Tag Archive: History

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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“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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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

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Meaning within Miscellany: The Value of Late Medieval Commonplace Books

Although general book production and literary grew in late medieval England, Amelia Spanton focuses on the commonplace book as a point of great interest. This article reflects the significance of these texts in containing and portraying information about life and society in this period.
AUTHOR AMELIA SPANTON

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The Ming Dynasty, Porcelain, Builders and Travellers

The Ming dynasty, known widely as the ‘Great Ming,’ oversaw the building of some of China’s most iconic monuments and contained many other unique features. In this article, Leon Corneille-Cowell explores these, as well as key individuals within the dynasty, such as the Hongwu Emperor and Zhang He.
AUTHOR LEON CORNEILLE-COWELL

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A Western Phenomenon?: A Study of Witchcraft in Colonial Africa

The history of witchcraft has typically been examined from a Western perspective. In this article, Libby Foxwell and Eloise Gibson explore perceptions of witchcraft in colonial Africa to uncover and overcome historical misconceptions about the phenomenon.
AUTHOR LIBBY FOXWELL AND ELOISE GIBSON

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The Qing: China’s Last Imperial Dynasty

Retelling the history of the Qing dynasty, Leon Corneille-Cowell discusses the range of factors that led to its eventual decline. This article gives an overview by detailing events such as the Taiping Rebellion while also looking at typical Qing fashion.
AUTHOR LEON CORNEILLE-COWELL

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To an Icy Grave: The Lost Franklin Expedition, its Legacy, and the Horror of an Arctic Death

The winner of our Halloween Writing Competition, Jack Rooney, details the tragic story of a crew tormented by disease, cannibalism, and the cold. Inspired by Dan Simmons’ novel ‘The Terror’, this article reveals the harsh historical reality of humanity’s own battle with their world.
AUTHOR JACK ROONEY

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The Celtic Origins of Halloween

Runner up of our 2023 Halloween Writing Competition, Seren Davies-Jones outlines the Celtic influences behind the celebration of Halloween. By looking at the common human fascination with all things dark and mysterious, clear connections are drawn between Samhain and Halloween.
AUTHOR SEREN DAVIES-JONES

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The Three Wise Men: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and the Legacies of Assassination

Delving into the interlinking presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, Sam Chapman presents a fascinating element of 1960s and 1970s American political history. Focusing on how Johnson and Nixon differently revelled in becoming Kennedy’s successor, this article uniquely looks at how this ultimately contributed to both of their downfalls.
AUTHOR SAM CHAPMAN

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Histories and Stories: Narration in Historiography

An insightful examination of the multifaceted role of narration in history.
AUTHOR: VERA RATNIKOVA

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Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, by Timothy Snyder.

A review of Timothy Snyder’s ‘Bloodlands’.
AUTHOR: MÅNS AHLSTEDT ÅBERG

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Charlottesville, Statues, Free Speech and History

A thought-provoking evaluation of the historian’s role in contemporary debates around statue destruction.
AUTHOR: JACK HARVEY

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The development of America: identity and the language of revolution

How far an American Identity had developed by 1776 is widely debated among historians. This article considers some of the facets of identity and assesses how far a uniquely American one had developed by the outbreak of the War of Independence.
AUTHOR: VICTORIA BETTNEY

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Anti-Irish Sentiment in Modern Britain

This article considers the development of anti-Irish sentiment in modern Britain, using a range of evidence to show the changes and continuities in the depiction of the Irish.
AUTHOR: ENYA HOLLAND

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A Million Years in a Day, by Greg Jenner (2015)

A review of A Million Years in a Day: A Curious History of Daily Life from the Stone Age to the Phone Age (2015), by Greg Jenner.

AUTHOR: VICTORIA BETTNEY

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Why Has Anglo Saxon York Been Forgotten?

Usually when we think of York, we think of the Vikings. Why has York’s Anglo Saxon history been overlooked?
AUTHOR: ELSA ROBINSON

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“Their Name Liveth For Evermore”: Memorialisation of the First World War in York

The meanings expressed in, and drawn from, memorials are contested by historians. What can York’s First World War memorials offer to the debate?
AUTHOR: SOPHIE TURBUTT

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Propaganda during the Hundred Years’ War

The use of propaganda was integral to the Hundred Years’ War. Was Christine de Pizan involved in its production?
AUTHOR: ELSA ROBINSON

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The York Historian Meets: Oleg Benesch

The York Historian meets University of York lecturer, Oleg Benesch

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Reagan: a Critical Analysis

This article offers a critical exploration of the Ronald Reagan years by focusing on his economic, foreign and social policies.
AUTHOR: JAMES BASTIN

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“Be the Heroine of your Life”: Five Inspirational Women From History Assessed

This article looks five women from across history from vastly different backgrounds. The background of each woman is assessed, and a judgement made on their lasting contributions to society.
AUTHOR: VICTORIA BETTNEY AND OTHERS

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Erasing The Holocaust

This article explores the origins of Holocaust denial, and considers the role of the historian in overcoming it.
AUTHOR: CATHERINE METCALFE

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The Life of St. Gerald of Aurillac and Secular Sanctity in the Carolingian Empire

How did Gerald of Aurillac reconcile his roles as both a secular aristocrat and a cleric? This article explores that dilemma by analysing Odo of Cluny’s ‘Vita Geraldi’.
AUTHOR: LIAM GREENACRE