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Exploring the relationship between climate and witches

Witch killings are something that has happened in multiple cultures and periods. Innocent people, traditionally women, were blamed for bad harvests, unfaithful spouses, and accidents at home and then ostracised or executed. In recent years, a new paradigm in history, archaeology, and anthropology proposes that climate change and climatic shifts led to an uptick in witch persecutions. This article examines, even briefly, the evidence for such a theory. This very interesting article was submitted to the 2024/2025 Women’s History Competition.
AUTHOR: LEON CORNEILLE-COWELL

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“I little thought I’d caught so tough a Tartar!” The Labour interest and late-Victorian Manchester

Manchester local politics is today synonymous with the Labour Party. Fifty-four years of majority control has turned the party’s dominance in the city council into a fact of life. This article looks briefly at how the nascent Labour party conformed to its realities in late-Victorian Manchester and it was submitted to the Local/Community History Competition of 2024/2025.
AUTHOR: JOE KRAMER

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Field to Facade: What the eighteenth-century architecture of West Street in Farnham, Surrey, can reveal about the local economy and class culture in that period.

The town of Farnham, in Surrey, is home to an impressive number of eighteenth-century townhouses. Fundamentally, the architecture can reveal the extent to which the hop trade came to dominate the local economy and influence the city’s Georgian architecture. This article was submitted to the Local/Community History Competition of 2024/2025.
AUTHOR: THOMAS COWELL

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Fothergill – An exploration of the architectural vernacular of Nottingham

Watson Fothergill, born as Fothergill Watson in Mansfield, North Nottinghamshire in 1841, is considered the most preeminent Nottingham’s architect from the Victorian period, responsible for the ‘Gothic revival’. This article highlights his enduring legacy which can still be seen in many of the Nottingham buildings to this day and was submitted for the Local/Community history competition of 2024/2025.

AUTHOR: TYLER ARNOLD

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Why does Ukrainian nationalism look so different to the rest of Europe?

In 1992, Ukraine became a sovereign nation-state for the first time, following the collapse of the Soviet Union (USSR). At a time where Ukraine faces critical threats to its territorial sovereignty and cultural integrity, it is increasingly important to understand the essence of their national identity on their own terms.

AUTHOR: MADISON ALFORD-CARNELL

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“Make all the Railways come to York”- a brief history of the railway industry in York

Arguably, the most significant aspect of York’s transportation heritage is its importance as a railway nucleus, a position it has maintained from the mid-19th century to the present day. This illuminating article provides a brief overview of how all the railways came to York, and the effects this had on the lives of the city’s residents.

AUTHOR: OSCAR HILDER

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Secrets, Lies, and Scandal: The Cleveland Street Case

One of Victorian England’s most shocking scandals was the Cleveland Street affair, impacting perceptions surrounding the LGBT community. This article by James Lamont, written for the LGBT+ History Writing Competition, details the story of the scandal to reveal what made it such an infamous case. By foregrounding the key political individuals involved within the case, this piece highlights just why attitudes towards homosexuality were severely impacted as a result of the affair’s notoriety.
AUTHOR JAMES LAMONT

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England Without English: The Rise of the Vernacular in Medieval England

From the late twelfth century, Middle English was the first language for most of the population within medieval England, but was hardly used in writing. However, this soon began to change. In this article, Emma Bassett details the reasons why uses of the English vernacular shifted, replacing Latin and French. By exploring the significance of the growing feeling of national identity at the time, this piece brilliantly explores the relationship between the rising vernacular and widespread access to knowledge.
AUTHOR EMMA BASSETT

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How Effective was the Forced Transportation of Criminals to Australia as a Legal Punishment?

