History Today

Crime and Control in Scotland 1500-1800

Scotland was a much more disciplined society in the years before the Industrial Revolution than has usually been supported, as Lenman and Parker, the authors of the first of these two articles on 'Crime in Britain 1500-1800' show.

South Africa - 'The Myth of the Empty Land'

Shula Marks examines the abundant archaeological evidence, much of it recently gathered, for the widespread settlement of South Africa before 1488 when Portuguese sailors first reached the Cape.

Frontier of Illusion - The Welsh and the Atlantic Revolution

Inspired by the myth of Prince Madoc who was believed to have discovered America before Columbus. Welshmen sought to establish 'Gwladfa' a national home for their people in the new land and sought contact with the Mandan Indians who were said to be Welsh-speaking.

Postcards and History

Picture postcards may seem a commonplace means of communication, but, when they first came into use, they caused a revolution in people’s writing habits. T.J. Brady writes how they led to the creation of a considerable industry and became the subject of a collecting craze almost unparallelled.

A Mine of Statues

Charles Seltman presents the discovery and patronage of Herculaneum as a classical drama.

Bristol

Bryan Little pays an architectural visit to the famous city on the Avon.