6 THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT... TUTANKHAMUN

Professor Joyce Tyldesley shares some lesser-known facts about the life, death and legacy of Egypt's famous 'boy king'

AN A-Z OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II

As Her Majesty marks 70 years on the throne, we take an alphabetical look back at the story of her life and reign

The struggles that made Charles Dickens

Few British authors have achieved the same level of adoration as the creator of classics such as A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations. But where did Dickens find the inspiration for his literary masterpieces?

ENSURING A LEGACY

From temples to tombs, bigger was definitely better in the eyes of the pharaohs and their gods

WHAT GREAT PAINTINGS SAY

Instantly familiar and much parodied, Grant Wood's Depression-era painting leaves observers with more questions than answers

WHAT IF... OLIVER CROMWELL'S SON HAD NEVER BEEN NAMED LORD PROTECTOR?

Professor Peter Gaunt tells Nige Tassell why a more capable leader than Richard Cromwell might have secured the long-term future of England's republic - but not necessarily forever

YOU'RE BARRED!

Throughout history, women have faced barriers and discrimination in virtually every area of daily life. We explore eight of the most unusual bans imposed on members of the 'fairer sex' in Britain and beyond - and how they were finally revoked

A REVOLUTION IN WOMEN'S LIVES

In the struggle for independence, America's “ladies” served as medics, cooks, campaigners and even as fighters

WHAT IF...EMPRESS MATILDA HAD DEFEATED KING STEPHEN?

In the 1130s, England descended into civil war as two rival cousins vied for the throne. Spencer Mizen asks historian Matt Lewis whether the struggle - known as the Anarchy - could have unfolded differently

A MOST UNLIKELY SUSPECT

In May 1922, a respected solicitor was sent to the gallows after being convicted of poisoning his wife. But was he truly guilty? A century on, Stephen Bates asks whether Major Herbert Rowse Armstrong was the victim of a terrible injustice

Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company

"I'm continually amazed by the incredible insight and empathy Shakespeare shows for the human experience"

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Professor Benjamin Carp answers key questions about the colonies' 18th-century fight for independence

OBSOLETE OBJECTS

Technological advances and scientific discoveries have consigned many inventions of yesteryear to the dustbin of history. A new book of now-defunct objects and ideas takes a trip down memory lane to explore futures that never were. We bring you 10 examples...

Oscar Wilde is released from prison

THIS MONTH... 1897 ANNIVERSARIES THAT HAVE MADE HISTORY

TEA, TAXES AND THE TAKING UP OF ARMS

The seeds of revolution and calls for independence were brewing in Britain's American colonies many years before a shooting war broke out...

THE BATTLES THAT MADE THE UNITED STATES

From the first shots at Lexington and Concord, to the surrender at Yorktown, we explore the most important clashes of the war

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

5 THINGS YOU(PROBABLY) DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT... | In 1776, as the conflict heated up, Britain's North American colonies announced their independence with a groundbreaking document. Dr Tom Cutterham explores the Declaration's lasting impact

WHAT GREAT PAINTINGS SAY

A highly unusual painting sheds new light on the experiences of people of colour in 18th-century England

ON THE PROWL

Hunting witches was a lucrative profession, giving plucky vigilantes the opportunity to earn high wages and gain social standing within communities gripped by fear and worry

A CAULDRON OF CULTURES

Professor Ronald Hutton reveals how ancient civilisations helped shape early modern beliefs about witches and witchcraft

ISLAND OF THE DEAD

In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, some people still claim they have the ability to practise magic and command zonbi spirits. Professor Lauren Derby explores the history behind this unique form of Caribbean sorcery

FACT OR FICTION?

Most people's knowledge of 'witches' stems from popular horror tropes involving warty-faced women stirring cauldrons, or innocent young girls being drowned in ponds. But how much of this is based on pure mythology? Professor Owen Davies addresses eight popular misconceptions about the history of witchcraft in Europe

ROUGH INJUSTICE

Professor Marion Gibson reveals how England's early modern legal system dealt with suspected 'witches'

SEEING DOUBLE

As German aircraft attacked Paris during WWI, one man had an idea: what if you could fool the enemy into dropping their bombs elsewhere? Gavin Mortimer tells the story behind an audacious wartime ruse...

SARAH BIFFIN Artist, writer, trailblazer

Nige Tassell explores the life and career of the disabled English painter whose work is set to be the focus of a major new exhibition later this vear

WHAT GREAT PAINTINGS SAY

Vincent van Gogh's stark portrayal of physical and mental ill-health carries an important message of hope and determination

WHAT IF...THE OTTOMANS HAD WON AT LEPANTO?

Professor Marc David Baer talks to Jonny Wilkes about the infamous 1571 naval battle, and whether or not an Ottoman victory against the Catholic Holy League would have made a substantial a difference to the empire's ambitions anyway

WICCA'S WORLD

Claire Slack reveals how a new magical movement flourished in the 20th century

What Happened Next?

The Cromwell years had taken their toll on this exhausted parliament 

Yesterday's Papers

On 10 April 1970, Paul McCartney announced that he was leaving The Beatles. “We Weren’t Aiming for the Same Thing” Paul Mccartney