In 1788, the First Fleet arrived in what would later be known as Sydney Harbour, marking the beginning of Australia’s history as a penal colony. Britain’s gaols were flooding with prisoners, causing a crisis with soaring rates of crime. This article delves into the forms of punishment within this period of Georgian British history, comparing these to the transportation of prisoners to Australia. Benjamin Fradley’s insightful piece uses this comparison to evaluate whether transportation was truly successful as a form of punishment, or whether it was simply a necessary alternative to other, more barbaric practices.
AUTHOR BENJAMIN FRADLEY

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Heart of the Forest: The Freeminers of the Royal Forest of Dean

In 1960, Dennis Potter identified something unique about his homeland of the Forest of Dean that made it so special: the sense of a small green world hemmed in by two rivers and two nations. This article by Joseph Lowen-Grey, the winner of our Local and Community History Writing Competition, explores this further by detailing the Forest’s enchanting history. Anchoring the article around the forest’s Freeminers, this piece foregrounds the intricate legacy of the group that makes the Forest of Dean as remarkable as it stands today.
AUTHOR JOSEPH LOWEN-GREY

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PART I – A Brief Observational History of The Universe: Prehistory to the Middle Ages

No matter where they lived, our ancient ancestors were fascinated by the wonders within the night sky. This article is the first within a series where Annon Ford explores the developmental history of humanity’s celestial observations. Part I delves into the astronomical beliefs of prehistory, antiquity, and the Middle Ages, beginning to trace the expansion of the universe, or, rather, the expanding knowledge of the human perspective.
AUTHOR ANNON FORD

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“She did something useful.” Operation Mincemeat: Reviving forgotten histories

Operation Mincemeat is a multi-award-winning musical that has taken the West End by storm, shedding light on the other roles played, highlighting the true stories of those involved with planning or putting the operation into action during the WWII. In this article, Helena discusses Mincemeat’s significance in rediscovering the history of Hester Leggatt, one of MI5’s secretaries.

AUTHOR: HELENA HUNTER

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Jerusalem: Pride Amidst Two Layers of Tension and Violence

Since 2002, the Jerusalem Pride Parade has taken place annually while transforming throughout the years, marking the progress of gay rights in Israel. This article explores some of the contexts in which this progress has occurred, looking also at the intertwining of these tensions. As Alon Isac describes the historical developments and the political background of the pride parade, questions not just answered, but also raised.
AUTHOR ALON ISAC

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Lady Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, Kingmaker, Powerhouse

The Wars of the Roses are a complex period of English history, with much of the focus placed on particular men in the main roles. One of the primary players, however, must be given the mainstream attention she deserves: Lady Margaret Beaufort. Despite being essential to the Tudors’ rise to power and a pioneer for women’s autonomy, she is often left out of the histories. This is the topic discussed in the winning article of the Women’s History Competition 2025.
AUTHOR ANNON FORD

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The Victorian “Poison Panic”: Was Poison Really the Problem?

The Victorian Era was no stranger to poison. Its presence was everywhere, from arsenic in cosmetics, to cyanide in the wallpaper, causing a ‘poison panic’ to emerge in popular media. The panic especially surrounded women across this period, with some put on trial for supposedly poisoning their husbands. This insightful article by Finlay Ratcliffe for the 2024/2025 Women’s History Writing Competition explores the case studies of twenty-two women to highlight whether this public fear stemmed from the threat of the poison itself, or rather the threat of female power.
AUTHOR FINLAY RATCLIFFE

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Finding Headspace: Embracing Eastern Meditation Practices in Western Culture

The practice of meditation, which originated between 600-500 BCE, in recent decades, has experienced a wave of global popularity, contributing to wellbeing, and helping many people deal with stress, depression and anxiety problems, so common in the 21st century. However, the orientalist discourse has attached a stigma to spiritual practices, especially those not founded by the West. This interesting article discusses the practice of meditation with roots in oriental Buddhism and the tendency of adapting it to the Western world, bringing to the fore a discussion of how platforms such as Headspace can raise awareness of its oriental Tibetan roots, possibly helping to decolonise it.
AUTHOR: HARRIET VICARY

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Queering Morris

May Morris, daughter of the famous textile designer William Morris, is normally overshadowed by her famous father, both as an artistic and historic figure in her own right. However, with increased feminist revisions of the Arts and Crafts movement, May Morris’ status has been established as a pioneer of Arts and Crafts embroidery; a prolific contributor to the success of Morris and Co; and founder of the Women’s Guild of Arts. Furthermore, the rediscovery of Morris’ interwar diaries draws attention to the later years of her life and to the importance of her relationship with Mary Lobb, which sparked intense debate over the exact nature of their relationship. This rich and interesting history of the pair deserves a greater level of consideration within current scholarship, from both a feminist and queer perspective and is the topic of the winner of the LGBTQ+ article competition 2025.

