Literature

Most of Shakespeare’s working life was spent in or around the City of London. By the time he retired, Greater London – a residential as well as a commercial metropolis – was beginning to spring up beyond its ancient limits.

Shakespeare was born into an England rejoicing in the peace and prospects of a new reign, but anxious about the future, writes Joel Hurstfield.

I.F. Clarke describes how the eighteenth century saw the beginnings of popular predictive fiction that attempted, in terms of politics or science, to forecast the life of later centuries.

George Pendle finds that the authoress of Little Arthur's History of England was also an inquisitive and adventurous traveller.

Sean McGlynn reconsiders the origins of the popular myth and suggests a new contender for the original folk hero; not an outlaw from Nottingham but a devoted royal servant from Kent, who opposed the French invasion against King John in 1216.

The Vikings are back with a vengeance, writes Jeffrey Richards

The historical figures who are buried in more than one place.

H.G. Nicholas reconsiders the influence of this famous book on American opinion in the years preceding the Civil war, and on its world-wide public outside the United States.

Max Thompson profiles the oddest and most original of 17th century political thinkers.

John Clive records how, during the opening years of the 19th century, Edinburgh added to its European reputation by producing one of the most famous critical magazines of the age.