Britain

'Woodbine Willie': Religion and Politics after the Great War

Gerald Kennedy shows how a fear of revolution and the growing strength of organised labour created tensions in Britain after the end of the First World War. Men such as 'Woodbine Willie' attempted to defuse the situation by preaching the gospel of 'Christian Socialism' at mass meetings across the country.

Thoughts on Treasure Houses

Peter Stansky takes a look at the increasing number of houses either privately owned or owned by the National Trust being opened to the public.

John of Gaunt: Portugal's Kingmaker

John of Gaunt's dynastic ambitions coincided with the urgent need of the Portuguese Crown for foreign support to secure its sovereign independence - the catalyst for a royal marriage and England's oldest alliance.

Anglo-Portuguese Relations Since 1900

World wars, dictatorship and the tensions of empire tested, but not to breaking point, the alliance in the twentieth century. Tom Gallagher outlines how economic and strategic considerations made Portugal a focus for Allied concern in the Second World War.