BlogFlock

I recently visited the Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey to view the tombs of the first Tudor monarch and his wife, Elizabeth of York. That period is one we think we know well; its history is often taught in schools, though typically with a focus on kings,…

In the history of the United States, eight presidents have died in office, four from assassination. The names of the killers have gone down in infamy: John Wilkes Booth (shot Abraham Lincoln in 1863), Charles Guiteau (shot James Garfield in 1880), Leon Czolgosz (shot William McKinley in 1901) and Lee…

In the first decade of the 17th century, some disturbing claims swirled around the Kingdom of Hungary: of young girls’ disappearances, of torture and of murder. At the centre of them all was one woman accused of wanton cruelty and sadism, a countess named Elizabeth Báthory. Seemingly, she targeted poor…

In this HistoryExtra podcast series, travel journalist and history fan Paul Bloomfield virtually roams the streets and sites of great global metropolises in the company of a series of expert historian guides.

Together they’ll be delving into each city’s origin myths and uncovering stories of shifting populations, conflict, culture, turbulence…

From ancient Celtic festivals and medieval customs to ghostly folklore and the strange legend of Stingy Jack, Lauren Good draws on the HistoryExtra Halloween archive to reveal the surprising origins of the spooky season's best-loved traditions.

Discover how bonfires, costumes, carved turnips and mischievous pranks evolved into the spooky celebration…

To delve into the history of Tunis – and the ancient city of Carthage that preceded the modern Tunisian capital – travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by classicist and archaeologist Dr Eve MacDonald. Together, they explore theatres, mosques and markets, and meet some of the key characters who shaped…

Vienna has long been a pivotal location in European history, shaping imperial politics, hosting landmark diplomatic negotiations, and nurturing artistic, cultural and intellectual movements that spread throughout the continent. In this episode of History’s Greatest Cities, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by Florian Pollock to…

Kyoto stands as Japan’s thousand-year imperial heart, in which courtly ritual, Buddhist thought, and architectural artistry crystallised into the nation’s cultural centre. In this episode, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Lesley Downer to trace the city’s story. Together, they explore Kyoto’s temples…

As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston played a pivotal role in the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, as well as the signing of the Declaration of Independence that followed. In this episode of History’s Greatest Cities, Paul Bloomfield is joined by writer John…