AUTHOR: ROBIN HENDERSON

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The King’s Contemptuous Subjects: The Bristol Revolt of 1312-1316

The fourteenth century in England was a time of great dysfunction and tumult, with events like the Black Death and the Peasants’ Revolt. However, before this came the Bristol Revolt, one of the most significant but understudied urban rebellions of medieval England. In this article, Daniel Cramphorn details the rebellion’s background, sources, and its key events, focusing on the changing levels of violence and order. The exploration of this four-year-long revolt highlights just why it should be widely seen as an extraordinary example of late medieval urban protest.
AUTHOR DANIEL CRAMPHORN

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“By the Wrath of God.” Eleanor of Aquitaine: The Queen with Ambition

Eleanor of Aquitaine, having been Queen of both France and England, was a force to be reckoned with. Her contemporaries and historians alike are divided on whether she was extraordinary or troublesome. Even so, this article by Kirsten Pierrepont uses Eleanor as a demonstrative case study to delve deeply into influential and powerful women that dominated the medieval landscape. Her royal power is explored, as well as her status within historiography, to find whether she was truly a unique medieval Queen.
AUTHOR KIRSTEN PIERREPONT

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The Collapse of Minoan Civilisation – A Geological, Anthropological, or Meteorological Phenomenon?

Over 3000 years ago, the Minoan Civilisation vanished, a historical event that has bewildered academics for over a century. This article explores the reasons for this unexpected collapse, attempting to highlight the main factor. By exploring its geological, anthropological, and meteorological aspects, Amy Hutchison begins to untangles the mystery of this unanticipated loss of an entire culture.
AUTHOR AMY HUTCHISON

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Disability on Stage: The Legacy of the Sideshow

Sideshows, dime museums, and freakshows. All those exhibitions of bodily differences for profit, a staple of middle-class entertainment which had its golden age during the 19th century, are some of the most controversial aspects of entertainment history. In this absorbing article, submitted to the Disability History competition of 24/25, Kate Pointer considers how such sideshows, which were at first born out of exploitation and dehumanization, could today be potentially understood also as a celebration of diversity and are exemplary in how humanity can overcome prejudices.
AUTHOR: KATE POINTER

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Illegitimacy and Infanticide in Early Modern England

The crime of infanticide was something closely associated with illegitimate births throughout Early Modern England and was a cause for public anxiety. However, this article explores how many women actually resorted to infanticide as a result of illegitimate pregnancies. Olivia Boyle compares the presence of infanticide in popular culture to real cases to see how far it truly was the fate for infants at the time, or if there was a more prevalent threat at play for them.
AUTHOR OLIVIA BOYLE

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Perpignan or Perpinyà? Exploring the Multicultural History of the Southwest French City

Perpignan, located in the south of France, is the last large city closest to the Franco-Spanish border. Much like its history, the city stands today ensnared between French and Catalan culture. This article delves into the multiculturalism within Perpignan, especially looking at its Catalan, but also French, culture and identity. By exploring the city’s history, linguistics, heritage, and gastronomy, Cassia Wydra carefully traces and appreciates the bicultural identity of Perpignan, or Perpinyà.
AUTHOR CASSIA WYDRA

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Between the Asylum and the Workhouse: Mental Illness and the Victorian Poor Law

