Religion

Andrew Martindale explains why Renaissance Sienese doctored the history of a 12th-century papacy when decorating their new city hall.

The way in which the church commemoration of King Charles I's 1649 execution became a potent instrument in the political war of words after the Restoration is examined, and the history of the king's execution and the clergy's promotion of the event are discussed.

How did Hollywood screenwriter Frank Capra get involved in the sort of film projects that in his and other hands filled a generation of American servicemen with a fundamentalist world view? James Gilbert offers an explanation.

Has our image of Henry VIII's elder daughter as 'Bloody Mary', burning Protestants and unhappily married to Philip of Spain, clouded our assessment of how close she came to restoring the old religion? 

Peter Higgs looks at how a monumental Hellenistic statue sheds light on culture, religion and identity in Roman North Africa.

Xinzhong Yao examines the prospects for Christianity in China based on past performance.

Richard Cavendish discovers the riches and Diaspora and beyond in the Manchester Jewish museum.

Diana Webb looks at the miracles and saints populating the basilica of the San Frediano in Lucca.

Fernando Cervantes explores the conversion process from polytheistic human sacrifice to devotion to the Mother Church.