Scotland Decides: Global Politics and the Independence Referendum
In the wake of the Scottish independence referendum, which takes place on the 18th September, Yale author James E….
British History
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 9
‘If one lives in dear, dirty old London, [washing] three times a day is none too often’ Throughout…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 8
‘For many Victorians, the capital’s slums were not a source of misery but a profitable little investment.’ Throughout…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 7
‘In 1849, the notion of modest females requiring such public conveniences was almost inconceivable; or perhaps Bazalgette merely thought such…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 6
‘Few working men could afford the luxury of a bathing costume. Most (in)famously, the Serpentine was ‘obscene with…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 5
‘The stench from poorly-managed grounds was revolting, and some considered this to be a species of dangerous ‘miasma’,…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 4
‘Full of visionary enthusiasm, he also proposed to simultaneously beautify the city with various fountains, grottos and water…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 3
‘The great cholera epidemic of 1831/32 would offer the first proof of the disastrous consequences of mixing water…
Dirty Old London: 30 Days of Filth: Day 2
‘Few know that sweepers worked on defined ‘paved crossings’ – indeed, that the Victorians possessed a precursor of…
The Great War for Peace: the social costs
In this extract from The Great War for Peace, William Mulligan looks at the connection between the outbreak…
Wilfred Owen and the notion of chivalry
One of Britain’s best-known and most loved poets, Wilfred Owen (1893–1918) was killed at the age of 25…
The Battle of Bannockburn: a decisive moment for Scottish independence
Today marks the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, a decisive moment for Scottish national identity, and…
Summer Solstice, Stonehenge and Pagan Britain
June 21st is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is also the one day…
Monty’s Men: Commemorating the D-Day Landings
Written by Professor of Military History John Buckley, Monty’s Men offers a radical reappraisal of the role played…
Georgian Fever
This year is the 300th anniversary of George I’s accession, and already Georgian fever is upon us –…