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This 9th-century illustration shows Alcuin of York presenting his pupil Rabanus Maurus to Saint Martin. An influential scholar and teacher, Alcuin played a key role in the intellectual revival of Charlemagne’s court.

The first mafia? How an early medieval kingdom perfected the art of deadly diplomacy

This 12th–14th century mosaic from the Pala d’Oro in St Mark’s Basilica, Venice, depicts Noah releasing animals from the ark — a moment of renewal after the biblical flood. (Photo by Getty Images)

General ancient history

Long before the Bible, an ancient Mesopotamian civilisation predicted one of its most famous stories

General History

Quiz of the weekWhich instrument was patented on 28 June 1846?

Michael Wood on the New Angel | "Few works of 20th-century art have such a distinguished list of past owners". This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration showing Queen Elizabeth I. Her body has been replaced with an egg timer and her facial expression is looking worried.

Master the art of procrastination, with the help of the Virgin Queen. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Are Bertha and George Russell real? Inside the real Vanderbilt divorces that rocked the Gilded Age

Make Mercia Great Again. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Hand-coloured engraving of someone being tortured on the wheel.

Stretched, crushed and impaled10 shocking torture methods from medieval history

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A mosaic of servants or enslaved people making preparations for a Roman feast.

You probably eat these foods every day, so why did the ancient Romans think they were disgusting poison?

Illustration of Neolithic druids performing a ceremony at the Stonehenge stone circle.

General prehistory

A Bronze Age Brexit: why did these Britons mysteriously cut themselves off from Europe?

Winston Churchill and Winston the Platypus

Second World War

Winston and the platypus: how a bizarre WW2 diplomacy mission to influence Churchill ended in death and tragedy

Nikola Tesla on the left and Elon Musk on the right

Would Nikola Tesla have approved of Elon Musk? A historian’s verdict might surprise you

A representation of the ancient Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu, in front of a carving. (Photo by Getty/Alamy)

General ancient history

Behold his nightmarish nether regions: this ancient Mesopotamian demon was secretly a divine hero

An eye looking through a dark keyhole.

Are your neighbours spying on you? In the 17th century they had the power to destroy your life

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Barmier than Bond: Ian Fleming's extraordinary wartime escapades. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Fatherhood: a short history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The Renaissance: not such a golden age?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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A historical reenactor, dressed as a member of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War, takes a selfie with a phone. He is standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC; a Stars and Stripes flag is to his right.

What is Juneteenth, and why is it celebrated? A historian explains the significance of the holiday today. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Flower power: how plants transformed the lives of 17th-century women. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Reshaping narratives, repatriation and Richard III : 25 lessons we've learnt from history in the last 25 years. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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How much do you know about the Vikings? Test your knowledge with our quiz. This mid-19th century painting shows Viking ships on the River Thames. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

QuizHow much do you know about the Vikings?

Flagellants or Brothers of the Cross in Netherlands scourging themselves as they walk through streets

QuizHow much do you know about medieval history?

General History

Quiz of the weekWhich instrument was patented on 28 June 1846?

The effects of the disease known as the Black Death

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