Political

Nancy Mitford finds that Carlyle’s biography of the King was one of the oddest ever written, but it is ‘so carefully drawn that it finally presents a perfect likeness’.

Diana Spearman explains the deep complexities of the pre-Victorian political landscape and electoral system in Britain. Ben Wilson offered his own historiographical perspective in this 2010 article.

The late Labour leader, who died in March aged 96, was the last great radical voice of Parliament and stands comparison with the celebrated 18th-century polemicist, writes Brian Brivati.

Ben Wilson visits the History Today archive to examine Diana Spearman’s analysis of the British constitution in the 18th century, an age characterised by liberty and individualism.

Dan Plesch describes how President Roosevelt’s introduction of a global day of solidarity in June 1942 successfully promoted the ideals of the United Nations and his Four Freedoms, boosting morale in the worldwide fight against fascism.

When the England football team visited Germany in May 1938, diplomatic protocol resulted in the team giving a Nazi salute.

Richard Cavendish remembers the events of October 9th, 1934.

Eadwig died on October 1st, 959, still in his teens, in circumstances which remain unknown.

The last of the Manchu emperors received a formal pardon on December 4th, 1959.

Richard Cavendish remembers January 13th 1935.