Before the 19th century, it was customary for people suffering from mental health conditions and for the intellectually disabled to be accommodated in private licensed houses. This situation started to shift with the 1808 Asylum Act, when the public asylum began to develop. The 1845 Lunacy Act and County Asylums Act extended this development, making pauper asylums compulsory for each county. This important article, written for the Disability History competition 24/25, sheds light on the interesting fact that, despite public asylums were already in place, paupers still found themselves institutionalised, in the majority of the cases, in workhouses.
AUTHOR: OLIVIA BOYLE

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Whatever Happened to Leon Trotsky? An Overview of Trotsky’s Last Exile, 1929-1940

At the end of the 1920s, Leon Trotsky found himself in a precarious but familiar position. Although he was seen by some as Lenin’s natural successor, Trotsky was washed away by the power struggle caused by Stalin’s political manoeuvres. In this article, Iris Pinder explores Trotsky’s exile, tracing the final decade of his life. Although this period was overcast by doom and death, Trotsky’s ultimate ability to adapt as a pariah is reflected, finding his way albeit isolated from the communist dictatorship he helped create and defend.
AUTHOR IRIS PINDER

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Should we retrospectively diagnose historical figures as autistic? 

“Eccentric,” “aloof,” “obsessive,” “shy” – these are all labels used to describe numerous notable historical figures, both by their contemporaries and by modern historians. The challenges to not reinforce stereotypes but also possible advantages of retrospective diagnose of historical figures long time dead as autistic are explored in this fundamental article, winner of the Disability History competition for 2024/2025 and which makes a starting contribution for this area of Disability History. Unmissable!
AUTHOR: OSCAR HILDER

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Wentworth Woodhouse: Mea Gloria Fides

Wentworth Woodhouse has undergone much expansion for decades, in terms of its architecture, owners, and history. In this article, Finlay Ratcliffe seeks to explore the history of the site, tracing it chronologically, using its fifteen owners as key historical checkpoints. By also foregrounding its rigid resistance to modern demolition attempts, as well as its current preservation plans, the reasons for why Wentworth Woodhouse is considered a great survivor are illuminated.
AUTHOR FINLAY RATCLIFFE

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What Norse Mythology Teaches Us About Attitudes to Disability in Old Scandinavian Societies

It is difficult and complex to explore the histories of individuals with disabilities without applying our modern and present attitudes. However, Serafina Coupe sees this as making the study of attitudes towards disability within Norse mythology all the more intriguing. This article therefore deeply explores Norse mythological figures within Icelandic sagas to compare presentations of disability within medieval Scandinavian cultures.
AUTHOR SERAFINA COUPE

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Was Britain Ever Really a White Country?

War, empire, and nationhood have typically defined British history, with whiteness serving as a constant underlying motif. As a result, Black history has often been written out of this mainstream narrative. In this illuminating article, Sinead Bedward explores the deep-rooted presence of Black people in Britain, from ancient times to the Tudor period. By foregrounding their success and influence, the article challenges the misconception that Black history is separate from British history, instead exemplifying how Black individuals have shaped Britain for centuries.
AUTHOR SINEAD BEDWARD

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‘Stasiland’: Anna Funder’s Oral History Masterpiece

Today, Germany continues to grapple with the difficult legacy of its ‘second dictatorship’ behind the Berlin Wall. In Anna Funder’s captivating work, ‘Stasiland,’ a detailed oral history of this life is combined with Funder’s own observations of post-reunification Germany. In this article, Lizzy Stott explores what makes Funder’s novel both a narrative and investigative success in reflecting how the East German past is by no means over.
AUTHOR LIZZY STOTT

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‘Blueshirts’: The Neglected Story of Irish Rightism in the Fledgling Free State

Irish political history in the early twentieth century is often portrayed as popular democratic, radically republican, and perhaps even left-wing Marxist in character. However, this obscures a key political story of the 1920s and 1930s, when Ireland too experienced a somewhat right-wing, nationalist, and potentially fascist movement. Henry Anderson delves into this underrepresented moment in modern Irish history by giving background to the rise and fall of the Blueshirts before assessing whether this movement was indeed fascist.
AUTHOR HENRY ANDERSON

