The Original Bonfire of the Vanities
On 7 February 1497, the Piagnoni of Florence set sin ablaze in the original ‘bonfire of the vanities’
History Today
‘As Gods Among Men’ by Guido Alfani review
Guido Alfani’s As Gods Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West explores how history’s wealthiest men made their fortunes, but says little about why they did so.
On the Spot: Levi Roach
‘I used to doubt that the changes undergone in western Europe’s “feudal revolution” were substantial; now, I’m inclined to accept that they were.’
Jackie Coogan and the Fall of Hollywood’s Child Stars
Hollywood adored child stars like Jackie Coogan and Diana Serra Cary, but failed to protect them
Arguing with the Dead
Medieval historians are a small band. Departed greats such as James Campbell remain with us as long as we seek their opinions.
‘The Wild Men’, ‘The Men of 1924’ and ‘A Century of Labour’ review
On the centenary of Britain’s first Labour government, three recent histories cast a sympathetic eye over Ramsay MacDonald’s nine months in Number 10.
Pasternak and Stalin: What Was Said?
A short telephone call between Joseph Stalin and Boris Pasternak sealed the fate of a fellow writer. What exactly transpired during that fateful discussion remains subject to debate.
Convents as a Refuge in Early Modern Lisbon
Lisbon’s convents were not just religious houses, but safe havens for the noblewomen of Portugal offering refuge from abusive husbands, unhappy marriages and a city swarming with ‘dogs and devils’.
How French Was Medieval England?
The Norman Conquest brought French kings, language and culture across the Channel. What did that mean for medieval England?
Pet Monkeys in Victorian Britain
Pet monkeys became a popular fashion accessory for the Victorians, found in homes across the country. But they were rarely living a life of luxury.