Historical figures

Historical figures

Who owns England? The biggest landowners revealed – and why it matters

Who actually owns the land in England – and why is it important? Find out the history of land ownership in England.
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Who was Vera Lynn, the 'Forces' Sweetheart'?

All you need to know about Vera Lynn, the World War Two singer and superstar
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Inside Anthrax Island: the Scottish isle of death you’ll never be able to visit

In an attempt to turn the tide against the Nazis in World War II, Winston Churchill commissioned a top secret MoD project on Gruinard.
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How the countryside helped ease the tormented minds of 6 of our most tragic poets – providing them with peace and solace

From the windswept moors to the rolling hills, Britain's landscapes have long inspired poets – but for some, they were more than just a muse
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The most infamous archaeological hoaxes exposed – from fake figurines to the Lost City of Z

The world of archaeology isn't exempt from tricksters and forgers – as these notorious hoaxes prove.
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Just William: The timeless mischief-maker who captivates generations

Who inspired Richmal Crompton’s most famous and mischievous character 'Just William'?
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How a small, charming English town, set at the foot of beautiful hills, gave the world Narnia, hobbits, Middle Earth and Nimrod

Discover the dramatic range of hills that inspired CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and Edward Elgar to create some of the greatest works in the English canon
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The real Ten Pound Poms: Why Brits swapped a tenner for a new life down under – and whether it lived up to expectations...

All you need to know about the real Ten Pound Poms
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From Campbell to MacGregor, discover the 6 most powerful, infamous and violent Scottish clans in history – are you descended from one?

Six clans that shaped modern Scotland
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Easter: All you need to know about the celebration, including forgotten traditions and why it changes each year

There's more to Easter than chocolate and egg hunts – find out the history and traditions behind the festival and cultural holiday
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The dark history of witches and the infamous witch trials: How thousands were executed in Europe's bloody pursuit of sorcery

Tales of witchcraft are woven into our rural history, but what is the truth about magic in the countryside? Dr Suzannah Lipscomb sheds fresh light on myths about witches and the people who hunted them
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"Difficulties mastered are opportunities won": 11 best Winston Churchill quotes that inspire and motivate

Words of wisdom from the iconic wartime leader Winston Churchill
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Celebrate St Piran's Day: when it is and the legend behind the Cornish saint

Celebrate the Cornish day with our guide to St Piran's Day which looks at the patron saint of Cornwall and popular traditions.
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Who were the real Durrells – and what on earth happened to them all? Was it all guns, goats and Greek sunshine?

We're all familiar with the hit ITV drama The Durrells, but who were the Durrells and how true to life is the show?
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From exploding corpses to fatal feasts, which English monarch had the most gruesome death?

Kings and queens might lead glamorous lives, but their deaths aren't always so dignified. From bizarre accidents to truly gruesome ends, history is full of monarchs who met a fate stranger than fiction
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"To travel by train is to see nature": The best Agatha Christie quotes from the Queen of Crime

Discover quotes that capture the beauty of country living from the best-selling fiction writer of all time, Agatha Christie
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Celebrate St David's Day: history and traditions

Celebrate Wales' national day with our guide to St David's Day which looks at the history of the patron saint of Wales and popular Welsh traditions.
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Who were England's most murderous monarchs? Discover the kings and queens who had the most blood on their hands...

From bloody battles to brutal purges, some of history’s most famous monarchs were defined by their deadly actions. But which ruler truly earned the title of the deadliest of all?
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"I resented the injustice of English policy" – a new immersive attraction in Cornwall shines light on anti-war activist Emily Hobhouse

A visit to the Story of Emily in Cornwall is a great way to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.
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These may be the finest earliest landscape photographs of England you’ve ever seen

The images have been released as part of Historic England's acquisition of a renowned photographic collection.
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"Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” 12 best Charles Dickens quotes from the eminent Victorian master storyteller

Discover these words of wisdom from one of the world's most famous authors, Charles Dickens
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Medieval toilet helps uncover lost home of England’s last Anglo-Saxon King

Archaeologists believe they've found the West Sussex residence used by King Harold during the Norman Conquest, thanks partly to the location of a loo
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"We are all fools in love": The best Jane Austen quotes, one of our literary greats, that capture her sharp wit and humour

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