England

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As we approach the 1900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall, Rob Collins answers listener questions on the Roman fortification. (Image by Getty Images)

Hadrian’s Wall: everything you wanted to know . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Froissart illustration of Hugh Despenser the Younger's execution by being hanged, drawn and quartered. Despenser is on a ladder, as a man beside him disembowels him and tosses his entrails into a fire

‘Godly butchery’: the horrifying history of hanging, drawing and quartering

A woman slops here chamberpot from a window onto pedestrians in the street below in this woodcut

Were medieval cities really filthy?

English-Normans-e92d5aa

The Normans had a profound influence on Britain – so why do we not speak French?

A woman on a bike cycles in front of a castle

General History

A real castle for Christmas: 5 places to explore and stay this festive season

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Islam Issa reveals how terrorists have twisted Shakespeare’s life and work to suit their own ends over the centuries. (Image by Getty Images)

How Shakespeare inspired terrorists . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Shakespeare's house in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Q&A Why was Stratford-upon-Avon a hotbed of Confederate activity?

William Hogarth, seen in a self-portrait with his pug

William Hogarth The satirical artist inspired by the teachings of the Bible

Winston Churchill delivering his famous 'iron curtain' speech at Westminster College

Second World War

8 of Churchill’s greatest speeches

Depiction of a musician and dancing fool in Paris, 14th century

What was life like for a court jester?

The Great Army attacks the East Anglian town of Thetford in this illuminated manuscript from 'The Life of Edmund'. Viking pikemen scale the ramparts on ladders

The secrets of the Viking Great Army

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A French manuscript from c1100 shows Viking warriors sailing to Brittany. The Viking Age touched all areas of life and can still be felt today

What if... The Vikings had never left their homelands? . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A sword/hammer type coin from the Danelaw

The Danelaw: is the ‘realm’ of the Vikings in Anglo-Saxon-era England a place or an idea?

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Pod Rob Gallagher WL

The man who made King Alfred great . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Progressive potter: Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95). As well as pioneering new types of pottery, he also imbued his work with political radicalism. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Josiah Wedgwood: the radical father of English pottery