Father Figure
A 17th-century depiction of Joseph and Jesus marks a shift in the status of the nuclear family.
History Today
Was Thomas Becket a Saint or an Arrogant Troublemaker?
We ask four historians to consider the reputation of Henry II’s Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered 850 years ago this month.
Beneath the Bombs
Understanding the immediacy and confusion of the Blitz.
Flannelled Fools
A history of sport in England hits a six.
On the Spot: Vincent Brown
‘History unfolds in discernible but unpredictable patterns.’
When They Get to the Border
The Aliens Act of 1905 was the culmination of decades of anxiety about migrants – some of whom attempted to reach Britain by clandestine means.
Birth of an Imperial Historian
Anna Komnene, author of Alexiad, was born on 1 December 1083.
After Me, Conquest
Edward the Confessor, a model of medieval piety, was a surprisingly effective ruler.
A Holy Trinity
A walk through the City of London provides chance encounters with its deep history.
A Historic Turning Point?
Will historians see 2020 as the peak of a global crisis – or will the world continue on its perilous course?