France

Monarchs claim to be surrounded by an aura of majesty. Cartoon historian Mark Bryant examines some famous incidents when a caricaturist’s pen punctured this aura and revealed the lack of a sense of humour in high places.

Richard Vinen ponders the political significance of two of France’s most potent female icons and finds there is more to them than meets the eye.

Richard Ballard looks at how events in the opening years of the French Revolution took shape in a town three days’ journey from Paris.

Simon Kitson explores the prevalence of spying for and against the Nazis in southern France after the German invasion.

The greatest battle of Napoleon’s career took place on December 2nd, 1805. Although it is often called the Battle of the Three Emperors, Michael Adams sees it as a very personal clash between two men struggling for the mastery of Europe.

The future Queen of France was born on November 2nd, 1755

The famous French author Alexandre Dumas never let fact get in the way of a good story: his ability to spin a yarn made his books instant bestsellers. But, having unravelled the stories behind two of Dumas’ most famous works, Roger Macdonald presents a startling solution as to the true identity of the Man in the Iron Mask.

The exhibition that opened in Paris, on October 15th, 1905, 'shocked many who saw, and many more who did not.'

Maxine Berg looks at the commercial battle to dominate Europe that ran alongside the wars with France, and the product revolution that gave Britain the edge in this field.

David Welch looks at the way that public art was used in both France and Britain to celebrate Napoleon and Nelson as national heroes, during their lifetimes and after.