Historical figures
Are you descended from one of Ireland’s most powerful and infamous families? We look at the top 6 clans including O’Neill, MacCarthy, Kavanagh...
These six clans have historic tales full of battle and betrayal – with violent scraps against each other, as well as invading forces
Think you don't quote Shakespeare? Think again as he's given us a whopping 1700 words and phrases we now use. Here are just a few of them – Thanks Will!
More than 400 years on, Shakespeare’s inventive wordplay continues to echo in our conversations. The Bard coined many more words and phrases than you might think.
He scaled Tibetan peaks, braved wild jungles and helped Darwin shake up science — all in a day’s work for this globe-trotting Victorian plant hunter
Celebrate the life of the greatest botanist of the Victorian era, Joseph Dalton Hooker, born 200 years ago this summer and who sailed the world seeking new forms of plant life
The Nine Years’ War: Henry VIII’s destructive conquest against Ireland’s clans was one of the largest (and most expensive) in Tudor England
In response to Henry VIII's ongoing Tudor conquest of Ireland, the Nine Years' War erupted, leading to the collapse of Ireland's clans
Tax evasion, grave curses and made-up words: 8 weird and wonderful facts about Shakespeare you (probably) won’t expect
From graveyard curses to tax evasion, here are the strangest, funniest and most unexpected facts about the Bard
Who were the Normans? From Vikings to conquerors, here's how the Normans shaped medieval Europe through war, faith, and ambition
Where did the Normans originally come from? vWe take a look at their roots
How historically accurate is The Gilded Age? Did Britain’s aristocracy go to America to find wives?
Lavish balls, fierce social rivalries, and transatlantic ambition, HBO’s The Gilded Age brings to life a dazzling yet divided era. But how much of it is true?
Did the Romans bring lions to England to maul criminals and prisoners of war to death for gruesome entertainment?
Lions are for their presence at the Roman colosseum, but did they ever make it to Roman Britain?
Plague, pox and pain: The deadliest medieval diseases that changed history forever
From the Black Death to dysentery, we explore the most gruesome and lethal diseases of the medieval period – and how they shaped the course of history
10 celebrities related to British royalty – the surprising connection between Beyonce, Hugh Grant and Queen Elizabeth II
Celebrities from both sides of the Atlantic can claim a connection to British royalty, including Courteney Cox, Benedict Cumberbatch – and Danny Dyer.
The real Vikings: Beyond pillage and plunder - coastal treasures reveal their untold story
Historian Eleanor Barraclough reveals what the ancient artefacts found on Britain’s shores tell us about our formidable forebears
Who was Capability Brown? Meet the landscape gardener who transformed Britain's country houses
Capability Brown helped design the buildings and parklands of iconic estates throughout the UK – but who is he and which gardens did he design?
Georgian era guide: When was it and the best historic places to visit in Britain
The Georgian era was regarded as the age of elegance as vast stately houses and estates changed the the rural landscape. Our expert guide on Georgian Britain looks at the history of this elegant period and features a selection best Georgian places to visit in the UK.
When is St George's Day? Church of England reveals it will be moved this year because of an unusual tradition
Most of us will have the heard the tale of George and the dragon, but do you know the real history behind the legend? Here is our guide to the patron saint of England, and some ideas for where to go to celebrate.
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.
Who was Vera Lynn, the 'Forces' Sweetheart'?
All you need to know about Vera Lynn, the World War Two singer and superstar
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.
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
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.
Just William: The timeless mischief-maker who captivates generations
Who inspired Richmal Crompton’s most famous and mischievous character 'Just William'?
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
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
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
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