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Human Stories at Goathland Station

In the year 1864, the Sheffield Daily Telegraph made an appeal, calling for ‘the abolition of what is known as the ‘Goathland incline’, since this steep gradient had clearly become a threat to people using it. The result was that the North Eastern Railway (NER) began work on deviating the line, which opened in 1865, and along with it, a new station to serve Goathland. The author, an archaeologist, brings to light interesting human stories of people who had their lives intertwined with this iconic station (known nowadays popularly as Hogsmeade station from the first HP film!).
AUTHOR: WILLIAM PLANT

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The Stories Behind Brit Bennett’s ‘The Vanishing Half’: Racial Passing in Twentieth Century USA

Brit Bennett’s novel ‘The Vanishing Half’ depicts the lives of two sisters, Stella and Desiree, within twentieth century USA. The trajectories that the twins take within the book reflect the complexities of racial identity and understanding at the time, especially surrounding racial passing. In this article, Eloise Gibson illuminates the histories of individuals such as Walter White to see the novel’s ability to represent the real people who experienced racial passing first-hand.
AUTHOR ELOISE GIBSON

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The Pig’s Peasant: Swine Herding in Anglo-Saxon England

Despite their small scale, the pigs of Anglo-Saxon England can reveal much about those who reared and wrote about them. In this article, Frederick Upton analyses key medieval documents and unique sources to highlight swine in this period as unique economic goods, but also as signifiers of culture and society. Through this exploration, the interesting and exclusive role of swineherds are also consequently illuminated.
AUTHOR FREDERICK UPTON

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The End of the World as We Know It: Climate Change Throughout History

Climate change is an especially relevant issue, with the current global warming crisis needing urgent attention by world leaders. In this article, Leon Corneille-Cowell outlines the history of this phenomenon, reflecting its precedence over thousands of decades, and its devastating impacts upon a number of civilisations and groups throughout time.
AUTHOR: LEON CORNEILLE-COWELL

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Titanic’s Only Black Passenger: The Story of Joseph Laroche

Although the Titanic is arguably the most famous ship in history, many of the horrific memories of its more ordinary passengers have been forgotten. This article spotlights the life of Joseph Laroche and his family, passengers aboard the Titanic, devastated by the tragedy. Helena Hunter successfully widens the narrative of the Titanic disaster by shedding light on the story of the only Black man amongst the ship’s passengers.
AUTHOR: HELENA HUNTER

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Race on the Rails: How Resistance to Racial Discrimination at London Euston Strengthened the UK’s Anti-Discrimination Laws

When one considers the history of racial discrimination, the stories of ordinary people who fought for equality are often overlooked. This compelling article spotlights Asquith Xavier, a Black West Indian railwayman, who challenged his rejection from a position at London Euston Station. By connecting Xavier to broader developments within the British civil rights movement, Oscar Hilder argues for Xavier’s influence on both racial legislation and his personal communities.
AUTHOR OSCAR HILDER

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A Comparison of the ‘An Allegory of the Tudor Succession’ Paintings

Depicting a powerful ruler through paintings, writing, music and statues has its roots in propaganda and shows a desire to be remembered once deceased. In this enthralling article, the symbolism behind the royal portraiture of the Tudor period, specifically through two almost identical paintings depicting Henry VIII and his children, all of which ruled England, is thoroughly analysed. The first is named ‘The Family of Henry VIII: An Allegory of the Tudor Succession’ by Lucas de Heere from 1572 and the second is ‘An Allegory of the Tudor Succession: The Family of Henry VIII’ by an unknown artist from 1590.
AUTHOR: ANNON FORD

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Josephine Baker: Fame, France and Fighting for a Cause

To shine a light on under-appreciated Black histories, Finlay Ratcliffe focuses on the life of Josephine Baker. Outlining her various roles as an entertainer, Second World War spy and civil rights advocate, as well as the commemorations that occurred after her untimely burial, this article recognises her significance both in life and death.
AUTHOR FINLAY RATCLIFFE

