History Today

O.H. Creighton examines the many and varied reasons behind the siting of Norman castles, and considers their decisive effect on the cultural landscape of Britain.

Natalia Griffon de Pleineville remembers a career soldier in Napoleon's army who won distinctions for his energy and commitment over twenty years, but who made a decisive mistake in 1813.

Charles Loft argues that Dr Beeching, hatchet-man of the railways in 1963, has been unfairly blamed for the decisions of politicians.

The Romanian king died of a heart attack on April 4th, 1953.

Liane Aukin looks at the private life of Florence Nightingale, and at how her strained relationship with her mother shaped her destiny.

France officially commemorates the bicentennial of the death of a black French general, as Napoleon's prisoner, on April 7th, 1803.

E. John B. Allen looks at the British obsession that converted a mundane mode of transport into an internationally popular winter sport.

The traditional date for the founding of Rome is April 21st, 753 BC.

Documentary film-maker Martin Smith calls for makers of history programmes for television to reassess their standards.

Ian Hargreaves traces the origins, and deplores the impact, of the unholy alliance between public relations and politics, business and journalism.