Myths and Legends Week

An illustration depicting King Arthur fighting the Saxons, from the Rochefoucauld Grail. The absence of a clear and present origin for King Arthur has created a ‘void’ which many are keen to fill, says Miles Russell. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

The real King Arthur: why are we so obsessed with trying to solve the mystery?

Viking sailors make the long voyage across the Atlantic between Europe and America, in order to bring back timber, circa 1350. The Vikings are thought to have discovered America in around 1000 AD, but never attempted full colonization of the new land, due to the hostile natives. Painting by NC Wyeth. (Image by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“Vikings didn’t wear horned helmets,” plus 7 more Viking myths busted

Henry the Young King is crowned in 1170. (Wikimedia Commons)

The remarkable friendship between Henry the Young King and William Marshal

Musician and dancing fool in Paris, 14th century. (Christophel Fine Art/UIG via Getty Images)

What was life like for a court jester?

Prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Second World War

5 myths of the Second World War’s Great Escape

A view of a calander showing the date, Friday the 13th. (Photo by William C. Shrout/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

10 historical superstitions we carry on today

Sunlight dapples a clearing in Sherwood Forest, which was an essential resource for peasants centuries before it became a tourist attraction (Photo by Alamy)

Where history happened Ancient forests

Australian troops head for Gallipoli in 1915

First World War

The myths of the battle of Gallipoli

Biddenden Maids Cake. (Public Domain)

Sisters of mercy: the Biddenden Maids

Sarcophagus with relief depicting the Calydonian boar hunt, Campanian amphitheatre, Italy, 1st-2nd century AD. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)

General prehistory

From dragons to unicorns: finding fantastic beasts in ancient history

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The Celts: unpicking the mystery

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3 curious medieval ghost stories

Making of Blodeuwedd, the false flower-woman of Welsh myth. (Photo by Ivy Close Images/Alamy)

Celtic myths: the tales that might have inspired Star Wars and Harry Potter

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8 British mythical figures

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A virtuous Viking: the medieval legend of Havelok the Dane