CATEGORIES

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE IN THE TRENCHES

Peter Hart answers questions about the experiences of the men who served in some of the harshest conditions of World War I

Fulvia: the power broker of ancient Rome

As the wife of three successive political heavyweights, Fulvia attained a level of influence that few Roman women could have dreamed of. But is her legacy as a cruel opportunist entirely fair? Danny Bird reveals all...

Æthelstan and the foundation of England

Danny Bird reveals everything you need to know about the Anglo-Saxon ruler regarded as the first true 'King of the English' – from his battlefield achievements to his political reforms -

BATTLE FOR SICILY THE 'SOFT UNDERBELLY'

Eighty years ago, Allied forces invaded the Axis homeland for the first time in a huge, complex operation that involved airborne and amphibious landings

AUBREY COSENS

In February 1945, as the Allies began a renewed push into Nazi Germany, a Canadian sergeant single-handedly cleared three enemy-held buildings to earn the Commonwealth’s highest military honour

WWII'S FORGOTTEN V-2 HEIST

In the summer of 1944, a daring mission was launched to retrieve an intact German rocket, recovered by the Polish Home Army, to analyse and counter Hitler’s devastating vengeance weapon

PREPARING FOR KURSK

Dr Ben Wheatley of the University of East Anglia reveals the huge German and Soviet preparations for the largest tank battle in history

BATTLE OF JINGXING

Strategic brilliance and an audacious plan ensured victory for the underdog in this legendary clash in ancient China

FLEDGLING EAGLES

The French contribution to the air battles of WWI was unmatched. A world leader in aviation, its pioneers and factories readily turned to supporting the war effort

The Fall and Rise of Tony Hancock

Robert Ross examines the continuing legacy of the lad himself

Cereal Thriller

Simon Stabler joins the breakfast club

CATHERINE THE GREAT

On the 25th anniversary of the bestselling author’s death, Caroline Roope turns the pages of the remarkable backstory of Dame Catherine Cookson

WHEN 'ENRY'S 'AMMER FLOORED CLAY

Colin Allan looks back 60 years to the night Henry Cooper took on Cassius Clay

THE GOLD STANDARD

Simon Stabler climbs on board the Golden Hinde, a much-travelled replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon

Finding His True Self

Chris Hallam pays tribute to the many different lives of comedian and broadcaster Paul O'Grady

Dame Mary Quant

The fashion designer Dame Mary Quant has died. She was 93.

RAIL BLAZER

Fifty years ago, British Rail’s prototype High Speed Train set a new diesel speed record. Tony Bending looks back on this achievement

The Girl from Mars

Chris Hallam looks back to when Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space

Ready for Action!

Paul Carey looks at the work of special effects designer Derek Meddings, which included the Thunderbirds series and the James Bond franchise

POSTCARD FROM BELFAST

Bob Barton goes in search of the Chronicles of Narnia author CS Lewis, steps back in time, learns more about the story of the Titanic and goes to the theatre

Declaring a Display

The Declaration of Arbroath, a letter urging Pope John XXII to recognise Scotland’s independence and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as the country’s lawful king, will go on display at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (0300 123 6789, nms. ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland) from 3 June to 2 July.

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF LESLIE HOWARD

John Greeves looks at the untimely death of the Gone With the Wind star amid speculation this was an attempt by the Nazis to kill Winston Churchill

THE HOUSE OF SECRETS

Picture-perfect Harvington Hall hosts many surprises. Claire Saul visits this unique Worcestershire treasure to discover some of them

TAKING THE GRAND TOUR

Professor Roey Sweet reveals why young British men journeyed to Europe as an important part of their education

Historical Treasures - FIRST EDITION OF ROBINSON CRUSOE

Widely considered one of the first English novels, copies of this first edition are increasingly rare England, 1719

LEMON JUMBLES

A SPICED AND SUGARY KNOTTED BISCUIT, ENGLAND, 1485-PRESENT

HUNT FOR THE PHANTOM KILLER

Who was the masked man who held the region of Texarkana in a grip of fear?

GETTING HIGH WITH THE ANCIENTS

From drinking parties to medicinal cures and religious rituals

THE FIRST SHOGUN

How an exile took power in an age of murderous intrigue and a teetering empire

THE CORRUPTION OF HENRY VIII

How the Tudor king went from Renaissance prince to blood-soaked tyrant