Literature

A Philosophy of Falcons

Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, was obsessed with falconry. This led him to write a truly revolutionary book on the subject.

The Road less Travelled

Female explorers of the 19th century demolished Victorian notions of stay-at-home women. But why were they so vehemently anti-feminist? The case of Mary Wollstonecraft may hold the answer. 

Forging Ahead

The industry of fake charters, from the tenth century, to its zenith two centuries later.

Marketing Dennis the Menace

How has The Beano’s Dennis the Menace survived the rise of television, increased cultural consumption and the digital age? 

Stop Press

It is often claimed that press censorship came to an end in England at the close of the 17th century. But it persisted, thanks to an unsavoury network of government spies.

The Moral of the Story

Illustrated picture books in Victorian England reached new aesthetic heights. But was it always for the benefit of the children?

Beowulf the Bro

A new translation finds Beowulf comfortably at home in the 21st century.