BBC History Magazine

The online archive of articles from BBC History Magazine

Troops pictured during the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War

First World War

Gallipoli: 5 reasons why the First World War campaign was a failure

King John hunting on horseback, 14th century. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Was King John murdered?

Salt cellar with Neptune and Tellus by Benvenuto Cellini

Benvenuto Cellini: how the ‘bad boy’ sculptor and goldsmith gives us a fresh perspective on the Renaissance

A flapper shows off her hidden bottles of alcohol

The morning after: the impact of prohibition

The relationship between Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) and her brother George (Jim Strugess) is explored in 2009 film 'The Other Boleyn Girl'

George and Anne Boleyn: their real relationship explored

Robert Walpole, the first prime minister of Great Britain

Robert Walpole: Britain’s first prime minister

German troops and a Georgian ‘volunteer’ in action in 1942 or 43.

Second World War

Texel: Europe’s last battle of the Second World War

Our illustration shows Thomas Boleyn, whose flair for diplomacy and mastery of languages made him one of Henry VIII's most trusted ambassadors. (Illustration by Sean McSorley)

Thomas Boleyn: why Anne Boleyn’s father was more than a grasping courtier

A section of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the battle of Hastings. Anglo-Saxon foot soldiers are seen defending themselves with a wall of shields against Norman cavalry. (Photo by Photo12/UIG via Getty Images)

What the Normans did for us

Triumphant Death chases Londoners from their city

How 17th-century London reacted to the Great Plague

Battle of Culloden. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Your guide to the battle of Culloden – plus 7 myths busted

Newark Castle flanked by the river Trent. To say that King John's death here in 1216 was little-lamented is something of an understatement.

King John and the French invasion

Da Vinci's sketch 'The Vitruvian Man'. Da Vinci's talents ranged from anatomy to military engineering, and many of his innovations were not explored further for several centuries. (Photo by: Photo12/UIG via Getty Images)

Your guide to Leonardo da Vinci: his life, inventions and milestones in his career

Eadwine the Scribe, c mid-12th century. (Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

A history of left-handed writing

A union flag flown on HMS Queen Charlotte at the battle known as the Glorious First of June, 1794

Q&A When was the Union Jack or Union flag created?