Religion

A portrait of the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer (c1340-1400), who modern literary scholars credit for turning Valentine into the patron of love. Chaucer was a major influencer in his day – after him, everyone began calling their beloved “Valentine” and writing love poems on 14 February, says Lisa Bitel. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A brief history of Valentine’s Day – from the patron saint of epilepsy to Chaucer’s love tales

Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach, 1543. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images)

Europe’s holy war: how the Reformation convulsed a continent

Pope Francis celebrates a priesthood ordination and mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP via Getty Images)

Sex and the (Vatican) City: a brief history of clerical celibacy

The perimeter fence of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. (Photo by Getty Images)

Second World War

Auschwitz and the Holocaust: 5 podcasts to listen to

Historian Stephen Tomkins (Photo by Fran Monks)

Puritans and the Mayflower

Illustation of a pope

Holy smoke, antipopes and power struggles: a guide to popes and the papacy

Pope John XVII

Q&A: Has there ever been a married Pope?

Three monarchs who stepped down through history: Kaiser Wilhem II; Anne of Cleves; and James VII and II. (Images by Getty)

Retiring royals: 9 rulers and royals who stepped down through history

Ayatollah Khomeini

General ancient history

A brief history of Iran

The weather was a matter of great concern to everyone during the Middle Ages, as society was dependent on agriculture and poor harvests could lead to real hardship. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Jumping beans, throwing shoes and weather forecasting: medieval ways to look ahead to the New Year

Westminster Abbey, London

A brief history of Westminster Abbey

A stained glass depiction of the nativity.

General ancient history

The history of the nativity: how much is known about the birth of Jesus?

(Illustration by Davide Bonazzi for BBC World Histories magazine)

Is the world still living in the shadow of the crusades?

The Crown of Thorns allegedly worn by Christ during the Passion. It was one of the prized possessions in Notre-Dame Cathedral until April 2019 – when it was rescued by the inferno that gutted the building. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Father, son and holy goat? The dark side of medieval relics

Black and white portrait image of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

Who was Cardinal John Henry Newman?