England

Carthusian monks at the dining table, from an account of rules of the Carthusian Order, the Netherlands, 15th century. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

The Violent Life of the Medieval Monks

Meant to live a life of perfect peacefulness and contemplation, in reality monks were human and fallible. How violent could life in the medieval cloister be?

The assasination of George Villiers, the duke of Buckingham, and favourite to King James IV and I, by Romeyn de Hooghe, 1699. Herzog August Library. Public Domain.

‘The Scapegoat’ by Lucy Hughes-Hallett review

The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham by Lucy Hughes-Hallett picks through the fragments of George Villiers, James VI & I’s favourite mistake.

detail from a portrait of Anne of Denmark wearing a jewel with a large diamond, possibly the ‘Great Harry’, unknown artist, c.1600. Government Art Collection.

The Fight for Mary, Queen of Scots’ Jewels

Who should claim Scotland’s royal jewels? After the forced abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots, the answer was not clear cut.

Richard II and Thomas Mowbray, from Jean Froissart’s Chronicles, 15th century. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

The Last Testaments of Richard II and Henry IV

Tyrant and usurper: the last wills of Richard II and Henry IV give rare insight into the medieval monarchs who wore the crown.

‘Venus and Adonis’, by Peter Oliver, c. 1631. Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection. Public Domain.

‘Straight Acting’ by Will Tosh review

Bard romance? Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare by Will Tosh sets the stage for the next wave of accessible queer histories.

Bishop Odo blesses the food and wine, detail from the Bayeux Tapestry, late 11th century. Bridgeman Images.

How to Rescue the Reputation of the Nasty Normans

The villains of British history, the Normans can be a difficult sell. But going off script has its rewards.

A woman working a nail on the anvil, from the Holkham Bible, England, c.1330. British Museum/Bridgeman Images.

The Women who Forged Medieval England

Who were the female blacksmiths of medieval England?

King John with his unsteady crown, from Matthew Paris’ Chronicle of England, c.1250. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

King John’s Lost Treasure

The loss of his treasure on the road to war was said to have brought about King John’s demise. What happened to it?

‘The moost mighty prynce Rychard’, from the Rous Roll, Warwick, 1483-85. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

Richard III and Kingly Justice for All?

Was Richard III a just king or just doing what a king should do?

Black and White Milk Bar, Fleet Street, London, c.1935.

Britain’s First Milk Bar Opens

Entrepreneur Hugh Donald McIntosh struck white gold when London’s Black and White Bar opened on 1 August 1935.