400 times, Annie Parker found redemption in intricate cross-stitch and crochet using her own hair.
Maria Graham and the Valparaíso Earthquake
An earthquake in Chile and the observations of eye-witness Maria Graham caused open hostility among 19th-century geologists.
London’s Pig-Faced Urban Legend
Early modern fairy tale or urban legend? Who was London’s pig-faced lady and where did she come from?
How to Revive Wassailing
Ancient traditions such as wassailing can be an inspiration rather than a burden for the communities that embrace them.
The Scandalous Success of the Daily Mail
In January 1944 the Daily Mail became the first transoceanic newspaper, having transformed the relationship between politics, the press and the people. How powerful is it really?
Syphilis and Scurvy: Diagnosing Henry VIII
There is an enduring obsession with understanding the body and mind of Henry VIII, but how sound are diagnoses past and present – and do we need them?
Victorian Romantic Rituals and Charms
The proper pastime for a young lady in the 19th century was the pursuit of marriage – the magical rituals and folk charms she used might be less proper.
‘Jane Austen’s Wardrobe’ by Hilary Davidson review
Jane Austen’s Wardrobe by Hilary Davidson seeks to provide the context that more than two centuries of changes in fashion have obscured.
‘The Hundred Years War Vol 5’ by Jonathan Sumption review
The Hundred Years War Vol 5: Triumph and Illusion by Jonathan Sumption charts the English downfall and France’s triumph to bring the epic five-volume history to its conclusion.