General Early Modern

Scene at Tyburn, Paddington, London, 1696; showing crowds gathered to watch a hanging. The triple gibbet and cart used for hanging can be seen in the centre, while in the background to the left a drawing and quartering is being undertaken. The image erroneously shows London Bridge, the River Thames and the City to be immediately opposite Tyburn. (Photo by Guildhall Library & Art Gallery/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

General Early Modern

The Bloody Code: your guide to the severe legal system

Two Hitler Youth who have surrendered to Allied Forces, Germany, 1945. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

First World War

Innocence under fire: how children were used in warfare of the past

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Colin Jones tells the story of Maximilien Robespierre’s fall from power – a dramatic 24 hours that ended with the revolutionary titan facing the guillotine. (Image from Getty Images)

Robespierre’s brutal downfall . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Fern Riddell

Contraception, consent & erotic connection: sex through history . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Buckland Abbey, Devon, UK. (Image by Alamy)

The colonial secrets of Britain’s stately homes

A painting of 1616 depicts the Moriscos boarding ships to sail from the port of Valencia

The 17th-century expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain: what happened?

Painting of Masons building a pillar in a church

General Early Modern

Your guide to... the Freemasons

Olaudah Equiano (Photo by Getty)

General Early Modern

Who was Olaudah Equiano – and why was his story of slavery so important?

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History Traveller final 1024x768

History Traveller, part 2: St Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Frances Griffiths poses with the fairies

Fairies, rabbit births and an ‘ancient’ tiara: what are the greatest historical hoaxes?

Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector

Royalists, beards and cowardice: are these the strangest taxes in history?

Pope John XVII

Has there ever been a married Pope?

Midwives and babies in the sun

Midwifery and childbirth: a historical A–Z guide

Queen of hearts: When Catherine's husband Tsar Peter III alienated his people, they instead turned to his wife, and she was proclaimed the rightful ruler.

General Early Modern

Catherine the Great: your guide to the famed Empress of Russia

This 1867 magazine illustration shows a group of children preparing for Halloween. (Photo by American Stock/Getty Images)

The origins of Halloween: tricks, treats and cobbled streets