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From Total Obscurity to Infamous Dictator: Why Stalin Was More Clever and Cunning Than You Think

In January 1942, Stalin had become firmly established as the leader of the Soviet Union. In this article, Alex Herzmansky explores his rise to power and leadership, focusing particularly on his calculated political tactics and strategic personality to ultimately reflect his clever and cunning nature.
AUTHOR ALEX HERZMANSKY

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A Concealed History: The Great Pavement of Woodchester

After being lost for centuries, the Great Pavement was rediscovered in the village of Woodchester, Gloucestershire. Charlotte Mandefield details the story of the Roman mosaic, from the mythological origins of its visual imagery, to its modern-day problematic preservation.
AUTHOR CHARLOTTE MANDEFIELD

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Cultural Exchange: Ptolemaic Egypt

Egypt’s pharaonic era has consistently been a titan of historical interest. In this article, Isaiah Reitan highlights the colonial aspects of ancient Egypt, namely how its Macedonian Greek rulers brought about widespread cultural exchange across a variety of political avenues and religious spheres.
AUTHOR ISAIAH REITAN

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Exodus or Homecoming?: An Exploration of Nationality in the Greek-Turkish Population Exchange

The 1923 population exchange was perhaps one of the most important events in modern European history. Its enactment was not only significant for the peoples of Greece and Turkey, but also a template by which the nationalistic aims of European leaders would be realised across the 20th century. In this riveting article, the ideas and principles that governed such a decision are initially explored.
AUTHOR: MAX HILLIER

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“Upon Which Order The Child Was Brought To Him Which He Refused To Take”: The Fathers and Grandparents of Illegitimate Children in Early Modern England

In early modern English society, illegitimate children were a recognisable feature, especially in parishes. Olivia Boyle explores the familial dynamics surrounding these children, especially highlighting the unique involvement of fathers and grandparents in the lives of their ‘bastard’ descendants.
AUTHOR OLIVIA BOYLE

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Historical Stories: Our Top Picks

The 2023-2024 York Historian Committee recommends our favourite historical fictional tales, from mystery novels, to medical television and queer film.

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2024 in History

A look at historical anniversaries and commemorations that occurred in 2024 by the 2023-2024 York Historian Committee.

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Power or Pressure? Exploring whether Cosmetic Practices throughout History have Granted its Users Agency

Throughout history, women have utilised cosmetic practises to beautify themselves, adorning their appearances. Despite the tendency of historiography, as well as societies, to view these actions as a product of patriarchal influence, reducing cosmetic practices as being dictated by the male gaze, this has not always been the case. In this very interesting article, it is explored that the idea that cosmetics have actually been consistently used by women in particular to grant themselves with agency.
AUTHOR: PIPER HEDGES

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Angry, Fat and Cross – the Unmarried Woman in Early Modern England

Unmarried women in the Post-Mediaeval society occupied a unique position, since it meant to be partially socially and financially independent, but also to waiver certain social rights and privileges that were ordinarily only available to married women. The stereotype of the widow (elderly, destitute, lonely and haggard); superstitions around them and later, the satire found in both print and the wider media as well how historical archaeology can help unveil this preconceptions are explored in this excellent article.

AUTHOR: TOMO OLLIVIER

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Print and Popularity in the Tolerationist Debates of the English Revolution

The English Civil War and Revolution in the 1600s acted to destabilise and polarise the country. Jack Crosswaite explores the impact this had upon the control over the press, focusing on the changing print culture. The notion of the public sphere is reshaped through this article, through an analysis of pamphlet debates and concepts of popularity.
AUTHOR JACK CROSSWAITE

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Depictions of Cleopatra from Shakespeare to Netflix

Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt proper, has gripped popular media and its creative imagination throughout history. In this article, Leon Corneille-Cowell and Isabel Davies explore various depictions of the ruler, for example, using her medieval depictions and modern television portrayals.
AUTHOR LEON CORNEILLE-COWELL AND ISABEL DAVIES