History Today

Today it is London's show for the tourists, but in the 1590s the Lord Mayor's show was an opportunity for pomp with circumstance that reveal much of the political and social stresses and strains in Elizabeth's capital, argues Jennifer Harrison.

Max Beloff finds geography, language and religion powerful antidotes to present aspirations of European unity.

Richard Cavendish looks at all things Stuart in the month when Charles I lost his head.

The Russians are coming... not the fantasy of a Cold War movie, but the 19th-century attempt at incorporating the West Coast of America peacefully into the bear's domain. Jeffrey Miller tells the story of how it happened and why it failed.

Anthony Kirk-Greene looks at the remarkably rapid 'end of empire' of Britain in Africa, and argues that perspective and objectivity can now yield a useful stocktaking.

Andrew Boyd on past efforts to bring Ireland's warring factions to the peace table.

Allan Mallinson tells how the cavalry in the British Army recovered from a Boer War shambles to become the best in Europe by the outbreak of the First World War.

Angela Morgan on uncovering one of Argentina's historical mysteries.

Ann Hills on highland games at Braemar