History Today

C.E. Hamshere describes how the famous Pirate-Governor of Jamaica helped to bring to an end Spanish control of the Caribbean Sea.

Judith Mason describes how, in February 1525, Francis I of France was defeated and taken prisoner at Pavia by an Imperial army, led by his rebellious subject the Constable of Bourbon, who later launched an attack upon the Holy City.

Though the massacre of captives aboard the British slave ship Zong scandalised society, the pace of reform was slow.

Prudence Hannay introduces Lady Granville, the younger daughter of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. She bridges the gulf between two very different social periods. Brought up among the most dashing personalities of ‘the Devonshire House set’, she died in the great age of mid-Victorian respectability.

G.W.S. Barrow describes how, 260 years ago, the Scottish people made a difficult but necessary choice.

When David Garrick, the most distinguished actor of his day, organised a splendid festival in honour of our greatest dramatist, writes Carola Oman, everything favoured him except the weather.

C.V. Wedgwood assesses the impact of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, 1869-1969

T.C. Owtram introduces Warren Hastings. After thirty years in the service of the East India Company, eleven of them as Governor-General, Hastings returned in 1785 to face impeachment at Westminster Hall

David Chandler describes a heroic episode during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Joanna Richardson describes how, during the 1830s, the world of Bohemia offered a warm and fruitful climate to artists and writers.