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The Combat of the Thirty – A Lesson in Chivalry

Folk tales in England in France have given us a distorted view of the Medieval era. We view the Robin Hoods, the Dick Whittingtons, and the William Tells almost as real historical figures, drawn from a simpler time where magic was real, gallant heroes ruled the realm, and damsels in distress were saved from knightsContinueContinue reading “The Combat of the Thirty – A Lesson in Chivalry”

Escobar – The King of Colombia

Escobar is both a hero and a villain, depending on who you ask. His name is indisputably the most famous of all the drug kingpins. Find out more about his rise and fall, and what made him so unique

Caligula – the Perfect Tyrant

Caligula is a name that even now brings up images of terror and cruelty. But just how cruel was he, and how did he rise to become Emperor of all of Rome?

The Man Who Never Was – Operation Mincemeat

One of the most remarkable stories in intelligence history, Operation Mincemeat is a true tale of wartime subterfuge that modern spy writers could only dream of inventing.

Edgar – 1066’s Forgotten King

We all know Harold, William and Harald. But one name from 1066 remains eerily forgotten by historians. That name – Edgar Aetheling.

Galois – Maths’ Rock and Roll Star

You might not have ever considered that maths has a history. But it does, and it can be just as visceral and exciting as the rest of history. This is the story of Galois, maths’ rock and roll star.

The Kievan Rus – The First Russia

Russia is a vast and unique country, and its history is no exception. When you think of Russian history, perhaps you think of Peter the Great, who won the Great Northern War and founded St Petersburg; or perhaps of Stalin and the political purges of the Soviet Union; or maybe even Ivan the Terrible, theContinueContinue reading “The Kievan Rus – The First Russia”

A History of History

There was once a man called Thespis. Thespis was a notorious performer and dramatist, whose singing and dancing skills outpaced those of his colleagues. In the Greek performance of the Dithyramb, a collection of singers and dancers decorated feasts with entertainment for the night, providing group performances. These performers all acted perfectly in sync, workingContinueContinue reading “A History of History”

Rome – An Origin Story

Rome was invented in 753BC when Romulus, the son of Mars and a local princess declared himself King of his new city. Or so the story roughly goes. The Founding of Rome is not so simple as is often assumed. For a start, it was almost certainly never founded. Nor was Romulus real. Nor, I’mContinueContinue reading “Rome – An Origin Story”

The Idea – A Pandora’s Box

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.”Oscar Wilde The Idea is a concept that is quite unique. It is like a plague without a vaccine, an ill without a cure. Once an idea is born, the only way it can die is with the death of allContinueContinue reading “The Idea – A Pandora’s Box”