October 2015 (Issue 21)

Expert articles from the October 2015 issue of BBC History Revealed Magazine

Statue of King Alfred the Great in leafy Trinity Church Square, Southwark. It is thought to be the oldest statue in London.

Q&A What’s the oldest statue in London?

Painting of Pope Callixtus II, the first Borgia pope, though it would be his nephew Rodrigo (later Pope Alexander VI) who would earn great infamy

Your guide to... the Borgias

c1900: Relief depicting Roman officials and praetorians.

Q&A Did Roman men dodge their military service?

Three men wearing hats inspect a sack of potatoes, c1917.

Q&A When did the potato catch on in Europe?

19th-century men in traditional dress, Marken Island, Netherlands.

General ancient history

Q&A When were trousers first worn?

Portrait of Oliver Cromwell. This is one of several replicas of a portrait by Sir Peter Lely. Cromwell is supposed to have said: “I desire you would use all your skill to paint your picture truly like me… but remark all these roughness, pimples, warts and everything as you see me. Otherwise, I will never pay a farthing for it.”

Why do we say ‘warts and all’?

Black and white image depicting engraving of Julius Caesar.

Q&A What is the earliest evidence for a battle in Britain?

Patricia Simmons recording the speaking clock.

Q&A Who voiced the original speaking clock?

A group of girls taking a bath as part of a contest to see who can wash the fastest.

General prehistory

Q&A When did people start having baths?