Illustration of strange creatures

Weird and wonderful history

5 of the worst smells in medieval London

Barbary pirates: kidnapped in Iceland. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

At the edge of reason: shaving and razors in 18th-century Britain. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Afternoon sunlight casting shadows on the hills, Lancashire, England UK (Getty Images)

The war on witches. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The man best associated with the new style of landscape gardening was William Kent (c1686–1748), a Yorkshire-born artist and architect. (Public domain)

The English landscape garden. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

What is a deodand?

The reverend in the lion’s den

British soldier, explorer and big game hunter Frederick Selous, pictured in 1914. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The hunter who became a naturalist. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Obesity and the modern lifestyle: what can we learn from history?

The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England

Transport minister Ernest Marples on a road bridge near the London end of the newly opened M1 motorway, 2 November 1959. (Photo by George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

The first day on the M1. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A 1950s illustration of Vladimir Lenin on the sealed train between Switzerland and Russian. (Alamy)

10 ways to start a revolution. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Henry VIII, Princess Mary and William Somers

Playing the fool: Tudor jesters. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The 10 worst Britons in history

Alien spaceship landing on rural road

The secret search for aliens. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.