Medieval

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The Black Death, the effects of which are pictured in this medieval miniature, took little more than seven years to wipe out around half of mankind. (DeAgostini/Getty Images)

History explorer: the catastrophe of the Black Death . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Robert Cornelius poses for the camera in what is believed to be the world's first self-portrait produced by a photograph, 1839. (Robert Cornelius/Getty Images)

Self-portraits: How people took selfies in the past

Disability history

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JFK and a neglected Tudor, Elizabeth of York . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The coffin containing the remains of Richard III. The skeleton of the king was discovered in 2012 in the foundations of Greyfriars Church, Leicester, 500 years after he was killed during the battle of Bosworth. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The discovery of Richard III’s remains

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Video: Gus Casely-Hayford on Timbuktu at BBC History Magazine’s History Weekend

A photograph showing bronze hand-bells

Medieval Scotland

The then Princess Alexandra pictured here in 1884 wearing the high-necked, feminised version of the male suit that became associated with her. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Who’s the best-dressed Briton in history?

Temptation, scenes of devils in everyday life (a banquet, war, love, marriage etc), folio 215V of Breviary of Love, late 13th - early 14th century Provencal codex by Ermengol de Bziers (detail) | Photo Credit: [ The Art Archive / Real biblioteca de lo Escorial / Gianni Dagli Orti ]

“People in the Middle Ages coped better with death than we do”

Paul Delaroche's 19th-century painting shows King Edward V and the Duke of York in the Tower of London. What happened next has puzzled historians for centuries. (The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

The princes in the Tower: why was their fate never explained?

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Richard III tomb design unveiled by Leicester Cathedral

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Great Earl of Kildare ‘extended English rule over Ireland’

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Books interview: Edward III and the triumph of England . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Merchants and lower-ranking gentlemen often put pen to paper themselves, but wealthy men and gentlewomen were more likely to employ a scribe. (Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

How to send a letter in medieval England

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Richard III ‘had roundworm infection’